Shanghai, the Lanyun Compound.
Ruan Dong had already been living here with the two children for several days, yet he still hadn’t seen Ruan Shujin, and he couldn’t help feeling anxious.
Suddenly hearing the sound of a car horn outside, the children rushed out even faster than he did.
“Elder Sister, Elder Sister!”
Ruan Shujin reached out and patted Ruan Feng’s and Ruan Yu’s heads.
“Have you been obedient?”
“Of course!”
Ruan Dong’s gaze landed on the man beside Ruan Shujin, lingering there for only a few seconds.
Ruan Shujin patted the two children’s heads, signaling for them to go rest first.
Only then did she bring Xie Zheng inside.
Ruan Shujin pointed at Xie Zheng, then looked at Ruan Dong.
“Uncle, this is the person I told you about. We’ve already signed the marriage application, but it hasn’t been approved yet.”
Ruan Dong hummed in acknowledgment.
For some reason, Ruan Shujin felt that the atmosphere at that moment was a little awkward.
Xie Zheng looked at Ruan Dong and carefully introduced himself. After chatting with Ruan Shujin’s uncle for a few sentences, he consciously excused himself and left.
After seeing him off, Ruan Shujin walked back in and found Ruan Dong staring at her.
“Uncle, I really wasn’t acting recklessly!”
“I know. Missy, this time your judgment is actually quite good.”
Ruan Shujin had been a child back then, but Ruan Dong had not.
Although this was the first time the two of them had met since coming to the compound, Ruan Dong had still recognized Xie Zheng.
Staring at the absent-minded Ruan Dong, Ruan Shujin hesitated for a moment, then still spoke about the Zheng family’s matters.
Clenching her hands, Ruan Shujin looked at Ruan Dong.
“Uncle, I… I actually wanted to tell you that I don’t plan to care about my mother anymore. She probably won’t go to prison, but she will definitely be sent for labor reform. As for where, I don’t want to ask.”
Ruan Dong let out a heavy sigh.
“I don’t mind, A-Jin.”
“Actually, I don’t know why your mother turned into this either—choosing a man over her own father. Clearly, your adoptive father had only her as his daughter, yet she actually joined forces with outsiders to bully him.”
Ruan Shujin guiltily lowered her head.
Ruan Dong thought for a moment and didn’t continue on this topic, instead comforting Ruan Shujin.
“A-Jin, your uncle believes in you and supports you. Your mother should go and atone for her sins.”
Ruan Shujin’s mind kept echoing with her uncle’s words, so much so that she was plagued by chaotic dreams all night, sleeping as if she hadn’t slept at all.
The next day, Ruan Shujin struggled to get up.
She thought about it, then patiently waited a few more days. When Xie Zheng came to pick her up, Ruan Shujin knew it was time to meet those people.
On the way, Ruan Shujin asked questions off and on, but never quite got to the point.
Xie Zheng thought for a moment and told her everything he knew.
“Zheng Yousai and several of the Cui family’s main members won’t be coming out of prison anymore. As for the others, they’ll be exiled to the black market area or Yunnan City. That An Minhua was taken away by the An family, but the An family won’t escape the path of reform either. I’ve already arranged everything. Go see them once, but don’t stay too long.”
Ruan Shujin stared at Xie Zheng’s profile, feeling a bit dazed. She withdrew her gaze and looked down at the fingers she had pinched until they were swollen.
“Xie Zheng, thank you!”
When Ruan Shujin appeared before the Zheng family members, the people inside instantly revealed greedy looks in their eyes.
Ruan Humei stared at Ruan Shujin.
“A-Jin, I knew it. You would come save us.”
Zheng Chaojie also impatiently ordered Ruan Shujin, “Hey, hurry up. This place isn’t fit for humans to stay in. Get us out quickly. As long as you get us out, you’ll still be my sister.”
Ruan Shujin looked at the people inside and gradually smiled.
“You think being your sister is some kind of honor?”
Ruan Shujin laughed out loud, the sound of her laughter somewhat terrifying.
“You did bad things, so naturally you have to be punished. Just go obediently to the countryside for reform. I can’t save you—after all, I can barely protect myself.”
Zheng Yousai suddenly rushed forward, his gaze fierce like that of a rabid wolf.
“Ruan Shujin, are you in cahoots with them? Why is it that something happened to all of us, yet you alone are fine? And the things your maternal grandfather left for you—when did you move them away?”
The more Zheng Yousai spoke, the louder his voice became, his expression looking as though he wanted to tear Ruan Shujin apart.
“I really underestimated you. Who would’ve thought you’d turn out to be such an unfilial daughter.”
Ruan Shujin merely looked at Zheng Yousai calmly.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve never touched anything inside. Wasn’t it you who forged everything? After all, everything in the house was moved away by you— you didn’t even spare the clothes in my room.”
“Director Zheng, don’t wrong me.”
Seeing Ruan Shujin about to leave, Ruan Humei cried and laughed at the same time.
“A-Jin, I’m your real mother!”
“Have you forgotten? Your maternal grandfather told you on his deathbed—you must take good care of me.”
“Take me out of here and send me away. You know it—I can’t endure reform at all.”
Ruan Shujin stopped, turned around, and stared at Ruan Humei with disgust.
“Stop making things up. My maternal grandfather never had a daughter like you. You actually plotted against him with outsiders and caused his death.”
“Are you stupid or what? For the sake of a man, you even forgot who you are. Since you love him so much, then stay with him for a lifetime!”
Ruan Shujin was the first to come out and immediately climbed into Xie Zheng’s car.
She now felt that nowhere was safe, and she desperately wanted to leave Shanghai.
When Xie Zheng came out, Ruan Shujin watched him from afar and felt that something was off about his expression.
After Xie Zheng got into the car, out of basic kindness, Ruan Shujin still asked,
“Who did you just go see? Why does your expression look so bad?”