Chapter 004: Digging a Pit for the Scumbag Father and Stepmother, Writing a Marriage Proposal Letter to the Huo Family in the Capital

Qin Xiaoran skimmed through the two letters. She thought she had no more tears left, but her eyes still grew moist.

The first letter was the one her grandfather had once read to her. In it, the elder of the Huo family comforted her grandfather about his daughter’s severe illness. He suggested arranging an engagement between their grandchildren so that the two families could become one, even sending along photographs of his three grandsons.

The second letter was the Huo family elder’s happy reply, almost carelessly agreeing to her grandfather’s request and settling the engagement between Qin Xiaoran and Huo Nianping.

Huo Nianping.
So that beautiful boy’s name was Huo Nianping. A good name.

Qin Xiaoran steadied herself and handed the letters to Wang Wenbin, who had already been impatiently waiting. The moment he got them, he eagerly read through, laughing as he went.

“The engagement is real! The engagement is real!”

He repeated it twice in excitement, looking at Qin Xiaoran with boundless joy and affection.

“Our family truly has a marriage tie with the Huo family of the capital!”
“My Xiaoran, my good daughter!”

Qin Xiaoran remained calm, only lowering her eyes with a faint smile.

Cui Hongyan and Wang Xiaoyi were fuming as they watched, but didn’t dare show it, swallowing their anger silently.

Wang Wenbin laughed heartily, then after calming down a little, looked at Qin Xiaoran.

“Xiaoran, I didn’t know about this engagement before, and I’ve wasted so many of your years. Now that you’re of age, it’s time to settle the marriage. Contacting the Huo family now is just right…”

Qin Xiaoran looked at his impatient expression, wanting only to sneer, but on the surface she pretended to hesitate.

“But, Dad, there was a token given back then. Now that it’s gone, and with Grandpa and Mom both gone too, I’m afraid the Huo family might look down on us. Maybe we should wait until we find the token?”

But Wang Wenbin was already envisioning his promotion and basking in glory. There was no way he could let go, not even for a moment.

“No, that won’t do. We haven’t contacted them for so many years, now that we know, we must reach out quickly. As for the token…”

At the mention of the token, he stopped, suddenly sobered. He had sold off or given away all the valuable items. To get them back would cost a fortune—and a lot of trouble.

Still, what Qin Xiaoran said made sense. Barging in without proof wasn’t wise; at least they should show the token.

But when he thought of the benefits of marrying into the Huo family, he couldn’t stay calm. He reasoned that it was just one item. He could take Qin Xiaoran to the pawnshop where he’d sold things—if the item was the token, he’d buy it back; if not, he’d leave it. He could afford that much.

So, gritting his teeth, he said, “Don’t worry, Xiaoran. You write the letter first. Before the Huo family replies, I’ll definitely find the token for you. I promise, alright?”

Seeing his pleading expression, and Cui Hongyan and Wang Xiaoyi’s frustrated faces, Qin Xiaoran felt rare satisfaction.

“I believe you, Dad.”

Wang Wenbin truly smiled this time, from the heart. He felt as though his promotion was already beckoning him, his mood soaring. For the first time in years, he seriously looked at his eldest daughter.

Only then did he realize how beautiful she had become. Even with her pale face and shabby clothes, her beauty was undeniable.

No wonder that old man from the Xun family had set his sights on her and offered such a large betrothal gift. She was worth it—worth even more.

Before, he had felt lucky about that match, but now he only felt it was a disgrace, a stain that must be erased at once. The Huo family must never find out.

He turned to Cui Hongyan with a stern face.
“The marriage with the Xun family must be canceled immediately. No one can know about it. Understand?”

His harsh gaze shifted from Cui Hongyan to Wang Xiaoyi.

Humiliated, Cui Hongyan dared not protest and only nodded repeatedly.

Wang Xiaoyi was stunned. She had never been treated so harshly by Wang Wenbin before. After recovering from the shock, her heart filled with shame, bitterness, and jealousy—her hatred for Qin Xiaoran deepened even further.

Qin Xiaoran, however, only felt a rush of satisfaction.

After giving his orders, Wang Wenbin noticed Qin Xiaoran’s washed-out dress and felt a pang of guilt.
“Xiaoran, your dress is too old. Tomorrow, go with your mother to the department store and buy a few new ones. Buy more than a few.”

Qin Xiaoran raised her head, pretending to be shy.
“But isn’t stepmother going to the Xun family tomorrow to break off the marriage? If it’s about dresses, I can go myself…”

Wang Wenbin seemed to remember something, and quickly agreed,
“Yes, yes, you can go yourself.”

After a pause, he returned to the main topic.
“Xiaoran, now you can start writing to the Huo family, right?”

Qin Xiaoran knew it was time to reel things in. Since Wang Wenbin had promised to retrieve the token and shown a bit of sincerity, it was time to give them some results.

They were like starving hyenas—if she didn’t feed them something now and then, they would go mad. A little sweetness now and then was enough to keep them calm.

So, she nodded and obediently sat at the desk.
“I’ll write it now.”

Wang Wenbin personally brought her paper and pen.
“Xiaoran, you should write it like this…”

Ignoring him, Qin Xiaoran wrote the letter in her own way.

The gist was that while sorting through her grandfather’s old belongings, she remembered the engagement and wanted to confirm with the Huo family whether it still stood. If it did, could they meet soon to discuss it?

Wang Wenbin frowned when she ignored his instructions, but as he read the letter, his face relaxed again.

Though she hadn’t praised him or mentioned his workplace troubles, the letter did say she wanted to meet soon to discuss the marriage—and that was enough.

Once the Huo family came here, wouldn’t everything still be under his control? After all, he was Qin Xiaoran’s father, her only kin in this world!

Thinking this, he smiled again.

He carefully put away the letter, itching to rush to the post office, but still pretended to part with fatherly kindness.
“Xiaoran, you look pale. Go home and rest well. If you need anything, just tell Dad.”

It was meant as a polite remark, but Qin Xiaoran spoke up.
“Dad, tonight I want to stay in the old house.”

At this, Wang Wenbin, Cui Hongyan, and Wang Xiaoyi all frowned, puzzled about her intentions.

But Wang Wenbin didn’t care and agreed before quickly leaving.

Cui Hongyan, anxious to repair her image in his eyes, hurried after him.

Wang Xiaoyi snorted coldly, casting Qin Xiaoran a venomous glare before following.

The study—and the entire old house—was left with only Qin Xiaoran.

Finally, she completely relaxed.