Chapter Nineteen: The Prodigal Returns

The two of them returned to the room.

Liu Yueyu stared in astonishment at Shen Guodong. What on earth had Scar been through, to so willingly help Shen Guodong?

“What did you do to Scar? Why does he call you big brother?” Liu Yueyu asked, puzzled. In this world, people are only convinced by wealth or connections. Yet Shen Guodong, in such a short time, had managed to win Scar’s loyalty—she simply couldn’t comprehend it.

“It’s nothing,” Shen Guodong replied with a smile. Some things were best kept from Liu Yueyu; otherwise, she’d only worry. After all, he had been mixing with people from the underworld. In her mind, this would certainly trouble her.

“By the way, this money is your living expenses. Also, check how much debt we owe—find some time to pay it back, one by one,” Shen Guodong said.

They had borrowed a substantial amount before, which had ruined their reputation among relatives. Everywhere they went, they were met with disdain. Shen Guodong didn’t care much, but Liu Yueyu suffered plenty of grievances because of it.

Liu Yueyu’s beautiful eyes widened.

She looked at the stack of bills before her—at least a thousand yuan.

“Where did you get this money? You didn’t do anything wrong again, did you, Guodong? As long as we live well, we don’t need to take shortcuts or chase quick riches. If we keep working hard, we’ll pay off our debts in time!”

Her voice trembled with tears. It was clear how deeply Shen Guodong had wounded her.

Clutching the thousand yuan, she didn’t know what to do, as if the money weighed a thousand pounds.

Shen Guodong gently tucked her hair behind her ear, his movements tender and meticulous. Then he spoke softly, “You’re overthinking. I earned this money honestly. Use it without worry. Since I said I’d work hard, I won’t take shortcuts. Trust me, I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world, someone everyone envies.”

No grand declarations—just a simple promise.

Yet it was enough to bring tears to Liu Yueyu’s eyes. Clutching the stack of bills, she didn’t know where to put it, as if it carried the weight of the world.

“Mm, I believe you,” Liu Yueyu nodded repeatedly. She truly believed him now; this man had changed.

That was enough for her. She had neither lofty ambitions nor grand dreams.

“How much do we owe?”

Shen Guodong asked again, “Check it. I still have two thousand more.”

What?

Liu Yueyu was utterly shocked.

She didn’t even know how to describe her feelings. Her own monthly wage was barely sixty yuan. Three thousand yuan—that would take five or six years to earn. To save up that amount would take even longer. Yet Shen Guodong had gone out once and brought back so much money—it was almost unbelievable.

The shock was indescribable.

“Guodong, tell me honestly—where did you get this money?” Liu Yueyu asked seriously.

Shen Guodong smiled, “Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything illegal. No need to overthink. I partnered with a big boss on a project. I promised him returns, so this is just an advance.”

“A big boss? Which big boss? Are you confident? Don’t promise things you can’t deliver. If you can’t pay him back, it’ll be trouble if he comes knocking,” Liu Yueyu said.

Shen Guodong replied with confidence, “Relax, I’m sure about this. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed.”

“That’s good,” Liu Yueyu said, no longer pressing the matter.

“I’ll get the account book,” she said, and brought out a very worn little notebook. It had records of all the debts they’d accumulated since their marriage—mostly borrowings, rarely repayments.

Some were just a few yuan, others several dozen. The largest was barely over a hundred. Relatives and friends, seeing Shen Guodong in his state, never expected repayment. Only Liu Yueyu insisted on keeping accounts.

The couple tallied up the total.

It wasn’t as much as they’d thought—just over nine hundred yuan, not quite a thousand.

When Liu Yueyu saw the number, she was startled. Unknowingly, they’d accumulated so much debt. She hadn’t noticed at all. This amount was about their combined yearly salary. If they lived frugally, it would take about two years to pay it off completely.

“Take this thousand and pay off our debts. When you repay, buy something for them as well,” Shen Guodong said.

Liu Yueyu nodded, “Alright, I’ll go this weekend. Will you come with me?”

“I’d rather not,” Shen Guodong shook his head. Liu Yueyu had been the one to borrow the money, and those relatives didn’t want to see him anyway, so he preferred not to show his face.

Liu Yueyu didn’t argue.

Suddenly, she felt the burden on her shoulders ease, as if the weight had been lifted. The debts had pressed heavily on them, leaving them overwhelmed. Now, with Shen Guodong truly turning over a new leaf, she began to look forward to the future. Perhaps, in time, she could even have a child?

At least, that was what Liu Yueyu hoped.

“What are you thinking? Why is your pretty face so red?” Shen Guodong blinked, watching the woman lying on her side, curiosity in his eyes.

Liu Yueyu let out a squeak and quickly hid under the blankets, flustered that Shen Guodong had noticed. It was so embarrassing. Shen Guodong laughed heartily—how could a woman’s little secrets escape him?

In an instant, he pulled Liu Yueyu into his arms and whispered in her ear, making her blush even more.

What followed unfolded naturally.

Shen Guodong took her in his embrace.

...

In the morning, Shen Guodong woke up refreshed.

The couple exchanged smiles. Though they had been married for years, their time together was scarce. Liu Yueyu’s cheeks were rosy, basking in the joys of womanhood.

“Do you think I’ll conceive this time?” Liu Yueyu asked.

Shen Guodong replied, “It’s not that fast—let’s just leave it to fate. No rush. I want to focus on my career first, so you won’t have to work so hard.”

“By the way, the date for the awards ceremony has been set—it’s the day after tomorrow. Don’t forget to come.”

“Alright, I’ll take leave today,” Liu Yueyu agreed.