Chapter 11: Proof of Severing Ties

Yue Chi thought Ning Ning was about to call him strange, but instead she said he was handsome? His heart skipped a few beats before he could even process the irregular rhythm—yet Ning Ning spoke again.

“I feel like you used to be closer with Xing Yuan. But these past two days, it seems you’ve been standing on my side instead?”

“Brother Yue Chi, after you came back from university, you seem… different.”

“Same goes for you, Ning Ning. I think you’ve changed since I returned as well.”

“You used to like Xiao Yuan a lot.”

Without missing a beat, Yue Chi threw the question back at her with a smile. The two exchanged words openly, blades flashing between the lines, while Lin Xiao alone was left in confusion.

Wow… Ning Ning is amazing. She actually left Brother Xing Yuan speechless.
But… why is she treating him like this?
Oh, so she really doesn’t like him anymore.
Wait—Brother Yue Chi even knows Ning Ning used to like Xing Yuan? He must really care about her.

It was like two masters playing chess while dragging along a complete novice. While the masters fought at the towers, the novice still wondered which key made the character move.

“Never liked him. It was all an act. The past is behind me—I’ve decided not to pretend anymore.”

Ning Ning lifted her chin indifferently, tossing out a dramatic line like something from early-2000s teenage internet slang. She had never really been part of that “emo” trend, but as someone from that era, she still knew a few phrases. It was practically a generational instinct.

“Got it. Understood.”

Their back-and-forth was strangely entertaining, and Lin Xiao couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What are you laughing at?”

Both turned their heads at once, making Lin Xiao clamp her mouth shut and shake her head quickly.

“N-nothing.”

Fine then, nothing it was. As a considerate friend, Ning Ning decided not to pry into Lin Xiao’s little secrets. She had more pressing matters anyway. After dropping her purchases at home, she took Lin Xiao to her house.

The moment Lin Xiao’s mother saw her, she stormed out with a broom, hurling insults more vicious with each sentence.

“You dare come back? Don’t bother coming home again! One less mouth to feed is better! Useless thing, good for nothing but eating! Why didn’t I strangle you when you were born? Raised you all these years just to anger me?”

“It’s not too late. Why don’t we write a proof of severing ties? That way, you’ll have nothing to do with Lin Xiao anymore, and you won’t have to be angry again.”

Ning Ning stepped in smoothly, her cold smile never leaving her lips.

“Pah! You wish. We raised her for more than ten years and haven’t gotten a cent back. And now she thinks she can just leave? If she doesn’t starve to death, I’ll still lose the bride price! How will my son ever marry a wife then?”

Lin Xiao’s father emerged, his wrinkled face twisted with malice. He spat a glob of yellow-green phlegm on the ground, making Ning Ning’s stomach churn in disgust.

The Lin household was at it again. Neighbors gathered with their bowls, used to the spectacle.

“These two, Hongying and her husband, really are too much. Always scolding that girl. Favoring their son is one thing, but treating their daughter worse than a dog? If it were me, I couldn’t survive.”

“You’re late—Ning Ning just said she wants to help Xiao cut ties with them. No wonder the couple is furious. That girl’s guts are something else.”

“What? Sever ties? That’s meddling too far. Whatever their faults, they’re still her parents. There are no wrong parents under heaven. Even if they’ve been harsh, they did raise her. To say such a thing is unfilial!”

The words “sever ties” spread like wildfire. Even those who hadn’t planned to spectate came rushing to see what gave these two young girls such audacity.

“Tomorrow I’ll find you a husband. Today you dare talk back to me? Let’s see if you can talk back to your man. When he beats you to death, no one will say a word!”

Lin Xiao’s father was calculating. Killing his daughter outright wouldn’t profit him and might invite blame. But marrying her off was different—he’d gain a bride price, and if she was beaten to death later, it would be her own fate.

“You think everything goes your way? Her legs are on her own body—she can run if she wants. And selling people is a crime. If you dare sell her, I’ll dare call the police. Don’t talk about ‘parents’ rights.’ Look at the times we live in. Even foot-binding is outlawed—yet you think you can bind minds?”

“If you agree, we’ll calculate exactly how much food and clothing you’ve given Xiao over the years. I’ll pay you that amount, and you’ll write a statement severing ties. After that, you’re even.”

“If you refuse, I’ll report you for child abuse and human trafficking. Let’s see how many years you get.”

Ning Ning’s cold smile cut deeper, arms crossed as she looked down on them. Did they really think this was a lawless world?

“Impossible. We’re her parents—we can even kill her!”

The ignorant always believed “filial duty” outweighed the law. But then his tone shifted.

“Fine, how much are you offering? If it’s not two hundred yuan, I won’t agree.”

His mental abacus rattled shamelessly. Two hundred yuan—enough to “sell” Lin Xiao by the pound. Except she was barely eighty pounds. By weight, she wasn’t even worth his asking price.

“Two hundred? Has she ever been worth even two yuan in your eyes, and now you demand two hundred? I said calculate, not counterfeit.”

Ning Ning shot him a frosty glare.

“The most I’ll give you is ten yuan.”

She said this while holding Lin Xiao’s hand, then leaned close to whisper gently:

“In my heart, you’re priceless. You can’t be measured in money. But we can’t let them take advantage. Don’t be sad, Xiao.”

“I’m not sad. I know you’re doing this for me.”

Lin Xiao smiled, gripping her hand tighter. Whatever happened, Ning Ning would never hurt her.

“Ten yuan? Are you joking? Without two hundred, I won’t let her go. I’ll marry her off to someone else just to spite you!”

Her father bared a row of blackened teeth. He was hardly fit to be called a father—or even human.

The onlookers gasped. Everyone knew this couple treated their daughter worse than livestock, but they hadn’t expected such open cruelty. Each time, they found new ways to disgust.

At that moment, Ning Ning’s parents arrived. Their first instinct was to shield their daughter, pushing her behind them.

“What are you doing, you old bastard? Daring to bully my daughter? Zhang Hongying, Lin Zhong—you think you can yell at her? I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

“That’s right! Adults picking on two children—you’re less than human!”

Seeing her parents protect her so fiercely filled Ning Ning’s heart with warmth. She tugged at her mother’s sleeve, softening her voice.

“Dad, Mom, don’t argue with them. Let’s just go to the police station. I want to file a report.”