Chapter 5: The Gift Hijacked

Meanwhile, at the supply and marketing cooperative…

“Hey, Section Chief Lu, your girlfriend didn’t come to bother you today!” Old Mo in the office exclaimed, as if he’d discovered something amazing.

Shen Hongxing had previously visited the supply and marketing cooperative every day to deliver meals to Lu Ping’an, rain or shine.  They often secretly joked about her being shameless and persistent.  Her absence today was a surprise. Had the sun risen in the west?

Lu Ping’an vaguely excused her absence, “She had something to do today!”

Ever since Shen Hongxing declared her intention to break off their engagement last night, he’d been dwelling on her words, making him distracted at work.  While he liked Shen Jiaojiao, he’d grown accustomed to Shen Hongxing’s kindness. He couldn’t live without her.  He tried to read the newspaper, but couldn’t concentrate.

Old Mo immediately understood. “Haha, didn’t your girlfriend have a fight with you?”

Lu Ping’an nodded.

“Of course, you should buy her something she likes to appease her!” Old Mo clapped Lu Ping’an on the shoulder. “I heard Director Guo say they received a shipment of shawls today – the kind you only find in department stores. Why don’t you get her a couple?”

“Girls love that kind of stuff!”

Lu Ping’an thought it was a good idea. “Okay, I’ll go take a look!”

After work, Lu Ping’an went to the counter. The shawls were indeed beautiful: sheer gauze with gold trim, in various colors. He chose two – one pink, one red – and cycled back to the government compound.

As soon as he entered, Qin Xianglan embraced him, excitedly dancing.  “Ping’an, I have good news! That wild girl won’t bother you anymore! You’re free!”

Lu Ping’an was confused.  “Mom, what do you mean?”

Qin Xianglan raised her arm, revealing a gold bracelet – the betrothal gift Lu’s family had given Shen Hongxing, now adorning her wrist.

Lu Ping’an’s heart sank.  Qin Xianglan, oblivious to his unease, continued, “That wild girl went to your grandfather today to discuss breaking off the engagement, and Grandpa agreed!”

She was furious at the thought of her precious son marrying Shen Hongxing, whom she considered stupid and uncouth.  In the entire town, only Shen Jiaojiao was worthy of her son.  While Shen Hongxing was also a Shen family daughter, she had been raised by a gambler, resulting in a crude and vulgar demeanor.  She couldn’t compare to the refined Shen Jiaojiao.

Most importantly, Grandpa Lu disliked Shen Jiaojiao. If Shen Jiaojiao married into the family, Grandpa Lu wouldn’t give her the things she desperately desired.  Once Grandpa Lu passed away, those things would be hers.

Lu Ping’an didn’t believe it. “Impossible, she wouldn’t actually break off the engagement with me!” Everyone knew how much she loved him. Even when he’d strung her along while pursuing Shen Jiaojiao, she hadn’t considered leaving him. She just wanted him to apologize and coax her.

Yes! That must be it.

“Mom, I’m going out!”  Before Qin Xianglan could react, he was gone.

He was about to go to the Shen family when he ran into Shen Jiaojiao returning from work.

“Ping’an!”

Shen Jiaojiao happily approached him, noticing the beautifully wrapped package in his basket.  She immediately took it and opened it.  Seeing the shawls inside, she was ecstatic.  “Ping’an, how did you know I wanted these shawls? I’ve tried to get them several times through connections, but I couldn’t!”

Lu Ping’an opened his mouth to explain they were for Shen Hongxing, but seeing Shen Jiaojiao’s joy, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

He nodded. “Yes, they’re for you.”

Shen Jiaojiao excitedly tiptoed and kissed Lu Ping’an’s cheek.  “Ping’an, I really love your gift!”

Lu Ping’an froze, taking a step back.  Shen Jiaojiao, however, wouldn’t let go, pulling him towards her house.  “Ping’an, since you’re here, why don’t you stay for dinner?”

Lu Ping’an removed her arm.  “No, I need to go home for dinner.”

He would buy two more shawls for Shen Hongxing tomorrow. He believed that if he coaxed her, Shen Hongxing would be the same as before.

Watching Lu Ping’an leave, Shen Jiaojiao looked at the two shawls, feeling triumphant. She would make sure Shen Hongxing knew that Lu Ping’an only had eyes for her.

Shen Hongxing didn’t return until ten o’clock that night. Her waist-length hair had been cut to shoulder length.  Shen’s father, who had been arguing with Shen Jiaojiao, turned cold upon seeing her.  “You little wretch, didn’t you say you were cutting ties with us? What are you doing back?”

Shen Jiaojiao played the good girl again, clinging to her father’s arm.  “Dad, what Sister said yesterday was just in anger. She doesn’t even have a job. If she really cuts ties with you, what will she eat and drink?”  Secretly, she hoped Shen Hongxing would leave immediately so that everything in the Shen family would be hers.

“Look at Jiaojiao. You beat her up yesterday, yet she doesn’t hold a grudge and is speaking up for you. Learn from her! Don’t be so bitter and resentful, as if we all owe you something!” Shen’s mother nagged.

Shen Hongxing ignored them, pulling a piece of paper from her pocket and placing it before her father. “This is the document severing our relationship. Once you sign, we’ll have nothing to do with each other! Even if you two die of poverty or illness, don’t come looking for me!”

Shen’s father found it laughable.  “Hahaha, your mother and I will die of poverty and starvation? Shen Hongxing, you must be crazy!” He was the factory manager of a state-owned wool textile factory.  Thanks to his management, the factory’s monthly revenue exceeded that of previous managers. He had more salary and bonuses than he could spend.  He was even slated to become the manager of the largest wool textile factory in Haicheng next year.

Would they ever fall into the situation she described? Besides, there was Jiaojiao! Jiaojiao loved them so much that she even disowned her birth parents for them. How could she let them die of poverty or illness?

Shen Hongxing looked at them, speechless. In her past life, they had devoted themselves to Shen Jiaojiao, neglecting their own daughter and giving everything to her.  But what did Shen Jiaojiao do? She embezzled 200,000 yuan from the wool textile factory.  Shen’s father and mother were imprisoned. After their release, Shen Jiaojiao, having married into wealth, pretended not to know them. They ended up homeless beggars.

“Sister, how can you curse Mom and Dad like that? Wasn’t it hard for them to raise you?” Shen Jiaojiao started her act again.

“Shen Jiaojiao, aren’t you tired of pretending?” Shen Hongxing knew Shen Jiaojiao was deliberately provoking her parents to get them to sign the document.

Sure enough, Shen’s father and mother were enraged and signed the document.

Their signatures were on the document.

“Get out of the wool textile factory, you little wretch!”