Chapter 44: Struck by Lightning

Jiang Chengshan’s expression shifted slightly at her words, and he stammered, “Think about it, Erya(Second girl), don’t say angry words. You can disown your mother, but you can’t disown your father.”

Jiang Xiangxiang replied, “Dad, don’t worry, I didn’t say I wouldn’t acknowledge you. Don’t worry, I’ll continue to be filial to you as I should.”

She considered it repayment for taking care of the original owner in her old age. Since this old man seemed reasonable, he shouldn’t cause her too much trouble. Jiang Xiangxiang didn’t want to be seen as ungrateful.

Of course, in a society that values relationships, she didn’t want people gossiping about her being unfilial.

Hearing this, Jiang Chengshan felt relieved. He’d had a lot to deal with today, his emotions were frayed, more than he’d experienced in his entire life.

It wasn’t easy.

A perfectly good family, gone just like that.

Seeing the affectionate father-daughter interaction between her father and Jiang Xiangxiang, Jiang Rourou felt her emotions crumble. “Dad, I’m your daughter too! Don’t you care about my life or death?”

Jiang Chengshan turned to her, his face serious. “Rourou, it’s not that I’m favoring one daughter over the other, but the police will investigate and uncover the truth, clearing your name. If you didn’t do those things, that’s great. But if you did…”

He couldn’t help it; those who broke the law had to pay the price.

Jiang Chengshan had lived in the countryside his whole life, barely literate, but he understood basic principles: people who do wrong have to bear the consequences.

Looking at Jiang Rourou, it was clear she’d been led astray. “Failure to teach is the fault of the father.” He, as a father, had failed.

Jiang Rourou’s face turned pale. “Dad, would you say the same if it were Jiang Xiangxiang?”

Jiang Chengshan: “You two are the same.”

Jiang Rourou: “Bullshit! It’s completely different! If it were Jiang Xiangxiang, you wouldn’t ignore it, you wouldn’t let the police take her away!”

Jiang Chengshan: “You’re overthinking it.”

Jiang Rourou: “No, I’m not! Jiang Xiangxiang, you said you didn’t want to acknowledge me as your sister, but I don’t want to acknowledge you as my sister either! Go die!”

Jiang Xiangxiang smiled faintly. “I won’t die. What are you going to do? If you have any objections, keep them to yourself. Too bad for you! Serves you right! Police officers, please take her away quickly; I’m afraid she’ll hurt me.”

She acted terrified, but her demeanor lacked any genuine fear; she was clearly trying to provoke Jiang Rourou.

Lu Jianshen chuckled at her mischievousness. He always worried she’d be taken advantage of, but it seemed she was the one doing the bullying.

The police, without hesitation, took Jiang Rourou into custody. They didn’t want her causing further trouble.

Jiang Rourou resisted, but to no avail, glaring at Jiang Xiangxiang with hatred.

Jiang Xiangxiang shrugged, smugly. Her expression said, “Come on, hit me! If you don’t have the guts, just keep it to yourself!” She was incredibly annoying.

Ye Meiping was the same, restrained by the police. Otherwise, she would have retaliated against Jiang Xiangxiang. Even now, she spoke:

“Jiang Xiangxiang, you’re going too far! You can’t get rid of me, you can’t cut ties! I tell you, you’ll be my daughter until the day you die! If you don’t obey me, you’ll be struck by lightning!”

“…”

If anyone was going to be struck by lightning, it would be the original owner, not her.

Jiang Xiangxiang rolled her eyes. She wondered if the original owner could hear these words and what her reaction would be.

She had treated Ye Meiping like a mother, doing everything she could, even enduring hardship silently. But Ye Meiping clearly didn’t feel the same; she hadn’t tried to kill her, which was already pretty good.

Jiang Xiangxiang shook her head. “Heaven has eyes! If anyone’s going to be struck by lightning, it’s someone like you, not someone like me! Ye Meiping, you’ve done so much wrong and you haven’t been struck dead, so I’m definitely safe!”

As soon as she finished speaking, BOOM!

A bolt of lightning struck Ye Meiping directly. Her hair stood on end, looking incredibly comical.

Jiang Xiangxiang was surprised. Wow, her luck had changed! She was now Heaven’s favorite daughter, able to strike down whomever she pleased. Was this real?

The surprise was overwhelming.

Unfortunately, it didn’t kill her. Ye Meiping quickly got up, looking bewildered, unable to understand what had happened.

This was abnormal!

Jiang Xiangxiang said regretfully, “Oh, you’re not dead? A real menace! Well, this is good. Ye Meiping, enjoy your life in prison!”

Ye Meiping: “…”

Nonsense! She believed Jiang Xiangxiang had used some trickery.

Before she could speak, the police pushed her.

If the officers hadn’t reacted quickly and let go, they would have been struck too.

“Ye Meiping, Jiang Rourou, Old Liu, the three of you, come with us. You have some explaining to do at the station.” The police officer said seriously, “Alright, everyone else, disperse. If anything like this happens again, report it immediately. Don’t take chances, and don’t think the village is lawless. The old rules need to change.”

“Yes, yes, you go slowly.” Wang Fugui nodded quickly, sweating profusely. He was glad he hadn’t acted rashly; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to explain himself to the police.

The police took Ye Meiping and Jiang Rourou away. The onlookers dispersed, leaving only Jiang Chengshan and Jiang Xiangxiang. It was no longer their business.

Wang Fugui stayed behind. Looking at Jiang Chengshan and Jiang Xiangxiang, he advised, “Chengshan, things have gone this far. You two should talk. Don’t let one woman ruin your father-daughter relationship. It’s not worth it.”