Chapter 633 | Chapter 634 | Chapter 635
Chapter 633: The Shenzhen Mayor’s Family
Once the two children changed into their new clothes, they truly looked completely different, appearing significantly more energetic.
“Let me take you to your quarters so you can settle the children.”
“Alright, thank you, Boss.”
Throughout this entire day, the store manager had spoken an untold number of thanks, which Sheng Wanyan had been hearing all day long.
“If you truly want to thank me, then manage the Shenzhen branch well for me.”
“Go sign up for a night school to further your studies.”
“Understood, Boss. I will definitely manage the Shenzhen branch stores flawlessly.”
Sheng Wanyan dropped them off at their quarters. The residence contained three bedrooms, which was just the right size for the mother and daughters.
When they caught sight of the new bedding, new furniture, and all the pots, pans, and tableware inside, they were completely struck with awe.
“Boss, how much did all this cost? I’ll pay you back.”
The manager reached into her pocket to pull out money for her, but Sheng Wanyan waved her hand, explaining that this furniture and bedding were originally part of the manager’s benefits.
“These are originally benefits for the general manager. You aren’t the only one who gets them.”
Sheng Wanyan wasn’t lying. For those general managers who lacked a place to stay, housing and a car were fully provided, complete with furniture.
It was only because Ma Lixiang in Shanghai already had her own place that this step had been bypassed, though it would still be converted into cash and given to Ma Lixiang instead.
“The three of you get some good rest. Come back to work only after your injuries have healed.”
“Hurry up and recover. While I am still here in Shenzhen, make sure you learn how to drive.”
Sheng Wanyan drove off after finishing her instructions. The mother and daughters hurriedly escorted her to the entrance, only heading back inside after her car disappeared from view.
“Mommy… is this our new home?”
The two children looked at the courtyard before them in utter disbelief. The manager pulled them into a tight embrace.
“Yes, this is the new home the auntie gave us. We must thank the auntie.”
“The auntie even found a school for you. When September comes, you can go to school.”
“We can really go to school?”
“Is it true??”
“Mommy, Mommy, is it really true!!!?”
“It’s true.”
The courtyard filled entirely with the quiet conversation of the mother and daughters, interspersed with the delighted voices of the two children.
Meanwhile, with plenty of free time on her hands next, Sheng Wanyan drove around the city. Whenever she spotted a courtyard up for sale, she would buy it.
Wandering around by herself, she purchased five courtyards, and even took strolls through the local parks.
Upon learning of this, Xu Guihua also had her purchase two properties on her behalf. While Xu Guihua claimed she had no money, she always managed to produce funds from time to time.
Every morning, Sheng Wanyan would visit the park to watch the old gentlemen practice Tai Chi.
“Young lady…”
An elderly lady suddenly caught hold of Sheng Wanyan’s hand. Sheng Wanyan turned around.
“Child, it really is you!”
“Grandma Shen?”
“It’s me, it’s me! I’ve finally found you.”
Having firmly caught hold of her this time, Grandma Shen was thoroughly loath to let go, insisting on dragging her back to her home.
“Xu’er clamors about you every single day.”
“My son and daughter-in-law went to visit the guest house, but it turned out you weren’t staying there anymore.”
“You really made us search all over for you. You child truly are…”
Grandma Shen insisted on pulling her along. Completely unable to refuse, Sheng Wanyan was dragged all the way back with her.
Sheng Wanyan noticed that they were entering the Shenzhen municipal government compound, but she didn’t pry or look around, simply following Grandma Shen inside.
Shen Xu was currently having breakfast with his parents. The moment he spotted her walking in, he could scarcely believe his eyes.
“Auntie~”
Abandoning his meal entirely, Shen Xu tossed his chopsticks aside and dashed toward her, throwing his arms tightly around her leg.
“Auntie, Auntie~”
“Missed you, give me a kiss~”
Sheng Wanyan smiled and lifted him into her arms. Seeing him bouncing around so lively, she couldn’t resist pinching his chubby little face.
“Has Xu’er been doing well lately?”
“Yes~”
Shen Xu hugged her neck tightly, acting as if he were terrified she would vanish again.
“Son, Daughter-in-Law, this is the benefactor who saved Xu’er.”
“Hurry over!”
Hearing this, Shen Xu’s parents hurriedly set down their bowls and chopsticks and walked over. Shen Xu’s mother took her hand.
“Benefactor, thank you so much truly.”
“If it weren’t for you, my child would… would never have come back.”
Shen Xu’s mother looked about ten years older than her, a highly sophisticated and gentle woman. At this moment, she held Sheng Wanyan’s hand tightly, loath to let go.
“Thank you. Please, hurry and take a seat.”
Shen Xu’s father quickly gestured for her to sit down and talk, having the house helper bring out a cup of tea and some pastries.
“Wanyan, have you had breakfast yet?”
“Yes, yes, yes, benefactor, join us for a bite.”
Shen Xu’s mother appeared to be around her age. Being constantly addressed as “benefactor” made her feel rather sheepish.
“Auntie, please prepare another set of bowls and chopsticks.”
“Understood, Mayor.”
Sheng Wanyan quickly intervened. She really couldn’t eat anything, having eaten quite a bit inside her space before stepping out.
“No need to go to any trouble, I’ve already had breakfast.”
“I truly can’t eat another bite.”
Seeing that she meant it, Shen Xu’s parents didn’t push. Shen Xu continued to cling to her, using both his hands and feet to scramble up onto her lap to sit securely.
“Xu’er seems to have gained some weight.”
Sheng Wanyan couldn’t resist bouncing him slightly. Excellent… he was significantly heavier than her own two chubby sons.
“Eaten until full~”
Shen Xu patted his belly. Ever since his parents found out he had been abducted, they hadn’t let him out from under their noses.
Eating and sleeping at home every single day, how could he not gain weight?
“Xu’er, come over to Mommy.”
“Don’t tire your auntie out, you are quite heavy.”
Shen Xu’s mother looked at her apologetically. She hadn’t expected her son to be so attached to Sheng Wanyan either.
Clinging to Sheng Wanyan like this left her somewhat at a loss for words. After all, she knew better than anyone just how heavy her own son was.
“No, no, no~”
Shen Xu waved his chubby little hands, thoroughly unwilling to leave Sheng Wanyan’s lap.
“It’s fine. Xu’er is about the same weight as my own children, I can hold him.”
When her own daughter was at this age, she had been much heavier than Shen Xu.
Yi Yi: “…” Mommy, please stop broadcasting this everywhere.
Hearing that she already had children, Shen Xu’s mother stared at her in instant disbelief. She looked so young, yet she already had children?
“Forgive my presumption, but benefactor, you already have children?”
“Yes, I have three children.”
“Oh, my heavens!”
Shen Xu’s mother was thoroughly stunned. Later on, upon learning that her two younger sons were twins, she found it even harder to wrap her mind around it.
Shen Xu’s parents had work scheduled for today, but they pushed it aside due to her arrival.
Seeing this, Sheng Wanyan quickly rose to take her leave, but how could Shen Xu’s parents possibly allow that!
They had finally found their benefactor; there was no way they could let her leave just like that.
They should have been the ones paying a formal visit, but now that Sheng Wanyan had come to their door instead, they felt even more embarrassed.
“Benefactor.”
“Um… you can just call me Wanyan.”
Sheng Wanyan truly couldn’t bear to listen to the title any longer. She had realized that Shen Xu’s mother was quite a chatterbox.
“Alright, Wanyan.”
“Then, benefactor, you can address me as Ling Xuan or Sister Ling. This is my husband, Shen Xin.”
“I am a university teacher, and my husband works in a government department.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded with a smile. The Mayor of Shenzhen was indeed named Shen Xin.
Ling Xuan didn’t explicitly detail Shen Xin’s exact responsibilities in the government department; after all, Sheng Wanyan could tell that this family maintained a highly low profile.
Chapter 634: The Shen Family’s Formal Visit
Clearly, their family circumstances were excellent, yet the layout of the house and the items they used were no different from those of an ordinary household.
The best item in the house was likely the clothing Shen Xu wore.
“Benefactor, where is your residence? We will bring the child to visit another day.”
“My home is in the Capital. I came to Shenzhen this time to handle some issues with my work.”
Hearing that her home was in the Capital, Shen Xu’s parents felt a pang of regret in their hearts. The distance was simply too far for them to travel.
Furthermore, given Shen Xin’s position, he couldn’t possibly leave Shenzhen.
“So far away…”
“Then where are you staying currently? My husband and I would like to pay a brief visit.”
“Benefactor… Wanyan, we are truly deeply grateful. If we don’t pay a proper visit, our hearts really won’t be at peace.”
Ling Xuan held her hand. Ling Xuan was ten years older than her and had an eldest son who was sixteen, currently in his first year of high school.
The eldest son was named Shen Lang, but he was currently away at a summer camp and wasn’t at home.
Shen Xu was a child born to them later in life, and since he had congenital asthma, everyone in the family protected and loved him fiercely.
Left with no choice, Sheng Wanyan provided the address of her current residence. If she didn’t say it, she wouldn’t be able to leave here today.
Once Shen Xu’s parents noted down the address, they insisted she carry back the gifts they had prepared beforehand.
Sheng Wanyan couldn’t refuse, so she could only accept them. However, when it was time to depart, she found herself with a small attachment.
“Auntie~ take me with you~”
Shen Xu wanted to go with her, clinging tightly to her leg, thoroughly unwilling to let go.
“Xu’er, Auntie has to go back to work.”
“In a couple of days, we will take you to visit Auntie.”
Ling Xuan lifted Shen Xu into her arms. Shen Xu instantly burst into tears. Why does the beautiful auntie I finally found have to leave!
“Grandma hold you, Grandma hold you~”
“There, there, tomorrow Grandma will take you out to play.”
Grandma Shen took Shen Xu over to coax him. What else could Shen Xu do? He could only watch Sheng Wanyan leave with reluctant, tearful eyes.
Shen Xu’s parents escorted her to the entrance of the government compound, intending to have the guard drive her back, but Sheng Wanyan’s car was parked nearby.
“No need to go to any trouble, my car is parked just nearby.”
“Then we’ll walk over with you.”
Ling Xuan held her hand, absolutely determined to see her safely into the car before she would rest. They couldn’t possibly mistreat their benefactor.
Helpless, Sheng Wanyan could only allow the couple to escort her to the car, placing the gifts onto the backseat.
Seeing her private car, Shen Xin’s eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses.
Once she drove away, the couple walked back along the same path. Ling Xuan looked at her husband.
“Go ask around to see where Wanyan does business, and look after her a bit.”
“That won’t do. We cannot use authority to oppress others.”
“Much less use the convenience of my position to handle personal matters for ourselves!”
Shen Xin refused. He served as the mayor to alleviate the worries of the people, not to exploit his power to secure benefits for himself.
“You stubborn mule!”
Ling Xuan truly didn’t want to speak to him. Every single time, he prattled on about not crossing boundaries and not taking shortcuts.
“I really don’t know what use your position as mayor is.”
“Even repaying a favor has to be this rigid. Let’s see who will save your son in the future!”
Ling Xuan grew instantly furious, turning around to march back home without looking back. Shen Xin was already accustomed to this and quickened his steps to follow her.
“If there are no issues with Comrade Sheng Wanyan’s business, I can shield her.”
“If there are issues, then we can only send gifts every year to express our gratitude.”
How could Ling Xuan not understand the underlying meaning in Shen Xin’s words? If there was a problem with Sheng Wanyan’s business, he would absolutely never become complicit.
If there were no problems, he could shield her if anything cropped up.
“Hmph.”
εη didn’t say whether that was acceptable or not, though her tone was a bit gentler than before. Shen Xin knew this was her tacit agreement.
What Sheng Wanyan didn’t know was that the moment Shen Xin returned to the government department that afternoon, he had someone investigate her business operations.
With Sheng Wanyan making such large moves, it wasn’t a difficult task at all for Shen Xin to look into it.
Sure enough, Shen Xin obtained the answers he wanted the very next day. Learning that Sheng Wanyan simply ran an apparel business and already had branch stores in the Capital, he understood clearly that her business was highly legitimate. A business capable of establishing a foothold in the Capital had already withstood every state inspection.
At the very least, Sheng Wanyan possessed a backing; otherwise, her business in the Capital wouldn’t be operating in such a roaring and prosperous manner.
Very soon, the Mayor’s family came to pay their formal visit. Sheng Wanyan didn’t go to the clothing store today, intentionally staying at home to wait for the arrival of the Shen family.
At ten in the morning, the Shen family arrived right on time, Ling Xuan’s hands packed full of items.
The moment Shen Xu spotted her, he lunged forward, hugging her leg tightly. Sheng Wanyan picked him up with a smile.
“Xu’er, don’t run.”
Ling Xuan hurriedly tried to stop him from running. With his asthma, he absolutely could not engage in strenuous movement; if anything happened, it would be disastrous.
Currently, he was undergoing treatment by the old professor Grandma Shen had invited back. The professor had given strict instructions that he absolutely must not exert himself.
Shen Xu couldn’t hear Ling Xuan’s words at all, his eyes entirely fixed on Sheng Wanyan.
“Auntie~”
“Xu’er.”
Sheng Wanyan patted his back, letting him smooth out his breathing.
Cradling him in her arms, she walked back out to welcome the Mayor and his wife inside to sit down.
“This child, truly…”
Ling Xuan looked at Shen Xu helplessly. He really chose a beautiful auntie and abandoned his mother.
“Just wait until your brother gets back, I’ll have him teach you a lesson.”
Ling Xuan threatened. Hearing that his own brother would discipline him, Shen Xu chickened out instantly.
But he was a real man, how could he chicken out?
And so, forcing himself to be brave, he looked back at Ling Xuan and stuck his tongue out at her, looking exceptionally mischievous.
Ling Xuan gritted her teeth. Excellent… this beating was officially unavoidable.
“Sister Ling, Mr. Shen, please come in.”
Sheng Wanyan welcomed them inside to sit. Only then did Ling Xuan let Shen Xu off, entering with a smile.
Sheng Wanyan went to pour two cups of tea. The table had long been set with various snacks, and sure enough, Shen Xu’s eyes lit up the moment he saw them.
“Auntie~ can I eat?”
Shen Xu questioned her, his chubby little finger pointing toward the candies in front of him, though he didn’t stretch his hand out without permission.
“Of course, I prepared them specifically for you.”
“Mommy, can I eat?”
Shen Xu looked at Ling Xuan. Ling Xuan nodded helplessly. You’ve already settled it with the host, why are you still asking me?
“You can.”
Once Shen Xu finished going through the formalities, he reached out to pick up two White Rabbit milk candies, unwrapped the paper packaging, and popped one into his mouth.
Shen Xu tucked the other candy into his pocket. Seeing this, Sheng Wanyan was thoroughly amused and couldn’t resist teasing him.
“Xu’er, who are you taking that candy back for?”
“For Brother~”
The moment Shen Xu mentioned his brother, he instantly began sharing stories about him non-stop.
“Brother exam, number one!”
“Brother handsome~ girls like him~”
Hearing her youngest son’s words, Ling Xuan immediately covered his mouth. Why was he bragging about this everywhere?
“If your brother finds out you’re talking about him, he’ll definitely pummel you again.”
“Oh~”
Shen Xu didn’t look bothered. In any case, every time his brother pummeled him, he never felt any pain, but what he feared most was his brother ignoring him.
Sheng Wanyan shook her head with a smile. A boy who was both handsome and excelled in his studiesβwhat girl wouldn’t like him?
Chapter 635: Missing the Children
Shen Xin mostly sat nearby without speaking much, occasionally chiming in to agree with Ling Xuan.
They chatted in the living room until twelve o’clock noon, when Shen Xin and Ling Xuan proposed going out together for a meal.
Sheng Wanyan naturally refused, but how could Shen Xin and Ling Xuan let her off? With their persistent coaxing combined with Shen Xu acting spoiled, she could only surrender.
The group went to a private restaurant, where Shen Xin ordered five dishes. While eating, Ling Xuan talked non-stop, making the atmosphere quite harmonious.
“I heard Comrade Sheng came this time to open clothing stores?”
An entire morning had passed, and Shen Xin finally took the initiative to speak to her. This was exactly what Sheng Wanyan had been waiting for.
“Yes. I came to Shenzhen this time to open branch stores.”
“When are you returning to the Capital?”
Hearing this, Shen Xu instantly perked up his ears to listen. He didn’t want his auntie to leave~
“I’ll be heading back in a few days.”
Shen Xu’s ears dropped instantly, and the whole little fellow lost all his energy in a flash.
“So soon!”
Ling Xuan was loath to part with her. She felt as though she hadn’t even done anything yet, and Sheng Wanyan was already leaving.
“Yes. The school term starts in September, so I have to go back to attend university.”
“You’re still a student? A university student?”
Ling Xuan was thoroughly astonished. A university student! A living university student right in front of her!
“Yes, I have one semester left before I graduate.”
Shen Xin was also somewhat surprised. According to what Sheng Wanyan said, she belonged to the very first batch of examinees who passed the college entrance examination since its reinstatement.
The 1977 college entrance examination was an event that caused a sensation across the entire nation of Huaxia, and even foreign media had reported on it.
“Wanyan, you are simply amazing!”
The gaze Ling Xuan directed at her filled with instant admiration. To manage a business on such a massive scale while concurrently pursuing university studiesβthere probably wasn’t a second person like her in all of Huaxia.
“Sister Ling is joking. My classmates are all exceptionally outstanding.”
Ling Xuan nodded. And how! Graduates who tested into university could enter state-owned units directly to work, and with the boost of their academic credentials, it was very easy for them to be highly valued.
Nowadays, the state placed immense value on education and knowledge. In the future, it might very well be an era belonging to educated scholars.
Hearing this, Shen Xin understood perfectly. He had already investigated Sheng Wanyan’s business, and Sheng Wanyan handled everything flawlessly.
Whether it was safety awareness, tax compliance, or salary and benefits, she executed it all exceptionally well.
Moreover, she had just finished renovating a factory in Shenzhen and had already recruited a significant number of seamstresses, resolving the employment issues of over a hundred citizens who were previously waiting for work at home.
As the mayor, he actually had to thank her for her contributions to Shenzhen, solving the employment and basic livelihood of over a hundred citizens.
Sheng Wanyan achieved her objective with this meal. She didn’t demand much; as long as Shen Xin kept an eye out for her clothing stores, that would suffice.
At the very least… they wouldn’t suffer from any suppression by local authorities in Shenzhen.
After the meal, Sheng Wanyan prepared to head back, but Shen Xu refused to go home, insisting on following her.
Seeing that he was absolutely unyielding and wanted to stay with Sheng Wanyan, Ling Xuan didn’t even want to try reasoning with him anymore.
“Goodbye, Mommy and Daddy. You can just come pick me up after you finish work.”
Shen Xin and Ling Xuan still had to return to work in the afternoon. They had intended to send this child home first before heading to their offices.
Yet as it turned out, this wretched son! He refused to go home and threw this exact tantrum right here!
“Are you coming or not?”
Ling Xuan looked at this boisterous, stubborn brat with a dark face. Why couldn’t her second child have been a cute, well-behaved daughter?!
“Not coming, not coming~ I’m staying here.”
“Sister Ling, how about you leave Xu’er here? You two can come pick him up after work.”
“It just so happens that I have nothing to do today, so having Xu’er keep me company will pass the time.”
Helpless, Ling Xuan looked at Shen Xu, who was clinging tightly to Sheng Wanyan. What else could she do!
Sheng Wanyan didn’t actually need to pass the time; with so many matters regarding the clothing stores, her schedule was barely enough to keep her busy.
“Oh well. Xu’er, don’t cause trouble for your auntie.”
“Be good and listen to your auntie. We’ll come pick you up this evening.”
“Okay~ bye-bye, Mommy and Daddy.”
Shen Xu immediately waved to say goodbye to them. Shen Xin still had a meeting at the government department this afternoon, so he couldn’t afford to waste time here with Shen Xu.
“Wanyan, sorry to trouble you.”
“If the child misbehaves, call me immediately and I’ll come pick him up.”
Ling Xuan gave her both her own and Shen Xin’s telephone numbers. If this brat didn’t listen, she would absolutely resort to a spanking!
“Alright, put your mind at ease, Sister Ling.”
Shen Xin nodded to her, and then he and Ling Xuan hurriedly left for work. It wouldn’t look good if they were late.
Sheng Wanyan and Shen Xu stared at each other. Shen Xu’s eyes were filled with absolute delight, and Sheng Wanyan took his hand to lead him back to the bedroom for a afternoon nap.
A child with a chronic illness required a sufficient amount of rest to be properly nurtured.
“Auntie~”
“Not sleeping.”
“You must sleep. Xu’er will only grow tall if he sleeps.”
Shen Xu: “…” I miscalculated.
Shen Xu felt helpless. The exact reason he hadn’t wanted to go home was because he didn’t want to take a nap.
Shen Xu’s eyes were filled with absolute bewilderment, but his mind filled with his parents’ instructions to be good and listen to his auntie.
Shen Xu was tucked into the blanket without even a chance to argue, firmly coaxed to sleep by Sheng Wanyan.
Sheng Wanyan placed a call back home. Yi Yi held the receiver and chatted with her for a whole hour.
“Mommy, when are you coming back?”
“Mommy will be back in a few days, and I’ll bring gifts back for Yi Yi.”
“Mommy, I miss you~”
Listening to Yi Yi’s sweet, affectionate voice on the other end of the line, Sheng Wanyan felt as if her heart were smeared with honey, wishing she could fly back tomorrow.
“Mommy misses Yi Yi too,” Sheng Wanyan spoke softly.
Yi Yi’s voice instantly carried a crying tone as she detailed exactly how much she missed her.
“Mommy~”
“The younger brothers are always pooping and fighting.”
Sheng Wanyan burst into laughter instantly. This little girl tatted on her two younger brothers every single day, viewing herself as the parents’ supervisor.
Every day, she buzzed in the ears of her two younger brothers, telling them she was their boss.
“At an age where your younger brothers can’t even control their poop and pee, they’ve managed to control their hands and feet.”
Hearing her words, Yi Yi burst into laughter instantly. She felt her mommy made a good point, yet it also felt somewhat off.
“Yi Yi, where is Daddy?”
“Daddy went to work~”
“Great-Grandpa went to argue under the tree.”
“Great-Grandmother went to drink tea.”
“Brother was taken away by Uncle, and Sister went to learn painting.”
“Grandpa answered the phone, bellowed an angry line, and marched out the door.”
“Grandmother is at home.”
Yi Yi detailed everyone’s whereabouts with absolute clarity, causing Sheng Wanyan to shake her head helplessly.
The little girl truly loved to report on everyone; at this age, she felt doing so made her quite the little adult.
“Then what did you do today?”
“Practiced dancing this morning and piano this afternoon.”
“I just miss Mommy a bit.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan quickly comforted her, promising she would definitely return as soon as possible and bring her beautiful dresses.
“I’ll wait for Mommy to come back.”
“Alright.”
Sheng Wanyan hung up the phone and stepped into the bedroom to check on Shen Xu, who woke up whimpering softly.
“Auntie~”
“Xu’er, Auntie warmed up some milk for you.”
Hearing this, Shen Xu hurried over to drink it. He had assumed that staying at his auntie’s house meant there wouldn’t be milk to drink.
