Chapter 5: Quite a Righteous Person

Shen Qingyi looked at herself in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

The sales assistant’s eyes lit up, sensing a sale, and she stepped forward eagerly. “Miss Shen, would you like to take the set you’re wearing?”

Shen Qingyi didn’t make a decision right away. Instead, she asked, “How much are these three sets?”

“The one you’re wearing is a bit more expensive—seventy-five yuan. The other two are seventy-two and sixty-eight, respectively,” the sales assistant explained enthusiastically.

None of them could be called cheap. Chen Haixia walked closer, curious to see which one Shen Qingyi would choose.

But to her surprise, Shen Qingyi smiled and said, “Wrap them all up for me.”

The sales assistant didn’t seem the least bit surprised. She quickly turned to fetch a cloth bag to pack the clothes.

Chen Haixia stopped short, a wave of anger rising in her chest. She thought of how Lu Yan would wear a single shirt until it faded to white, unwilling to buy a new one. But this woman? She bought all three expensive outfits without even blinking.

Lu Yan received a first-tier salary—four hundred and fifty yuan a month. He kept twenty for himself and sent the rest home without fail.

Shen Qingyi paid, took the clothes from the sales assistant, and smiled at An’an, who was sitting quietly nearby, sucking on a lollipop. “All done. Now it’s your turn to pick something.”

An’an, hearing his mother’s voice, finally let out a relieved breath, jumped off his chair, and ran over to take Shen Qingyi’s hand.

Mother and son were about to leave when someone stepped in their way.

Shen Qingyi glanced at Chen Haixia, nodded slightly, and pulled An’an along, intending to walk past.

She had met Lu Yan’s childhood friend many times before. Chen Haixia got along well with his family, and it was said that she and Lu Yan were inseparable in high school. When they went to university, Lu Yan even announced their relationship to everyone early on.

Yet when Shen Qingyi and Lu Yan registered their marriage, he hadn’t told a soul. Otherwise, the Lu family wouldn’t have accused her of having a child out of wedlock just because she was already two months pregnant with An’an.

“Comrade Shen Qingyi, Lu Yan spends less than twenty yuan a month at the base,” Chen Haixia said, her voice just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, carrying a hidden accusation.

Shen Qingyi knew exactly what she was getting at. The intention was clear—she was putting herself in the position of the lady of the house. Shen Qingyi understood her sense of injustice. Yet Lu Yan hadn’t divorced her, so what right did Chen Haixia have to question her?

“What does that have to do with you?” Shen Qingyi replied.

Chen Haixia was briefly stunned, at a loss for words. Then Shen Qingyi added, “If you feel sorry for him, you can supplement his salary with your own. I have no objection.”

With that, Shen Qingyi took An’an’s hand and left without looking back.

She found it laughable. Aside from the three hundred yuan he had left her four years ago before heading to the base, she had never taken a penny of Lu Yan’s salary. So what did it matter to her if he only spent twenty yuan a month?

An’an glanced up at her. “Mommy, are you upset?”

“No. Come on, let’s go pick out your favorite Rubik’s cube.” She led her son straight to the toy section on the first floor.

An’an chose the most advanced cube. The sales assistant smiled at him, noticing his striking good looks, and couldn’t help but tease him. “Little one, this is for kids eight and up. Can you solve it?”

An’an grinned, showing off his dimpled smile. “Auntie, could I try? If I solve it in two minutes, could you give me a discount?”

The sales assistant laughed. What a clever boy, clearly trying to negotiate. He probably could solve it. She shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t set the prices, but I can help you find the best-looking one.”

An’an’s long lashes fluttered as he wrinkled his nose in reluctant acceptance. “All right, then.”

The sales assistant was utterly charmed by his expression. She turned to Shen Qingyi. “He’s still so young, and already thinking of saving money for you?”

Shen Qingyi smiled and quietly asked, “How much is it?”

“Eight yuan.”

After buying the toys, they picked up some fruit and biscuits as well. “Today I’ll take you to visit Aunt Youqing’s house,” she told An’an.

Cheng Youqing had said two days ago that she’d have the day off.

An’an nodded obediently.

So, hand in hand, Shen Qingyi and An’an walked to Cheng Youqing’s door.

Hearing the doorbell, Cheng Youqing hurried over to open it. Seeing mother and son, she welcomed them warmly. “Come in, come in! I asked my mom to make pork rib soup, knowing you’d be coming today.”

Shen Qingyi handed her the fruit and biscuits, then brought An’an inside.

Cheng Youqing seated them on the sofa, then peeled an apple for An’an before sitting down herself and asking Shen Qingyi, “Did Lu Yan come to see you yesterday?”

“He did,” Shen Qingyi replied.

“How did he treat you?” asked Cheng Youqing.

Shen Qingyi smiled. “He acknowledged An’an and was very polite to me.”

At the word “polite,” Cheng Youqing frowned. “Then you should take the initiative. I really believe if you show him some affection, no man could resist.”

Seeing Shen Qingyi’s amused expression, Cheng Youqing was puzzled. “What? Am I wrong?”

“Do you think Lu Yan is like other men?” Shen Qingyi wasn’t confident in changing or pleasing someone like him. From what little she knew, Lu Yan was difficult—apart from that one night, she’d never seen him show much emotion.

Once he set his mind on something, he was single-minded—whether in his studies, research, or feelings. He had chosen Chen Haixia early on, and even after that passionate night, his attitude toward Shen Qingyi remained unchanged.

“Of course not. Professor Shen would never entrust you to an ordinary man. But you’re not an ordinary woman, either.”

Shen Qingyi nodded. “I told him I wanted a divorce.”

Cheng Youqing nearly jumped off the sofa in shock. “You… Are you out of your mind? If you really get divorced, people won’t just gossip and ostracize you behind your back. Some might even show up at your door with bad intentions. What will you do then?”

Shen Qingyi had considered that. “That’s why I came to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“After I finish registering An’an’s household, I plan to take him to Pengcheng. It’s the pioneer city of the reform era, drawing talent from all over. Maybe I can find a private lawyer to clear my father’s name.

In the capital, no one is willing to help me—especially not the relatives. It’s more straightforward to spend money.”

Cheng Youqing stared at her in surprise. “You… you still want to overturn the case?”

Shen Qingyi nodded. “Yes.”

“But you’ll be all alone in a strange city. What if something happens?” Cheng Youqing fretted.

Shen Qingyi pulled her to sit down. “Being among strangers is better. Besides, I’ve planned this for a long time. It’s not a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

“That’s such a pity,” Cheng Youqing said, still in disbelief.

Shen Qingyi’s eyes were calm and clear. “What’s a pity?”

“So many women dream of marrying Lu Yan.”

Shen Qingyi smiled. “I used to think so, too. But now I understand—none of what he has is mine. Even being married to him, I still have to face everything alone, and most of the time I don’t even see him.

The only advantage is that his status does offer some protection for me and my son.

So I have no other complaints against him.”

Cheng Youqing took a deep breath. “How did he respond?”

“Guess.”

“He agreed?”

Shen Qingyi shook her head.

“He refused?”

She shook her head again. “You’d never guess.”

Cheng Youqing couldn’t stand it any longer. “Tell me!”

Shen Qingyi, her feelings a mix of amusement and exasperation, said, “He told me to wait until I found someone else before discussing divorce.”

Should she call him a good man, or a scoundrel?

Cheng Youqing couldn’t help herself; she nearly spat out her tea. It was a serious matter, but she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

After a while, she composed herself and commented, “At least he’s principled—he’s living up to Professor Shen’s trust.

Of course, that also means he doesn’t love you. No normal man would say such a thing to his wife.”

Seeing Shen Qingyi’s complicated expression, Cheng Youqing changed the subject. “So, what do you need my help with?”