Chapter 20 – They’re All Planning to Abandon You and Run, and You’re Still Worried?

Under the banyan tree across from the Revolutionary Committee’s gate—

“Brother Dashou, this is my friend Ruan Xi.”

“I really couldn’t think of anyone else who might be able to help her, and then I remembered how much you’ve helped me in the past, so I brought her to you…”

Sang Feiyu briefly explained Ruan Xi’s family situation.

Dashou was instantly outraged. “What a bunch of scum!”

“Alright, Comrade Ruan, you should first make a public statement cutting ties with your family in the newspaper. After that, I’ll try to help you get that job back.”

“Once we’ve done that, I’ll go report this to Director Li—those people won’t get away with even a single coin!”

“They’ll be publicly criticized too!”

Ruan Xi felt as though she had finally found someone to rely on and nodded hard. “Okay, I’ll go make the announcement right now.”

Meanwhile, Dashou gathered two Red Armband comrades and headed straight to the textile factory.

“Which one of you is Ruan Wenrou?”

A man from the gate soon brought out a woman. Ruan Wenrou was initially confused about who could be looking for her, but the moment she saw the Red Armband members, her expression turned nervous.

“Why are you looking for me?” she stammered.

Dashou looked at her disdainfully. “Someone reported that you’ve taken over someone else’s job. Do you admit it or not?”

A flicker of darkness crossed Ruan Wenrou’s eyes—so it was that little bitch Ruan Xi causing trouble behind her back.

She was about to leave Yangcheng anyway, but even so, she wouldn’t give up the job to her—she’d rather sell it!

So she said, “I don’t admit it.”

“That job was given to me by my dad.”

“What’s your dad’s name?” Dashou asked impatiently.

“My dad’s name is Ruan Jianguo.”

Dashou’s face darkened. “From what I understand, that job originally belonged to Jiang Yan. What right did Ruan Jianguo have to pass it on to you?”

Ruan Wenrou mumbled, “She was my dad’s wife. She died, so the job naturally passed to my dad.”

“And my dad can give it to whoever he wants.”

Dashou exploded with rage. “Jiang Yan has a daughter! When was it ever your turn?”

“I don’t care what dirty tricks you pulled to get this job, but you’d better hand it back to Comrade Ruan Xi!”

“Otherwise, you’ll regret it!”

Ruan Wenrou thought bitterly: If she gave the job to Ruan Xi, then that girl would have income. She was hoping Ruan Xi would suffer!

“No way.”

“The job’s in my name now, so it’s mine. No one can take it from me.”

Dashou had tolerated her enough. Now he couldn’t hold back—he raised his hand and slapped her hard, the sound crisp and clear.

People like her made him sick just seeing them.

Ruan Wenrou’s eyes widened with fury. “What gives you the right to hit me?!”

“You seized someone else’s job—that’s why!”

Dashou’s voice was loud enough that passersby began turning to look.

Ruan Wenrou couldn’t stand being pointed at. She covered her face and glared at Dashou. “My dad gave me the job. I can’t just give it away!”

“And if Ruan Xi wanted the job so badly, why didn’t she ask sooner? Why involve outsiders just to embarrass me?”

Dashou had had enough of her manipulative whining and dragged her away on the spot.

He went directly to the textile factory’s leadership to explain the situation. They agreed to transfer the job to Ruan Xi.

Next up was reporting to Director Li and organizing a raid on the Ruan household.

Before coming, Dashou had even arranged for someone to follow the Ruan family, in case any of those scumbags tried to flee with the news.

Because—truth was—they were planning to run!

…

Sang Feiyu accompanied Ruan Xi to the newspaper office to formally sever ties with her family in print.

After a moment’s thought, Sang Feiyu decided to do the same—to cut ties with the Tao family.

When they stepped out, Sang Feiyu asked in a low voice, “Do you know where your father hid the family assets?”

“I know where some of it is,” Ruan Xi replied after a pause. “I only dared to take a few gold bars. I was afraid they’d notice if I took more.”

Sang Feiyu frowned. “They’re all about to abandon you and run, and you’re still worried about that?”

“Tell me everything you know. I’ll see if I can go with you.”

Ruan Xi gave her three hiding spots.

Sang Feiyu chose the closest one to them.

After all, it would take time for the Red Armbands to interrogate the Ruan family and get full information.

The two arrived at a small courtyard. Sang Feiyu pulled out a piece of wire and—click—unlocked the gate with ease.

Still stunned, Ruan Xi was dragged inside by Sang Feiyu. “Let’s split up and search.”

“I know where it is,” Ruan Xi replied. “This used to be my grandmother’s place. There’s a hidden room in the kitchen.”

She led the way.

The hidden room wasn’t large—about ten square meters—but it was packed with wooden crates. Sang Feiyu opened the nearest one and found a full box of antique porcelain!

Qing Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Song Dynasty… These were worth a lot!

“Porcelain’s too fragile. Let’s focus on what’s easy to carry,” Ruan Xi said, opening the other crates.

She pulled out a white jade bangle, a rose quartz prayer bracelet, a gold dragon-patterned bracelet, a pair of red coral earrings, jade-carved earrings, gold-inlaid jade earrings…

Each time Sang Feiyu closed a box, she quietly slipped valuables into her space.

She had to admit—Ruan Xi’s father really lived up to his name as the “Ceramics King of Xiguan.”

Their stash nearly rivaled her own family’s!

Still, she never intended to keep the treasures. When the time was right, she would return them all to Ruan Xi.

“Feiyu, help me hide some too,” Ruan Xi grinned from ear to ear.

“Okay.”

Sang Feiyu took ten gold bars, a wad of cash, and some valuable jewelry to make it look legit.

Once they felt the time was right, they quickly left.

“Ruan Xi, do you have a place to stash these?” Sang Feiyu asked.

“Yes. My mom left me a small house. The deed’s in my name. I plan to live there someday.”

They reached the small house without realizing it. Ruan Xi pulled out a key and opened the door.

Sang Feiyu quickly unloaded her stash. When Ruan Xi looked over, her eyes widened. “That much?!”

On the table: twenty gold bars, a wad of cash as thick as three bricks, red jade necklaces, green jade bangles, and more.

Sang Feiyu had thought it through—those gold bars and jewelry couldn’t be used anytime soon.

Cash was the most practical.

With enough money, even if Ruan Xi didn’t have food stamps, she could still buy expensive food. At least she wouldn’t starve.

“Feiyu, you’re amazing!”

“I didn’t stash nearly as much as you.”

Sang Feiyu smiled. “Hide it quickly. I’ll wait outside.”

“Mm-hmm.”

While Sang Feiyu kept watch, Ruan Xi hid everything within a few minutes.

They had come quietly, and left just as quietly.

At the street corner, they parted ways. Sang Feiyu headed off to check on the situation at the Ruan house.

Had the Red Armbands begun the raid?

But she hadn’t gone far before she sensed—someone was following her…