Sheng Jinhe chattered on and on with Grandpa Sheng before the two of them headed to the street’s “educated youth” registration office, specifying where she wanted to be assigned.
The director of the office personally handled the paperwork. Granddaughters of factory directors and daughters of martyrs were all volunteering to go to the countryside, even to remote and impoverished areas, to contribute to the country’s development—this was something worth publicizing!
In addition to the usual subsidies for educated youth, the director also applied for a model reward bonus for Sheng Jinhe. She strongly suspected he paid out of his own pocket and even promised to inform the local office about her situation so she would receive special attention there.
But for Sheng Jinhe, none of that mattered; what mattered was that her goal had been achieved.
“Since you’re going to the countryside, you can’t skimp on preparations. Grandpa will get everything ready for you,” said Grandpa Sheng seriously.
“Grandpa, I asked Xu Han to buy everything for me. When I need something, I’ll write you a letter and you can send it over,” Sheng Jinhe replied.
“I’ve packed my own luggage too, so you don’t have to worry. See? I’ve grown up!”
“Hmph! Then I’ll give you extra money.”
“Fine, I won’t be polite!”
After returning home, the two of them cooked and ate, waiting for Sun Ke to come back.
“Grandpa, if I sever ties, can this be effective if it’s not published in the paper?”
Sheng Jinhe knew it was legally ineffective.
“I say it’s effective, so it’s effective. I’ll get other factory leaders to sign as witnesses. Since you want to do this, I won’t leave any hidden dangers for you,” Grandpa Sheng reassured her.
“Okay, I’ll follow your advice!”
“Grandpa, I’m going to ask him for 2,000 yuan as compensation for emotional distress. You don’t mind, right?”
It was actually her 18 years of child support—10 yuan per month, totaling 2,160—but she generously rounded it down. After all, he had been called “Dad” for 18 years; it wasn’t easy being a father!
But she couldn’t call it child support—she was mainly protecting herself, in case he tried to claim pension in the future.
“Compensation for emotional distress is perfect; it constantly reminds him why he’s being penalized, keeping this deadbeat father firmly on the pillar of shame.”
“Do as you like!” Grandpa Sheng didn’t interfere with father-daughter matters, as long as his granddaughter wasn’t disadvantaged.
“Great!”
They agreed, preparing the severance document and the voluntary compensation receipt in advance, just as Sun Ke returned.
Sheng Jinhe’s expression changed the moment she saw him.
Not going to lie—a darkened face like that was intimidating.
“Sit down, we need to talk,” Sun Ke said, sensing something was off but sitting anyway.
“Take a look!”
Sheng Jinhe slid all the photos onto the coffee table.
Sun Ke’s face immediately changed. Instinctively, he looked to Grandpa Sheng.
“Dad, listen to me…”
“Listen to what? Don’t say anything. If I accepted you into my mother’s eyes, that means you’ve got looks and brains. So just sign it!”
“Otherwise, what about your mistress and illegitimate child? You know…”
Sheng Jinhe cut him off, placing the severance document and the explanation for compensation right in front of him.
Grandpa Sheng watched his granddaughter’s calm expression, not knowing what she was thinking.
“You want to sever ties with me?”
Sun Ke puffed up, glaring at her.
How could this be? The Sheng family hasn’t even been handed over to him yet—otherwise, back then…
Sheng Jinhe frowned in disgust.
“Otherwise? Waiting for you to become the family’s end? Bringing your mistress and illegitimate child into our home?”
“Stop nagging. We have other business. Just tell me if you’ll sign—it doesn’t matter that Grandpa agreed!”
“Sign it, hand over the money, pack tonight and leave. Don’t even think about the rest of the Sheng family’s assets. If you don’t want the entire factory to be plastered with these photos tomorrow—after all, Aunt Xia is in the publicity department!”
Her threat was very clear.
Of course, she hadn’t finished venting; once this deadbeat left, she planned to give him another beating as a final act.
“Sheng Jinhe, I am your father!”
“Mm, the father who didn’t fulfill his duties growing up, the father who schemed to help his illegitimate child find work, the father who cheated and didn’t realize he should be sent to the farm for reform… anything else?”
“You… you actually…”
Sun Ke hadn’t expected her to know all this.
“I know more than you. I’ll count to three—if you don’t sign and give me the money, I’m leaving! At most, I’ll write an article for the paper. Severing ties has to have a reason, right? Your story is definitely spectacular!”
“One…!”
“Two…!”
“I’ll sign!”
Sun Ke scowled, his whole face twisted—truly ugly. He doubted he was even her real father.
“Mm, go get the money. Even if you give me more, I’ll take it!”
Sun Ke’s salary over the years was more than 2,000 yuan, but Sheng Jinhe knew this was likely most of it—he still had a family to support!
“Dad, can’t you say a few words?”
Sun Ke looked at Grandpa Sheng.
“Say? I should give you a single peanut! Sun Ke, behave yourself. From now on, you have nothing to do with the Sheng family. No gifts.”
Grandpa Sheng said coldly.
Sun Ke shrank under that gaze, remembering a night many years ago when he swore solemnly. He quickly retreated to his room.
When he came out, he had a pile of money and a luggage bag. By the time he packed, he had calmed down—he couldn’t let the Sheng family have their way. After all, even Grandpa Sheng didn’t know that secret.
Sheng Jinhe wasn’t about to kick this father aside.
So he gave her an extra 200 yuan. After all, Sheng Xi had given him a lot back then; he still had a conscience.
“Jinhe, here’s 2,200 yuan. Even though I’m leaving, I’ll always be your dad. You can come to me if anything happens!”
“Dad, I’ll come visit you often.”
Sheng Li and Sheng Jinhe: “….” Indifferent, but they took the money.
“This will be verified by the factory leadership. Sun Ke, goodbye!”
“Also, your siblings shouldn’t go to work. They should all go to the countryside—I want to see them there!”
Sheng Jinhe waved the photos in her hand.
If they listened, they’d go willingly. If not, she could report them normally.
“You… you can’t do this—they’re your brothers and sisters!”
Sun Ke panicked; he never expected Sheng Jinhe to have changed like this—too terrifying!
“Enough. I don’t want a father, and I certainly don’t want siblings. My mom only had one daughter—me!”
“Sun Qiu and Sun Dong, right? Don’t forget Sun Chun and Sun Xia up ahead!”
Sheng Jinhe said casually, watching her father’s face change again. Damn—it looked like the grass growing on her mom’s head was lusher than the graveyard grass!
“Sun Ke, if they don’t go to the countryside, you won’t want to know my methods!”
“Besides, I still have Grandpa!”
“Right, Grandpa? If I suffer in the countryside, they can’t enjoy the city!”
Sheng Jinhe smiled at Grandpa Sheng.
“What? You’re going to the countryside? Your job is so good!”
Sun Ke thought she was crazy.
“Why? My fiancé married another woman, my father has a little family outside… do I still have the face to stay here?”
“Let’s go!”
Sheng Jinhe didn’t want to waste words—she had bigger things to do! He Miao was calling her!
Sun Ke realized he couldn’t make a scene and slunk away.
But the job was still there, and the decision made back then wasn’t wrong.