Early March, the wedding day drew closer.
The Zhou family struggled to get out of bed. Yu Wen attended to the two children, helping them wash up and eat breakfast. It seemed they had already forgotten about that person in the household.
But had they truly forgotten?
They wished for her death!
It just wasn’t the right time yet. Just wait—her retribution would come later.
“Thump… thump…”
That was the sound of someone coming upstairs.
When Zhou Ye entered the living room, she was met with four pairs of hate-filled eyes.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s going on? Uncle’s job issue is about to be resolved. Shouldn’t you all be happy?”
“You wretched woman, you’ll die a miserable death!”
“Oh? And so what?”
Zhou Ye’s words were infuriatingly dismissive.
Zhou Yuanyao pressed Yu Wen’s hand, signaling her to endure a little longer—better days were just around the corner.
But Zhou Ye couldn’t understand—where did they get such confidence? After things had deteriorated to this point, did they still believe she would let them manipulate her?
Marry into the Song Family?
Hah…
Zhou Ye picked up a newspaper, slowly unfolded it, and chuckled to herself at something she read.
“Zhou Ye, are you so happy to see us like this?” Zhou Zijun dared to question her.
His current predicament was all thanks to Zhou Ye!
He hated her!
He had once been the Zhou family’s only male heir, their future, their family jewels. But that day, Zhou Ye had treated him so harshly.
Even now, he couldn’t accept reality.
So just wait—once his father regained his job, once the family had money again, once Zhou Ye married into the Song Family, he would make sure she suffered a miserable end!
She probably had no idea—that Song family boy wasn’t just a fool; he was a fool prone to sudden violence!
When the time came and she cried for help with no one to answer, let’s see what she would do then.
“No, I’m happy about today’s headline news. What are you all thinking? Why so self-important?”
Zhou Ye shot them a disdainful look.
“Ah… the Song Family is truly pitiful. I wonder who reported them, but they’ve been subjected to confiscation of property and reform through labor. Tsk… So tragic! I heard it was a nighttime raid—it’s even made the news! What a shame!”
Zhou Ye’s words jolted Zhou Yuanyao to attention.
“Who? The Song Family? Which Song Family?”
“Of course, it’s the Song Family you know, Uncle.” Zhou Ye’s tone was gloating. After all, watching the Zhou family’s expressions crumble was quite satisfying.
Yu Wen snatched the newspaper in disbelief, frantically searching for the article.
“Old Zhou, here…”
Zhou Yuanyao and Yu Wen huddled together to read. When Zhou Yuanyao saw the information he needed, his vision went dark…
With a “thud!” he collapsed straight to the floor!
“Old Zhou!”
“Dad…”
“Ah…!” Zhou Yuanyao let out a heart-wrenching scream after a long moment—a cry so full of despair it seemed to tear through his very soul!
The Song Family had been his last hope!
Now the money was gone, everything was gone. Was he to understand that hope had vanished too?
Zhou Ye said with a smile, “Uncle, are you happy? The Song Family is finished! They can’t even help themselves now! What will you do about your job? Perhaps from now on, you’ll have to scrape by relying on this house. Tsk… How pitiful!”
“Shut up!” Yu Wen shouted.
“We’re pitiful, but are you any better? We’ve lost everything—do you think your life will be any easier?”
“Hehe… Of course I’m doing well! Have you forgotten? I still have ten thousand yuan – the money you gave me! From now on, I’ll definitely live better than all of you!”
Zhou Ye looked at them with scorn.
Despair?
What does that even mean? My grandparents and parents must have felt the same despair in their previous lives!
No, I must resolve matters here quickly and go to the countryside to save them as soon as possible.
I want them all to live.
Zhou Ye’s words finally broke Yu Wen, who clung to Zhou Yuanyao and burst into loud sobs!
The family’s miserable cries and desperate wails sounded like music to Zhou Ye’s ears – how delightful!
But that box needed to be found quickly.
She had thought there was no evidence, but Tang Yun’s reminder yesterday suggested it must contain proof to clear her grandparents and parents’ names.
Yet she’d searched everywhere last time – where could Zhou Yuanyao have hidden it?
“Hahaha… Hahaha…”
Zhou Ye turned around.
She saw Zhou Yuanyao sitting on the ground clutching a Little Red Book, a foolish grin plastered across his face!
Yu Wen was horrified!
“Old Zhou, what’s wrong with you?”
“Hehe… I’m the factory director, I’m the committee head, hahaha… I’m the director! Who are you? Who are you? Get away, don’t block me from becoming director.”
Zhou Yuanyao shoved Yu Wen aside and ran out clutching the Little Red Book!
Yu Wen shouted after him: “Old Zhou… Old Zhou…”
“Zijun…”
She wanted to call for her son to follow, but suddenly remembered he was crippled – even standing caused him pain now.
Getting up, she shot Zhou Ye a hateful glare: “Are you satisfied now?”
Then she ran out!
Zhou Ye raised an eyebrow: Tch… Not quite satisfied yet. Why did he go mad so quickly?
The Song Family’s situation collapsed like a house of cards, and news immediately spread around the Zhou residence.
When Zhou Ye went out, neighbor Aunt Li pulled her aside: “Child, why don’t you ever tell anyone anything? I heard the Song Family got reported? They’re being sent to the countryside in a few days? What about your marriage arrangement then?”
“What marriage? That was just my uncle’s family trying to sell me off. Since no betrothal gifts were exchanged, it doesn’t count! Though my uncle’s family went crazy since they didn’t get their payoff!”
Zhou Ye said with a curl of her lip.
“Went crazy?” Aunt Li was stunned.
Then she said angrily: “Good riddance! That’ll stop them from bullying our Xiao Ye! Coming over? Your Sister Yun made mung bean cakes for you!”
“Sure!”
Zhou Ye was brought home by Aunt Li.
Tang Yun happily embraced Zhou Ye: “I was just about to go find you, and here you are! We sisters really are kindred spirits! Quick, try these – are they good?”
“Mhm, they’re delicious!”
Watching Zhou Ye squint with satisfaction, Tang Yun felt equally happy!
She said gratefully: “Thank goodness the Song Family got reported, I was worried sick. I wonder which hero did such a good deed.”
Zhou Ye narrowed her eyes, an unreadable light shimmering in them!
Yes, what a hero indeed!
By the time Yu Wen found Zhou Yuanyao and brought him back, it was already noon. She was drenched in sweat, her face full of despair!
Zhou Ye and Tang Yun sat chatting happily by the roadside.
Watching their retreating figures, Zhou Ye’s eyes turned cold…
When suddenly warm hands covered her eyes. Turning, she saw Tang Yun looking at her with heartache: “Xiao Ye, I know the Zhou Family treated you poorly, and probably did many wrong things. But sister doesn’t want you to become like this! Your eyes… they frighten me, understand?”
Zhou Ye: This was her favorite sister—was she truly afraid of her now?
A tinge of sorrow crept into Zhou Ye’s heart at that moment.
Had she made those close to her fearful?
“The Song Family is finished, and the Zhou Family seems headed for ruin too! All that remains is this one property now. Let them go, and free yourself as well, alright? Your sister only wishes for you to live a happy life! From now on, find yourself a job and live well in the future! Can’t we all just live peacefully?”
Seeing the concern in Tang Yun’s eyes…
The wounds from the previous generation hadn’t even occurred yet—had the punishment in this lifetime been sufficient? She knew all of this was her own doing.
She must have known!
“Xiao Ye, your sister will always be by your side. But living like this—it’s truly exhausting! Please, free yourself! Won’t you?”
Under Sister Yun’s gaze, Zhou Ye couldn’t help but soften.
So, was this really how it would end?
Had it truly been enough?