Chapter Nine: I Want This Uncle to Be My Father

Liu Jingqiu turned the tables, while Huali could only cry. Looking at her unworthy father, who showed clear favoritism toward Liu Jingqiu and wore a face full of impatience toward Huali, she clicked her tongue in frustration.

Luo Yan cried along with Huali, her sobs soft and intermittent, accompanied by continuous coughing.

“Mommy, don’t cry. Yan Yan won’t eat candy anymore. Cough, cough... Yan Yan’s not hurt. Cough, cough...”

Huali silently endured her grievances, but her daughter was nearly killed because of Liu Jingqiu. Who was really pushing whom to the brink?

“You gave my daughter hard candy and then bumped into my daughter, nearly choking her to death. Whether intentional or not, what’s wrong with me protecting my daughter? Instead of explaining, you throw accusations left and right. Who exactly is trying to drive whom to death?”

Luo Shicheng knew Liu Jingqiu had given Luo Yan candy but was unaware that the child had been in danger. Huali’s harsh tone clearly accused Liu Jingqiu of doing it deliberately. How could he allow Huali to treat a comrade’s wife this way?

“You’re the mother of the child, but Comrade Liu Jingqiu is not. If you didn’t take good care of the child, that’s your problem. How can you blame others?”

Oh dear, the worthless father had a whole set of excuses. Luo Yan coughed again.

“Daddy is bad... Mommy, I don’t want An Xiaotong’s dad to be my dad anymore. I want this uncle to be my dad.”

Chen Yuanshan, who was driving, was so startled he almost drove the car into a ditch.

Huali’s face flushed with embarrassment as she quickly covered her daughter’s mouth.

“Yan Yan, don’t say such things.”

Luo Yan glanced at Luo Shicheng’s expression through the rearview mirror.

Luo Shicheng’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot, suppressing the urge to kick Chen Yuanshan out of the car. He stared straight ahead, feigning indifference.

Seeing the veins bulge on Luo Shicheng’s forehead, Luo Yan smirked mischievously.

Luo Shicheng had feelings for Huali; otherwise, after her death, he would not have died in melancholy unable to untangle his grief.

So Luo Yan deliberately provoked him, hoping to awaken his instincts, so he could realize his true feelings sooner and avoid a tragic ending.

It was always Liu Jingqiu setting traps for Huali, making her suffer silently. When had Huali ever silenced Liu Jingqiu with sharp words? Liu Jingqiu spoke recklessly.

“Oh? This little one is already matchmaking, pulling strings. Comrade Huali really did a good job educating her.”

Children speak without thinking, but adults are different. Chen Yuanshan didn’t mind Luo Yan wanting to call him dad; he found it cute. But Liu Jingqiu’s irresponsible words were another matter—he had no obligation to indulge her.

Chen Yuanshan frowned. “Comrade Liu Jingqiu, please watch your words. Children’s talk is innocent and not taken seriously, but you are different. If your remarks cause any trouble for me or Comrade Huali, I will pursue it fully.”

Disciplinary matters were no joke, and slander was punishable. Besides, whoever could drive Sun Bailing likely had a complicated background, so Liu Jingqiu naturally dared not offend him.

Liu Jingqiu sobbed, “When Comrade Huali slandered me, why didn’t you say anything? I just made a joke and now it’s not allowed? Boo hoo, I was wrong, I apologize, okay?”

Chen Yuanshan laughed coldly. “What exactly did she slander you about? Explain clearly instead of making it seem like I’m taking sides. Let me make it clear—I don’t know either of you. I have no reason to protect one or take the blame for anyone.”

If Huali had been relentless, Luo Shicheng could have silenced her. But Chen Yuanshan was different; as a soldier himself, problems had to be clarified, and the military’s image must never be tarnished.

Seeing Luo Shicheng silent, Liu Jingqiu realized the situation was grim and cried so hard she nearly fainted, unable to speak.

Huali, seeing Liu Jingqiu’s desperate sobbing, had no tears left herself. She held Luo Yan and apologized to Chen Yuanshan.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not taking good care of the child and causing you trouble.”

Chen Yuanshan waved his hand without turning back, signaling it was no problem.

Though knowing Liu Jingqiu was crying to avoid the issue, Chen Yuanshan couldn’t stoop to argue with a woman. The topic ended there as he silently drove to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Liu Jingqiu kept crying, seemingly unable to get out of the car.

Chen Yuanshan sat in the driver’s seat with a face full of disgust. “Being dazed won’t get you killed; get out quickly.”

Liu Jingqiu glared fiercely at him through her fingers, then opened the door and got out.

Fang Aihua saw Liu Jingqiu’s tear-streaked face as Luo Shicheng, expression stern, entered the office with Huali holding the child, puzzled.

Luo Shicheng clearly stated the situation, causing Fang Aihua a headache.

“Comrade Liu Jingqiu is diligent and responsible, often helping comrades in difficulty, respects the elderly and loves the young—she’s our model worker. Changing her position just like that isn’t fair, right?”

Hearing footsteps, Luo Shicheng turned to see Chen Yuanshan entering, his expression darkening.

“Comrade Liu Jingqiu was originally assigned to work at the supply and marketing cooperative. She gave up her position to someone else. I didn’t know about this, so I asked Comrade Huali to give up her job for her.

Now, we’re just asking Comrade Huali to return to work. As for how Comrade Liu Jingqiu’s position will be handled, I’m not involved in that; let her decide herself.”

If Liu Jingqiu wanted to keep playing the good Samaritan, she could continue by giving the job completely to Liu Fengling’s eldest daughter. If not, she would have to take back her own position.

The worthless father did say something sensible. Luo Yan rested her head on Huali’s shoulder and smiled at Chen Yuanshan, making Luo Shicheng’s face darken further.

Luo Shicheng’s reasoning was sound. Fang Aihua asked Liu Jingqiu, “Comrade Liu Jingqiu, what are your plans?”

She had sold her job for eight hundred yuan to Liu Fengling’s eldest daughter. If she wanted the job back, she’d have to return the money—and she wasn’t willing.

Liu Jingqiu sniffled, “How can you give something away and then take it back? Anyway, I can’t do it anymore.”

She didn’t say whether she would give the job back to Liu Fengling’s daughter, only blaming herself. Luo Shicheng, in the same predicament, naturally had more thoughts.

Seeing Luo Shicheng’s awkward position and unwillingness to say more, Chen Yuanshan stepped forward to ask Fang Aihua.

“Who took over Comrade Liu Jingqiu’s shift? Please call her over.”

Fang Aihua sized up Chen Yuanshan in his uniform, knowing this matter couldn’t be glossed over. She stood to leave but was stopped by Liu Jingqiu.

“Director Fang, I’ll go.”

Fang Aihua thought that if Liu Jingqiu went to find the person, they could settle the matter between them, saving her the trouble of further mediation. She nodded in agreement.

“Go quickly and come back soon. Don’t keep the comrades waiting.”

Liu Jingqiu agreed and went out to find Liu Fengling.

Luo Yan suspected Liu Jingqiu was up to no good again and squirmed to get down.

“Potty, potty…”

Huali hurriedly apologized to everyone and took Luo Yan to the restroom.

Luo Yan didn’t need to go but was put down and immediately ran off.

Huali hurried after her but was too weak to keep up, watching helplessly as Luo Yan headed for the stairwell.

Luo Yan reached the first-floor landing and saw Liu Jingqiu pulling along a woman in her forties, followed by a girl in her twenties, walking out...