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Chapter 36: Clearly, I’m the One Who Belongs to the Song Family

“You’re the bad guy! You’re the bad guy! Clearly, I’m the one who belongs to the Song family!”

Song Yang bawled uncontrollably, even trying to punch and kick Chen Wenhao. Jiang Wan shielded Chen Wenhao and coldly stared at Madam Song San.

“If you don’t take him away now, I’m going to start hitting people!”

Just because he was a child didn’t mean she would go easy. Acting out in front of her had the same consequences regardless of age.

“You bitch, you’re just a bitch! I want porridge!”

“Mother, beat her to death! I want to beat her to death!”

“Grandmother, I’m so hungry.”

“…”

Song Yang wailed loudly, kicking and punching. Madam Song San, distressed by her son’s suffering and afraid Jiang Wan might actually hit him, quickly wrapped her arms tightly around him.

“Yang’er, Yang’er.”

“Eldest Sister-in-law, I’m begging you. Yang’er is also a blood descendant of the Song family.”

Madam Song San looked pleadingly at Madam Song Da, thinking that her gentle nature might cause her to relent.

Unfortunately, she was mistaken. Ever since the incident with Song Jiuyuan, Madam Song Da had firmly sided with Jiang Wan.

She turned her face away from Madam Song San, continuing to hold her clothing over the smoke to dry. It had been raining continuously, and the rough hemp clothes they’d changed out of were still wet.

They could only use this method; otherwise, the stickiness on their bodies would be unbearable.

“Don’t beg her!”

The previously silent Old Madam Song suddenly snapped viciously, “We won’t starve to death!”

This was perhaps her last act of stubborn pride. She sat there motionless, like a statue.

“But I’m hungry.”

Song Yang pouted, full of grievance. Back at the mansion, all the best food had been his. Why couldn’t he even get a sip of porridge now?

The little tyrant Song Yang stared hungrily at the porridge near Chen Wenhao’s mouth. Chen Wenhao, quick-witted, downed it all in one gulp and even wiped his mouth.

“It was really good. Thank you, Auntie.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jiang Wan deliberately ruffled Chen Wenhao’s hair and said warmly, “Auntie really likes obedient and well-behaved children like you.”

Her words were laced with deeper meaning. Everyone could tell—Jiang Wan did not like Song Yang.

Chen Wenhao shyly pressed his lips together in a smile. “Then I’ll be obedient from now on too.”

Song Yang nearly went crazy from anger at this. Luckily, Madam Song San held him back. Truthfully, she was scared—scared that the officers might help Jiang Wan beat her son.

Now, the members of the Song family were truly in a state where they dared not speak their anger. In fact, Ren Bang didn’t have the energy to deal with these trivial matters. He stared out at the rain, brows tightly furrowed.

“Brother-in-law, don’t worry just yet. Maybe the weather will clear up tomorrow.”

In private, Xiao Deng addressed him as brother-in-law. Ren Bang’s voice was heavy. “It won’t stop this soon. If we miss the scheduled time, we’re all finished!”

“What should we do then? This rain is so heavy, the roads are blocked, and we can’t even get out.”

Xiao Deng was worried too and quickly tried to comfort him. “We didn’t fall behind earlier in the journey. A few days’ delay shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Ren Bang squinted ahead. A bad feeling lingered in his heart. He wasn’t the only one—Jiang Wan felt it too.

No one had eaten well all day. By night, people couldn’t help but complain to each other, some even muttering about how hungry they were.

“I’m starving. I’m really going to starve to death.”

“Damn this hellish weather. When will it finally end?”

“I don’t think I can go on like this. Whatever… we all die eventually.”

“…”

Listening to these voices, Jiang Wan couldn’t say she wasn’t moved, but she understood clearly that she couldn’t reveal anything.

Having food appear out of thin air would be utterly shocking. Call her selfish if they must—she would never jeopardize her safety just because of some momentary sympathy.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one. No one could fall asleep—some from hunger, others from fear of the unknown.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, I’ll take the night watch tonight.”

Usually quiet, Song Jiuchi suddenly spoke. After saying this, he lowered his head again.

Jiang Wan glanced instinctively at Song Jiuyuan and saw him awkwardly rubbing the tip of his nose. Clearly, this was his idea.

Jiang Wan agreed straightforwardly. “Alright, but let’s take turns standing watch.”

Song Jiuli eagerly chimed in, “Count me in, I’ll help too.”

“No need. You and Mother should rest well. We’ll need you both to help take care of everyone during the day.”

Jiang Wan wasn’t at ease letting Song Jiuli take charge. He was too careless—he might be sold and still help count the money for the seller.

Soon, Jiang Wan and Song Jiuchi had worked out a rotation. Song Jiuyuan wanted to join as well, but Jiang Wan subtly declined.

Song Jiuchi would take the first half of the night; Jiang Wan would take the second. With everyone anxious, Jiang Wan didn’t dare to take chances. She quickly got some rest and woke up in the middle of the night.

When she got up, she nearly cursed out loud. Good grief—just for something to eat, that Concubine Duan was up to her antics again in the middle of the night.

Behind the dilapidated temple, she and that officer were hiding in a corner, one in front of the other.

Thankfully, the constant sound of rain outside muffled much of the noise, or Jiang Wan thought she might go crazy.

She rubbed her temples in frustration, only to meet Song Jiuyuan’s gaze. Startled, she asked quietly,

“Why are you still awake?”

She rose and leaned closer to whisper in his ear. Her warm breath snapped Song Jiuyuan out of his half-asleep state in an instant.

His breath caught slightly. Forcing himself to stay calm, he said, “I slept a lot during the day. I’m not tired. You should rest—I’ll keep watch.”

His awkward concern made Jiang Wan shake her head firmly. “I’m not tired. You should rest.”

This guy was seriously injured. With injuries to tendons and bones, it would take a hundred days to heal. Who knew how long it would take for him to fully recover?

As they politely pushed the responsibility back and forth, they suddenly heard a woman’s muffled voice. Jiang Wan and Song Jiuyuan exchanged glances and quickly looked away.

Naturally, neither of them noticed their ears had turned pink. Thankfully, it was pitch black, so they couldn’t see each other.

“Go to sleep,” Jiang Wan ordered Song Jiuyuan, turning her back and ignoring him.

She didn’t know whether Song Jiuyuan had actually fallen asleep, but in her boredom, she could only lie there wide-eyed, counting raindrops.

After about fifteen minutes, Concubine Duan and the officer returned one after the other. At that moment, Jiang Wan was already lying down, pretending to rest.

Once the two settled down and fell asleep, Jiang Wan finally sighed in relief. Honestly, she had no desire to eavesdrop.

Sure enough, the next day, the Song family had food again. Though it was just thin porridge made from coarse grains and water, it was still better than nothing.

Jiang Wan noticed right away that Concubine Duan looked worn out—nowhere near her previous fair-skinned, lively appearance.

She attentively tended to Song Chen without complaint. Clearly, Song Chen was her true love.

The very image of a lovesick woman in ancient times. Jiang Wan couldn’t stand the sight and didn’t want to watch. She got up and said to Ren Bang:

“Brother Ren, I want to go out and see if I can find something to eat.”

Even though it was still raining heavily outside, they couldn’t just starve to death because of it.

Ren Bang’s gaze was gloomy. “The rain is too heavy. The only road to the village has already been blocked by mud.”

“That means even if people go out to look for food, they probably won’t be able to run off.”

Jiang Wan had carefully considered this before speaking. Once food supplies were cut off, even with a good relationship with the officers, human nature wouldn’t withstand the test.

She didn’t want to starve while having access to her space storage. More importantly, she didn’t want others to covet it.