Cars are consumables, lacking investment value, depreciating the moment they’re driven off the lot.
A decent new car costs at least a hundred thousand yuan. In Wen Ying’s small hometown, that could buy a house outright; in Rongcheng’s new developments, it could cover a down payment. For a family like Deng Shangwei and Chen Li, with a thriving business and seven-figure savings, spending a few hundred thousand on a car is no issue, just like buying clothes, bags, or cosmetics.
But for a family like Wen Ying’s, with two houses and loans to repay, scraping by on salaries for renovations, splashing out a hundred thousand on a car would be pure vanity.
Of course, if there’s a real need, buying is fine. Can’t afford new? A used car is an option.
The second-hand car market is tricky—novices risk buying a wreck. But otherwise, used cars are a cost-effective gem, getting big results for little money.
Wen Dongrong cared about face, but Wen Ying was confident she could convince him to accept a used car.
After Shu Guobing’s public accusation, the investigation team scrutinized Wen Dongrong’s finances. Everyone at his workplace knew the Wen family had bought two houses in Rongcheng. Driving a new car to work now would seem ostentatious.
A used car avoided that problem!
Wen Ying had a plan but didn’t mention it yet. She’d wait until she’d saved enough and found the right car to bring it up—her mother would likely agree.
As for Old Wen… how many high school daughters buy cars for their dads? That alone should silence any objections.
When Chen Ru took Wen Ying back to their hometown, the Wen family gathered at Uncle Wen’s for dinner. Wen Dongrong had already spread the word about Wen Ying’s New Concept first prize. At the meal, Wen Kai was the first to congratulate her.
Others were surprised by her win, but Wen Kai found it expected. No one knew better than him how much Wen Ying loved novels.
“Your books at my place—can you take them back?” Wen Kai teased.
Wen Ying grinned, “Of course! Before the competition, I made a deal with my mum—if I won, she couldn’t stop me from reading extracurricular books!”
Chen Ru had tried to ban them, but Wen Ying read secretly anyway.
Now, openly displaying her books in her room was a new thrill.
Back in Rongcheng, neither Wen Ying nor Chen Ru mentioned it, but after finals, Chen Ru added a new bookshelf to Wen Ying’s room, clearly honouring her promise.
This surprised Wen Ying. With her mother’s temper, she’d expected some resistance, but Chen Ru was unusually straightforward. No need to dwell on the oddity—her mother’s willingness to concede was a good change.
“Brother Kai, how’s repeating a year going?” Wen Ying asked.
Wen Dongrong had initially offered to send Wen Kai to Rongcheng for better education.
Rongcheng’s teaching quality was higher. Wen Kai, who’d scored over thirty points above the first-tier university cutoff last year, was like Wen Ying in her past life—a solid student relying on diligence. Improving further required deeper understanding of weak subjects, not just grinding questions, and Rongcheng’s teachers might guide him better.
But Wen Kai stayed put.
He believed he could manage alone.
With a “rather be a chicken’s head than a phoenix’s tail” mindset, he felt too much pressure among superior peers in Rongcheng’s top schools, which could hinder his learning.
When Wen Ying asked about his repeat year, Wen Kai adjusted his glasses, smiling reservedly, “Pretty smooth. My reviews are more targeted now; I should improve my score.”
To study in Beijing, Wen Kai aimed for over 600 points.
As the siblings chatted, noise erupted outside.
Wen Kai opened the door to see Wen Hongyan and her daughter Shu Lu arriving.
This mother-daughter duo was shameless, showing up uninvited, always timing it for family gatherings.
Before they arrived, Uncle Wen’s living room was filled with laughter. Their entrance silenced it. Chen Ru didn’t curse, but her smile vanished.
Wen Hongyan fawned over Chen Ru, who ignored her, then pleaded with Wen Dongrong: “Second Brother, I want to go back to the factory. Help me out. If you put in a good word, they won’t dare refuse me. We’re blood siblings—will you really hold a grudge forever?”
Wen Hongyan not only begged Wen Dongrong but cried to their mother, claiming she’d learned her lesson. With her brother in a good job, would he let them starve?
Grandma Wen felt uneasy but stayed silent without her son’s lead. The rest of the Wen family wouldn’t speak for Wen Hongyan either, showing how badly she’d burned bridges.
Before leaving Rongcheng, Wen Hongyan was scammed out of her money, including valuable gifts Shu Lu got from Cai Youlun. Back in their hometown, their funds wouldn’t last.
With no education or skills, jobs in a small city were scarce. Wen Hongyan found dishwashing painful, quarrelled with customers while selling goods, and failed at short-term jobs. Her old factory job, stable with social security, was better, and she wanted it back.
The factory had hired her for Wen Dongrong’s sake, but after she quit, her spot was filled by someone younger and more diligent. The HR manager would have to be mad to fire the new hire for Wen Hongyan.
Wen Hongyan argued with the HR manager, accusing them of snobbery, prompting the manager to declare they’d quit if Wen Hongyan was rehired.
Right after her spat, someone informed Wen Dongrong.
His face burned with embarrassment.
Having such a sister was a blow to his pride.
Few local employers offered social security, and Wen Hongyan’s job had come through Wen Dongrong’s influence. She’d quit recklessly, and now it was too late to regret.
Sure, Wen Dongrong could find her another decent job if he tried… but he’d be crazy to help again. Wen Hongyan played the sibling card, but seeing Chen Ru’s expression, he stood firm: “When have my words ever mattered? You overestimate me. After Shu Guobing’s report, I don’t dare speak up. You’re jobless, but I don’t want to lose mine. I have a wife and kid to support.”
Chen Ru’s approving glance let Wen Dongrong breathe easier.
Wen Ying stepped out, “My dad was nearly ruined by your family. How could he help you? Begging others is worse than relying on yourself. If you can’t eat, don’t be picky about jobs. Not just my dad—Uncle and Little Uncle settled in the city through hard work. No skills, no willingness to toil? Go back to the countryside and farm!”
Washing dishes in a diner.
Sweeping streets.
Hauling sacks on a construction site.
Even setting up a stall to sell wontons or buns was a living.
Ordinary folks lived like this. Rural migrants aiming to become urbanites had to work harder. If Wen Hongyan couldn’t handle that, she should farm. Her family still had land in the countryside—starving was impossible.
Wen Ying’s words hit hard, silencing not just Wen Hongyan but resonating with Uncle and Little Uncle.
They’d endured much to settle in the city.
Wen Dongrong’s help to them was no different from his help to Wen Hongyan, maybe more.
Wen Hongyan’s current state was her own fault.
Lazy, greedy, and ungrateful—if such a person thrived, heaven would be blind.
Uncle Wen took charge: “Wen Ying’s right. If you can’t handle work, go farm in the countryside.”
Shu Lu’s face changed.
Returning to their hometown from Rongcheng was already a step back. Going to the countryside? She’d rather die.
Imagining sitting in a rundown rural classroom, Shu Lu trembled.
“Cousin, spare those you can…” she began.
Wen Ying smiled, “I know, but I don’t want to. When you sent someone to extort me and tried to force me out of my school, you should’ve seen this coming.”
Shu Lu gritted her teeth. Wen Hongyan kept playing the victim: “Second Brother, even if you won’t help me, will you watch Lu Lu drop out? Her grades are so good—it’d be a shame!”
Yes, adults may err, but shouldn’t a child get another chance?
Little Uncle wanted to speak, but his wife tugged his sleeve.
Grandma Wen hesitated.
Wen Kai said sternly, “Auntie, whether Cousin can study is your and Uncle’s responsibility, not Second Uncle’s. She’s your daughter—you birthed her, you raise her. If you can’t, dropping out is her fate!”
A family’s conditions dictate educational opportunities.
Rural schools produced top university students, proving location doesn’t limit achievement.
This was why Wen Kai refused to repeat in Rongcheng.
His family’s means weren’t enough. Always relying on Second Uncle wasn’t right!
Wen Ying and Wen Kai, younger but wiser than Wen Hongyan, left Grandma Wen too embarrassed to defend her. Touching her gold ring, she told Wen Hongyan to leave: “If you can’t find work, move back to the village. It’s cheaper there.”
Everyone had coddled Wen Hongyan, letting her stay foolish.
Grandma Wen hardened her heart, hoping the village would wake her daughter up.
Even if Shu Lu dropped out, who was to blame but her parents?
Wen Hongyan clung to the doorframe, refusing to leave. Shu Lu glared at the room, finding everyone cold and hateful. She’d never forget this humiliation!
“Mum, let’s go.”
Shu Lu stormed downstairs.
Dropping out was her fate?
She’d defy it!
These relatives who looked down on them would regret it.
Wen Hongyan chased after her. The Wen family was silent for a while. Chen Ru, her brows furrowed, finally spoke: “All this helping has bred two enemies. That mother and daughter will come back to trouble us.”
