Chapter 11: Letting Go of Shen Anan to Protect Huo Rufeng

That night, Shen Anan lay in bed, unable to sleep.

Her eyelids kept twitching.

She had a nagging feeling that something bad was about to happen.

The next morning, Shen Anan prepared breakfast.

Everyone ate as usual.

Then, a banging on the door.

Shen Anan hurried to open it.

She found Lao Zhou standing outside.

Lao Zhou sighed upon seeing Shen Anan.

“You… you child, who have you offended? Just when things calmed down, they’re causing trouble again!”

Shen Anan was stunned.

Trouble again?

A name immediately sprang to mind—Shen Xiuxiu!

“What happened this time, Lao Zhou?”

Huo Aihua quickly wiped his mouth and hurried over.

“Aihua, this time, you really can’t protect this child.

They’ve reported it to our superiors, saying your Rufeng abused his power for personal gain.

Everyone else went to the countryside as per regulations, but Shen Anan, relying on the Huo family, didn’t have to go, saying… saying she’s getting special treatment!”

Right after Lao Zhou finished speaking, a telegram arrived from Huo Rufeng’s superior.

It contained only one line: Avoid trouble.

The meaning was clear.

Letting go of Shen Anan was the only way to protect Huo Rufeng’s future.

Huo Aihua also saw the telegram in his son’s hand.

His heart sank.

As a father, how could he not consider his son’s future?

Huo Rufeng was exceptionally capable, so even with his injuries, he could retain his military position. But if this scandal broke out, it might…

Was his son’s future more important, or Shen Anan, the little nanny?

The answer was self-evident.

Lao Zhou knew Huo Aihua would understand, so he didn’t say much, but called Shen Anan outside.

“I’ve heard what Aihua said. You’re a poor child, but there’s nothing we can do. You’ve offended someone, and they’re determined to make a big fuss!

Your Huo uncle and his family have been good to you. Last time, they even had Rufeng ask his superior to protect you.

You don’t know, Rufeng never bothers his superiors with personal matters. He made an exception for you.

Now, the person you offended not only wants to harm you, but also wants to ruin Rufeng’s future. You…”

In the end, Lao Zhou didn’t know what to say.

How could these things be blamed on a child like Shen Anan?

But there was no way!

He had watched Rufeng grow up, and considered him almost like a son. He couldn’t just watch Rufeng’s future be ruined…

“Uncle Zhou, I understand. I’ll go to the countryside. This is all my fault, so let it end with me.”

Shen Anan forced a smile.

Yesterday, she was still reading medical books, thinking she might become a barefoot doctor like her grandmother.

But who knew, the peaceful life with the Huo family was just a dream.

Perhaps what her adoptive mother said was right.

This was her fate.

Every time she thought there was a turning point, she had to accept her fate!

She tried to smile.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but stubbornly refused to fall.

She didn’t want to accept her fate!

But what was the use?

Uncle Huo, Aunt Yang, and Brother Huo had done so much for her. She couldn’t harm them!

“Thank you, Uncle Zhou.”

Shen Anan bowed deeply.

Uncle Zhou had also worked hard for her sake these past days.

“Sigh, you child…”

Lao Zhou’s nose turned sour.

Such a good child.

Why did she have such a fate!

He put a hand on Shen Anan’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry, I’ll try my best. I won’t let you go to the Northwest…”

After saying that, he shook his head and left.

Shen Anan went back to the courtyard.

Seeing Uncle Huo and the others silent, she smiled.

“It’s okay, Uncle Huo. I’ll go to the countryside soon. I’ve already stolen more than half a month with you all!

I, Shen Anan, will remember everything you’ve done for me for the rest of my life. If I have the chance in the future, I will repay you!”

Shen Anan bowed deeply.

She was truly happy to have met the Huo family.

It’s just a pity that she didn’t belong here.

Huo Rufeng remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together.

Most well-off families in Hecheng lived in the south of the city, which was the city center and where news spread quickly.

With the Huo family’s situation, the news naturally spread throughout the streets and alleys.

From time to time, people would pass by and peek inside.

Before going to work, Huo Aihua closed the door directly.

But those who were already at odds with the Huo family jumped at the opportunity.

Outside, the whispers were as if they were afraid the people inside couldn’t hear them.

“I thought the Huo family was so upright. I heard that Huo Rufeng abused his power for personal gain at such a young age!”

“I heard it was for a little nanny. I think the nanny is a cover, and she’s his lover!”

“Hahaha! You’re not wrong. Huo Rufeng’s legs are broken, how could he be with that little nanny?”

“Who knows, maybe she has many tricks!”

“That’s really a story for the ages!”

Yang Qiuju didn’t want to listen, so she went back to her room.

Shen Anan stayed in Huo Rufeng’s room as usual, reading.

Their interaction remained the same, but they both knew it might be their last day together.

The next day, after making breakfast, Shen Anan left.

Before going to the countryside, she had to go back to the Shen family!

North City, apartment building.

It was a bit cold today, and the wind was strong.

But the clothes still needed washing!

Liu Cailan squatted by the tap on the first floor, looking at a large basin of clothes, her face grim.

Since her biological daughter came back, she was unwilling to do any work!

If Shen Anan were here, would she, the mother, need to wash such a large basin of clothes?

Her chest felt increasingly tight. The doctor had told her to work less and rest more.

But how could she not work, how could she rest more?

There was endless work to do at home. If she didn’t do it, no one would!

If she didn’t wash these clothes, no one would see them.

There weren’t many clothes for the family. If she didn’t wash and dry them quickly, what would they wear?

Why was she so unlucky!

Annoyed, she picked up the washboard to scrub the clothes, and turned her head, only to see two legs beside her.

“I’ll be done soon, you wait a bit!”

She thought someone was waiting to use the tap!

She got to the tap first, so those who arrived late had to wait!

But the other person showed no intention of leaving.

Liu Cailan’s temper flared.

“Hey, you standing there won’t make me wash faster…”

Before she finished speaking, she saw the person’s face.

“Shen Anan, weren’t you going to the countryside? Why are you here?!”

She was stunned.

Half a month ago, didn’t Xiuxiu say she was going to urge her? Why hasn’t Shen Anan been sent to the countryside yet?

These people are really dragging their feet!

The next moment, she suddenly realized she had said the wrong thing.

Oh no!

She forgot that this ungrateful daughter wanted to make trouble for Xiuxiu’s job…

“No… it’s good that you didn’t go to the countryside.”

She mumbled an excuse.

“What are you doing here?”

She was curious.

Looking at her mother’s face, Shen Anan understood that the so-called persuasion of Shen Xiuxiu was just a way to put her off!

Otherwise, why was Shen Xiuxiu making even more trouble?

She had really thought her mother had persuaded her.

It turned out that everyone thought she had already gone to the countryside!

Apparently, it was because she had gone to the supply and marketing cooperative a few days ago and was seen by Shen Xiuxiu, which made her react and continue to make trouble.

Seeing Shen Anan silent, Liu Cailan became suspicious.

This ungrateful daughter didn’t go to the countryside, so she must still be a nanny.

It had been almost a month. She should be getting her salary now, right?

Did she come back because she missed home?

She felt a surge of joy!

She had to coax her into handing over all her salary!