Chapter 17: Emptying the House

Song Jianhua was so startled that he quickly dodged out of the way.

The stool smashed against the wall before falling to the ground.

“Bang!”

Song Yue strode forward and kicked her scumbag father before he could react.

Song Jianhua let out a wail and crashed onto the floor.

Standing over him, Song Yue smirked. “Song Jianhua, let me guess how you managed to get out.”

Song Jianhua was both furious and terrified.

Furious that this worthless girl actually dared to call him by name!

Terrified that she might have figured out what he had done.

His eyes widened. “You—”

Song Yue didn’t give him a chance to speak. “Did you insist that you had no idea about my abduction? Then conveniently hint that it was Song Tiezi and Li Huijuan who acted behind your back?”

The fear in Song Jianhua’s eyes turned into sheer panic.

How did this worthless girl know?

That was exactly what he had done—if they all went down, there was no way he’d have gotten out.

He needed to be free so he could find a way to get his son and wife out too.

And if he couldn’t? Well, so be it.

He was still capable. He could always find another woman and have another child.

But he never expected this worthless girl to see through him!

“You… you—” Song Jianhua pointed at Song Yue, then abruptly changed his tone. “So it was you, you treacherous little—”

Before he could finish, Song Yue kicked him again.

Song Jianhua clutched his leg and howled in pain. “Ahhh!”

Song Yue turned around and picked up the fallen stool. “Don’t look at me—it’s your precious son who, just like you, couldn’t keep it in his pants and got someone pregnant.”

“If you don’t want another beating, get lost and go to work.”

Song Jianhua trembled, terrified that she’d actually smash the stool over his head. “I—I need to change first!”

Song Yue spat out a single word. “Scram.”

Song Jianhua hurriedly scrambled up from the floor and rushed to his room, hands shaking as he fumbled with his keys.

The door swung open.

He rushed inside, locked the door behind him, and threw Li Huijuan’s bag onto the bed.

Frantically, he searched for a clean outfit and changed.

Yesterday, when those officers showed up at his door, plenty of people at the factory saw. Who knew what rumors had already spread?

He had to get to the factory fast and explain himself.

After all, plenty of people were eyeing his position.

---

Song Yue didn’t go back to her room. She just sat in the living room, waiting.

If he didn’t come out soon, she’d kick the door down.

She needed the property deed to sell the house. If he refused to leave, how was she supposed to get it?

Fortunately…

The scumbag knew when to back down.

A short while later, he emerged, fully dressed.

He had wanted to use the restroom before heading out, but when he stepped into the living room and saw Song Yue watching him, he changed his mind.

Better to leave now.

He locked the door behind him and left in a hurry.

As soon as he stepped outside, the door behind him slammed shut.

He flinched in fright!

Turning back, he saw the door had merely closed.

Song Jianhua finally remembered—it was his house.

He could do whatever he wanted.

Why should he listen to that worthless girl?

A stubborn urge rose in him to march back inside and use the restroom.

But just as he turned around, he recalled how ruthless she was.

He cursed under his breath and hurried down the stairs. “Damn worthless girl!”

---

From the window, Song Yue watched her scumbag father scurry away.

Then she turned and headed for his room.

With practiced ease, she retrieved two property deeds and the household registration booklet from Li Huijuan’s bag.

After restoring everything to its original state, she locked the door and left.

She arrived at the meeting spot from the day before.

Zhang San was already waiting.

They exchanged glances and entered the same alleyway.

Before he could speak, Song Yue handed him the property deeds.

Zhang San took them and flipped through. “Where’s the other one?”

They swapped.

After checking the second deed, Zhang San returned them to her.

“Little girl, I’m not gonna cheat you. Two houses, this price.”

“One thousand.”

“That’s five hundred per house.”

Song Yue frowned. “Can’t go any higher?”

Zhang San shook his head. “No way. You know the situation with these houses—I’ll have to handle some things first, right?”

“If you’re good with the price, we can go to the transaction office right now.”

Song Yue agreed without hesitation. “Alright, let’s go.”

Zhang San was secretly pleased and immediately led her to the real estate office to transfer ownership.

An hour later…

They finalized everything and arranged for Zhang San to pick up the keys tomorrow afternoon.

Once done, Song Yue took the money and left straight for the supply and marketing cooperative to buy supplies for the countryside.

Zhang San, feeling like he’d scored a bargain, had wanted to advise the little girl on what to bring to the Northwest.

But when he stepped out to look for her—

She was already gone.

---

At the supply and marketing cooperative, Song Yue bought a few things the house lacked:

Snow cream, brown sugar, red dates, soap, toothbrushes, thick socks, gloves, earmuffs, and shoes.

As well as some candy and cigarettes.

In times like these, when traveling, you gave candy to women and cigarettes to men.

It never failed.

As for bedding and clothes, there was no need to buy new ones—she had plenty at home that were still wearable.

When she left the store, her hands were full with large bundles. She bought two enormous cloth sacks, found a secluded spot, and discreetly stored the heavy items in her space.

She kept a few light items on hand, but still made sure her bags looked stuffed, so no one would suspect anything.

Caution was key.

---

Back home…

Song Yue dug through the original owner’s belongings, packing up everything that was clean and wearable.

She stuffed quilts and blankets into the large sacks she had bought.

Once everything was packed, she stored it all in her space.

With everything settled, she lay down on the bed and gazed out the window.

The sun was already setting.

After resting for a bit…

She got up and made herself a simple bowl of egg noodles.

Don’t ask why she always ate noodles.

They were quick and easy.

Cooking a full meal took too long—she might as well eat at the canteen.

But she was too exhausted to go out, so noodles it was.

After eating, she boiled water for a bath and then went to bed.

Before sleeping…

She locked the front door from the inside.

This way, when her scumbag father came back, he wouldn’t be able to get in and would have to find somewhere else to sleep.

Much more convenient for her plans in the morning.

---

The next day…

Song Yue woke up early. She hadn’t heard a sound all night.

After washing up, she began looting.

She started with the scumbag’s and stepmother’s room, taking all the cash, jewelry…

She left a few small gold bars and the bank book together, but everything else went into her space.

The wardrobe, dining table, stools… pots, bowls, rice, oil, salt…

Everything that could be taken was taken.

Anything she couldn’t take—

She smashed with a hammer.

Surveying the wreckage, Song Yue nodded in satisfaction and left.

She headed to the machinery factory and found a teenage boy near the entrance.

Giving him five mao, she had him deliver a written report to the factory.

She watched as he dashed past the gate.

Then, turning away, she headed for the state-run canteen.

---

Just as she reached the registration counter at the train station…

A familiar voice called out.

“Yueyue!”