Xie Qian had too much idle time in the hospital. Unlike Wen Ying, who had to follow class schedules and write, Xie Qian only occasionally handled company matters. His free time was excessive. A brain unused too long rusts easily. Xie Qian used spare moments to devour specialised books on rehabilitation medicine. Gradually, he could converse with professional rehabilitators.
Even with Xie Qian’s astonishing learning ability and knowledge reserves, he could not keep up with Wen Ying’s train of thought at this moment.
“Wang Bao what?”
“Er, Wang Baochuan…”
Wen Ying had simply slipped her tongue.
It was only 2007. The meme of Wang Baochuan, enduring eighteen years digging wild vegetables in a cold kiln for love, only to enjoy few good days before the end, dubbed the ultimate romance-brain by netizens, did not exist yet.
“I just said it casually. Mainly, I never expected Lu Meishu to be such a romance-brain. Her family business stolen, her brother’s leg crippled, yet she could still be husband and wife with Zhang Zhijun?”
Some girls adore the trope of “evil to all but loving one deeply”. They say a very bad person having someone they love very much makes that love precious because of the badness.
Wen Ying could not get the appeal at all.
When someone is that bad, still talking love with a bad person?
Bad enough to betray everyone. Betraying one more partner is nothing unusual.
So many good people exist, tall, short, ugly, handsome. One must suit aesthetics. Ignoring good people to gamble on being the bad person’s “true love”. Is that not brain full of bubbles!
Xie Qian heard the contempt in Wen Ying’s tone.
Previously, Wen Ying sympathised deeply with Lu Meishu’s suicide. Now it seemed changed instantly?
“Romance-brain” fitted perfectly.
Some girls invest emotions quickly, love supreme, seeing only love ignoring reality. Once in love, pouring all energy and thoughts into love and partner. One can only say gambling luck. Good luck meeting responsible man yields good outcome. Bad luck, partner changes suddenly, girl’s ending suffers.
Truthfully, romance-brains not limited to Lu Meishu. His mother Zou Weijun had such a phase.
Xie Qian unwilling to judge the deceased’s thoughts. He only discussed the living. But Wen Ying seemed concerned, so Xie Qian patiently explained more.
“According to Zhang Hua, Lu Meishu knew nothing of the Lu family smuggling. Business handled by Lu men. From Lu Meishu’s view, her elder brother fell out with Zhang Zhijun over business, wanting to kill him. She and Zhang Zhijun were married with a son. She could not watch her brother kill him.”
Lu Meishu’s brother sparing Zhang Zhijun not solely because sister begged on knees. Another reason: Zhang Zhijun seized Lu smuggling line, holding Lu lifeline.
Former Lu followers either joined Zhang Zhijun or squeezed out. Brother considered family safety… Both involved in smuggling, mutual handles. Brother stayed home quietly, Zhang Zhijun avoided provoking. Similarly reverse. Zhang Zhijun behaved, no provoking Lu. Maintained delicate balance.
“But now Lu Meishu dead, balance broken?”
Wen Ying cleared lingering “Wang Baochuan digging eighteen years vegetables” influence, returning mind to rationality. “Lu Meishu’s brother could not bear killing sister even with crippled leg, showing deep affection. Normally ignore contact, but Lu Meishu suddenly ‘suicided’ in Zhang home. New grudge old hatred. Brother certainly not let it go.”
“Zhang Hua’s view matches yours.”
Xie Qian believed only forty percent of Zhang Hua’s words.
Thirty percent distrust from Zhang Hua’s position. Unsure if aligned with Zhang Zhijun.
Another thirty from possible information gap. What if Zhang Hua’s knowledge deliberately leaked by Zhang Zhijun?
If Zhang Zhijun’s smuggling handle truly with Lu brother, why allow Zhang Hua escort Lu Meishu’s body home?
Letting Zhang Hua return like releasing tiger to mountain!
Did Zhang Zhijun count on Zhang Hua unable to stir waves, or bet brother lacked revenge ability?
Xie Qian said mildly. “I advised Zhang Hua: evidence then report. Righteously destroy kin, send Zhang Zhijun to prison. Then mother’s death cause certain to uncover. If hesitant, expecting others to act unrealistic.”
“Pfft.”
Wen Ying could not hold back. “You ask Zhang Hua righteous destruction? Reporting Zhang Zhijun, his uncle side unprotected too. Entire Zhang family…”
Did Zhang family know of Zhang Zhijun’s business?
Even if not, crime exposed, Zhang family could not bear accusations!
“So, righteous destruction or not, Zhang Hua must choose.”
Xie Qian unknown depths, involvements. Would not rush uncle Xie Yuping in from few words.
Zhang Hua lacked substantive evidence!
Seeing Wen Ying tangled, Xie Qian subtly shifted topic. “You still run mornings daily, right?”
“Yes!”
Early rising running hard to persist. Once persisted, harvest post-exercise joy. Not self-consolation. Scientific basis: exercise secretes dopamine!
Moreover, persistence prevents weight gain. So with time, Wen Ying ran on track.
“Any strange encounters running? Like someone smiling like Rukawa Kaede?”
Merely asking indirectly, Xie Qian’s ears burned.
He inwardly scorned himself. Likely overdid today’s rehab, causing abnormality!
Saving Xie Qian from embarrassment not Wen Ying’s tact, but her straight-female trait.
Wen Ying thought long, puzzled. “I remember…”
“You remember?”
Voice calm, inwardly tense. Xie Qian unexpected Wen Ying truly remembered!
“Of course! Think I never watched Slam Dunk? Rukawa Kaede never smiles!”
“…”
Xie Qian first speechless, then amused, then laughed uncontrollably.
He laughed Wen Ying confused on phone, drawing frequent nurse glances.
No one seen Xie Qian laugh like this.
Ah, such good mindset persistent rehab. Recover soon, right?
…
Xie Qian happy. Zhang Hua unhappy.
Town of Lu family entered winter. Heavy snow days ago. World iced.
Since Zhang Hua arrived, time passed slowly.
Mother Lu Meishu buried.
Uncle cried heartbroken.
Crying cursing mother troublemaker. Said mother chose man harming Lu family.
Zhang Hua saw uncle’s grief genuine, anger genuine. Truly disappointed steel not becoming.
Zhang Hua stood snow gazing new tombstone.
Man he called “dad” years, others’ dad too.
Publicly good man, actually smuggling.
Zhang Hua now found Zhang Zhijun repulsive. Entire Zhang family, unknown whom to trust!
