Volume One, Chapter 9: Cheng Qian, Set Aside Your Narrow Mind

The next morning, Cheng Qian received a call from her aunt—she had returned to the country!

Cheng Qian went to the airport to pick her up, bringing her son, Xiaoye, along.

A gentle figure emerged from the crowd. Cheng Qian walked over happily, "Aunt, you’ve finally come back."

Cheng Qian’s aunt’s surname was Ye, her name was Ye Zhu, and she had been living abroad for many years.

"Xiao Qian, is Xiaoye already this big?" Ye Zhu looked at the chubby little boy gently, growing more fond of him the longer she looked.

"Yes, time flies," Cheng Qian sighed before asking, "Aunt, why did you suddenly decide to come back?"

"I couldn't quite get used to life abroad," Ye Zhu said, pausing for a moment before adding, "It’s fine, staying here is quite nice."

"So, what are your plans for the future?" Cheng Qian asked.

Ye Zhu shook her head, "No plans."

Cheng Qian actually had a request. She was about to start working for Uncle Li and wanted someone she could trust to look after her son at home. Her aunt was the ideal candidate.

"Aunt, if you don't plan on finding another job, could you look after Xiaoye for me?" Cheng Qian proposed.

Ye Zhu was taken aback, "Doesn't the house already have a full-time nanny for Xiaoye?"

Cheng Qian smiled helplessly, "Aunt, I’m likely going to get a divorce."

"Divorce?" Ye Zhu was shocked, "Xiao Qian, weren't you and your husband getting along well?"

Cheng Qian replied bitterly, "Every family has its own secret sorrows. It may look fine, but in reality, it’s come to an end."

Ye Zhu looked at her niece with pity. When she had married into the Li family, everyone was surprised, thinking she was destined for a life of luxury. But marrying above one's station was like swallowing needles.

"Fine. If you need my help, just say the word. I’m just idling anyway, and I’d be quite happy to spend time with this little one," Ye Zhu said, picking up Xiaoye.

Xiaoye didn't resist; he rested quietly on Ye Zhu’s shoulder, watching the people around them.

With her aunt’s assurance, a weight lifted from Cheng Qian’s heart.

After New Year’s Day, the Lunar New Year was fast approaching. Xiaoye’s classes had paused, and Cheng Qian spent her days either caring for her son or visiting Ji Nan to study scientific research, making for a fulfilling life.

As for Li Zhinan, he was nowhere to be seen, buried in work at the end of the year.

Cheng Qian no longer paid him any mind.

On the morning of January 18th, Cheng Qian received a call from Ji Nan.

"Xiao Qian, there’s a seminar at three this afternoon. Try to make some time to attend; I’d like to introduce you to some people."

"Alright, Uncle Ji, I will be there on time," Cheng Qian promised.

At noon, the old family estate called, asking her to bring Xiaoye over for lunch.

Cheng Qian thought it would be perfect; since she had an engagement in the afternoon, she could leave Xiaoye with her mother-in-law for the afternoon, something the older woman had always wanted.

Just as it was time for lunch, a silver Bentley pulled up outside.

The driver’s side door opened, and a pair of long, elegant legs stepped out—it was Li Zhinan.

The passenger door also opened, and a pair of silver high heels stepped out gracefully.

Cheng Yan carried a gift and followed Li Zhinan into the living room, her face full of smiles.

Cheng Qian, who was sitting on the sofa helping her son with his drawing, looked up and felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

Although she didn't care about Li Zhinan and Cheng Yan's affairs, bringing her to see his elders while knowing she (Cheng Qian) would be there was truly a low blow.

Li’s mother, Jiang Meng, who was sitting beside Cheng Qian, changed her expression. She glanced at Cheng Qian first, then glared at her son with reproach.

"Auntie, I’m so sorry to intrude. I have a meeting with Zhinan this afternoon, so I thought I’d stop by to visit. These are some small gifts I prepared. With the New Year approaching, I hope you’ll accept them," Cheng Yan said, walking over with poise and placing the gift bag gently on the table.

As the hostess, Jiang Meng replied politely, "You are very thoughtful, Miss Cheng. Guests are always welcome. Please, sit. I’ll have the nanny make you some tea."

"Thank you, Auntie. Where is Grandmother?" Cheng Yan asked, then turned to Li Zhinan, "I promised to bring Grandmother some medicine for her gout last time; I want to show her how to take it now."

Li Zhinan immediately said, "My grandmother is upstairs. Go find her."

"Okay!" Cheng Yan said. Her charming eyes darted over to Cheng Qian, and she smiled, "Cousin, I’m sorry, I didn't know Xiaoye would be here. Otherwise, I definitely would have prepared a gift for him, too."

Cheng Qian said coldly, "No need."

Cheng Yan blinked innocently, then, as she turned, deliberately brushed her sleeve against Li Zhinan’s arm before heading toward the stairs.

Li Zhinan sat down next to Cheng Qian and asked in a low voice, "What are you teaching our son to draw?"

Cheng Qian ignored him.

Li Zhinan chuckled and, indifferent to her reaction, said to Xiaoye, "Do you want Daddy to carry you? Shall we go see Grandmother’s fish pond?"

Xiaoye nodded and said in his baby voice, "Yes, Daddy carry."

Li Zhinan reached over. As he picked up the child, his wrist brushed against Cheng Qian’s chest. Cheng Qian pulled back in disgust.

Li Zhinan carried their son to look at the fish. Jiang Meng brought over some tea, glanced upstairs, and looked at Cheng Qian with sympathy, "Xiao Qian, I’m sorry. I didn't know he was going to bring Miss Cheng over for lunch."

Cheng Qian knew Jiang Meng’s predicament; her younger son was still waiting for treatment from the Cheng family, so she had to be polite to Cheng Yan.

"Mom, I’m fine." Since she had decided to divorce, Cheng Qian no longer cared.

"I’ll speak to Zhinan next time and tell him to be more mindful," Jiang Meng said, still worried that Cheng Qian would be hurt.

Cheng Qian had intended to leave immediately and skip lunch, but her son was here. If she left, she worried her son might be manipulated into calling Cheng Yan "Mommy" again.

Happy laughter drifted down from the second floor; Cheng Yan was delighting the grandmother.

Cheng Qian took out her phone to check the afternoon meeting agenda. Ji Nan had sent over a document and gave her a call.

"Xiao Qian, take a look at this information. For the seminar this afternoon, I hope you can represent the research institute and give a speech," Ji Nan said seriously.

"Uncle Ji, I’m afraid I’m not qualified for such an important task."

Ji Nan comforted her gently, "Xiao Qian, have you looked at the material? You are familiar with these research findings; they are topics your parents wanted to study. As their daughter, there is no one more suitable than you."

Cheng Qian froze, her eyes stinging. "Alright, I will study it carefully and prepare."

Ji Nan said with satisfaction, "Good. Uncle Li is arranging this because I hope you will pull yourself together and keep your passion for exploration alive."

After hanging up, Cheng Qian went upstairs and opened the file on the guest room computer.

A research report on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases appeared on the screen.

These were indeed the topics her parents had studied. Cancer was always the focus of medical research, but because its causes were complex and ever-changing, it couldn't be solved overnight.

Cheng Qian carefully read through the report Ji Nan had compiled.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind her, "Cousin, still looking at research materials?"

Cheng Qian immediately closed the document and turned to glare at the uninvited Cheng Yan.

"Didn't your parents teach you to knock?" Cheng Qian scolded coldly.

Cheng Yan laughed, "Sorry, I just wanted to come over and chat for a bit. I didn't mean to disturb your work."

"You already have," Cheng Qian said coldly.

Cheng Yan looked extremely awkward and helpless. Just then, a tall figure walked in.

Li Zhinan stepped inside and heard Cheng Qian’s icy words.

"Zhinan, I just wanted to come and apologize to my cousin..." Cheng Yan said with a self-reproachful expression.

Li Zhinan frowned and said in a deep voice, "Cheng Qian, she is a guest."

"I have work to do. Please leave," Cheng Qian said, not wanting to hear him defend her.

"I’m sorry, Zhinan, did I cause another misunderstanding between you two?" Cheng Yan looked even more guilty, then whispered, "I’ll go out then. You go comfort your wife."

With that, Cheng Yan left tactfully.

Li Zhinan looked displeased and scolded, "Cheng Qian, if your skills aren't up to par, improve them instead of being blindly jealous."

Cheng Qian’s eyes widened in anger. Li Zhinan thought she disliked Cheng Yan because she was jealous of her achievements in research?

"Alright, put away your narrow mind and don't lose your etiquette as Mrs. Li," Li Zhinan said, not giving her a chance to retort, and turned to head downstairs.

Cheng Qian was speechless with anger. She had been quietly reviewing materials in her room, Cheng Yan had barged in uninvited, and yet she was the one being accused of being petty?

Was this what "preferential treatment" looked like?

After finishing her work, Cheng Qian went downstairs and saw Cheng Yan on the sofa, holding Xiaoye and playing with him.

Xiaoye was young and didn't understand the complex relationships between adults. Cheng Yan teased him gently, and he giggled along.

"Xiaoye, come here. Mommy will take you to wash your hands for dinner." Cheng Qian walked over and took her son directly from Cheng Yan’s arms.

Cheng Yan looked embarrassed, sitting on the sofa looking small, pathetic, and helpless—a truly pitiable sight.

The grandmother was sitting nearby and, seeing this, was immediately displeased, "Cheng Qian, Xiao Yan was playing just fine with Xiaoye. Why did you take him away?"

Cheng Qian said softly, "He was playing with toys. I’m taking him to wash his hands."

"There’s no rush," the grandmother said, still thinking she lacked grace. In comparison, Cheng Yan’s poise and composure were much more likable.

"It’s okay, Grandmother. It’s almost dinner time, and Xiaoye must be hungry," Cheng Yan said gently, looking as if she didn't mind at all.

Cheng Qian sneered inwardly. She had witnessed this fake expression since childhood; Cheng Yan’s acting was getting better and better.

Cheng Qian accompanied her son through the meal, though she ate very little herself.

Suddenly, a piece of beef appeared in her bowl—Li Zhinan had placed it there.

Cheng Qian felt the meat was tainted; she didn't even want to touch her chopsticks.

"Grandmother, Mom, I’m full. I’ll take Xiaoye to play in the yard," Cheng Qian said, rising from the table.

The temperature of the beef in her bowl cooled bit by bit.

At the same time, so did the look in Li Zhinan’s eyes.