Chapter 89: Refusing to Buy and Sell
Sheng Wanyan was well aware that Commander Ning had been hospitalized due to a flare-up of an old shrapnel injury sustained during the war. Whenever she poured water for him, she would discreetly add a drop or two of spiritual spring water to his cup. He was a national hero, and she held him in the highest regard. She felt a quiet sense of pride knowing her secret resource could contribute to the recovery of such a man.
Auntie Gu’s mention of the old lady’s antics finally snapped Wanyan’s patience. She turned toward the doorway and shouted clearly, “Officers! Someone here is trying to extort me! I want to file a formal report!”
The police officer, suddenly handed a new case out of thin air, froze for a second. Is this girl really in such a hurry to help me meet my performance quota? he wondered. Is my luck truly this good? Between this and the previous case, he felt his chances for a promotion next year were looking bright—he’d have to thank that old lady for her “contribution” later.
The officers immediately stepped over to confirm if Sheng Wanyan was serious about pressing charges. Wanyan nodded with cold determination. Now that she was being targeted, did the old woman really think she would just let herself be cheated?
“I’m quite certain,” Wanyan said firmly. “This woman is attempting to extort money from me by weaponizing her age. You saw it yourselves, Officer. I refuse any private settlement.”
The officers nodded. With two separate reports filed against the same person, the matter was no longer up for negotiation. The lead officer gripped the old lady’s arm and began hauling her out in front of everyone.
“Ahhhh! Let me go!” she shrieked. “I won’t do it again! I won’t blackmail anyone else! I was wrong! I’ll go home and get the money right now! You’re all heartless monsters!”
No matter how loudly she wailed, the police didn’t let go, dragging her directly toward the station. Sheng Wanyan didn’t spare her another thought. After helping Grandpa Sheng pack the last of his belongings, she shared a few words with Ning Weiguo, bidding him farewell after learning he’d be discharged in a few days.
Ning Weiguo watched their retreating backs. It was rare to find a young person who wasn’t a busybody, yet knew exactly how to use the law to protect herself. Moreover, he had observed how meticulously she had cared for her grandfather over the past few days. She was never impatient, never looked down on the old man, and constantly thought of ways to cheer him up.
Tingxiao is a lucky brat to find a girl so filial and grounded, he thought.
The moment Grandpa Sheng crossed the threshold of the apartment, his first instinct was to hunt for his wine. However, Grandma Sheng was a master at hiding things; she had anticipated this move perfectly. Even after searching every nook and cranny of the kitchen and their bedroom, the old man couldn’t find so much as a stray bottle cap. Not even a sniff of alcohol lingered in the air.
The rest of the family simply watched him wander restlessly from room to room.
“Dad, what are you pacing for?” Father Sheng asked, genuinely puzzled. “Aren’t you getting dizzy swaying around like that? I’m getting a headache just watching you.”
“What do you care?” Grandpa Sheng grumbled. After a final, fruitless sniff around the kitchen cabinets, he finally admitted defeat and retreated to his room to rest.
Grandma Sheng didn’t even look up from her sewing machine. You want to drink the very day you’re discharged? Dream on, she thought, her foot rhythmically working the pedal.
Sheng Wanyan returned to work the next day and was greeted with a literal bear hug from Wu Jiaxiu. After a week without Wanyan, Jiaxiu had felt like she had no one to talk to.
Niu Fangli, on the other hand, was glowing with smug satisfaction. She believed that with Wanyan gone, her own position had been solidified. Over the past week, Director Li had taken her to several meetings, making her feel like his top aide once again.
Sheng Wanyan just smiled and said nothing as Niu Fangli bragged about her “busy” week in a roundabout way. Wanyan didn’t feel slighted at all. On the contrary, she was thrilled to have missed those meetings; the journey to the city was long, the roads were bumpy, and the administrative atmosphere was stifling. She was more than happy to just mess around in the office for a day.
However, the moment Director Li saw Wanyan walk in, his face brightened. During her absence, he realized he didn’t know who to turn to for real help. He had fallen back on Niu Fangli, but the comparison was painful. Niu Fangli was stubborn and lacked flexibility; she did exactly what she was told and nothing more.
Sheng Wanyan was different. She anticipated his needs, prepared all his materials in advance, and highlighted the specific points that required his attention. She could practically read his mind. This is the kind of helper I need, he thought.
“Comrade Sheng Wanyan,” Director Li called out, “come with me to the city for a meeting tomorrow.”
Niu Fangli’s smile vanished instantly. She had worked so hard to make her presence felt all week—why was he picking Sheng Wanyan the moment she stepped back into the office?
“Yes, Director,” Wanyan replied.
The other office staff glanced at Niu Fangli. They could practically feel the gloom radiating from her. They had assumed she was back in favor, but it turns out she was just a temporary substitute. Wanyan could feel the resentment burning into her back, but she didn’t budge. This was a position she had worked hard to earn, and she intended to keep it.
The meeting the next day was a routine Propaganda Department gathering—mostly formalities. Even so, Wanyan took meticulous notes. Even when the content was dry, she knew a professional attitude was essential.
When Director Li reviewed her notes later, he couldn’t help but praise her again. Her summaries were concise, hitting every key point at a glance. It was a stark contrast to Niu Fangli’s disorganized scribbles. Wanyan accepted the praise with a modest smile, though privately she felt like her backside was about to give out from another day on those bumpy roads.
A few days later, Sheng Wanyan finished the translation of her current book and mailed it out immediately. She calculated that she had translated 50,000 words at a rate of 1.5 cents per word. Although the project had taken nearly two months, the payout was substantial: 750 yuan.
Her life settled into a quiet, lonely rhythm—moving between the factory and home. During this time, Wu Jiaxiu asked her for help buying meat again, but Wanyan politely declined. She was careful not to let Jiaxiu become too reliant on her “connections,” fearing it would lead to suspicion or an unhealthy dependency.
“It’s okay,” Jiaxiu sighed regretfully. “It’s the end of the year and everyone is stockpiling for the holidays, so it makes sense that supplies are tight. I’ll head to the supply and marketing cooperative and see if I can grab a few cuts before the good meat is gone.” With that, Jiaxiu hurried out, hoping to beat the afternoon rush.
