Chapter 109: The First New Year’s Eve After Divorce

Lu Jianshe never really liked Xiao Wei either, but since the boy was now under their roof, any bad news spreading outside would only add insult to injury for the Lu family’s reputation.

He frowned, “Forget it. Go get him something to eat later. Make sure the kid doesn’t run around—just seeing him annoys me!”

Even if it was just for show, he couldn’t throw Xiao Wei back out now. They had to keep him at home for a while, waiting for Zhou Xinyue to be released before deciding what to do.

At this moment, Haicheng Hospital was quiet; most patients who weren’t in serious condition had gone home for the New Year. The corridors were cold and empty, with only two duty nurses chatting.

“So annoying, there’s only Zhou Xinyue in the psychiatric ward. It’s like we’re just here for her.”

Psychiatry didn’t have many patients; mental illnesses usually didn’t require systematic treatment, so except for Zhou Xinyue, most patients were picked up by family. But even with only one patient, they couldn’t take holidays. On this family reunion New Year’s Eve, the two nurses were in a bad mood.

“Even the Spring Festival gala is no good. Why are we so unlucky? And Dr. Lu, doesn’t he care about his wife at all?” The shorter nurse got increasingly annoyed, rolling her eyes. “He ignored Xie Yunshu when she was locked up, now he ignores Zhou Xinyue too. I say, being his wife is really unlucky!”

The taller nurse sighed, “When Dr. Lu got married, so many nurses here were heartbroken. Now, I think we’re lucky none of us married him.”

“But at least Xie Yunshu’s pretty and genuinely cared for Dr. Lu. How did he end up involved with Zhou Xinyue? A woman with a kid who just cries and can’t do anything else…”

“Men are just blind. One cry and they’re all lost!”

As they chatted happily, a knocking came from the end of the corridor. Zhou Xinyue’s weak voice called out, “Open the door, I want some hot water! It’s too cold inside, let me out…”

She had been locked in that pitch-black room for three whole days! Her meals were just dry steamed buns and cold water — the exact same treatment Xie Yunshu had once endured. But while Xie Yunshu gave up quietly, Zhou Xinyue never stayed silent, always demanding to see Lu Zhixing.

Already irritated, the nurse grabbed a basin of water and flung it inside as soon as she opened the door, “What are you shouting for now? Feeling cold, huh? Why didn’t you dress the kid properly back then? You left him outside in the snow — maybe the cold would’ve frozen your rotten heart!”

Everyone at the hospital knew about Zhou Xinyue’s abuse of her biological son. Because of her relationship with Lu Zhixing, people didn’t dare discuss it openly at first. But now that Lu Zhixing lost his deputy director position and neglected Zhou Xinyue, rumors spread wildly.

In fact, these rumors were nearly the truth. Some even said Xiao Wei wasn’t Zhou Xinyue’s biological son—that maybe he was abducted from somewhere!

That was just idle gossip. No one really dug deeper. But the facts remained: Zhou Xinyue abused her child—no food, no clothes, kicking him out at night—and that stirred public outrage.

The two nurses had some sense of justice. Since Cheng Yuxiang signed for the “minimum standard” treatment plan, Zhou Xinyue was locked in the innermost ward, with meals just enough to keep her from starving.

Since Lu Zhixing brought her out of the mountains, Zhou Xinyue had lived well—better than most girls from ordinary families. With the money from Lu Zhixing, she had nearly a thousand yuan a month to spend—more than any rich city girl.

But now, in the damp, dark room, with only a thin, worn-out blanket, Zhou Xinyue wrapped herself up, hair disheveled, still shivering from the cold.

The cup of hot water poured over her face made her scream sharply, mingling with the sound of fireworks outside. Nobody knew who was celebrating New Year’s Eve…

The tube-style apartment building was lively tonight. After dinner, people started moving little stools to watch TV.

Granny Zhang sat deep inside, looking much better. She had just eaten at Xie Yunshu’s house and slipped a one-yuan red envelope to Xie Yunshu and Xie Zhencheng.

“Don’t refuse,” Granny Zhang sternly said as she pressed the money into their hands. “To me, you’re all kids. Take Grandma’s money and have a prosperous year and pass your exams!”

In four months, Xie Zhencheng would take the college entrance exam. This was a big deal!

For good luck, Xie Yunshu smiled as she took the money. “Granny, can you be my real grandma? Then you’d have to give me red envelopes every year!”

Granny Zhang’s wrinkles spread wide in a smile. “What nonsense! Your real grandma would be mad to hear that!”

Her real grandma never gave her a cent or a smile growing up. If anything, she mostly smacked her hand or scolded her for eating too much…

The color TV played the evening news, and the table was laid out with sunflower seeds and candies. Neighbors upstairs came down to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Xie Yunshu generously said, “There’s water on the stove. Anyone thirsty, go pour some!”

Lin Cuiping stealthily peeled a candy and popped it in her mouth. Before tasting the sweetness, Xie Yunshu whispered mischievously, “Lin Cuiping, how can you be so shameless, snatching candy meant for kids?”

Lin Cuiping quickly bit and swallowed. “I’m not married yet. Not married means I’m still a kid.”

Xie Yunshu ignored her, took the rest of the candy, and handed some to the kids, keeping the remainder for herself. “No more eating. You come to my house to watch TV empty-handed, and now you want to eat and take stuff too?”

Lin Cuiping muttered, “So stingy,” but dared not argue further, afraid Xie Yunshu might kick her out and ban her from watching the gala.

Aunt Zhao steamed flower cakes upstairs, dough stuffed with red dates, fragrant and pretty, about the size of a basin. It’s a northern New Year tradition. The kids, never having seen it before, clamored for a piece.

Aunt Zhao cheerfully cut many pieces and handed them out. “Just finished dinner, but you all look like starving ghosts!”

Lin Cuiping leaned over again, “Aunt Zhao, give me a piece!”

Lin’s mother sharply pulled her back, “Your brother and sister don’t nag like you. Sit down and watch TV. You’re always acting hungry like you haven’t eaten in days. Eat too much and you might never get married!”

Lin Cuiping was shorter than Xie Yunshu but chubby, especially her round face which looked cheerful even when silent. Hearing this, she glanced jealously at Xie Yunshu’s slim figure and got even more annoyed.

Why does Xie Yunshu eat so much and never gain weight, while her waist is so thick? Despite grumbling inside, Lin still ate a mouthful of the flower cake.

The adults chatted while the kids played, the faint yellow light of the tube apartment revealing a humble, damp building filled with all kinds of people—some selfish, some kindhearted, some narrow-minded, some open—yet all part of the everyday hustle and bustle.

Conflicts were everywhere, but they couldn’t outweigh the warmth of human kindness. At least in this moment, everyone’s face showed genuine, joyful smiles.

Lu Zhixing parked his motorcycle outside the building. He had no face to go inside, even though he knew Xie Yunshu was inside.

Last year at this time, she stayed by his side. This year, he didn’t even dare see her once.