By the time Shen Qingyun and Zou Zhanyang came downstairs, Zou Liyi had already finished his meal and was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper.
Shen Qingyun gave Zou Zhanyang a playful pinch on the waist. “Look at what you’ve done.”
Zou Zhanyang chuckled, then quickly attended to his wife at the table.
After finishing breakfast, they entered the living room. Zou Liyi smiled warmly, pulling out two red envelopes and handing them to Shen Qingyun. “One is a traditional ‘change of address’ gift, and the other is some pocket money for you.”
Feeling the weight in her palms, Shen Qingyun’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Grandpa. I’ll accept them without hesitation.”
Zou Liyi’s eyes crinkled into a joyful crescent. He turned to Zou Zhanyang, “Don’t forget to take Qingyun to see your father later.”
Zou Zhanyang nodded in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhigao and Sun Lanzhi were already dressed and waiting at the door, while Shen Qingwei yawned beside them.
“Mom, Dad, Qingyun has already sent our third sister off as a sent-down youth. Do you really think she’ll come back?”
Recalling yesterday’s events, Sun Lanzhi’s face darkened.
Yesterday, the street office had come by, ready to send Shen Qinghe and Shen Qingwei to the countryside. Sun Lanzhi’s first reaction was disbelief, but the clearly written registration forms left no room for doubt.
Her head spun. The eldest daughter married far away, the second daughter was sent down unjustly, and now only Shen Qinghe and Shen Qingwei remained. If both were sent to the countryside, what purpose did her life even serve?
Through Sun Lanzhi’s desperate pleas, the street office finally relented: one child could go immediately, and if the other didn’t find work within three days, there would be consequences.
Shen Zhigao and Sun Lanzhi quickly packed the luggage originally meant for Shen Xinwei for Shen Qinghe, and off she went, a bright-eyed girl sent to the countryside.
After the child left, Sun Lanzhi remembered to ask where she was being sent. When she learned it was to a remote border region, she nearly fainted.
Now, thinking of Shen Qingyun, her chest filled with hatred.
Shen Zhigao didn’t care about these emotions—his career and son mattered most. While waiting, he remarked, “We raised her from childhood. If she won’t stay here, where would she go? Shen Hanyang and Bai Yue have both been sent down too.”
Stretching his neck to look outside, he soon spotted a jeep approaching.
Who else could be in the car but Shen Qingyun?
Seeing Zou Zhanyang beside her, Shen Zhigao couldn’t help nodding in satisfaction. Tall, handsome, and, importantly, from a respectable family!
The jeep soon arrived, and Shen Zhigao’s eyes brightened. He straightened his clothes and prepared to speak, but by the time he looked, the car had already passed, leaving only the rear in view.
Sun Lanzhi snorted. “You really think you’re Qingyun’s father? She didn’t even invite you to her wedding. Comrade Shen Zhigao, please use your brain and figure out who could possibly not want our family to prosper and put us in this miserable state.”
“It’s Shen Qingyun,” Shen Qingwei said, his expression grave.
Sun Lanzhi shot a glance at the sullen Shen Zhigao—her meaning was clear.
After being subtly criticized by Sun Lanzhi, Shen Zhigao was both angry and frustrated—but she was right.
Now was not the time for internal conflict.
Taking a deep breath, Shen Zhigao instructed Sun Lanzhi, “Take Qingwei to the factory and transfer his work.”
“And on the way back, buy some gifts and alcohol. I need to visit Director Tang.”
The jeep drove straight to the Mechanical Factory compound.
It stopped in front of a three-story house. Shen Qingyun and Zou Zhanyang got out, carrying their things, and knocked on the door.
Cao Cuizhen opened it. Seeing Shen Qingyun and Zou Zhanyang, she froze for a moment before quickly smiling and welcoming them inside.
Zou Bowen was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. He put it down.
“They’re here?” he said, as a form of greeting.
Zou Zhanyang nodded and handed the items he carried to Cao Cuizhen. “Grandpa sent us to check on you.”
“Check on me, huh? And bring so many things! Oh, there’s even malted milk powder. Your father has high blood sugar; the doctor said he should eat less sugar. And canned peaches? No, he can’t eat that either. I’ll take care of these for you—don’t let him sneak any.”
The more Cao Cuizhen spoke, the more Zou Bowen’s previously bright expression darkened.
A wave of sadness welled up inside him. Even a stepson with no blood relation knew to care for him after work every day, yet his own biological son didn’t seem to care at all.
Zou Zhanyang noticed his father’s expression and knew exactly what he was thinking. Not just comparing him to Li Cheng, but doubting his heart. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. He had long seen through it.
Fortunately, he now had a wife.
Seeing the faint sorrow and coldness in Zou Zhanyang’s eyes, Shen Qingyun sighed. Clearly, this child had a deep emotional scar.
She slipped her small hand into Zou Zhanyang’s tightly held palm and gave him a reassuring wink.
Time to see her performance.
With a cheerful smile and warm tone, she addressed Cao Cuizhen, “No need, Auntie. These were bought especially for you—to sweeten your day. Don’t go around spreading negativity to others with a bitter face.”
“Look at you. Zou Zhanyang and I bought two big bags of things. You didn’t even look at them, just picked the two things Grandpa won’t eat to trouble us. Auntie, if you don’t welcome us, we’ll just leave.”
She lowered her head in mock sadness, tugging on Zou Zhanyang’s hand. “Zhanyang, let’s go. Let’s not stay here and upset Grandpa and Auntie.”
Zou Zhanyang’s heart ached. If his wife weren’t acting, he would have left immediately. But since she was performing, he had to follow along.
He squeezed her hand and started to move toward the door.
“Stop.” Zou Bowen spoke, displeased, glaring at Cao Cuizhen. “Zhanyang and Qingyun are back after a long time. If you say anything wrong, you’ll go back to your room!”
Cao Cuizhen hurriedly explained, “I meant no offense. I was just concerned about your health.”
Shen Qingyun frowned. “You mean you care about Grandpa’s health. Does that mean Zhanyang and I don’t care? If we didn’t care, why would we come today? Are we here just for Auntie to vent?”
Cao Cuizhen grew increasingly flustered. She tried to respond, but Zou Bowen’s expression darkened further. She dared not speak and went to prepare food.
Zou Bowen gestured for the couple to sit, wanting to speak but unsure how. Zou Zhanyang, restless by nature, pulled Shen Qingyun upstairs.
Their room on the third floor hit them with a musty smell. It was clear no one had stayed there or cleaned it for a long time.
Everything was still arranged as it had been when Zou Zhanyang left.
“I moved out of this house at twelve. Stayed with Grandpa until sixteen, then joined the army and was rarely home after that.”
Zou Zhanyang’s expression carried memories as he squatted and pulled a box from under the bed. Opening it, he revealed a collection of miscellaneous items and a black-and-white photograph.