The more confident and arrogant Song Chutong had appeared just moments ago, the more fear now surged inside her.
She had barely taken a few steps before her face turned pale, cold sweat breaking out across her skin.
Even so, she kept her back straight. She knew there were plenty of people behind her, waiting to laugh at her.
No matter how confidently she had argued just now, the fact remained—she had loved Jiang Zhixing for sixteen years. Everything she had done for him had been witnessed by those people. Her bold words might have stunned some of them, but sooner or later, others would see through it.
But that wasn’t her biggest concern right now.
Song Chutong’s face grew even paler, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
There had been too much information in that dream—she hadn’t fully processed it yet. But what had just happened proved that the dream was real.
If that was the case… then Song Weiran really was her father’s biological daughter.
They were the same age, with only a two-month difference.
That meant that while her mother was still alive, her father had already been maintaining a second family. After her mother passed away, he simply took the opportunity to bring Song Weiran and her mother into the household openly.
But knowing the truth and exposing it were two different things.
Song Weiran’s mother, Bai Qingcui, was the very definition of a “white lotus”—innocent on the surface, calculating underneath. Over the past five years, she had not only wrapped Song Chutong’s father around her finger, but also gained some standing with Song Chutong’s grandfather by pretending to treat Song Chutong well.
In fact, if she didn’t know the truth, even Song Chutong herself would have thought her stepmother treated her kindly.
Sometimes, compared to Song Weiran, Bai Qingcui even seemed to dote on her more. Whenever her father scolded her, Bai Qingcui would step in to defend her.
Because of that, Song Chutong had often spoken well of Bai Qingcui in front of her grandfather and uncles. That was exactly how Bai Qingcui managed to gain acceptance from her mother’s side of the family.
After all, without Song Chutong’s approval, it wouldn’t have been so easy for Bai Qingcui to enter the Song family.
And because of Bai Qingcui, Song Chutong had always held back a little when dealing with Song Weiran.
But who would have thought…
In the story from her dream, once she discovered the relationship between Song Weiran and Jiang Zhixing, she began spiraling—causing trouble in every possible way. Eventually, even her grandfather and uncles grew disappointed in her.
By the time she was framed by the heroine and sent to prison, they even thought that jail might be good for her.
Who could have imagined that she would die there?
After her death, Song Weiran even tried to take her place—pretending she wanted to fulfill filial duties on Song Chutong’s behalf and win over her grandfather’s family.
But the old man hadn’t interfered when Song Chutong was imprisoned because her actions had truly been excessive—not because she was replaceable. In the end, heartbroken, he cut ties with both the Song and Jiang families.
Still, before that happened, Song Weiran had already gained plenty of benefits through her connection to him. Even after losing that relationship, she and Jiang Zhixing had already reached heights most people could never achieve.
Early spring still carried a chill. A cold breeze swept past as Song Chutong hugged her arms and quickened her pace.
Her heart felt even colder.
She arrived at the department head’s office, knocked, and entered as soon as she heard permission.
“What is it this time?” Minister Liu glanced up at her before lowering his head to continue working.
“Minister Liu, I’m not feeling well. I’d like to take leave,” Song Chutong said.
He frowned. “Not feeling well again? Song Chutong, do you think the military is your home? How many times have you taken leave lately? Have you already forgotten what Commander Jiang told you?”
Then he added pointedly, “You should learn from your sister. Look how promising she is.”
Song Chutong simply replied, “Oh,” and turned to leave.
She had almost forgotten—Minister Liu had never liked her. He had never once looked at her kindly.
And because he knew about her feelings for Jiang Zhixing, he always used Jiang Zhixing’s words to suppress her.
In the story, Song Weiran was the kind of girl everyone adored—a fragile, delicate “white lotus” who was always being bullied by the so-called villainess. Who wouldn’t feel the urge to protect someone like that?
Even Minister Liu, despite being married, was no exception.
Song Chutong just hadn’t realized it before. She had always thought it was because she lacked ability—that she was dragging the team down, which was why Minister Liu treated her that way.
But now that she thought about it, she had been far too naive.
She was the one constantly looked down on, while Song Weiran was the one receiving favoritism everywhere.
She couldn’t help but wonder—did Jiang Zhixing even know how many people were quietly taking special care of his “goddess”?
“Hey—where are you going?” Seeing how easily Song Chutong gave up, Minister Liu suddenly felt a bit uneasy.
Without turning back, she replied, “If you won’t approve my leave, I’ll just call my grandfather. No need to trouble you.”
Minister Liu immediately stood up. “It’s such a small matter—why involve the Commander-in-Chief? Are you really unwell? Fine, I’ll approve it.”
Song Chutong turned back, frowned at him briefly, then smiled. “Thanks for the trouble.”
For some reason, Minister Liu felt like something about her had changed.
She was still as arrogant and rude as ever—but in the past, the moment he mentioned Jiang Zhixing, she would fall silent. This time… she didn’t.
After getting her leave slip, Song Chutong went to the communications office and called home.
The moment she heard her grandfather’s voice, she almost burst into tears—but forced herself to hold it in. In the end, her grandfather told her to wait there; her uncle Wei Ying would come pick her up.
After hanging up, Old Master Wei looked at the man sitting across from him—Old Master Jiang—and snorted.
“What has your Zhixing done this time?”
There was no way he couldn’t tell. From the moment the girl said “hello” on the phone, he had already heard the trace of tears in her voice.
His granddaughter had always lived a smooth, privileged life—she could have anything she wanted. If she was upset, what else could it be but heartbreak?
Old Master Jiang, who had just secretly adjusted a chess piece while Wei was on the phone, now felt extremely guilty under the questioning.
“They’re young people,” he said awkwardly. “I’ll give him a talking-to tonight.”
“Zhixing is a good kid—but my Tongtong isn’t lacking either. So what’s the plan this year? Still not considering marriage?”
Old Master Wei’s sharp, hawk-like eyes caught everything. As he spoke, he casually moved the chess piece back into place, shooting Jiang a glare.
Old Master Jiang had no good response, though he was actually quite in favor of the match.
“In a few days, our family is having a gathering. How about I have Zhixing bring her over? Xiaoman brought back a whole box of crabs this time—doesn’t Tongtong love those?”
Only then did Old Master Wei look satisfied, though he didn’t agree right away. “That depends on Tongtong.”
Song Chutong had loved crabs since she was little, but they were always scarce—especially after winter. She hadn’t had any in months.
If she knew, she’d definitely be happy.
Besides, Old Master Wei felt Jiang Zhixing was a suitable match for his granddaughter. If Tongtong refused to go, he could always have Wei Ying coax her into it.
He knew her temper well—this was probably just another bout of sulking. Jiang Zhixing was steady but proud; it wouldn’t be appropriate to always make him come over and apologize.
After a pause, Old Master Wei asked, “Jiang Sheng’s mission took quite a while this time. How long will he be staying in the capital?”
“Xiaoman” was Jiang Sheng’s childhood nickname.
Old Master Jiang took a sip of tea, then set the cup down firmly, his expression resolute.
“This time, no matter what, I’m making him get married before he leaves. That brat is already twenty-six and still hasn’t found anyone—other people’s sons already have kids running around!”
Old Master Wei nearly choked on his tea.
For a moment, he wondered—was that a jab at him?
After all, Wei Ying was also twenty-six… and didn’t even have a hint of a woman in his life.
Maybe it was time he started urging him too.