Shen Baozhu stammered, “W-what does that have to do with me? I’ve never gone to c-complain to Grandpa Fang!”
Shen Qi gave her a look as if she were an idiot, said nothing, and lowered her head to continue eating.
Shen Baozhu and Shen Jinan didn’t understand, but Shen Congjun and Xu Ailian did.
Especially Xu Ailian, who even felt somewhat guilty.
Shen Baozhu and Fang Yi were childhood sweethearts who grew up together. They often fought and quarreled as children but became much more harmonious as they grew older.
Shen Baozhu had a secret crush on Fang Yi and had originally planned to confess after graduating from high school.
Who would have thought that Shen Qi would appear out of nowhere, not only becoming Fang Yi’s fiancée but also the true heiress of the Shen Family.
Shen Baozhu cried for several nights, her eyes swollen every day.
Naturally, Xu Ailian felt sorry for her and tacitly allowed Shen Baozhu to continue seeing Fang Yi, sometimes even covering for her.
Xu Ailian’s intention was to make Shen Baozhu happier, but she didn’t realize what consequences her tacit approval would bring.
It was only when Shen Qi bluntly pointed this out that she suddenly realized she had made a mistake.
Shen Congjun, on the other hand, thought: Thankfully, the marriage arrangement between the two families was only verbal and not officially engaged. If it got out that the Shen Family’s adopted daughter was desperately trying to seduce the biological daughter’s fiancé, what a huge scandal would that be?
How could he ever hold his head up again?
After finishing the meal, Shen Qi put down her chopsticks and returned to her room, paying no mind to washing the dishes.
She had already cooked, so washing the dishes should be someone else’s job.
Shen Congjun called Shen Baozhu into the study, and the two talked for half an hour.
When they came out, Shen Baozhu covered her face and ran upstairs to the second floor.
That night, the couple lay in bed, and Xu Ailian tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
“Congjun, I think we can’t keep indulging Shen Qi like this. Although she has her reasons, it’s still too much. How can she hit people whenever she wants? Both Xiao Nan and Baozhu have been beaten by her.”
“She’s just holding grudges and anger. Once she lets it out, she’ll be fine.”
“But it’s not Xiao Nan and Baozhu’s fault.”
“What do you want? To make her jump off the building again? Haven’t we been humiliated enough?” Shen Congjun said impatiently. “It’s just a small family matter. Can you stop bothering me?”
Xu Ailian was left speechless.
“Keep an eye on Shen Baozhu. Don’t let her go looking for Fang Yi again.”
“The two children have been playing together since they were young. They’re like siblings…”
“Who are you trying to fool? Remember this: Grandpa Fang specifically named Shen Qi to be his granddaughter-in-law. If a scandal about two women fighting over one man breaks out, you and Shen Baozhu can both get out and go back to the Zhou Family!”
Back then, Shen Congjun had thought the two children should return to their respective families, but Xu Ailian couldn’t bear to part with Shen Baozhu. Since he rarely interfered in family matters, he didn’t object.
Xu Ailian bit the corner of the quilt, feeling sorry for Shen Baozhu.
Actually, she also thought Shen Baozhu and Fang Yi were a better match, but it was as if Grandpa Fang was under a spell, showing special favor to Shen Qi.
Sigh…
Forget it. Since Grandpa Fang is in the hospital now, it’s better to advise Baozhu to behave herself recently and not go looking for Fang Yi, lest it provoke Shen Qi into complaining to Grandpa Fang again.
If something really happened to Grandpa Fang because of this, wouldn’t the Fang Family hold a grudge against the Shen Family?
The next day, Shen Qi woke up early in the morning.
When she walked out of her bedroom, there wasn’t a soul in the living room.
She shook each thermos flask one by one; only the one she had filled before going to bed last night had half a flask of hot water left.
She used it to brush her teeth and wash her face, ignoring the nearly extinguished coal briquette stove, left a note, and walked away without a care.
Within minutes, Shen Congjun got up and habitually went to fetch a thermos from the kitchen for his morning wash.
He picked up one—empty. Then another—still empty.
His face darkened as he checked them all, confirming there wasn’t a drop of hot water left.
He glanced at the door of what used to be the guest room, now Shen Qi’s room, tightly shut.
Was she still asleep?
He walked over to knock but spotted a note on the tea table.
Picking it up, he read:
“Dad, Mom, I thought it over last night and decided I can’t waste my days at home. Starting today, I’ll go out every day to look for a job. — Shen Qi”
A job?
She’d already left?
Shen Congjun gritted his teeth, an inexplicable irritation gnawing at him.
He went upstairs and woke Xu Ailian.
“Get up and light the stove to boil water and make breakfast.”
Xu Ailian had struggled with insomnia the night before, only managing to doze off in the early hours. Now, she was in the deepest, most reluctant part of her sleep.
“Huh? Isn’t Shen Qi here? She’ll handle it.”
“She’s gone out. Stop dawdling and get up now.”
“Gone out?”
Xu Ailian forced her eyes open. “What time is it? Where did she go? To buy groceries?”
“She’s out job hunting.” Shen Congjun handed her the note.
Xu Ailian skimmed it and jolted awake.
“How could she leave without discussing it with me first!”
“You’re asking me?” Shen Congjun urged, “Enough, hurry up. I need to get to work soon.”
Reluctantly, Xu Ailian crawled out of bed to boil water and clean the stove ashes.
“Honestly, what kind of job can she find this early? She could’ve at least finished the housework first.”
Now she had to do it all herself—what a hassle.
Meanwhile, Shen Qi was at a breakfast shop, enjoying a steaming bowl of noodles. Youthful appetite intact, she even ordered a fried dough stick to finish.
She had no intention of staying at the Shen Family to be their unpaid maid anymore.
She wanted her own career. The meager allowance from home barely covered basic needs—hardly useful.
They said the 1980s were a golden era—opportunities everywhere for those bold enough to seize them.
Shen Qi firmly believed it. Just during breakfast, she felt it keenly.
Post-reform, shops sprouted like mushrooms. She remembered this very eatery—still thriving years later when she passed away, expanded from one small storefront to four.
As for what she’d do, Shen Qi hadn’t decided yet.
She had many skills.
During her five years in prison, she’d learned plenty.
Sewing, hairdressing, baking…
And from her time with the Zhou Family—gardening, raising pigs and chickens, and more.
Passing an appliance store, Shen Qi was drawn to the TVs inside.
Or more precisely, to the news broadcast.
Seeing the year and date on screen triggered a memory.
She knew exactly where to job-hunt now!
Shen Qi hailed a rickshaw and gave an address. Standing before a shop called “Lili Hair Salon,” her heart swelled with excitement.
The door opened, and a glamorous woman with big, wavy hair stepped out, holding a mop as if she’d just finished cleaning.
Tossing the mop into a cement sink by the entrance, the woman deftly pulled out a cigarette and lighter. About to light up, she noticed Shen Qi.
She tsked, pocketing the items, and jerked her chin at Shen Qi. “Here for a haircut?”
Shen Qi gave her a slight smile. “Yes, just a haircut.”
“Come on in.”
After the haircut, Shen Qi looked at her refreshed self in the mirror and sighed with emotion, realizing that Sister Li’s skills were already this good at this time.
No wonder she could become a barbering instructor in prison.