After Jiang Yueyue left, Sheng Jinhe immediately began packing her things. Although these items would eventually go into her space, she still had to make it look proper. Once she finished, she happened to hear voices downstairs.
She knew it was Shen Wang.
“Shen Wang, come up!”
Sheng Jinhe called from the stairway.
“I’m coming!”
Grandpa Sheng didn’t stop him either. He knew these kids got along well, so even Shen Wang going upstairs was fine.
“Grandpa, don’t go out. Make dinner for me first. I’ll talk to you after we eat.”
Sheng Jinhe also made sure to give Grandpa Sheng some instructions.
“All right!”
Grandpa Sheng chuckled happily.
Inside the study:
“So? Where did the Li family go?”
“Feng County, Qingshi Commune, Zhuliu Brigade—a very remote and poor county you probably haven’t heard of. I looked into it. Even though it’s called Feng County, conditions are harsh. From Jing City, it takes over ten hours by train, then several more hours by bus, and finally five or six hours by ox-cart to reach Zhuliu Brigade. Jinhe, you…”
“I’ll go. I’ll sign up right away.”
“Are you sure about this?”
Sheng Jinhe cut Shen Wang off, confirming firmly.
“Yes, I checked with my uncle.”
“My uncle said that once you go to the countryside, you’ll have to stay there for at least half a year before you can return to the city. Be mentally prepared,” Shen Wang added.
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back in style. You just take good care of Grandpa while I’m gone.”
“Don’t worry, we definitely will,” Shen Wang promised.
“Mm. Do you know the Sun family in the military compound?” Sheng Jinhe asked.
“The Sun family? They’re getting promoted. Someone I asked casually mentioned it,” Shen Wang replied.
Sheng Jinhe’s fists clenched. Promoted? Dream on!
“The Sun family is in the same compound as the Li family, right?”
“Yeah, not far away. The two families used to have a good relationship.”
Of course, that was according to what people said.
“Got it, thanks. You can go back now.”
“Don’t mention it. If anything happens, write or call. We have more resources here.”
“Mm, okay! I’ll send you some treats from the countryside.”
“Sure!”
Shen Wang responded casually. They’d been friends since childhood, so it wasn’t surprising that they shared the same tastes.
After seeing Shen Wang off, Sheng Jinhe took the photos and went downstairs to find Grandpa Sheng.
“Grandpa, come, have a glass of water first.”
She added a little dew to the water, worried about his heart.
“What’s going on? Shen just left? Why didn’t he stay for dinner?”
Grandpa Sheng hadn’t been in the living room when Shen Wang left.
“He had something to do. Grandpa, sit down. I have something to tell you.”
Seeing her serious expression, Sheng Li didn’t ask further and sat down.
“Go ahead.”
“Grandpa, I want to sign up to go to the countryside.”
“What?”
Grandpa Sheng jumped in his seat.
“I want to go to the countryside to build the country!”
“Speak normally!”
Sheng Li said sternly.
“I’m going after my grandson-in-law. His whole family has been sent to the countryside. Life will be hard for them there, but trust me—they’ll come back, triumphant!”
Sheng Jinhe said firmly.
“You… slow down! Explain step by step. I’m a bit confused.”
Grandpa Sheng sat down again, his tone serious.
Sheng Jinhe smiled obediently.
“All right, Grandpa!”
“Grandpa, there’s a reason I want to go. Let me explain everything in detail.”
She recounted all the misdeeds of the two scumbags, adding photos as evidence. As for Li Zhanye, that story came last.
Unexpectedly, Grandpa Sheng already knew about the scumbag father.
“Then why didn’t you…”
“Take action?”
“Because of me?”
Sheng Jinhe understood immediately.
“Grandpa, I’m very clear. My mom is gone, and I can’t divorce Sun Ke officially, but this home can’t accommodate him either. He already has a family outside—what right does he have to stay here? So I’m going to kick him out and sever father-daughter ties.”
“If you don’t agree—there’s no ‘if’—he will. These photos prove it,” Sheng Jinhe said, pointing.
“Sever father-daughter ties?”
Grandpa Sheng understood. Kicking him out made sense. His granddaughter seemed impulsive, but she had her own plans—he hadn’t expected it to come to this.
“Yes! Grandpa, don’t try to persuade me. My surname is Sheng. What use is a father who treated me badly since childhood? Becoming his endless bloodsucker for the Sheng family? I refuse.”
“These were taken last week. Today he went again. I went out this morning to confirm it.”
Sheng Jinhe explained the timing of the photos. With Jiang Yueyue, she didn’t need to mention it, but Grandpa Sheng was sharp, so she had to be clear.
“All right. Whatever you do, Grandpa will support you. You’re eighteen now; you can make your own decisions!”
“Mm, okay!”
“By the way, Grandpa, can you return the camera to the factory? I’ll use it to set up your bedroom later.”
Sheng Jinhe almost forgot.
“But that’s not the reason you want to go!”
Sheng Li continued.
“Two scumbags hurt me. Can’t I go out and clear my head?”
“You call going to the countryside ‘clearing your head’?”
“No, Grandpa! You just said I’m eighteen and can decide for myself!”
Sheng Jinhe replied weakly.
“Actually, it’s to follow your grandson-in-law. Grandpa, do you know the Li family in Jing City?”
The moment Sheng Jinhe mentioned the Li family, Grandpa Sheng’s expression changed.
“You’ve got your eye on someone?”
“Li Zhanye! If I don’t marry him, I won’t marry anyone in my life!”
Sheng Jinhe was unwavering—she was determined.
“You know him?”
“No, I know him, but he doesn’t know me. Actually, Grandpa, there’s another thing no one knows. The day before Yao Manman fell into the water, I accidentally fell in too. Li Zhanye happened to pass by and saved me. For my reputation, he found a place for me to clean up before I came out.”
“He’s my lifesaver. Isn’t it right to repay his kindness with my heart? You taught me to be grateful from a young age. That’s a big favor!”
Grandpa Sheng twitched at the corner of his mouth.
But if it was the Li family, it wasn’t impossible. Li Laotou’s sons and grandsons were quite good.
“Maybe they’re already married?”
Grandpa Sheng didn’t know Li Zhanye well, but he saw that his granddaughter had done her homework.
“No, Grandpa. Li Zhanye’s previous fiancée already called off the engagement. If I’m late, it might not happen. Don’t worry—he will marry me. My granddaughter is outstanding! Who wouldn’t like her?”
Even if it came down to him taking her by force, she was determined. She was going to claim this man, no matter what.
“As you wish. Grandpa Zou You is your backup. When will you leave? I’ll write a letter for you to give to Li Laotou.”
“Grandpa, you know Li Laotou?”
Another surprise!
Then why didn’t he arrange a childhood engagement with Li Zhanye? Sheng Jinhe wondered.
“Yes! You know where they were sent. Go sign up!”
“All right! Grandpa, you’re the best. I’ll also tell you more…”