When Shen Qingyun arrived, Shen Zhigao and Sun Lanzhi were both in the living room.
Seeing her, Shen Zhigao gestured for her to sit. “You’re here. It’s been a long time since our family sat down together for a meal.”
“I don’t need to eat. I don’t eat with people I’m not close to. Comrade Shen Zhigao, why did you call me here today?”
“You’re always so childish. That day after Weiwei left, and your mother was taken away, I was just speaking out of frustration. The room has been tidied up; you can move back anytime.”
Shen Zhigao’s expression softened, looking genuinely like a caring father.
Shen Qingyun was disgusted by him, rubbing her arm. “Just get to the point—why exactly did you call me here? Stop beating around the bush.”
The façade of the doting father couldn’t last any longer. Shen Zhigao finally asked, “I heard you went out with a young man today. Is he your boyfriend? What does he do? What about his family?”
Shen Qingyun realized it was about Zou Zhanyang.
She countered, “Who is he? Don’t you know?”
“How would I know?” Shen Zhigao answered instinctively.
Sun Lanzhi suddenly realized something and glared with anger and hatred. “So it’s true—you actually stole Weiwei’s boyfriend!”
Shen Zhigao frowned. Weiwei’s boyfriend?
Sun Lanzhi quickly whispered a few words in his ear. Shen Zhigao suddenly understood. Zhou Weiguo… he remembered, the man was just a small company commander, from a peasant family of three generations. Aside from his class background, he was nothing.
Shen Zhigao frowned and commanded, “Break up with him immediately. I can introduce someone better for you.”
Shen Qingyun was puzzled. “Someone better? I don’t see why I should believe you’re doing this out of kindness.”
“Do you remember Minister Chen? He’s been to our home before. His wife recently passed away, and he’s looking for a new wife. If you could become his wife, you should feel honored.” Shen Zhigao spoke.
Shen Qingyun frowned, digging through her memory to recall who this Minister Chen was.
“I remember him… isn’t he around fifty?”
“Fifty is still a man in his prime. Older men know how to cherish women,” Shen Zhigao said earnestly.
Whether he would cherish her or not was unknown, and at that age, he was second-hand goods. She had no idea where Shen Zhigao got the confidence to speak so casually.
Shen Qingyun let out a small “oh.” “Sorry, Comrade Shen Zhigao, but I’m getting married. Perhaps this honorable mission should be passed to Shen Qinghe instead. She’s your biological daughter and surely inherits your taste and vision. This honor belongs to her.”
Before Shen Zhigao could respond, Shen Qinghe shrieked like a mouse stepping on a tail, “Shen Qingyun, get out! I don’t want to marry some half-dead, dried-up old man!”
Shen Qingyun looked regretful. “The solution’s been offered. It’s up to Comrade Shen Zhigao whether he can seize it.”
Shen Zhigao glared at Shen Qingyun, darkly. “I’m informing you, not asking your opinion. You must break up with him.”
His expression grew darker. “Otherwise, don’t expect us to back you up if your in-laws beat you to death.”
The original Shen Qingyun was gone. She wasn’t buying into grandiose plans.
She sneered coldly. “Are you really my family? That day, Sun Lanzhi didn’t finish speaking. Let me guess…”
“You and Sun Lanzhi deliberately swapped the Shen family’s child back then, didn’t you? Just to grab the family’s power and wealth? At that time, Shen Hanyang was already a company commander, his wife Bai Yue came from a good family, and you were just an insignificant nobody.”
Shen Zhigao’s expression turned terrifying. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Since you don’t want to hear it, I’ll change the topic. You’re the deputy director of the political office, right? Why did Shen Hanyang’s family get advance notice of the reassignments? Someone must have helped them. Comrade Shen, do you know who it was?”
Shen Zhigao’s face changed drastically. “Shen Qingyun, what are you trying to say?”
Shen Qingyun snorted coldly. “Don’t put your schemes on me. I have a bad temper. If you push me further, I won’t hesitate to speak out.”
Shen Qingyun left. The Shen household was eerily silent. Shen Qinghe, sensing something was wrong, had already sneaked back to her room. Sun Lanzhi clenched her fists, face full of hatred and resentment.
“This bitch is getting more and more unruly, daring to threaten us. Marrying Minister Chen would be too cheap for her. Perhaps we should…”
Before she could finish, Shen Zhigao slapped Sun Lanzhi hard. “Shut up! This is all your doing. If you hadn’t acted on your own, I wouldn’t be in this position, being threatened by her.”
Sun Lanzhi covered her face, muttering, “You knew it all along…”
“In short, don’t go looking for her, and don’t provoke her!” Shen Zhigao took a deep breath, fingers trembling.
Sun Lanzhi fell silent, her eyes flashing with discontent.
For two days, the atmosphere in Shen Zhigao’s home was suffocating. Shen Qinghe couldn’t bear it and secretly sneaked out to get some air.
The street office was already registering households; she needed to find a job quickly. With no money at home, she had to rely on herself.
All because of Shen Qingyun!
Shen Qinghe was full of resentment.
“Qinqin, over here!” Shen Qinghe waved, and a girl with braided hair, wearing a white blouse and black skirt, approached.
The girl looked delicate and elegant, sitting down with an air of arrogance and efficiently pouring tea.
This time, Shen Qinghe had taken the initiative to meet Cao Qinqin to discuss finding a job, since Cao’s uncle was a factory director.
They chatted casually. Shen Qinghe flattered and praised her until Cao Qinqin’s haughty demeanor finally softened into a faint smile.
Shen Qinghe exhaled, trying to bring up the job.
“The arts troupe isn’t for just anyone. You don’t have my background; even if you get in, you’d only be a minor role,” Cao Qinqin said disdainfully.
Shen Qinghe, feeling frustrated, had to nod in agreement. “Yes… someone with your qualifications could definitely get in if you wanted.”
Cao Qinqin snorted. “I won’t. I want to be a translator.”
“Wow, Qinqin, you’re amazing. By the way, we’ve all graduated, and I haven’t found a job yet. Your uncle is a factory director, right? Could he help me get a position?” Shen Qinghe asked cautiously, her eyes full of pleading.
Cao Qinqin’s gaze was cold, looking down on someone trying to use connections for a job. She despised it.
Just as she was about to refuse, her eyes lit up, and her attitude suddenly changed. She warmly waved ahead.
Xu Jiani came over and sat down. Cao Qinqin smiled kindly. “Jiani, what a coincidence!”
Xu Jiani nodded. “I hope I’m not interrupting you?”
“Not at all. We weren’t talking about anything important,” Cao Qinqin said.
Shen Qinghe hesitated, unsure whether to speak.
When she learned from their conversation that Xu Jiani’s grandfather was a high-ranking official, Shen Qinghe’s reluctance disappeared. She busied herself, serving tea and pouring water.
Xu Jiani looked slightly embarrassed. “And you are?”
“I’m Shen Qinghe. You can call me Qinghe,” she replied with a flattering smile.
Qinghe?
Xu Jiani’s expression changed. She stared at Shen Qinghe for a long moment and then hesitated. “What’s your relationship with Shen Qingyun?”