Chapter 81 An Early Step into Retirement Life

Shen Mushi said he had gone too far; in truth, he had not merely crossed a line, but was utterly beyond forgiveness.

Jiang Zao must have learned something—otherwise, if she were to leave, she would have done so decisively, severing all ties with Jingzhou and never covertly assisting Zhou Jiayan. To think of her bearing so much alone, while also enduring the pain and pressure he brought, Zhou Lichuan felt himself truly contemptible.

...

Jiang Zao was unaware of Zhou Lichuan’s distant thoughts in Jingzhou; her concern was solely for Zhou Jiayan.

Listening to Zhou Jiayan’s lively chatter over the phone, Jiang Zao’s smile never once faded.

“It’s wonderful that everything went smoothly. Next, you need only visit the Li family and bring the matter before the Old Master; once that happens, the Li family will take no further action.”

Zhou Jiayan lay sprawled on the sofa, watching Du Bin busy cooking in the kitchen. “What surprised me most this time was Du Bin actually stepping forward—he even proposed directly to Uncle. You should’ve seen Li Mingyi’s face! Hahaha, it was as if he’d swallowed a fly!”

“Are you happy?” Jiang Zao asked.

Zhou Jiayan straightened and replied, “Of course I am! You have no idea how dashing he was! He caught my father’s raised hand in an instant and silenced Li Mingyi with his retort. His lengthy resume shone with integrity, and even Uncle couldn’t stop praising him.”

Jiang Zao shared in the joy, though she kept a thought to herself, unwilling to dampen Zhou Jiayan’s spirits. If Du Bin had chosen to shrink back instead of stepping forward to protect her, no matter how outstanding he was, Jiang Zao would have found a way to send him away. If one is unwilling to bear responsibility, one should not meddle in another’s life.

But Du Bin had stood up. Compared to Zhou Jiayan, Jiang Zao felt more at ease. With a temperament like Zhou Jiayan’s, having someone like Du Bin by her side meant the Zhou family could rest easy.

Not long after setting aside Zhou Jiayan’s call, Jiang Zao received a message from Meng Qiaoyuan.

She had already spread the news among Jingzhou’s elite circles that Li Baiqiu had been brought back to the Li family for New Year’s, as their heir apparent.

The internal and external maneuvering left Li Mingyi with no way out.

Meng Qiaoyuan was surprised that Jiang Zao had left Li Mingyi no room for retreat in this matter, striking blow after blow with uncharacteristic ruthlessness. Jiang Zao offered little explanation, telling Meng Qiaoyuan it was because she had promised Li Baiqiu to help restrain Li Mingyi. In truth… she simply disliked him.

She despised those who sought shortcuts, whose minds were muddled and too lazy to think. There were countless ways Li Mingyi could have protected his position within the Li family, but he refused to strategize or fight, always waiting for others to come to him, dreaming of effortless victory.

...

Even two hundred kilometers away, Jiang Zao could smell the stench of his stupidity.

He was fortunate not to have done anything truly egregious, or else he’d have been packing his bags and heading home to his mother.

After all the commotion, Jiang Zao contentedly ate her mandarin.

...

The day after Li Mingyi came to the Zhou family to propose, Zhou Jiayan and Du Bin returned all the gifts Li Mingyi had brought.

After years under strict family control, the young lady of the Zhou family finally unleashed her formidable skills, giving no one face but the Li family’s Old Master, and mercilessly mocking Li Baiqiu, who sat in the corner avoiding trouble. No one stepped in to rescue him.

Li Baiqiu accepted Zhou Jiayan’s jibes with an expressionless face. Seizing his chance, he tried to sow discord between Du Bin and Zhou Jiayan, claiming Du Bin was only with her for money, just another fortune hunter after a wealthy woman.

Du Bin made no attempt to defend himself; instead, Zhou Jiayan shielded her boyfriend and declared that even if she were deceived, she would accept it willingly.

Within a day, her lovestruck proclamation echoed throughout Jingzhou’s aristocratic circles.

Someone even posted it online, stirring a small uproar until Zhou Lichuan discovered it and suppressed the news in time, preventing any major consequences.

Otherwise, Jiang Zao’s careful planning would have been wasted.

That night, Li Baiqiu found a moment to message Jiang Zao: “The infamous Miss Zhou lives up to her reputation—she turned the Li family upside down with just a few words. No one will associate my name with Li Mingyi’s proposal ever again.”

Jiang Zao replied with a “Cheers” emoji and tucked away her phone.

Li Baiqiu looked refined and gentle, but his actions were bold and direct, a contrast to his appearance. Like a wild dog in the mountains, he cared only for what he wanted, saw threats everywhere, and fought fiercely for everything.

To have grown so tough at such a young age, he must have suffered much.

She ought to send him some sweets.

She placed a passionate order on her phone, only to realize she had no address for Li Baiqiu. Sending it directly to the Li family would be too conspicuous. She decided to wait for another opportunity.

...

The sixth day of the New Year.

The affiliated hospital never rests for the holiday.

In order to let colleagues from distant homes return for the festivities, Shen Mushi and Meng Qiaoyuan covered countless shifts throughout the New Year. Now, as the diligent medical staff trickle back from their hometowns, the two rarely found themselves with a shared day off.

When Shen Mushi had time to rest, his favorite activity was strolling through the park near his home, wandering aimlessly like a retired old man, browsing and lingering, whiling away the hours.

Today, the sunlight was perfect. After lunch, Doctor Shen followed his routine and set out for a walk. Two Labradors ahead battled over a ball; nearby, children bundled up like round balls scattered across the square. The snow from before the holiday had mostly been swept away by the wind or melted and refrozen into ice, lying motionless.

Only a few remnants of snow lingered atop the artificial mountain, pristine and white, where a handful of school-aged children climbed and played.

Shen Mushi walked on. In the pavilion ahead, a senior folk music troupe played and sang. Today, an aunt was singing Huangmei opera; her voice was melodious and crisp, betraying no sign of her age.

Just as he approached the pavilion, Shen Mushi spotted a familiar figure.

“Doctor Meng? What brings you here?”

Meng Qiaoyuan heard someone call her name. Turning, she found Shen Mushi standing behind her.

She gestured toward the crowd and the aunt singing Huangmei opera. “My aunt—an old colleague invited her to perform. I’m her driver.”

Shen Mushi nodded, watching her aunt. “She’s very professional. Was she a performing artist before retirement?”

Meng Qiaoyuan replied, “She was a professor at the Academy of Opera. Retired just last year.”

“No wonder.”

Meng Qiaoyuan stamped her feet, chilled from standing so long.

Shen Mushi noticed her discomfort and offered, “Shall we walk around a bit? It’s quite cold just standing here.”

Meng Qiaoyuan agreed, and followed Shen Mushi as they strolled together through the park.