“Xiao Jin, come stand behind Auntie. Oh, you poor child.”
“Zhiyuan, I have to say this—Xiao Jin is your biological daughter. No matter how well you treat someone else’s child, it won’t mean a thing.”
“…”
The neighborhood aunties were all warmhearted people. While criticizing the newly emerged Tang Zhiyuan and Zhang Xiuli, they also craned their necks to peek inside the Tang residence.
The moment they looked, they were stunned.
Why was the Tang house completely empty? Even the dining table and chairs they normally used were gone!
Tears streamed down Zhang Xiuli’s face. This time, she wasn’t acting—her heart genuinely ached.
“Comrades, I know you mean well, but Zhiyuan has a reason for being angry.
“Our house was robbed. Not only are the money and ration coupons gone, but even the pots, bowls, and utensils have disappeared. Zhiyuan is furious because of it.”
“And what does that have to do with me?”
Tang Jin looked pitiful and innocent, tears shimmering in her large eyes.
“I was asleep all night.”
“You were the only one at home. If it wasn’t you, then who was it?”
Tang Meiyu had twisted her ankle when Tang Jin shoved her earlier and was limping badly. Zhang Xiuli hurriedly covered her mouth.
“What nonsense are you talking about? We were all at home. It’s just that Xiao Jin was sleeping alone in the living room, so we suspected it was her.”
Idiot. Did she want to ruin her own reputation?
“Uncles, aunties, I’m just a woman. How could I possibly move so many things overnight?”
Tang Jin looked pleadingly and sorrowfully at Tang Zhiyuan.
“Dad, do you think so too?”
“Just honestly return everything you took, and I won’t pursue the matter.”
Tang Zhiyuan ground his teeth in anger. He wanted nothing more than to beat Tang Jin to death, but with so many witnesses around, he could only suppress his temper.
Unfortunately, Tang Jin seemed especially determined to infuriate him today.
Pressing her lips together, she said softly,
“I was wondering why Auntie Li was suddenly willing to fry eggs for me last night. After I ate them, I became unbearably sleepy.
“When I woke up, all of you were accusing me.
“Isn’t this really because you want to force me to hand over Grandpa’s inheritance?
“But Dad, I’ve explained it so many times already. Grandpa really didn’t leave me any money.”
Tang Zhiyuan: !!!
His pupils contracted.
“Shut up! What nonsense are you talking about?”
But no matter how he tried to explain, the neighbors were already looking at him and Zhang Xiuli with meaningful expressions.
So that was it…
They had been trying to drive Tang Jin into a corner.
This couple was truly vicious.
“Xiao Jin, stop being angry with your father, alright? I’ll take Meiyu and leave. She’ll never compete with you for your father’s love again.”
As expected of a top-tier white lotus, Zhang Xiuli knew how to retreat in order to advance.
Unfortunately, Tang Jin knew the same trick.
She wiped away a tear.
“There’s no need.
“I know the three of you are the real family.
“After all, Dad has never believed a single word I’ve said.
“And I know everything now. You want me to marry Wang Bin from the committee. I heard he’s not only much older, but he also beats his wife. I don’t want to marry him!
“So today, in front of all the uncles, aunties, elders, and neighbors here, I, Tang Jin, swear that I will never step foot in this house again, and I will never have any contact with you ever again!”
Her words were resolute.
Combined with her reddened eyes, they stirred sympathy in everyone present.
Tang Zhiyuan was so shocked that his mind went blank.
Zhang Xiuli’s mouth fell open.
Only two words echoed in her mind.
It’s over.
So Tang Jin had known everything.
Everything that happened last night had been part of Tang Jin’s plan.
Tang Meiyu stared at Tang Jin’s rapidly retreating figure and shrieked in anger,
“Mom! Don’t let her leave! If she leaves, who’s going to marry Wang Bin?”
Smack!
For the first time in her life, Zhang Xiuli slapped Tang Meiyu.
Her eyes were blazing with rage.
“What nonsense are you spouting?!”
How had she given birth to such an idiot?
Wasn’t this a direct confession?
Unfortunately, trying to cover it up was useless.
The neighbors had already pieced together the entire story from their conversation.
“My God, I know Wang Bin. His family is a living hell. Is Tang Zhiyuan out of his mind? That’s his biological daughter!”
“They were obviously trying to force Xiao Jin into marriage. And they still dare claim their house was robbed? What a pack of lies!”
“No wonder Xiao Jin ran away. Did she go to her real mother’s place? A father like that isn’t worth having!”
“…”
“No, that’s not it. You’ve misunderstood!”
Tang Zhiyuan finally found his voice and desperately tried to explain.
But no one listened.
The crowd simply shook their heads and walked away.
Who would believe the words of scum?
“Zhiyuan, let’s report this to the police first. The police will help us.”
This was the only way Zhang Xiuli could think of to salvage their reputation.
Unfortunately, whatever they did would be pointless.
By then, Tang Jin had already left the family compound.
At this hour, many people were still asleep. She retrieved her bicycle from a secluded corner, rode to the bus station, and bought a ticket to the military base area.
Afterward, she took out a thick stack of coupons and began shopping.
She had already sorted all the coupons she looted the previous night, using up the ones that would expire soon and the local-use coupons first.
Tang Jin changed into a different outfit in a public restroom and applied makeup, disguising herself as a middle-aged woman before weaving through the supply and marketing cooperative.
Unfortunately, all the meat had already sold out.
Even with coupons, she couldn’t buy any.
So she exchanged several of her coupons with other customers instead.
Cotton.
Quilt covers.
Fabric.
Toothpaste and toothbrushes.
Enamel mugs.
Towels.
Shoes.
Cold cream.
…
Tang Jin happily purchased a mountain of supplies.
Meanwhile, at a military base elsewhere, Song Yunli received a phone call from his mother.
“Yunli, Wenfang is arriving this afternoon. Go to the station and pick her up right now.”
“Why is she coming?”
Song Yunli frowned, his wheat-colored face full of annoyance.
But the person on the other end of the line sounded delighted.
“Of course she’s coming to see you! She finally got a few days off and wants to spend time with you. You need to hurry up and make progress. Otherwise—”
“Mom, I’ve told you many times. We’re not suitable for each other.
“And I already have someone I like.”
Song Yunli interrupted her.
A beautiful, elegant face surfaced in his mind, and his heart involuntarily skipped a beat.
Unfortunately, Mother Song assumed this was merely an excuse to reject Wenfang.
Immediately, she became furious.
“I don’t care. You must go pick her up.
“Wenfang doesn’t know anyone there. If something happens to her, the Wen family won’t let you off the hook!”
“I never asked her to come.”
Song Yunli was about to hang up when his mother hurriedly added,
“Wait! Wenfang isn’t coming alone. Your younger sister is coming too. Just think of it as picking up your sister.”
With a frustrated sigh, Song Yunli hung up.
His brows remained tightly knitted.
After pinching the bridge of his nose, he finally borrowed a vehicle and headed toward the station.
Some things were better explained face-to-face.
And his foolish little sister was there too.
She deserved a scolding.
Tang Jin bought a great many supplies.
She kept only part of them and stored the rest in her spatial storage.
After changing back into her own clothes, she boarded the bus with her introduction letter.
The buses of this era were crowded, stuffy, and uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Tang Jin was quick enough to grab a window seat.
Even so, she spent most of the trip dry-heaving.
By the time they reached the neighboring county, her face was deathly pale.
She had to stand and rest for a while after getting off before she felt better.
The military base where Song Yunli was stationed wasn’t far away.
The moment Tang Jin stepped out of the bus station, she spotted a familiar figure dressed in military green.
As she drew closer, he looked even more familiar.
Wasn’t that Song Yunli?
What shocked her even more was that two attractive young women were standing in front of him.
Her heart suddenly turned cold.
As the male protagonist of the novel, he naturally attracted admirers wherever he went.
It seemed that after giving birth to the child, she would have to divorce him.