Chapter 261: Caught Stealing Money

Ning Xueling went upstairs and walked to Luo Jianing’s room, intending to comfort her adopted daughter. However, she heard Luo Jianing’s angry voice from inside: “None of them are good people, they’re just a bunch of cold-blooded people.

Is it just because you want me to leave? Do you think I care about you? If it weren’t for the fact that you’re still somewhat useful, I wouldn’t even want to be part of this family. I curse that none of you will die a good death.”

Ning Xueling was shocked to hear Jianing speak like this. She had hoped that Jianing’s earlier outburst downstairs was just a moment of impulsiveness, but now that she’s alone in the room, it seems this is her true feelings. How could she curse the family like that?

She lowered her raised hand and turned back to her room, not bothering to turn on the light and just lay down on the bed with her clothes on.

She had different feelings for Jianing. Her older and younger sons had caused such consequences due to her negligence years ago, almost leading to a major fallout with her in-laws.

Her relationship with Luo Haotian nearly fell apart as well, but could she blame herself for that? She didn’t want such things to happen, but it was an accident that occurred after she took them out that day.

In the following years, her relationship with Luo Haotian had become extremely strained. If it hadn’t been for the arrival of their youngest daughter, they might have remained a pair of resentful spouses for life. The arrival of their youngest daughter helped to ease the family tensions.

So, she had devoted all her thoughts to Jianing, and now she was told that her child had been switched. No one could accept such a thing.

Thinking about her husband’s words that their daughter had never had a good day since she was young made her eyes redden. The earlier words from Jianing in the room also left her feeling disappointed.

After an unknown amount of time, she heard someone knocking on the door: “Mom, are you there? Can I come in?”

Ning Xueling instinctively did not want to let Jianing in upon hearing her voice, so she remained silent. However, Luo Jianing opened the door and walked in.

The room was too dark, and Ning Xueling was about to ask what she wanted when Jianing spoke: “You pushed me to this. Don’t blame me. If you had considered my feelings, I wouldn’t have done this.”

Luo Jianing thought Ning Xueling was still downstairs, but she didn’t realize that Ning Xueling was simply upset and didn’t say anything. After entering, Jianing was afraid of being discovered and didn’t turn on the light. Instead, she walked skillfully to the writing desk, found the key in the dark, and fumbled to open the drawer.

Only at this moment, Ning Xueling realized what Luo Jianing was up to. She sighed internally and said, “What are you doing?”

Her voice startled Luo Jianing. Acting on impulse, Luo Jianing grabbed the desk lamp and threw it at her. The noise alarmed those downstairs, who rushed upstairs.

When the light was turned on, they saw Ning Xueling, still shaken, shielding her eyes from the glare of the light, and Luo Jianing standing by the open drawer of the writing desk, holding the iron box Ning Xueling usually used to store money and coupons.

It became clear to everyone what was happening. Luo Siyan stepped forward and slapped Luo Jianing, snatching the iron box from her hand. “You really are bold, trying to steal things even as you leave. You’re such an ungrateful wretch.”

Luo Haotian also expressed his disappointment, saying, “Go clean up your things and prepare to leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

Luo Jianing didn’t expect Ning Xueling to be in the room. She had thought she was still downstairs, so she had boldly entered with the intention of taking some money and coupon from the drawer.

Being caught red-handed by the family, she fled in shame.

Ning Xueling who’s lying on the bed, stared blankly at the disappearing figure at the door. Thinking about Luo Jianing’s actions and feeling completely disheartened. This was the child she had tried so hard to protect.

She had even attempted to harm her. She glanced at the fallen desk lamp. Her eyes filled with loneliness, after all, it was an iron lampstand.

The next morning, Luo Siyan went to handle the transfer of Luo Jianing’s household registration and school records, even changing her surname to Zhao Jianing. Luo Siyuan also took leave from work to go with them to Ji City.

They arrived early at the train station and bought tickets for the train to Ji City, which was scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m. this morning.