Ch 101: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Yunxuan hadn’t expected that not long after her chance encounter with Shen Xuewei on the road, Shen Xuewei would cause a sensation in Jianlin City.

Shen Xuewei sued Xing Kai for divorce, accusing him of infidelity and breaking military marriage laws, and demanded compensation of 10,000 yuan!

This was the 1980s, and a “ten-thousand-yuan household” was still rare. Xing Kai didn’t have that kind of money, and even if he did, why would he give it to her?

The lawsuit became a dramatic spectacle, making them the first couple in Jianlin City to go to court over divorce. Their dispute became the talk of the town, with their personal affairs spreading far and wide, reaching every corner of their hometown.

Because there was no legal precedent for such cases, the trial dragged on for a long time. Ultimately, the judge ruled that Xing Kai had to pay Shen Xuewei 5,000 yuan. This decision was influenced by Xing Kai’s confirmed infidelity and the fact that the actions of his children had indirectly ruined Shen Xuewei’s budding acting career, warranting a significant penalty.

Xing Kai scrambled to gather the money, borrowing from family and friends. Once Shen Xuewei received the money, she left Jianlin City immediately, disappearing without leaving any trace of her whereabouts.

The Xing family finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they had rid themselves of the “calamity.” However, they soon found themselves the subject of ridicule and gossip. In the past, they had laughed at the Shen family’s scandals, believing they deserved their misfortunes. Now that they were in the same position, they realized just how painful it was. Business opportunities evaporated, and they found themselves unable to move forward in society. They could only watch as others prospered while they toiled as struggling farmers.

Xing Kai managed to find work as a truck driver through a friend. His job involved delivering goods to factories in other cities, earning him 40 yuan a month. While this was better than what the average person earned, it was a far cry from his former status.

Bai Xiaoling, seeing that Xing Kai’s prospects had dimmed, secretly terminated her pregnancy, pocketed the money she had siphoned off him, and fled to the south. She had heard of the many opportunities there, with factories hiring and business booming. She decided to take her chances, thinking it was better than staying trapped in her hometown. Changing her name to Bai Mo, she planned to start fresh in a new place where no one knew her.

The simultaneous departures of Shen Xuewei and Bai Xiaoling left the public buzzing. It sparked a debate about whether strong-willed women were inherently “restless” and prone to abandoning traditional family roles in pursuit of vanity and ambition. Many concluded that women should remain “humble and honest.”

When Shen Yunxuan heard this sentiment for the second time, she sensed a problem and decided to take action. She established a Women’s Support Association and invited reporters from a local TV station for an interview.

The reporter asked curiously, “Why did you decide to establish this association, Ms. Shen?”

Shen Yunxuan replied earnestly, “This is an era of awakening for women, and there should be an organization to help those who are lost find the right path to independence and strength. Women have endured too many injustices in the past. Whether as daughters, wives, or mothers, they were often expected to sacrifice their identities for the family. But our leaders have long said, ‘Women hold up half the sky.’

“I grew up in such an environment, but I awakened and became strong. I hope countless women can find fairness in society.

“Of course, this awakening isn’t about greed, shortcuts, or breaking laws and ethics. It’s about learning knowledge, gaining skills, broadening perspectives, and working hard to build a better life. Relying on others, whether men or women, isn’t a stable foundation. The only reliable foundation is oneself.”

These words struck a chord with women who had felt affected by the recent controversies. It was as if a fog had lifted, and they could finally see clearly.

They began to ask themselves, “Why should we bear the blame for Shen Xuewei and Bai Xiaoling’s mistakes? Why should families lecture us while ignoring the wrongdoings of men like Xing Kai? Why isn’t anyone holding them accountable?”

The women of Jianlin City began to demand justice like never before. Some sought help from Shen Yunxuan’s association. Cases ranged from domestic violence to forced marriages and being denied education. Shen Yunxuan partnered with the Women’s Federation to assist these women, involving the police when necessary. Fortunately, she had a good relationship with Captain Wang, who took their concerns seriously.

Over time, the Women’s Support Association gained widespread recognition.

Shen Yunxuan became a symbol of female empowerment. Her integrity, successful business ventures, and charitable acts earned her admiration. Many saw her as the epitome of what women could achieve. She became a role model for girls, inspiring them to dream big and strive for excellence. Young women rejected rushed marriages, choosing instead to prioritize careers and seek compatible partners—or remain single if the right person didn’t come along.

Families urging their daughters to marry were often silenced with the example of Shen Xuewei and Xing Kai. “Rushing into marriage ruins families,” they would argue. “Xing Kai was supposed to be a savior to Shen Xuewei. Look how that turned out. He cheated and even tried to shield a murderer. You never truly know someone.”

Shen Yunxuan’s actions and influence transformed Jianlin City’s culture, empowering women to envision and pursue better futures.

Some elders, upon hearing this reasoning, genuinely stopped pressing the issue. Those who were still unwilling to let go opted to introduce potential matches for their children and let them decide, rather than forcing them into arranged marriages.

Meanwhile, older women who had spent their lives doing household work began to demand equal treatment. They reasoned that while men might work hard to earn money, it didn’t justify them doing nothing at home. Besides, with so many opportunities available now, they could also step out and find work. Shen Yunxuan’s companies, for instance, did not impose age restrictions when hiring. As long as someone could perform their duties well, women were even given hiring preference.

This initiative by Shen Yunxuan provided employment opportunities to many women, directly improving their financial independence and raising their status within their households. As a result, Jianlin City became the first city in the country where gender equality was truly taking shape, earning the reputation of being the least patriarchal city nationwide.

Years later, the city saw a significant rise in school enrollment rates, with two-thirds of the university admissions being female students. In one particular year, all three top scorers in the city were girls!

Shen Yunxuan continued her tradition of gifting awards to the top three students. When reporters interviewed the three girls, they teared up with gratitude and said:

“If it weren’t for Ms. Shen, we could never have reached this point. We might have grown up aimlessly, gotten married, had children, cooked, cleaned, worked, and then raised grandchildren in old age, all without ever truly finding ourselves.

But now, everything is different. We’re about to attend university in the capital city, expand our horizons, and learn more. We’ll live brilliant lives, and it’s all thanks to Ms. Shen’s inspiration. We are forever grateful.

To have been born and raised in the same place as Ms. Shen is our greatest fortune!”

Their heartfelt statements moved many to tears. Outsiders could hardly comprehend just how lucky these girls were. Because Shen Yunxuan lived there, because of her childhood struggles and the inspiration she provided, many girls had the chance to thrive. Families began treating their daughters like treasures.

Standing tall, Shen Yunxuan became a representative for all women, showing the world the heights that women could achieve through self-reliance. In Jianlin City and the surrounding areas, gender equality was no longer an empty phrase. In this regard, the city was leading the way.

The girls in Jianlin City took this to heart, working hard from a young age to excel both at home and beyond. They were determined to live fulfilling lives, feeling that with the ladder Shen Yunxuan had built for them, they had no excuse not to climb. Not striving for success would be a disservice to themselves.

Among men, a new saying began to circulate: “A man who loves his wife is blessed.”

Reportedly, this phrase originated from Xiao Jun himself, and his life was proof of its truth. Gradually, other men began to follow his example, shedding their patriarchal tendencies.

Xiao Jun unintentionally ushered in an era of men who prided themselves on being good husbands. In Jianlin City, being “soft-eared” and listening to one’s wife was no longer seen as an insult but as a badge of honor. A man who didn’t care for his wife or manage his family well—what else could he be counted on to do?

Looking at Xiao Jun’s father and older brother, who were also devoted to their wives, it became even clearer that loving one’s wife brought prosperity. The harmony within their family had brought success to all its members, further proving the truth of the saying “A harmonious family prospers.” Unknowingly, Jianlin City’s people had taken a huge step forward in their collective consciousness. Harmonious households, working together for a better life, became the norm.

This progress caught national attention multiple times. Jianlin City experienced rapid growth in both its economy and culture. In just a few years, the urban area doubled in size, rural development flourished, and Xiao Jun’s company contributed to building several projects, including residential buildings, malls, and parks. The city began to rival provincial capitals, becoming a prosperous and well-known urban center. It attracted investors and delegations from other cities eager to learn from its success. Even the city’s former mayor, who had always supported Shen Yunxuan, earned a promotion.

Jianlin City’s prosperity was inseparable from Shen Yunxuan’s contributions. However, as her companies continued to grow, managing them from Jianlin City became increasingly inconvenient. After all, the capital offered resources that Jianlin City couldn’t match, and transportation and communication in this era weren’t as advanced as they would be in the future.

When Shen Mingzhu graduated from elementary school, Shen Yunxuan, along with Lin Yanwan and the Xiao family, moved to the capital as a group.

The Lin family used their connections to secure a courtyard house for Shen Yunxuan, while Xiao Jun, one of the leading real estate developers, arranged for suitable villas for the Xiao family. They officially settled in the capital, enrolling their children in middle schools there.

Meanwhile, Sister-in-law Xiao, who had successfully opened a department store called “Happiness Mart” in Jianlin City, promptly expanded to the capital with a new branch. While looking for a tutor for her son, she noticed a lack of high-quality tutoring services in the area and approached Shen Yunxuan.

“Yunxuan,” she said, “what do you think about starting a tutoring center by hiring retired teachers? Would parents send their children for lessons?”

Shen Yunxuan confidently replied, “Absolutely. In the capital, there are surely many parents eager for reliable tutors for their children. But you’ll need to carefully plan everything—venues, teacher qualifications, student safety. If you’re going to do this, you must be thorough.”

Sister-in-law Xiao sighed in relief when she saw Shen Yunxuan agreeing, “Great! I’ll make sure to proceed cautiously!”

Eldest brother Xiao had already become the principal of Jianlin City’s top high school and hadn’t moved to the capital with them. Sister-in-law Xiao, however, had brought her child along to live in the bustling city. Immersed in its vibrancy, her entrepreneurial spirit soared, and she felt inspired to do more. Since her husband was in education, and she had years of experience with private tutoring for her child, she had gained significant insights into education and training.

With strong determination, Sister-in-law Xiao threw herself into preparing for the tutoring center.

Shen Yunxuan held high hopes for her. She believed education and training would only grow stronger with time. Even though it might face challenges and reforms thirty years later, it would remain resilient, much like “wildfires that never quite die out, reviving with the spring breeze.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhijun, whose culinary skills had reached impressive heights, expanded Xiao Family Restaurant to numerous cities. Upon arriving in the capital, he purchased a large space and opened the biggest Xiao Family Restaurant yet, establishing it as the flagship location.

Yu Hong’s Rainbow Clothing Company also set up a new headquarters in the capital, designating the Jianlin City branch as a subsidiary.

As for Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun, their company was now one of the top enterprises in the country. With real estate booming, Xiao Jun was busier than ever, yet he never stopped learning. With better resources at hand, they sometimes enrolled in courses at local universities to audit lectures by outstanding professors, finding the knowledge deeply enriching.

Once they had adjusted to life in the capital and firmly established themselves, Shen Yunxuan made her first major move: generously funding scientific research projects.

This effort wasn’t aimed at any personal gain. Her company allocated a specific budget for charitable causes—half went toward building schools, supporting women, and similar initiatives, while the other half was dedicated entirely to funding scientific research.

When journalists came to interview her, Shen Yunxuan stated:

“Technology strengthens a nation. While I lack the skills to contribute directly to scientific research, I can support it financially, hoping to help advance these projects.”

Her contributions indeed made a difference! Scientific research projects were incredibly costly, and many faced significant setbacks due to insufficient funding. With Shen Yunxuan’s support, they gained renewed momentum, making tremendous progress.

Xiao Jun followed suit, allocating funds for similar projects. The Lin and Xiao families soon joined in. With multiple renowned enterprises backing this cause, their reputation in government and among the public soared. Many people intentionally purchased their products to show support and admiration for them, and the government, within its scope, provided various conveniences in return.

Seeing this, other businesspeople couldn’t afford to lag behind. Whether donating large or small amounts, they all contributed to the cause. This collective effort led to unprecedented support for the nation’s scientific endeavors, greatly alleviating financial pressures. As the first to spearhead such an initiative, Shen Yunxuan reaped the most rewards, gaining both fame and respect.

Shen Mingzhu, already passionate about science, was deeply inspired by her mother’s dedication to advancing research. Newly enrolled in middle school, she felt an urgency to contribute and decided to apply for early advancement.

Although schools generally didn’t permit skipping grades, Shen Mingzhu had been learning from retired top-tier teachers since she was three years old. Her studies encompassed a wide range of subjects, and by now, school curriculum felt overly simplistic to her—she could even achieve perfect scores on high school entrance exams!

This astonished and delighted her school, prompting them to approach Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun. They explained that continuing with standard courses might waste Shen Mingzhu’s exceptional talent, urging her parents to let her advance.

Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun were aware of their daughter’s brilliance but had simply hoped for her to grow happily. They hadn’t expected her to be so committed to pursuing a career in science.

Shen Yunxuan asked, “Mingzhu, are you absolutely certain about this? If you have any doubts, we can discuss them together. But if you’re confident, we’ll support your decision.”

With a gentle smile, Shen Mingzhu replied, “Mom, Dad, I’m absolutely certain. I want to be a scientist. I can’t wait to learn more practical knowledge. Life is finite, and I want to spend my time on things that truly matter.”

At just twelve years old, she already possessed a mature mindset and a clear vision for her future. Hugging her tightly, Shen Yunxuan felt immense pride, while Xiao Jun encouraged her warmly:

“Good girl. Do whatever you want to do. Mom and Dad will always be your strongest support. No matter when or what, you can count on us!”

The parents quickly completed her advancement procedures and even hired several professors to guide her in exploring her specific interests during her spare time.

Although Eldeat brother Xiao’s child didn’t skip grades, he consistently ranked first in his year, with a steady academic performance and clear aspirations for the future.

With both children growing and excelling, Shen Yunxuan felt deeply gratified. When interviewed about her parenting philosophy, she pondered for a moment before sharing:

“In our family, the most effective method is leading by example. Everyone here is passionate about embracing new ideas and learning new skills. Each of us has found our passion and worked tirelessly toward it. Seeing this, the children naturally understand what it means to strive for their dreams and how fulfilling life can be. It encourages them to discover their own interests and work diligently to pursue them.”

“Of course, family support is also crucial,” Shen Yunxuan added. “We respect her ideas and arranged excellent teachers to help her explore whether she truly loves her chosen path. Giving her the opportunity to make mistakes means that once she’s certain of the right road, she can pursue it wholeheartedly!”

The reporter continued, “Ms. Shen, you’ve often emphasized the importance of finding a career you love. But many people simply seek a stable job, living life step by step. Are you encouraging them to dig deep to find their passion and pursue their dreams?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Discovering a passion doesn’t conflict with having a job. Not all passions are lucrative. For instance, someone might love fishing. A few might turn it into a career, but for most, it’s just a personal hobby. And that’s okay. Uncovering what you love is still worth celebrating, as it brings joy to your life outside work.

As for pursuing dreams, it’s important to proceed cautiously, avoid scams, and ensure financial stability. I’ve always enjoyed creating delicious food products, but I started with something as simple as selling eggs.”

Every interview with Shen Yunxuan sparked reflection among her audience, and this time was no different. Many parents began reconsidering their approaches to raising children, striving to find the most suitable methods for their families. Sister-in-law Xiao, in particular, became one of the biggest beneficiaries of this wave, as her learning centers were fully booked and urgently needed expansion.

Others reflected on their own hobbies and dreams, wondering if they could reshape their lives or muster the courage to try. Some even managed to turn their passions into businesses and succeeded, earning heartfelt gratitude for Shen Yunxuan.

Unknowingly, Shen Yunxuan had become a guiding light for countless people, offering direction in an era of rapid change and helping them find their better path.

While Shen Yunxuan’s reputation soared over the years, Shen Xuewei experienced dramatic highs and lows. After earning a fortune of 100,000 yuan in business, she was conned into debt. She turned to pyramid schemes, earning her money back, only to be reported and briefly imprisoned. Upon her release, she poured her efforts into leveraging her past life’s knowledge to identify lucrative opportunities in this era. She soon published a book recounting her life story.

Naturally, the book was more fiction than fact. While she avoided smearing Shen Yunxuan, she harshly criticized the Shen and Xing families, painting herself as the victim of a sheltered upbringing and a transactional marriage. She detailed her hardships at her in-laws’ house, portraying herself as a resilient woman who learned from her mistakes and boldly pursued various ventures.

As a “sensational” public figure—once the younger sister of Shen Yunxuan, a former military officer’s wife, film actress, and the first woman in Jianlin City to sue her husband for money—Shen Xuewei was surrounded by gossip, even spending time in jail. These elements made her story enticing enough to warrant publication.

The book sold well initially, netting Shen Xuewei a decent sum. Elated by this success, she planned to release more books. However, her life story had already been extensively reported, leaving little mystery. Without fresh intrigue, subsequent releases failed to capture the public’s attention, effectively ending her brief stint as an author.

Desperate, she invested her earnings in a promising industry, only to discover she was too early. Without expertise, her investment tanked.

Lying awake at night, Shen Xuewei burned with jealousy. Why did Shen Yunxuan thrive while she struggled? Why was her life so much worse? But what could she do? If she’d been capable, she wouldn’t have needed to rely on Shen Yunxuan for survival in her previous life.

Her understanding of potential business opportunities was limited to her immediate surroundings, and while she knew of lucrative prospects, she lacked the skills to capitalize on them.

Out of options, Shen Xuewei resorted to setting up a street stall in the capital, selling shou zhua bing (hand-grabbed pancakes)—a street food that would later become wildly popular. At the time, it was a novelty, and her business thrived. Wearing a mask, she avoided recognition and trouble.

Still, it was grueling work. She ached from exhaustion each day, finding fleeting solace only in counting her earnings. However, every time she heard news of Shen Yunxuan, jealousy overwhelmed her. Shen Yunxuan possessed skills Shen Xuewei lacked, but what stung most was discovering Xiao Jun’s talent in real estate, making him a magnate.

Even the Xiao family members, who had struggled in her previous life after losing factory jobs, now excelled in their fields.

If only… if only I had stuck to my original life plan and married into the Xiao family, Shen Xuewei thought bitterly.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆