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Chapter 325: Chapter 315 The Old Lady Finally Speaks Out
A week after Shen Yunfang returned, despite trying to resist, influenced by his wife, Uncle Shen specifically called Shen Yunfang over for a meal.
Shen Yunfang understood before going that this meal wouldn’t be a pleasant one, as Auntie Shen was definitely going to bring up Shen Yunxiu.
However, what she couldn’t figure out was why, despite making it abundantly clear last time that there was no sisterly love left between her and Shen Yunxiu, Auntie Shen still had the confidence to believe that just because they spoke, Shen Yunfang would obediently help Shen Yunxiu. After what Shen Yunxiu had done to her, she was already being generous by not settling accounts with her.
Shen Yunfang didn’t want to attend this dinner, knowing that it was destined to leave the host dissatisfied, and fearing it might even end with Auntie Shen driving her out. But after some thought, considering Auntie Shen’s persistent nature, Shen Yunfang knew if she didn’t go today, Auntie Shen would keep asking her to come over tomorrow or the day after. She wouldn’t turn back without trying and hitting a wall. She didn’t owe them anything, so why hide? Thus, she decided to go, get to the bottom of the matter at once, and save herself the constant worrying later on.
To avoid being labeled a freeloader, before going to Uncle Shen’s house, Shen Yunfang deliberately visited the newly opened consignment store in the village. There, she purchased a pound of Changbai cake and a bottle of sorghum liquor to bring to Uncle Shen’s home.
Auntie Shen was still busy in the kitchen. Seeing Shen Yunfang enter, she hurriedly greeted her, exhibiting much more warmth than usual, even showing more enthusiasm for her as a person than for the items in her hands for the first time.
Soon, four dishes were served on the table. With just Uncle Shen, his wife, and Shen Yunfang, the three diners, four dishes weren’t few, especially since two of them were substantial – a chicken stew with potatoes and stir-fried cured meat with celery, dishes that Uncle Shen’s household would only serve during the New Year. This showed Auntie Shen’s serious commitment to the meal.
"Yunfang, don’t be polite, eat more," Auntie Shen urged while serving Shen Yunfang.
"Hmm, Auntie, don’t bother serving me, I can do it myself. You should start eating too." Shen Yunfang picked up the liquor bottle and poured a cup for Uncle Shen. In just that short moment, Auntie Shen had already placed a chicken leg and a heap of vegetables into her bowl.
"I’m eating. You, though, why didn’t you bring the kid with you? It’s not as assuring to leave him with others as it is to keep him at home," Auntie Shen complained with a mix of sincerity and pretense.
Shen Yunfang smiled and responded, "I thought since the child was already asleep, waking him up might cause him to cry, making us uneasy while we eat. It’d be bothersome if he fussed beside us, so I didn’t bring him. In a few days, when I’m free, I can bring him over to play just the same."
The three conversed about family matters while eating, and as the meal was coming to an end, Auntie Shen realized they couldn’t go on this way. She covertly nudged Uncle Shen, signaling him to speak up.
Uncle Shen picked up his cup from the table, downed it in one gulp, and after wiping his mouth, finally said, "Yunfang, I have a favor to ask you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunfang knew that the time had come, so she too smiled and replied, "Uncle, we are all family here, there’s no need to talk about pleading. As long as it’s within my power, just say it."
Uncle Shen, upon hearing her speak, his face softened and he slowly said, "I assume you and Hongjun have also read the letter I sent you, your sister Yunxiu..."
Yunfang interrupted him before he could finish as soon as she heard him mention Shen Yunxiu.
"Uncle, if you want to talk about Shen Yunxiu, then better not bother. I don’t want to hear it. Even if I did, I couldn’t help. Li Hongjun and I are just ordinary people; Shen Yunxiu is now a resident of the Capital. We don’t have the power to get involved with that."
Uncle Shen’s face turned dark instantly, surprised by Yunfang’s blunt refusal to even let him finish, and with such an attitude, he could not count on her for any assistance.
Aunt Shen became anxious, "Yunfang, Yunxiu is your cousin after all. You two grew up together. Have you forgotten how she used to take you around to play when you were little? Yes, Yunxiu has made some mistakes, but you and Pangpang are alright now, aren’t you? She knows she was wrong, and in the letters she has sent us, she said sorry to you several times and wants to find a chance to apologize to you. Yunxiu has suffered enough, and as they say, ’no execution for an overstepped head.’ Why can’t you just let this go?"
Yunfang glanced at Aunt Shen, who was getting agitated, but she didn’t get angry or bicker over such senseless things, and gently said, "Oh, Auntie, are you sure that Shen Yunxiu meant to apologize to me in the letter and not insult me? I’m really flattered. Would you show me the letter where Shen Yunxiu apologizes? I’d like to see what she said."
When Aunt Shen heard her ask to see the letter, she tensed up, racking her brain on how to smooth over the lie.
Caught off guard and with Yunfang looking at her, Aunt Shen couldn’t think of what to do and turned to look at her husband, hoping he would say something to defuse the situation.
But at this moment, Uncle Shen was just angry at Yunfang’s stubbornness. The girl could hold a grudge for a lifetime; he was truly disappointed, so he also didn’t feel like engaging in conversation with Yunfang.
"That, that... As for your sister Yunxiu’s letter, after reading it I burned it to light the fire, and didn’t keep it. Wait for it, next time she writes, I will keep it for you. Your sister definitely said those words, would Aunt lie to you?" Aunt Shen, grasping at straws, managed to redirect the conversation.
But Yunfang definitely couldn’t believe it. Even if Shen Yunxiu really wrote an apology in the letter, she wouldn’t forgive her. Her question was simply a reminder to Aunt Shen that her daughter wasn’t that easy-going.
"Alright, Auntie, let’s not worry about what Shen Yunxiu wrote. Even if I didn’t have a conflict with Yunxiu, my husband and I wouldn’t be able to help with her problems. I wasn’t lying before, and I’ll say no more. I, a rural woman, only know you as my highest official, Uncle. I don’t have the power to do anything. Although Li Hongjun is now a deputy battalion commander, his rank still isn’t considered high in their military district, and there are plenty of people more capable than him. Besides, a deputy battalion commander’s authority is only within the military. Once outside, it’s useless. And the place Shen Yunxiu went to is no ordinary place; it’s the Capital, the very heart of our country. We truly are powerless," Yunfang said with certainty.
No matter what anyone said, it was useless. They were just a rural woman and a stinking soldier. What power did they have to interfere with things in the Capital?
Before Uncle Shen could speak, Aunt Shen hurriedly objected, "Not true. The last time you were arrested, wasn’t it Li Hongjun who sought help and used his connections in the province to get you out? If he could find people in the province, maybe he also knows some comrades in the Capital. Ask Hongjun to look around; we’re not asking for much. Just get them to back Yunxiu up, to intimidate her in-laws a bit, so they won’t harass her so much."
