34. Sea of ​​Bitterness

◎The closest yet most distant couple◎

Old Master Xue has been feeling rather uneasy lately.

Two things.

First, when Zhuang Zhong came to him asking for money, he refused, and Zhuang Zhong caused a scene at the Xue family's residence. Although Zhuang Zhong was eventually "invited" out, Xue Qielu had a premonition that the matter was not yet over.

More than 20 years ago, Xue Qielu made a mistake and tried to exploit a loophole in the tax system. Zhuang Zhong took the blame for him and served three years in prison.

Xue Qielu was grateful to this young man. So when Zhuang Zhong was released from prison, he personally went to pick him up. On the very day Zhuang Zhong was released, he took him to pick up a Mercedes-Benz, and then gave him the most profitable company in Xue's Catering production line.

But the three years in prison and the sudden wealth changed Zhuang Zhong's personality drastically, and his appetite became more discerning.

Over the years, he used the Xue family's name to swindle a lot of investment. Xue Qielu, out of consideration for his past mistakes, cleaned up all the holes left behind by him.

Xue Qielu had repeatedly warned Zhuang Zhong that building a tall building or hosting a grand banquet required the right timing, location, and people, and many years of accumulation, but the day the building collapsed might only take a snap of the fingers. However, Zhuang Zhong ignored the advice and still reached a dead end.

Xue Qielu's unease about this matter stemmed from the fact that, given Zhuang Zhong's persistent and nagging nature, he hadn't come back to cause trouble after being asked to leave the Xue Group building. Moreover, he had heard that Zhuang Xiaomeng had joined Jingtian.

Xiaomeng grew up under his care, so he naturally knew about her feelings for Xiao Shisi, but he had always opposed their relationship. Firstly, while Zhuang Xiaomeng wasn't bad, she was narrow-minded and not ambitious in her career, making her incompatible with Xiao Shisi; secondly, Zhuang Zhong's character was simply unsuitable for being in-laws with the Xue family.

Whenever Xue Qielu thought of this, he would think of Song Qinggui.

Song Qinggui...

In retrospect, it seems that Xiao Shisi wasn't blinded by love. Song Qinggui was indeed quite capable and not just a pretty face with no substance.

The second thing that worried Xue Qielu was that he noticed his skin was turning yellow these past few days, so he went to the hospital for a check-up yesterday.

To avoid upsetting his son, Xue Qielu deliberately avoided Jingtian when seeking medical treatment and went to the Navy General Hospital in Lancheng instead.

He had all the necessary tests done, and the doctor said his liver function was a little abnormal and there was a small shadow in the portal vein area, suggesting a biopsy (note), but Xue Qielu hadn't made up his mind yet.

It's not that he's avoiding medical treatment; what he's unsure about isn't whether to have the biopsy—he'll have to do it sooner or later—but rather when to do it.

If it were discovered to be cancer, it would likely cause a stir in the Xue family, the Xue Group, and even the entire business community of Lancheng.

He needed to make some preparations first, paving the way for Xue Lü.

Thus, more than twenty years later, Xue Qielu stepped back into the courtyard of his first wife, Wen Shuangjing—Cihangzhai.

The Xue family's old house is a courtyard-style villa. Cihangzhai is located at the east end of the old house and is a separate courtyard.

The name "Cihang" was given by a Buddhist master after Wen Shuangjing attempted suicide and became a nun. The name was chosen to represent "compassionate ferry across the sea of ​​suffering," and was intended to comfort Wen Shuangjing, encouraging her to stop seeking death and live a good life.

From then on, Wen Shuangjing made a pact with Xue Qielu that they would never see each other again unless they died. Wen Shuangjing then lived in seclusion in Cihangzhai, practicing Buddhism with her hair still intact. The only people who accompanied her for many years were Xue Lu and a Filipino maid named Fang Yali.

Xue Qielu had informed Fang Yali well in advance of his visit to Cihangzhai.

Twenty years may have diluted much of the love and hate, and Wen Shuang actually agreed after hearing Xue Qielu's purpose.

As soon as Xue Qielu entered Cihangzhai, he smelled a faint sandalwood scent. He was not used to it. The women around him liked all kinds of perfumes, and the scent of sandalwood was really unfamiliar to him.

Xue Qielu sat down for a moment, and then Wen Shuangjing came out of the room.

Looking at the newcomer, Xue Qielu was momentarily lost in thought.

Wen Shuangjing was dressed simply, in a brown tweed sweater and white corduroy pants. A jade bracelet and a string of Bodhi beads adorned her slender wrists. Her shoulder-length hair had a natural curl, and the strands were already streaked with gray...

Finally, Xue Qielu's eyes fell on Wen Shuangjing's face.

Her face doesn't look that old...

She hasn't aged at all...

Time has been so kind to this woman who abandoned him...

Xue Qielu felt a mix of emotions; he harbored some resentment towards Wen Shuangjing.

He and Wen Shuangjing had shared sweet years as young lovers, but because of his philandering, she chose to commit suicide. When she failed to do so, she preferred to serve the Buddha rather than have anything to do with him again.

But in the business world of their time, being a womanizer was such a common thing. Which man didn't have a few female confidantes?

Why is it that only Wen Shuangjing can't bear to see it, can't stand it...?

Wen Shuang sat down in the armchair opposite Xue Qielu, with a mahogany table between them.

"You're the one who came to me, so why aren't you saying anything?" Wen Shuangjing spoke, her tone calm and emotionless, showing no sign of love or hate.

Xue Qielu was brought back to his senses by these words: "I'm just a little surprised that your appearance hasn't changed much compared to twenty years ago."

Wen Shuang smiled faintly, the dimples on her cheeks that Xue Qielu had once loved so much were still there. Such a playful facial feature appeared on the face of an elderly woman without being abrupt, but rather added a touch of elegance.

Xue Qielu was momentarily stunned again.

Wen Shuangjing: "I have fewer worries at Cihangzhai, and Alu is also sensible and filial, unlike you, who wastes your time outside. Career, women, children... these years have not been easy for you either."

Xue Qielu looked at Wen Shuangjing. She wasn't being sarcastic; she genuinely felt for his hardships.

But this understanding is not based on any affection, but rather on a kind of... divinity.

Xue Qielu lowered his head, calming the turmoil in his heart caused by seeing Wen Shuangjing again. He had come today on important business.

“I went to the hospital yesterday. There’s a shadow on my liver, which is probably not good,” Xue Qielu said frankly. “The specific nature of the shadow hasn’t been determined yet. A biopsy is needed to find out, but I’m afraid it might be cancer.”

Wen Shuang immediately understood: "Are you afraid that if the test results come out and it's cancer, you won't be able to hide it, and that it will cause some trouble?"

Xue Qielu nodded.

"Xue Tan and Xue Lu..." Wen Shuangjing had already guessed Xue Qielu's purpose today: "What can I do for them?"

Xue Qielu had nine sons and five daughters. Xue Lü was raised by Wen Shuangjing from a young age. Xue Tan was the only child besides Xue Lü who would often come to Cihangzhai to see her and chat with her.

Wen Shuangjing naturally kept the matter of the two children in mind.

Xue Qielu raised his right eyebrow slightly, a habitual expression of surprise on his face. In his youth, he only knew Wen Shuangjing as beautiful, well-read, and strong-willed, but now, after most of his life, he realized that his wife was exceptionally intelligent. He had only said one sentence, and she already knew his purpose.

Xue Qielu: "I'm not worried about the seventh brother; he's already established himself. As for the fourteenth brother, he really worries me. The business of private hospitals and private schools isn't easy. In the last two years, Jingtian Hospital has already made headlines twice. Moreover, young people these days aren't getting married, and the birth rate isn't good. It's really too difficult for him to maintain these two businesses on his own."

Wen Shuangjing raised her eyes; she roughly knew what Xue Qielu was about to say.

Xue Qielu: "If Xue Tan is facing any difficulties, I can help him with business matters, but as for Lawyer Xue, I'm afraid..."

"I understand," Wen Shuangjing said. "After all, he is the child I raised. I will do my part for his future."

When Wen Shuangjing said "exerting effort," she meant using her political connections.

Wen Shuangjing comes from a family of highly educated intellectuals. Many of her relatives and friends are in the field of education, and many others work in the public sector.

When Xue Qielu married Wen Shuangjing, his career flourished rapidly because his father-in-law had connections in the political arena. This also became the reason they couldn't divorce back then.

At that time, the Xue and Wen families were too deeply intertwined with the political arena. If Xue Qielu and Wen Shuangjing's marriage were to break down, it would certainly be big news. Under the pressure of public opinion, it could very well trigger a chain reaction. Neither the Xue and Wen families nor the political figures of the time were willing to take the risk. Therefore, they had no choice but to sacrifice Wen Shuangjing's happiness for the rest of her life.

Now, thirty years have passed, and the Wen family was already small in number, with Wen Shuangjing's parents and relatives having passed away one after another. Although they are no longer here, many of their students are now in their prime, and as a member of the Wen family who is still alive, Wen Shuangjing can ask for some favors.

Xue Qielu: "What do you plan to do?"

Wen Shuangjing: "Let's have Xiao Shisi come back for dinner this weekend. I'll invite a few old friends over for a get-together."

With Wen Shuangjing's words, Xue Qielu understood the situation.

It was on this day that the dinner party for the weekend was arranged.

However, this dinner party caused a huge uproar among the other branches of the Xue family.

Xue Qielu announced that Wen Shuangjing would be hosting a banquet with him to entertain friends that day, and Li Jinghe and Chen Sujuan would not need to attend.

As the fifth wife, Chen Sujuan was never qualified to attend any major occasions, so when she heard the news, she was only surprised that the first wife was going to emerge from seclusion; she didn't feel sad or upset at all.

Li Jinghe was furious. For years, Wen Shuang had been burning incense and praying to Buddha. Whenever Xue Qielu needed to bring his wife to an event, it was always her. Wherever she went, people would respectfully call her Mrs. Xue. She was the one who resolved any problems that arose among the Xue family's children. Last year, when the eldest son got pregnant by a female internet celebrity and had an abortion, it was she who settled the matter.

But now that Wen Shuang is leaving Cihangzhai, Li Jinghe can't attend the banquet. Why?

She's done so much for the Xue family all these years, worried so much. Why is it that now, because of this living dead Wen Shuangjing, she can't even get a meal?!

"Xue Qielu! You heartless bastard!" Li Jinghe smashed the teapot and teacups on the ground in his yard.

Xue Rao and Xue Can comforted her from the side, "Mom, don't be angry. Getting angry will only harm your health and make you suffer."

Xue Can instructed the nanny to clean up the broken porcelain on the ground: "I don't know what Dad was thinking. We haven't seen each other for twenty years, why did he suddenly think of that old nun?"

"Mom, don't get upset." Xue Rao sat down next to Li Jinghe and put her arm around her shoulder to comfort her. "Over the years, everyone in Lancheng knows that you are the mistress of the Xue family. The old nun is already quite old, and all the members of the Wen family are dead. Can she rely on her beauty or her family background? She can't cause any trouble. Besides, I always feel that Dad might have other plans for doing this. If he really wanted to distance himself from us, he wouldn't have invited me and A-Can to dinner."

Xue Can chimed in, "My sister is right, Mom."

Li Jinghe calmed down a bit.

Although Xue Qielu told her and Chen Sujuan that they didn't need to attend the banquet, he also made it clear that all of Xue's children had to be present.

“You two, don’t talk back that day, be quiet.” Li Jinghe narrowed his eyes and said, “Prick up your ears, finish that meal properly, and tell me everything that happened at the banquet when you get back.”

"good."

Note:

Biopsy: short for biopsy, refers to the technique of obtaining diseased tissue for pathological analysis through methods such as local surgical resection, endoscopic forceps, or puncture aspiration. Clinically, it is regarded as the "gold standard" for diagnosis.

[Author's Note]

I know what everyone wants to see, but let's go over the plot first. I promise they'll get their jobs done this week, so don't worry! [Laughing and crying while covering face]