Chapter 85: Conversation Between Chen Xueru and Xu Huizhen

Chen Xueru never expected to receive such an answer.

Picked up?

Then you're incredibly lucky.

But in this matter, others don't care whether you picked it up or not; once you show a flaw, don't blame them for being ruthless.

How to let Yang Qing keep his life is the problem she needs to solve now.

After bidding farewell to Yang Qing, Chen Xueru left the Siheyuan with mixed feelings.

The greatly changed Yang Qing left her a deep impression, especially that embrace, which actually made her feel a bit reluctant to let go.

And Yang Qing's composed demeanor while sitting made her look at him anew.

He is an interesting young man.

To be harmed like this is truly a pity.

She made her way all the way to Master Xu's residence.

Seeing Chen Xueru, Xu Liangcai let her in, and after closing the door he asked.

"How is it?"

Chen Xueru sat down, and again thought of that cup of orange tea.

"He said he picked it up, and I don't think he's lying."

Xu Liangcai let out an ah, then fell silent.

Chen Xueru several times wanted to speak up and say a few good words for Yang Qing, but in the end she kept her mouth shut.

Xu Liangcai lowered his head, thought for a while, then spoke.

"Well, that's troublesome."

"Troublesome" means giving up.

Yang Qing is merely a line he happened to keep; if the cost of this line is too great, he can only abandon it.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xueru felt a bit anxious.

"Can't we at least spare his life?"

Xu Liangcai raised his head to look at her, asking in surprise.

"You've always wanted to stay out of this, haven't you?"

"This time I asked you to remind him, yet you hesitated for a long time; now why are you starting to speak up for him?"

Faced with Xu Liangcai's penetrating gaze, Chen Xueru felt a surge of panic inside, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"After all, as old acquaintances, we should try to protect him; you also said that Yang Rong and his wife are still alive—if we can save him, they will surely feel indebted to us."

"If future circumstances really turn bad, this could also be a way out for us."

Xu Liangcai glanced at her, nodded slightly, as if acknowledging her words.

"Protecting him doesn't require us; naturally someone else will step forward."

"As for the specifics, let's leave it to fate."

"Gain is my fortune, loss is my destiny."

"These two days you can keep an eye on him; help if you can, if not, just forget it."

"If the money and valuables are in his hands, there is still room for return; if it's truly as he said, that he picked them up."

"Then this matter becomes hard to judge."

"This statement, not only we don't believe it, others won't either."

Afterwards he lifted his teacup.

That means seeing you off; you may go now.

Chen Xueru, being perceptive, rose and took her leave.

"Well, that's that, Uncle Xu—I'm heading back."

Xu Liangcai nodded.

"Mm, take it slow on the road."

Chen Xueru walked all the way out of Xu Liangcai's courtyard, disappeared into the darkness, then glanced back.

"Whether to look after him or to abandon him is up to you; I don't know what this Uncle Xu is thinking."

She instinctively felt it would be better to come less often; she feared that if she weren't careful, this Uncle Xu might harm her.

His behavior is too strange.

He lives simply and goes out little, yet he sees worldly affairs clearly.

After returning to her silk shop, she still felt uneasy, so she turned and went to Xu Huizhen's place.

Xu Huizhen is not at the small wine shop now; she's at home looking after the child.

Upon seeing Chen Xueru, Xu Huizhen laughed and teased.

"Yo, what wind blows you here?"

Chen Xueru shook her handkerchief.

"Winds from all directions blow toward you."

Afterwards she sat beside Xu Huizhen, her mind full of worries.

Xu Huizhen saw her looking troubled and asked.

"What's wrong with you, absent‑minded?"

Chen Xueru hesitated a moment, then still told Xu Huizhen what had happened.

The more Xu Huizhen listened, the graver her expression became.

Finally she said.

"Your Uncle Xu's judgment is probably correct."

"By 1966, with full communization, people like us indeed have an awkward status."

"However, we are all from modest families, have little assets, and now we are actively being reformed and even taking part in production."

"It's still different from those big merchants."

"You needn't fear; if the sky falls, a tall person will hold it up."

Chen Xueru said irritably.

"Are you talking about this? I'm talking about Yang Qing's matter."

Xu Huizhen laughed.

"Ah, someone's feeling amorous; where did that lewd atmosphere blow in from?"

Chen Xueru stamped her foot in agitation.

"Xu Huizhen, I'm telling you this not to let you mock me."

Xu Huizhen was very measured; after teasing, she stopped immediately.

She flashed her big eyes and said to Chen Xueru.

"You say you're not young anymore; stop daydreaming about unrealistic things."

"How can you still wish an old ox to eat tender grass?"

"Aren't you afraid of getting burned?"

Chen Xueru, feeling indignant, gritted her teeth and said.

"Xu Huizhen, this is a fallback; do you understand? It's not ten thousand you're afraid of, but that one in ten thousand."

"When the situation becomes serious, there will be a time when you regret."

"We women have what options? We still have to rely on men. I left a way out, what's the problem?"

Xu Huizhen is also sharp‑eyed and quick‑tongued.

"What, you don't like Fan Jinyou anymore, preparing to become Yang Qing's mistress?"

Chen Xueru rolled her eyes.

"Fan Jinyou is what kind of thing, you don't know?"

"If I weren't truly out of options, would I be flirting with him?"

"I'm not like you, being hard on myself, and I found a pushover."

"Someone like me must find someone who can ward off disaster, right?"

"If Yang Qing is truly useful, would I still need to look for Fan Jinyou?"

Xu Huizhen slapped her hard.

"Speak softer, don't let our Lao Cai hear."

"Do you think our Lao Cai is lacking? He's diligent, reliable, and knows how to care for people."

"People, don't be too ungrateful; want everything, and end up keeping nothing."

Chen Xueru hummed.

"Who can know what's in your heart."

"But Lao Cai's position might actually help you get through the difficulty."

Xu Huizhen saw her thoughts exposed by Chen Xueru, clung on and, a bit angry, said.

"You can go ahead, spilling everything; who will want to play with you in the future?"

Chen Xueru acted shamelessly.

"Then give me a solution."

"Otherwise my mind won't be at ease."

"Uncle Xu is too mysterious; Fan Jinyou has too many ulterior motives, and every other person is after my money, I'm scared of them all."

"You tell me how I'll live from now on."

"Helping Yang Qing and leaving a way out for myself, what's wrong with that?"

Xu Huizhen stopped sparring with Chen Xueru and asked seriously.

"You really think that."

Chen Xueru nodded.

"That's not it; you wouldn't really think I'd have any thoughts about a man I've met on both sides, would you?"

After thinking for a while, Xu Huizhen looked up and said to Chen Xueru.

"First, actually marrying a pushover isn't bad; with high probability it lets us rely on someone. I suggest you look for a solid, reliable person to marry."

"Second, if you truly want to hitch onto Yang Qing's path."

"Then you must be prepared to make a burn‑the‑bridges resolve."

"Others aren't stupid; you don't think that a few words of trivial concern will make them spend resources to build roads and bridges for you."

"Exchange genuine hearts for genuine hearts."

"Finally, if you truly make it through, the matters here become irreversible; you must take me with you."