Chapter 37: Returning to the Capital

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: Returning to the Capital

But when the words reached her lips, she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

She was afraid of angering her mother.

She was even more afraid that the more she resisted, the wider the rift between her parents would grow.

"Don’t panic."

Yao Yuzhen’s gaze was steady.

"Once we’re back in Beijing, I have my ways of dealing with her."

After she finished speaking, she put away her handkerchief, folded it neatly, and tucked it back into the pocket of her sleeve.

Then she stood up, adjusted the collar of her coat, and looked out the window at the darkening sky.

After Shen Zhenwu returned to Nanhui Camp, he first made sure Song Yao was settled in properly, then dove headfirst into his official duties.

He also submitted a document to his superiors, requesting to initiate a "personal conduct investigation."

He was a man who was very by-the-book about certain things.

Especially when it involved his family.

Since Yao Yuzhen was using his supposed "fooling around" as an excuse to reject their daughter, he had to lay out the facts.

He had always been loyal to the service and believed in the power of the system.

Divorce was already difficult in their circumstances; as long as one didn’t make a major mistake, it was basically impossible to split up.

This was a common situation in the unit, something everyone knew full well.

He was aware of this, so he had never thought of initiating a separation himself.

Normally, he tolerated Yao Yuzhen as much as he could.

But on the matter of his daughter, he hadn’t backed down an inch in over a decade.

The very next day, an investigation call was made to Nanhui Camp, and Zhang Jianwei was questioned thoroughly.

From official matters to private affairs, not a single detail was missed.

Zhang Jianwei answered each question one by one.

He knew the matter had serious implications and didn’t dare to be careless in the slightest.

Of course, no one told Song Yao about these things.

But everything she did and said each day was recorded by someone and sent up the chain of command.

Song Yao recuperated for half a month before Shen Zhenwu set off for Beijing.

He had originally planned to go back earlier to handle his work.

But when he saw that Song Yao was still a bit weak when she walked, he decided to postpone his trip.

Two days later, in the evening, the two of them finally stepped into the Beijing train station.

People bustled to and fro in the waiting hall as announcements echoed intermittently over the speakers.

Shen Zhenwu carried the luggage in one hand, while his other arm securely supported Song Yao beside him.

That half-month had been long enough for the Shen family’s affairs to become the talk of the town.

Some said the Shen family’s eldest daughter was adopted; others claimed she was an illegitimate child from an affair.

Still others said that Mr. Shen had been injured back in the day and was incapable of having children.

At the same time, the wives and young ladies of Beijing society couldn’t sit still.

Some began to re-evaluate the possibility of a marriage alliance with the Shen family.

Previously arranged marriage engagements were quietly postponed.

One family even had their son transferred to a border unit, claiming it was for training when, in reality, it was to avoid any association with the scandal.

Daughters were repeatedly warned not to associate too closely with Shen Shuangshuang anymore.

Yao Yuzhen had stayed in Nanhui City for many days without leaving.

She told everyone she met that her daughter needed a change of scenery to relax.

In truth, outsiders could see clearly that she didn’t want to go back and face the brunt of the scandal.

Only when the storm had died down a little did she slowly return with them.

The moment she stepped off the train, she shot a cool glance at Shen Zhenwu.

The man who used to put her first in everything was now anxiously supporting Song Yao.

The corners of Yao Yuzhen’s mouth turned down slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Shen Shuangshuang had never seen her father so anxious about someone else, and her eyes immediately grew hot with tears.

Yao Yuzhen gently patted the back of her hand.

Shen Shuangshuang turned her head and saw her mother nod at her.

"Don’t be sad. Our Shuangshuang is the true well-bred lady here. Her grace and upbringing are beyond comparison to some country bumpkin."

Hearing this, Shen Shuangshuang immediately straightened her back, and the corners of her mouth lifted.

"Mm, you’re right, Mom."

"Shuangshuang!"

The four of them had just gotten their bearings when a loud shout came from a distance.

Looking up, they saw a young man in a military uniform, grinning and waving at them.

Behind him were two other men who, at a glance, were clearly orderlies from his unit.

Cheng Hai strode over, smiling cheerfully as he greeted Shen Zhenwu and Yao Yuzhen.

"Uncle Shen, Aunt Zhen, we heard you were arriving today, so Brother Hui specifically sent me to pick you up."

After speaking, he didn’t forget to give Shen Shuangshuang a wink.

Shen Zhenwu merely glanced at him, nodded, and turned his attention back to Song Yao.

"Daughter, how are you feeling? Is your head still dizzy?"

He reached out to touch Song Yao’s forehead, checking to see if she had a fever.

He then looked down to check her complexion, wondering if she needed to see a doctor immediately.

Song Yao’s stomach churned, and her vision started to go dark.

She could only lean into Shen Zhenwu’s arm, using his strength to support herself.

This question also drew Cheng Hai’s attention to her.

He took two steps closer, narrowing his eyes to get a better look.

Then he grinned, his tone flippant.

"Well now, Uncle Shen, is this the new goddaughter you’ve taken in? Look at that pale little face. She didn’t just crawl out of some backwater mountain valley and get scared by her first glimpse of the big city, did she?"

The sarcasm in his words was too thick to miss, and Song Yao understood it perfectly.

Shen Zhenwu’s temper flared the moment he heard it.

But before he could open his mouth, Yao Yuzhen spoke first.

"Xiao Cheng, you should watch what you say. You’re not a child anymore. How can you be so tactless?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Shen Zhenwu’s expression darkened several shades.

’Wasn’t she obviously siding with him?’

He was originally just annoyed with Cheng Hai, but now he felt that Yao Yuzhen was also meddling just to spite him.

"Tactless? Cheng Hai, I see you’ve gotten bold. This is my daughter, you hear me loud and clear?!"

Shen Zhenwu didn’t hold back.

His words hit their mark, immediately embarrassing Yao Yuzhen.

Yao Yuzhen’s eyelid twitched slightly.

But she had always been composed and immediately put on a gentle smile.

"Yes, yes, this is your Uncle Shen’s own flesh and blood, the one he went through so much trouble to find. Xiao Cheng, you absolutely must not upset her. Otherwise, your Uncle Shen will definitely have a score to settle with you."

With that, she took Shen Shuangshuang’s hand and walked away elegantly in her high heels.

Cheng Hai narrowed his eyes, then replied with an exaggerated laugh.

"Oh, my! Then I really must congratulate Uncle Shen! I still have duties to attend to, so I won’t disturb your family reunion!"

As he turned, his gaze swept over Song Yao’s face once more.

Song Yao watched him silently, her eyes meeting his without flinching.

Cheng Hai was taken aback.

’This country girl has some nerve, daring to stare at me like that?’

He scoffed inwardly, the corner of his mouth twisting into a sneer, his face full of disdain.

Then he withdrew his gaze and turned to catch up with the other two.

Shen Zhenwu didn’t want to squabble with a youngster at the train station.

He stood where he was, waiting until the three of them were some distance away before letting out a soft breath.

"Dad."

The corner of Song Yao’s mouth lifted, her voice a little cold.

"It seems your reputation isn’t all it’s cracked up to be."

Shen Zhenwu gently guided her toward the station exit, his voice devoid of anger.

"Why bother arguing with a young punk? It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I’ve always preferred to tackle problems at the root. I’ll go talk to his old man directly. I’ll deal with his father, and his father will naturally deal with him. Kills two birds with one stone—saves trouble and feels damn good."

"Ha!"

Song Yao burst out laughing.

’This dad of mine is pretty interesting.’

At that moment, Cheng Hai was completely oblivious to the trouble heading his way.

As he walked, he glanced sideways at Shen Shuangshuang’s face.

Seeing her eyelashes tremble as if she were about to cry at any moment, his heart tightened.

"Shuangshuang, say something. Did that hick from the countryside bully you? Did she upset you?"

Shen Shuangshuang forced a smile.

"Brother Cheng, can you please not ask?"

She said it dismissively, but tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

This pitiful, damsel-in-distress act made Cheng Hai’s heart melt.