Shili Alley.
As soon as President Liao stopped the car, a crowd gathered.
Cars were a rare sight here, let alone such a luxurious one…
A few men stared with wide eyes. After all, what man could resist the allure of a fine car?
They circled around it in awe. “How much do you think this car costs? Look at the badge—it seems like a foreign brand…”
Someone couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, what brand is this car? Can you get one for 100,000 yuan?”
President Liao usually dealt with businesspeople and officials, but he was very approachable at this moment. Smiling, he said, “Rolls-Royce. Limited edition. You couldn’t afford it for that price.”
A few people gasped.
One man immediately boasted, “I know that one! I heard it on the radio once—just one tire of a Rolls-Royce could cost more than I’ll earn in a few lifetimes. And this is a limited edition? Just imagine how expensive that must be…”
The crowd could barely comprehend it.
Someone warned, “Don’t touch anything! If you break something, none of us can afford to pay for it.”
President Liao chuckled.
At that moment, the passenger-side door opened and Qiao Wengang stepped out.
People who had lived in this alley for years recognized him immediately. “Isn’t that Gangan? Gangan, you’re riding in a car like that now?”
Qiao Wengang scratched his head and gave a shy smile. “No, no, this is Mr. Liao helping me out.”
Some nosy folks ran into the courtyard, shouting toward the Qiao family, “Your boy Gangan made it big! He came back in a luxury car! That car’s so expensive, I didn’t even dare look at it too long!”
Old Madam Qiao, who had been hiding at home for days, dropped her corn and stood up abruptly, grinning ear to ear. “That’s my son for you! I have to go see for myself!”
She raised her chin, proud. So what if people gossiped about her? Her son had finally brought her honor.
Even Old Man Qiao stopped smoking and followed the crowd out with a grin.
Qiao Wengang was swarmed by neighbors asking all sorts of questions. He didn’t know much about the car, so President Liao answered most of them. His explanations made the car sound even more priceless.
Swallowing nervously, Qiao Wengang said, “Maybe we should borrow an ox cart to move the stuff. What if we scratch the car…”
President Liao patted him on the shoulder. “No need to be polite. A car is meant to be used. Don’t worry—a scratch or bump is no big deal.”
If any Citibank employee were present, they would’ve been speechless. Everyone knew how President Liao cherished his car. His motto was: neither my car nor my wife is ever lent out.
Anyone who so much as touched his car would have to endure a whole day of heartache from him.
Washing, waxing, careful maintenance—these were his daily rituals.
But now…
Seeing how generous he was being, Qiao Wengang knew that any further refusal would only distance him, so he laughed and said, “Thank you then. I’ll go start packing.”
Just as they finished speaking, Old Man and Old Madam Qiao arrived, followed by a swarm of curious neighbors.
Seeing their son, both parents beamed with pride. Clearing his throat, Old Man Qiao asked, “Son, who’s your friend? Bring him home for a visit!”
Qiao Wengang instantly knew what they were thinking.
President Liao stood quietly beside him, smiling faintly.
Qiao Wengang didn’t bother being polite. “No need. I came back to pack Yunchu and Lihua’s things.”
The smiles on the old couple’s faces froze.
Old Man Qiao assumed a patriarchal tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Old Madam Qiao grew anxious. “Why are you packing?”
Then she turned and laughed nervously at President Liao. “He talks nonsense all the time. Let’s go inside and talk…”
President Liao smiled politely, but there was no warmth in it. “Thank you, but no need. I’m just here to help Miss Yunchu and Miss Lihua move their things.”
Old Man and Old Madam Qiao exchanged looks, then grabbed their son and pulled him aside. “Don’t make me hit you! What’s going on?”
Qiao Wengang had grown up under his father’s beatings and instinctively stepped back, shielding himself. “What I said is the truth. Mom, you always said Yunchu wasn’t good enough for me. But now, I realize I’m the one not worthy of her. You’re both over the moon just because I rode in a luxury car. But do you even know—”
“Yunchu’s mother just bought a Western-style villa for her! From now on, she and Lihua won’t need to suffer under your attitudes ever again.”
With that, he turned and walked away to start packing.
Old Man and Old Madam Qiao stood stunned, looking at each other in disbelief.
After a long pause, one of them finally found their voice. “Yunchu’s mother? Isn’t she her stepmother? Didn’t she abandon her years ago?”
If that weren’t the case, how could Old Madam Qiao have bullied Yunchu so openly?
She had only dared because Yunchu had nowhere else to go—no family to rely on.
But what did their son mean now?
Old Man Qiao thought for a moment, then said firmly, “Let’s go home and get to the bottom of this.”
Back home, the more Qiao Wengang packed, the heavier his heart became.
Yunchu had been married to him for so long, and Lihua was already this big, yet they barely had any belongings.
He knew Nan Lingyi wasn’t short on money, so he didn’t pack everything—just the things with sentimental value for Yunchu and Lihua. So the task didn’t take long.
By the time Old Man and Old Madam Qiao rushed home, he was already gone.
Back in the courtyard, everyone was still talking—how Qiao Wengang had finally made something of himself, riding in a luxury car, likely earning big money now…
The old couple listened, unsure how to feel.
Nan Lingyi had been woken by the noise outside. After a good nap, she felt refreshed and came downstairs to find Shen Yunchu and Lihua sorting through the items Qiao Wengang had brought back.
President Liao had already left.
Seeing the old lady, Shen Yunchu called out happily, “Mom!”
Little Lihua ran over and threw herself into her arms, soft and sweetly calling, “Grandma!”
Nan Lingyi gently ruffled her hair and asked Qiao Wengang, “No trouble at home?”
Qiao Wengang waved it off. “I handled my parents just fine. I also told them you bought a villa for Lihua, and that she won’t be going back there.”
Shen Yunchu still couldn’t believe how suddenly her life had changed.
No more washing clothes with cold water. No more constant fear of her mother-in-law’s sudden insults or violence. No more trembling at night, afraid she might barge in.
This place—this home her mother bought for her and placed in her name—was her greatest source of safety.
(End of Chapter)