B5SB -Chapter 58 Shen Mother Plots Against Her Daughter

Shen Family

Teacher Shen hurriedly opened the door to her home, only to find the floor littered with spilled food. Mrs. Shen was sitting amidst the mess, wailing uncontrollably.

Panicked, Teacher Shen rushed forward and helped her mother to the sofa. “Mom, what happened? Why is the house in such a state?”

Grabbing her daughter’s arm tightly, Mrs. Shen cried out, “Your father was taken away by the public security this morning.”

Upon hearing this, Teacher Shen’s face changed drastically. She looked at her mother and asked, “What happened?”

Mrs. Shen didn’t answer, instead clutching her daughter’s arm with wild eyes. “Only you can save your father. I beg you—just marry Deputy Director Xing of the Revolutionary Committee.”

Teacher Shen grabbed her mother’s shoulders, shaking her. “Mom, calm down. Didn’t we agree before that Gu Yihan would marry him?”

Mrs. Shen shoved her hand away and shouted, “It’s too late! Your father can’t wait! Do you want to watch him die?”

Teacher Shen looked at her mother, full of disappointment.

Crying, Mrs. Shen held her daughter’s hands. “Think of me and your younger brother. If something happens to your father, your brother’s future is ruined.”

Tears instantly streamed down Teacher Shen’s face. “Mom, I’m your own daughter! You can’t sacrifice my entire life for my brother!”

Seeing that no amount of pleading worked, Mrs. Shen angrily slapped her.

“Smack!”

Teacher Shen covered her face, stunned. “Mom… you hit me?”

Mrs. Shen looked at her with an expression Teacher Shen couldn’t understand. “This is what you owe us, and now it’s time to repay. If you marry Director Xing, consider it repaying the debt of bringing you into this world.”

Teacher Shen was dumbfounded, staring at her mother like a stranger, unaware that a middle-aged man had quietly entered the bedroom and was carefully approaching from behind.

Her eyes reddened, Teacher Shen looked at her mother. “Mom… how can you do this—” Before she could finish, a sharp pain hit the back of her neck, and she lost consciousness.

Mrs. Shen watched her unconscious daughter being carried into the bedroom by the man, her heart aching. But thinking of Deputy Director Shen and her son, she hardened her heart.

“To you, from now on, my daughter is yours!” she said firmly to the man.

The middle-aged man brushed his hand across Teacher Shen’s smooth face. “Mother-in-law, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

With that, he lifted Teacher Shen in his arms and carried her into the bedroom.

Mrs. Shen stood at the doorway, listening to the sounds inside. She pressed her hand to her mouth, whispering softly, “This family can’t be without your father. Don’t blame me.”

Willow Tree Alley

Gu Yihan and Li Yajing were lying on lounge chairs, chatting while snacking on sunflower seeds. Coffee and fruit were on the table.

Li Yajing looked at Gu Yihan. “Your courtyard is so spacious; it’s comfortable just lying here.”

Gu Yihan laughed at her envious expression. “Your house isn’t small either—three rooms and a living room.”

Li Yajing snorted. “It may look big, but my family treats me terribly now.”

Gu Yihan, puzzled, asked, “What happened?”

Li Yajing’s mood soured. “It’s my sister-in-law. She’s pregnant and keeps complaining that there aren’t enough rooms. Once the baby comes, there will be no place left.”

Gu Yihan wisely kept quiet; after all, that was her sister-in-law. Saying too much could cause trouble.

Suddenly, a sharp voice shouted, “I didn’t sign up to go to the countryside!” Startled, Li Yajing looked around.

“Is that your neighbor’s voice?” Li Yajing asked suspiciously.

Gu Yihan smiled. “You’ll get used to it.”

Li Yajing was surprised. “Used to it? Do they argue often?”

Gu Yihan nodded, speaking softly. “Listen carefully. Every time they argue, it’s in the yard. We can hear everything clearly from here.”

Lin Family

A staff member from the “educated youth office” held up a registration form. “The train leaves the day after tomorrow for the Northwest. You’re going as educated youth.”

He handed the train ticket to Lin’s mother. “The 200-yuan allowance was already given to you on the day of registration.”

Lin Xiaofen pushed the worker away. “I have a job and never signed up to go to the countryside. Whoever registered me, you should go find them.”

The staff member remained calm. It wasn’t uncommon for family members to register someone without their consent.

He said to Lin Xiaofen, “Your name has already been registered. It cannot be changed. You know the consequences if educated youth avoid going.”

“I still need to notify others, so I’ll leave first.” With that, the staff member left.

Furious, Lin Xiaofen ran inside, took out her sister Lin Fang’s clothes from the closet, found scissors, and shredded them all.

Her mother rushed in to console her, but seeing the shredded pieces on the floor, she felt heartbroken.

She grabbed the scissors from Lin Xiaofen. “Even if you’re angry, you can’t take it out on clothes! Now they’re ruined. Don’t you know how scarce fabric coupons are?”

Lin Xiaofen, crying in her mother’s arms, said, “It must be Lin Fang. She registered my name.”

“Waa… waa… Mom, I don’t want to go to the countryside.”

Her mother patted her back gently. “We’ll find someone to cover your job for now. Later, your father will figure out a way to get you back to the city.”

Lin Xiaofen protested. “Mom, give me the household registration book. Also register Lin Fang.”

“Mom, big sister, there’s no page left for second sister in the household book,” 10-year-old Lin Baoning said, holding the book outside the door.

“What? Impossible!” Lin Xiaofen snatched the book, only to see Lin Fang’s page empty.

She screamed, “Ah… ah… When she comes back tonight, I won’t forgive her!”

Lin Baoning hesitated. “Big sister, didn’t you know second sister didn’t return after school yesterday? You sleep in the same room.”

Lin’s mother, shocked, asked, “What? That girl didn’t come back? Where has she been skulking?”

Then she scolded Lin Xiaofen: “She shares a room with you, and you didn’t say anything?”

Lin Xiaofen explained miserably, “I was too tired from work yesterday. I fell asleep quickly. How would I know she didn’t return?”

Her mother angrily slapped Lin Xiaofen’s back. “Hmph, you’re going to the countryside as educated youth. Pack your own things.”

Then she took Lin Baoning back to the main room.

Gu Yihan’s Home

Li Yajing slapped her forehead. “Oh no! I almost forgot what my mom asked me to do.”

Gu Yihan looked at her curiously. “What thing?”

Li Yajing smiled. “It concerns you. My cousin is in the army. My mom wants to introduce him to you.”

Gu Yihan sighed. “I’m still young. No rush.”

Li Yajing whispered, “I’m telling you, my cousin is perfect—capable and handsome.”

She nudged Gu Yihan with her elbow. “If he weren’t my cousin, you wouldn’t even have a chance. I’d have kept him for myself.”

Gu Yihan laughed. “So perfect, unmarried… he doesn’t have any flaws, right?”

Li Yajing sized her up. “Don’t underestimate him. He’s in the army in Kun City. He used to go on missions, which delayed things.”

“Earlier this year, he was promoted to team leader. If it weren’t an important mission, he wouldn’t have gone. My mom thought to introduce you to him.”

Before Gu Yihan could respond, Li Yajing stood, patted her clothes, and said, “It’s settled. When he’s on leave, he’ll come for a match-making meeting.”

“Everything’s arranged. I’m going home to eat now.”

Gu Yihan watched her run off without looking back, amused.