Happy? Of course not. Ma Xiulan should simply accept being sent away. Why must she go and do unnecessary things?
“Father do you not wish Mother well?” Xu Qingru pressed the label on him again.
Xu Hui’s face twisted with unease. “Of course I wish her well.”
“Then you should be glad she does not have to leave right?”
Xu Hui had come to pry into the relationship between Ma Xiulan and Dong Jun and now he could not sit still. He returned home and went straight to his study to find it emptied his mood darkened further. Why did luck turn against him? At least his job was safe and the transfer cancelled. But the money needed was enormous and arranging to spare Chen Jiashu from exile would cost dearly too.
Xu Yingying had slept all day plagued by nightmares. She woke sweating as Xu Hui returned. In her dreams her eldest and second brothers ignored her third spoke cruelly and fourth watched from shadows. She felt half mad. She stayed in her room wondering if Xu Qingru could be close to all four brothers then perhaps she could too. The brothers who had never cared might cherish her instead.
A thought struck her. In her past life Eldest Brother Dong Yunzhou had been working on a difficult research project. She knew exactly what it was. If she gave him the solution his opinion of her would surely change.
Ma Xiulan knew nothing of Xu Hui’s visit. She went to work each day and Dong Jun called often. They were to marry. She had thought a simple certificate would suffice but he insisted on a proper ceremony. She had protested yet he said it was a momentous occasion and she agreed. Her days were full leaving no thought for Xu Hui.
Next morning as soon as Ma Xiulan left Xu Qingru rose fetched fish from her space borrowed a basket from a neighbour and set off for the Dong family compound. The same doorman stood watch but today he was all smiles and welcomed her in.
Xu Yingying arrived shortly afterward. When she said she too sought the family the doorman looked down his nose. “Relatives like you come looking for favours I have seen it all! Go on do not disturb my work!” He withdrew his head as gruffly as the day before.
Xu Yingying stood outside stung. “My mother will be mistress here!” she called. “If you do not open I will tell her and you will lose your post!” For a moment she felt like the young lady of the house as she had been before. But the man paid her no mind. Eyes burning she turned away on the verge of tears.
As she left someone came out. It was Dong Yunhuai. He saw Xu Yingying depart. He had stepped out just in time and caught sight of her. She did not seem like a worthy person at all. Dong Lie was too young and easily swayed by Xu Qingru’s praises he had clearly been misled. Dong Yunhuai walked on his face as stern as ever.
At the house Dong Yunzhou had not gone to the institute waiting for the fish. Dong Jun and Dong Lie stood beside him concerned he might treat Xu Qingru poorly. The gash on Dong Lie’s forehead had healed completely overnight leaving barely a mark. Dong Yunzhou sat in the centre feeling watched and ill at ease. Xu Qingru entered to find them looking very serious.
“Qingru you have come at last,” Dong Jun greeted her glancing behind her and looking faintly disappointed not to see Ma Xiulan.
Dong Lie rushed forward. “Qingru here you are.” He took the basket from her without checking the fish. “You must be tired carrying such weight. I should have come to meet you.”
Dong Yunzhou’s expression darkened. He opened the basket and saw five fish and his frown melted into a smile. “Thank you.”
Xu Qingru was used to his coldness and said nothing. Dong Jun seeing his son’s swift change of heart looked on with disdain. Fine words when he needed something he thought. His own body felt remarkably strong enough to fight again.
“No one will know where the fish comes from you have my word,” Dong Yunzhou said. “If anything comes of the research you will be the first to know.” He took his leave carrying the basket.
“He is like that but he means well,” Dong Jun consoled her.
Means well? Xu Qingru nodded doubtfully. He was certainly dedicated to his work. She had business elsewhere and did not stay long. She walked to the nearby black market paid the entry fee and went in. Stalls displayed goods and antiques though authenticity was anyone’s guess. She walked the length of the market finding nothing of interest. She knew little of antiques and most were fakes so she moved on.
At the far end two rough-looking men stood before a shack. They grew alert as she approached. “I want to see your leader. I have goods to sell.” She showed a glint of gold from her pocket. They exchanged glances and nodded.
They returned minutes later and led her inside. The room was dim lit only by an oil lamp. A man sat across the table watching her. “Girl how much do you have?” His gaze swept over her resting on her bag.
Xu Qingru tapped the bag producing a clink of metal. The man sat up straight. “You came alone?” he asked.