Chapter 642 | Chapter 643 | Chapter 644
Chapter 642: Granduncle’s Twilight Years
“It really is true; the village chief’s family absolutely adores her.”
“When we went back this time, your Granduncle Sheng’s family couldn’t have been more polite.”
Mother Sheng’s tone bristled with pride. Now, everyone in the village envied them, and they even dragged Pan Yue—a university student—into cheerful conversations.
“By the way, Wanyan, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Mother Sheng had a trace of worry on her face. After all, the matter was neither too big nor too small, and she couldn’t make the decision herself.
“Mom, what is it?”
“Your Granduncle’s family found out about you doing business.”
Pan Yue looked a little worried as well. Having gone back this time, she knew exactly what had transpired, and she understood Granduncle’s family all too well.
“Your Grandaunt was prying, but we didn’t say anything. So she went to ask Yi Yi and Huzi.”
“Yi Yi and Huzi didn’t catch on and ended up blurting it out.”
“Once your Granduncle and Grandaunt found out, they came looking for us, asking you to… make a way out for her grandsons…”
“Saying that these are all nephews who share the same blood with you…”
Hearing all this, Sheng Wanyan showed no real reaction, calmly taking a sip of her tea instead. After all, these developments were completely within her expectations.
“Don’t worry, neither your dad, your grandparents, nor I agreed.”
Grandpa Sheng and Grandma Sheng cared only about Sheng Wanyan; how could they possibly agree to such a demand?
They had brushed it off using official jargon, though it seemed Granduncle Sheng’s family didn’t plan on letting the matter rest so easily.
“Your dad and I both said that this business belongs to you and your husband, and that our son-in-law was just being filial to us by giving us a way to make a living.”
“But your Grandaunt and your older cousins and their wives didn’t believe it and still want to come ask you about it.”
Pan Yue’s expression was also somewhat grim. Being present at the time, she felt Granduncle Sheng’s family behaved like a bunch of parasites.
They treated her the same way, prying everywhere about her maiden family’s affairs. Grandaunt Sheng had even said something about asking her to help push her grandson into the military in the future.
She really couldn’t handle them; luckily, Grandma Sheng and Mother Sheng stepped in to refuse.
“We didn’t give out your address or contact information, so your Granduncle’s family is out of options.”
Sheng Wanyan felt that Granduncle’s family wouldn’t give up so easily. Granduncle Sheng was decent enough, but Grandaunt Sheng was utterly shameless.
Knowing there was such a wealthy relative in the family, she would certainly find a way to get what she wanted.
“Mom, it’s fine. What’s said is said.”
“This matter couldn’t be hidden forever anyway.”
When people were determined to pry, no matter how much you tried to hide it, they would find out sooner or later. Besides, she wasn’t about to agree to their demands regardless.
“I’m just giving you a heads-up so you aren’t caught off guard if your Granduncle’s family manages to find your phone number and call.”
With Grandaunt Sheng’s level of shamelessness, she was truly capable of tracking down Sheng Wanyan’s phone number.
“Oh right, you still remember Xiuying, don’t you?”
Sheng Wanyan naturally remembered Sheng Xiuying. Wasn’t the original host manipulated and played for a fool by Sheng Xiuying in the past?
“I remember.”
“Her in-laws beat her so badly she ended up in the hospital, and now they’re getting a divorce.”
“She’s skin and bones with no meat on her at all—it was truly terrifying to look at.”
Whenever Mother Sheng recalled seeing Sheng Xiuying upon her return, she shuddered. Sheng Xiuying looked like an old woman in her fifties or sixties, unable to even straighten her back.
Skinny as a rail, with gray hair appearing, and wearing shoes full of holes.
“I heard her husband was laid off from his job, drinks every day, and beats her and the kids.”
“When we went back this time, she specifically asked about you.”
“Wanyan, let Mom give you a word of advice: don’t get involved with her.”
When Mother Sheng recalled the malicious look in Sheng Xiuying’s eyes, a chill ran down her spine.
“Mom, I understand.”
“Don’t worry.”
Sheng Wanyan hadn’t expected Sheng Xiuying’s life to be so miserable, but since she had chosen her own path, she had no one else to blame.
“Your Granduncle is truly pitiful, stuck with a foolish, unreasonable wife like your Grandaunt.”
“Right now, they can barely put food on the table.”
Originally, the family’s life had been manageable, but with recent factory layoffs, no matter how many work points the village earned, it couldn’t keep up with rising prices.
“Your Granduncle even fell ill, and your older cousin-uncles were causing a racket demanding to split the household.”
“During our visit back, your Granduncle went ahead and divided the family property. Your Granduncle is staying with your eldest cousin-uncle’s family.”
“Your Grandaunt is staying with the youngest son’s family—the old couple isn’t even living together.”
“Once the household was split, there was even less money. Your Granduncle couldn’t even afford his own medication.”
“The twenty yuan for your Granduncle’s medicine this time was given by your grandparents.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan let out a sigh. Granduncle was a decent man who had never tried to scheme against her family despite Grandaunt Sheng’s instigation.
Granduncle and Grandpa Sheng were biological brothers—each other’s only remaining family.
Seeing Granduncle in such a tragic state must have been unbearable for Grandpa Sheng, filling him with deep heartache.
“Your Granduncle has completely lost his spirit. Your Grandaunt tries to manage things, but she can’t produce any money either.”
“If we hadn’t gone back this time, your Granduncle might not have survived past next year…”
Sheng Wanyan wasn’t about to interfere in how Grandpa Sheng and Grandma Sheng handled things; how the older generation chose to spend their own money was their business.
“Mom, does Eldest Cousin-Uncle really not care at all?”
Granduncle should at least receive child support from his youngest son; even if it wasn’t much, it ought to be a few yuan a month, right?
“Care about what! Your eldest cousin-aunt asked your Granduncle for meal money, and once your Granduncle gave it to her, he couldn’t get a single cent back.”
“The medicine money for the past few months was borrowed from old acquaintances in the village by your Granduncle.”
“Your eldest cousin-uncle felt it was disgraceful and blamed your Granduncle for saddling the family with a pile of debt, which made him even angrier.”
Sheng Wanyan felt a wave of pity listening to this. She truly hadn’t expected Granduncle’s family to fall apart to this extent.
Perhaps everyone’s hearts had never been together in the first place, with each person looking out only for themselves.
“How could your grandparents just stand by and watch? They secretly stuffed a few hundred yuan to your Granduncle so he could buy medicine later.”
“Every household has its own difficult scriptures to read.”
Mother Sheng sighed. If she hadn’t gone back this time, she wouldn’t have believed things had deteriorated to this point.
She had been married into the Sheng family for decades, and Granduncle had always been a good man, stepping in to stop Grandaunt whenever she tried to pull something sneaky.
Yet in his twilight years, he was living such a miserable existence.
“Wanyan, Xiaoyue, don’t say anything about what your grandparents did.”
“That’s not our place to meddle.”
“Mom, we know.”
Pan Yue had no intention of interfering either. That was Grandpa and Grandma Sheng’s money, and how they spent it was up to them; as a granddaughter-in-law, she had even less reason to butt in.
If the biological sons and grandchildren had no objections, what right did she have to complain?
“Alright, I should head back for dinner.”
Just as Mother Sheng stood up, Yi Yi came back leading Maodou. When mealtime arrived, Yi Yi would naturally find her way home.
“Grandma!”
“Aww~ my sweet girl.”
Mother Sheng rubbed Yi Yi’s small face and took another look at the twins before heading back with Pan Yue.
Chapter 643: Facing Graduation
After finishing their meal, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng strolled over. Grandma Sheng pulled her into the yard and began sharing some low-voiced gossip.
Everything she spoke of was what Mother Sheng had just related earlier, and Grandma Sheng also brought up the matter of giving money to Granduncle.
“Grandma, the money belongs to you and Grandpa. How you spend it is your own business.”
“Neither of you should feel any burden over it.”
Grandma Sheng was indeed carrying a burden on her heart, but she couldn’t just stand by with open eyes and watch her own biological brother suffer in that state.
“Sigh~ What your eldest cousin’s family did is truly far too out of line.”
“To actually demand meal money from your Granduncle when they ought to be paying child support in the first place!”
“Your Granduncle didn’t want to pay, but your eldest cousin-uncle’s household hasn’t split up yet. With those grandchildren and great-grandchildren watching him, how could he feel at ease?”
“Helpless and wanting to avoid rift in the family, your Granduncle bore everything himself.”
“Grandma, don’t you and Grandpa have any ideas?”
“Wanyan, as long as your Grandaunt is still alive, your Granduncle won’t leave the countryside.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded at these words. Indeed, if Grandaunt were gone and Granduncle severed ties with his sons, that would be a different story altogether.
“Children are a lifelong debt. We only hope your Granduncle can live a few years longer.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. Every household had its own difficult scriptures to read, and Granduncle’s family was no exception. As Granduncle’s kin, Grandpa Sheng would naturally help where he could.
Sheng Wanyan cast a glance at Grandpa Sheng standing in the yard. Returning from his hometown this time, Grandpa Sheng seemed to have lost quite a bit of his usual vigor.
“Grandpa, you need to take care of your health.”
Sheng Wanyan frowned. Grandpa Sheng nodded, telling her not to worry about him, as he knew his own body best.
“Don’t worry, your grandpa is just worried about your Granduncle.”
How could Grandma Sheng not know what was on her old man’s mind? Their parents had long passed, and his only biological brother was living such a miserable life in his twilight years.
Sheng Wanyan still felt uneasy, so she took Grandpa Sheng’s hand and checked his pulse. Only after confirming that there were no major health issues did she feel reassured.
Granduncle Sheng was seventy-five years old this year. To have his children and grandchildren act like this was enough to chill any old man’s heart.
Grandma Sheng couldn’t help letting out a sigh as well, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
What was the use of having so many children? Raising many children without educating them properly only led to tragedy.
Sheng Wanyan didn’t meddle in her elders’ affairs. How the two old folks chose to help Granduncle was not for her to question.
So long as the two elders weren’t hurt in the process, it wasn’t something a member of the younger generation should interfere with.
Graduation was fast approaching, and after classes resumed, the atmosphere on campus grew palpably tense. As the very first batch of graduates, everyone—regardless of gender or age—attached immense importance to this moment.
Upon returning to school, Sheng Wanyan was immediately called to the office by Elder Zhao, who cared deeply about her development after graduation.
“Teacher.”
“Sit.”
Elder Zhao gestured for her to sit down. Seeing Elder Zhao look so solemn, Sheng Wanyan immediately grew serious as well.
“Wanyan, the school has a task to assign to you.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan’s interest was piqued at once. After all, despite being near graduation at Peking University, there had been hardly any activities or tasks assigned to her.
“Teacher, what kind of task is it?”
Elder Zhao didn’t beat around the bush and directly explained the assignment the school had arranged for Sheng Wanyan. The school had deliberated for a long time before choosing her.
“As you know, given the country’s current development, the nation holds exchange conferences from time to time every year.”
“This May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Capital City is hosting an exchange conference. As the leader, you will lead ten students selected from various classes in the Foreign Affairs Department to carry out interpretation work.”
“Teacher, I’m the leader?”
Sheng Wanyan found it somewhat unbelievable that the school would entrust such an important responsibility to her.
This task would directly affect the destinies of those ten students chosen from the various specialized classes in the Foreign Language Department.
“Wanyan, this is your graduation assignment.”
Hearing this, Sheng Wanyan straightened her posture instantly. A graduation assignment?
Elder Zhao took a sip of tea and explained the situation to her. For Sheng Wanyan, this was no minor matter—it pertained directly to her graduation.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently short on talent. Originally, every student needed to be assigned to various posts for a one-month internship in June this semester.”
“Only if the internship goes smoothly can a student graduate smoothly.”
“You, however, have been singled out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they hope you will enter the ministry early to take up a position.”
“Therefore, your graduation internship needs to be moved forward. This time, it’s a pre-graduation internship arranged for you by the school.”
“In June, you will report directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assume your post, and in July, you will collect your graduation certificate.”
“Wanyan, my advice to you is to apply for master’s studies after graduation. For your development, academic credentials are extremely important.”
Elder Zhao offered his sincere advice. Now that the nation had opened up, knowledge had become far more useful than brute strength.
“Teacher, I understand.”
“Education is being prioritized now, and you need to be at the forefront of knowledge even more.”
“After you take up your post at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can work and study at the same time. I will arrange things properly for you on the school’s end.”
Ordinarily, a graduate student would have to attend classes, but given the current pressing circumstances and Sheng Wanyan’s strong learning capacity, as long as she met the qualifications for a master’s degree, the school would grant an exception.
“My recommendation is that you apply to National Defense for your master’s degree.”
Sheng Wanyan felt a surge of pleasant surprise upon hearing Elder Zhao’s words. She had originally intended to choose National Defense as well, but was worried that since Elder Zhao held a position at Peking University, it might be inappropriate for her to go elsewhere.
“Teacher, you…”
Elder Zhao raised a hand, telling her there was no need to worry about his feelings. He had his selfish side too; he wished for the child to reach greater heights.
“You are my disciple, so naturally you should go to the place that benefits you most.”
“Peking University is certainly excellent, but the standing of National Defense is even better suited for your future development, as well as making friends with shared strategic interests.”
“Wanyan, after entering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are only two phrases I hope you will keep in mind.”
Sheng Wanyan looked attentively at Elder Zhao, whose eyes were filled with solemnity and rigor.
“Put the nation’s interests above all else, and under no circumstances must you ever bring shame to our country.”
“A diplomat represents the honor and face of our nation on the international stage.”
Elder Zhao’s words carried immense strength, full of grandeur and pride, causing Sheng Wanyan’s heart to tremble slightly.
“Yes, Teacher. I will remember.”
Sheng Wanyan responded to him in a firm, resolute tone. Elder Zhao smiled in satisfaction, his eyes brimming with relief.
With such younger generations in the country, HuaXia was bound to rise!
“As for which ten students will accompany you to the exchange conference, I will decide based on assessments.”
“Once you arrive at the exchange conference, everything will follow your arrangements.”
This was a major opportunity for the students—a chance to add shine to their credentials that would directly affect their future job assignments.
Having this prestigious task under their belt meant their work might be assigned to better cities.
Some might even have the chance to remain in Capital City, having caught the eye of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the municipal government, or the Interpretation Department.
So long as there was a chance to stay in Capital City, no one would want to let it slip by.
Chapter 644: Sheng Wanze’s Promotion and Return to Capital City!
Some might even try every means possible to achieve their goal.
Sheng Wanyan understood the inner workings of it all very clearly, but she had no intention of using the power in her hands to seek private gain.
As for who would get this opportunity, that was a matter for the school to decide.
Soon, every student in the Foreign Language Department learned about this news. It wasn’t just the Russian Department that had a chance; ten students from each of the other foreign language majors could be selected as well.
And with Sheng Wanyan serving as the leader for the Russian Department, news of this spread throughout the entire Foreign Language Department.
No one had any objections. After all, Sheng Wanyan’s grades spoke for themselves—she wasn’t just number one in the Foreign Language Department, but number one in the entire university!
If even she wasn’t qualified to be the leader, who else would be?
Consequently, Sheng Wanyan noticed that during this period, many students from the Foreign Language Department would constantly try to catch her attention.
For instance, someone gave her a bottle of soda while she was eating, and when she went to get water for Elder Zhao, someone offered to do the chore for her.
Sheng Wanyan knew full well what these students were after, and it left her thoroughly helpless.
Yet she also understood their anxiety and intentions, so she deftly defused each situation one by one.
“Student Sheng Wanyan, here’s some breakfast—I picked some up for you while I was at it.”
“Student Sheng Wanyan, I’m going to get water too. Let me help you.”
“Student Sheng Wanyan, let me wash your lunchbox for you.”
Almost every day, Sheng Wanyan was met with enthusiastic offers from her fellow students. But Sheng Wanyan had already eaten breakfast, her water bottle was full, and her lunchbox was already washed clean.
They simply had no way to pitch in, as Sheng Wanyan firmly shut down any back-door opportunities.
Even her roommates felt sorry for her, though they naturally wanted to be selected too—they just knew that actual strength was what mattered most.
For a long while, Sheng Wanyan refused to relent in the slightest, so everyone had no choice but to rein in their thoughts and focus on studying hard instead.
Sheng Wanyan let out a huge sigh of relief; this task really was no easy assignment to handle.
Soon enough, the assessment mentioned by Elder Zhao arrived. This assessment was not only to select the students who would participate in the exchange conference, but also to choose a team captain from among the ten students representing each class.
The captain would be specifically responsible for the other nine students from the various classes, while taking orders from the overall leader.
Sheng Wanyan also took part in the assessment, taking first place once again without surprise, effectively shutting down everyone’s lingering hopes.
Two months passed neither too quickly nor too slowly, and a joyful event occurred in the Sheng family.
Sheng Wanze was back! He hadn’t taken any leave during the Spring Festival, since he had just been promoted right before the New Year.
Before the New Year, Sheng Wanze had been promoted to Regiment Commander of the Bingcheng military unit! The news instantly created a sensation throughout the entire military region.
Quite a few people in the family compound, seeing that Sheng Wanze was living alone in Bingcheng, deliberately encouraged their nieces or younger sisters to try and catch his attention.
Some were even more shameless, waiting right outside Sheng Wanze’s doorstep.
As time went on and Pan Yue never showed up in Bingcheng, people even assumed there was trouble in their marriage.
Some young women didn’t mind marrying a divorced man—after all, he was a regiment commander! Marrying him meant becoming an officer’s wife.
However, aside from training, Sheng Wanze spent his time either sleeping at home or going to his in-laws’ place for meals.
Once Mother Pan learned about these antics, she immediately threw a rage in the family compound, reporting them directly to the higher-ups on the charge of “sabotaging a military marriage.”
That thoroughly panicked the military wives who harbored underhanded thoughts, forcing them to quickly send their sisters and nieces packing.
No one else knew about these happenings until Mother Pan called Pan Yue to tell her.
Pan Yue felt a sense of crisis in her heart, but she couldn’t leave her two children behind to go to Bingcheng, so she could only make frequent phone calls to Sheng Wanze.
Fortunately, Sheng Wanze explained everything clearly, reassuring her that he would never betray his family.
Only then did Pan Yue feel a bit more at ease. After all, she knew what kind of man her husband was.
She was just afraid that other shameless women might pull off some scheme, and that Sheng Wanze might accidentally fall into a trap.
Though Pan Yue felt worried, she couldn’t afford to be distracted from her studies at a time like this.
So, to put her mind at ease, Sheng Wanze took his annual leave for the year and returned to Capital City to visit.
When Pan Yue saw him back, her heart finally settled completely. Learning that Sheng Wanze had returned, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng were so happy they couldn’t even sleep.
“You’re back! We haven’t seen you for a whole year.”
“I missed you to death!”
Grandma Sheng couldn’t help reaching out to touch Sheng Wanze’s face. Sheng Wanze smiled and took Grandma Sheng’s hand.
“Grandma, you look even younger.”
“Really? Oh, you~”
Grandma Sheng touched her own face in disbelief. It was clearly an old, wrinkled face, so where was the youthfulness~?
Still, seeing her grandson coaxing her made her thoroughly happy!
“Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, Little Sister—are you all doing well?”
“Good, good, good, we’re all doing great.”
Mother Sheng was overjoyed as well. She was finally seeing her son again, so how could she not take a good, long look?
Mother Sheng pulled Sheng Wanze around, inspecting him from every angle. Her son really was impressive, already holding the position of regiment commander.
How had she managed to give birth to such an outstanding son?
Mother Sheng’s enthusiasm made Sheng Wanze feel a bit unnerved…
What in the world was wrong with his mother? Shouldn’t she be lecturing him not to get arrogant?
Why was she getting proud ahead of him instead? During the years he hadn’t been in Capital City, his mother’s temper had actually improved quite a bit.
“Mom… I’m really not as great as you make me out to be.”
Sheng Wanze felt somewhat embarrassed. Mother Sheng’s sudden display of maternal tenderness made him feel flattered yet unsettled.
“Well, compared to your sister, you certainly fall short.”
Sheng Wanze: “…” I knew it.
Still the same familiar flavor.
“Yes, Little Sister is indeed amazing.”
Sheng Wanyan, who had just been minding her own business eating popcorn, wished she could find a hole to crawl into. You two are having a loving mother-son moment, so why drag me into it again?
“Little Sister, look at you—your complexion is glowing again.”
“Looks like you’ve gained a bit of weight.”
Sheng Wanze said with a bright smile. Sheng Wanyan’s eyelids twitched.
Sheng Wanyan: “…” Knew he had nothing nice to say.
“Brother, no one will think you’re mute if you keep your mouth shut.”
Sheng Wanyan didn’t hold back and fired right back at him. Sheng Wanze didn’t get angry either; after all, that was just how his little sister was.
“Dad! Daddy~”
Huzi and Little Huzi each hugged one of his legs. Seeing his two sons, Sheng Wanze’s heart softened.
Especially Little Huzi—the child had changed so much! He remembered that the last time he was back, this was still a baby who could only make “Ah ah” noises.
Now he could actually speak a few words. Kids truly looked different with every passing month; he had missed out on so much.
And his eldest son had grown taller, stronger, and his skin had darkened until he looked like a little coal ball.
Sheng Wanze scooped up both sons at once, one in each arm, demonstrating impressive arm strength.
Huzi felt a bit at a loss. After all, in his mind, his dad was a father who always seemed at odds with him.
So having his dad suddenly hold him… left him feeling surprised and fulfilled, though a bit awkward inside as well.
