Shu Lu, only fifteen, panicked at Wen Dongrong’s words.
What did Second Uncle mean? Was he saying he wouldn’t help her family anymore—no tuition, no tutoring, no dance lessons? Everything Wen Ying had, was she losing it all?
“Second Uncle, I’m upset with my dad too, and so is my mom, but—but—”
In her panic, Shu Lu stumbled over her words.
No matter how she tried to defend it, the cold truth remained: Shu Guobing, a grown man, didn’t work, and Wen Hongyan relied on her siblings’ handouts to raise their daughter.
What could Shu Lu say against that?
She’d always depended on Wen Dongrong’s sympathy and affection.
He still pitied her now, but after Shu Guobing and Wen Hongyan’s antics, the frustration simmering in his chest hadn’t faded. He didn’t care about sugarcoating anymore, unleashing his anger:
“But what? You’re just a kid—you can’t control your dad. Can’t your mom? Your cousin Wen Ying worked a stall this summer to ease the load on me and your aunt. Your dad’s a grown man with arms and legs—doesn’t even measure up to Wen Ying!”
Shu Lu felt her dignity shredded and tossed to the ground.
Those words stung hard.
Wen Ying worked a stall?
If Second Uncle didn’t want to pay for her education, he could just say so—why make up such a lie?
Wiping tears, Shu Lu ran upstairs.
Wen Dongrong felt a twinge of guilt, but Shu Guobing’s earlier arrogance hardened his resolve—he didn’t call her back.
He was fine helping his niece with school.
But taking his money and then acting like a big shot in his face? Who did Shu Guobing think he was?
Wen Dongrong wasn’t buying it. He could handle tough nuts at work—he’d be damned if he couldn’t deal with a drunk like Shu Guobing!
For once, he didn’t push Chen Ru to play the bad guy. She felt a rare satisfaction, and even Wen Ying looked more tolerable. She almost asked about her stall business, but the words came out sharp:
“How’s that stall going? Can you even break even? Maybe you should quit. Your dad just blurted it out to Shu Lu—soon your aunt’s whole family will know. People will think your dad and I are mistreating you, forcing a junior high grad to earn money.”
Quit now? She had to be kidding!
The food festival was heating up—Wen Ying felt she was on the cusp of her big break. Her mom telling her to ditch it? No way she’d agree!
She didn’t care about others, but Wang Shuang had been grinding shrimp for ages, banking on the business booming to take home dividends and prove herself to her family. Rich kids all shared that struggle—great starting points, but so high that no effort seemed enough to outshine it. People just saw them as “so-and-so’s kid,” a label that brought its own baggage.
Wen Ying sighed, “If relatives find out, so what? Success is a bonus, failure’s just a kid’s mess-around. Mom, can’t you chill a bit?”
Chen Ru tensed up completely.
Chill? How?
Wen Kai scored a first-tier uni spot but wanted to retake the exam, aiming for the capital or bust.
Shu Lu, so young, was already clawing for a better life.
Her brother-in-law’s kid was still a question mark, but Wen Kai and Shu Lu alone piled pressure on Chen Ru.
Forget competing outside—just within the Wen family, Wen Kai and Shu Lu were hustling. Why was her own kid so clueless about urgency?
If you’re not doing something, fine—but if you are, do it right.
No exceptional smarts? Then don’t juggle too much!
If Wen Ying actually made money “entrepreneuring,” Chen Ru could bask in the praise. But if it was a childish flop and her studies tanked, she’d lose on both ends—
Seeing mother and daughter about to clash after two sentences, Wen Dongrong snapped, “Enough! Isn’t today chaotic enough?”
It was chaotic, sure, but not her fault.
Wen Ying felt she’d done great today—it wasn’t her slacking; her parents were just too hard to please!
…
Chen Ru was right about one thing: once Shu Lu learned Wen Ying was running a stall in Rongcheng, the whole Wen family knew.
Wen Hongyan brushed it off:
“Second Brother’s really something—the bigger his title, the tighter his wallet.”
He must not want to pay for Shu Lu’s schooling anymore, spinning such nonsense.
Wen Ying, working a stall for living expenses?
That girl could barely string a sentence together with strangers!
Shu Lu didn’t believe it at first either, but Wen Ying’s sharp tongue earlier left her half-convinced.
Had Cousin Wen Ying changed because of Rongcheng?
The provincial capital really did toughen people up.
Now Shu Lu wanted to go to Rongcheng even more—not just for high school, but to transfer there for ninth grade after summer.
Shu Guobing was still ranting, insisting he hadn’t lied—Deng Shangwei had gotten his comeuppance, hit rock bottom.
“Wen Ying’s dishonest—she lied!”
“I tell the truth, and it’s still no good. You all see that guy with power and money and take his side. What’s he gonna do to me? Call the cops to arrest me?”
Grandma Wen, fed up with Shu Guobing, kicked the whole family out.
Shu Guobing grumbled ahead, Wen Hongyan echoed behind, while Shu Lu nearly cried.
“You two had your fun—now you’ve royally pissed off Second Uncle and Aunt. How am I supposed to study?”
Shu Guobing snorted, “Go camp at their place with your mom. He’s your uncle—he’s supposed to pay for your school. Having a niece like you brings him pride. His own kid? Can’t even hold a candle.”
That brat—never saw it before. Always playing sweet, but hiding a nasty streak!
Shu Guobing was still sore about Wen Ying’s quick wit.
Wen Hongyan told Shu Lu not to worry.
“I know your second uncle best—he’s all about face. He’s a big shot at work. If word got out he wouldn’t help his niece with school, he’d lose all credibility as a leader.”
Neither Wen Hongyan nor Shu Guobing had much education or shame, always scheming sideways, but they had Wen Dongrong’s number.
Comforted by her parents, Shu Lu relaxed.
As long as Second Uncle still cared, she was fine.
She’d just visit more—he wouldn’t kick her out. He’d cool off eventually.
Her dad was right: compared to Wen Ying, why wouldn’t Second Uncle favor her?
Wen Ying had shown her edge today, and though Shu Lu was mildly surprised, she didn’t take it seriously. She figured Wen Ying’s change was all thanks to Rongcheng’s environment. Once Shu Lu got there herself, she’d leave Wen Ying in the dust again soon enough.
…
Back in Rongcheng, Wen Ying was still ticked off.
She had no idea her aunt’s family planned to cling to her, using her “mediocrity” to prop up Shu Lu’s “excellence,” guilting Comrade Wen Dongrong into willingly funding his niece.
If she knew, she’d probably explode. Was “easy target” really stamped on her face?
