Chapter 581 You Must Strive to Succeed

Chapter 581 You’ve Got to Prove Yourself

A few more days passed, and He Dongqi was let out by the security department.

Inside, he was on the verge of despair, waiting in vain for someone to bail him out.

Each day felt like a year, and because of Jiang Yu’s influence, even the people delivering meals gave him dirty looks.

He got beaten up nearly every day, and no matter how much he cried for help, no one cared.

When he was finally released, what awaited him was punishment.

His previously planned promotion was canceled, and worse, he received a mark on his military record.

He Dongqi immediately went to find He Jingyi, only to be told by his father who’d always doted on him that there was nothing he could do.

The old man avoided seeing him altogether and even considered kicking their family of three out of the ancestral home.

Wei Xiuru was no use when it came to his career, only complaining whenever they met.

"Your grandfather has always favored He Tingyue—this isn’t some recent development."

"They say the palm and the back of the hand are both flesh, but he never treated you like his own grandson. He’s always been obsessed with He Tingyue."

"My son, it’s all my fault. Blame your bad luck for being born to me."

He Dongqi clenched his fists, his eyes filled with hatred.

"Thank god, He Tingyue will never come back!"

No matter how high the old man’s expectations were, He Tingyue was already dead.

But he was still young. Even if he lost this opportunity, he could still move up the ranks in the future.

He Tingyue would never have that chance again!

"Mom, I will make you proud. Just give me some more time. I’ll make Grandpa eat his words!"

Wei Xiuru hugged him and cried, "You’re my only hope now."

She had spent her whole life measuring herself against Wei Baiyun—first herself, then through their sons.

The day He Tingyue was discharged from the military, she laughed herself to sleep.

Wei Baiyun’s children were just as mediocre after all.

But later, she realized the old man had always favored He Tingyue.

No matter how well He Dongqi performed, he could never win the old man over.

"You must prove yourself, you must!"

She wanted to throw it back in the faces of everyone who ever looked down on them.

On the same day He Dongqi received his punishment, Jiang Yu caught wind of it.

Though the disciplinary action wasn’t severe, it would stick with He Dongqi for a long time.

Then, she packed some cash and headed back to Nanhe Village.

Jiang Ting had been waiting impatiently for her to come. If Jiang Yu hadn’t shown up soon, she would’ve gone to the city to track her down.

Jiang Yu placed the envelope she had brought on the table. "It’s all here. Consider us square."

Jiang Ting beamed, gleefully counting the big bills inside.

Jiang Yu had even thrown in an extra hundred—that was her bonus from the organization.

Whatever Jiang Ting’s reasons were, at least the information she provided had saved countless lives.

"Jiang Yu, so, I heard your man still isn’t back?"

Actually, what she had heard was that He Tingyue had sacrificed himself in the rescue mission, but she didn’t have the guts to say it straight.

Though she’d put it delicately, Jiang Yu understood.

"Yeah, he hasn’t returned yet."

Jiang Ting’s eyes shifted nervously. "You don’t think he’s... you know?"

Jiang Yu shot her a glare. "Been too long since I put you in your place? Need a reminder?"

Jiang Ting immediately fell silent and pocketed the money.

"I’m done with my lying-in period now. I want to find a job—can you hook me up with something?"

She still had some money left, and with Jiang Yu’s connections, it should cover buying a position.

Jiang Yu wasn’t dumb enough to take on her mess.

"I don’t have anything suitable for you right now. Try someone else."

Naturally, this provoked another round of complaints from Jiang Ting: "You’re so cold!"

Jiang Yu ignored her and walked out.

Wang Meili was hoping for the same thing, waiting for Jiang Yu to have a sudden pang of conscience and help Jiang Hao find a job.

But she was bound to be let down, because Jiang Yu hardly said two words to her before leaving Nanhe Village.

Come mid-August, He Tingyue was still missing.

Nobody brought him up around Jiang Yu, as it was already assumed he had sacrificed himself.

Meanwhile, the statistics for earthquake victims had been finalized.

The dead numbered over ten thousand, with over four thousand severely injured, and the financial damage was beyond counting.

Rebuilding was urgent, but the job was huge.

However, at this point, the rescue mission was over.

Jiang Yu continued working as usual, neither inquiring about He Tingyue nor paying attention to the rumors outside.

She held onto the belief he’d come back.

By the end of August, she was four months pregnant and starting to show.

Jiang Yu went alone to the hospital for her check-up.

"I'm doing fine. How's your appetite recently?"

Jiang Yu replied, "Same as always—I’ll eat whatever’s there."

He Tingyue had spoiled her appetite, making her somewhat picky—preferring hearty, greasy food.

Now that He Tingyue was gone, she could only eat what she cooked herself.

It was edible, but nothing to write home about.

Leaving the hospital, she thought that with autumn already here, the weather in Beicheng would turn cooler next month.

She figured she’d pick up some yarn now and knit a scarf in her spare time.

She wasn’t skilled enough for sweaters, but gloves, socks, and such were more than manageable.

Right after her purchase, she ran into Cai Xiaole and her mother at the department store.

"Aunt Cai," she stepped forward to greet them.

Cai Huifang wasn’t fond of her, but she kept things civil.

"What brings you out by yourself?"

Jiang Yu explained, "Fei Yan went out with friends. I was at the hospital for a check-up and came by to buy some yarn and fabric."

Seeing Jiang Yu’s composed attitude, as if He Tingyue’s situation hadn’t affected her at all, Cai Huifang felt somewhat uneasy.

Logically, Jiang Yu should be devastated right now—how could she act so unaffected? How cold-hearted.

"I heard about Section Chief He. I’m so sorry."

Though Jiang Yu’s current expression was anything but sorrowful.

Jiang Yu’s smile stiffened. "Aunt Cai, you’ve misunderstood. Until we hear otherwise, no one can confirm whether anything has happened to him. I believe he’ll return."

Cai Huifang blinked. "But it’s been so long. If he were still alive—"

"Mom, what are you saying?" Cai Xiaole quickly cut her off.

Talk about salt in the wound.

Cai Huifang forced a smile. "Sorry, Jiang Yu. I didn’t mean it like that."

"It’s fine. I still want to buy a few more things, so I’ll get going."

She had originally wanted to chat with Cai Xiaole, but now it seemed unnecessary.

After killing some more time, she prepared to go home.

As she stepped out of the department store, she ran into Wei Xiuru.

Standing beside her was a stranger Jiang Yu didn’t recognize.

The two were chatting and laughing, but the moment Wei Xiuru spotted Jiang Yu, she froze mid-laugh.

"Oh, Jiang Yu. Has Ting Yue come back yet? I told you—with no news for this long, he’s a goner."

A whole month had passed without He Tingyue’s return. In Wei Xiuru’s mind, he was already dead.

What a delight.

Too bad Wei Baiyun wasn’t in Beicheng—would she even find out?

Jiang Yu looked at Wei Xiuru’s gloating expression and replied coolly, "Long time no see, but you’re just the same—same old you, still a master of nastiness."