Chapter Sixty-Four: Grasping the Handle of Fate

Grandpa Liu had worked at his workplace for many years, and he had also served in the army in his early days. He had always been kind to others, so when he needed help this time, two of his old comrades immediately volunteered to handle the matter for him.

After Chen Xin offered her suggestion, she didn’t say much more. After all, this was someone else’s family affair. She was willing to help Liu Chunyan deal with her sister-in-law’s relatives, but if it involved Liu Jianmin himself, perhaps it was nothing now, but later the Liu family elders might blame her.

After comforting Grandma Liu for a while, Chen Xin helped with the cooking, but didn’t stay for dinner and soon left.

That evening, she called Cheng Jie, taking Zhang Zhang with her, and arranged to meet Liu Chunyan at the small building.

Although the factory purchase was Liu Chunyan’s personal investment, the three of them were partners, after all. Now that Liu Chunyan was in trouble, they had to show their concern.

“You have no idea just how hateful Liu Jianmin’s wife is,” Liu Chunyan said. She and her husband had barely managed to eat a bowl of noodles, and she was still furious, slumped on the sofa with trembling hands.

“That woman used to seem all right, but these past two years she’s become unbearable,” Liu Chunyan said, tears spilling from the corners of her eyes. “Everyone’s seen how I’ve treated her. Originally, I was supposed to do this with Xin, but she insisted on getting involved. I couldn’t say anything—she’s my brother’s wife, after all. But how did she treat me? She even went crying to my parents. If my husband hadn’t held me back, I’d have killed her.”

Liu Chunyan’s husband was a quiet man and didn’t know what to say to calm his wife. In his heart, he was furious as well—not for the money, but because he couldn’t stand to see his wife bullied.

Over the past few months, Liu Chunyan had devoted herself entirely to the factory. To secure distribution channels, she’d negotiated and even done the drinking herself. It had been difficult to sign two contracts, only to be fleeced by her brother-in-law’s mother-in-law’s family. Even someone as mild as him had to clench his fists to keep from striking out.

“Go through the legal channels—make him pay compensation, and you can even press charges,” Cheng Jie said decisively. “If he’s willing to cheat you, why are you still thinking of him as family? He’s not even a real relative. Why show him any courtesy?”

“If it weren’t for the fact that she’s my brother’s wife, I wouldn’t care about saving face at all!” Liu Chunyan sobbed, her eyes swollen from crying.

“Let’s wait a bit,” Chen Xin said. “Grandpa Liu said today he’d help you get justice. Even if you let your sister-in-law off, that so-called cousin of hers won’t get away.”

Just then, Liu Chunyan’s phone rang. It was her brother calling.

“What? You want me to drop it? Who are you loyal to—the Liu family or theirs? Sometimes I wonder if you’re really my brother or if you’re their own son!” Liu Chunyan hung up, overwhelmed by grief, and burst into tears.

“Liu Jianmin truly is despicable,” Cheng Jie said through gritted teeth. “Don’t cry, Chunyan. I’ll help you find a buyer for your factory. With things like this, you can’t keep going. They’ll just seize on this and crush you.”

“Why not move somewhere else?” Chen Xin had already thought of opening a canned fruit factory inland, especially in the Zhang family’s region, where fruit was abundant and it bordered Nanyun, with tropical fruit available year-round.

“They’re looking for investment there now. A canned fruit factory isn’t a major project, but it would suit a county-level town. I know a couple of people there, so I can ask about the details.”

After discussing it with her husband, Liu Chunyan thought Chen Xin’s suggestion was excellent. Staying put was no longer an option—their reputation was ruined. Leaving now and moving the production line inland to start afresh wouldn’t be too late. Besides, there was a railroad connecting the Zhang family’s area with her husband’s family; it was just an overnight train ride—very convenient.

But before relocating, they needed to settle the current mess, especially her sister-in-law’s relatives—none of them could stay.

“If he can say things like that, why should I care about breaking with him? I’m the boss—can’t I even fire someone?”

Liu Chunyan had always been forthright and tough, but this time her brother had made her so angry she could spit blood. If you’re going to be heartless, don’t expect me to be any better. You’ve ruined everything, and I’m supposed to save face for you?

After discussing the next steps with Cheng Jie, Chen Xin took the child home, leaving Liu Chunyan and her husband to rest, planning to visit Grandpa Liu the next day.

The following morning, after dropping Zhang Zhang off at school, Chen Xin returned home only to find a crowd gathered at her door.

As she drew closer, she saw Liu Jianmin’s wife with an elderly woman she didn’t recognize.

“Chen Xin, have you no shame? Taking advantage of my in-laws and turning my sister-in-law against me! Who helped you when you were so pitiful before? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”

Before she even got close, Liu Jianmin’s wife was already hurling abuse.

Chen Xin didn’t answer. She called Liu Chunyan, then called the police.

“I’ve already called the police. You damaged my front door, and I suspect you’ve stolen from me. None of you are leaving until the police arrive,” Chen Xin said, calmly standing on the roadside, avoiding the mother and daughter who tried to lunge at her.

“As for stirring up trouble, you should ask yourself if your actions are even human—scheming against your sister-in-law, your in-laws, and trying to take advantage of me. Back when I was struggling to raise my child, Grandpa and Grandma Liu helped me a lot, but I never took a penny from you.”

The neighbors knew what kind of person Chen Xin was and were familiar with the Liu family elders, who often visited. At first, some were unsure, as Liu Jianmin’s wife had made her accusations sound convincing. But seeing Chen Xin call the police without hesitation, they were immediately inclined to side with her.

People were still honest at heart in those days; a few years later, things might be different.

Liu Chunyan and her husband arrived even before the police. When they got there, Liu Jianmin’s mother-in-law was sitting on the ground crying, saying Chen Xin had bullied them. As soon as Liu Chunyan appeared, she rushed forward to strike her, scaring the old woman so much that she scrambled behind her daughter to hide.

“Liu Jianmin, get over here! If you don’t clear this up today, I’ll kill your wife and pay for it with my own life!” Liu Chunyan, missing her target, pulled out her phone and, furiously cursing, called Liu Jianmin. She even stormed into Chen Xin’s kitchen and grabbed a kitchen knife.

Her temper terrified Liu Jianmin’s wife and mother-in-law, who tried to flee, but Liu Chunyan’s husband grabbed each of them and wouldn’t let them go.

Amid the chaos, the police arrived. Together with Chen Xin, they took the knife from Liu Chunyan, recorded statements, and confirmed that Liu Jianmin’s wife and her mother had broken the door, then took them to the police station.