“I don’t need your permission to sever ties with Wen Qingfeng. The money was left to me by my grandmother, and it has nothing to do with you.”
“You know very well whose idea it was to buy the veterinary medicine, Zhao Yan. You’re a mother—after doing all these shameful things, aren’t you afraid of the consequences for your own children?”
Lin Zhenzhen stood beside Zhao Yan, tears streaming down her face, holding Zhao Yan’s pale face. “Sister, we’re family! Why do you have to be so petty?”
Wen Wan sneered. “It wasn’t you who was drugged and forced into marriage, so of course it’s easy for you to talk. Otherwise, you’d be the one drinking the veterinary medicine and marrying into the Wu family—after all, it was meant to get your own little brother a job.”
Through tears, Lin Zhenzhen shook her head at Wen Wan. “Sister, how did you become like this?”
Wen Wan’s beautiful eyes slanted coldly, her delicate features radiating icy resolve. “Like this? I just refuse to keep swallowing insults and letting you bully me. I refuse to be exploited and drained. Lin Zhenzhen, stop acting all pitiful and innocent—that cup of drugged water? You handed it to me yourself.”
“Lin Zhenzhen, you’re an accomplice too.”
Wen Wan’s expression was calm, but her eyes burned with hatred.
“I didn’t! I really didn’t know! Sister, you have to believe me!” Lin Zhenzhen shook her head violently, tears pouring down like rain.
“There should be your fingerprints on the teacup. If the police check, you’ll know,” Wen Wan said meaningfully.
She didn’t actually know if the police had fingerprint technology in the 1970s—this was just a bluff.
Xu Chengan’s eyes flickered with surprise. At that time, fingerprint technology was still confidential and not used in criminal investigations. How could she possibly know?
Nevertheless, he nodded in cooperation.
Lin Zhenzhen’s expression shattered; she stared in horror, too afraid to speak further.
Zhao Yan, protective of her daughter, knew the evidence against Wen Qingfeng was solid and couldn’t drag Lin Zhenzhen into it.
“Wanwan, I know you’ve been wronged, but this has nothing to do with Zhenzhen,” she said.
“Wen Wan, don’t drag others into this. I admit that as a father, I have failed you all these years. I owe you an apology. But Zhenzhen has always genuinely cared for you, and yet you falsely accuse her—you ungrateful little traitor,” Wen Qingfeng shouted.
She realized it—Wen Wan was determined to have him arrested.
Now, trying to pull Zhao Yan and Zhenzhen into it, she absolutely would not let this rebellious girl tear apart his family.
“You’re the real ungrateful one, Wen Qingfeng. So this is how your whole family treats Wanwan?” Director Liu pointed at Wen Qingfeng angrily.
Seeing Director Liu, Wen Wan’s eyes filled with emotion, her voice choked. “Uncle Liu…”
In the book, Director Liu cared for the original Wen Wan, but during the days she was forced to marry, Liu Tianyou happened to be traveling to the provincial capital for a meeting. On his return train, he tried to rescue a little girl from kidnappers and was stabbed twice.
Medical care was limited at the time, and on the train, Director Liu couldn’t save him.
Last night, Wen Wan called him—not only to ask him to help her divide the family, but also to ensure he wouldn’t get caught in danger.
But Xu Chengan was beside her during the call, so she couldn’t say too much. Liu Tianyou had agreed, but she wasn’t sure if he would come in person today.
Seeing him arrive, she finally relaxed.
“Wanwan, don’t worry. I’m here today to stand up for you,” Liu Tianyou said, looking at her with affection.
Wanwan was sensible; by calling him, things must have been worse than she described and she must have been driven to desperation.
Since Wanwan was asking him personally for the first time, he had to come himself.
Director Liu took out the promise Wen Qingfeng had signed years ago. Before Wen Wan’s grandfather passed away, Wen Qingfeng had remarried.
He must have foreseen today and had Wen Qingfeng write a commitment to take good care of Wanwan.
The document clearly stated that the Lu family’s house, money, and tickets were Wanwan’s; Wen Qingfeng was only temporarily managing them until she came of age.
Most importantly, if Wen Qingfeng failed to honor his promise or mistreated Wanwan, she could choose to take her mother’s surname and return to her maternal family.
Wen Wan had no idea such a promise even existed; it had never been mentioned before.
After all, the original Wen Wan had married a fool before Liu Tianyou died.
No one stood up for her, and after her death, the inheritance naturally went to Lin Zhenzhen and Wen Xiaojun.
Lin Zhenzhen had portrayed herself as virtuous and admirable, so she never mentioned this inheritance.
Wen Qingfeng’s face was beyond embarrassed—these assets weren’t even known to Wen Wan.
Her grandfather had been clear: a little orphan like Wanwan couldn’t protect herself.
They couldn’t protect her forever.
So he forced him to write the promise.
When Wen Wan’s grandmother passed away, she didn’t mention the promise and gave him some money. He thought anyone who knew about it was dead.
He never expected the promise to be in Liu Tianyou’s hands.
That old man really had a plan.
“Liu Tianyou, Wen family matters don’t concern you,” Wen Qingfeng’s veins bulged, his expression hysterical.
“Since Wanwan wants to sever ties and divide the family, I have the right to intervene. Wen Qingfeng, I won’t let you bully her anymore,” Liu Tianyou said firmly.
“The neighborhood committee is here. Since we’re dividing the family, let’s do it properly,” Old Mrs. Zhao said.
After Wen Wan suggested severing ties and dividing the family, Old Mrs. Zhao had gone to the committee.
The forced marriage scandal had become public; the Wu family could not be unaware.
Li Hongying, as director of the committee, usually stayed hidden, probably hoping Wanwan would marry their foolish son.
The committee serves the steel factory families; she couldn’t just stay out of it.
Li Hongying did want to feign ignorance. That useless Zhao Yan had talked a big game to get her agreement.
Now, the priority was to keep the Wu family out of this, so they wouldn’t get implicated.
Li Hongying went straight to Wen Wan, taking her hand. “Child, you’ve been wronged. Don’t worry—the committee will stand up for you.”
Wen Wan rolled her eyes in her heart. She’d seen Li Hongying act high and mighty before.
But since she promised to intervene, Wen Wan would borrow her influence.
Wanwan, acting startled, pulled her hand away and stepped back. “Auntie Wu, are you here to take me away? I didn’t accept the Wu family’s bride price—it was my father who tied me up and forced me to marry.”
Li Hongying was momentarily embarrassed, then said quickly, “Child, don’t say silly things. You’re like a blossoming flower, a fairy. My second son doesn’t deserve you. There’s no bride price at all. Don’t worry, Auntie will stand up for you and speak to your parents.”
“So Auntie was also tricked by my father. Auntie, I want to sever ties with my father and divide the family!” Wen Wan declared.
“Good child, you’ve suffered enough. Auntie will stand up for you,” Li Hongying said warmly.
After speaking, she glanced at Zhao Yan, warning her not to interfere now.
The couple were incompetent, unable to handle even a little girl, which caused this huge mess.
Zhao Yan’s eyes flicked to Wen Qingfeng.
Wen Qingfeng shook his head slightly—they couldn’t offend the Wu family.
Although Wu Ke was just a section chief, in the steel factory even the director had to show him some respect, because Wu Ke had an uncle working at the provincial level.
No matter how powerful, what they did privately didn’t matter—but if the matter blew up, the Wu family wouldn’t benefit.
Wen Wan curled her lips. Old Mrs. Zhao, having worked at the street office for years, knew how to use public opinion—she really struck at the right spot.
The Wu family didn’t recognize this marriage, making Wen Qingfeng’s actions even more outrageous.
Sure enough, more people began shouting at Wen Qingfeng.
This was the steel factory’s residential compound; most residents worked at the factory and naturally followed Wu Ke’s lead.
Li Hongying told the steel factory the Wu family didn’t know. People scolding Wen Qingfeng were also trying to please her.
Wen Wan hurriedly said, “Then please, Auntie, sign this document confirming the severing of ties, and let the neighbors witness. Today, the family is divided, and I have nothing to do with Wen Qingfeng.”