Chapter 98: Only Pain Teaches True Lessons

“The result was I got expelled from school before even finishing junior high.”

“The result was no employer dared hire me.”

“The result was me lounging at home barking orders, scaring those little brats in the family into constant wailing.”

“So they couldn’t take it anymore.”

Perhaps finding it amusing, Wang Yadan stared fixedly at her aunt’s eyes.

“Originally, I planned to keep mooching off my parents at home.”

“After all, they’d told me since childhood that with parents and older brothers around, I didn’t need to do anything.”

“Coincidentally, my dear aunt, you called home saying you wanted to bond with your niece.”

“It just happened to suit the whole family’s wishes, allowing me to appear all glamorous before you, aunt.”

“My dear aunt, I have you to thank for this!”

The mockery lacing her words made Political Commissar Liang’s wife shudder uncontrollably.

Had she known her second brother’s daughter – the one she got along with best – would turn out like this, she’d never have entertained the idea of bringing her to the Family Compound, even if beaten to death.

But the person was already here, and sending her away… would likely be difficult!

Perhaps understanding the meaning in her eyes, Wang Yadan laughed even more recklessly.

“Aunt, you should discard those thoughts of yours.”

“This Buddha is easy to invite but hard to send away – you’ll just have to endure it for now.”

“Don’t worry, once I enter the Li Family’s doors, I definitely won’t forget your great kindness.”

After throwing out these words, she turned to leave but was grabbed by the arm by Political Commissar Liang’s wife, who suddenly stood up.

“Xiao Dan, you really can’t keep going down this wrong path.”

“Even your parents and siblings don’t want to live with you, let alone Captain Li.”

“Just listen to your aunt’s advice – marrying another military officer would be the same.”

“Though they might not be as prestigious as the Li Family, your uncle and I could protect you if anything happens.”

“But the Li Family truly won’t do!”

Though already disheartened by her niece’s behavior, Political Commissar Liang’s wife couldn’t bring herself to stand by idly.

After all, this was her second brother’s flesh and blood – if there was any chance to straighten out her character, she was willing to try.

But Wang Yadan, having laid her cards on the table, wouldn’t listen anymore.

She immediately used all her strength to violently shake off the restraining hand.

“Don’t stop me from living the good life!”

“If you don’t let go, I’ll really lose my temper!”

While speaking, she successfully freed her arm.

But because she used too much force, Political Commissar Liang’s wife was sent stumbling backward.

Falling to the ground from unstable footing was secondary – the crucial thing was the back of her head directly struck the wooden bedpost.

Though it didn’t bleed, she became dazed and passed out.

Witnessing her aunt struggle to reach out with her arm twice before closing her eyes, Wang Yadan thought she had died from the impact.

Afraid her uncle might come home and discover the scene, she turned back to her room, took her emergency savings and tickets, and left immediately.

As for the Liang family’s money and tickets, she didn’t touch them.

Not because she lacked the nerve, but because she was too frightened to remember.

Had she recalled even a bit, she certainly would have cleaned out the Liang family completely.

What followed were the events after Liang Shuhe returned home.

“…My wife was in emergency care at the hospital for half a day, then lay unconscious for a full day and night before waking up.”

“Once she could speak, she told us what happened before she lost consciousness.”

“The moment I got the news, I sent people to find Wang Yadan, but the guards told me she’d left the Family Compound three days earlier.”

“We haven’t located her whereabouts yet.”

Logically speaking, a full-fledged aviation base should have no trouble finding an ordinary person.

The challenge lies in maintaining the separation between public and private matters.

Public affairs are public, private matters are private.

Especially since Liang Shuhe is the Base Political Commissar, he simply couldn’t knowingly violate this principle.

Unwilling to cross that line, relying solely on personal resources to find someone proved quite difficult.

If the person had altered their appearance, changed their hairstyle or style of dress, the search would become even more challenging.

It was for this reason that Liang Shuhe’s voice carried an unconcealable sigh.

“Comrade Shen, the main reason we called you here today is to inform you about this matter.”

“It was only through these past few days’ thorough investigation that we learned such a serious incident recently occurred in the Family Compound.”

“Those family members who spread the rumors have been punished. To make sure they remember this lesson, we directly deducted wages from their husbands or sons.”

“Those kinds of people probably only learn their lesson when it hits them in the wallet.”

After hearing Liang Shuhe’s account and the disciplinary outcome, Shen Yi’an felt mostly disbelief.

This was particularly true regarding Wang Yadan accidentally injuring her own aunt.

According to Political Commissar Liang’s description, his wife had mixed feelings of love and resentment toward this niece.

The love stemmed simply from her being her own brother’s daughter.

As for the resentment, that was probably more complicated.

But regardless of which emotion was stronger, even if punishment were warranted, it wouldn’t have been too severe.

Yet Wang Yadan, unaware of this, had ‘fled from justice’ over the incident.

One could only quote the old saying: such is fate!

Setting aside her inner reflections, Shen Yi’an focused her attention on Liang Shuhe. “Political Commissar Liang, how is Auntie doing?”

“I’ve been staying at the guesthouse these past couple days and haven’t been out much.”

The first statement expressed concern for Political Commissar Liang’s wife who got caught up in the incident.

The second explained why she had only just learned about the matter.

Liang Shuhe was an old hand who immediately grasped the subtext.

He waved his hand dismissively.

“At her age, she’ll need some time to recuperate slowly.”

“Fortunately, she just hit her head on the bedpost and lost consciousness—nothing too serious.”

“Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have had time to meet with you.”

Learning that Political Commissar Liang’s wife wasn’t seriously injured, Shen Yi’an secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If her presence had triggered unfortunate events, she might have found it difficult to visit the Aviation Base in the future.

Fortunately, everything was fine.

After first expressing concern for the injured party, she then shared her perspective on the overall situation: “Regarding Wang Yadan’s flight from the Family Compound, from where we stand now, this is actually a good thing for the compound.”

“Without her there to instigate trouble and spread discord, many conflicts within the Family Compound could actually be resolved internally.”

“Even if there’s still bickering in the future, it would simply mean returning to how things originally were.”

Hearing this, Zhou Mugui and Liang Shuhe stared blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“What a perfect ‘simply returning to how things originally were’—the young certainly see things clearly.”

“I suppose we’ve gotten old, overcomplicating matters in our considerations.”

Watching the two laughing before her, Shen Yi’an couldn’t help thinking to herself:

They say ‘the wicked live a thousand years.’

Wang Yadan was capable of harming her own aunt—even if unintentionally—suggesting she probably wasn’t particularly softhearted.

Otherwise, she would have sent her aunt to the hospital immediately after the incident instead of worrying only about her own safety and fleeing the Family Compound.

It’s hard to say whether such a person would be good or bad if left to wander in society.

Presumably, with the assurance of personal gains and losses, they should be even more willing to go all out.

But she didn’t voice these thoughts.

In front of seasoned foxes like the Base’s top two leaders, the more you say, the more mistakes you make.

Many things are better left unsaid.

Just as the atmosphere in the office was once again harmonious, a loud yet restrained voice sounded outside the door, “Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Li Beichen, Captain of the Falcon Flight Squadron, reporting for duty!”

“Awaiting instructions!”

At the sound from outside, the harmonious atmosphere in the office suddenly froze.

After a moment, Zhou Mugui’s steady voice rang out, “Come in!”

As soon as the words fell, the office door swung open.

Li Beichen, dressed in training uniform, appeared before everyone.

His gaze lingered on Shen Yi’an for a moment.

Confirming she was safe and, judging by her expression, not wronged.

Only then did he focus his eyes on Zhou Mugui, who had already returned to the main seat. “Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Li Beichen, Captain of the Falcon Flight Squadron, reporting for duty!”

He repeated the command from outside the office door once more before daring to openly shift his gaze to Shen Yi’an. “Can my fiancée leave first?”

“After all, what I need to report is the execution of this mission.”

Hearing this, Zhou Mugui tapped his fingers in amusement.

“You rascal, you don’t know how to be gentle at all.”

“Aren’t you afraid Comrade Shen will get angry?”

After teasing him a couple of times, he gave Liang Shuhe a meaningful look.

“Old Liang, take Comrade Shen to your office for a while.”

“We’ll come find you when we’re done.”

“Alright!” Liang Shuhe responded.

He walked over to Shen Yi’an and nodded to her. After receiving her acknowledgment, the two of them left the Commander-in-Chief’s Office together.

Only after the office door closed did Li Beichen withdraw his gaze and begin his report.

As for the two who left the office, they relocated to the Political Commissar’s Office.

After pouring two cups of hot water, Liang Shuhe couldn’t help but tease.

“Comrade Shen, how did you end up choosing that kid Li Beichen?”

“He’s rigid and unyielding, never says a soft word, and every time he reports, he drives me half mad.”

“If you live with someone of that temperament, that thick black hair of yours might just find a new home.”

Faced with Political Commissar Liang’s teasing, Shen Yi’an, who hadn’t glanced at Li Beichen earlier, now smiled with her eyes crinkling.