Chapter 7: Guests Arrive at Home  

“Second Aunt, hurry home! Second Uncle has fainted!” The messenger was Qian Dong, sweating profusely and panting heavily.  

“What?”  

Liu Huiru panicked instantly and rushed to follow Qian Dong, nearly forgetting her small handbag in her haste.  

Qian Lai grabbed the bag and hurried after them, feeling a twinge of disappointment: it seemed Qian Jiangang still held an important place in Liu Huiru’s heart.  

The words she had almost blurted out were forcefully swallowed back.  

At that moment, the Qian family courtyard was scattered with various odds and ends as they prepared to move.  

Liu Huiru was the first to rush into the bedroom, pulling at Qian Jiangang, who had just regained consciousness, insisting they go to the hospital.  

“What’s the big deal? It’s nothing serious. Doctor Xiao Hu from the factory already gave me medicine.”  

Qian Jiangang shook off her hand, pressing his fingers to his forehead, his face twisted in distress.  

Just moments ago, upon hearing that the group had been staying in the abandoned workshop for days, Qian Jiangang had sensed disaster looming.  

His worst fears had come true—every single treasure he had meticulously hidden was gone without a trace.  

Yet he couldn’t report it to the police or tell anyone, leaving him suffocating with frustration.  

If those thieves discovered the items and sold them for money…  

Or worse, if the police confiscated them as stolen goods… they might even uncover his past misdeeds…  

He didn’t dare think about it!  

In short, he was like the mute who ate bitter herbs—unable to voice his suffering.  

For the first time, he felt he understood Qin Hongxiang’s pain.  

Pitiful him—he had relied on those treasures to freely provide for the main household, thinking that with this wealth as a safety net, his later years would be secure.  

Now it was all gone! Utterly ruined! How was this any different from cutting off his lifeline?  

“What’s wrong with you? Is your blood pressure up again?” Liu Huiru was still concerned about her husband.  

“What’s wrong? It’s all thanks to your precious daughter!” Qian Jiangang glared at Qian Lai, who stood behind Liu Huiru, his wrinkled face filled with disgust. He turned over, facing away from the mother and daughter. “I’m telling you, there’s no money left in the house. You’ll have to return the betrothal gifts from the Gu family.”  

Qian Lai sneered. “How convenient. It hasn’t even been half a month—where’s your salary? Oh, right. You gave it to Auntie. If you’re broke, go ask her for money!”  

“You—!” Seeing Qian Lai’s smug expression, Qian Jiangang nearly got up to hit her. But the moment he moved, his temples throbbed violently.  

“Liu Huiru, control your precious daughter! Her father is sick like this, and she’s still making sarcastic remarks. Hmph, I won’t be able to work for the rest of the month—I’ll have to take sick leave. Next month, we might as well drink the northwest wind.”  

“Why drink the northwest wind? Qian Xiaozhen and Qian Dong both have salaries. Normally, you refuse money from the younger generation, but if the family is really in trouble now, I’m sure everyone can chip in. Together, we’ll manage.”  

“Second Aunt, you don’t know… My mother was taken away by the police yesterday!… She might need to pay a fine to be released. My uncle… he’s worried sick about it…” Qian Dong stammered, finding it hard to speak.  

“A fine? How much?”  

“At least two hundred.”  

Two hundred!  

Liu Huiru’s monthly salary was only 36.85 yuan, and Qian Jiangang’s was just 45.68 yuan. Two hundred was more than two months of their combined wages!  

“What happens if we can’t pay?” Qian Lai asked.  

“Then… her detention will be extended, or she might even be sentenced to prison.”

“Auntie doesn’t have much to do outside anyway. Inside, she gets free meals delivered regularly—isn’t that nice? Her life would be more structured there.  

She doesn’t have a job and doesn’t earn a salary normally. This time, just consider it as earning two hundred yuan for the family. What’s there to worry about? Why not take the opportunity?” Qian Lai’s rosy cheeks bloomed with a radiant smile as she looked at Qian Dong.  

“You… how can you be so heartless? She’s so old after all… That place is nothing like what you’re making it out to be!” Qian Dong had a soft temperament, almost womanly, unable to stand firm in any situation.  

After just one retort from Qian Lai, his eyes began to redden.  

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open.  

“Auntie, Sister Lai, you’ve got visitors!”  

A little girl with a neat boyish haircut barged in, shouting at the top of her lungs toward the main house.  

Hearing the voice, Qian Lai’s face instantly lit up with joy. She dashed out like the wind, rushing straight toward the figure in the yard.  

“Teacher Yang, you’re here!”  

Overjoyed, she threw her arms around Yang Tinghua and spun in circles.  

During the years when Qian Jiangang had forced her to live at her grandmother’s house in the countryside, Yang Tinghua had taken on the role Liu Huiru couldn’t fill, caring for Qian Lai in every way.  

She was a university professor who had been sent down to Houfu Village during the great reforms.  

At that time, not only were there no village children attending school, but even in the cities, classrooms had long been emptied of students.  

Except for this one granddaughter of the Liu family. No matter where she was, she always had a book in her hands, quietly tucked away in a corner, reading for hours on end.  

The girl was beautiful—large, sparkling eyes framed by fluttering, curled lashes. Standing among the village children, she stood out like a sore thumb.  

But her personality was far too meek. She was often ostracized by the other kids.  

This reminded Yang Tinghua of herself—different in the same way, equally rejected by those around her.  

Two kindred spirits, bonded by shared hardship.  

The girl hated her name, “Laidi” (meaning “bring a brother”), and wanted to change it. Knowing Yang Tinghua was educated, she sought her help.  

Thus, she was given the single-character name “Lai.”  

“‘Laiwu’s spring moistens jade, lotus blooms cleanse clear ripples.'” Teacher Yang told her it meant “emerging unstained from the mud, remaining pure in a turbid world.”  

The girl adored her new name and was deeply drawn to the scholarly grace of Teacher Yang.  

Two book lovers naturally grew closer the more they talked.  

Later, Yang Tinghua discovered the girl’s thirst for knowledge surpassed even that of her best students.  

One eager to learn, the other willing to teach—a perfect match.  

In the lonely, helpless years of the original host, Yang Tinghua became more than a mother figure.  

Even when the girl had her first period, it was Yang Tinghua who tenderly guided her, teaching her how to protect herself, how to be strong and love herself.  

“Sis, you didn’t expect me to bring Teacher Yang, did you?” Cousin Liu Heqing grinned, her eyes crinkling as she watched the two embrace.  

“Heqing, Teacher Yang, come inside.” Liu Huiru took their luggage and ushered them in.  

“Auntie, the moment I got my sister’s call, I rushed to tell Teacher Yang. That same day, we packed our things and hurried over as fast as we could.”  

“Mom, I’m leaving for the military soon. But with the eldest branch… leaving you alone at home, I’m worried. Since Heqing is coming to the city for school soon anyway, I thought I’d have her come early.”  

Qian Lai knew Qian Jiangang was somewhat wary of the Liu family.  

Even though Liu Huiru wasn’t a blood relative, she was the Liu family’s treasured darling.

The elderly couple held high prestige in the village, and their three eldest sons were known for their fearless temperaments.

Even the third-generation granddaughter had been raised with an equally unyielding personality.

Ever since his engagement to Liu Huiru, Qian Jiangang would avoid visiting his in-laws unless absolutely necessary.

He was genuinely intimidated from the bottom of his heart!

Every villain meets their match. The tomboy Liu Heqing was the nemesis Liu Huiru had invited to keep Qian Jiangang in check.

With her around, Qian Jiangang didn’t dare bully Liu Huiru as he pleased.

Therefore, after making that call to the Organization Department that day, he immediately notified Liu Heqing.

“I heard you’re not going to university?”

Yang Tinghua looked sternly at Qian Lai: “Why?”

Qian Lai pulled her to sit down and handed her a cup of warm water: “Teacher Yang, I knew you’d be upset when you heard this news.”

“I’m afraid I really can’t attend university now. I need to go to the military to resolve my marriage arrangements with Comrade Gu Hanchuan. All of this is thanks to my father’s arrangements.”

“Your father!? Attending university is every citizen’s legal right—no one has the authority to interfere. Does he not realize this concerns your entire future?”

Yang Tinghua was furious.

To see such an outstanding student hindered by her family and losing such a precious opportunity…

“Teacher Yang, please don’t be angry. Since things have come to this, I already have other plans. Besides, the organization is already aware of my situation with Comrade Gu Hanchuan.”

“What plans do you have?”

Qian Lai hesitated. She couldn’t very well say she had foresight and knew the college entrance exams would resume in two years!

After considering her words, she smiled faintly and said, “Since the organization needs me to care for Comrade Gu Hanchuan, I’m willing to go to the military. In a couple of years, when his situation stabilizes, I can still attend university. Who knows—maybe I’ll even get to study in Beijing then!”

“Is that really what you think?” Yang Tinghua’s tone softened slightly. “If that’s the case, then I support your decision. But two years is no short time—you must never stop studying. If you need any review materials, write to me. I’ll send them to you!”

“You’ll send them to me?”

“Cousin, Teacher Yang has had her status reinstated! She’s returning to Beijing soon to resume her official position! Later, you can aim to test into Teacher Yang’s university!”

“Ah! Is that true? This is incredible news!”

It was completely unexpected! Qian Lai threw herself into Teacher Yang’s arms again, tears streaming down her cheeks in excitement.

“And one more thing,” Teacher Yang wiped her tears and pulled a slip of paper from her pocket, handing it to Qian Lai. “I heard you’re going to Xin City. Here—this is my senior’s contact information. I’ve written to him to look after you. If anything happens, be sure to go to him.”

“Going to him is the same as coming to me—don’t hesitate at all.”

The main room was filled with laughter and joy, making Qian Jiangang, sulking in the inner room, feel utterly forgotten by the world.

Only Qian Dong was there, sniffling by the bedside to keep him company.

One glance at his less-than-heroic nephew made his chest tighten even more.

That wretched girl—ever since the accident, her personality had completely changed.

Now, she was looking more and more like some “nemesis from heaven,” her rebellious spirit entirely directed against him.

Just as Qian Jiangang struggled to turn over in bed, a group of uninvited guests arrived outside the door.