Chapter 92: No One Has It Easy

“Why did you hang up on me?”

“What right do you have to hang up on me?”

Fan Shengmei screamed hysterically.

Just moments ago, she had been dazzlingly out drinking with Qu Lianjie when she received a text from her brother saying her parents and nephew had come to Shanghai to lie low. By now, they should have arrived long ago. But her parents had no money and no phone—she couldn’t reach them at all.

Fan Shengmei was frantic, calling over and over—to her brother, to her sister-in-law, to… Wang Baichuan. None of the calls went through, and it was driving her crazy.

She wandered alone through Shanghai’s train station, searching everywhere—but found nothing.

Just as Fan Shengmei was consumed by regret, Wang Baichuan called. He opened with those two exact sentences.

Wang Baichuan didn’t mind: “I was just talking with your brother’s neighbor, couldn’t take your call. Why are you crying?”

Fan Shengmei sobbed: “My brother told me my parents came to Shanghai. I’ve been looking everywhere for them, but I can’t find them…”

Wang Baichuan then comforted Fan Shengmei, drove to her parents’ home, and explained the situation.

Fan Shengmei had no interest in listening to the details—she heard it once and immediately urged Wang Baichuan to hurry to her house and check if her parents were there.

Wang Baichuan asked: “Are you alone at the train station right now?”

This made Fan Shengmei feel even more wronged. She looked around the vast station and cried: “My friends are coming soon—they’re on their way…”

After a long while, Wang Baichuan arrived. He knocked for a long time with no answer, then said: “Xiao Mei, no one’s home. The lights are on—maybe they left them on purpose so someone would know they’re here.” He paused, voice heavy with guilt: “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you…”

“Okay… I understand. Thank you, Baichuan…”

Listening to the dial tone, Wang Baichuan felt helpless—but also a small, quiet joy, because Fan Shengmei had just said “Thank you, Baichuan.” Yet he clearly sensed she was lying when she claimed her friends were on their way.

The only person he could reach, Qu Xiaoxiao, clearly didn’t care about Fan Shengmei’s plight, let alone help. As for her other roommates or neighbors, he couldn’t contact any of them. Even if he drove to Shanghai now, it wouldn’t be quick enough—he’d arrive too late. There was nothing he could do but wait, helpless.

Fan Shengmei hung up, crying, and kept scanning the station for her parents. But the station was packed—where could she even begin to look?

Helpless, she finally decided to call for help. Whether from panic or sheer stupidity, she didn’t call the police—she called Guan Juer first.

She hadn’t told anyone before because she didn’t want to expose her broken family. But now she had no choice—she’d have to face it sooner or later, and she couldn’t afford to care anymore.

Today was her day off. Guan Juer wasn’t working overtime; she was cozying up with Zhao Qiping.

“Hello? Sister Fan? What’s wrong?”

Without preamble, Fan Shengmei burst into tears: “Xiao Guan, please help me—my parents and nephew came to Shanghai, but they have no money and no phone. I can’t find them. It’s so cold here—I’m afraid they’ll get sick.”

“Sister Fan, don’t panic. Hmm… go find a patrolling officer for help. I’ll notify Xiao Qiu and Miss Andi.” Guan Juer was far more level-headed—she knew panicking did nothing and offered a practical suggestion.

“Okay, okay, thank you, Xiao Guan. I’ll go find someone now. Please come quickly—I’m scared…”

“Don’t worry, Sister Fan. We’re on our way.”

After hanging up, Guan Juer immediately stood up, pulled on her coat, and said to Zhao Qiping: “Zhao Da, we need to go to the train station. Sister Fan’s parents arrived in Shanghai and she can’t find them.”

Zhao Qiping didn’t hesitate: “Alright, I’ll drive.”

Guan Juer nodded and turned to contact Qiu Yingying and Andi.

…………

Finding Fan Shengmei huddled and crying, Andi said: “Sister Fan, stop crying. Xiao Guan told you to find a police officer—have you checked everywhere nearby?”

Fan Shengmei’s makeup was smeared, her face a mess: “I checked. No one’s there. No one.”

Wang Yan thought a moment: “It’s freezing. Have you checked the underground passages nearby?” He remembered Fan Shengmei’s parents had finally been found in one. Seeing her shake her head, he added: “Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

“Huh? Oh, right, let’s go.” Fan Shengmei snapped out of it, stood up to follow Wang Yan—but she’d been squatting too long. She stood too fast, lost balance, and tumbled forward.

Andi caught her, preventing a disastrous fall.

“Thank you, Andi. I’m fine on my own.”

Fan Shengmei pulled away from Andi’s grip and hurried after Wang Yan.

Watching her, Andi shook her head and quickened her pace to catch up.

After asking around, Wang Yan led Fan Shengmei directly to her parents and nephew.

Seeing her parents huddled on the ground, warming themselves, Fan Shengmei rushed over, crying: “Dad~~ Mom~~ why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Fan’s mother sobbed: “How could we tell you? Those people came to the house every day demanding money. Your brother and sister-in-law couldn’t take it anymore—they had to flee. We had no phone, dared not go home, so we brought Lei Lei to come to you.” She gripped Fan Shengmei’s hand: “Your brother needs money—he took all our savings. I only kept enough for two train tickets…”

Hearing this, Fan Shengmei glanced at Wang Yan and Andi standing behind her—a wave of shame crashed over her. She cut her mother off: “Enough, Mom. Let’s talk when we get home, okay?”

Fan’s mother kept going: “You have to find a way to save your brother! They’re not giving him any chance to live—you don’t understand—”

“Enough, Mom. Let’s go home first. Look at Lei Lei—he’s freezing. Let’s go.”

“Oh, right, right—Lei Lei matters most. Let’s go.”

Andi glanced at Wang Yan: “I didn’t realize how hard Sister Fan’s life is.” From the conversation, she’d already pieced together Fan Shengmei’s family situation.

Wang Yan said coldly: “Hardship is everywhere. Let’s go.”

He wrapped his arm around Andi and followed them.

Everyone arrived around the same time. When they reached the parking area, Guan Juer, Zhao Qiping, and Qiu Yingying were already waiting.

“Uncle, Auntie, hello. I’m Sister Fan’s roommate.” Seeing Wang Yan and the others approach, Guan Juer stepped forward to greet them, then turned to Fan Shengmei: “Sorry we’re late, Sister Fan.”

Qiu Yingying added: “Yeah, Sister Fan, I took a taxi the moment I heard—I just live far away.”

Fan Shengmei shook her head: “Don’t say that. I should thank you both.”

“No need to thank us—we didn’t really help.”

Andi, standing beside Wang Yan and Zhao Qiping, said: “Enough with the thanks. Sister Fan, how do you plan to arrange things for your parents? We can give you a ride back.”

How to arrange it? Fan Shengmei paused, then said: “Tonight we’ll just make do. Tomorrow I’ll find a hotel…” She turned her gaze to her mother.

Andi blinked, then understood—she stayed silent.

Fan’s mother said: “Why stay at a hotel? That’s wasting money. Tonight we’ll just squeeze together. Tomorrow, you move into the company dorm—it’s free. I’ve been telling you to live there for ages.” She shot Fan Shengmei a resentful look.

Fan Shengmei glanced awkwardly at everyone present—except Wang Yan, all were frowning at her mother. She forced a smile: “Alright, Mom, let’s talk about it when we get home. Andi, you see—”

Qiu Yingying opened her mouth to speak, but seeing no one else say anything, she closed it again.

Andi said nothing, glancing apologetically at Wang Yan.

Wang Yan asked Zhao Qiping beside him: “Did you drive?” When Zhao nodded, he turned to Fan Shengmei: “Can you drive?”

Fan Shengmei gave a stiff, awkward smile.

Wang Yan nodded, accepted it: “You ride with me. Andi, Xiao Qiu—ride with Doctor Zhao.”

Everyone nodded without objection.

Wang Yan drove, Fan Shengmei sat shotgun, her parents and nephew sat in back.

Throughout the ride, Fan’s mother kept chattering about her family’s mess. Fan Shengmei glanced at Wang Yan, who was focused on driving as if he hadn’t heard. She tried to speak up twice—got no response—so she stopped, eyes red, offering only half-hearted murmurs.

Today, her polished urban-lady image was utterly shattered. She’d already shown her worst—let them all see it. She knew Wang Yan had never looked at her properly anyway, and she had no interest in him—otherwise, why would she think he was a crude nouveau riche?

On the other side, in Zhao Qiping’s car:

Qiu Yingying asked: “Miss Andi, why didn’t you say anything just now?” She didn’t think deeply—she only heard Fan Shengmei say “make do,” without understanding why.

Andi replied calmly: “Xiao Qiu, Sister Fan said that because she’s tight on money and can’t say it outright. So we stayed quiet.”

Guan Juer, in the front passenger seat, turned back: “Xiao Ying, why didn’t you speak up?”

“Hehe, I saw no one else speaking, so I didn’t either.” Qiu Yingying wore a smug “I’m so smart” expression: “But I’ve never met a mother like this—she actually wants Sister Fan to live in the company dorm?”

Guan Juer nodded: “It’s really excessive. Now I understand why Sister Fan seemed off these past few days—it must’ve been her family. Miss Andi, you and Brother Wang arrived first—do you know what happened?”

Andi frowned: “I don’t know all the details, but from what they said, Sister Fan’s brother got into trouble—some people came to their house demanding money. He couldn’t handle it, took the cash and fled with his wife. Left behind were her parents, who came here to hide.”

“What? So serious?” Qiu Yingying gasped: “Sister Fan really has it rough—her parents treat her like this, and now this disaster… it’s just…”

Guan Juer nodded in agreement, then asked: “If this is the case, and her brother and parents are on the run, the problem won’t be solved anytime soon. How long will her parents stay?”

【Stable-running novel app, preferred by old users for translation, huanyuanapp.】

“Yeah, and Sister Fan’s bed is so small—two people barely fit. How will four sleep?” Qiu Yingying, ever the warm-hearted one, worried: “Sister Fan will have to sleep on the floor or sofa. It’s so cold—she’ll catch a cold. She just got better.”

Andi thought a moment: “Room 2201 is empty. Why don’t one of you come stay with me? Free up a room for Sister Fan?” As a woman, she couldn’t help feeling sympathy.

Zhao Qiping, who’d been quietly driving, spoke up: “Then why not have Xiao Guan come stay with me? We’ll wait a few days and see how Sister Fan’s situation develops.” It was a perfectly legitimate excuse—he wasn’t one to miss an opportunity.

Seeing Andi and Qiu Yingying’s teasing glances, Guan Juer blushed: “I can, but Zhao Da, we have to agree—I’ll go back once Sister Fan’s parents leave.”

“Of course,” Zhao Qiping smiled. But by then, you won’t have a choice.

Andi smiled: “Alright, then. Oh, by the way—Sister Fan is very sensitive, always afraid others look down on her. After today’s humiliation, everyone, please be careful not to trigger her.”

“Don’t worry, Miss Andi. I work overtime every day—I never see her.” Qiu Yingying grinned and made a teasing gesture toward Guan Juer: “Guan Juer, we won’t even see Sister Fan—how could we upset her?”

“Ugh, Xiao Ying, you’re annoying…”

They bickered and laughed all the way back to Happy Song.

Fan Shengmei helped her parents and nephew out of the car, walked to the window, and said awkwardly: “Thank you so much, Wang Yan. You’ve gone through so much trouble.”

Wang Yan replied coolly: “It’s cold. Go inside.” He rolled up the window and drove off toward the garage, the sound of Fan’s mother’s endless chatter ringing in his ears.

Talking alone, Wang Yan could’ve handled it. But her endless nonsense, paired with that pitiful tone, her peculiar phrasing—“We didn’t mean to,” “Your brother’s getting divorced,” “Why are you like this?”—it was truly… indescribable.

Later arrivals, Andi and the others, returned with Fan Shengmei’s family to the 22nd floor.

Fan Shengmei busied herself caring for her unfamiliar parents and nephew. Amid the chaos, she noticed Guan Juer packing clothes and asked: “Xiao Guan, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to stay with Brother Zhao,” Guan Juer explained. “Sister Fan, now that I’m gone, your room’s free—you can use it for now.”

Fan Shengmei understood instantly—she broke down again, tears welling: “Thank you, Xiao Guan.” She didn’t refuse. The apartment was already too small with her parents and nephew—let alone their disruption to daily life. Her pride meant nothing now.

Seeing her about to cry, Guan Juer quickly added: “Sister Fan, don’t overthink it. I sometimes stay at Brother Zhao’s too—this is no different.”

After packing, she called Zhao Qiping, who was upstairs talking with Wang Yan and Andi, and left. Qiu Yingying, tired of the scene, retreated to her room.

Fan Shengmei, heart aching, helplessly settled her parents and nephew…

Leaning against Wang Yan’s solid chest, flushed with warmth, Andi said: “Do you think Sister Fan became this way because of her family?”

“Who can say? Even Sister Fan herself probably doesn’t have an answer.”

Andi nodded: “Sister Fan has it so hard… Should I help her? She clearly needs money.”

Wang Yan said calmly: “If you want to help her, then help. Money—and profit—is the root of most problems, Andi. No one has it easy.”

Andy rolled her eyes—Wang Yan’s tone was infuriating; every time he mentioned Fan Shengmei or Qu Xiaoxiao, he’d act like this, clearly brushing them off.

Her eyes darted, and Andy’s hand slid downward… The pleasures of the boudoir were endless; Andy had learned, had become adept.

The next day, after morning exercise and breakfast, Wang Yan washed up and went downstairs to call for Qiu Yingying.

Qiu Yingying, still washing up due to Fan’s mother, hoped Wang Yan would wait for her.

In the past, they’d left early, before the morning rush; today, waiting for Qiu Yingying delayed their departure. Along the way, drowned in Qiu Yingying’s frantic complaints, they got stuck in traffic all the way to the company.

After handling some routine work, Wang Yan leaned back in his chair, frowning in thought.

In the original plot, Fan Shengmei’s parents came to seek refuge; Fan’s father suffered a stroke while smoking in the hallway and was saved by Andy. Because of him, Andy had changed considerably. Now she was busy helping Tan Zongming eat meat, exhausted day after day—there was no way she’d have spare time to accidentally run into him; so Fan’s father was likely already gone.

Wang Yan didn’t care about Fan’s father’s life. In A Master, he’d personally killed well over a thousand; those who died because of him were far more.

But the man wasn’t meant to die; knowing the truth, to ignore his plight would be a lapse in moral character.

After thinking it over, Wang Yan summoned his subordinate, gave instructions, then returned to Happy Song to act as a nanny.

Wang Yan didn’t know when Fan’s father would have his stroke, so on the way he casually bought a Bluetooth device and a pinhole camera, planning to install them in the hallway to keep an eye out.