Chapter 15: Leave Now, the Money is Lost

Wang Huimin could barely stand another second of the nonsense pouring out of their mouths. Listening from the back room as she packed, she was almost disgusted enough to throw up. These self-righteous, hypocritical speeches? They were even more nauseating than Zhang Chunyan’s. If Wang Huishu had really felt this way, why hadn’t she done something earlier? She had already stolen the opportunity to go to school, already betrayed her—but now she wanted to chime in with useless advice?

As for canceling the marriage registration? Nonsense. Once you register, you’re legally married—recognized by the state. If marriage certificates could be canceled on a whim, what would be the point of the law?

But it didn’t even stop there. Anyone with a brain could tell Wang Huishu’s words were empty, but somehow, Tian Yongmei still managed to be moved by her daughter’s flowery, manipulative talk. She wiped away tears like some kind of loving mother and said, “Silly child, don’t talk nonsense. You’ve worked so hard all these years—you absolutely can’t drop out now. Your father and I will find a way to support you.”

“Now that we’ve got the tuition money, don’t overthink it. That damn girl can walk her own path. She’s been disobedient since she was a child—it’s nothing new.”

“This has nothing to do with you. Your dad and I don’t blame you. You just focus on your studies. If you get into college one day, your father and I will be proud. Our whole family will be better off.”

Hearing that little heartwarming mother-daughter dialogue almost made Wang Huimin laugh from rage in the back room. She packed up her pitiful handful of belongings in a flash and made a small bundle. Looking around the room where she’d lived for nineteen years, she realized she had so little, it was less than what refugees carried on their backs.

Clang! She swung the back door open, looked coldly at the mother and daughter, and said, “I’m done packing. I’m leaving now. I won’t interrupt your heartwarming family moment. No need to see me off.”

Without another word, she turned and headed toward the front door.

But suddenly, Wang Huishu blocked her path with a concerned expression. “Xiaomin, don’t be in such a rush. Even if you’re going to the Song family, you can’t go with just that little bag.”

“I’ve got a couple of new outfits I haven’t worn yet—maybe you’d like them? I can go get them for you.”

She said the words, but made no move to actually get them. Clearly, it was all talk.

Wang Huishu’s comment seemed to trigger something in Tian Yongmei. Her eyes fell on Wang Huimin’s small bundle.

“Huishu, don’t worry about her. Don’t give her anything. Those new clothes were bought for your school—she’d just ruin them.”

“Xiaomin, if you want to go, go. No one’s stopping you. Just take your own things. You’re not taking your sister’s.”

Wang Huimin let out a cold laugh. “Even if she gave them to me, I wouldn’t want them. I don’t need the bad luck. But judging by your tone, sounds like you want to search my bag. What, you’re not letting me leave unless I prove I’m not stealing anything?”

Wang Huishu immediately jumped in again to play the “good sister,” looking hurt and wronged at being called bad luck, though trying to hide it.

“Xiaomin, don’t misunderstand. Mom didn’t mean it that way. I just thought you were bringing too little. I can help you pack—maybe add a few things.”

Wang Huimin’s eyes were full of sarcasm. “Oh, drop the act already. What you really want is to search my bag. Go ahead—see if you can find anything.”

With that, she tossed the little bundle on the ground and gestured for Wang Huishu to inspect it.

Wang Huishu hesitated, looking reluctant, but her fake little show made Tian Yongmei suspicious. Even though her hiding spot was secret, she still wanted to double-check.

“Huishu, go check what she packed. I’m going out to the back garden.”

Wang Huimin’s heart dropped. That could ruin everything. If Tian Yongmei found out the money was missing now, there’s no way she’d be allowed to leave. And facing the two of them alone? She’d be at a disadvantage.

No. She had to think fast. She had to get out. Even if it meant everyone losing today, she had to walk out of this house.

Since Wang Huishu hadn’t moved, Wang Huimin opened the bag herself. Inside were just a few simple items. Nothing more.

Then she quickly zipped it back up. “There. You’ve seen it. You’re sure I didn’t take anything, right? I don’t want to stay here even one more second. And don’t come looking for me.”

With that, she slung the bundle over her shoulder and bolted out the door. She moved fast—once she got to the main road, she’d be safe.

Wang Huimin was quick, but so was Tian Yongmei. And because Wang Huimin had already loosened the soil beneath the sauce crock yesterday, it didn’t take long for Tian Yongmei to dig up the wooden box.

But when she opened it with the key, it was completely empty—just an empty box.

She let out a shriek. “No! That’s impossible! My money—where’s my money?!”

“I put it all there myself! No one knew—it couldn’t just vanish…”

It was summer, and the windows were open. Hearing her mother’s panicked cries, Wang Huishu ran toward the garden and found Tian Yongmei sitting on the ground with the empty wooden box beside her.

She quickly knelt to help her up. “Mom, what’s wrong? Did something go missing?”

Wang Huishu’s voice snapped Tian Yongmei out of her stunned state. The next second, she burst into a fit of rage, slapping her thighs and cursing, this time with real tears of anger streaming down her face.

“That damn brat stole the money! I’ll skin her alive!”

“Huishu, what are you doing back here? Where’s that little bitch?!”

Wang Huishu caught on quickly and said, “When you went to the garden, she ran off. She’s probably far down the road by now. We have to hurry and catch her!”

Tian Yongmei’s eyes turned blood-red with rage. There was no doubt in her mind now: Wang Huimin had stolen the money. She stormed out of the garden in a frenzy—she was getting that money back, no matter what. This was the money for Wang Huishu’s schooling, and now that ungrateful brat had run off with it. If Wang Huimin didn’t hand it over, she’d beat her to death.

Of course, Wang Huimin knew exactly what kind of person Tian Yongmei was. As soon as she stepped out the front gate, she headed east, running fast. On the way, she passed the elderly Mrs. Sun from a few doors down, who had just come out carrying some firewood.

Mrs. Sun was a good-hearted woman who had watched Wang Huimin grow up. She, like every neighbor, had heard about the drama between the Wang and Song families—it was the talk of the village.

Seeing Wang Huimin early in the morning with nothing but a small, pitiful bundle, Mrs. Sun guessed right away: that heartless woman Tian Yongmei must have kicked her out.

They had just registered the marriage yesterday, and not only did they not send her off properly, they’d even kicked her out? That was cruel. The girl was a good one—just born into the wrong family.

With gentle concern in her eyes, Mrs. Sun said, “Xiaomin, Grandma Sun already heard everything. Honestly, it’s not a bad thing that you’ve married into the Song family. Your mother never treated you well anyway.”

“From now on, just live a good life with that boy from the Song family. His leg might not be in perfect shape, but he’s a good kid. And you’re hardworking and sensible. You two will be just fine.”