The anticipation built, and then Deng Shangwei’s beat-up Santana rolled into the Shu family’s line of sight.
Shu Guobing, who had worked at a seafood company, recognized the car first.
A rundown vehicle, driven for years without replacement — Deng Shangwei clearly wasn’t as wealthy as rumored. A real boss would at least have a flashy Audi.
The Audi provided by Boss Cai, though not brand-new, was polished to shine. Parked at the provincial key high school’s entrance, it held its own against other parents’ cars.
With Xiao Cai doubling as a driver, Shu Guobing’s “boss” aura was amplified.
“They’re here,” Shu Guobing muttered.
Spotting Deng Shangwei’s car, he assumed Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru were too ashamed to show up. But when the car parked, five people stepped out — Wen Ying’s entire family, plus Chen Li and Deng Shangwei.
Shu Guobing tilted his chin at Deng Shangwei, “That car’s been around a while, huh? No plans to upgrade?”
Deng Shangwei didn’t bother responding.
Who are you to me? Mind your own business!
Shu Guobing clicked his tongue, “Well, with your company struggling, it’s not the time for a new car.”
Deng Shangwei gave a hollow laugh, still silent.
Chen Li was itching to snap back.
Their family had millions in savings — maybe not elite wealth, but far more solid than Shu Guobing’s hollow posturing.
She had never felt the urge to flaunt before, always quietly building wealth. But Shu Guobing’s smug face made her want to rub it in. When would Boss Qin finally deal with Yu Wenhao? Once that was done, they wouldn’t need to play poor anymore!
Chen Li bit her tongue. Wen Ying, amused, chimed in, “Uncle, why ask? My uncle’s got his eye on a Mercedes but hasn’t decided. If you chip in, he’d probably buy it.”
Shu Guobing bristled, “I barely know Deng. Why should I pay for his car?”
Wen Ying spread her hands, dragging her words, “I just thought you were being helpful. If it’s none of your business and you’re not paying, why care if he changes his car?”
All talk, no money.
Criticizing someone’s Santana for being low-class while ignoring his own empty pockets.
Shu Guobing finally caught on, pointing at Wen Ying and cursing, “You don’t get to talk here! Even your dad doesn’t dare raise his voice in front of me!”
Before Wen Dongrong could respond, Chen Ru’s glare was murderous.
Shu Guobing wasn’t fazed. He figured Wen Dongrong was reeling from the report and only holding out for pride’s sake.
He was curious how long Wen Dongrong could keep it up.
More reports were ready, destined for the provincial disciplinary committee.
Wen Dongrong, fed up with Shu Guobing’s gloating, checked his watch and urged Wen Ying to hurry, “Are you registering or not? A dog barks at you — do you bite back?”
Wen Dongrong, mild-mannered? Hardly.
A refined man could curse without profanity. Wen Ying’s shoulders shook with laughter, and Chen Ru’s lethal glare softened.
Wen Hongyan, like a cat with its tail stepped on, shrieked, “Second Brother, who are you calling a dog?”
Shu Lu, hurt, added, “Second Uncle, why say that? We’ve repaid what we owed you and Aunt. Just because we accepted your help, you insult my dad like this…”
Wen Dongrong frowned, “What did I say? Don’t assume things.”
Shu Guobing looked ready to throw punches. Xiao Cai pretended to hold him back, but Shu Guobing grew louder, ranting that Wen Dongrong was a corrupt official, his report a righteous act. His shouting drew a crowd at the school gate.
For someone as sensitive as Shu Lu, the pointing and whispering would have broken her.
Today’s registrants were provincial key high school freshmen — Wen Ying’s classmates for the next three years — plus some junior high students like Shu Lu. The word “corrupt” electrified the crowd. To passionate, idealistic teens, Wen Ying was tainted — Ugh, a corrupt official’s daughter as our classmate? Bad luck!
Xiao Cai watched Wen Ying closely, expecting embarrassment, but she seemed unfazed.
Her mental resilience was impressive!
She appeared impervious, making it hard to break her spirit.
No, not just Wen Ying — the entire Wen family was too calm. Wen Dongrong, so concerned with appearances, let the Shu family make a scene without stopping Shu Guobing’s tirade.
Something was off.
Xiao Cai grew wary, genuinely trying to calm Shu Guobing.
Too late. A van’s door slid open nearby, and two uniformed police officers stepped out.
“You’re Shu Guobing?” one asked.
“That’s me,” Shu Guobing replied.
The officer flashed a badge, “Come with us.”
Shu Guobing stepped back, his tongue trembling, “Wen, you called the cops on me?”
“I won’t accept this!”
“You’re using your power to retaliate!”
“Officers, arrest him! He’s the corrupt one — don’t let him fool you!”
Shu Guobing flailed, emotions wild. The officers pinned him to the ground, “Calm down. We follow procedure — no one’s ordering us to arrest anyone.”
Face pressed to the pavement, Shu Guobing kept cursing, dismissing the officers’ explanation. He was convinced Wen Dongrong had orchestrated this — how else could it be so coincidental?
Xiao Cai, stunned, quickly spoke up for Shu Guobing.
Shu Guobing had grown too arrogant. Even pinned by police, he refused to yield, believing Wen Dongrong was behind it and unwilling to take any loss.
Avoiding small losses invited bigger ones.
Wen Hongyan and Shu Lu were dumbfounded.
Wen Hongyan was bold at home, knowing her family wouldn’t harm her, which gave her the nerve to challenge Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru.
Shu Lu, though cunning, was young and unprepared for such a scene.
In the adult world, clever tricks meant little when Wen Dongrong got serious. Shu Lu’s schemes had no room to play out.
Tears welled in Shu Lu’s eyes, “Second Uncle, please don’t let them arrest my dad. He won’t report you again!”
Wen Ying fished a pack of tissues from her pocket, handing one to Shu Lu, “Lu Lu, you don’t understand adult matters — don’t jump in. My dad doesn’t have the pull to get Rongcheng police to arrest anyone. Uncle filed a real-name report against my dad, and the disciplinary committee investigated. My dad was cleared of any wrongdoing. Now they need to ask Uncle some questions. If he didn’t falsely accuse my dad, he has nothing to fear. Don’t cry — wipe your tears. So many classmates are watching.”
The officers, lifting Shu Guobing from the ground, glanced at Wen Ying, approving of her words.
Arresting someone at the provincial key high school’s gate required tact. Following Wen Ying’s lead, they elaborated, “If you didn’t slander anyone, what’s there to fear? We enforce the law impartially, not randomly grabbing people.”
Shu Lu and Wen Hongyan looked lost.
Shu Guobing kept calling for Xiao Cai, who pretended not to hear, planning to contact Boss Cai the moment the police left.
Shu Lu clutched the tissue, crumpling it, her voice shaking, “Cousin, it’s a misunderstanding. How could my dad slander Second Uncle?”
Wen Ying gave a professional smile, “Misunderstanding or not, it’s not for you or me to say. Slander carries criminal liability. I hope Uncle didn’t do it, or else –”
Or else, she’d have a father heading to jail?
Shu Lu’s mind filled in the rest, her thoughts blank.
Thud!
Wen Hongyan’s legs gave out, her stout frame collapsing to the ground.
