RGL – Chapter 133

When Mother Wang saw that the gift was bought for Su Wenwen, her expression turned cold as well. She said sourly, “Tianci is your son. You should care more about him.”

Wang Mingsong replied nonchalantly, “Tianci is my precious son, and Wenwen is also my darling. Mom, you shouldn’t be so biased.”

As soon as Su Wenwen heard this, her heart warmed up suddenly, and she couldn’t help but smile. She looked sweetly at Wang Mingsong.

Wang Mingsong happened to look at her at the same time, and the two exchanged a glance filled with unspoken emotion.

Gao Hong, who was holding her son, inadvertently saw their interaction. A wave of discomfort rose in her chest, and her brows furrowed.

After dinner, when Wang Tianci had already fallen asleep, Gao Hong placed him on the bed and went straight to Su Wenwen’s room.

Seeing her daughter happily twirling in front of the mirror in the new clothes Wang Mingsong had bought, she felt even more uneasy. “Wenwen.”

“Mom? Why are you here?” Su Wenwen’s joyful expression immediately cooled.

Gao Hong quickly sat down next to her. “Wenwen, since when did you get so close to your uncle? I remember you used to say that he treated you…”

“That was all a misunderstanding,” Su Wenwen quickly said. Then she glanced again at her reflection in the mirror. The short woolen skirt suit she was wearing looked stunning.

Thinking of Wang Mingsong’s recent unusual behavior, Gao Hong grew more uneasy. She said seriously, “Wenwen, you should try to keep some distance from your uncle. Don’t get too close to him. After all, you’re a grown girl now, and he’s not your real father.”

Gao Hong didn’t want things to become so complicated or ugly. But she just couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. If something really did happen between them… the mere thought made her feel sick.

As soon as Su Wenwen heard this, her face darkened. She stared wide-eyed and bit back angrily, “Mom, I know I don’t have a dad anymore. You don’t need to keep reminding me. You know better than anyone why I don’t have one. With your kind of temper, only my uncle can put up with you, yet you still speak badly of him behind his back.”

Thinking about how Wang Mingsong always seemed so caring towards her mother, Su Wenwen couldn’t help but feel sour. Now hearing her mother speak ill of him like this, her gaze toward Gao Hong became visibly disdainful, as if she were looking at a thankless traitor.

Hearing her daughter’s accusations, Gao Hong was utterly shocked. She reached out to grab her daughter’s arm. “Wenwen, I’m doing this for your own good.”

“For my own good? Then just leave me alone. You’ve got your own son now anyway. I won’t be needing you to worry about me anymore.”

After saying this, Su Wenwen started pushing Gao Hong out of the room. Once she got her out, she quickly shut the door.

Gao Hong stood outside the closed door, biting her lip, her face full of sorrow.

Hearing the noise, Wang Mingsong came out from the study. Seeing Gao Hong looking so worn and miserable, he immediately felt repulsed. “It’s the middle of the night and you’re not sleeping—what are you doing here?”

“Why did you buy clothes for Wenwen today? Weren’t you angry at her before?” Gao Hong looked at him with red eyes.

Upon hearing this, Wang Mingsong sneered, “Gao Hong, is something wrong with your brain? When I was cold to Wenwen, you weren’t happy. Now that I treat her well, you question everything. If you’re really that free, why don’t you just focus on taking care of my parents and the kid? Stop acting so neurotic all the time.”

With that, he turned and went back to the study, clearly having no intention of returning to the bedroom to sleep with her.

Watching him go, bitterness welled up in Gao Hong’s heart.

Back when she was with Su Changgui for over ten years, she had never suffered as much grievance as she had recently.

Inside the room, Su Wenwen had heard everything. She hugged a pillow tightly and lay on the bed, lips pressed into a thin line.

Her mother just wanted her uncle to be good only to her and no one else. How selfish.

As the second semester of sophomore year began, the entire class became tense. Even Tang Man, who usually seemed pretty relaxed, now studied with Su Min and the others every day. After lunch, they would all head to the classroom to revise.

Except for Su Min, whose subjects were all evenly matched, the rest had some weak points. Fortunately, each had their own strengths, so they could tutor one another. After a month, their progress in the monthly exam was noticeable.

After getting the exam papers, Tang Man suggested they go out for some snacks.

“I want to eat the braised pig trotters from Su Min’s little uncle’s place,” Yin Jing smacked her lips.

Tang Man swallowed a bit of drool. “Yes! Those are delicious. Last time, I brought some home for my mom, and she even wanted to learn how to make them. After experimenting, she actually managed to get it somewhat right—and people really liked it!”

Su Min smiled. “Alright, we’ll go to my uncle’s place later.”

Tang Man added, “But let’s agree in advance: we pay before eating this time. We can’t keep eating for free. Otherwise, we won’t feel right going again.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Last time when the shop opened, they went to support and ate a lot, but the shop didn’t charge them. It already felt awkward to go back, but the food was just too good.

Su Min laughed and said, “Sure, we’ll pay. Let me teach you a trick—if my uncle still refuses to take money, just wash dishes at his place. He’ll definitely accept it then.”

Tang Man clapped her hands. “That’s a great idea!”

“Hmph.” Just then, a girl in a short woolen jacket walked past them, letting out a cold snort as she did.

They glanced over and immediately recognized her—Su Wenwen.

Tang Man wanted to chase after her and argue, but Zhang Panpan pulled her back. “Forget it. This is an important period. We’ve only got two more months this semester before senior year starts. Don’t get tangled up with her.”

“Exactly,” Yin Jing chimed in. “Look at how she’s dressed—flashy and painted up. Oh, and a few days ago, I saw her going in and out with a man. Even had a private car pick her up.”

“That’s her stepfather,” Tang Man said irritably. “I’ve seen it a few times. Even her real dad wasn’t that attentive. I even saw them holding hands.”

Su Min was surprised. “Holding hands?”

Yin Jing said disdainfully, “Yeah. She’s a grown girl, not a child anymore, still holding hands with her ‘dad’—and it’s not even her biological father. Looks really inappropriate.”

Hearing this, Su Min felt a wave of discomfort.

In her past life, her third uncle and third aunt had lived a good life together, and the Gao family hadn’t fallen apart. Even with such good conditions, Su Wenwen still cheated on her fiancé and became a mistress to a middle-aged businessman—so much so that the man’s wife came to confront her. Now, with a worse home environment and no one to discipline her, was she still going to act as recklessly as in her past life?

It seemed that a person’s true nature is etched into their bones. The only question was, where her bottom line lay. If something really did happen between her and Wang Mingsong, the consequences would be disastrous—not just losing everything, but Gao Hong probably wouldn’t be able to forgive her either.

Only two months left before the agricultural market would be completed. Although she didn’t remember the exact date, she knew something happened not long after it opened. Wang Mingsong’s good days were numbered.

“Uncle, I just saw Su Min again. When are you going to help me get back at her? She’s getting way too cocky these days.”

As soon as Su Wenwen got into the car, she began complaining to Wang Mingsong.

Wang Mingsong smiled, pursed his lips, and reached out to pat her head. “Don’t worry. I won’t go back on my word.”

Su Wenwen blushed slightly and lowered her head. “I know you won’t. It’s just that I can’t stand how arrogant she looks. Uncle, you must teach her a lesson soon—best if she gets so distracted that she can’t study and fails her college entrance exam.”

“Alright, I get it,” Wang Mingsong raised his brows slightly, thinking to himself how ruthless this girl was. At this age, to have such thoughts—she would definitely be able to go all the way in whatever she did in the future.

They went to eat together, and though Su Wenwen had classes that afternoon, she didn’t want to attend. Wang Mingsong indulged her and took her shopping instead, buying her a pile of clothes and even some jewelry.

Su Wenwen looked at the gold bracelet in her hand, practically bursting with happiness.

By the time they returned home that night, the entire household had already gone to bed.

Wang Mingsong didn’t return to his room but instead went into the study.

“Uncle, I can’t sleep either.”

Su Wenwen looked at Wang Mingsong with some reluctance. These past days, she had received so much care and affection. It was just like those female protagonists in novels who were cherished by powerful and wealthy men—doing whatever they wanted.

Wang Mingsong glanced in the direction of the rooms, then walked over and took her hand. “Then come to the study and read for a while. I happen to have some official work to handle.”

“Mm,” Su Wenwen nodded happily.

This wasn’t Su Wenwen’s first time in the study, but it was the first time she truly observed it seriously.

The study was spotless and neat, with many books neatly arranged. A stack of documents was placed on the desk.

Wang Mingsong quietly sat there reading documents, occasionally lifting his head to smile.

Watching Wang Mingsong work so seriously, Su Wenwen’s heart thumped a few times, and she even felt her whole body flush a little.

“Uncle,” she couldn’t help calling out softly.

Seeing her flushed cheeks, Wang Mingsong understood that she was beginning to feel something for him. Looking at her rosy face, he stood up and walked over, reaching out to hold her hand.

The construction of the farmers’ market had already begun. Although the project was large, it was being carried out in sections, and several construction companies were involved, so the progress was relatively fast.

It was considered a major event in the city, and news about it could often be heard.

Sun Qiufang always felt uncomfortable when hearing such news, but since her daughter’s exams were approaching, she didn’t want to disturb her with this matter. She thought it was fine to let Wang Mingsong take advantage for now—once things settled down at home, she would teach that bastard a good lesson.

Even though Su Min’s studies had become more intense, she still made time to inquire about the farmers’ market. She heard that the initial stages of the construction had been completed, which made her nervous.

Using this method to deal with Wang Mingsong was a gamble. If the same incident from her previous life didn’t happen this time, then her whole plan would be a failure.

Thinking of this, Su Min sighed in frustration.

Indeed, intelligence doesn’t change. She hadn’t been particularly cunning in either of her lives, so it was unrealistic to think she could outsmart Wang Mingsong. She could only hope Heaven would help her again this time.

Two months later, the farmers’ market was finally completed.

The city government specially selected a day to hold the grand opening ceremony. Some vendors who had already booked stalls began moving in their goods.

After finishing her exams, Su Min slung her backpack over her shoulder and went to take a look at the market.

Having seen many buildings in her previous life, Su Min only needed a few glances to know this was a jerry-built project—no better than the dilapidated buildings she had lived in before. Cracks had already formed in the gaps of the walls.

Watching the people bustling in and out, Su Min suddenly felt a chill. It hit her—since her involvement, many things had already changed. She had worried that the farmers’ market might not have issues this time, so she had come to take a look. But now, she was sure the market had serious structural problems, and it was only a matter of time before it collapsed.

The only remaining variable was the result of the collapse—would it differ from her previous life? In her last life, the market collapsed in the middle of the night, so no one was hurt. But would things go differently this time? Would there be casualties?

Thinking of this possibility, goosebumps rose all over Su Min’s back.

After the market opened, it was always crowded during the day—not just vendors, but also nearby residents buying groceries. If it collapsed then, the consequences would be devastating.

The more Su Min thought about it, the clearer the images in her mind became. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Once her body reacted, she immediately began thinking of how to prevent this disaster.

She knew the market was a shoddy construction and that it might collapse—but she had no idea when or where it would happen.

If she recklessly told people, no one would believe her. At this time, the general belief was that newly built cement structures were solid. People didn’t even have a concept of “jerry-built projects,” so no one would take her seriously.

Looking at the crowd going in and out of the market, Su Min gritted her teeth and ran outside.

Once she got home, Su Min immediately picked up the phone and dialed a number in the county.

The phone rang several times before someone picked up.

“Hello?” came the voice of Xue Nian on the other end.

Hearing Xue Nian’s voice, Su Min breathed a sigh of relief. “Auntie Xue, it’s me, Su Min.”

Once she realized it was Su Min, Xue Nian was delighted. She smiled and said, “It’s been so long since you contacted me! When will you come visit the county again? Last time I went to B City to see the old lady, she was still asking about you.”

“Auntie Xue, I’m about to enter senior year, so I haven’t had time to keep in touch,” Su Min explained briefly, then quickly added, “Auntie, is Uncle Zhao at home?”

“Old Zhao? He went to a meeting early this morning and hasn’t come back yet. Why, are you looking for him?”

“Mm, it’s urgent.” Su Min thought for a moment, then decided not to delay any longer. She told her about visiting the farmers’ market and seeing cracks in the walls, that the project might be unsafe. To make sure Xue Nian took it seriously, she even made up a lie. “When I first walked in, bricks near the entrance started falling down—it almost hit me! There are so many people going in and out. If something really goes wrong, someone’s bound to get hurt.”

“Is that true?” Xue Nian’s voice grew serious.

Although she wasn’t involved in politics, as a common citizen she knew very well—if something happened at a crowded place like the market, it wouldn’t just affect one or two people.

But this wasn’t a small matter, and she couldn’t blindly trust Su Min. “Su Min, don’t worry. When your Uncle Zhao comes back, I’ll tell him. He’ll personally take people to inspect the place. If there’s really a problem, the government will handle it.”

“Can my Uncle Zhao even manage matters in the city?”

Su Min was worried that County Magistrate Zhao wouldn’t have jurisdiction in the city and would be powerless—possibly even suppressed by certain people.

Xue Nian laughed. “This isn’t about jurisdiction—it’s about whether one is willing to act. They’re all public servants, and problems don’t care about borders. Besides, your Uncle Zhao has friends in the city. If there really is something wrong, he’ll definitely step in.”

“That’s good, Auntie Xue. Please don’t forget. I really think the place is dangerous, and I don’t know how long it can hold up. I heard there’s going to be heavy rain in a few days—it’s too risky.”

“I’ve remembered, don’t worry,” Xue Nian replied, her tone turning serious.

With Xue Nian’s promise, Su Min finally felt a bit relieved.

That evening, when County Magistrate Zhao returned home, Xue Nian told him what Su Min had said on the phone.