Ch 96: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Wang Zhijun picked up a water cup and took several sips. After ensuring that the chaos had subsided, he cleared his throat and shouted, “This is the police station! Mind your discipline! Be mindful of the consequences! Everyone, stop!” Then, turning to the officers nearby, he barked, “Why haven’t you restrained these people yet?”

Only then did the officers pull the Lin family members apart. Meanwhile, Shen Weiguo, who had been crouched in the corner with his hands over his head, was battered and bruised, his face swollen and discolored. A puddle of liquid beneath him revealed his sorry state, a picture of utter humiliation.

Lin Yanwan sat weakly on a chair, sobbing uncontrollably. Shen Yunxuan, who hadn’t expected such a devastating truth, was stunned. Did this mean she had been acknowledging a criminal as her father all this time?

Perhaps it was the bond of blood, or perhaps it was the Lin family’s clear goodwill. Seeing Lin Yanwan cry made Shen Yunxuan feel a pang of sorrow. She stepped forward, gently embraced Lin Yanwan, and stood protectively in front of her. The others instinctively gave way, allowing Lin Yanwan to clutch Shen Yunxuan’s waist and cry against her stomach for a long time.

The officers didn’t interrupt her. In a small place like this, cases of murder were rare, let alone a situation where someone like Shen Weiguo had evaded justice for twenty years. Lin Yanwan’s once-happy family had been torn apart, and she had unknowingly been separated from her daughter for two decades. Her pain and hatred were palpable to everyone.

In a soft voice, Shen Yunxuan said, “Don’t worry. I will take this to court and seek justice for our family.”

Lin Yanwan froze and looked up at Shen Yunxuan. Although Shen Yunxuan hadn’t yet called her “Mom,” hearing her say “our family” filled Lin Yanwan’s heart with a bittersweet sense of satisfaction. As she looked at Shen Yunxuan—strong and determined like a tree shielding her from the storm—pride welled up within her. This was her daughter with Shen Cheng. Despite all the injustices she had suffered and the torment inflicted by the Shen family, she had grown into an outstanding person, a truly admirable woman. Lin Yanwan felt overwhelming pride.

Her gaze shifted to Shen Yunxuan’s belly, and she quickly helped her to a chair. Gently stroking Shen Yunxuan’s hair, she said softly, “Let me handle this. My negligence back then allowed them to succeed, but I will end this. You only need to focus on taking care of yourself and the baby. Leave all these troubles to me.”

Although Shen Yunxuan wanted to avenge the family, Lin Yanwan couldn’t bear for her daughter to carry the stigma of betraying her adoptive family. Even if the Shen family were guilty of countless crimes, society would still demand that Shen Yunxuan show gratitude for their so-called kindness. Lin Yanwan had already missed too much of her daughter’s life and couldn’t let her shoulder this burden. All she wanted for her daughter now was happiness and peace.

The Shen family members were taken into custody. When Xing Kai received the news, he was exasperated with this troublesome family. Still, they were his in-laws, and their actions could affect his reputation. He had no choice but to get involved.

Xing Kai contacted his comrades in Jianlin City to gather information. To his shock, he learned about Shen Weiguo’s murder, Grandmother Shen swapping someone else’s child, and Fang Fang intentionally mistreating her. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he quickly took leave and rushed back to Jianlin City.

That evening, after nightfall, Xing Kai brought Shen Xuewei to Shen Yunxuan’s home.

When Xiao Jun opened the door and saw them, he frowned. “What are you here for? You’re not welcome here.”

Xing Kai, carrying gifts, said, “Mr. Xiao, I need to speak with Director Shen about some matters. As a military officer, I usually have limited free time, so I had to come at this hour. Please excuse me.”

Despite his polite words, Xing Kai’s tone and demeanor were far from courteous. After all, he was a military officer, and to him, the people here were just businessmen from a small city, no matter how successful they were.

Xiao Jun, unperturbed, stepped back as if inviting them in. Just as Xing Kai stepped forward, Xiao Jun slammed the door shut with a loud bang. Xing Kai hissed in pain as his foot was caught. Xiao Jun feigned surprise. “Oh, it caught you? Why are you barging in? Trespassing, huh? Xing Kai, even if you’re a company commander, you can’t just do that.”

Xing Kai clenched his jaw, flexing his ankle to ease the pain, and glared at Xiao Jun. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Shen Xuewei, indignant, added, “Do you know what the punishment is for attacking an officer? Are you crazy?”

Feigning astonishment, Xiao Jun replied, “Commander Xing came here in uniform? A military officer visiting my home—what an honor! Wait, let me set off some firecrackers to celebrate. The whole neighborhood should join in the festivities!”

As he turned to leave, Xing Kai barked, “Enough! I came here in a personal capacity to speak with Director Shen. I know you’re upset, but I’m here to solve problems, not create conflict.”

From the second floor, Shen Yunxuan opened the window and called down to Xiao Jun, “Let them in. Let’s see what they have to say.”

“Alright,” Xiao Jun replied, waving up at her. “It’s windy and chilly tonight. Close the window, throw on a jacket, and take your time coming downstairs. No rush.”

This was Shen Xuewei’s first time witnessing Xiao Jun’s care for Shen Yunxuan. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms to suppress her anger. Why? Why did Xiao Jun treat her with disdain but show Shen Yunxuan so much love? What made Shen Yunxuan so special? Even Xing Kai, who had taken Shen Yunxuan to live with him in her past life, was now unwilling to do the same for her. What made Shen Yunxuan so deserving?

As Xing Kai followed Xiao Jun inside, he noticed Shen Xuewei lagging behind, staring at Xiao Jun’s back. His face darkened, and he asked coldly, “Have you seen enough?”

Shen Xuewei was startled and quickly explained, “I just can’t stand the way he treats you.”

Xing Kai didn’t respond, but the cold look in his eyes made Shen Xuewei’s heart race. She didn’t dare entertain any stray thoughts and followed him inside without further hesitation.

This was the first time in over a year that Shen Xuewei had seen Shen Yunxuan in person. After living a comfortable life, Shen Yunxuan’s skin had become fairer, her figure better maintained, and her overall demeanor radiated happiness. Her beauty rivaled that of celebrated actresses and carried an air of confidence and success that made her even more dazzling than she had been as the wife of a regiment commander in their past life.

Shen Xuewei’s eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of Shen Yunxuan. Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan only glanced at them briefly before offering a faint smile. “Have a seat. Speak your mind.”

That single glance filled Shen Xuewei with an overwhelming sense of humiliation and helplessness. She couldn’t believe it. She was the one reborn, destined to rise above and shine. Yet, over the past year, her life had been anything but smooth. No matter how much she consoled herself with the future promise of being a regiment commander’s wife, it couldn’t erase the stark contrast between her and Shen Yunxuan’s success.

She felt suffocated, as if no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t overturn her fate or escape mediocrity. She was just one among the masses, while Shen Yunxuan, even after being pushed into what she thought was a pit of despair, emerged radiant. That supposed pit of despair had long shed its label of unemployment and struggle, transforming into a model of entrepreneurial success admired by all.

As Shen Xuewei wrestled with her chaotic emotions, Xing Kai began discussing the Shen family’s crimes with Shen Yunxuan. In a low voice, he said, “It’s been twenty years, and memories can become unreliable over time. The deceased cannot be brought back, and even executing the guilty won’t change the past. Why not let the Shen family transfer all their assets to you and your mother as compensation? I’ll ensure they are sent to the poorest, most remote region in the northwest to live out the rest of their lives in hardship. As for your business and the Lin family’s affairs, I’ll provide any support you need. What do you think? If you have other ideas, feel free to bring them up, and we can discuss them.”

Shen Yunxuan shook her head firmly. “Shen Weiguo deliberately murdered my father. Execution is the only fitting consequence. The police are not a formality, and claiming memory lapses doesn’t absolve anyone of their crimes. There’s no room for negotiation on this matter. If that’s all you came to say, Commander Xing, you may leave now.”

Xing Kai stared at her. “Director Shen, your business has been smooth sailing for the past year, but success doesn’t last forever. No one knows when hardships might arise. A businessman benefits from making allies, not enemies. Offending the wrong people could lead to dire consequences.”

Xiao Jun’s face darkened, ready to erupt in anger, but Shen Yunxuan stopped him. She was momentarily surprised—her memory of Xing Kai from her past life was that he was a bit chauvinistic but respectful toward her as they grew into a mutually supportive couple. She had never seen this side of him before, using threats and pressure to solve problems.

Her surprise faded quickly. After all, even in their past marriage, Xing Kai likely didn’t fully understand her. Similarly, she and Shen Xuewei were sisters, yet Shen Xuewei also didn’t grasp the true differences between them. Nobody could truly claim to fully understand another person; it was enough of an accomplishment to understand oneself in a lifetime.

Now that Xing Kai was trying to intimidate her, she had no reason to back down. She had never liked him in the first place. With a cold expression, she issued an eviction order. “My mother and I will not compromise on this issue. If Commander Xing wants to resort to any means, go ahead. But we will not entertain you further. Please leave.”

Since becoming a company commander, Xing Kai had grown used to respect and admiration whenever he returned to his hometown. He hadn’t expected Shen Yunxuan to be so unyielding, utterly indifferent to his position and influence, and entirely unwilling to negotiate. She left him no room for maneuver. Frustrated, he turned to Shen Xuewei.

Shen Xuewei knew her family’s actions had implicated Xing Kai. If this issue wasn’t resolved, Xing Kai might eventually seek a divorce. Moreover, if the Shen family were convicted, her reputation would be permanently tainted.

In desperation, Shen Xuewei gritted her teeth, fell to her knees with a thud, and pleaded, “Sister, please have mercy. Don’t take this to the point of conviction. I swear I’ll personally escort them to the northwest, where they’ll work in the harshest conditions, facing wind and sun, going hungry and cold, laboring from dawn to dusk. They’ll never return. Sister, I beg you…”

Shen Yunxuan stood firm, not dodging or avoiding Shen Xuewei’s kneeling plea. Her success was her own doing, but she hadn’t forgotten that Shen Xuewei had once deliberately tried to push her into a pit of despair. That memory didn’t soften her resolve. Her expression remained unchanged as she coldly replied, “You and I have no relationship. Our families are enemies. Justice demands that murderers face the law. No conditions you offer will make me agree.”

She turned back to Xing Kai. “Commander Xing, are you worried about your reputation? If you continue to harass us, I’ll expose your words and actions to the media. Let’s see how the public reacts, and whether you can keep your position.”

Xing Kai’s expression darkened with anger. “Are you threatening me?”

“I just learned that from you. Instead of wasting time here, why don’t you think about how to clean up this mess and sever ties with the Shen family?” Shen Yunxuan finished speaking, stood up, and headed upstairs. She had another letter to write to Bai Xiaoling. Since Xing Kai dared to threaten her, she decided to add some spice to his life in return.

Xiao Jun gestured toward the door. “Get out, or do I have to throw you out myself?”

Xing Kai let out a cold snort and strode out. Shen Xuewei hurried after him, panic evident in her voice. “Xing, you can’t abandon me! If you do, everyone will criticize you for being heartless and cruel, disregarding your marriage vows. I didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t cut ties with me like this, Xing!”

Xing Kai snapped sharply, “Shut up! Are you afraid people can’t hear you? Tomorrow, you’ll publicly sever ties with your family, and don’t you dare contact your brother. If I find out you’ve secretly been in touch with them, I might not be able to divorce you, but I can certainly act like I’m widowed!”

Shen Xuewei shivered violently, staring in disbelief at Xing Kai’s retreating figure. In truth, Xing Kai was deliberately scaring her. He had no intention of truly abusing his authority, nor could he. However, sometimes intimidation alone was enough to achieve his goals, and he wasn’t above using such tactics.

Unfortunately, Shen Yunxuan wasn’t intimidated, so this method had failed. Now, his only option was the simplest one: cutting ties with the Shen family. When the truth came to light, it wouldn’t reflect poorly on him. After all, the facts had been hidden for twenty years, and no one had known. He had married Shen Xuewei out of good intentions to save her. Reporting the situation truthfully to his superiors would suffice.

Feeling unlucky, Xing Kai reflected on how everything had gone awry since meeting Shen Xuewei. His once-steady career progression had turned into a precarious path, fraught with challenges. This ominous feeling drove him to act, hoping threats and bribes could calm the situation.

Radiating an unapproachable aura, Xing Kai left Shen Xuewei too frightened to speak. That night, she lay with her back to him, not daring to move an inch. She was utterly terrified by his mention of “widowhood.” Knowing that Xing Kai had been on the battlefield and killed enemies, she believed he was capable of taking her to a remote mountain area and killing her without leaving any evidence.

Overwhelmed by fear, Shen Xuewei became meek and submissive around Xing Kai. Her change surprised him, as his family had described her as headstrong and difficult. A casual threat had reduced her to this state, revealing a way to control her. Meanwhile, Xing Kai’s two children, noticing their stepmother’s sheepish behavior, grew bolder and more defiant. They often provoked her, knowing that if she scolded them, they could simply threaten to tell their father, leaving her powerless.

Shen Xuewei quickly severed ties with her family, while Xing Kai publicly took her to apologize to the Lin family. Although they were turned away, word spread that Xing Kai was a decent man, willing to apologize and make amends for his in-laws’ actions. In contrast, Shen Xuewei became a pariah, labeled selfish and heartless for abandoning her family, even her underage brother.

Unlike Shen Yunxuan, who had solid reasons for breaking ties due to mistreatment and later discovering she wasn’t their biological child, Shen Xuewei had been pampered her whole life. Her abandonment of her family after their downfall, without even visiting or advocating for them, painted her in an even worse light than Xing Kai.

The public criticism all fell on Shen Xuewei, while Xing Kai gained praise. Negative rumors about Commander Xing were swiftly overturned, bolstering his reputation.

It was only then that Shen Xuewei realized why Xing Kai had gone to such lengths. The cold truth hit her: Xing Kai was not a good match for her. She began to question her choices. With her knowledge of the future, why had she chosen to marry him? She would have been better off moving to a big city and marrying a future business magnate to build a successful life together. Or, like Shen Yunxuan, finding a loving husband and supportive in-laws. Anything would have been better than this.

She had once found happiness and hope at Xing Kai’s side. Now, all she felt was suffocation, as though staring into endless darkness. Even the future prospect of being a regiment commander’s wife could no longer console her.

She hadn’t anticipated that advising her family to sever ties with Shen Yunxuan would backfire so spectacularly, providing undeniable proof of Shen Yunxuan’s mistreatment. It left the Shen family powerless to refute the claims and branded Shen Xuewei as a villain who had bullied her elder sister. She had truly shot herself in the foot.

While Shen Xuewei wallowed in self-doubt, Bai Xiaoling unexpectedly showed up at their house late one night.

Xing Kai, whose room was closest to the front door, immediately woke up at the noise and went to check. As soon as he opened the door, Bai Xiaoling threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Xing Kai! You’re alive—why didn’t you come to save me? I was forced to marry someone else, beaten every day, and dreamed of you coming back to rescue me. Why didn’t you save me?”

Xing Kai looked down and was shocked to see Bai Xiaoling’s bruised and swollen face. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

“Who else? The old man who bought me for 200 yuan! My parents sold me off, saying you were dead. But I didn’t believe it! My husband is a hero—how could you die? I’ve waited for you all these years, and now you’re finally back. Why didn’t you save me?” Bai Xiaoling, furious and heartbroken, began hitting him, venting all her pent-up anger and sorrow.

Xing Kai was stunned. Hadn’t his family told him that his wife had run off with another man because she couldn’t handle loneliness? He had even confirmed with the Bai family that Bai Xiaoling had remarried. But now, Bai Xiaoling was claiming she had been forced and had suffered so much?

They were childhood sweethearts, and Bai Xiaoling was the girl Xing Kai had genuinely loved. Seeing her in such a pitiful state softened his heart. Unable to stop her from hitting him, he simply embraced her tightly and comforted her. “It’s okay, I’m here now. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. Don’t be afraid, everything will be fine…”

Their commotion woke the entire household. Lights turned on one by one, and the Xing family gathered to see what was happening. When Mother Xing shone her flashlight and saw Bai Xiaoling, she froze. “Bai Xiaoling?”

Shen Xuewei, already frowning at the scene, stiffened when she heard the name. Her internal alarm bells rang wildly. She rushed forward and separated them, shoving Bai Xiaoling so hard that she stumbled back and fell. Instinctively, Xing Kai pushed Shen Xuewei aside and went to help Bai Xiaoling.

Shen Xuewei was furious. “Xing Kai! Remember that you are my husband! We are the ones legally married!”

Bai Xiaoling looked startled, then widened her eyes and pointed at Shen Xuewei, demanding an explanation from Xing Kai. “What did she say? You’re married to her? After everything I went through to escape, you’ve already married someone else? What about me? What am I supposed to do?”

Shen Xuewei laughed angrily. “You’re a woman who abandoned her husband and children to run off with another man. In ancient times, you’d be drowned in a pig cage! How dare you come back? Do you have no shame?”

Xing Kai frowned and snapped, “Enough! Can’t you see the state she’s in? Even if she were a stranger, you should have some compassion. Or is your true nature this cruel and coldhearted?”

At that moment, Bai Xiaoling saw Xing Kai’s two children. Covering her mouth, she began to cry. “My son! My daughter! I’m so sorry. Your mother was taken away and couldn’t return. Every night, I could only think of you while looking at the moon. So many years have passed, and you’ve both grown up. I’m so sorry…”

The children, hearing that their mother hadn’t abandoned them but had been taken away by bad people, were overcome with emotion. Who doesn’t want their parents’ love? Looking at Bai Xiaoling, then at Shen Xuewei, they hesitated only briefly before rushing to Bai Xiaoling’s side, crying and calling her “Mom.”

The sight of the four of them hugging made Shen Xuewei feel a chill on this summer night, as if it were the dead of winter. Bai Xiaoling—wasn’t she just a manipulative, scheming woman? Before Shen Xuewei had married into the Xing family, she’d heard plenty about Bai Xiaoling. Supposedly, Bai Xiaoling had abandoned her children and gone back to her hometown, where she hooked up with a man from the provincial capital. Everyone said she was living the good life there.

Now, it seemed she had either been deceived by an abusive man or had returned because she realized Xing Kai was now an officer and wanted to rekindle their relationship. And Xing Kai? He believed her just like that? Had he lost his mind? Why hadn’t this happened in their previous life? Where had this ex-wife suddenly appeared from?

Shen Xuewei grabbed Mother Xing. “Mom, tell Xing Kai—isn’t it true that this woman ran off on her own? Didn’t she abandon her husband and children? You don’t want a daughter-in-law with such a shameful past, do you?”

The children shouted angrily, “Don’t you dare talk about our mom like that! Your dad killed someone, your grandma switched babies, and your mom abused kids. You’re the one who’s shameful!”

Mother Xing, who was about to speak, froze. Indeed, Bai Xiaoling might be despicable, but wasn’t she still better than Shen Xuewei? The Shen family were all criminals!

Sensing the tension, Xing’s eldest sister-in-law chimed in, “So now that the third son’s first wife is back, what’s going to happen to the second one?”

Shen Xuewei looked at the Xing family. For the first time, she realized with certainty that Xing Kai was not a good match. She had thought she was pushing Shen Yunxuan into a pit of fire, but the real pit was the Xing family! The Xiao family might have faced unemployment, but they were good people. In contrast, the Xing family was full of shameless opportunists. She had even helped the eldest and second brothers start businesses, and not only had they refused to share their profits, but now they were kicking her while she was down.

Her eyes grew cold. She had been reborn, and if they wanted to make her life miserable, she would drag them down with her. Nobody would have it easy!

Father Xing intervened, suggesting that Bai Xiaoling stay the night with the children and that they discuss the matter in the morning. This gave everyone time to figure out how to handle the situation.

The two children eagerly pulled Bai Xiaoling and Xing Kai to their room, saying they wanted to talk with their parents.

Shen Xuewei silently returned to her room. Seeing that she wasn’t causing trouble, the others breathed a sigh of relief and quickly retreated to their own rooms to discuss the situation. But later, Shen Xuewei quietly slipped out, ensuring no one noticed her, and went to where Xing’s eldest brother kept his chickens. She laced the chicken feed with rat poison. She didn’t stop there, targeting the family’s two pigs and four piglets as well.

Returning to her room, she lit a lamp and wrote a dramatized complaint letter, making a copy of it. One copy she left conspicuously on the table, while the other she took out with her.

When Xing Kai returned to their room and didn’t see her, he noticed the letter. As he read it, his expression darkened immediately.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆