“I know, Second Sister-in-Law. To be honest, this matter isn’t He Yuan’s fault. I was just venting my anger on him because I was upset.”
Ji Shuyu knew she had a bad temper and could be stubborn.
She was unhappy and had taken it out on He Yuan.
He Yuan, however, didn’t get angry. No matter what she said, he took it all in.
She could tell the man was sincere and good-hearted.
“That’s good then. Whatever you do, don’t fight with Yuanzi over this.”
After advising Ji Shuyu, Su Wenjuan took her back to her own home.
Over in the west room, Li Cuihua was still making a scene until He Jiang ended it with a slap.
Ji Shuyu couldn’t be bothered to deal with it anymore and followed Su Wenjuan to her place.
After about ten minutes of walking, they arrived at the Second Brother and Sister-in-Law’s unit dormitory.
The dormitory building looked much newer than the He family’s small courtyard, with whitewashed walls. Though not very large, it was tidy and well-kept.
As it was a unit-assigned residence, the overall atmosphere was harmonious, and the neighbors had a good relationship with one another.
When they saw Su Wenjuan return, they all greeted her.
Perhaps because they were all educated people, communication was exceptionally pleasant.
They went up to the second floor, and Su Wenjuan took out her key to unlock the door.
“Come in, Shuyu. Make yourself at home.”
Su Wenjuan stepped aside to let Ji Shuyu enter first.
Ji Shuyu walked in and saw that the room was small but exceptionally clean.
The floor was swept so thoroughly that not a single strand of hair could be seen. Everything was neatly arranged, and two pots of green leafy plants she couldn’t name sat on the windowsill, making the place feel refreshing just to look at.
“Second Sister-in-Law, you’ve kept this place so clean.”
Ji Shuyu’s words were sincere. Compared to the constant chaos at the He family’s courtyard, this place was like heaven.
It seemed that when He Yuan had previously suggested dividing the family, it must have been what Su Wenjuan wanted too.
“Oh, I have free time anyway, so I like tidying up.”
Su Wenjuan smiled and pointed to a room further inside.
“That’s the guest room. I’ve already made the bed with new sheets and duvet covers. You can rest easy.”
Just as she was speaking, He Ming also returned home. When he saw Ji Shuyu, his eyes lit up.
He Ming sometimes stayed at the He family’s courtyard and sometimes came back here.
Today, his father was working overtime and wouldn’t be home, so He Ming decided to come back to keep his mother company.
He hadn’t expected to see his aunt here.
“Aunt, what brings you here?”
He Ming looked at Ji Shuyu curiously, and Su Wenjuan smiled, patting his head.
“Aunt will be staying with us for a while.”
Hearing this, He Ming’s face brightened with joy.
Last time, his aunt had given him fruit candy—something not easily bought around here.
He Ming liked Ji Shuyu very much. In his heart, her status was second only to Su Wenjuan’s.
Even higher than He Hai’s.
Looking at the well-behaved He Ming and then thinking of the troublemaker He Qiang, Ji Shuyu felt as if she were comparing heaven and earth.
A faint smile finally appeared on her face as she responded, “Ah, Mingming is such a good boy.”
They had just sat down for a short while when footsteps were heard at the door. It was He Yuan, carrying the canvas bag.
He set the bag down and glanced cautiously at Ji Shuyu. “Wife, I’ve brought all your things. See if anything’s missing, and I’ll go back for it.”
Seeing him like this, most of the anger in Ji Shuyu’s heart had already subsided, but she kept a neutral expression and simply hummed in acknowledgment.
Su Wenjuan, being perceptive, quickly took Mingming’s hand and said, “Come, Mingming, let’s go to the convenience store downstairs to buy some candy. Let your uncle and aunt talk.”
With that, she carried the child out and gently closed the door behind her.
Now only He Yuan and Ji Shuyu were left in the room.
He Yuan moved closer and sat down beside Ji Shuyu. “Wife, are you still angry?”
Ji Shuyu shot him a glance. “Why should I be angry? If I ruin my health, it’s my own loss. It’s not worth it.”
She poured herself a cup of water and spoke leisurely.
“It’s my fault,” He Yuan admitted, quick to apologize. Seeing Ji Shuyu’s attitude soften, he immediately seized the opportunity.
“I didn’t handle the mess at home properly before letting you come here and suffer this injustice. Eldest Brother just said that tomorrow morning, he’s sending He Qiang to juvenile detention. No amount of pleading will change it, and Dad has agreed too.”
“Wife, I ran into my supervisor on the way here and asked about the family quarters. The application should be approved soon. Once it is, we’ll move into the family quarters.”
His words came out in a rapid stream. Ji Shuyu glanced at him.
“The flesh of the palm and the back of the hand are both part of the same body. No matter what, He Qiang is still a descendant of the He family.”
After saying this, she added, “If we don’t send him to juvenile detention, and something really happens to me in the future, where would I go to seek justice?”
“I understand, I understand.” He Yuan quickly grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“Stay here with Second Sister-in-Law for now and enjoy some peace and quiet. Once I’ve sorted out the mess at home for good, I promise there won’t be any more of these troubles. Then I’ll bring you back with pride and honor. Whatever you say after that, I’ll listen to you.”
Seeing his earnest, flustered attempts to prove his loyalty, Ji Shuyu finally couldn’t hold back and laughed.
“Look at you, always knowing just what to say.”
Seeing his wife laugh, the heavy stone in He Yuan’s heart finally lifted, and he laughed along with her, pulling Ji Shuyu into a hug.
“As long as you’re not angry, wife, I promise I’ll make sure you live a peaceful life from now on.”
He had always remembered that he brought Ji Shuyu here to enjoy life, not to suffer.
Ji Shuyu didn’t respond to that and only told him that when he had time in the next few days, he should go with her to unload goods at the dock.
She had already prepared everything Director Wang wanted and was just waiting to deliver it.
He Yuan, of course, agreed repeatedly.
That night, Ji Shuyu lay on the clean, tidy little bed, smelling the scent of sunlight on the blankets and listening to the quiet chirping of insects outside the window. She felt her tightly wound nerves finally relax.
She thought to herself that her second sister-in-law, Su Wenjuan, was truly a remarkable person.
She seemed quiet and unassuming, but in her heart, she understood things better than anyone, and she lived her life with order and purpose.
It seemed that not everyone in the He family was muddle-headed.
For now, this would do. She would hide out at her second sister-in-law’s place for a few days of peace. As for the future, she’d take it one step at a time.
Anyway, with He Yuan’s promise, she felt a bit more secure.
Thinking this, Ji Shuyu closed her eyes contentedly. For the first time since arriving on the island, she slept deeply and soundly.
Early the next morning, when Ji Shuyu got up, Su Wenjuan had already prepared breakfast.
Watching Su Wenjuan busily working, Ji Shuyu felt very embarrassed and hurried to help.
“Don’t move, don’t move! The soup is hot,” Su Wenjuan quickly called out to stop her.
“We’re sisters-in-law—no need to be so polite. Hurry up and eat. Afterward, we can go out and relax.”
As she spoke, Su Wenjuan reached out and served Ji Shuyu a bowl of soup.
“Before Yuanzi left yesterday, he slipped quite a few ration tickets under the tea table. Can you believe it? Being so polite with his own sister-in-law, as if he’s afraid I won’t take good care of you.”
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