Ning You’s silence was deafening.
A thought suddenly popped into her mind: even her family’s dog lived more luxuriously than this.
The thought vanished in an instant. When she tried to recall it again, a sharp pain shot through her head. Ning You rubbed her brow and gave up on digging further.
Forget it—there’s always a way forward when you reach the mountain.
Right now, survival was the most important issue.
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
“Mom, what happened to you? Was there a burglar at home? Who tied you up?”
It was Ning Hong shouting loudly.
She was the daughter He Meili brought from her second marriage—Ning You’s stepsister.
With her biological mother backing her, she had never once treated Ning You like a human being.
Memories of the stepsister surfaced—either insults or beatings. Ning You clenched her fists.
Unfortunately, her strength hadn’t recovered yet. Otherwise, Ning Hong’s fate would have been even worse than her mother’s.
“Mmph! Mmph!” He Meili struggled and made muffled sounds, signaling her daughter to remove the filthy rag from her mouth.
Ning Hong, still angry, said arrogantly, “Mom, where’s that dead girl Ning You? Why isn’t she home?”
Without waiting for an answer, she continued cursing, “That little bitch actually dares not cook at home. I think she’s itching for a beating. Mom, wait here, I’ll go find her right now. When I do, I won’t let her off!”
With that, she stormed toward the door.
He Meili kept signaling with her eyes, desperately glancing toward the storage room, almost going cross-eyed.
Ning Hong thought her mother was just furious at Ning You and still didn’t understand. She said coldly, “Mom, don’t be angry. I’ll go find Ning You!”
Watching her daughter’s back, He Meili almost blacked out from rage.
…
Could she at least remove the rag from her mouth first?
The disgusting, foul smell filled her nose. The taste in her mouth was unbearable. He Meili’s stomach churned as she gagged repeatedly, nearly passing out.
She deeply regretted it.
Not regretting abusing her stepdaughter—but regretting raising her own daughter to be so stupid, completely lacking any coordination with her.
Ning You noticed the house had gone quiet and slowly walked out.
Seeing her stepmother—who had always been arrogant in her memories—now in such a miserable state, Ning You’s expression remained calm, without even a trace of amusement.
“I’m going out for a walk. Step-mom, give me some money and ration tickets.”
Her tone left no room for negotiation.
He Meili froze, glaring at her fiercely.
…You want my money and ration tickets? In your dreams!
Ning You ignored her cold stare and calmly walked to the coat rack, taking out a small pouch from He Meili’s coat pocket.
Inside were all the money and ration tickets.
Today was payday at the factory, and He Meili hadn’t had time to put her salary away yet.
“If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as your agreement.”
“I’m Old Ning’s daughter, and you’re just the stepmother he married later. It’s your duty to support me. I won’t be polite then.”
She counted the contents: 25 yuan, plus grain coupons, cloth coupons, sugar coupons—everything.
Seeing her money being taken, He Meili’s expression changed. She charged at Ning You.
“You little thief! Don’t you dare take my money!”
Ning You, only about 1.55 meters tall due to years of abuse, was half a head shorter than He Meili, who was broad and strong.
He Meili rammed forward confidently with full force.
Ning You sensed the wind and stepped aside.
Bang!
He Meili slammed into the wall.
A crack sounded—bone dislocated.
Her face went pale with pain. She tried to rub the injury but her hands were tied and her mouth was still gagged, leaving her helpless.
She could only glare at Ning You.
Ning You looked at her calmly. “Oh dear, step-mom, you’re so careless. That sounded like a bone breaking. Are you okay?”
He Meili was furious, nearly fainting, eyes full of venom.
“Mmph! Mmph!”
I’ll never let you go!
Ning You remained expressionless, put away the money and waved.
“I’m going out for a walk. See you later, step-mom~”
Without looking back, she left.
He Meili quickly thought of following her out to ruin her reputation in front of the neighbors—
But Ning You slammed the door shut instantly.
Bang!
He Meili crashed face-first into the door. Her nose erupted in pain, and blood streamed down in two lines.
At this time, it was mealtime, and there weren’t many people outside the residential building. Ning You smoothly left the compound and walked onto the street.
Haicheng—even in the 1970s, it was still a prosperous metropolis, one of the most distinctive cities in the country.
Standing on the street, Ning You looked around. She felt like the buildings should be taller, there should be more four-wheeled cars, and people’s clothes should be more colorful…
It all felt like a dream.
“Xiao Youzi…”
The voice sounded familiar. She turned around and saw a smiling young man.
Yun Hang.
He lived near the lighting factory dormitory and was a small-time trader.
…
Ning Hong searched the house but couldn’t find Ning You. Frustrated, she returned home.
As soon as she entered, she saw two streams of blood under He Meili’s nose and asked in shock, “Mom, what happened? Why are you bleeding?”
She carefully scanned the small living room and said, “Did the burglar come back while I was out and punch you again?”
He Meili stared blankly.
Could someone please untie her first?
At the very least, take the rag out of her mouth!
This idiot!
He Meili cursed inwardly, eyes red with rage as she glared at Ning Hong.
Ning Hong was startled by her mother’s expression and stepped back.
Before she could speak, the door was knocked loudly.
Knock, knock, knock.
Ning Hong quickly went to open it.
A boy of about seven or eight walked in.
“Mom, is dinner ready? I’m starving!”
He tossed his schoolbag onto the sofa and, seeing no response, his chubby face showed irritation.
“Mom…”
He looked up because he wanted food—and then saw He Meili’s new “look.”
“!!”
Ning Yu’s jaw nearly dropped.
“Mom, were you robbed?”
“Mmph!!” He Meili struggled angrily.
Seeing she couldn’t speak, Ning Yu glared at Ning Hong. “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and help Mom!”
As for himself? The little master believed household matters were handled by others—he just gave orders.
Ning Hong suddenly realized what she had forgotten.
Right—she forgot to untie her mom.
Feeling guilty, she quickly removed the rag and untied her.
He Meili immediately gagged and vomited repeatedly.
“Ugh—!”
The rag had been stuffed so deeply it scratched her throat, making everything worse.
Ning Yu looked disgusted. “Mom, are you done yet? I’m hungry. I want meat. Cook it now!”
He Meili rinsed her mouth, still unable to get rid of the stench. Her face turned dark.
But when she looked at her precious son, her tone softened.
“Okay, Mom will cook right away. We didn’t buy meat today though—can we eat it tomorrow?”