Chapter 43: Trapped in Self-Doubt

“I just can’t understand how someone can be so malicious.”

“For their own benefit, they can recklessly tarnish others’ reputations.”

“What if someone treated her the same way? How would she react?”

This was clearly an internal family conflict, so why drag innocent people into it?

She and Wang Guoqing were merely middle school classmates, and not even close ones at that.

Why should she be dragged into this mess?

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t comprehend why such false accusations were being pinned on her.

Sensing the frustration in her tone, Li Beichen’s voice carried a reassuring strength. “How others behave is their business. There’s no need for An’an to trouble herself over these matters.”

“Besides, didn’t your mother stay behind to stand up for you?”

“You should trust her.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an paused mid-step.

That’s right—her mother was the Women’s Director, specializing in resolving conflicts and disputes among female comrades.

If nothing else, she was certainly sharp-tongued.

Someone like Aunt Tian was, at best, like a toad pretending to be a local official—all bluster and no substance.

If she were to go head-to-head with her mother, she would undoubtedly lose miserably.

Once she grasped this logic, Shen Yi’an’s eyes brightened instantly. “Thank you, Li Beichen.”

“If you hadn’t talked sense into me, I’d still be trapped in a whirlpool of self-doubt.”

“I kept thinking I must have done something wrong to bring all this trouble upon myself.”

“From now on, I won’t think that way anymore.”

Seeing her dispel her earlier despondency, Li Beichen smiled and nodded. “That’s more like it.”

“Punishing yourself for others’ mistakes is the worst decision you can make.”

“If you keep dwelling in the shadows others cast, you’ll only drain your own energy.”

“If things really go that way, the only one who’ll be happy is the other person.”

Shen Yi’an nodded in strong agreement. “You’re absolutely right.”

“If others spread rumors, that reflects poorly on their character. As long as my conscience is clear, that’s all that matters.”

“Life is just thirty thousand days at most. Being kind to yourself is the best choice.”

This last remark made Li Beichen chuckle. “At such a youthful age, how can you sound so world-weary?”

After teasing her, he added seriously, “But you do have a point.”

“Indeed, life is only thirty thousand days long. Being good to yourself is truly the wisest investment.”

“Of course!” Shen Yi’an lifted her chin slightly with pride.

“My mother is already standing up for me, so why should I remain trapped in self-doubt?”

“The key to life is to be happy.”

After saying this, as if remembering something, she turned a curious and probing gaze toward Li Beichen. “Speaking of which, are you really not bothered by what Aunt Tian said?”

“After all, according to her, I’m not a good person—I’m someone who flirts around and can’t be trusted.”

At this question, Li Beichen’s brow furrowed deeply. “I’m an adult, capable of forming my own judgments.”

“You, Shen Yi’an, are not just my fiancée—you will also be my life partner.”

“If I can’t even trust you, then who can I trust?”

Meeting the man’s extremely serious gaze, Shen Yi’an unconsciously smiled with narrowed eyes, “Thank you for your trust!”

“Although I don’t know where your confidence comes from, I will definitely live up to this trust of yours.”

After clearing the air, the two gained a very clear understanding of the nature of this matter.

Aunt Tian, also known as Wang Cuihua, had used this matter as an excuse to deliberately pick a fight.

Choosing Shen Yi’an alone was likely because they assumed her poor health would prevent her from resisting.

Moreover, Wang Guoqing’s tacit approval of Wang Cuihua escalating the situation probably contained ulterior motives to take advantage.

For instance, if Shen Yi’an’s reputation was ruined and she couldn’t marry, he could seize the opportunity to benefit from her predicament.

When this analysis emerged, Li Beichen’s expression turned even darker. “Daring to covet my fiancée? They must have eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard.”

“Fine, alright, very good!”

“When I have sufficient time next, I must meet this comrade Wang Guoqing.”

“Daring to fantasize about a soldier’s fiancée—he must have some powerful backing.”

Hearing the gritted-teeth tone in his words, Shen Yi’an patted his arm reassuringly. “You’re overthinking it.”

“Although I’m not very familiar with Wang Guoqing, I’ve learned quite a bit about his family through Aunt Tian.”

“The most accomplished person in their Wang family is Aunt Tian’s husband.”

Tian Qingshan, an eighth-grade skilled master technician at the Woolen Mill.

He appears honest and simple, but his work is impeccable, and he’s talented at mentoring apprentices.

Because of this, he holds a significant position in the Woolen Mill.

But no matter how accomplished he is, he’s still just a son-in-law of the Wang family.

If the Wang family bullies others based on this connection, they’d be utterly shameless.

Feeling the gentle pat on his arm, the ferocity in Li Beichen’s eyes gradually faded, finally melting into a dazzling, brilliant smile.

Chatting along the way, they quickly reached the entrance on the third floor.

Before they could raise their hands to knock, the closed door was pushed open from inside.

Six eyes met, and the first to speak was Shen Shasha, who had opened the door.

“You’re finally back!”

“If you hadn’t returned soon, I was planning to take Xiaoyi and her brother out to look for you.”

As she spoke, she took the items Shen Yi’an was carrying.

Freed from the weight, Shen Yi’an vigorously shook her arms first.

After catching her breath, she replied, “Third Sister-in-law, you really can’t blame us for this.”

“We originally came back quite early after buying the ingredients, but we ran into Aunt Tian at the entrance to the Family Compound.”

“You know how she is—she always has to make snide remarks whenever she encounters anyone close to our mom.”

“Let alone me, her own daughter.”

Hearing this, Shen Shasha, who had already reached the kitchen doorway, turned her head in surprise. “What? Did she scold you? She didn’t hit you, did she?”

While speaking, she set down the items in her hands and hurried back to Shen Yi’an’s side.

“She didn’t touch you, did she?”

“Little sister, you can’t hide this—you have to tell the truth.”

“If anything happens to you, our whole family will be unsettled.”

Facing her anxious expression, Shen Yi’an quickly waved her hands in explanation. “No, no, she didn’t hit me. Don’t worry, Third Sister-in-law.”

She then glanced at the man beside her. “Besides, Li Beichen was there.”

“If he couldn’t protect me, wouldn’t that uniform be a waste?”

Hearing this, Shen Shasha belatedly realized and nodded.

“That makes sense!”

“Alright, as long as you’re not hurt.”

After speaking, she couldn’t help but ask in return, “Doesn’t Aunt Tian live in the Woolen Mill Residential Compound?”

“How does she have time to come cause trouble over here?”

Although both were residential compounds, there was quite a distance between the Steel Mill Residential Compound and the Woolen Mill Residential Compound.

It took over half an hour by bus, let alone walking.

That she could walk such a long way just to make trouble showed she probably had nothing better to do.

Detecting the teasing tone in her words, Shen Yi’an couldn’t help but chuckle and nod in agreement, “Exactly!”

“If someone actually had things to do, they wouldn’t waste half a day like that.”

While the sisters-in-law were talking, Li Beichen had already carried the heavy ingredients into the kitchen.

Coming out and seeing them still chatting, he pointed toward the kitchen, “Third Sister-in-law, I’ve put the meat and bones in the kitchen.”

“Is there anything else you need help with?”

Hearing this, Shen Shasha finally looked up at him.

“No need, I’ll take care of the rest.”

“You and Yi An should go rest on the sofa for a while.”

Though she said this, she knew help would still be needed when the time came.

After all, with dozens of people to feed, it would be too much to burden just one person.

When Deng Yaxin and Shen Yiqian’s group entered, what they heard was the clattering noise coming from the kitchen.