Shu Jianyang’s place was near the dance hall. In 1992, public safety was nothing like it would be decades later—this whole area was notoriously rough. Fights and brawls were common. Shu Yan thought she was “plain” enough not to draw any trouble, but she still stayed alert.

“This neighborhood’s dangerous. Better have Xiaofei and the other guy stick with you,” Shu Jianyang said firmly. He knew it wasn’t just about sexual assault around here—muggings were even more common. Better safe than sorry.

Xiaofei was the young man who’d run the message earlier. The other man was one of Shu Jianyang’s best enforcers—both of them were his most trusted guys.

“Thanks.” Shu Yan was tough on the surface, but she knew the truth. She was just a single woman, suddenly dropped into the life of a character in a book, forced to clean up the original owner’s mess without even having time to adjust. Facing someone as vicious as Ye Zhiqiang—she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t scared. The only reason she could act so confident was because Shu Jianyang had her back.

“Third Brother, there’s something else I need to ask.” She didn’t really have anyone else to turn to, so she just swallowed her pride and kept asking.

“Say it.” Shu Jianyang had already promised to help, and he was the type to see things through.

“The two kids are still back in the countryside. I’m worried Ye Zhiqiang might use them to threaten me.” Ye Tianbao was one thing, but she was especially worried about her daughter, Ye Jingjing. Who knew what Ye Zhiqiang might do?

It wasn’t an idle fear. Shu Yan was demanding he leave the marriage with nothing. If Ye Zhiqiang got desperate, there was no telling what lines he might cross.

“You want them brought here?” Shu Jianyang thought for a moment. “Alright. School hasn’t started yet—Second Brother should still be back home. I’ll have him help get the kids into town. There’s a good friend of mine there with a car. It’ll be easy.”

Like Shu Jianyang, their second cousin Shu Jianbo was well-known in the area—but the two couldn’t have had more different reputations. Shu Jianyang was considered a local bully, while Shu Jianbo was respected for his integrity and learning—everyone saw him as a role model.

He was the Shu family’s only college graduate and the first in their township after the national exams resumed. He could have stayed in the capital, or picked any job in the province, but instead he chose to go home and become a teacher.

Ling’an Township wasn’t exactly a poverty-stricken backwater, but it was remote and poor enough that qualified teachers didn’t want to go there. Hundreds of students, only eight teachers—and four of those hadn’t even finished middle school. When the county heard that a local boy who’d gone to college was coming back to teach, they immediately made him a model figure, promoting him to vice principal. When the old principal retired, Shu Jianbo took over.

Thanks to his hard work, Ling’an Elementary had a new classroom building now, and more teachers—no more one teacher forced to teach multiple grades at once.

For poor families, education was the simplest and fastest way to success. Everyone wanted their kids to go to college and get a state-assigned job with a steady income. So whether or not they had kids in school, everyone in Ling’an respected Shu Jianbo deeply.

Shu Jianyang was thinking a step ahead of Shu Yan. If anyone else went to pick up the kids, the Ye family’s elders would get suspicious and ask questions. But if it was Shu Jianbo, no one would think twice.

Of course, he hadn’t told Shu Jianbo the whole truth. Shu Jianbo wasn’t flawless—Shu Jianyang thought he was a bit too much of an idealist, with a real concern for his reputation. If he knew Shu Yan was divorcing, he’d never agree to help—he’d lecture them first, then run home to tell the whole family.

“Second Brother, it’s me. Shu Yan from Second Uncle’s family needs a favor. Yeah, that Shu Yan. Nothing too serious—Ye Zhiqiang’s swamped with work, and Shu Yan’s been sick these past few days, so she can’t go pick up the kid. School starts in two days, and we can’t let the child miss class. Could you do me a solid and take the kid to town? I’ve got a buddy there with a car—he’ll handle the rest of the trip to the city.”

“Ye Zhiqiang’s too busy to even pick up his own kids? Give me his number. I’ll talk to him myself. What business could be more important than his children?” Shu Jianbo’s voice was already disapproving.

Shu Jianyang nearly rolled his eyes. His second brother never thought the same way he did. Before he could explain further, Shu Yan reached over and took the phone.

“Second Brother? It’s me, Shu Yan.” She waited for him to register who she was, then continued, “There was a problem with some materials at the construction site. Zhiqiang had to take the crew all the way to the factory—it’s in another province, and I can’t even reach him right now. I wouldn’t trouble Third Brother if I had any other choice. Normally I’d go get the kids myself, but I’ve really been under the weather. You know how my parents and Zhiqiang’s parents are—they can’t be in the same room without fighting. So, please…”

“Alright. I’ll go get them.” Shu Jianbo glanced at the clock. It was 1:30. There was still a 2:30 bus to town—he could just make it. He quickly gathered a few things and headed out on his motorcycle.

“Third Brother… I feel bad. I’m always bothering you with these things.” Shu Yan’s voice was apologetic.

The original Shu Yan’s own parents and siblings were no help at all. Ironically, it was this cousin she’d never been close to who was helping her the most.

“Don’t be silly. We’re family—don’t talk like we’re strangers. Go get some rest. I’ll let you know when the kids arrive.”

Despite running only a small number of dance halls, Shu Jianyang was a busy man with plenty on his plate.

It took just over ten minutes by motorcycle from Shu Family Village to Little Ye Village. When Shu Jianbo pulled up at Ye Zhiqiang’s family home, the two kids were playing in the courtyard.

They heard the motorcycle and turned curious eyes his way. Old Lady Ye (Ye Zhiqiang’s mother) wouldn’t let them visit the Shu family, so they didn’t recognize this cousin-uncle at all.

But she recognized him. Wiping her hands, she greeted him warmly and invited him in to sit.

“Auntie, don’t bother—I won’t stay long.” Shu Jianbo didn’t even go inside. “I’m here as a favor. Zhiqiang’s busy with work, and my cousin hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. With school starting soon, they wanted someone to pick up the kids. I’ve got a friend in town who’s driving to the city anyway and can take them along.”

He didn’t sit down. The bus station was still twenty minutes away, and if he didn’t hurry, he’d miss the last bus of the day.

“Neither Zhiqiang nor his wife told me anything. How can they just decide to take the kids without saying a word?” Old Lady Ye was clearly unhappy. She could accept them taking her granddaughter, but her grandson? He was her treasure. She couldn’t even eat properly if she didn’t see him for a day. Once he left, they wouldn’t see him again until New Year.

Muttering under her breath, she started packing. Ye Jingjing didn’t have much—just one small bag of clothes. Ye Tianbao had far more: clothes, shoes, toys, snacks—two whole woven bags stuffed full, plus a little denim backpack.

“Shouldn’t we call Zhiqiang about this?” Old Man Ye asked worriedly.

Their son and daughter-in-law hadn’t said a word about this plan. Now they’d suddenly sent Shu Jianbo to fetch the kids—was something going on?

“Call for what? We’d have to walk to the village office to use the phone—it’d take more than ten minutes both ways, and they’d miss the last bus.” Old Lady Ye shot the idea down immediately. “And anyway, it’s Principal Shu coming to get them. You think he would hurt the children?”

She hugged her precious grandson tight. “Aiyoh, our Tianbao’s going to see his mommy and daddy. Grandma’s going to miss you so much!”

“Then I won’t go. I’ll stay home with Grandma,” Tianbao said loyally. He liked his grandparents more than his parents, who were always strict.

“That won’t do! Our Tianbao was born to be a city boy. You need to go to preschool in the city and grow up to be a top scholar.”

“Okay! I’ll come home with top honors just for you, Grandma!” Tianbao patted his little chest solemnly.

The old couple wanted to go see them off at the bus station, but Shu Jianbo’s motorcycle could only fit the two kids after all the luggage was tied on.

“It’s almost two. Uncle, Auntie, I’ll get going now,” Shu Jianbo said, swinging his leg over the bike.

Meanwhile…

Ye Zhiqiang sat clutching his stomach. Everything hurt, even though the doctor hadn’t found anything specific. He knew exactly what that meant—he’d been worked over by someone who really knew how to inflict pain without leaving evidence.

“Brother Qiang, are you okay?” Li Jiaojiao asked worriedly. She’d been examined too, and had been so frightened earlier that her belly had cramped painfully. She was terrified something might have happened to the baby.

“I’m fine. Are you okay?” Ye Zhiqiang’s face softened a little when he looked at her.

“Brother Qiang, I was so scared!” Li Jiaojiao threw herself into his arms, accidentally pressing on one of his bruises. He let out a muffled groan, and she quickly pulled back. “You said you weren’t hurt! Where does it hurt? Let me see.” She gently touched his chest, her eyes filling with worry. “How could she do this? Getting all those men to beat you—how could she be so cruel?”

“She’s just a coarse village woman. She’s nothing compared to you.” Ye Zhiqiang forced a small smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

Li Jiaojiao bit her lip. “Brother Qiang, what do we do now? Those photos—if they get out, we’re finished.”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Zhiqiang said coldly, a cruel glint in his eyes. “I won’t let her win.”

If she was going to be ruthless, then he wouldn’t bother playing nice either. She wanted to threaten him with those photos? Dream on. Photos? He’d make sure she got a taste of her own medicine.

After soothing Li Jiaojiao, Ye Zhiqiang gathered a few men and went straight to Shu Yan’s apartment.

“Boss, we searched the whole building, first floor to fifth—she’s not here.”

Ye Zhiqiang grabbed a cup from the table and smashed it to the floor, shards flying everywhere. His voice was cold and furious. “She’s at Shu Jianyang’s place for sure.”

Shu Yan had been right—Ye Zhiqiang didn’t dare touch her while she was on Shu Jianyang’s turf. But agreeing to leave the marriage with nothing? That was impossible.

No matter how tough a woman was, she couldn’t beat her own kids. The thought struck him, and he immediately called home.

“Hello?”

“Uncle? It’s me, Zhiqiang. Nothing urgent—just need to talk to Mom and Dad about something.” He made a mental note that they really needed their own phone line—it was a pain always having to call through someone else.

About twenty minutes later, he called again. This time his father picked up.

“Dad, it’s me. Where are the kids?” He wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

“The kids? Didn’t you send Shu Jianbo to get them?” Old Man Ye’s heart gave a lurch. “You didn’t know?”

Ye Zhiqiang shot to his feet. “Shu Jianbo picked them up?”

He should have seen this coming. Shu Jianyang was no easy opponent.

“Yeah, they just left not long ago. They’re probably on the evening bus now. Why? You didn’t send for them?” Old Man Ye’s voice rose, panic creeping in.

“I’ve been too busy the past few days to check on things at home. School’s about to start, so I was calling to see how things were. Maybe Shu Yan asked her cousin to get them. I’ll call and check with her.”

He hadn’t told his parents about the divorce. There was no way he could mention it now—it’d just make things worse.

“Well you’d better call and find out!” Old Man Ye was uneasy; he’d had a bad feeling all day.

“I know. Look, Shu Jianbo’s the school principal. What’s there to worry about with him? Anyway, I have to go. I’ll call you back later.” He hung up, his jaw so tight he almost cracked a tooth.

From Ling’an Township to the town center was about forty minutes by bus. The two kids weren’t used to traveling and looked listless by the time they arrived. But Shu Jianyang’s men were already waiting at the station. As soon as they spotted the children, they ushered them into a car headed for Xicheng.

“The kids are here.” Shu Jianyang knocked on Shu Yan’s door and told her calmly when she opened it.

They’re here?

Shu Yan suddenly felt a wave of hesitation. She’d talked so confidently before about how she’d manage and how it would all work out—but that had mostly been to convince herself. The truth was, she’d gone from being a single young woman to a mother of two overnight. The weight of that responsibility was no joke.

=^_^=