Ch 99: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

In her previous life, Shen Xuewei had a decent relationship with Shen Jie. They had ganged up on Shen Yunxuan as children and leached off her as adults. If Shen Jie hadn’t been caught by Shen Yunxuan for womanizing, leading to his eviction, they might have leeched off her for life, enjoying her success effortlessly.

But now, with Shen Xuewei as the target of exploitation, she wasn’t pleased at all.

Shen Xuewei tried to lecture Shen Jie, but the boy, though underage, had experienced enough of life’s harsh realities over the past year to lose any naivety. He was focused only on tangible benefits and cut her off. “Save your big talk. Grandma and Dad believed your sweet words, and look where it got them—in jail. I’m not falling for your tricks.”

Shen Xuewei’s expression darkened. “What nonsense are you spouting? They’re in jail because of their crimes. How is that my fault?”

“If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t have fallen out with Shen Yunxuan, and none of this would’ve happened. Who knows, we might’ve all been thriving. Do you even know? Shen Yunxuan’s real mother is in the appliance business, her grandfather’s in automobiles, and Shen Yunxuan herself drives her own car and owns a TV, phone, fridge, and washing machine—everything! She’s more impressive than the tycoons in the movies.” Shen Jie spoke enviously, glancing disdainfully around Shen Xuewei’s modest 50-square-meter apartment.

That struck a nerve with Shen Xuewei. She had thought putting distance between herself and Shen Yunxuan would bring peace of mind and allow her to progress at her own pace. But now, Shen Yunxuan had leaped into an entirely different league, living a life Shen Xuewei couldn’t hope to achieve even in the next decade.

Xing Kai had already told her they needed to maintain a modest appearance to rehabilitate their reputations, which meant no luxury. The thought of standing still for ten years while Shen Yunxuan soared made Shen Xuewei feel like her world was caving in. How had this happened? Had Shen Yunxuan also endured hardship by Xing Kai’s side in their past life? She couldn’t remember. Did she really have to wait decades for a comfortable life?

She thought back to her past life. Shen Yunxuan hadn’t owned any luxury brands, nor did her home feature any opulence. Even her skincare products had been the most common domestic brands. Would Xing Kai ever have the money to support a lavish lifestyle? Could he ever let her truly enjoy life?

For the first time, Shen Xuewei began to doubt her choices. Was this the right path? Decades of toil and careful behavior to uphold her image as a military wife for nothing more than the title of “officer’s wife”?

The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Shen Jie, sensing her mood, slipped out and went straight to Xing Kai. At the barracks, he asked around and quickly found Xing Kai, who soon learned of Shen Jie’s desire to enlist and “serve the country.”

This bold move worked. Although Xing Kai disliked Shen Jie, he begrudgingly arranged for him to join as a low-ranking soldier, thinking that would be the end of it. However, Shen Jie couldn’t endure the hardships and constantly sought Xing Kai out to complain, demanding special treatment, reduced training, and even fantasizing about going to the battlefield to earn merit.

Given his disposition, sending him to the front lines would only endanger others. Besides, there weren’t any active battlefields to deploy him to. Xing Kai was exasperated. Meanwhile, Shen Xuewei wasn’t faring any better. Shen Jie frequently showed up at her home, complaining that the mess hall food lacked nutrition and demanding meat dishes.

One day, Shen Xuewei refused to indulge him and served vegetarian dishes instead. Shen Jie threw down his chopsticks after two bites, yelling, “When you got married, you said Xing Kai was a battalion commander, and marrying him would bring prosperity to the whole family, including a bright future for me. So why am I stuck as a lowly grunt, suffering every day? You can’t even give me a decent meal. What a liar!”

As the siblings quarreled, they were interrupted by Xing Kai’s icy voice from the doorway. “So, you knew my rank from the beginning and plotted to trap me?”

Shen Xuewei met Xing Kai’s cold gaze, her face turning pale. Shen Jie, terrified, shrank back and fled.

From that day on, their lives became a chaotic mess.

---

As the national situation improved, there was talk of revitalizing the Spring Festival Gala. Most people didn’t pay much attention, not knowing what the gala was about. Instead, they focused on earning a living.

But Shen Yunxuan remembered one thing: this year, a piece of clothing showcased during the gala sold out nationwide. While part of the success came from the celebrity who wore it—a beloved household name—the Spring Festival Gala was the era’s biggest source of exposure and advertising.

Acting quickly, Shen Yunxuan mobilized her family to the capital to negotiate sponsoring the gala. She offered to provide catering, costumes, props, and funding, asking only for one small favor: for the performers to wear clothes from her mother-in-law’s Rainbow brand and to display some of her company’s products on stage at appropriate times.

Organizing the gala was no small expense, and Shen Yunxuan’s support would undoubtedly improve its quality. Moreover, her request was easy to fulfill—featuring her products briefly on stage posed no difficulty.

Especially since Shen Yunxuan and her family were leading figures in driving the economy, the Spring Festival Gala’s chief director immediately decided to invite her to appear on the show.

Of course, she wasn’t asked to perform but to sit alongside a few other influential entrepreneurs, symbolizing the nation’s growing strength through their introductions.

On the night of the gala, the entire country saw Shen Yunxuan sitting elegantly in the audience with her adorable little girl. She wore a stunning cheongsam, radiating both grace and the aura of a powerful businesswoman, paired with a gentle smile. Shen Mingzhu, dressed in the latest red children’s outfit, had her hair styled in two little braids adorned with beautiful bows. When the host approached, she sweetly clasped her hands together and said in a soft voice, “Wishing everyone a happy New Year, health, safety, great success in learning, and abundant wealth!”

The audience erupted in laughter at her cuteness. The host, amused, asked, “Little Mingzhu, why such a thoughtful blessing?”

Mingzhu replied, “Mom says health and safety come first, and we should study hard to serve our country when we grow up. Dad says we should also learn how to make money and live a good life. These are the things I’ll do when I grow up, and I hope everyone succeeds too!”

The host was astonished. Wasn’t this child under three years old? She spoke so clearly and logically—it was no wonder she was Shen Yunxuan’s daughter! Overwhelmed with admiration, he couldn’t help but ask, “And what does Mingzhu want to do when she grows up? Do you want to be a great businesswoman like your mom and dad?”

That was what everyone assumed. After all, both Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun had named their companies after “Mingzhu,” clearly intending for her to inherit them. They only had one child, so surely they were grooming her for the business world.

But to everyone’s surprise, Mingzhu shook her head emphatically like a little rattle drum. “I don’t want to be a businesswoman. I want to be a scientist! Mom says scientists are great because they can make our country strong. I want to be someone useful to our country! Business can be done by Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, and Grandma Lin~.”

The audience was stunned. They could hardly believe such thoughtful words came from a three-year-old, but the reaction quickly turned into thunderous applause. For the first time, the gala reached its emotional peak. Even the host became inspired, passionately praising the noble contributions of scientists.

The ensuing performances kept spirits high, and viewers remembered several remarkable moments—including the ambitious words of little Mingzhu.

---

After the gala, sales of clothing worn by the featured celebrities, especially Rainbow brand apparel, soared. Both women’s and children’s clothing from the Rainbow line sold out nationwide. Yu Hong hired more workers and worked overtime to fulfill orders, expanding the business and formally establishing the Rainbow Clothing Company.

The appliances Lin Yanwan provided for the gala also became top choices for consumers. And as for Shen Yunxuan’s products, they were an unparalleled hit—people even started gifting Wuyou and Mingzhu-branded gift boxes for New Year’s.

Meanwhile, Shen Xuewei noticed that many military wives were buying these gift boxes. Every time they gathered, they enthusiastically discussed the Spring Festival Gala and Shen Yunxuan. Inevitably, their attitudes toward Shen Xuewei grew colder. Initially, many didn’t know about her connection to Shen Yunxuan, but once someone shared the story, they were shocked to learn that Shen Xuewei’s father was a murderer and that she had bullied Shen Yunxuan in the past.

The military wives began to pity Xing Kai, feeling he was unlucky to have married such a woman. Especially after Shen Jie showed up, causing endless trouble, Shen Xuewei and Shen Jie became widely regarded as the unit’s “troublemakers.”

One military wife even confronted Shen Xuewei directly, insinuating that her family had ruined Shen Yunxuan’s future. “If it weren’t for your family, Shen Yunxuan might have achieved even greater things—maybe she could’ve been a scientist. You ruined such a promising student. You’ll never make it up to her in this lifetime.”

Furious, Shen Xuewei fumed internally. Why should I feel indebted to Shen Yunxuan? I’ve stolen this life from her! I deserve to live well. What does her success have to do with me?

But she couldn’t say any of this out loud. Instead, she retreated home in frustration and avoided socializing with the others. Privately, she cursed Shen Yunxuan, blaming her for appearing on television and attracting so much attention. Why couldn’t she just be content running her factory? Did she have to act like a celebrity too?

Then it dawned on her—if Shen Yunxuan didn’t want to be a celebrity, maybe she could.

There were no rules barring military wives from pursuing stardom. The regulations weren’t strict yet, and this was her chance. If she gained her own fans, they would speak up for her, and public opinion would no longer overwhelm her. Plus, being a celebrity was lucrative, and the early opportunities were plentiful. She might even be able to secure a position within the official system.

She knew about countless classic future films and dramas. Choosing scripts and roles wouldn’t be a problem, especially since acting skills weren’t a high requirement in this era. She could do it!

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Shen Xuewei admired her beautiful face and became increasingly confident. This is the path I was meant to take.

Without hesitation, she took all the household money, left a note asking the neighbors to look after the child, packed a small bag, and left. By the time Xing Kai discovered her disappearance, it was too late to stop her. Furious, he nearly exploded. Left with no choice, he sent the child to live with Bai Xiaoling, telling others they had been sent to a friend’s house.

The child had already started recognizing people, but since Shen Xuewei had been too preoccupied with her own pursuits to teach her son properly, Bai Xiaoling quickly stepped in with her gentle and attentive care. It didn’t take long before the child began sweetly calling her “Aunt Bai.”

With the responsibility of caring for the child, Xing Kai naturally had to provide Bai Xiaoling with more financial support. She didn’t mind taking care of her “rival’s” child at all—so long as it brought her benefits, she was content. Moreover, with Shen Xuewei gone, Xing Kai was now alone. Bai Xiaoling figured he would come by more often, and with a child in the mix, it would only be a matter of time before their old relationship reignited.

Thinking this way, Bai Xiaoling treated the child even better. The little boy, still innocent, only felt that this kind and beautiful “auntie” was much nicer than his mom. He wished his own mother could be just as caring.

Meanwhile, Shen Jie, now without his elder sister to lean on, began pestering Xing Kai even more frequently. Frustrated by his constant interruptions and gluttonous nature, Xing Kai transferred Shen Jie to the mess hall to work as an assistant cook and warned him to stay out of his way.

For now, the military camp returned to a semblance of calm, though beneath the surface, plenty of “time bombs” were waiting to go off.

---

Shen Xuewei, now with money in hand and claiming to be Shen Yunxuan’s younger sister, managed to attract some investors’ interest. Someone even offered her a film role, thinking it would be a great promotional hook to market the movie as featuring “Shen Yunxuan’s sister becoming a star.”

Shen Xuewei didn’t mind being used or leveraging Shen Yunxuan’s name. After all, she had done similar things in her past life and was adept at playing the game. As long as she could land a movie role, it was worth it.

When the film premiered, the marketing strategy worked. The connection to Shen Yunxuan drew plenty of attention, and soon everyone knew that Shen Xuewei had become an actress and made it to the big screen.

Thrilled by the buzz, Shen Xuewei capitalized on the momentum to secure a coveted lead role in a television drama. The series was a tearjerker about a woman’s struggles with her family, marital life, work, and raising children—a narrative that resonated deeply with the common folk. Shen Xuewei knew the drama would be a massive hit and spared no effort to land the role, immediately joining the production crew without any thought of contacting her family. She was already too caught up in her new life to care.

---

Those who knew Shen Xuewei were utterly shocked, especially in the military community, where her actions caused a stir. Xing Kai had initially told everyone that Shen Xuewei had gone back to her hometown to visit family and hadn’t returned for a long time. People speculated that Xing Kai, unhappy with her, had sent her back to the countryside to care for elderly relatives and children—a reasonable explanation.

But when news broke that Shen Xuewei had become a movie star, it was a complete shock. The big question now was whether Xing Kai had known or deliberately concealed it. Xing Kai, fearing the repercussions of being seen as unaware or negligent, claimed, “She wanted to try her luck, and I didn’t expect her to succeed, so I didn’t mention it.”

After the initial surprise, the community began gossiping. The content of Shen Xuewei’s movie—where she portrayed a love interest and even held hands with a male actor—made things worse. The conservative atmosphere among the military families meant that seeing a soldier’s wife engage in such intimate scenes with another man felt improper and unbecoming. People whispered about whether Shen Xuewei truly valued her marriage and family life.

Concerns grew over the potential impact on Xing Kai’s career. A soldier’s family situation was often a factor in promotions, and with Shen Xuewei’s new career, it seemed likely that their marriage would turn into a long-distance arrangement, undermining the family stability expected of an officer’s household. Many began to see Shen Xuewei as a liability.

Xing Kai tried to maintain composure in public, but back home, he smashed a glass in rage. His pride as a traditional, domineering husband had been severely bruised. While he usually kept Shen Xuewei in line to avoid trouble, her decision to take all the family’s money and flaunt herself on the big screen had utterly humiliated him.

When he saw her holding hands with another man in the movie, his face turned green with fury. How could she embarrass me like this? What kind of misfortune led me to this woman?

Unable to locate Shen Xuewei, Xing Kai had no way to confront her. Instead, Shen Jie, lacking any self-awareness, approached him to celebrate her success, saying things like, “Now that she’s famous, she’ll be making big money!”

Fed up, Xing Kai stormed off to Bai Xiaoling’s house, venting his frustrations over drinks. Unsurprisingly, one thing led to another, and Bai Xiaoling finally got him back into bed.

---

Shen Xuewei had always believed certain memories from her past life were infallible. For example, when she had once taunted Shen Yunxuan about potential “mistresses,” Shen Yunxuan had laughed it off, saying Xing Kai valued his reputation too much to ever jeopardize his military marriage. This led Shen Xuewei to assume that marrying Xing Kai was the safest bet—so long as he wanted promotions, he wouldn’t stray.

Thus, even when she left to pursue stardom, it never occurred to her that Xing Kai might get involved with another woman. She had known about Bai Xiaoling’s temporary stay and assumed Xing Kai only pitied her—it couldn’t possibly lead to anything serious.

But while Shen Xuewei was feeling assured and carefree, Xing Kai and Bai Xiaoling had rekindled their relationship. Together with the child, they were now living as a happy family of three.

---

Shen Yunxuan was genuinely stunned to learn that Shen Xuewei had become an actress. For a moment, she couldn’t comprehend what Shen Xuewei was thinking. Shen Xuewei had fought so hard to win over Xing Kai after her rebirth—wasn’t it all to become the wife of a regimental commander? Shouldn’t she have been cultivating herself, enhancing her reputation, and improving her status in the military community? Why would she choose to become an actress?

Could it be about making money? Or was it simply to experience the thrill of being in the spotlight?

Xiao Jun brought over a fruit platter he had prepared and remarked in surprise, “What’s going on with Shen Xuewei? And how is Xing Kai allowing her to make such a scene?”

Shen Yunxuan shook her head. “I don’t know what she’s thinking. It feels like she’s swinging blindly without any clear purpose. Maybe she doesn’t even know what she wants. Without focus or regard for the consequences, it’s the easiest way to get into trouble. Xing Kai might not be able to control her. After all, she’s an adult—he can’t exactly lock her up.”

“The wife of a battalion commander acting in movies, and even in romantic scenes…” Xiao Jun scoffed. “Shen Xuewei’s out of her mind. She’s turned herself and Xing Kai into a laughingstock. From now on, whenever people talk about Xing Kai, they’ll think about his actress wife’s on-screen antics instead of his military achievements.”

He shook his head, relieved. “Thank goodness I didn’t marry Shen Xuewei. Otherwise, I’d be the one being dragged down.”

Peeling an orange for Shen Yunxuan, he added with a grin, “The comparison only makes it clearer—you’re the best wife in the world. I must’ve accumulated eight lifetimes’ worth of good karma to be lucky enough to marry you. I’m truly fortunate!”

Little Mingzhu, like a tiny cannonball, charged over and wrapped her arms around Shen Yunxuan’s neck, declaring, “I must’ve had eight lifetimes’ worth of luck too to be Mommy’s little sweetheart! I’m lucky too!”

Shen Yunxuan laughed heartily, hugging the two of them. “We’re all lucky. We’re one big, happy family, aren’t we?”

“Yes!” the father and daughter chorused before bursting into laughter again.

Xiao Jun was excellent at entertaining their daughter, making her laugh while respecting her thoughts. Watching them, Shen Yunxuan felt a deep sense of gratitude. She truly was lucky to have them—a happy and loving family. This was her home.

As for Shen Xuewei, whether she chose to be an actress or the wife of a military officer, it had nothing to do with Shen Yunxuan. If Shen Xuewei could make her own way and live a good life, that would be her own merit. However, Shen Xuewei using Shen Yunxuan’s name was unacceptable.

Shen Yunxuan immediately wrote an article and published it, formally declaring that she had severed all ties with the Shen family years ago and had nothing to do with them. She emphasized that this was out of respect for her late father, who had been a victim of the Shen family’s crimes.

Her stance was widely understood and supported. Everyone agreed that if Shen Yunxuan had maintained ties with the Shen family, it would have been a betrayal of her father’s memory. The public sided with her, leaving Shen Xuewei looking shameless.

People criticized Shen Xuewei for falsely claiming to be Shen Yunxuan’s sister. “What sister? The one who bullied and schemed against her? Who would want a sister like that?”

Before Shen Xuewei could truly rise to fame, she had already lost public favor. While news spread slowly without the internet, enough people were aware of her antics, and her reputation began to sour. The production team of her current drama considered replacing her, but with half of the scenes already filmed, they couldn’t afford the cost of reshoots. Reluctantly, they raised their standards and demanded better performance, forcing Shen Xuewei into a grueling schedule.

---

Playing the lead role in a tearjerker, Shen Xuewei found herself working day and night, enduring endless struggles. The production demanded more than her limited acting talent could handle, and with the increased expectations, her workload became unbearable. Each day, she rose early and toiled late into the night, overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of the role. She hadn’t expected that becoming an actress would be so punishing. Only the thought of fame and fortune kept her going.

When the drama finally aired, Shen Xuewei eagerly anticipated its massive success. And it did—just not for her. To her shock, it was the supporting actress who stole the show.

Audiences praised the supporting actress’s incredible performance, especially when contrasted with Shen Xuewei’s. Viewers expressed hope that the supporting actress would land a lead role in her next project, while they criticized Shen Xuewei, saying the drama would’ve been better if another actress had taken her role. Some even suggested Shen Yunxuan would’ve been a more fitting choice, given the plot’s resemblance to her real-life struggles.

As the drama gained popularity, so did the backlash against Shen Xuewei. Viewers voiced their disinterest in seeing her again, and offers for future roles dried up. Frustrated and furious, she smashed items in her dressing room, finally realizing her mistake. She should never have leaned on Shen Yunxuan’s name. She could’ve paved her own path instead of dragging someone else’s into the mud.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆