Among the pastries the Ling family brought for their visit were "cream rolls," which, according to Ling Yi's mother, were Fang Muyang's favorite treat as a child.
Ling Yi was very polite, graciously presenting gifts—skincare products and hair conditioner—with portions for both Teacher Mu and Fei Ni. Fei Ni felt somewhat unaccustomed to Ling Yi's courtesy. The last time she had been this polite was when Fei Ni waited for her on the university campus for three or four hours. Finally, when Ling Yi arrived, Fei Ni told her that Fang Muyang had woken up. Ling Yi, who usually wore a sorrowful expression, finally broke into a smile. She thanked Fei Ni for coming to inform her and even offered to buy her a soda. However, the smile didn't last long because the awakened Fang Muyang greatly disappointed her.
"Thank you, but I'm not used to using these. Giving them to me would be a waste—you should keep them for yourself." Refusing a gift offered so politely was somewhat awkward and could easily seem impolite. To ease the discomfort, Fei Ni could only decline with a smile.
Ling Yi hadn't expected Fei Ni to refuse. These items weren't easy for her to obtain, and she didn't give them away lightly.
Ling Yi didn't insist either. Smiling at Teacher Mu, she said, "Aunt Fang, I'm afraid you'll have to accept both portions."
Teacher Mu didn't particularly like being called "Aunt Fang" or "Mrs. Fang"... Her surname was Mu, not Fang. In the past, she would frown when introduced as Principal Fang's wife. She had her own surname, and her identity wasn't merely "so-and-so's wife." But now she couldn't be bothered to correct anyone. When addressed this way, she simply smiled, because her husband was currently unemployed, and she was willing to give him that respect.
Behind Fei Ni's smile, Teacher Mu detected something unusual. She keenly sensed that Fei Ni didn't like Ling Yi. Fei Ni and Ling Yi weren't close—their only connection was Fang Muyang. Most likely, it was because Fang Muyang and Ling Yi were too close, and Fei Ni was jealous.
Teacher Mu was reminded of Old Fang in his younger days.
In his youth, Old Fang had been quite the sensation, most famous for his romantic poetry. These poems had cultivated a group of admirers for him, including, of course, young women. Those who expressed their affection directly, Old Fang would outright reject. As for the others who silently admired him, he didn't distance himself. He continued to impart knowledge, answer questions, and guide them, displaying his charm, intellect, and elegant demeanor like a peacock spreading its feathers. If they encountered difficulties, Old Fang would help within his means. Teacher Mu had quarreled with him over this more than once. Each time, Old Fang acted innocent, insisting he had been completely faithful to her and that the most intimate contact he'd had with another woman after marriage was a handshake. At the same time, he would retort, "Aren't there male students among your pupils? Gender shouldn't be a barrier." These arguments ended not long after Fang Muyang was born. Whenever Old Fang was in the living room, showcasing his elegance and knowledge to his admirers, Fang Muyang would make an unexpected appearance, shattering his father's poise and demolishing his elegance. His vast knowledge proved utterly useless when it came to parenting, reduced to repetitive and impoverished language. Fang Muyang didn't just dismantle his father's image; he also shattered his admirers' idealized vision of the perfect man. Old Fang's followers discovered that the man they idolized had this side to him—no different from any other ordinary man—and their enthusiasm for seeking his guidance diminished significantly.Due to these experiences, Teacher Mu could quite understand Fei Ni's feelings.
Teacher Mu said with a smile, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I won't accept the gift. Our family isn't particularly particular about such things. Last time Fei Ni gave me a face cream, I've only used it two or three times so far. It'll probably take three to five years to finish it. Take it back and use it with your mother."
In these words, Ling Yi couldn't help but perceive a distinction in closeness—Fei Ni was "our family," and Auntie Mu would prioritize using Fei Ni's face cream. She thought that the so-called face cream Fei Ni gave was probably something like lemon honey, which couldn't compare to hers. Before she could tactfully point out the difference, Old Fang spoke again.
Old Fang confirmed that his wife truly wasn't particular: "Over a decade ago, when I went with a delegation to the Soviet Union, I bought a bottle of face cream for your Auntie Mu. The other day, when they returned the confiscated items to us, that face cream came back too. When we opened it, it was barely used." He had also bought a bottle of perfume, which Fang Muyang mixed into his watercolor paints. The unfilial son wasted half a bottle of his perfume just to see if the scent would remain when mixed with paint.
Ling Yi realized that Fei Ni had quickly integrated into this family; her background and education hadn't become obstacles to her assimilation.
Having her carefully prepared gift rejected, Ling Yi felt somewhat embarrassed. She suspected that Fei Ni must have said something to Fang Muyang's parents for Auntie Mu to treat her so coldly.
Of course, Teacher Mu couldn't completely ignore Ling Yi, so she asked where she worked and if everything was going well. She knew nothing about Ling Yi's recent situation.
Ling Yi answered each question. It turned out Fei Ni hadn't really mentioned her to Teacher Mu—she wasn't as bad as Ling Yi had thought.
"Is Muyang not home today?"
"He went to work; he's working overtime today."
"Is Muyang still working at the restaurant?"
Old Fang grunted in affirmation.
Ling Yi's father said, "It's such a waste of talent for Muyang to work at a restaurant. I've always loved the paintings he did as a child. He even gave us one before, but unfortunately, it was lost."
Old Fang humbly deflected on behalf of his unfilial son, but couldn't help adding, "He does have some talent in that area." That's why, even when he denied Fang Muyang meals, he would still buy him art supplies.
Fang Muyang became the topic of conversation.
The two families reminisced, talking about the old Fang Muyang, who used to love visiting the Ling family.
Old Fang thought to himself, He didn't just like visiting your house; he went to every household in the building. In that unfilial son's words, everyone else's food was better than ours. He made a fool of me all around, so I had to make sure he had enough to eat and send him to the countryside for training during long holidays.
But to Fei Ni, it sounded different. Fang Muyang giving up his spot for Ling Yi probably wasn't just out of sympathy. However, she didn't like dwelling on the past; Fang Muyang was hers now.
After the pleasantries, Ling Yi's father brought up Fang Muyang's job, mentioning that there was a vacancy at the pictorial magazine. If Fang Muyang didn't mind, he could start right away. The implication was that even working at the pictorial would be a waste of his talent.
Although the Ling family didn't mention their own role, anyone with insight could tell they had pulled the strings.Old Fang had this much confidence in his rebellious son and didn't think Fang Muyang was unworthy of the position. However, recently there had been more visitors than usual, with rumors circulating that he was about to be reinstated or even promoted. Some who heard the news came to congratulate him in advance. Old Fang found it both amusing and frustrating, having to explain that he himself hadn't received any information about being reinstated. The well-wishers assumed he was deliberately keeping it secret. When seeing guests off, Old Fang also asked them to take their gifts back. He knew these people had come bearing gifts on their own initiative, drawn by the rumors, and although the gifts were modest, and he had denied the rumors, if he ended up not being reinstated, those gift-givers would surely slander and belittle him behind his back. The rumor would then twist into him having actively spread the news of his reinstatement. Such framing was all too common, happening incessantly.
Although Ling Yi's father was Old Fang's former subordinate and old acquaintance, during these times, Old Fang didn't dare recklessly accept gifts from others. His son's job offer could also be considered a form of gift.
Old Fang expressed his gratitude to his former subordinate and stated that he wouldn't interfere with his son's career choices, leaving it up to Fang Muyang to decide for himself.
Old Fang said, "No matter where one works, it's all in service of the people."
"Of course."
Old Fang chuckled again, "As for where he serves, let him decide. You know how my youngest son never listens to me." At the same time, he added jokingly, "Now everyone's saying I'm taking on an important position, but that's completely untrue. The only important position I hold is at home, where I'm led by Xiao Yang in doing household chores. The rumors have twisted it beyond recognition."
It took Ling Yi's parents a moment to realize that Xiao Yang was the Fang family's housemaid. They then remarked that their old leader was truly humorous and added that with Old Fang's talent, it was only a matter of time before he was reinstated.
Old Fang waved his hand, "I'm just a scholar, suited only for staying in my study. Right now, my most important task is to finish organizing my manuscript."
Ling Yi volunteered to take on the task of organizing the manuscript: "Uncle Fang, if you don't mind, I can help you with your manuscript." She then added that she was currently working as an editor at a publishing house, so organizing manuscripts fell within her expertise.
Although Old Fang didn't fully trust Ling Yi's ability, he quite appreciated her attitude.
"You could let me give it a try. If it doesn't work out, you can always take over. How does that sound?"
Teacher Mu glanced at Fei Ni, who was nearby, and thought that if Old Fang agreed, Ling Yi would frequently visit their home.
Old Fang recalled that Ling Yi had attended university. Her background was similar to his rebellious son's, yet she had been recommended for university, which suggested she was exceptionally driven.
He expressed this praise in his words.
Ling Yi's father, thinking Old Fang was being sarcastic, hurriedly said, "If it weren't for Muyang giving up his own spot, no matter how outstanding Xiao Yi was, she wouldn't have been able to attend university."
Soon, the Ling family realized that Fang Muyang's parents were unaware of him giving up his university spot.He had made a tremendous sacrifice, yet hadn't even told his own parents. Ling Yi abandoned the performative tendencies she had brought with her and returned to the expression she wore when visiting Fang Muyang in the hospital—back then she felt she had lost him, and today that feeling was even more pronounced. She had completely missed her chance with him; from now on, she would never meet another man willing to sacrifice his future for her, to keep her secrets sealed. So many pursued her, yet she knew no one would ever treat her this well again. She suddenly despised her past weakness—if only she had been stronger then, persisted a little longer, she could have held on until Fang Muyang regained consciousness, held on to be with him.
She thought, if only Fei Ni were worse—if she were worse, she would have a reason to snatch Fang Muyang away from her. But she had to admit that Fei Ni wasn't as bad as she had imagined; Fei Ni knew about her past yet said nothing to Fang Muyang's parents.
This realization filled her eyes with sorrow.
What surprised Old Fang the most wasn't that his wayward son had given up his university spot to someone else, but that he had actually been recommended for university despite his background. He knew all too well how difficult that was. From surprise sprang relief—though his son was unruly, he was still his son after all—and from relief bloomed joy, which he couldn't help but show on his face. He had been agonizing over how much money to give his wayward son, but because of this discovery, he decided to be more generous.
Ling Yi's parents had prepared themselves for cold treatment, but unexpectedly, the old leader seemed even happier than before.
This was beyond their comprehension.
Teacher Mu's reaction was more typical of a parent. Her upbringing didn't allow her to show obvious coldness. She smiled and excused herself, saying she needed to prepare lessons in the bedroom and asking Fei Ni to come with her.
When Fang Muyang was young, Teacher Mu didn't care much whether he attended university—the family wasn't short of college graduates. Since Fang Muyang had no interest in higher education, she let him neglect his studies. But in the countryside, a university spot meant future prospects. He had worked so hard to secure that opportunity, only to give it to Ling Yi. Ling Yi was capable—why should she accept such a huge favor from others? No principled, well-bred person would accept it. For this, she looked down on Ling Yi. She attributed her son's decision to give up the spot to his poor judgment—mistakenly developing feelings for Ling Yi, who hadn't reciprocated. When it mattered, it was her current daughter-in-law who took care of him. She sympathized with her son's plight but couldn't agree with his judgment of character.
She completely understood Fei Ni's coldness and dislike toward Ling Yi.
Teacher Mu took out a watch—one she had bought for her son, unisex but now decided to give to Fei Ni.
"Mom, I already have a watch."
"You can alternate between them."
"You've worked hard."
"Why do you say that suddenly?"
Teacher Mu changed the subject: "What books would you like to read? Make a list, and I'll borrow them from the library for you."
The Ling family sensed the hostess's coldness. Though the old leader remained polite, they tactfully took their leave. Before going, Ling Yi's father mentioned the job matter again—if Muyang was willing, he could help with the transfer procedures.
Old Fang repeated: "Let's wait until Muyang returns to decide."As soon as the guests left, Teacher Mu called her husband into the study: "Don't let Ling Yi help you organize your manuscripts. I don't welcome her in our home."
Old Fang rarely saw his wife so agitated and tried to console her: "Muyang never wanted to go to university in the first place. Ling Yi grew up with him since they were children, and she's a girl who's always been delicate, unable to do heavy physical labor. I can understand why Muyang gave up his spot for her."
"Just because she's a girl, she's delicate? Tell me, when we were at the agricultural machinery factory, in what aspect did you outperform me?"
"Let's not bring up the past."
"If Ling Yi had any principles at all, she wouldn't have accepted an opportunity gained through someone else sacrificing their future. I don't like that kind of person, and I don't want Muyang to have any further contact with her."
"Doing a good deed has instead bred resentment. I don't think that was Muyang's intention. Shouldn't we just let things take their natural course?"
"Let things take their natural course?" Teacher Mu sneered. "Why do you think your son gave up his spot for Ling Yi? You can't be that clueless. If Ling Yi had visited him a few more times when he was in difficulty, who do you think would be your daughter-in-law now? We can't let Fei Ni down."
Old Fang couldn't help but feel sorry for his wayward son. Who would have thought he'd be such a sentimental fool, and even be let down by someone.
Fang Muyang got off work on time and saw his father sitting in the living room. The old man's gaze was strange and peculiar today. If he wasn't mistaken, his father was pitying him.
His father actually pitied him.
Not only his father, but even his mother looked at him a bit oddly. And Fei Ni was colder toward him than usual.
Before dinner, he went to the bathroom to wash his hands. Fei Ni had just entered but hadn't closed the door yet. Fang Muyang squeezed in, shut the door, took Fei Ni's hands, and helped her apply soap, working up a lather. "What's wrong today? What mistake did I make?"
He washed Fei Ni's hands meticulously. "Or did the old man upset you? I can't imagine my mother bothering you."
"What are you talking about? I'm not upset at all." Fei Ni pulled her hands back. "I have good news to tell you later."
"But your expression doesn't look like good news at all."
"You'll find out soon enough." The only "good news" Fang Muyang could think of that would make Fei Ni unhappy was if she were pregnant. She didn't want to have a child so early, and neither did he. But they had been very careful with precautions; such a thing couldn't possibly happen.
She hurried out of the bathroom, took a deep breath at the doorway, and waited for the heat in her face to fade before returning to the dining room.
During the meal, the old man surprisingly gave Fang Muyang a serving of food, telling him to eat more.
As the meal was winding down, Old Fang finally brought up the job offer from the Ling family.
Before Fang Muyang could even state whether he would take it or not, Old Fang said, "Your mother and I hope you'll refuse this job. We'll do our best to find you one that's comparable."
It was then that Fei Ni spoke up: "Actually, I think Fang Muyang should take the job at the pictorial."
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