Chapter 2: Chapter 2 – For Your Own Good

But she couldn’t bring herself to say it outright, so she just hinted around.

Shen Qiao didn’t notice a thing—she only thought her mother was desperate for her to stay home.

She brushed off the unpleasant topic and rolled up her sleeves to help out.

The two of them had been up since early morning, and only now did the rest of the house begin to stir.

The Shen family spanned three generations under one roof—ten people altogether. Most of them had jobs. Even on New Year’s Eve, factory shifts didn't stop. After a quick breakfast, they each left for work, leaving behind just four “idlers.”

Shen Qiao sat with her little nephew Niu Niu on her lap, feeding him steamed egg custard. When she noticed her younger brother Shen Liang still at home, she asked curiously, “Why aren’t you out playing with your friends?”

Shen Liang was fifteen, in his second year of middle school, and loved hanging out in the streets. He was hardly ever home.

He dragged a small stool to the kitchen doorway and said, “Mom’s cooking something good today.”

Shen Qiao had been away for so many New Years that she’d nearly forgotten the traditions. She slapped her forehead. “Oh right, it’s New Year’s Eve!”

She remembered how she used to hover by the stove as a kid too, not budging an inch. The memory made her stare into the kitchen.

Niu Niu, perched on her lap, followed her gaze curiously.

Liu Aihong turned around and chuckled at the sight of the three of them—one big, two small—staring into the kitchen. “I’ll make you some egg dumplings to snack on first.”

Shen Qiao’s mouth watered. She leaned over. “Let me sneak a few pointers from you.”

She could cook basic meals, but dishes like this were out of her league.

Mother and daughter chatted over the coal stove until a knock came at the door.

Shen Liang got up. “I’ll get it.”

When he opened the door and saw who it was, he looked surprised. “Brother Zhang?”

Hearing that name, Shen Qiao peeked her head out and frowned. “Mom, what’s he doing here?”

Liu Aihong wasn’t sure either but replied, “Be polite. A guest is a guest.”

She quickly wiped her hands and walked toward the living room. “Xiao Zhang, come on in.”

Zhang Shun came in with both hands full of gifts and greeted her warmly, “Just here to wish you an early New Year. Is Master Shen home?”

He used to apprentice under Shen Wenhua, so calling him “Master” wasn’t wrong. But as he spoke, his eyes kept drifting to Shen Qiao—his intentions couldn’t have been more obvious.

Shen Qiao felt her stomach turn. Did her father not make things clear? Why would he show up now, acting like some legitimate fiancé?

She ignored him entirely and went back to playing with her nephew.

That was already considered quite rude. Liu Aihong shot her daughter a warning look and invited the guest to sit. “He’s working today. You’re off?”

Zhang Shun took a seat on the couch. “I’ve got the day off, so I thought I’d stop by.”

He glanced at Shen Qiao again and said, “Qiao Qiao, I brought you a gift.”

Hearing him call her “Qiao Qiao” made her skin crawl. They weren’t close like that.

She gave a stiff smile. “You really shouldn’t have. I can’t accept it.”

But Zhang Shun pulled out the gift anyway. “It’s a cashmere scarf. Red—it suits you perfectly.”

He walked toward her and reached out, as if to put it on her.

Startled, Shen Qiao jerked back. “What are you doing?”

Zhang Shun laughed. “Shy? Then you wear it yourself.”

She frowned. “I don’t want it.”

Another glare from her mother made her soften her tone. “It’s too expensive—I really can’t accept it.”

Zhang Shun came from money and brushed it off. “It’s only about ten yuan. As long as you like it.”

Shen Qiao thought to herself: That’s nearly a whole month of my dad’s wages. And we’re not even close. She waved her hands. “No, really. I can’t.”

But Zhang Shun was determined. “Just hold onto it. I’ll buy you a wool coat next.”

That would cost fifty or sixty yuan, at least.

Even Liu Aihong was stunned. In her heart, she really hoped this marriage would happen. Just look at the effort Zhang Shun was putting in—how could you not be moved?

But Shen Qiao was completely unmoved. She could practically taste the cigarette smoke clinging to him, and she couldn’t imagine living her whole life like this. She shook her head. “No need. I’ve got clothes.”

Zhang Shun laughed. “Silly girl, you’ve got to wear something new for the engagement, right?”

Engagement?

What engagement?!

Shen Qiao’s face went ghost white. She looked at her mother.

Liu Aihong was just as confused. She hesitated, “Xiao Zhang, what exactly did your master tell you?”

Zhang Shun blinked. “Tell me what?”

A sinking feeling hit Liu Aihong. She remembered how vague her husband had been when he last mentioned this. “Nothing, nothing…”

Shen Qiao was furious. “Who said anything about getting engaged? I never agreed to that!”

Zhang Shun was clearly caught off guard. “But I already talked it over with Master Shen.”

Shen Qiao couldn’t believe it. “It’s me you’re trying to marry—not my dad!”

Besides, her father had promised to let her decide.

Zhang Shun looked at her like she was being ridiculous. “But your dad gets the final say.”

Seriously? Was this the 1970s or the 1870s?

Shen Qiao was livid. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says—I never agreed!”

Seeing things were going south fast, Liu Aihong gave her son a look. Shen Liang got the message and bolted out the door to find their father.

Shen Qiao noticed out of the corner of her eye and felt her blood pressure spike. Something had clearly gone wrong. She gritted her teeth. “I’m not talking to you anymore. Wait till my dad gets home. Then we’ll see.”

But even as she stood her ground, an uneasy feeling crept in.