WRS – Chapter 36

After dinner, Liu Jingzhi had originally planned to head home. But Jin Xiuzhu, deliberately mentioning that they’d be leaving the day after tomorrow, urged her to stay a bit longer — and Liu Jingzhi couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

So, she stayed, and before she knew it, it was time for supper. The lunch dishes had been too plentiful to finish, so around four in the afternoon, Jiang Mingchuan reheated the leftovers. Liu Jingzhi didn’t leave until after finishing that meal. Even though it was just reheated food, she ate it with relish, though a bit slowly.

She couldn’t bear to part with her uncle and aunt’s family. Even though she knew her mother and sister might be displeased when she got home, she still wanted to stay a little longer.

The sky outside had darkened. After dinner, it was already past four-thirty. Jin Xiuzhu, ever considerate, said, “Wait a bit — we’ll send you home. Your parents won’t say anything. You’re such a good, sensible girl, and we’re relatives after all. If they scold you, that would be unreasonable of them.”

Her words comforted Liu Jingzhi somewhat. She thought to herself that she hadn’t been wandering around; she’d only been at her uncle and aunt’s house, and her mother had agreed this morning anyway.

So, after Jiang Mingchuan finished washing the dishes, the family of four all went together to see her home.

Halfway there, Jin Xiuzhu suddenly took off the wristwatch she was wearing and slipped it onto Liu Jingzhi’s wrist. Liu Jingzhi noticed, was startled, and quickly waved her hands, “No, no, Cousin-in-law, I can’t take this.”

Jin Xiuzhu pressed her hand down gently. “Don’t refuse just yet. I was thinking — you’re studying at school and might not always know the time. Having a watch will be convenient. That way you won’t lose track of time while reading and forget to eat or sleep. I’ll just buy another one when we get back; they’re cheap in the countryside.”

Liu Jingzhi shook her head like a rattle drum. “I’m always with my classmates, so I don’t forget things like meals. This is too valuable — please keep it for yourself. I really don’t need it.”

Jin Xiuzhu gave her a half-playful glare. “I’m giving it to you because I genuinely like you. Do you see me giving one to anyone else? You’ll make the best use of it — that’s what it’s meant for. Expensive or not, no object is more valuable than a person.”

Liu Jingzhi couldn’t argue against Jin Xiuzhu, but she truly didn’t dare accept something so nice.

Jiang Mingchuan added softly, “Just take it. I’ll buy your aunt a better one later.”

Jin Xiuzhu’s face brightened into a smile. “See? He said it himself — I’ll have an even better one soon.”

Liu Jingzhi’s lips trembled; she still didn’t dare take it.

They had already bought her so many clothes yesterday, spending a lot of money.

The two children chimed in beside her, “Big sister, just take it! Mom really likes you.”

Even the little girl piped up, “Daddy has money.”

Under the gentle persuasion of all four, Jin Xiuzhu fastened the watch on Liu Jingzhi’s wrist. It was a delicate, elegant piece that gleamed brightly against her pale wrist.

She did like it — in fact, she’d lied earlier. She didn’t have any friends at all. Most of her classmates were recommended from rural areas; their family backgrounds were good, and when they learned she was from the city, they deliberately isolated her. No one played with her. Sometimes, when she returned late, she found the dorm door locked — no matter how long she knocked, no one opened it.

Even though her pocket money wasn’t more than theirs.

Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan walked her downstairs. Liu Jingzhi didn’t let them come up; she didn’t want them to explain anything to her parents. She was grown now — she didn’t need others to handle such things for her.

Before leaving, she asked, “Uncle, Aunt, what time are you leaving tomorrow? I’ll come see you off.”

Jin Xiuzhu smiled, “Between three and four in the afternoon. You can come have a meal with us before we go.”

Hearing that she’d get to see them again tomorrow, Liu Jingzhi’s face brightened with a happy smile. “Okay, I’ll definitely come.”

She waved her right hand, while her other hand carried a paper bag of pastries Jin Xiuzhu had made — she planned to bring them home for her parents and sister.

When she reached the stairs, she turned around again. Seeing the family of four still standing there, she waved once more.

Jin Xiuzhu lifted her hand and waved back before finally turning away with her husband and children.

After walking a few steps, she asked, “Will you tell them tomorrow?”

Jiang Mingchuan nodded. “We have to.”

He wasn’t foolish. He knew Jin Xiuzhu had been helping him all along. Giving the watch to his sister earlier would surely be noticed once she got home — even if it wasn’t, with her personality, she’d probably mention it to her adoptive parents herself. Even if they didn’t argue tonight, a rift would appear.

By the time they brought up the matter tomorrow, those two would likely be mentally prepared — maybe even ready to make excessive demands — which would make resolving the situation much easier.

Jin Xiuzhu said plainly, “No matter what unreasonable demands they make tomorrow, you agree to all of them.”

At this, Jiang Mingchuan and the two children looked at her in surprise.

Jin Xiuzhu explained gently, “Your sister’s a real person with feelings. If we start bargaining, she’ll be caught in the middle, feeling torn. Let’s agree first — whether we fulfill it later or not, we can delay it.”

Fu Yanyan glanced at Jin Xiuzhu and soon understood her meaning. It wasn’t only about sparing the young aunt from feeling trapped — it was also about contrast. If the other couple made greedy demands while they appeared generous, it would only make them seem cold and unfeeling. When the young aunt saw that, she’d naturally understand who truly cared for her. Later, if trouble arose and her former family came seeking help, she wouldn’t be too softhearted.

Thinking this through, Fu Yanyan once again marveled at Jin Xiuzhu’s sharp insight — she truly had a knack for reading people.

That watch wasn’t given in vain either; there would almost certainly be a huge argument tonight.

Fu Yanyan felt a bit sorry for her young aunt — but more than that, she was relieved that this would help her avoid future suffering.

With her real parents in this lifetime, things would be different for her aunt.

——

Liu Jingzhi pushed open the door and entered the house. Looking up, she saw her father, mother, and younger sister sitting in the living room having dinner.

Hearing the sound, Song Xiaoru and Liu Aihua turned to look at her but said nothing.

It was Liu Qin who smiled and asked, “Have you eaten? If not, come have a bite.”

Liu Jingzhi smiled and nodded. “I ate a bit at Uncle and Aunt’s place.”

Then she lifted the oiled paper package in her hand. “Aunt made some pastries — they’re delicious. She asked me to bring some back for you all.”

As she walked over to the table and began unwrapping the paper, Liu Aihua suddenly smacked it to the floor in anger. “I don’t want it! You eat all the good stuff outside and bring back leftovers for us? Do you think we’re dogs? I’m not eating that!”

“It’s already five o’clock — why even bother coming home? Why don’t you just stay at your uncle and aunt’s place?”

Liu Jingzhi knew her sister was upset, but hearing such unreasonable words, she couldn’t help but say, “This isn’t just your home. Why can’t I come back?”

Liu Aihua gave a cold laugh and was about to snap back when Liu Qin suddenly raised his voice, “Enough! What are you arguing about? It’s New Year’s! Your sister kindly brought you something to eat — if you don’t want it, fine, but why throw it on the floor?”

Then he turned to Liu Jingzhi and said, “You’re the older sister — can’t you be a little more patient with her? You know she’s upset, and yet you’re out there having fun all day. Don’t you know your mother isn’t feeling well?”

Liu Jingzhi was startled by her father’s sudden tone. Then, hearing his words, her heart sank in grievance. She pressed her lips together, wanting to ask — why was it always her who had to give way just because she was older? She was only three years older, after all.

Liu Qin’s face turned stern. “You’ve already eaten, haven’t you? Then go to your room. We’re still eating.”

Liu Jingzhi looked toward her mother, but Song Xiaoru’s face was expressionless.

Suddenly, Liu Jingzhi felt as though both her parents were displeased with her.

Was it because she hadn’t been home all day? But when her sister came home late before, they’d never been angry — only worried about her safety.

Why was it different for her?

Feeling wronged, Liu Jingzhi crouched down and began picking up the pastries from the floor.

Some were dirty, so she stuffed them straight into her mouth. These were pastries her aunt had made just for her. She hadn’t eaten much of them herself, saving them to bring home.

Her eyes reddened as she went back to her room.

At the dinner table, Liu Qin paused with his chopsticks in hand, wondering if he’d been too harsh just now.

Only Liu Aihua ate happily. It was only today that she had learned her “sister” wasn’t really her parents’ biological child — she was the only real daughter.

Still, she was angry. Angry that her uncle’s family had squandered all their house and money, forcing her to live in this shabby home and eat this bland food. Otherwise, she would’ve been no worse off than those proper employees’ kids.

But she wasn’t stupid — she couldn’t let her sister find out the truth. If she did, her sister would go with her real brother and sister-in-law and live a good life. Her father had said that her sister’s brother was an official, and rich.

Thinking of that, her heart twisted with bitterness. Why? Why was her sister prettier than her — and even born luckier?

After dinner, Liu Aihua returned to her room, scowling. Seeing her sister sitting at the desk reading, with the pastries spread beside her — half already eaten — she grew furious again. She stormed over, swept the pastries to the ground, and stomped on them several times. “I’ll show you! I’ll show you!”

Liu Jingzhi stood up in anger, shouting, “Liu Aihua! Don’t go too far!”

“What? You think I can’t? Just seeing you makes me sick!”

“What did I ever do to you? Why are you acting crazy for no reason?”

Outside, hearing the noise, Liu Qin rushed in. Seeing the mess on the floor, he was about to speak — but then his younger daughter turned her head and shot him a warning look.

He hesitated, then swallowed his words and instead said, “Jingzhi, you’re the older sister. You should let your little sister have her way a bit.”

When Liu Jingzhi heard those words, her eyes instantly reddened. Her lips trembled. She hadn’t done anything wrong—so why was she always the one who had to give in to her younger sister? Why couldn’t her sister show her even a little respect?

Liu Aihua looked at her sister smugly, snorted, and pointed at her. “Get out! I don’t want to share a room with you.”

Liu Qin spoke up to stop her. “Aihua.”

“I mean it!” Liu Aihua said domineeringly. “I don’t want to sleep in the same room with her. Make her leave.”

“Then where do you expect your sister to sleep? There are only two bedrooms in the house.”

“I don’t care! She can sleep wherever she wants. Isn’t there still a living room? Let her sleep there!”

Liu Jingzhi couldn’t understand why her sister was always targeting her. “What exactly did I ever do to you? Yes, I’m not home often, but I always think of bringing you pastries when I come back. Our uncle and aunt like me—so what? Mom and Dad usually favor you more! Why can you enjoy their favoritism, but I can’t be liked by Uncle and Aunt?”

Liu Qin tried to mediate. “Jingzhi—”

“Of course Mom and Dad favor me. That’s normal. I’m their biological daughter.”

“Aihua!”

“Yes, you’re their biological daughter. But what about me? Am I not? You only ever think about yourself—you never think about anyone else!”

“Why should I think about you? Who do you think you are?”

Liu Jingzhi wanted to say more, but Liu Qin cut her off. “Enough. Stop arguing. Jingzhi, you can sleep with your mother tonight. I’ll sleep in the living room.”

Liu Jingzhi looked at him in disbelief. Her sister had bullied her so viciously, yet her father was still trying to smooth things over as if nothing had happened.

Liu Qin turned his head away, unable to face the disappointment and hurt in his eldest daughter’s eyes.

Liu Jingzhi stayed silent for a long time. Then, without another word, she bent down to pick up the crushed pastries from the floor. Her tears dripped one by one, darkening the floorboards beneath her—stark and painful to see.

Liu Aihua folded her arms, watching her sister cry as she picked up the pastries she herself had stomped on. Her expression was full of smug satisfaction.

But when her eyes caught sight of the wristwatch on Liu Jingzhi’s wrist, her expression instantly changed. “Where did you get that watch?” she demanded sharply.

Liu Jingzhi looked at her wrist and said calmly, “Aunt gave it to me.”

Liu Aihua’s face twisted in anger at the answer she had already expected. That watch—the one she had dreamed of having—her parents couldn’t afford to buy it for her. Yet her sister had gotten it so easily, and it was even a gift from her sister-in-law! Her brother and sister-in-law weren’t only rich—they spoiled her too.

“I forbid you to wear it!” she shouted furiously. “You’re not allowed to wear it—!”

As she spoke, she lunged forward to snatch it. Liu Qin hurriedly held her back. “Liu Aihua!”

Liu Aihua struggled, crying as she pounded her fists against her father. “She has a watch! Why does she get one and I don’t? It’s all your fault! If it weren’t for you and Mom, I’d be living in a big house right now! I’d have money to buy watches! It’s all your fault! You ruined my life! Mom’s an idiot, and you’re useless too! I hate you both—!”

Standing by the door, Song Xiaoru heard it all. Her face fell with heartbreak. “Liu Aihua! How can you say that? I’m your mother!”

“I don’t care! I don’t want a mother like you!”

Song Xiaoru’s eyes turned red again.

Liu Jingzhi stood up, looking at this absurd scene. For the first time, she found it ridiculous—and incomprehensible.

The sister who was usually doted on endlessly by their parents was now spewing such venom toward them. She seemed to hate everyone in the family equally.

Liu Jingzhi couldn’t help but ask, “If it weren’t for Mom and Dad, would you even exist? If you hate us that much, shouldn’t you be the one to leave?”

Liu Aihua’s expression grew even more hysterical. She screamed back, “Who do you think you are to say that? This is my house! I decide who stays or goes! You’re just an adopted girl—what right do you have to talk to me like that? You think you’re so great? These two idiots are even planning to marry you off to our cousin—so you’ll never be able to leave them!”

“Liu Aihua!”

Liu Qin realized something was wrong halfway through and shouted to stop her, but his daughter was talking too fast to be stopped.

Like a madwoman, Liu Aihua clawed at the air, shouting, “Why are you yelling at me? Am I wrong? I heard it with my own ears today! Aunt said so herself—you’re adopted! Your real brother and sister-in-law have already come looking for you! Aunt told Mom and Dad to marry you to your cousin, so you wouldn’t run away again!”

Liu Jingzhi froze in place. She didn’t know whether she was more shocked by the revelation that she wasn’t their biological daughter—or by the fact that her parents intended to marry her off to her cousin. Tears streamed down her face. “You’re going to marry me to my cousin?” she choked.

Did they not know what kind of person he was? A liar and a bully since childhood, with a cruel and violent temper. Even if she wasn’t their biological daughter, how could they treat her like this?

Liu Qin quickly said, “Don’t listen to your sister’s nonsense—we never agreed to that.”

Song Xiaoru also rushed to add, “Yes, we didn’t agree!”

“What do you mean you didn’t agree?” Liu Aihua sneered. “You said you’d think about it! Once Aunt visits a few more times, you’ll agree for sure! Only an idiot like you would believe otherwise!”

“Liu Aihua!” Liu Qin shouted angrily, “What do you want? Are you trying to tear this family apart?”

Liu Jingzhi’s heart went cold. She knew her parents’ personalities—they were weak, easily swayed. Just like Aihua said, if her aunt came back to persuade them a few more times, they would probably agree to marry her off.

She shook her head slowly, looking at the three of them with disappointment. She had treated them as her real family—but to them, she had never truly belonged.

Meeting their eyes, she suddenly understood why she had always felt out of place in this home.

Having realized that, she couldn’t stay another moment. She turned and ran out of the room. Song Xiaoru tried to grab her, but Liu Jingzhi shook her off.

“Jingzhi—!”

Liu Jingzhi paused for just a second, then pushed open the door and ran into the night.

Song Xiaoru collapsed to the floor, slapping her thighs and sobbing. “It’s over—our eldest daughter’s gone—she doesn’t want us anymore!”

Liu Qin let go of Aihua weakly, squatting down and burying his head in his hands. He had a terrible feeling—once his daughter ran away this time, she would never come back.

Only Liu Aihua stood there, smug and resentful. If she couldn’t live happily, then no one else would either.

When the door to the guesthouse room was knocked on, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan were sitting on the bed reading with their two children.

At the sound, Jin Xiuzhu glanced at Jiang Mingchuan. He called toward the door, “Who is it?”

There was silence for a few seconds. Then came a choked, tearful voice. “It’s me.”

Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan exchanged a look, immediately recognizing the voice. Jiang Mingchuan hurried to open the door, while Jin Xiuzhu quickly put on her coat and followed.

When Liu Jingzhi looked up and saw them, her swollen eyes filled with tears again. Jin Xiuzhu rushed forward and pulled her into a hug, her voice soft and comforting. “What happened? Tell us. Why did you come here so late—it’s dangerous to be out alone at night.”

Hearing her aunt’s gentle concern, Liu Jingzhi finally broke down completely. She sobbed uncontrollably. “Auntie, my sister said I’m not their real daughter—she said my parents are going to marry me to my cousin…”

Jiang Mingchuan and Jin Xiuzhu’s faces both darkened instantly.

“What do you mean?” Jiang Mingchuan asked anxiously. “Who are they trying to marry you to?”

Liu Jingzhi kept crying, her body shaking. She had used all her strength to get those words out earlier—now she was too overcome with sorrow to answer.

Jiang Mingchuan looked at her with deep worry, his lips pressed tight.

Jin Xiuzhu gently patted her back. “Don’t be afraid. We’re here. We’ll stand up for you.”

The two children ran over too, looking up at their aunt in concern.

When Liu Jingzhi’s sobs finally quieted, Jiang Mingchuan said, “We’re going to your house right now.”

Liu Jingzhi hung her head without replying.

Jin Xiuzhu stroked her hair softly. “We’ll talk on the way, okay? Don’t be scared—your brother and I are with you.”

Only then did Liu Jingzhi lift her red, swollen eyes to look at them, her voice hoarse and trembling. “You really are my brother and sister-in-law? Why… why didn’t you tell me sooner? If my sister hadn’t said it tonight, were you planning to keep it from me forever?”

Jin Xiuzhu understood what she meant. “We were going to visit your home tomorrow morning.”

Liu Jingzhi didn’t respond—it was unclear whether she believed them or not.

Regardless, Jin Xiuzhu and Jiang Mingchuan put on their clothes. Jiang Mingchuan wanted the two kids to stay behind and sleep, but they both shook their heads. Jin Xiuzhu said, “We’re outside the city—it’s safer if they come with us.”

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t argue.

He carried his daughter on his back and led the way, flashlight in hand. He Yan walked in the middle. Jin Xiuzhu and Liu Jingzhi held hands and followed behind. It was easier for Jin Xiuzhu to explain things as they walked.

She spoke quietly, telling Liu Jingzhi about their parents’ story, and about how Jiang Mingchuan grew up in the Pan family.

Finally, she sighed. “Don’t blame your brother. He grew up under constant pressure, bottling up all his pain. His only act of rebellion was joining the military academy early to escape home. That’s partly why he’s done so well now—but also why he couldn’t come see you often. Training and military life are strict. He became a battalion commander at a young age—you can imagine how hard he worked for it. He didn’t know how much you were suffering, but he never forgot you. Every month, he sent money to your adoptive parents—enough for your whole family to live comfortably.”

Liu Jingzhi looked up at the tall figure walking ahead, her eyes welling up again. She had never known he’d been sending money. Her adoptive parents had never mentioned it.

“This time it was my fault,” Jin Xiuzhu continued gently. “I thought I was being clever—gave you a bigger red envelope and your sister a smaller one. Maybe she noticed and got jealous. Your brother suspected you might not be treated well, so he decided we should come and take you home.”

“Your adoptive parents didn’t want him to recognize you, so they told him to pretend to be a relative. He thought—if you were happy there, he’d let it be. But if you were being mistreated, he would never leave you there. And truthfully, we don’t owe your adoptive family anything. Your parents once saved their lives—that debt already repays the years they raised you. And knowing your mother’s character, she probably gave them plenty of compensation back then too.”

Hearing this, Liu Jingzhi mentioned how they used to live in a large house and her father had a stable factory job.

Jiang Mingchuan turned and frowned. “What happened after that?”

Her voice came out dry and strained. “Later, my uncle’s family came to live with us. My father got him a job at the machinery factory. One day, my uncle got drunk, tried to drive one of the new cars from the factory, and hit someone—killed them. The house and all our savings were used to pay compensation. Dad kept his job, but only as a temporary worker.”

Jin Xiuzhu guessed that someone in the factory must have known their mother and helped keep him employed. Otherwise, without a job, their situation would’ve been even worse.

Jiang Mingchuan clenched his fists in anger. He suspected that the house had originally been arranged by their mother.

Liu Jingzhi then recounted what had happened over the past few days. By the time her sister was old enough to remember things, they had already been living in the run-down house.

She couldn’t help thinking—so that big house she’d once lived in had been from her real mother. She had parents who loved her dearly, even if they were gone now. And she had a brother who had always silently cared for her from afar.

How wonderful—she had always been loved.