Chapter 22: Positive Energy

Liu Qian was both surprised and puzzled. With Li Luo’s level of education, how could she say something so reasonable and insightful?

Qin Xinyi, however, wasn’t grateful. She mocked,
“Did you hear those words from Uncle? Now you’re acting like a teacher in front of me! Do you think I don’t know I should study hard? Self-righteous and meddlesome!”

Qin Mian had just returned and overheard her. He immediately scolded,
“You may ignore an elder’s advice, but criticizing an elder in return only proves you have no upbringing. Today I’ve truly opened my eyes! No wonder she went all the way to the Northwest—turns out even at home you trampled over her.”

“Who trampled her? She lazes around all day, eats without lifting a finger, and has a terrible temper!” Qin Xinyi began listing Li Luo’s supposed crimes.

For example, never lifting a finger for chores.
For example, sneaking Old Madam Qin’s sponge cakes in the middle of the night.
Using her shampoo without asking, barging into her room without knocking.
Blaming her brother after breaking Grandpa Qin’s snuff bottle.

Qin Mian didn’t believe a word of it. Everyone had flaws, but nothing she described matched Li Luo. He said coldly,
“All I’ve seen is you bullying her—and only when I’m around. Do you dislike me so much that you vent your anger on her?”

Li Luo nearly failed to hold back a grin. He wasn’t just defending her—he completely trusted her.

So nice!

Liu Qian felt a surge of discomfort. By openly siding with Li Luo, Qin Mian was telling everyone he had accepted this marriage.

Was he blind?

She was slim, educated, with a proper job.

And Li Luo?

Nothing but fat, useless in every way.
He chose Li Luo over her?!

Qin Xinyi froze. “I—I didn’t.”

“Then why pick on your little aunt?” In Qin Mian’s eyes, once married, Li Luo represented him. She hadn’t said a word at first—it was Qin Xinyi who had picked a fight. As an elder, Li Luo had answered appropriately. Why should she be criticized?

Even Qinqin thought Qin Xinyi had gone too far.

An elder gave well-meaning advice, yet was accused of meddling.
And wasn’t it she who provoked things first?
No manners, no reason—just plain troublemaking.

In the living room, Old Madam Qin was tidying up when she heard the commotion outside.
“Xinyi, aren’t you going back to school today? You don’t need to fuss around here. Ajun, take your sister back early so she won’t be late and miss her studies.”

Old Madam Qin was clearly trying to smooth things over for Qin Xinyi. But Qin Mian wasn’t going to let her off so easily.
“Shouldn’t you apologize to your little aunt before leaving?”

“A Mian, that’s too harsh.” Qin Xinyi’s mother quickly cut in. “What Xinyi said was also true—this girl…” she paused and corrected herself, “your sister-in-law has changed her bad habits now. Xinyi didn’t know that, so her words were offensive. It won’t happen again.”

It was clear Old Madam Qin’s attitude had shifted.

If they kept belittling Li Luo, it would indeed seem unfair. Before Qin Mian could press further, she pulled Qin Xinyi inside.
“Xinyi, don’t speak of your little aunt again. Pack your things. When your brother returns, he’ll take you back to school.”

“Fine, I’ll go. It’s not like I want to stay here anyway.”

But as she packed, her anger grew. This was her home—why should she be the one to leave? Li Luo was the unnecessary one! She sat on the bed, sulking.
“Actually, I’m not leaving today!”

“You child—!”

Outside, Old Madam Qin said to Li Luo,
“Luoluo, Xinyi is just a child. Don’t take it to heart.”

Li Luo smiled, but her eyes were cold. Go ahead and spoil her. It won’t be me who suffers later.
“It’s fine.”

Let her be willful. Sooner or later, she’d pay for it.

Li Luo returned to her room, folded up the bag of money, and tucked it onto the top shelf of the cabinet.

Right then Qin Mian entered.
“What are you looking for? I’ll help you.”

Li Luo blinked. “Nothing, just tidying up my clothes. Are you leaving tomorrow?”

“It’s rare for me to come back. I’ll stay a few more days,” Qin Mian replied.

Li Luo said,
“Men should focus on their careers. With me at home, you don’t have to worry. Just work hard.”

Qin Mian: “…”
Not leaving with him? Before, she hadn’t wanted to come back; now she didn’t want to leave. Probably because she was making money with some shady side deals. He thought for a moment and said,
“A neighbor near our compound secretly sold cigarettes. He made quite a profit, but in the end he was caught, everything confiscated, and he was locked up for a round of ‘re-education.’”

Li Luo’s heart skipped a beat. Was he hinting at her?

But if she didn’t make money, she’d have no confidence.

If he scolded her later, should she talk back or not?

If she didn’t, she’d feel wronged.

If she did, what if he got angry and stopped giving her living expenses?

Take a gamble—maybe the bicycle would turn into a motorcycle.

If she got caught, so be it. She’d just start over.

She pretended ignorance.
“So scary! Don’t worry, my parents taught me since I was little that people should be full of positive energy. I’m very well-behaved—never do anything against the rules. Anyway, I ate too much just now, I need to burn it off.”

She changed into sneakers and ran off.

Qin Mian: “…” Positive energy?

Now alone, he walked to the wardrobe and opened it.

Everything was neatly arranged, nothing unusual.

He was just about to reach up to the top shelf when Old Madam Qin called,
“A Mian, your aunt next door says her back hurts. She wants you to take a look.”

Qin Mian answered, shut the wardrobe, and left.

Meanwhile, Li Luo had run until she was dripping with sweat. On her way back, she was stopped by a woman in her thirties.

“Girl, I finally found you! You saved my child’s life. I have no way to repay you. If you don’t mind, I’d like my son to call you godmother. He’ll honor you and care for you when you’re old.”

Li Luo was briefly confused, then remembered—it was the mother of the boy she’d pulled out of the river two days ago while running.

She smiled.
“Oh, it’s you. Just a small effort, hardly worth mentioning. As for being his godmother—forget it.” The boy was only five or six, and she was still young herself.

Rely on him for her old age?

By the time she was old, the boy would be old too. How would that work?

“If not godmother, at least accept some gifts. Where’s your family home? I’ll bring them myself.”

“No, no, really, it’s not necessary.” Li Luo quickly waved her hands. “Big sister, I still have things to do, let’s leave it at that.” She hurried away.

The woman followed until she saw Li Luo enter a courtyard, then turned back. Soon she reappeared with a man at her side, the two of them carrying large gift bundles.

Neighbors gathered curiously.

They thought it was another friend of Old Master Qin coming by with birthday gifts.

Kindly, they told the couple the birthday banquet was already over.

The entire Qin family was sitting in the courtyard—the younger ones standing casually, the elders seated on chairs.

Old Madam Qin rose. “Who are you looking for?”

“We’re here for your plump young lady,” the woman explained, and told the whole story.

Old Madam Qin smiled.
“That’s my younger daughter-in-law.” She called toward the room, “Luoluo, come out a moment.”

Old Master Qin was quite proud.
“So Luoluo does good deeds without leaving her name, eh?”

Qin Xinyi recalled seeing Li Luo soaked to the skin a few days ago. So it had been because she saved someone from the river. Why didn’t she drown instead? she muttered inwardly. Not leaving her name, huh? If so, how did they find her?