WRS – Chapter 37

The family of five went to Liu Jingzhi’s adoptive parents’ house.

Most of the residents here were ordinary workers or temporary staff at the machinery factory. The factory had resumed work in recent days, so by this time, many families had just finished dinner. Lights were on in every home, and people in the corridors were busy washing and cleaning.

The argument that had just happened at the Liu household was heard by several neighbors. The walls here weren’t well soundproofed—hardly anyone could avoid hearing it. Now, seeing Liu Jingzhi accompanied by a family she didn’t know, everyone was curious.

Everyone was familiar with Liu Jingzhi. She had always been another family’s child growing up, beautiful, kind, intelligent, and capable. Many parents secretly envied her. Sometimes, when they got together, they’d whisper to each other, saying that her parents must have been incredibly lucky—how did a “rotten” couple manage to produce such a charming daughter?

Of course, this was only said in private, never openly.

Now, knowing she wasn’t their biological daughter, it all made sense. Otherwise, how could such an outstanding eldest daughter not show favoritism, yet favor the lazy, sharp-tongued youngest daughter?

Jiang Mingchuan walked ahead and, upon arriving, stopped to knock on the door.

Jin Xiuzhu noticed Liu Jingzhi’s steps falter slightly and stopped as well. When the door opened, she clearly sensed the girl stiffen beside her.

She gently patted her hand and whispered, “Don’t be afraid.”

Liu Jingzhi murmured an “hm” in response.

The door was opened by Song Xiaoru. Seeing Jiang Mingchuan at the door, her expression changed, and with some fear, she asked, “You… why are you here?”

Jiang Mingchuan’s voice was cold: “Came to talk to you.”

Song Xiaoru couldn’t make the decision herself. Hearing this, she hesitated, glanced inside, and Liu Qin, who had also heard the sound, paused before saying, “Let him in.”

Song Xiaoru stepped aside slightly.

They had expected only Jiang Mingchuan to come, but behind him followed four others, including the eldest daughter who had run out earlier.

The couple’s faces softened slightly upon seeing their eldest daughter. Song Xiaoru tried to reach out, “Jingzhi—”

Liu Jingzhi sidestepped her.

Song Xiaoru opened her mouth but, disappointed, lowered her head.

Liu Aihua, who had been sleeping in her room, quickly put on clothes upon hearing the noise and rushed out, shouting, “Why are you back? Didn’t you run away to show some backbone?”

Liu Qin sighed, his voice weak and exhausted: “Enough. Can’t you say fewer words? Go back to your room and sleep. This house is still under our control.”

Liu Aihua wasn’t afraid of him at all. Crossing her arms, she said, “I’ll stay here—either stay here, or I run out too.”

Liu Qin fell silent; he didn’t want to lose both daughters.

Liu Aihua snorted in contempt.

Song Xiaoru moved a stool for Jiang Mingchuan and Jin Xiuzhu to sit. Jiang Mingchuan ignored the father-daughter drama and said directly, “Let’s settle the matters from back then first.”

Hearing this, Liu Qin’s back bent slightly.

Jin Xiuzhu glanced at Jiang Mingchuan approvingly—he wasn’t too foolish.

Jiang Mingchuan’s steady voice rang out again: “Back then, my grandfather went on a business trip and encountered your father on the road. Your father was still young, fleeing floods and begging along the way, running a high fever. My grandfather kindly saved him and brought him to work for the Bai family. He supported your whole family, so you didn’t lack food or clothing during those harsh years. In other words, without my grandfather, you wouldn’t exist. Isn’t this a life-saving and nurturing favor?”

Liu Qin nodded silently.

Liu Aihua interjected, “What era is this? Why are you still counting such things?”

Jiang Mingchuan ignored her and continued: “When my mother entrusted my sister to you, didn’t she give you a house, enough money, and arrange jobs to ensure your family’s livelihood?”

Liu Qin continued to nod.

Looking at Liu Qin and Song Xiaoru’s slightly aged and weary faces, Jiang Mingchuan controlled his temper as he questioned: “Since I started earning a salary, haven’t I sent money to you every month—from five or ten yuan in the beginning to twenty or thirty per month now? Even if you had a tiny bit of conscience, you shouldn’t have treated my sister like this.”

Song Xiaoru couldn’t help whispering, “We didn’t mistreat her…”

Before she could finish, Jiang Mingchuan’s cold gaze snapped to her, scaring her into lowering her head.

“Mistreat her?”

He suddenly raised his voice: “You didn’t mistreat her, yet you wanted to marry her off to your nephew? Don’t you know what kind of person he is? That’s my sister! If you had even a shred of concern for her, you wouldn’t have thought this way.”

“You may have shown favoritism to your own child, which is understandable, but I thought my mother, when choosing you as my sister’s adoptive parents, must have seen something good in you. Did you live up to that? That house, the money for raising children, the money I sent each month—how much of it was spent on my sister? You dressed your own child in fine clothes while my sister wore patched, ill-fitting ones. Your child didn’t do any chores, but my sister did all the household work. I won’t even mention that. Now I realize, your daughter can throw a fit at her, and you go even further—without our consent, planning to marry her off. I ask you, what right, what face do you have to arrange her life like that?”

“My parents are gone, but I, as her brother, am still here. From now on, my sister has no ties to your family. We owe you nothing. Everything connected to raising my sister ends here.”

Liu Jingzhi looked at her brother speaking for her, tears welling in her eyes. For the first time, she felt the comfort of being protected.

Liu Qin and Song Xiaoru were speechless. Liu Aihua, however, was defiant: “You say ‘ends here’—without my parents, she’d be dead already.”

Jin Xiuzhu didn’t indulge her. She sneered: “Without your parents, my sister would be living far better than she does now.”

She knew how to manipulate people’s hearts and continued: “Don’t waste your cleverness on us. I advise you to focus on yourself. Jingzhi has us protecting her; she’ll naturally be safe. As for you, your parents neglected you, gave all the house and money to your uncle’s family. The money my husband sends each month is enough for your family to live well, yet you live so poorly. Clearly, little of that money was spent on you.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Aihua’s expression changed.

“Your parents would rather spoil someone else’s child than you. When your uncle’s child grows up and is ready to marry, who knows who they’ll trade money for?”

Liu Aihua turned to her parents, her eyes filled with resentment and suspicion, clearly taking Jin Xiuzhu’s words to heart.

Song Xiaoru hurriedly said, “Don’t talk nonsense. We didn’t.”

Jin Xiuzhu cut her off with one sentence: “You say you didn’t, but your actions say otherwise. You’re smart; don’t be like Jingzhi, believing everything they say.”

Liu Aihua also thought she was smarter than her sister. She didn’t feel her parents favored her sister; they were merely guilty for not giving birth to her properly.

Just like this fake aunt said, if they really favored her, they wouldn’t have given the house and money to her uncle’s family. Those things originally belonged to her.

Jiang Mingchuan continued: “We came here to tell you that Jingzhi has family backing her. You took our benefits but didn’t fulfill your responsibilities as guardians. The fault is yours. From now on, Jingzhi will be with us. Consider yourselves warned.”

Jin Xiuzhu told Liu Jingzhi: “Go pack your things and come with us.”

Liu Jingzhi hesitated, then nodded, pulled her hand free, and walked toward her room.

Jin Xiuzhu followed after her. Liu Aihua saw this and also went into the room, afraid her sister would take things of hers.

Liu Jingzhi didn’t take much—mostly what Jin Xiuzhu had given her a few days ago and the books she brought back from school.

She glanced at the bed, intending to grab the coat at the foot. Liu Aihua interjected, “That’s not your clothes.”

Liu Jingzhi paused and withdrew.

The coat was originally bought by their mother for her, but she had intentionally bought it slightly small because the younger sister was short. The younger sister refused to wear oversized clothes, so she had to wear it. Now that it was worn, it would have been her turn.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled: “It’s fine. Your sister-in-law will buy you new clothes tomorrow.”

Liu Aihua huffed in anger.

Jin Xiuzhu took Liu Jingzhi’s hand and smiled: “Let’s go.”

Liu Jingzhi nodded.

Outside, Jiang Mingchuan waited. As soon as they came out, he took the things from his sister and then led them out.

After everyone left, Liu Qin sighed and muttered, “What a sin.”

Song Xiaoru looked at the door, then at her husband. She moved her lips but ultimately said nothing.

It was her fault. If she hadn’t agreed to her brother coming here back then, perhaps none of this would have happened.

Back at the guesthouse, Jin Xiuzhu had Jiang Mingchuan rearrange the beds to give his sister a separate one.

Liu Jingzhi watched her busy brother and sister-in-law and slowly felt a sense of security.

Although she hadn’t spent much time with them yet, she inexplicably trusted them. At the thought of the days ahead, she no longer felt lost; she even felt a faint sense of anticipation.

Jin Xiuzhu also said to her: “Tomorrow, your brother and I were planning to come over to talk about your situation. I even told him to hold back his temper—whatever your foster parents ask, as long as it’s not unreasonable, we’ll agree. People are the most important thing.”

“I just didn’t expect something like this to happen. That’s fine, we’ll rest well tomorrow and leave the day after. I remember you said school starts on the 18th, so we can still stay in the military camp for a few more days. I’ll take you out to have some fun then.”

Liu Jingzhi nodded.

Jiang Mingchuan prepared her bed. “The quilt’s a bit thin; I’ll go get another one for you.”

Liu Jingzhi hurriedly said, “No need.”

Jiang Mingchuan didn’t hear her and had already gone out.

Jin Xiuzhu smiled. “Your brother’s happy, let him be.”

Liu Jingzhi showed a small smile in response.

At night, Jin Xiuzhu’s family of four initially squeezed onto two beds, but it got cramped as they fell asleep—especially He Yan, who kept kicking. In the middle of the night, Fu Yanyan couldn’t take it anymore and slipped down from the foot of the bed, climbing onto another nearby bed.

Half-awake, Liu Jingzhi suddenly felt a soft, small body against her chest. She was startled at first, then heard the little girl’s soft voice: “Auntie, hug me.”

Her heart melted instantly. She reached out and hugged the child, pulling the quilt around the girl’s back to keep her warm.

Smelling the little girl’s sweet scent, Liu Jingzhi quickly fell asleep again. Perhaps because a child was in her arms, she slept very soundly and even had a very sweet dream.

When she woke in the morning, her face was smiling.

It was already bright outside. The little girl was gone, and two children sat on the neighboring bed. Seeing her awake, He Yan said, “Auntie, Mom said if you’re up, go downstairs to wash up.”

Liu Jingzhi glanced at her wristwatch—it was already 8:30. She rarely slept this late and felt a little embarrassed. “Where are your parents?” she asked.

“They’re downstairs cooking.”

“Oh, okay.”

Liu Jingzhi got dressed and went downstairs. For breakfast, Jiang Mingchuan had stir-fried two dishes, and Jin Xiuzhu had gone out to buy buns and fried dough sticks.

The five of them ate heartily. Liu Jingzhi was very thin, and the family kept urging her to eat more. She couldn’t refuse, her cheeks stuffed full.

While eating, Jiang Mingchuan said, “When you go back, change your surname. From now on, you’ll take our mother’s surname, Bai—Bai Jingzhi.”

Bai Jingzhi.

Liu Jingzhi silently repeated the name twice in her mind, then nodded without objection.

After learning last night that she was adopted—especially knowing that they had considered marrying her off to her cousin—and recalling her foster parents’ biased treatment over the years, she felt a chill in her heart.

She told herself she had done nothing wrong. For so many years, she had cared for her parents, made meals after school, washed clothes and cleaned early in the morning, and indulged her sister according to their wishes, yet this was how she was treated.

She was human, and she longed for parental love.

After breakfast, Jiang Mingchuan and He Yan took the dishes downstairs to wash. Liu Jingzhi wanted to help but was stopped by Jin Xiuzhu. “Let your brother do it. He enjoys it. I’m not exaggerating—he and your nephew wash the dishes better than anyone.”

Liu Jingzhi glanced at Jin Xiuzhu, then at her brother. Seeing Jiang Mingchuan smile, she said nothing more.

Once Jiang Mingchuan and He Yan went downstairs, Fu Yanyan said, “Mom just wants to be lazy.”

Jin Xiuzhu lightly tapped her daughter’s head.

The little girl seemed to have anticipated this and twisted away with a pout.

Liu Jingzhi laughed.

Jin Xiuzhu snorted softly, then said to Liu Jingzhi, “As women, our skin is delicate. Avoid heavy labor whenever possible. Remember this when you get married—you don’t have to do all the housework. Even if you do, the praise you get is just words. Words can’t be spent like money, but your hands feel the pain.”

Liu Jingzhi had never heard this argument before and looked at Jin Xiuzhu wide-eyed. At home, her mother and neighbors always urged her to work diligently, saying it would help her find a husband later—mothers-in-law liked capable daughters-in-law.

Although she didn’t think that way, she did chores simply to make life easier for her parents.

“But you can’t avoid housework entirely. You have to coax your husband. If you have a son, you can even coax him to help—they don’t need delicate skin.”

Liu Jingzhi was shocked by her sister-in-law’s idea, but thinking about it, it strangely made sense.

She couldn’t help but ask, “What if he refuses?”

“You coax him with kind words.”

“And if he still won’t do it?”

“Then just let it slide. Whoever can’t stand it will do it.”

Liu Jingzhi: “…”

So that’s how it works.

In the morning, the five of them went shopping at the department store again. This time Jin Xiuzhu wanted to buy things. During their stay in the capital, Elder Zhang and other relatives had given many red envelopes, of which they had only spent a little.

Jin Xiuzhu was generous—she bought Liu Jingzhi a new watch, new clothes for the whole family, notebooks and pens for the children, and some local snacks and candies to bring back for Wang Ling, the Wu family, and Fang Min.

Carrying all the bags back, they unexpectedly ran into Liu Aihua at the guesthouse.

The staff said, “She came looking for you. I told her you were out, so she’s waiting here.”

Seeing them carrying so many things, Liu Aihua’s jealousy flared. She had wanted to warn Liu Jingzhi that her uncle and aunt had arrived, but now she didn’t feel like it at all.

Why?

Why should she suffer while her real brother and sister-in-law live well?

She pursed her lips and said begrudgingly, “My parents said we should renegotiate. It’s a new era. Old matters before the founding of the country don’t count. Liu Jingzhi was raised by our family; you can’t just take her away. Even if you want to, my father knows your address. If this escalates to the military, it won’t look good.”

The last sentence was her own addition—anyway, she couldn’t let them leave.

Jiang Mingchuan’s face darkened upon hearing this.

Seeing him like that, Liu Aihua was suddenly scared. “It wasn’t me—it was what they said.”

Then she turned and ran.

Jin Xiuzhu asked Jiang Mingchuan, “What should we do?”

“Go ahead. I’ll visit the police station later to get notarization in writing, so they can’t back out.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, thinking it a good idea, then added, “Explain it to the officers, then accompany me to the factory to meet the management. Let the factory assign someone as a witness.”

“Since they dared to threaten us, we can’t show weakness. Otherwise, they’ll take advantage, and there’ll be endless trouble.”

Liu Jingzhi worriedly looked at her brother and sister-in-law, feeling she was causing them trouble.

Jiang Mingchuan nodded. “Okay, you go upstairs. I’ll head to the police station now.”

Jin Xiuzhu and Liu Jingzhi took what he handed them, watching him leave.

Back in the guesthouse, Liu Jingzhi paced anxiously, occasionally glancing out the window. Meanwhile, Jin Xiuzhu and the children were relaxed, trying on the new clothes and laughing.

Jin Xiuzhu reassured her, “Don’t worry. Your brother’s handling it—you can trust him.”

Liu Jingzhi still worried, “If my foster parents change their mind… surely my uncle and aunt will be involved. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have said that. They… are hard to deal with.”

“Don’t worry, I’m here too,” Jin Xiuzhu said calmly.

She’s seen all kinds of people.

She happily tried on more clothes, even putting on Jiang Mingchuan’s shirt. He Yan, like a little sycophant, said everything looked good.

Liu Jingzhi admired their good spirits, biting her lip and sitting on the bed, yet she couldn’t resist occasionally checking the window outside.

Jiang Mingchuan was gone for a long time. When he returned, he brought three people: two male police officers and a middle-aged woman in work clothes.

After a brief introduction, they headed to Liu Qin’s house. Passing a state-run restaurant, Jin Xiuzhu stopped to buy a large bag of buns. “You all haven’t eaten yet; it must have been hard. Here, take a bun each.”

The officers and the woman accepted politely and discussed the matter carefully.

The woman asked, “Do you have proof of the property and money left by your mother? Without evidence, they’ll deny everything.”

One officer said, “That’s not difficult. As long as we know the building, we can check records. They even had a fatal accident in the past—compensation records can be traced.”

For ordinary people, they might go to the local office, but Jiang Mingchuan’s case was different. His parents were heroes who sacrificed for the country. The authorities knew and insisted this be handled properly.

The woman nodded. “Good. I knew about that incident and can testify.”

Jiang Mingchuan: “Thank you.”

At the Liu residence, they met Liu Qin returning from work. He had been called home suddenly by his supervisor, thinking perhaps his wife and daughter had quarreled. Seeing Jiang Mingchuan with police and the factory manager, he was startled. “What’s going on?”

Director Lin said, “Discuss it at your home later.”

Liu Qin wanted to ask more, but they ignored him and went upstairs. Jiang Mingchuan didn’t hesitate either.

Passing by, his adopted daughter lowered her head and said nothing.

The Liu family’s door was open; Jiang Mingchuan led the police inside. The living room was small, so it quickly got crowded.

Jin Xiuzhu stood at the door with Liu Jingzhi and the children. Liu Qin squeezed past them. Seeing his brother-in-law with his wife, he realized who was behind this and shouted, “Why are you involving them? I told you not to contact your brother! Haven’t we suffered enough? Are you out of your mind?”

Song Xiaoru, embarrassed, lowered her head.

Yu Xiali quickly said, “Brother-in-law, don’t be angry. Let’s resolve the immediate matter first.”

“Our family matters don’t concern you.”

“How is it not your concern? We’re family! Our sister raised her daughter with so much effort. Can you just let her be taken away? Those meals and care weren’t free, right? At least we deserve some return. Think of Aihua too; she’s going to college.”

Liu Aihua nodded vigorously. “Dad, won’t you help me?”

Song Youfu added, “Brother-in-law, the older niece is living well. What about the younger one?”

Liu Qin, frustrated, begged, “I ask you to leave. This is our family matter—we’ll handle it ourselves.”

The couple ignored him and comforted their sister instead.

Liu Qin pounded his fists in frustration. Song Xiaoru sympathized. “Liu Qin, don’t.”

Liu Qin: “If you don’t let them go, I’ll divorce.”

Song Xiaoru: “I…”

Song Youfu urged, “Don’t listen to your husband. He’s too timid to act. You must think of yourself and the children. Even if divorced, you still have us.”

Liu Aihua: “Mom, I want to go to college.”

Song Xiaoru fell silent.

Jiang Mingchuan interrupted the chaos. “Have you discussed it? If yes, irrelevant people should leave.”

He looked at Song Xiaoru’s siblings.

Yu Xiali and Song Youfu were displeased. “Irrelevant? This is our sister’s home!”

One officer stepped forward. “You said it’s your sister’s home. What does it have to do with you? Out!”

“We’re standing up for our sister!”

Jiang Mingchuan scolded, “Not your place. Out!”

Yu Xiali and Song Youfu tried to protest, but the officers threatened, “If you don’t leave, we’ll report it to the station.”

They reluctantly left but stayed near the door, making faces at the mother-daughter inside.

Liu Qin breathed a sigh of relief. “Nothing more to discuss. Leave, and don’t demand anything. We owe Jingzhi and the Bai family an apology.”

Liu Aihua quickly objected. “Dad, I disagree.”

Liu Qin held firm.

Liu Aihua tried pulling her mother’s clothes. The couple at the door shouted, “Sister, speak up!”

Song Xiaoru hesitated. “No, they must pay.”

Liu Qin angrily said, “Song Xiaoru!”

She lowered her head, voice trembling, “Old Liu, we still have our younger daughter.”

Liu Qin looked at her disappointedly. “If you truly cared about Aihua, our family wouldn’t be in this state.”

Liu Aihua’s eyes flashed with resentment, but she controlled herself to coax her mother. “Mom, I’m older now; you must consider me.”

Song Xiaoru nodded softly, then looked at Jiang Mingchuan. “We want one thousand.”

Before he could reply, Song Youfu at the door shouted, “No, two thousand! They have money.”

Liu Qin looked at the shameless couple and then at his wife. “You’ve lost your mind.”

Song Xiaoru heard this but dared not ask for more; after all, Jiang Mingchuan had been sending money all these years.

Sure enough, Jiang Mingchuan said, “We don’t have that much.”

Liu Aihua immediately said, “What do you mean you don’t? You just went shopping!”

Seeing neighbors gathering to watch, Jin Xiuzhu stepped forward loudly: “I know what you’re thinking—taking advantage because we care about the children. But we’re ordinary people. We don’t have that kind of ability or money. You treated Jingzhi badly. I want to take her back to care for her properly. You made no mistakes in her upbringing? You took my mother-in-law’s property and money but failed to love Jingzhi properly. We haven’t even scolded you. We’ve done our utmost. Why press us so tightly?”

Hearing this and seeing the attitude of her foster mother and brother-in-law, Liu Jingzhi, standing outside, felt tears in her eyes. For the first time, she realized how merciless and exploitative her relatives could be. In their eyes, she was a tool to threaten her brother-in-law for money.

She couldn’t help but step forward, angrily shouting, “Why should you get so much money? Have you treated me well? All the housework I did growing up—does that earn money too? Shouldn’t you pay me?”

“You’re going too far! You took my biological mother’s property and money. My brother has been sending money all these years. What more do you want? Fine, I’m not leaving. I’ll stay here, and you won’t get a cent!”