Chapter 573 | Chapter 574 | Chapter 575
Chapter 573: Locked in a Dispute with Li Jiahua
Very well, there was no one else quite as stupid as herself, she thought.
Sheng Wanyan took out 20 yuan to give her, but Wei Lili wouldn’t accept it, so Sheng Wanyan stuffed it into her hand.
“It’s fine, it’s not a big deal.”
Upon hearing this, Wei Lili instantly burst into tears—howling, just like Maomao… “It’s so embarrassing…” “I can’t face anyone anymore.” “I don’t want to live.”
Sheng Wanyan and Liu Na couldn’t hold back their laughter at her words, but afraid of wounding her pride, they had to stifle it.
“You really don’t want to live? The general store just got new snacks…”
“Then I’ll go take a look.”
The moment Wei Lili heard that, she ran off toward the general store. She ran all the way to the warehouse entrance before doubling back.
“Thank you, Wanyan. I’ll pay you back in a few days.” Wei Lili waved the money in her hand, then shyly ran off, returning to the dorm later with a pile of snacks.
Sheng Wanyan raised an eyebrow at the snacks she had shoved into her hands, her impression of her growing even better. Simple, adorable, lively, and someone who knew how to return kindness and value loyalty—anyone who met her would find her likable. If Wei Lili weren’t her peer, she’d have wanted her to be her daughter-in-law.
Lailai and Maomao: “…” Mom, take a good look at our ages.
The roommates returned to the dorm with their newly purchased clothes. Li Jiahua saw everyone holding new garments and turned away in a huff, refusing to look.
“Jiahua, it’s a real pity you didn’t go.” Liu Na spoke regretfully. If she hadn’t been low on cash, she definitely would have bought more. “Wanyan had a ton of clearance items selling cheap, only five yuan apiece.”
Upon hearing that they were only five yuan each, Li Jiahua immediately sat up and looked at Liu Na. “Are they really only five yuan?”
“Yeah, Wanyan said they were last year’s styles, or end-of-the-line sizes. She just wanted to clear them out, and we all bought several pieces.”
Li Jiahua was tempted, but after calculating the money she had on her—a total of 6 yuan—she realized that if she bought clothes, she wouldn’t have enough to eat.
“What good could possibly be left in the leftovers?”
Liu Na’s expression turned sour at her words. She looked at the two clearance items in her own hands. “That’s a hell of a thing to say. They’re all brand new; what do you mean by ‘leftovers’? At the supply and marketing cooperative, a single undershirt costs six or seven yuan.”
After saying this, Liu Na took her basin and soap, headed to the restroom to wash her clothes, and hung them out to dry.
Seeing that Liu Na, who was from the countryside just like her, had actually stood up to her, Li Jiahua hammered her bed in a fit of rage. What’s there to be proud of for a woman married to a country bumpkin! No matter how great a college student was, if her husband’s family were lowly country folk, what kind of life could she have in the future?!
This Liu Na was like a screw loose; every time she got her stipend, she went and bought things for her country husband and kids. No wonder she was Sheng Wanyan’s lackey—she was bought off by a few cheap trinkets from Sheng Wanyan.
Li Jiahua pulled her quilt over her head, refusing to look at everyone showing off their clothes. They call it a discount, but if she truly had a heart, why didn’t she just give them to everyone for free! Sheng Wanyan was just using her status as a power trip, and only these idiots would fall for it.
Sheng Wanyan was oblivious to this. When she went to school the next day, her dormmates surrounded her, asking her to hold some clearance items for them until they had the money to buy them. Sheng Wanyan nodded, promising to save some for them.
“Thank you so much, Wanyan.” Liu Na looked at her with gratitude. Such beautiful clothes for five yuan was a complete steal.
“It’s nothing. Selling them to anyone is the same. I’m just happy to have your patronage.”
Li Jiahua sat in the front, curling her lip at Sheng Wanyan’s words, her eyes rolling as she looked at the other students in the class. “I truly didn’t expect Comrade Sheng Wanyan to be so capable as to open a clothing store. Shouldn’t you give everyone one piece as a celebration? That way, everyone can help you advertise, right?”
The classmates in the class turned to look at her the moment they heard Li Jiahua. “Li Jiahua, what are you saying? Clothes aren’t cheap cabbage! You don’t just give them away!” Wei Lili stood up in a fit of anger, hands on her hips, and retorted. Giving clothes to every classmate? Do you have any idea how much that would cost?! She couldn’t believe she had the nerve to say that!
“Oh, isn’t this just helping Comrade Sheng Wanyan advertise? We’re all classmates; everyone would be happy to help!”
Li Jiahua had put Sheng Wanyan in a tough spot. The other girls in the dorm were furious and wanted to retort, but Sheng Wanyan held them back.
“Wanyan?”
“It’s fine.” Sheng Wanyan held Wei Lili back, stood up, and looked at Li Jiahua and the rest of the class. “Do you think my clothing store needs advertising?”
Li Jiahua shivered slightly at the chill in her voice. What’s going on? Why is Sheng Wanyan’s aura so terrifying? Li Jiahua swallowed her saliva and nodded stubbornly. “We’re all classmates; helping you advertise is a small favor.”
Sheng Wanyan scanned the female students in the class and looked back at Li Jiahua with a mocking expression. “You are stupid, but the others aren’t as stupid as you.”
Li Jiahua didn’t understand what she meant, assuming she was just being stubborn. “Comrade Sheng Wanyan, I’m just being kind. Since you aren’t willing, forget it then.”
The girls in the class looked at her like she was an idiot. Li Jiahua was genuinely stupid.
“I am indeed unwilling.”
Sheng Wanyan’s retort left Li Jiahua speechless. Why wasn’t she following the script?!
“You’re just too stingy…”
“I am indeed stingy. Everyone, Comrade Li Jiahua is generous—let her buy you all a set of clothes each! Everyone, make sure to thank her properly!”
“Great!!! Comrade Li Jiahua is generous!” The crowd erupted in cheers. Seeing everyone’s reaction, Li Jiahua was stunned speechless. This… this was supposed to be Sheng Wanyan’s treat!!!
“No… I didn’t say I would give them away!”
No one listened to Li Jiahua. Watching everyone ignore her, her heart plummeted. Is Sheng Wanyan made of gold? Why does everyone like her so much?
A male student sitting next to Li Jiahua adjusted his glasses. “Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself.”
Li Jiahua went pale at his words. What does he mean by that!!!
Li Jiahua bit her lip hard as she looked at the crowd. By the time she finally realized that every single girl in the class was wearing styles from Sheng Wanyan’s shop… she nearly fainted.
They don’t need my “advertising” at all! Everyone was just treating me like a joke!
Sheng Wanyan watched the cheering crowd, the corners of her mouth curling upward. She didn’t remember ever provoking Li Jiahua, but that didn’t mean she would let her be bullied. Since Li Jiahua had torn down the mask of civility, she had no need to maintain the relationship either.
The branch store near Beijing Dance Academy was also gradually getting on track. She had opened it specifically to capture the customer base from the surrounding schools and villages. It wasn’t until students in the school discovered the clothing store with the same name and went inside to inquire that they realized Sheng Wanyan had already expanded to opening branch stores!
Chapter 574: Yi Yi’s Dream
The news quickly spread throughout the school, from one person to ten, and ten to a hundred. Even the professors from the Economics Department couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up.
Why on earth didn’t this student major in economics!!!
Lately, Professor Zhao kept noticing a few old men from the Economics Department loitering around his territory. Guessing what they were up to, he let out a cold snort, grabbed his thermos, and marched right out.
“What do you want! Are you old fogies planning to learn Russian from me?”
“No!”
“If not, what are you loitering around here for? Are you trying to be creepy old men!”
“Hey! How can you talk like that!”
“How can I talk like that? This is just how I talk!”
Professor Zhao lifted his chin high, and the old men immediately started bickering. Seeing this, the students hurriedly stepped forward to break up the fight.
“Don’t try to stop me! Careful, or I’ll give you a big fat zero in my major course!”
“Professor, cool your jets. Don’t let them upset your health.”
Hearing the commotion, Sheng Wanyan walked out. Seeing her mentor acting like a fighter jet, single-handedly taking on several people, she admired him immensely.
“Professor, calm down.”
Sheng Wanyan stepped forward and stroked Professor Zhao’s chest to soothe him, lest he make himself sick with rage.
Seeing Sheng Wanyan, the other old professors immediately beamed and tried to approach. Professor Zhao let out a cold snort, grabbed Sheng Wanyan, and trotted away with quick, short steps.
“Let’s go, let’s go. Don’t play with these creepy old men.”
“You old Zhao! What nonsense are you spouting!”
The old professors were so angry their beards stood on end, but Professor Zhao completely ignored them. Humming a little tune, he pulled Sheng Wanyan away.
He was truly asking for it…
When Sheng Wanyan returned home after class, she cradled her two sons and kissed them for a good while before she was satisfied.
The moment Yi Yi returned from her dance class, the first thing she did was look for her mother. After taking a quick peek at her two little brothers, she pulled Sheng Wanyan to play with a jigsaw puzzle.
When Gu Tingxiao returned home from work, this was the scene that greeted him. The mother and daughter were sitting on the floor playing, looking incredibly harmonious as Sheng Wanyan guided her with gentle words.
“Papa!”
Yi Yi was the first to spot Gu Tingxiao. She reached out and pointed her small finger toward the door, and Sheng Wanyan looked over.
“Why are you back so early today?” Sheng Wanyan stood up, walked over, and took the meat and eggs he had bought.
“The military ensemble is performing this afternoon, so I came home.”
Back in Ice City, Gu Tingxiao couldn’t just leave whenever he wanted, but in the Capital, as long as he gave Father Gu a heads-up, Father Gu would let him go. In Father Gu’s eyes, no amount of entertainment from a performing arts troupe could match the importance of his grandchildren.
Besides, he was a married man. What business did he have watching performances!!!
Sheng Wanyan handed the meat to Aunt Hu, telling her to cook it for dinner tonight. Aunt Hu gave a word of acknowledgment and went off to cook.
Gu Tingxiao changed into his slippers, leaned down, and kissed Sheng Wanyan on the forehead. Sheng Wanyan was already used to this. A month ago, Gu Tingxiao had very seriously told her that they needed to show plenty of affection in front of the children, and that they should kiss every time they left or returned home.
Sheng Wanyan knew this man was doing it on purpose, but she thoroughly enjoyed this kind of warm family atmosphere.
Gu Tingxiao washed his hands and scooped up Yi Yi, who was playing on the floor.
“Papa, don’t disturb me!” Yi Yi looked at him with dissatisfaction.
Hearing this, Gu Tingxiao could only give up and put her back in her original spot. Yi Yi lowered her head again, deeply focused on her puzzle.
Sheng Wanyan watched the father and daughter with amusement. The child was growing older and wasn’t nearly as easy to order around as when she was a baby.
“I’ll go check on the two little ones.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. Gu Tingxiao went into the bedroom to look at his two sons. The twin boys were fair and chubby; at four months old, they could already roll over. On regular days, the two brothers would compete to see who could roll over better, looking exceptionally competitive.
Seeing their father walk in, the two babies immediately flailed their little arms and legs, wanting him to hold them.
Yi Yi had been raised entirely by Gu Tingxiao, but the two little ones didn’t have such good fortune. In the Capital, Gu Tingxiao was much busier than before. Just commuting back and forth took up so much of his time, let alone looking after the two little ones. By the time Gu Tingxiao returned home from work, the two babies were usually already asleep, so he could only sit by the side and watch them.
Gu Tingxiao first picked up the older brother, Lailai. Lailai was truly an angel baby; usually, he would only cry or whimper twice when he was hungry, and the rest of the time he would just flail his little arms and legs happily.
“Ah~”
Lailai’s little hand grabbed at the air. Gu Tingxiao extended his finger for him to hold. Once Lailai caught it, he closed his eyes with immense satisfaction.
“Ah, ah, ah, ah~”
Maomao anxiously flailed his arms and legs. Hearing his brother cooing, he got so anxious he was on the verge of tears. Only then did Gu Tingxiao put the older brother down and pick him up.
“Impatient temper,” Gu Tingxiao muttered.
Maomao immediately pouted his little mouth and burst into loud wails. Papa is a bully!!
Hearing the crying, Sheng Wanyan walked into the room. Gu Tingxiao was staring with displeasure at the brat in his arms. As expected, this brat was destined to be his rival; he couldn’t even say a single word to him.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. He just wanted to cry on his own.”
“Wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah~~” Maomao cried even louder.
Sheng Wanyan stared at Gu Tingxiao. Left speechless, Gu Tingxiao could only accept his fate.
“Wanyan, I only said one word and he started crying. It’s his problem.” Gu Tingxiao placed the child back into the crib and hurriedly stepped forward to explain himself to Sheng Wanyan.
“I know.”
Seeing her agree so readily with his words, Gu Tingxiao instantly didn’t know what to say. You might as well have not believed me.
“Wanyan…”
“I really know.” Sheng Wanyan reached out and ruffled his hair. Gu Tingxiao bent his waist and lowered his head.
Holding her completed puzzle in her hands, Yi Yi stood at the bedroom door. Her head was tilted high as she watched her parents’ interaction, standing perfectly still.
Soon, International Children’s Day arrived, and Sheng Wanyan prepared gifts for every child in the household.
As for the gift Gu Tingxiao gave—it was that Yi Yi had to sleep in her own room!
Yi Yi was unwilling, but Gu Tingxiao somehow managed to convince her. Clutching her small pillow, Yi Yi trotted off to her own bedroom.
Sheng Wanyan looked at the decorations in Yi Yi’s room. On the bed lay a large plush toy, along with an European-style mosquito net Sheng Wanyan had made for her. Sheng Wanyan had sewn her favorite patterns onto the curtains, and the bed frame had been painted a creamy white. As for the furniture in the room, Gu Tingxiao had painted it all creamy white according to Yi Yi’s request, and Sheng Wanyan had painted designs on top of it.
Gu Tingxiao’s love for his children was always carried out silently. Every single detail in the room bore traces of Gu Tingxiao’s handiwork; a father’s love was as solid as a mountain.
“Papa, stay with me~” Looking at the pitch-black room, Yi Yi felt a bit scared. Gu Tingxiao stayed behind to keep her company, only returning to his own room after she fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, Sheng Wanyan felt Gu Tingxiao get out of bed; he got up several times during the night to check on Yi Yi’s condition.
The process of moving into her own room actually went quite smoothly.
Until one night, Yi Yi suddenly appeared in their bedroom, leaving both Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao completely stunned.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s an old grandpa in my dream~”
Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan assumed she was just having a nightmare and let her sleep with them for the night. However, when Yi Yi ran over every single night after that saying she dreamed of the old grandpa, Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan began to take it seriously.
“What did the old grandpa say to you?”
“The old grandpa said I am a little fishy~”
“I don’t know what kind of fish, but he said I’m just a little lucky star!”
Chapter 575: Send People to Protect Her?
Sheng Wanyan smiled upon hearing her words and fixed her messy, tangled hair.
Gu Tingxiao’s hands paused slightly at the words. He thought back to the time Grandfather Gu had taken Yi Yi to the antique street. It had been so long that they had nearly forgotten about it.
“Did the old grandpa hurt you?”
“No~ He chatted with me~”
“Did he say you are a koi fish?”
Hearing Gu Tingxiao’s words, Yi Yi instantly covered her small mouth and stared at him with wide eyes.
“Papa! How did you know!”
“So it really is true.” Gu Tingxiao suppressed the wave of emotion surging in his chest and asked once more.
Yi Yi nodded heavily. Her papa was truly amazing, guessing exactly what the old grandpa had said!
Gu Tingxiao carried her back to their bedroom and kept watch for the entire night, but he never saw the old grandpa Yi Yi spoke of. He kept watch for several nights until Yi Yi stopped having the dreams, and only then did he return to their own bedroom.
“How is it?” Sheng Wanyan recalled what Gu Tingxiao had told her over the past two nights, her heart gripped by intense worry.
She truly didn’t wish for her daughter to possess extraordinary capabilities or some immense destiny; she only wanted her to be healthy.
“No more dreams.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan let out a massive sigh of relief. She was terrified that Yi Yi would be too lucky and end up targeted by people with ulterior motives.
“Do you think it’s real?” Sheng Wanyan knew all too well the malice of the human heart; people could cause bottomless harm to others just for their own sake.
“Whether it’s true or false doesn’t matter. She is just an ordinary child, our child. Just a child with relatively good luck.”
With one sentence, Gu Tingxiao settled Yi Yi’s future path. No matter what, this matter could not be made known to others. Even if others discovered it, the most they would do is marvel at how good her luck was.
“We will always be able to protect her.”
“The Gu family, with so many heroic men, can protect her as well!”
Gu Tingxiao’s words put her mind slightly at ease. It was just as he said—so many heroic men of the Gu family had perished for the nation. If the Heavens granted the Gu family a little lucky star now, why ever not!
Sheng Wanyan went to fetch her dowry chest, took out several sheets of formulas, and handed them to Gu Tingxiao.
“This is a prescription for treating stomach ailments, and this one is a specialized medication for heart disease patients. This one is a formula for preventing hives, as well as the formula for the Hepatitis B vaccine.”
Gu Tingxiao looked at the formulas in his hands, thoroughly shocked. Once these formulas were handed over, they would undoubtedly cause a massive sensation among the upper echelons of the state. When that happened, it would be difficult for his wife to maintain the peaceful lifestyle she currently enjoyed.
“Take these to Grandfather, and tell him we want real authority!”
Gu Tingxiao quickly pulled Sheng Wanyan down to sit. His wife had never harbored any interest in positions of real power, yet now…
“Wanyan, there’s no need for this. Even without these, I can protect Yi Yi.”
Sheng Wanyan shook her head. She knew Gu Tingxiao could protect her, but as a mother, she couldn’t stand by and watch her daughter fall into potential danger. She had to be prepared for everything and pave a solid path for her children.
“I know. These are all things the country currently lacks, and I can improve upon these base formulas down the line.”
These were the most common medications and vaccines in the future. In her past life, she had improved numerous pharmaceutical formulas, so she possessed absolute confidence.
“I want real authority!”
Gu Tingxiao saw the ambition burning in Sheng Wanyan’s eyes. Perhaps this was his wife’s true colors; as long as she willed it, she could thrive under any circumstances.
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Gu Tingxiao took the items to Grandfather Gu the very next day. Looking at the papers, Grandfather Gu sat in his study for a long time, unable to snap out of his daze. With a deep sigh, he finally climbed into his car with his orderly and departed.
Sheng Wanyan attended and left classes as usual. She knew Grandfather Gu wouldn’t disappoint her; he would secure the absolute maximum benefits on her behalf.
Sheng Wanyan’s files were meticulously protected by the state. No one knew she could formulate medicine, and her travels were never restricted.
A week later, Grandfather Gu requested them to return to the compound. Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao brought the children back.
“Old Third and Wanyan, follow me to the study.”
Hearing Grandfather Gu’s words, Father Gu, Mother Gu, Eldest Brother Gu, and Eldest Sister-in-law Gu looked at Sheng Wanyan with a trace of shock. The study was a place where no female member of the household was permitted to enter, save for Grandma Gu.
Gu Tingxiao held Sheng Wanyan’s hand as they went upstairs to the study. Grandfather Gu gestured for them to sit and speak, pulling a document folder out from a drawer.
“Take a look.”
Grandfather Gu placed the folder in front of Sheng Wanyan. She opened it and saw the official authority Grandfather Gu had secured for her.
“The research and production for those formulas of yours have already begun up top. Wanyan, state interests and personal interests are different. This is plenty.”
Grandfather Gu didn’t know why she had suddenly produced these formulas to hand over, let alone why she wanted real authority. But as a general of the state and as Old Third’s grandfather, he had to maintain a balance on both sides.
Looking at the shares listed on the contract, Sheng Wanyan felt thoroughly reassured. Having these was more than enough to ensure Yi Yi’s safety in the future.
“Grandfather, I understand. This is plenty.”
Grandfather Gu nodded. He would always secure the greatest benefits for his family, provided it didn’t compromise national security.
“I’ve secured a 10% share for you in all of these. But you must understand that by doing this, you have exposed yourself before everyone.” Grandfather Gu looked at her with concern. Once the higher-ups took notice of her, her life from now on wouldn’t be so simple.
“Grandfather, what I want is precisely exposure!”
As long as the upper echelons took notice of her, she could produce one or two formulas every year, and they would protect her! Her children included!
Grandfather Gu marveled inwardly at her words. Not a single female member of the Gu family possessed such sharp strategy and foresight. She seemed to be mapping out a grand chessboard, and the position of every single pawn was exactly as she arranged.
“I don’t know what you two a couple are aiming for. But as long as it doesn’t harm the nation, I will protect you.”
Grandfather Gu looked at the two of them. As a descendant of the Gu family, he could naturally protect them! If he truly couldn’t, he would summon the heroic souls of the Gu family to protect them! Out of respect for the generations of contributions made by the Gu family, the leader wouldn’t truly leave them high and dry.
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“Go on out.”
Grandfather Gu waved his hand. After they left, he sat immersed in deep thought inside the study for quite some time.
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao exchanged a look and headed downstairs. Everyone’s eyes fixed onto them—or rather, onto Sheng Wanyan. However, no one would pry into the matters of the study; Grandfather Gu naturally had his own calculations.
Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao took the two babies back to live in the courtyard house in the city proper. Maodou was pulled along by Yi Yi to dig up dirt in the back courtyard.
Having garnered heavy importance from the higher-ups, they had intended to dispatch personnel to protect Sheng Wanyan, but Grandfather Gu rejected it immediately. If anyone was to be dispatched… it would have to be people from the Gu family. Who knew if the higher-ups would send someone to monitor her every move, or if some other old fogies would try to stick their hands in.
