Song Xiu Jun wiped the corner of her eye with her hand. Though she couldn't squeeze out any tears, she still put on an act: "Director, does this figure of mine look fake? Jiang Jian Guo is just generous. He says there are no major expenses at home, so there's no need to save money. What goes into the stomach is what truly matters, though I only get to smell the aroma of meat."
"He's also afraid of gossip from outsiders, deliberately patching new trousers while not speaking a word of truth. My mother says there's quite a sum deposited at home, but he's just unwilling to spend it on a stepdaughter without blood ties," she pretended to be a naive young girl, spilling everything without restraint.
The director fell silent for two seconds, then issued Lin Min a new recommendation letter to replace the old one: "Go complete the procedures. Don't speak of these matters to anyone else."
Song Xiu Jun beamed with joy: "Thank you, Director. Thank you for your understanding. Back when my father was around, he always said you were the most caring toward subordinates, a true public-minded leader."
She gave a thumbs-up, radiating pure innocence.
The director's face also broke into a smile as he watched the two leave the office.
After accompanying Lin Min through the procedures, Song Xiu Jun walked out of the food factory with her. Lin Min handed over a cloth bag she was carrying: "Sister Xiu Jun, thank you so much for this. This is a small token of my appreciation. Life in the countryside will be hard, so take good care of yourself. I'll write to you."
"No need, equivalent exchange," she replied, not being the type to accept everything.
Lin Min stuffed it into her arms and quickly ran off, afraid she might refuse.
Inside the cloth bag was a piece of aged bacon, a packet of brown sugar, and a box of Snowflake Cream—quite a valuable gift indeed.
Song Xiu Jun decided she would send some Northeast specialties to repay her after settling in the countryside.
She then headed toward the police station. The director's expression confirmed that he had indeed been secretly investigating Jiang Jian Guo's embezzlement. She just wondered if the police had taken any action yet.
Upon entering, she went straight to the older officer who had assisted her before.
Recognizing her purpose immediately, he led her to an office: "Comrade, we're still investigating this matter. Rest assured, we won't let any corrupt element of the state slip through."
Song Xiu Jun urged: "Comrade, I'll be heading to the countryside in a couple of days and won't be able to see the outcome. You need to act quickly. The account books and illicit money have been taken by me. If he discovers it beforehand, it might hinder your investigation, and I won't have a way out either." After speaking, she pointed to the injury on her head.
Truthfully, she really wanted to see the Jiang family imprisoned, but time wasn't on her side. If she didn't go to the countryside on schedule, who knew which of them would face misfortune first.
"I understand. Don't disclose this matter. We've already contacted the food factory and will cooperate in the investigation. Once we have results, I'll send you a letter."
Song Xiu Jun's eyes shifted cunningly: "Comrade, if this matter is resolved, could the police station issue a commendation letter to the Production Team where I'll be stationed in the countryside?"
The old officer choked for a moment, thought it over, and said: "Yes, we can send a commendation letter." He figured the young girl probably hoped to gain recognition in the Production Team, and it wasn't a difficult request anyway.
Having obtained the desired outcome, Song Xiu Jun left satisfied.
Returning to the Jiang residence, she rewrote a letter. Originally, she had planned to report Jiang Li Min for seducing a married man after this matter was settled, but she suddenly changed her mind.
She decided to write a letter to the legal wife, adopting the tone of the mistress. That should be more interesting.
How could such a thing be kept from the legal wife? Men who cheat are all trash.
In the letter, she wrote in Jiang Li Min's tone, describing how intimate she was with the man in private and how the man despised his legal wife, ordering her to step aside voluntarily.
She hoped the legal wife would be formidable enough to make Jiang Li Min stay in the hospital for a few more months.
After disguising herself, Song Xiu Jun went near the man's house. Using the excuse of looking for someone, she learned that the legal wife was currently at home.
She found a secluded corner, changed her outfit again, and bribed a young boy nearby with some candy, asking him to deliver the letter to the legal wife.
Watching the legal wife storm out with the letter in hand, searching for someone, she quietly slipped away.
Early the next morning, Li Qiu Ying knocked loudly on the door.
"Xiu Jun, get up quickly. Come with me to the hospital to pick up your sister and apologize to your brother as well."
Awakened by the noise, Song Xiu Jun irritably ran her fingers through her hair: "Get lost. Those two pieces of trash aren't worthy of my apology. If you say another word, I'll send you to the hospital to keep them company."
Li Qiu Ying, always timid, was startled by her daughter's ferocity, wondering how she could have changed so suddenly: "I'm doing this for your own good, dear. If you're bullied by your in-laws in the future, you'll need someone to stand up for you."
Having been sent down to the countryside, Li Qiu Ying knew better than anyone what it felt like to have no one to rely on.
Song Xiu Jun expressionlessly closed the door again. Li Qiu Ying muttered: "Fine, don't go if you don't want to. Why so angry? I am your mother after all."
She carried the lunch box to the hospital where Jiang Ai Dang and his sister were lying in bed eating fruit. Seeing her arrive, they complained: "Mom, why did you take so long? I'm starving."
"My fault, my fault. Eat quickly," Li Qiu Ying hurriedly attended to them. "Li Min, I'll go handle your discharge procedures. You pack your things."
Jiang Li Min responded impatiently: "You pack for me. I'm still eating, no time for that."
Li Qiu Ying quickly soothed her: "Alright, alright, take your time eating. I'll pack for you when I get back."
She hurried out to complete the procedures, then returned with the documents and immediately started packing Jiang Li Min's belongings. Though she'd only stayed two or three days, there were quite a few items.
"Why didn't that little bitch Song Xiu Jun come? Afraid I'll settle scores with her, I suppose!" Jiang Li Min asked viciously.
Hearing the name, Jiang Ai Dang's facial muscles twitched involuntarily: "Li Min, don't provoke her when you get back. Haven't you seen what she did to me?"
"Brother, you were caught off guard. Just wait until I get back – I'll make her kneel and beg for mercy."
Jiang Li Min refused to believe Song Xiu Jun could suddenly become physically formidable. That little bitch always preferred underhanded methods.
Li Qiu Ying carried the luggage while Jiang Li Min walked empty-handed, her head bandaged, swaggering arrogantly toward home.
When they reached the building entrance, a neighbor spotted them and asked curiously: "Oh, Li Min, what happened to your head?"
"Auntie, my sister did this," she covered her face, emitting two sobs. "She's not young anymore, but now I can't even discipline her a little. When I scolded her, she got so angry she hit me with a stick."
"Is that so," the neighbor forced a dry laugh, though inwardly skeptical, especially since Song Xiu Jun had injuries on her head too.
After being neighbors for so many years, everyone knew each other's true nature, though the Jiang family still thought they were fooling everyone.
Jiang Li Min, having successfully tarnished Song Xiu Jun's reputation, was thoroughly pleased. She stormed upstairs in a rage and burst through the door, shouting, "Song Xiu Jun, get in here now!"
Li Qiu Ying followed close behind, pleading, "Li Min, both you sisters are injured. Please don't make things worse."
Neither of them noticed that a group of people were also approaching the residential compound downstairs with aggressive intent.
Song Xiu Jun lazily emerged from her room.
"How dare you! Didn't I tell you not to enter my room during the day!"
"Are you deaf? I'm talking to you!"
Jiang Li Min rushed up to her in a flash. "You just don't know your place until I teach you a lesson, do you?"
But Song Xiu Jun moved faster, grabbing her hair and yanking hard. Jiang Li Min was forced to arch backward, flailing her arms as she tried to break free. The bandage on her wounded scalp shifted during the struggle, pulling at the injury and making her scream in pain.
Li Qiu Ying scrambled forward to rescue her beloved stepdaughter. "Xiu Jun, Xiu Jun, your sister's injuries haven't healed yet. Don't take it out on her."
"She's not healed, and I am? Are you blind? Can't you see I'm injured too?"
Li Qiu Ying stamped her foot in frustration. Why wouldn't this child listen? She only had her best interests at heart. After all, Song Xiu Jun wasn't a Jiang by blood—she ought to be more accommodating.
With a loud bang, the front door was kicked open.