While eating, Ruan Zheng responded with her thoughts.
[I know what you want to ask, but Zheng Xiujie isn’t someone to discuss matters with. I’ll wait for Zheng Jianguo—he’s the one who speaks for the Zheng Family.]
The data quickly ran another cycle. The System seemed to understand what its host planned to do next.
Better not say anything.
It really hadn’t misjudged this person. Not only did this host have a way with words, leaving others speechless, but she was also sharp-minded.
It was truly brilliant! For its first host binding, it had managed to tie itself to such a treasure.
It could already envision the scenario: kicking aside golden-tier seniors on the left, booting monstrous newcomers on the right, claiming the year-end bonus, and ascending to the peak of System life!
During a break in her meal, Ruan Zheng glanced into her mind and nearly spat out the broth in her mouth.
What in the world?
Why was there a bashful-looking potato growing in her head?
Such an ugly potato!
An ugly potato with two blushing cheeks!
Only belatedly realizing that the potato was the System’s avatar, Ruan Zheng couldn’t hold back anymore. She choked and broke into a violent coughing fit.
[Can’t you change your skin?!] Ruan Zheng wailed inwardly.
The potato froze, its blush instantly fading, then it directly went invisible, ignoring Ruan Zheng from then on.
Ruan Zheng didn’t pay it much mind. The auntie patted her back and softly advised, “Take your time eating. All this is yours—no one’s going to snatch it away.”
Ruan Zheng didn’t explain, simply going along with her words: “Sorry for the embarrassment, Auntie. I used to always be hungry, so whenever I saw food, I’d rush to stuff it into my stomach, afraid someone would take it away. But that’s a bad habit—I’ll definitely change it in the future.”
“Mm, take it slow. Things will get better eventually.”
Ruan Zheng smiled gratefully.
After finishing the meal, the two chatted a bit more.
Ruan Zheng learned that the woman’s surname was Wu and began calling her Auntie Wu.
Before long, Auntie Wu left.
Ruan Zheng hurriedly caught up on sleep, knowing she’d have a tough battle to fight after waking.
This time, she slept relatively peacefully, without any strange dreams.
Not long after she woke up, Zheng Jianguo arrived at the ward.
He decisively arranged a single room for Ruan Zheng and paid off the outstanding fees.
It wasn’t out of any particular regard for Ruan Zheng as a daughter-in-law, but because a private room made it easier to discuss matters.
“Your conditions.”
As soon as Ruan Zheng settled into the new ward, Zheng Jianguo asked.
Ruan Zheng didn’t beat around the bush.
She raised three fingers: “Three conditions. First, I want a divorce. Second, I want Wang Jinhua to face legal punishment. Third, I want a job.”
With each statement, Zheng Jianguo’s face darkened further, until it nearly matched Ruan Zheng’s own dusky complexion.
His square face, tanned dark, combined with years of military command, carried a certain stern and imposing air. When he glared at someone with a stern expression, it was quite intimidating.
Fortunately, Ruan Zheng had strong mental fortitude and wasn’t truly frightened.
After lowering all three fingers, she lay quietly, awaiting Zheng Jianguo’s response.
Zheng Jianguo was someone who had truly weathered storms, far more composed than Zheng Xiujie.
Though inwardly furious at Ruan Zheng’s “unreasonable demands,” he didn’t erupt. His voice merely grew heavy.
“If I don’t intervene, the worst outcome is simply Jinhua being sent for labor reform. So why should I satisfy your conditions and do unnecessary work?”
“Mr. Zheng, my bargaining chip was never about dropping the case. She harmed me to this extent, and who knows how many more schemes she has waiting for me in the future? I won’t let her off. My bargaining chip is Zheng Wanyin’s identity.”
Ruan Zheng watched Zheng Jianguo quietly, observing his expression crumble bit by bit, before offering a faint smile and continuing.
"As long as you meet my demands, Zheng Wanyin's identity will remain unknown to a third person."
"Of course, I have no power or influence. Crushing me would be as easy as crushing an ant. But think about it—why did I bring the Women's Federation to our home? By now, the entire compound must know about Wang Jinhua's 'great achievements.' If I were to die at this moment, do you think the organization wouldn’t investigate you?"
Zheng Jianguo’s face darkened further, veins faintly bulging at his temples.
It wasn’t just the compound that knew—he felt the entire province and city were aware.
Whenever he stepped outside, strange glances would sweep over his face, making him feel as exposed as if stripped naked.
He truly couldn’t understand why such a trivial matter had spread so widely!
If Ruan Zheng, as a key figure in the case, were to die suddenly now, things would indeed become troublesome.
Moreover, she was Song Changjiang’s biological daughter…
Soon, he reached an answer in his heart.
Yet, being cornered by a junior still left him deeply unsettled, and he couldn’t help but threaten her.
"Blocking every escape route—do you really think you can walk away unscathed?"
"No need for your concern. Just tell me whether you agree to my conditions or not."
Zheng Jianguo looked at Ruan Zheng carefully once more.
This was the second time he had regarded her so intently.
The first time was at the Song Family home.
That day, when Song Yao found Zheng Xiujie and Ruan Zheng sleeping together, she broke down in tears.
What followed were unbearable accusations and endless crying and fuss. Ruan Zheng stood quietly, her eyes filled with stubbornness and resentment.
Even then, he knew Ruan Zheng was innocent, framed by the Song Family.
He agreed to the marriage for two reasons: first, because Ruan Zheng was, after all, the Song Family’s biological daughter, and if the Song Family later sought to make amends, the benefits would fall to the Zheng Family.
Second, it was her gaze—he believed that in the long run, someone like her would be more capable of caring for his now-disabled son than Song Yao, that delicate clinging vine.
Most importantly, Ruan Zheng reminded him of his own daughter, who was lost to him.
But he never expected…
His cautious consideration had only brought a calamity into his home.
So be it.
He would help Wang Jinhua maneuver after she was sentenced. Xiujie was already ruined, but his own political career could not afford any mishaps.
"I agree to your first two conditions. But as for finding you a job through my connections—would you dare take it?"
Of course not. She had other plans for work.
But when given the chance to set conditions, she naturally aimed high.
Ruan Zheng pursed her lips, as if wrestling with her thoughts before speaking. "If you can’t arrange a job, you can give me money instead. A typical job these days costs around six hundred. Give me a thousand—the extra four hundred can count as compensation for my health, since…"
Ruan Zheng didn’t finish but cradled the bruised part of her head to show Zheng Jianguo.
Zheng Jianguo was so angry he simply closed his eyes…
Ruan Zheng sheepishly lowered her hand. The money wasn’t in her grasp yet, and matters weren’t fully settled—she couldn’t afford to gloat too much.
A small sum like this meant nothing to Zheng Jianguo.
He gave Ruan Zheng one last look and warned, "I agree to all your conditions. But don’t try any tricks behind my back. If I hear any rumors harmful to the Zheng Family after today, you’ll face the consequences."
Ruan Zheng nodded.
After a moment’s thought, she politely gestured for Zheng Jianguo to leave.
Finally, she had sent the troublesome figure away.
Ruan Zheng rewarded herself with a cup of milk tea.
Every confrontation with the Zheng Family wasted so many words—it left her terribly parched.
The System, seeing Ruan Zheng idle, asked what Zheng Wanyin's identity really was, to make Zheng Jianguo compromise so much.
Ruan Zheng found it hard to believe.
"Didn't you do your homework before entering this world?"
[What homework?]
"At least read the plot thoroughly. On the surface, Zheng Wanyin is Zheng Xiujie's sister, but she's not the daughter of Zheng Jianguo and Wang Jinhua."
[Impossible! That's not in the plot!]
The System refused to believe it and ran a data check.
The results showed:
In the first chapter of the novel,
After Song Yao caught Ruan Zheng and Zheng Xiujie sleeping together, the Song and Zheng families gathered to discuss the marriage.
When Zheng Jianguo saw Ruan Zheng, there was a line of inner monologue: "I wonder how that child is doing now."
?
The System was shocked, the System screamed, the System completely failed to understand.
[That's it?]
Ruan Zheng crossed her arms, feeling it wasn't imposing enough, then crossed her legs and hummed, "Yeah, that's it~"