Shi Qianyu learned the details of the incident from the woman.
The old neighborhood had poor soundproofing, so she had overheard much of the argument between Wen Xin and her uncle and aunt. After thinking it over for a moment, the woman summed up the key points, saying that they were probably after money.
“They argued fiercely back then, nearly coming to blows. Those two were yelling loudly, hurling curses nonstop, acting completely unreasonable.”
“Good thing the young lady was brave enough to chase them off with a scolding.” The woman sighed, recalling Wen Xin’s crying that day and feeling pity for her. “But afterward, the young lady was still pretty upset. She cried for a long time. I called out a few words of comfort through the door, though I don’t know if it helped at all.”
“Is she feeling better today?” the woman asked, unable to hide her concern.
“Much better, thank you for asking.” Shi Qianyu replied, nodding slightly, her brows furrowed tightly.
“That’s good.” Sensing the shift in Shi Qianyu’s mood, the woman didn’t linger. She exchanged a few polite words and then turned to leave.
Shi Qianyu thanked her once more before heading to the wardrobe. She pulled out several changes of clothes for Wen Xin, along with some basic daily necessities, then went downstairs to drive back.
Over the past thirty-plus years, she had always prided herself on her emotional stability. Work setbacks or life’s upheavals—obstacles that tripped up others—were never issues for her. She knew panic wouldn’t help; better to find solutions quickly than waste time fretting.
Yet her two moments of losing composure had both involved Wen Xin. The first was in childhood, the day she discovered Wen Xin had left. The second was now.
Wen Xin was quiet and reserved. Even when wronged, she kept it to herself, not wanting to burden others. Shi Qianyu had suspected something had happened but never imagined it would be this serious.
If only she had insisted on staying by Wen Xin’s side that day. Perhaps none of this would have occurred—or at least, Wen Xin wouldn’t have had to face it alone.
Those two had to be Wen Xin’s uncle and aunt.
Since reuniting with Wen Xin, Shi Qianyu had gathered bits of information through various channels. She knew Wen Xin’s parents had died unexpectedly, and Wen Xin had lived with her uncle and aunt ever since.
But the couple had been far too harsh with her, leaving Wen Xin unhappy for years. From what Shi Qianyu had heard from others, Wen Xin’s parents had gone bankrupt before their deaths. Their house and car had been mortgaged, and though they left some inheritance, it wasn’t much and was quickly spent.
From then on, the young Wen Xin had become a burden in their eyes. They provided only the bare minimum for food and shelter, unwilling to spend an extra cent on her.
How could such a Wen Xin possibly owe them over three hundred thousand? Especially since, from the start of her job, Wen Xin had made a habit of sending them money.
This blatant demand was nothing short of extortion.
“…”
Before leaving the neighborhood, Shi Qianyu unlocked her phone and called a friend.
~~~
Wen Xin’s nap was far from restful.
Perhaps Shi Qianyu’s absence had left her uneasy. Before nine o’clock, Wen Xin woke again. She had a jumble of chaotic dreams that she could no longer recall, but they still left her in low spirits.
She didn’t want to go back to sleep. She touched her forehead, confirming the fever was gone, then slowly got out of bed.
It was still early. She hesitated about texting Shi Qianyu to ask what she wanted for lunch, worried it might interrupt her work, and in the end, decided against it.
Instead, she quietly slipped on her slippers, freshened up, and padded into the kitchen. She stood in front of the fridge, studying it for a moment.
Finally, she took out some vegetables and fruits for lunch, then busied herself preparing the ingredients, head bowed in focus. When she glanced at the time, it was already past when Shi Qianyu had promised to return.
Why hasn’t she come home yet? Did something happen?
An inexplicable anxiety bubbled up inside her. Wen Xin checked the clock repeatedly, then peered out the window for a while. Unable to wait any longer, she threw on a jacket and headed downstairs to look for her.
It was like she had separation anxiety.
Wen Xin asked herself this as she walked, wondering how things had come to this.
But moments later, as she kept walking, she answered her own question: It was fear, of course. The incident with her uncle and aunt had cast a long shadow, leaving her constantly on edge. Only Shi Qianyu’s presence could ease that unease.
She knew this level of dependence wasn’t healthy, but she couldn’t change it. In fact, the moment she spotted Shi Qianyu, her mood brightened instantly.
“A-Yu!” She hurried forward, smiling in greeting.
“What are you doing down here?” Shi Qianyu, carrying the neatly packed clothes and supplies, looked surprised.
“I was a little worried about you.” Wen Xin reached out to help with the bags, but Shi Qianyu wouldn’t let her. Instead, she shifted everything to one hand, freeing the other to hold Wen Xin’s.
“I made a call right before heading home and got held up.” Shi Qianyu had composed herself perfectly; nothing seemed amiss. Wen Xin nodded, accepting the explanation without question.
Her gaze fell on the items in Shi Qianyu’s hand—they looked familiar, like her own clothes and things. “What’s this?”
“Oh, I stopped by your place.” As they stepped into the elevator together, Shi Qianyu smiled. “Sister’s staying over for once. I have to seize the chance and keep you here a few more days. I figured you might not like using my stuff, so I grabbed some of your usual things.”
Wen Xin tensed at the words, afraid Shi Qianyu might have noticed something about her home. “Did you… notice anything unusual?”
Shi Qianyu tilted her head, puzzled. “Like what?”
“Nothing.” Wen Xin shook her head quickly. “Nothing at all.”
“Anyway, never mind that.” Shi Qianyu smoothly changed the subject and unlocked the door. “What do you want for lunch? I’ll make it.”
“Stir-fried pork, maybe stew some fish, and greens on the side.” Wen Xin sounded a bit proud. “I’ve already got the ingredients ready.”
Shi Qianyu followed her gaze and saw the kitchen counter loaded with prepped food.
How long had she been at this?
Seeing it, Shi Qianyu felt a pang of heartache. Wen Xin had just started feeling better; she shouldn’t have been doing chores like this. But Shi Qianyu understood her mindset all too well. Wen Xin feared being a burden, feared not being needed. Whenever someone showed her kindness, she went all out to repay it twofold.
“You must be tired after preparing all this.” She sighed, meeting Wen Xin’s eyes. “That was a lot of work, wasn’t it?”
“Not really.” Wen Xin shook her head. “I was just sitting around anyway. You took such good care of me yesterday—cooked noodles, even went back to get my things. I have to do something for you too, or you’ll think I’m useless.”
It was meant as a joke, but Shi Qianyu took it seriously, her tone earnest. “I’d never think that.”
“You choosing to stay with me is the greatest comfort I could ask for. As long as you’re here, that’s enough. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
“But…” Wen Xin felt embarrassed and looked away.
Shi Qianyu wouldn’t let it go. She leaned in, following Wen Xin’s gaze with her own, her voice turning playfully whiny. “I’m suddenly so tired.”
“Can Sister give me a hug?”
Did hugs fix fatigue?
Wen Xin grumbled inwardly but responded honestly, nodding gently in agreement.
Shi Qianyu set down her bags, sat on the sofa, and guided Wen Xin onto her lap. Then she wrapped her arms around her tightly, letting Wen Xin relax fully against her, their bodies pressed close.
Soon, she felt the warmth radiating from Wen Xin—soft and gentle, just like the woman herself. Like winter sunshine, it brought relaxation and comfort.
It also made her think back to what she’d just learned, her mind wandering to all the implications.
For so many years, how had Wen Xin endured? A soft-hearted, introverted person, repeatedly battered by life’s cruelties and setbacks.
Yet despite it all, Wen Xin had grown into a wonderful person, even showing unexpected courage.
Perhaps the brief silence puzzled her. Wen Xin stroked Shi Qianyu’s back gently, asking with concern, “What are you thinking about, A-Yu?”
“I’m thinking how hard you’ve had it.” Shi Qianyu replied.
Wen Xin didn’t catch the deeper meaning, assuming it referred back to the chores. “It’s nothing. Just small stuff.”
She patted Shi Qianyu’s back again, like soothing a child. “I’m pretty tough, you know.”
“Mm.” Shi Qianyu said no more, simply hugging her tighter. It was a long moment before she murmured, “You’re the best.”
~~~
Two days later, Wen Xin had finally recovered both physically and emotionally, returning to work.
Coincidentally, her uncle and aunt had spent those days devising a new plan. Since demanding money at her home hadn’t worked last time, they’d escalate by making a scene at her company.
Wen Xin was thin-skinned, after all. A few defamatory shouts and a big fuss, and things would resolve in their favor. Such a good job was too rare to lose; Wen Xin would surely give in to keep it.
They put words into action right away, storming the company reception desk. Not only did they shove the receptionist to the ground without reason, but they also smashed whatever they could grab. The commotion quickly spread to the colleagues—and to the ears of Wen Xin and Shi Qianyu.
In an instant, the office buzzed with murmurs. Gao Qiu happened to return from fieldwork just in time to witness the commotion. Hearing them shout Wen Xin’s name, she rushed back without pause, asking anxiously, “Wenwen, what’s going on here?”
“Do you know those two outside?” Gao Qiu continued. “They’re kicking up a fuss nonstop, claiming you owe them money and won’t pay it back. They want everyone to weigh in and demand an explanation from you.”
“…I know them,” Wen Xin replied. She had already overheard everything, and her mind went blank for a moment before panic and fear came flooding in.
She never imagined her uncle and aunt would stoop to this. After their last unhappy parting, they hadn’t called to harass her anymore. Wen Xin had taken that as a sign they’d given up, only for them to switch tactics and take such an extreme approach instead.
Hearing her colleagues’ gossip and catching the sidelong glances from those around her, Wen Xin felt time rewind in an instant. She was a child again, facing this kind of scene—overwhelmed by shame, with nowhere to hide.
But she was no longer a child. She shouldn’t shy away from hardship; she needed to confront it and resolve it herself.
She was simply afraid. Afraid that the relationships she’d carefully built with her colleagues would be destroyed by these trumped-up charges. Afraid she’d lose the job she’d fought so hard to secure. Afraid that those close to her would misunderstand, thinking she was truly ungrateful and heartless.
Above all, she dreaded Shi Qianyu hearing these things or seeing them—dreading the moment her image shattered in Shi Qianyu’s eyes.
Every step toward the door felt excruciatingly heavy. Wen Xin clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus and search for a way out of this mess.
Yet before she could reach her uncle and aunt, she spotted Shi Qianyu ahead of her. Shi Qianyu appeared to be speaking with them, instantly enraging the pair into shrill outbursts.
“What are you defending her for, acting like you know her inside and out? Don’t you get it—you can know someone’s face but not their heart!”
“I’ve raised that ungrateful wretch for years, but has she? She never comes back to show a lick of gratitude on a normal day. When we actually need help, she doesn’t lift a finger. No conscience at all—selfish to the core!”
“What warning? Let me tell you, I’ve eaten more salt in my life than the roads you’ve traveled. Don’t you dare bully us just because you’re some big-shot director. I’m not scared of you people!”
“A-Yu, never mind. Stay out of this—I can handle it myself,” Wen Xin said, unable to stomach their abuse toward Shi Qianyu. She hurried forward to intervene.
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” she added sincerely. Though she looked on the verge of tears, she was the first to offer comfort to the woman before her.
Shi Qianyu simply shook her head, meeting her eyes with unwavering resolve. “It’s okay.”
Then she turned back to the pair. “Since you’re set on making a scene, why not air everything out today? But first, there’s someone you need to meet…”
Her words trailed off as a sharply dressed woman stepped into view. Shi Qianyu’s lips curved in a faint smile. “Speak of the devil—and here you are.”
“Who the hell is this?!” Auntie bellowed. “I’m not seeing any random strangers. I only want that little ingrate Wen Xin!”
“I’m afraid you really do need to meet her,” Shi Qianyu replied evenly, introducing the woman to the group.
“This is Xiao Xiao, Lawyer Xiao.”
