Zeng Xiuyun was unwilling to hand over the hairpin just like that.
It was gold, after all, and could be sold for some money.
"If you want it, you can have it, but you'll have to pay for it."
Song Qinglan was almost angered into laughter. "It was my mother's item, and you have the nerve to ask me to pay for it? Zeng Xiuyun, have you no shame!"
Cheng You smiled coldly and pointed at Qiu Yingxun. "Are you prioritizing your grandson's future or money? Choose one. If he offends the Qi family, and can still get by in Yancheng, you must think too highly of us."
This was Cheng You's first time bullying someone with power, and she felt a little awkward.
This was no longer an old era where one could rely on authority to suppress others. She was just talking.
Zeng Xiuyun wanted to seek help from Old Master Song, but he helplessly avoided her gaze.
"You should return the item to Qinglan."
Otherwise, if she offended the person, Song Qinglan might even disown him, her own father.
Zeng Xiuyun felt extremely wronged. "But this hairpin was a gift from you to me!"
Sensing Song Qinglan's glare, Old Master Song quickly explained, "If you hadn't begged me tearfully, I wouldn't have given it to you!"
He had been infatuated with Zeng Xiuyun's beauty back then and hadn't thought much of it, thinking a hairpin was just a trifle.
He had even repeatedly instructed her not to wear it out, assuming there wouldn't be any major issues.
Who knew that something from so many years ago would be brought up again.
Zeng Xiuyun had originally used the hairpin as leverage, so she had brought it with her.
But she was truly reluctant to take it out.
If Qiu Yingxun hadn't been worried about Cheng You's revenge and begged her repeatedly, she might not have taken it out at all.
Song Qinglan watched her take out the item and glanced at the guilt-ridden Old Master. Her heart was unmoved.
She had completely given up on this father.
"If there's nothing important, don't come near me anymore. You're annoying."
The Old Master's lips moved. Her words were no different from cutting ties.
After a moment of silence, he said nothing more and turned to leave.
It was a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice. As Zeng Xiuyun was dragged away, she regretted coming today.
Cheng You took out the hairpin from the small cloth bag. It was adorned with tassels at the end and was indeed beautiful.
However, in an era where fashion was leaning towards modernization, few people wore such items.
"Mom, please keep it."
Song Qinglan shook her head. "You brought it back, so you keep it. My mother didn't have the fortune to see her grandchildren get married. Consider it as her saving up a dowry for our Xiao Lele."
Cheng You saw her tired expression and glanced at Qi Chengyan before putting the item away.
The full moon banquet was over. Cheng You went downstairs to settle the bill.
"Boss, the price seems a bit off."
The proprietress of Dongshun Lou smiled. "Consider it my congratulatory gift. I'll give you a discount."
Cheng You smiled and glanced at the boy doing his homework nearby. She didn't refuse and paid the money.
Before getting into the car, Song Qinglan reminded her, "Remember to put a compress on your palms when you get back."
Cheng You had slapped Zeng Xiuyun's face until it was swollen, but she hadn't escaped unscathed either; her palms were red.
Cheng You smiled and nodded. "I know."
After spending a long time outside, the first thing she did upon returning home was to hold her little one.
The little one was sleeping soundly in the old lady's arms after a milk feeding, snoring softly.
"Why don't you sleep here tonight? It's still windy outside."
Cheng You smiled. "There's no wind today, and it's still early. We'll go back, so Lele won't cry at night, and you and Grandpa won't sleep soundly."
The old lady didn't keep them long, urging them to return home soon.
Qi Chengyan carried the child over and held Cheng You's hand as they walked out.
The old lady sighed. "The children raised by our side are not as well-off as Youyou. Old Feng, do you think we were really wrong?"
Old Master Feng remained silent.
He had a lifetime of military service and countless meritorious deeds.
When he retired, he thought that his past achievements would be enough to protect his descendants for generations.
But he had overlooked one point: no matter how great the reliance, it was not as important as the child themselves.
...
At the end of January, Cheng You returned to school to take her final exams.
Starting next semester, her classmates would gradually enter the workforce, and opportunities to gather together would be fewer.
So, they decided to have a meal together.
Cheng You, though concerned about her little one, couldn't refuse.
They chose a hot pot restaurant near the school. Since it was a rare gathering, they ordered quite a bit of alcohol.
Cheng You didn't drink much. Seeing Fang Yunbao pouring her a drink, she said, "I won't drink, I have to take care of the child when I get back."
Fang Yunbao tutted. "You don't have to breastfeed. You're always taking care of the child. It's not too much to ask Qi Chengyan to do it once today, is it?"
Cheng You smiled. "I don't take care of him every day. Alright, I'll keep you company today. We won't go home until we're drunk."
"Great! We won't go home until we're drunk!"
As they clinked glasses, in a daze, Cheng You seemed to see herself back in her first year of college.
After a few years, they were facing separation.
Cheng You didn't have a good tolerance for alcohol. After two drinks, her head started to feel dizzy.
She finally managed to pay the bill when the gathering ended.
Fang Yunbao said, "Everyone chip in. We can't let you pay alone."
Cheng You smiled and patted her shoulder. "This meal is on me."
As she walked out, the cold wind blew, clearing her head a bit.
They had eaten early and ended early, so they could still take the bus home.
Carrying the smell of alcohol, she walked back towards the military compound.
In a daze, she saw two furtive figures loitering at the entrance.
As she got closer, she realized it was Feng Xue.
The other person, Cheng You guessed, was her newly married, foolish husband.
Cheng You had a headache and didn't intend to pay them any mind, walking straight past them.
Feng Xue, pulling the man, ran forward and blocked her way.
"Cheng You, let me in!"
As Feng Xue tugged at her, Cheng You's headache worsened.
"You can call Grandpa and Grandma. If they want to see you, they'll let you in."
Feng Xue had finally managed to escape this time. She had nowhere to go but to seek help from the old lady.
"They definitely won't want to see me. Please help me!"
Cheng You brushed away her hand. "I can't help you. If you want to solve your problem, you should go to the Public Security Bureau."
"They don't meddle in family affairs! I don't like this fool, and I want a divorce, but my second aunt took their money, and they won't let me go. He's a fool, and he beats me every night. I can't stand it anymore!"
Feng Xue tried to evoke Cheng You's sympathy, but she was met with cold indifference.
Cheng You felt no pity for her.
Even if she saved her this time, she would still bite her back next time.
Cheng You ignored her and walked forward.
But she didn't see the thick, lingering hatred in Feng Xue's eyes.