RYEY – Chapter 88 Steel Mill Residential Compound

When Uncle Niu arrived at Li Huan’s home, Cheng Qiao was reading a letter sent by Yang Mei. After finishing the letter, Cheng Qiao was in tears, and at the same time, she made a decision: she would return to her hometown in Huizhou.

At the residential compound of the First Huizhou Steel Mill, Xia Fen looked at the staff standing on the street in front of her, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Clearly, her daughter’s spot for the “going to the countryside” program had been given to Cheng Qiao—so why was her daughter being sent away as well?

“This is Wang Qin’s home, right? We’re here to notify her that she must go to the countryside on time next Monday to help build the rural areas of our motherland.”

“No, no, there is no Wang Qin here.”

“Your daughter’s original name was Wang Qin, wasn’t it? So what? She remarried and changed the surname of her previous husband’s child—but what use is that? She is still not Vice Director Cheng’s child.”

“You… how can you speak like this? I am Vice Director Cheng’s lover—we are legally married!”

“Yes, yes, we know. You and Vice Director Cheng are married. That’s why Vice Director Cheng came here to register Wang Qin for the countryside program. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even be eligible.”

“What? Vice Director Cheng helped my daughter register?”

“If you can help Vice Director Cheng’s own daughter register for the countryside program, why can’t he help your own daughter? Besides, Vice Director Cheng has already restored your daughter’s original surname.”

“You… I… sob sob sob…”

Xia Fen suddenly couldn’t speak. What on earth was happening? Cheng Liguo had always treated Cheng Qin well and even agreed to let her change her surname. When Cheng Qiao had registered Cheng Qin for the countryside program, he had only frowned slightly—he hadn’t said a word. Why had everything changed all of a sudden today?

“Once again, we notify you: Comrade Wang Qin must report to the train station on time next Monday to go to the Northwest to help build our motherland’s countryside. Here is the settlement allowance and train ticket for young intellectuals going to the countryside. Keep them safe.”

Xia Fen held the envelope of kraft paper, helplessly watching as her fingers were forced to press the official seal. Her heart ached so much she almost fainted—her daughter, whom she had raised since childhood, was about to endure hardship.

After completing their task, the officials left without a word, ignoring the hatred in Xia Fen’s eyes. In their eyes, without Cheng Liguo, this woman was nothing.

If it weren’t for the fact that Cheng Liguo’s wife Zhao Min had passed away from illness when Cheng Qiao was still young, and he was busy with work and needed someone to care for her…

Coincidentally, this woman’s husband had also died from illness, leaving a young daughter and no source of income, and she had been driven out by her mother-in-law, unsure how to survive. That was when someone introduced her to Cheng Liguo.

Cheng Liguo, seeing that Xia Fen was fairly decent-looking and had a daughter about the same age as Cheng Qiao, was very pleased. He thought that if the two girls grew up together, they wouldn’t be lonely.

Before registering their marriage, Cheng Liguo, acting sly first and gentleman later, made it clear to Xia Fen that he didn’t truly want to marry. Being a “fake husband” to her was merely a way to find a woman to take care of Cheng Qiao.

In return, he would provide for Xia Fen and her daughter’s living expenses and housing. Once Cheng Qiao married, they would divorce at the civil affairs bureau, at which time she would receive a retirement allowance and her daughter a dowry.

Xia Fen was surprised but thought that as long as they registered, spending time together would eventually lead to a real marriage. She could even have a son later, and surely he would fall for her. So she readily agreed.

Thus, the two families became one. Xia Fen devoted herself to caring for Cheng Qiao, especially when Cheng Liguo was home—Xia Fen treated Cheng Qiao far better than Wang Qin.

Cheng Liguo didn’t truly trust Xia Fen. From time to time, he would suddenly return home and privately ask Cheng Qiao about her new mother. Cheng Qiao always happily told him that her new mother treated her well.

Xia Fen never let Cheng Qiao do laundry, cook, or do chores. Cheng Qiao could dress nicely every day and go out to enjoy herself, while Cheng Qin had to work at home.

Over time, Cheng Qiao’s reputation plummeted under Xia Fen’s reckless promotion. Some even maliciously said that Cheng Qiao held capitalist thoughts and should be sent for re-education.

Cheng Qiao was terrified, but at that moment, Xia Fen stepped forward in a high-handed manner to defend her, saying that being a stepmother was difficult and urging everyone to stop speaking ill of Cheng Qiao.

From then on, Xia Fen completely had Cheng Qiao under her control. Cheng Qiao voluntarily handed over the pocket money given by Cheng Liguo to treat Xia Fen and her daughter and even gave her own clothes to Cheng Qin.

Eventually, neighbors noticed the imbalance but didn’t dare mention it to Cheng Liguo, afraid of offending the deputy director. They subtly hinted to Cheng Qiao to be cautious, but she always retorted.

Even Yang Mei, Cheng Qiao’s closest ally, got so frustrated with her that she swore never to interfere again. With no one else meddling, Xia Fen thrived in controlling Cheng Qiao.

It wasn’t until Cheng Qiao registered Cheng Qin for the countryside program that Xia Fen relaxed, preparing to secure her own daughter’s future—either marrying or finding a job.

Over the years, Xia Fen had failed to win over Cheng Liguo and had given up on him. Before he divorced her, she planned to implement some schemes.

She packed all her possessions, including those Cheng Liguo had sent to Cheng Qiao, and sent them to her daughter’s hometown in the countryside. In case of divorce, at least she would still have something.

Everything proceeded according to Xia Fen’s plan until she discovered things that shouldn’t have been there, and her mindset began to shift…

Meanwhile, Cheng Liguo was actually satisfied with this arrangement. His daughter was well cared for by Xia Fen. He was only frustrated that she was going to the countryside for someone else.

When Cheng Liguo received a call from Cheng Qiao warning him to be careful, he began to pay attention to the mother and daughter and immediately noticed many problems.

For example, Cheng Qin’s wardrobe had far more clothes, shoes, and socks than Cheng Qiao’s. Also, he found slips from the post office showing parcels Xia Fen occasionally sent to the countryside.

Some of Cheng Qiao’s mother Zhao Min’s belongings were missing from his room. Before, these things didn’t matter, but at this critical moment, they were crucial.

Zhao Min’s family was in the capital. Her father was a foreign-educated professor teaching at a university, so Zhao Min naturally had English books—but now not a single one remained.

Some of Zhao Min’s large dowry items, such as a sewing machine and radio, had also somehow ended up in Xia Fen’s room.

Cheng Liguo remained outwardly calm but contacted Yang Mei. He knew that Zhao Min had saved Yang Mei when she was almost sold by her mother, and since then, Yang Mei had regarded Zhao Min as her own elder sister.