“Director Hong, wait—since she’s no longer a Jiang family member, why should we pay her 2,000 yuan as dowry?”
“Old Jiang, if your family refuses to pay the 2,000 yuan, we’ll have to proceed according to the law. I’m afraid that would be unavoidable.”
Jiang Chenggong waved his hand at the two junior officers who had come with Director Hong. “Go and arrest the eldest daughter-in-law of the Jiang family—the one who pushed her. Let her sit in the station for a while.”
“Director Hong, what do you mean? Why arrest my daughter-in-law? Everything was fine!”
“Sorry, this is at the request of the victim herself. It was the result of mediation from our police station, and this is the mildest outcome.”
“She gave you two options. First, pay 2,000 yuan and sign a severance-of-relationship agreement. After that, the two families have no ties. Whatever happens to her scar in the future, she won’t demand money from you.”
“What’s the second option? What’s the second option?” Jiang Sisi asked impatiently.
Director Hong glanced meaningfully at her.
“The second option is, if you refuse to pay the 2,000 yuan and sign the severance agreement, the victim will pursue legal action.”
“An Ning said she doesn’t want the money. She just wants us to follow the law.”
“So, Director Hong, in your opinion, if they don’t pay, how long would the punishment be?”
“That’s hard to say. Maliciously injuring someone’s appearance carries a sentence of three to ten years. The judge will decide.”
At this, An Ning’s adoptive mother—Jiang Sisi’s biological mother, Zhao Xiaojuan—couldn’t stay calm any longer.
“Dad, I don’t want to go to prison! Think of something, please! If I go to jail, what happens to the two kids? Who will dare marry them in the future?”
“Director Hong, we’ll pay. Right now! I’ll write the severance agreement myself. I’ll just pretend I never raised her. Ungrateful little brat!”
This fool, by shouting like that, basically confirmed her guilt.
Originally, he had considered appealing to emotions. He knew this pretend granddaughter was sentimental and obedient in the past. With a few words and some coaxing, maybe she could have been persuaded to stay. If she stayed, that 2,000 yuan would eventually be theirs.
Besides, she was even prettier than his biological granddaughter. As for the scar from yesterday… he had seen it in the living room—it was on her forehead. Later, comb down her hair or cover the wound with some foundation once it healed a bit.
A while ago, Director Ge hinted that this granddaughter was beautiful. If she aligned with influential people, it would be an asset for the Jiang family.
If not for this foolish woman, the severance agreement today would never have been signed.
Well, he was getting old. All these years, he had been carrying the family. Neither of his sons could manage. With the wealth from Fenghuang Mountain, in a few years, they could live a rich life again.
As for this fake granddaughter, since she insisted on severing ties with them, let it be. Her face was already disfigured—returning to the countryside, she could only marry a rural man.
But the 2,000 yuan? That would come from the eldest daughter-in-law. They would not pay it.
Zhao Xiaojuan knew her in-laws wouldn’t spend the money either.
She had no choice but to go upstairs and count 2,000 yuan from her own savings. Seeing the thin stack of bills left in her hand, her heart ached.
Director Hong took the 2,000 yuan and the severance certificate, stood up to leave, then suddenly seemed to remember something. He turned to Zhao Xiaojuan:
“Old Jiang family, could you please go upstairs and pack An Ning’s things, bring them down?”
“Director Hong, that little brat has already severed ties with us. All the things in her room were bought by us. Even if I throw them out, I won’t let her take anything.”
Zhao Xiaojuan’s eyes blazed with anger. She hadn’t even recovered from the pain of giving up 2,000 yuan. Hearing that she had to pack the girl’s things sent her fury sky-high, and she cursed Director Hong without restraint.
The men in the Jiang household just sat in the living room, silent, not stopping her. They felt Director Hong had gone too far this time.
That little brat was too much, living off their family for 18 years, even finishing high school on their dime. That was her way of repaying them. They regretted ever bringing her back.
Seeing this, Director Hong didn’t linger. He shook his head and left the Jiang house.
Indeed, the little girl had been clever. She said she would pack her things at the Jiang house, and the family would make sure she left with nothing.
The Jiang family’s character was truly something else. The sooner the girl left, the better—she wouldn’t be taken advantage of.
Outside, it was nearly dark. Director Hong, a grown man, felt awkward visiting the girl at the hospital now.
He put the 2,000 yuan and the severance certificate into his briefcase, planning to visit the girl the next day at work and hand them over.
He hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. The girl was clever enough to point out these two key points immediately. The eldest daughter-in-law of the old Jiang family was easily rattled—one scare and she lost her composure.
He realized this fake Jiang girl was sharp and resourceful, far more so than the Jiang family’s newly returned biological daughter.
That daughter seemed troublesome, a true mischief-maker. The Jiang family would have plenty of chaos ahead.
An Ning had slept well in the hospital room. Since arriving, she had been nonstop—either packing or on the way to pack.
She had also avenged the original protagonist of the book. In the original story, the heroine’s misery wasn’t just due to the help of the Sisi sisters—it was also tied to two despicable people:
One was the book’s male lead, Li Jianguo’s father.
The other was Ge’s wife, Xu Hongli, who had used underhanded means to steal Ge. Eventually, Ge got involved with Xu Hongli.
Back at home, Xu Hongli couldn’t stand it. Unable to endure Ge’s dirty tricks, full of anger and shame, she jumped into the river.