Chapter 31: Let's Talk About Marriage Next Time

Yu Yan, who had been utterly absorbed in shopping, wandered for quite some time before remembering Wan Shun. When she turned around, he was nowhere to be seen. As she searched, she spotted Liu Caicai. “Xiao Shun, who is this young comrade?”

“Godmother, this is Liu Caicai, Uncle Liu’s son.”

Yu Yan let out a gentle exclamation. “Oh, so he’s the child of the Liu family brothers. How you’ve grown!”

Yu Yan had always known about the Liu couple and their small restaurant, and she was aware of the help and care they’d given Wan Shun. She had always been grateful, but because of her position, even after arriving at the commune, she’d never visited their restaurant to catch up.

To run into Liu Caicai today was truly a pleasant surprise.

Liu Caicai gazed at Wan Shun. Wan Shun patted his head. “This is Aunt Jiang from the Jiang family, Jiang Yingzhi’s mother.”

Liu Caicai knew Jiang Yingzhi, and because of Wan Shun, they got along quite well. Back in those days, Jiang Yingzhi would often bring Wan Shun and Liu Caicai along to play.

When Jiang Yingzhi had his accident, Liu Caicai had been downcast for a long time.

But he had never met Yu Yan.

“Hello, Aunt Jiang.” In the presence of a respected elder, Liu Caicai was impeccably polite, well-behaved, and earnest.

It had been ages since Yu Yan had heard such a sincere greeting, and her nose stung with emotion.

“Ah, good, good, you as well. If there’s anything you like, put it in the cart. Auntie will buy it for you.”

Wan Shun glanced at the overflowing shopping cart and chuckled inwardly. The more gleeful the old lady was now, the more she’d suffer when it came time to pay.

The items in the supermarket were individually inexpensive, but once piled together, the total was quite something.

Liu Caicai smiled and waved his hand. “No need, thank you, Auntie. Let me help you push the cart instead. What else do you want? I’ll fetch it for you.”

Yu Yan was overjoyed. “What a considerate child! That’s enough, that’s enough. Where do I pay for all this? Tell Auntie, this is my first time here—I’m clueless.”

“I know, I know. Just follow me, Auntie.”

The two of them walked off, chatting and laughing. Wan Shun shrugged and ambled after them.

Just as Wan Shun had predicted, when it came time to check out, Yu Yan nearly screamed. For the sake of her dignity, she swallowed it down, face contorted as she paid, then walked out in a daze.

Liu Caicai, bewildered, trailed after, unable to fathom the sudden change.

Wan Shun found it amusing but offered no comfort. The first time spending so much money was bound to sting; after a few more trips, she’d get used to it.

The three of them loaded the car. Wan Shun wanted Liu Caicai to get to the point, but Liu Caicai was completely fascinated by the motorcycle.

“Big Sis, this bike is so cool! Where did you get it?”

“I built it. Do you like it?”

“You built this?” Liu Caicai’s already large eyes grew even rounder. “Sis, when did you get so skilled? I love it!”

Wan Shun laughed. “Your sister is full of surprises. If you like it, when you’re an adult, I’ll give you an even cooler one.”

Liu Caicai was so excited he started hopping in place. “Sis, why wait until I’m grown up? Can’t you give me one now?”

“No can do. You can’t even get a license until you’re of age.”

Liu Caicai whined. “But Sis, you’re not an adult either—how did you get a license?”

Wan Shun hesitated; she couldn’t admit to not having a license and lead the child astray.

“My ID says I’m old enough.”

Liu Caicai was stunned. So an ID’s age could differ from one’s real age? He wanted to change his too—to eighteen.

This little rascal was a live wire. Once he set his mind to something, he’d make a fuss at home, only calming down after his parents dealt with him together, but that’s a story for another time.

After distracting him, Wan Shun quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

“We’ll talk about the bike later. First, tell me what you really came for.”

At the mention of business, Liu Caicai quieted, stealing a glance at Yu Yan.

Wan Shun understood; this wasn’t something Yu Yan should know.

She pulled him aside. “Go ahead.”

Unable to contain his excitement, Liu Caicai blurted out, “Sis, Cao Baojian’s been taken by the Discipline Committee for investigation—he’s definitely finished this time. I rounded up the guys and gave Er Mazi a good beating. That bastard didn’t even dare make a sound.

Sis, was it because of what we did that time?”

Wan Shun’s lips curved. “Yes,” she replied—it had played a foundational role.

That day, the two of them had set up Cao Baojian right in front of the visiting officials. Even if only to silence public opinion, Cao Baojian had to submit to an investigation.

Whether anything was found was another matter, but he was certainly affected.

Later, with He Ci’s help, further evidence was reported—enough to be fatal. Already steeped in scandal, Cao Baojian was finished, with no chance to fight back.

The Cao family was in a panic. Whether Er Mazi bullied the school or the streets, he had to keep his head down now, which meant Liu Caicai could finally stand tall.

But Liu Caicai hadn’t thought it through that far. Just knowing their stunt had an effect was enough to make him thrilled. “If I’d known, I’d have caused trouble sooner. Would have saved us all from Er Mazi’s arrogance. And that turtle Cao Baojian wouldn’t have bullied my family.”

Wan Shun neither confirmed nor denied, but just causing a scene rarely had much impact. Whether for public or private reasons, the most Cao Baojian would have received was a verbal warning for failing as a parent—it wouldn’t have touched his career.

But the child was still young; there was no need to explain it all.

“All right, I’ve heard you out. You can take revenge, but know where to draw the line. We must be law-abiding citizens—none of this gangster nonsense. In a society governed by law, brute force gets you nowhere.”

Liu Caicai pouted. “I know. I’m a model student.”

Wan Shun chuckled. “Go play. I’m heading home.”

“Wait, Sis Shun, you haven’t said anything about the dowry. Are you really getting married? To whom? When? Let me check him out first—if he’s no good, you should back out early. If he’s fine, I’ll tell my parents to prepare for the wedding. If you don’t invite our family, my parents will be heartbroken.”

Wan Shun ruffled his hair. “Don’t mention this to your parents. This wedding isn’t important. Next time I marry, I’ll let them know.”

Liu Caicai was utterly confused. “There’s going to be a next time?”

After sending Liu Caicai off, Wan Shun and Yu Yan headed home.

Yu Yan was busy preparing for Wan Shun’s wedding and had no time to pay her any mind. With nothing else to do, Wan Shun busied herself with the pile of old parts she’d brought back.

There weren’t many, but she tried to assemble a two-wheeled motorcycle.

The motorcycle market was promising, but the current technology and designs didn’t meet her standards. She was determined to improve and innovate.

If Zuo Dalong was willing to collaborate on producing three-wheeled motorcycles, two-wheelers could also be added as a production line.

In the past few days, whether because everyone knew Wan Shun was getting married or for some other reason, things had been unnaturally quiet. The people who used to drop by the Jiang house to make their presence known had vanished.

The Wan family was even quieter, as if they no longer existed.

Wan Shun relished the peace, simply waiting for the wedding day to arrive.

On the eve of the ceremony, Wan Yu came to fetch Wan Shun, insisting that, no matter what, she should leave from the Wan home when she got married.

Wan Shun smiled and agreed readily.

Yu Yan was disappointed but understood. The Jiang family’s land was practically a forbidden zone—no one dared come to the house for the wedding banquet.

She brought out all the wedding dowry she’d prepared and insisted that Wan Shun take it.

Since she couldn’t attend the wedding herself or send Wan Shun off, the old lady was so upset she wept.

Wan Shun laughed heartlessly. “Godmother, don’t bother. If I bring it over today, I’ll just have to bring it back tomorrow—it’s too much trouble.”

Yu Yan gave her a playful smack. “Don’t say such inauspicious things! Once you’re married, you can’t just come back. In the future, you must…”

Knowing she was about to start a lecture, Wan Shun bolted.

Yu Yan stamped her feet in exasperation. The dowry hadn’t even been taken.