Ch 94: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

The Shen family were scheming and manipulative. They spread out a tattered straw mat outside the gates of the Wuyou Food Factory, with Grandma Shen lying on it, groaning dramatically. Shen Weiguo squatted nearby, looking haggard as he smoked, while Fang Fang cried pitifully, wailing, “Yunxuan, please save your grandmother. You’ve turned everyone against us, leaving us with no way to make a living. Now your grandmother is sick, and we can’t even afford medical treatment!”

A “reporter” they’d brought along pretended to be a bystander, secretly taking notes and photos. Onlookers gathered, asking, “What’s going on? What’s wrong with her? Is this karma for how they mistreated their granddaughter?”

“Keep it down! The old lady is sick; that’s pitiful enough.”

“Wasn’t Shen Yunxuan pitiful when she was nothing but skin and bones? Always hungry and still forced to work for them! They’re no better than exploitative landlords!”

The factory’s security guards quickly noticed the Shen family and came out to drive them away. “Director Shen hasn’t been at the factory for days. Go home,” one guard said sternly.

Fang Fang cried even louder. “I knew Yunxuan wouldn’t want to see us. How could she be so heartless? This is her own grandmother! How could she just stand by and watch her die?”

The guard raised his voice. “What are you trying to do, slandering our director? I’ve already told you, she’s not here. She’s at home, resting during her pregnancy. Why don’t you go there instead? Is this just a ploy to stir up trouble at the factory?”

The head of security came out, assessed the situation, and frowned. “Director Shen has done so much good, helping people like us who were injured. What’s this nonsense about her being heartless?”

The bystanders nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Director Shen is generous and has donated so much money. She’s helped countless people. And this is how her own family treats her?”

“Is the old lady faking her illness? Are they just here to extort money from Director Shen?”

“Shen family, don’t you feel ashamed? They’ve already told you she’s not here. Even if she were, why should she help you? Go away!”

Suddenly, Shen Weiguo pulled out a vegetable knife and held it to his neck, crying out, “What do you people want? Are you trying to drive us to our deaths? You all just believe whatever Shen Yunxuan says? If we mistreated her, how did she grow up healthy? We refused to marry her off for a bride price of 300 yuan in the mountains and chose a good family in the town, the Xiao family. What more could we have done for her?”

He continued, sobbing, “She’s ungrateful! She cut ties with us the moment she got married and now badmouths us everywhere. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing! Fine, if we can’t survive, we’ll all die here today. Then she’ll never have to see us again!”

Fang Fang screamed, “Weiguo! Weiguo, no!”

Grandma Shen wailed alongside them, “They’re leaving us no way out!”

The crowd became anxious. Some even urged the guards, “You need to get Director Shen here! No matter how bad the disagreement, you can’t just let them die!”

The security chief signaled one of his guards, who immediately hopped on a bicycle and rushed to the police station.

“Captain Wang! Thank goodness you’re here! The Shen family is causing a scene at our factory gates. They’re making threats and wielding a knife. The situation is extremely dangerous. Please come immediately!”

Hearing about the knife, Wang Zhijun was alarmed. He quickly gathered a team and hurried to the factory. The Shen family, keeping an eye out for Shen Yunxuan, planned to escalate their theatrics once she arrived. To their shock, it was the police who showed up instead!

Wang Zhijun cycled straight toward Shen Weiguo, and just as he reached him, he tackled him to the ground, snatching the knife from his hands. Pinning him down, he shouted, “Arrest them all!”

The security chief pointed to the “reporter” in the crowd. “That man has been taking photos and notes and stirring up the crowd. He’s highly suspicious.”

The reporter panicked. “I’m just watching the drama! Is that a crime?”

Wang Zhijun noticed his evasive expression and waved his hand. “Take him in for questioning!”

Terrified, the reporter shouted, “I’m a journalist! You can’t arrest me! They asked me to come and expose the truth! I was blending in with the crowd to uncover the real story!”

The security chief glared at him and questioned, “What truth? Everyone in the village knows the facts, and even provincial and national reporters have covered this extensively. Are you claiming they were all lying, and only the Shen family’s story is true?” Turning to Wang Zhijun, he said, “Captain Wang, they’ve caused a public disturbance with a weapon, faked illnesses to solicit money, and spread falsehoods. Surely, they can be charged?”

Wang Zhijun replied sternly, “Don’t worry. If the investigation confirms their wrongdoing, the law won’t let the guilty go unpunished. Take them away!”

The Shen family, now panicking, pleaded, “It’s all a misunderstanding! We were just joking around because this is our family’s factory. We didn’t mean any harm!”

“That’s right! Even if she announced she’s cut ties with us, the law doesn’t recognize it. We’re still her closest relatives. She wouldn’t dare send us to jail—she’d be struck by lightning if she did!”

The onlookers condemned them, though some muttered that family ties should count for something. Surely, Shen Yunxuan wouldn’t send her blood relatives to prison over this?

As fate would have it, Shen Yunxuan, who hadn’t been to the factory in days, had decided to visit to test a new canned fish recipe with the R&D department. As she approached the factory, she spotted the police at the gates, along with her detained relatives.

“Director Shen is here!” someone with sharp eyes shouted, instantly drawing everyone’s attention to Shen Yunxuan.

Grandma Shen roared maliciously, “You little wench! How dare you call the police on me? You’re disrespecting your ancestors—you’ll die a horrible death!”

Shen Yunxuan remained unfazed, barely raising an eyebrow as she listened to the security chief summarize what had happened. She glanced at Grandma Shen with curiosity. “Seriously ill? You seem full of energy to me.”

The crowd erupted into laughter. This old woman didn’t even bother keeping up her act long enough to be convincing.

Shen Yunxuan knew the Shen family wouldn’t have come up with such a scheme on their own; it was undoubtedly orchestrated by Shen Xuewei. She asked with mock confusion, “If she’s so sick, why didn’t you go to your daughter, Shen Xuewei? She’s in the same village, isn’t she? Wouldn’t she be more reliable than coming to me, someone who’s publicly cut ties with you? She’s married to a battalion commander, an officer’s wife. Surely, she wouldn’t leave you in the lurch. Even if your family is dirt poor, Commander Xing wouldn’t let you starve.”

The crowd perked up. That’s right! The Shen family had a daughter married to a military officer. Why had they come to Shen Yunxuan instead? A few people, who had initially been swayed by their sob story, now felt duped.

In the eyes of the public, being an officer’s family was far more prestigious than being a businessperson’s. The Shen family’s son-in-law was a battalion commander, yet they were here harassing Shen Yunxuan? Especially since the Shen family had been caught by the police looking so vicious, while Shen Yunxuan, pregnant and vulnerable, seemed so helpless. The tide of sympathy quickly turned against the Shen family, and the crowd began to chastise them.

Grandma Shen shrank her neck in fear, her face pale, as if she were reliving the days when public denunciations and parades of shame were common. Shen Weiguo, bolder than the rest, shouted, “Don’t drag others into this! You’re still part of the Shen family! If this goes to court, you’ll still have to pay us support! Officer, isn’t that right? Announcing a severance of ties in a newspaper means nothing in the eyes of the law!”

Police Captain Wang Zhijun looked awkwardly at Shen Yunxuan. She calmly responded, “Then let the court decide. I’ll abide by the law. Thank you for your hard work today.”

Wang Zhijun, who was familiar with Shen Yunxuan, felt a pang of sympathy seeing her pushed to this point. But there wasn’t much he could do. With a forceful shove, he restrained Shen Weiguo and ordered his team to take them all away. This time, no amount of shouting or screaming from the Shen family stopped the police. They were even warned that any further resistance would be considered assaulting an officer, leaving them thoroughly terrified.

After the Shen family was taken away, the onlookers offered words of comfort to Shen Yunxuan before gradually dispersing. Shen Yunxuan, completely unbothered, walked into the factory and called a meeting with the R&D team to discuss canned fish products, not once mentioning the Shen family. Her composure only made the factory’s hundreds of employees feel even more protective of her.

“How could anyone bear to hurt someone as kind as our director?” they murmured amongst themselves. “And her own parents and relatives, no less. Has this been her life all along? It’s too much!”

The factory workers, with their extensive networks of family and friends, quickly spread the word about the Shen family’s disgraceful antics. Meanwhile, the reporter who had intended to spin a sob story found his narrative preempted by the workers, who exposed the Shen family’s fabricated illness and shameless extortion attempt.

Shen Yunxuan’s reputation, already stellar, became untouchable. She was practically synonymous with “philanthropy” in Jianlin City. Most people sided with her, but as is always the case, some dissented. They argued that family feuds should never be permanent, especially with elderly relatives involved. They criticized her for refusing to help her parents, who had raised her, claiming she was ungrateful despite her immense wealth.

“She has more money than she could ever spend. What’s the harm in giving her parents a little? Why hold such a grudge over the past?” they muttered.

The controversy became the hottest topic in Jianlin City, discussed everywhere. The Xiao family comforted Shen Yunxuan, while Xiao Jun went so far as to suggest rallying his brothers to “teach the Shen family a lesson.”

Amused, Shen Yunxuan teased, “And risk ruining your own reputation? Let it go.”

Xiao Jun was still fuming. “I just can’t stand them bullying you. I’ve wanted to teach them a lesson for ages. If I lose everything, so be it—but I won’t let them win!”

Resting her head on his shoulder, Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Don’t worry about it. They won’t cause trouble for much longer. I have a way to deal with them.”

Xiao Jun caught on quickly. “You’re going to use Xing Kai?”

She nodded. “You can’t have it all. If they want to cling to an officer, they’d better watch their reputation. This kind of spectacle will only drag Battalion Commander Xing down. Shen Xuewei only encouraged them out of spite, but I’ll make sure she regrets it.”

Xiao Jun kissed her cheek and beamed. “Wife, how are you so amazing? Is there anything you can’t handle? I’d better work hard—I can’t let you outshine me!”

That very day, gossip began to circulate in Jianlin City, fueled by Xiao Jun and his friends, suggesting that Shen Xuewei had deliberately incited the Shen family to cause trouble out of jealousy toward Shen Yunxuan.

Such a simple remark quickly morphed as it spread, turning into a rumor that the Xing family mistreated Shen Xuewei, leaving her without money to raise her child, forcing her family to pressure Shen Yunxuan for support.

Commander Xing had comrades in Jianlin City, some of whom had transitioned to civilian work. One of them heard the rumor and immediately called Xing Kai.

“Hey, Xing, are you not sending money to your wife?” he asked jokingly, only to be shocked when Xing Kai replied, “What’s wrong?” without denying it. “Wait, so the rumors are true? Your family’s treating your wife poorly, and now she’s sending her family to bully Director Shen?”

Frowning, Xing Kai asked, “Rumors? What rumors?”

“It’s all over Jianlin City! Isn’t it your father-in-law, mother-in-law, and that old lady of theirs causing a scene? They really stirred things up…” His comrade detailed the incident and then added solemnly, “Listen, you’ve worked hard to get to where you are. You’ve got a bright future ahead. Don’t let family issues drag you down. I know work is critical, but you can’t neglect your household.”

After thanking his comrade, Xing Kai immediately called an old friend and asked him to speak with his mother and Shen Xuewei. After waiting some time, his mother finally called him back. Xing Kai sternly asked Shen Xuewei, “Why did you do this?”

Mother Xing, who had been busy with farming and helping her eldest and second sons with their businesses, hadn’t heard about the incident. Furious, she slapped Shen Xuewei hard on the back. “You troublemaker! Can’t you go a day without causing problems? All you do is hold my son back! Not just Xing Kai—you’ve offended Director Shen! What if she stops taking your elder brother’s eggs? You’re sabotaging our entire family!”

Snatching the phone, she added, “Don’t listen to her nonsense. I’ve been working day and night, even helping her care for the baby. She makes such a fuss about the kid—he caught a cold, vomited the other day, and cried nonstop. Your sisters-in-law and I had to take turns caring for him. And she’s so spoiled, always asking her family to make her chicken soup and boiled eggs. We’re just rural folks—how can we afford that every day? And now she claims we’re mistreating her? She’s ruined my reputation!”

Mother Xing started crying, both out of fear that her son would blame her and from genuine frustration. She’d once thought Xing Kai marrying an educated woman with a good family background would bring honor to their family. Who could’ve guessed it would be Shen Xuewei? From the day she married in, she had been nothing but trouble. She was useless, brought no help, and only added to the workload. Mother Xing lamented that if she could turn back time, she’d rather have let Shen Xuewei drown than let Xing Kai save her.

Shen Xuewei frowned, snatched the phone, and snapped, “She’s been happy all year, but now she cries just because you’re on the phone? I’m the one who’s aggrieved here. I barely ate anything good during my confinement. Is it so wrong for my family to send me food? As for my mother wanting to reconcile with Shen Yunxuan, I just told her that the public severance announcement doesn’t hold up legally. That’s all I said! The rest is clearly Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun spreading rumors to get back at us!”

“That’s enough! You’re still making excuses!” Xing Kai barked. “I’m a soldier, and you’re a soldier’s wife! We’re supposed to have higher standards of conduct. How can you indulge in comfort and instigate others to cause trouble? Do you realize the consequences if these rumors escalate? I could lose my chance at promotion!”

Shen Xuewei froze, terrified. Mother Xing stopped crying as well, stunned that things could be this serious. Neither of them had considered that such gossip could impact Xing Kai’s career. Xing Kai explained that soldiers often undergo political reviews, including family background checks. Even the Shen family’s scene with a knife could be seen as them exploiting their connection to him as a battalion commander. Such perceptions could ruin his career.

Pale and trembling, Mother Xing turned on Shen Xuewei, slapping her repeatedly. “You troublemaker! You wretched jinx! I’ll beat the nonsense out of you! How dare you jeopardize my son’s career!”

Screaming, Shen Xuewei dodged her blows while Xing Kai’s friend intervened, warning them that their behavior could further damage Xing Kai’s reputation. Chastened, they finally calmed down, promising to keep quiet and avoid any further scandals. Xing Kai sternly reminded them to be cautious and not let such incidents happen again.

Before hanging up, Shen Xuewei hesitated and asked, “When can I join you on base? You haven’t even seen your son yet.”

Xing Kai, now thoroughly annoyed by her voice, replied coldly, “We’ll talk later,” before ending the call.

As Mother Xing dragged Shen Xuewei home, she muttered curses under her breath. Shen Xuewei, too humiliated to argue in public, quietly endured. However, her mortification deepened when she looked up and saw Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun. Her face turned red with shame, feeling utterly humiliated in front of her perceived enemy. She shook off Mother Xing and snapped, “Stop talking!”

Then, glaring at Shen Yunxuan, she sneered, “Are you happy now? Wasn’t it you who spread those rumors about Xing Kai?” Her disdainful gaze flicked to Xiao Jun.

Xiao Jun smirked. Of course, he had started the rumors. He was avenging his wife, after all. But he wouldn’t admit it—he wasn’t stupid. He calmly replied, “Do you have proof for your accusations? Or does Commander Xing’s family make a habit of slandering people? Should we take this to the police? Or perhaps send a telegram to Commander Xing and let him weigh in?”

Mother Xing pinched Shen Xuewei hard, her face dark with anger. “No need to argue with her; she’s just spouting nonsense because her brain’s waterlogged.”

Shen Yunxuan looked at Shen Xuewei and said, “You reap what you sow. Harbor ill intentions, and you’ll face retribution. You’re busy blaming everyone else, but have you considered your own actions? Shen Xuewei, have you managed your own life well enough to interfere in mine? Because let me tell you, your life isn’t as easy as you think.”

Shen Xuewei sneered, “Are you jealous? My husband, Xing Kai, is a battalion commander and will one day become a regimental or divisional commander. Who are you to say my life isn’t good?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled faintly. “Let’s wait and see. Let’s see if someone like you doesn’t face the consequences of their actions.”

Deep down, Shen Xuewei, who had been reborn, believed a little in the notion of karma and supernatural retribution. Shen Yunxuan’s repeated mention of consequences sent a chill down her spine. She cursed, “You’re crazy,” and hurried off. Mother Xing, suspicious about the rumors being true, decided to avoid further escalation and left without a word.

Xiao Jun helped his visibly pregnant wife walk forward, grinning mischievously. “So, what did you think? Quite the show, huh? Watching that Xing family old lady chase Shen Xuewei around was so satisfying!”

Shen Yunxuan pinched his cheek lightly. “So, this is why you disappeared all morning? Staking out the scene? Next time, leave it alone. It’s hot outside. Stay home and enjoy some watermelon instead.”

Xiao Jun nodded earnestly. “Got it. I’ll do whatever you say. But you can only have a small bowl of watermelon, no more.”

“Understood, housekeeper husband!”

They shared a laugh. With Shen Yunxuan heavily pregnant, Xiao Jun decided to stay home and focus on her care. His team was already established, and overseeing their work was enough. For now, preparing for their child’s arrival was the most important thing.

As they walked away, Shen Yunxuan glanced back, but Shen Xuewei was nowhere in sight. However, her retaliation against Shen Xuewei wasn’t limited to what had just happened. There were other measures she had taken, ones she wasn’t inclined to share. For instance, she had sent an anonymous letter to Xing Kai’s first wife, Bai Xiaoling.

Years ago, Bai Xiaoling believed Xing Kai had died. Since they hadn’t officially registered their marriage, she returned to her family and remarried. Unfortunately, she married a man who lived in a town near the provincial capital, not the city as she had thought. Worse, he was abusive, and she didn’t dare leave him.

In her previous life, Bai Xiaoling returned three years later when her abusive husband died. She was battered and bruised, and upon learning that Xing Kai was alive and now a battalion commander, she sought him out, claiming her family had forced her to remarry and blaming Xing Kai for not saving her.

Xing Kai had once genuinely loved Bai Xiaoling. Seeing her in such a pitiful state, he couldn’t help but feel deep compassion for her. His two children, who had warmed up to Shen Yunxuan by then, also caused trouble after seeing their biological mother again. They even tried to reunite their parents.

From that point on, Shen Yunxuan no longer felt any affection for them. But as she had no skills and had to climb back up from the bottom of society after their divorce, she had no intention of giving up what was rightfully hers. Instead of confronting anyone directly, she befriended the political commissar’s wife. When word got back to the commissar that Xing Kai’s ex-wife had returned, Xing Kai was called in for a serious discussion.

Ambitious as he was, Xing Kai knew he couldn’t let his personal life tarnish his career. Comparing Bai Xiaoling’s messy life to Shen Yunxuan’s sterling reputation as an exemplary wife and community hero, Xing Kai made a swift decision. He sent Bai Xiaoling away, compensated Shen Yunxuan, and even scolded his children for their behavior.

Still, Shen Yunxuan knew Xing Kai had never fully let go of Bai Xiaoling. Although he didn’t cross any lines, he secretly helped her network and provided her with financial support, allowing her to open a store and live comfortably. It wasn’t until Shen Yunxuan saved lives during an earthquake and became a celebrated military spouse that Xing Kai finally cut ties with Bai Xiaoling.

Now, by revealing Xing Kai’s military status to Bai Xiaoling ahead of time, Shen Yunxuan knew chaos would ensue. Would Shen Xuewei remain calm? If not, things could spiral out of control. Shen Yunxuan was confident that Bai Xiaoling, desperate to escape her abusive husband, would cling to Xing Kai for dear life.

Meanwhile, the Shen family was released from detention after ten days, looking utterly haggard. Resentful, they began telling everyone they encountered that Shen Yunxuan was an ungrateful wretch. They claimed her philanthropy was merely a façade to enhance her business reputation, painting her as someone heartless toward her own family.

Unfortunately, many people instinctively sympathized with the weaker party. Seeing the Shen family’s miserable state and contrasting it with Shen Yunxuan’s status as a successful businesswoman, some criticized her for being ruthless. Regardless of the circumstances, abandoning one’s parents was unheard of in their community, and Shen Yunxuan became a subject of heated debate once more.

Just as the controversy began to simmer down, a surprising visit to Shen Yunxuan’s home reignited everything.

That morning, Shen Yunxuan had a craving for fried dough sticks and soy milk. Xiao Jun went out early to buy them, and shortly after, there was a knock at the door. Thinking he’d forgotten his wallet, Shen Yunxuan opened the door with a smile, asking, “What is it? Forgot your money?”

Instead of her husband, she found seven or eight people standing outside. They spanned three generations, their clothing, watches, and jewelry all exuding wealth. Shen Yunxuan blinked in surprise. “Are you here to discuss business?”

“No, we… we’re here to talk about your background,” a middle-aged woman said, her voice trembling with emotion.

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