Chapter 10 – That Drug, That Scheme:

Song Jinxi lived a terribly hard life at home. If not for the schemes of her deceased mother—telling a friendly neighborhood women’s director’s family to check in on her—she might not even be alive today. Living on felt like a luxury.

Putting on a frightened expression, Song Jinxi spoke slowly:

“Comrades, officers… and kind people, could I trouble you to wait outside the door for a while? I recently learned some things and want to ask my father about them—to get the truth. But… I’m scared. I feel safer with you all here.”

The nurse was the first to respond:

“Don’t worry! We’re all here. The police won’t leave. The case of you being drugged hasn’t even found the culprit yet—why would we leave now?”

As soon as she said that, even if the police wanted to leave, they couldn’t. As for the older ladies who had gathered—there was no need to persuade them to stay. They hadn’t had their fill of gossip and drama. Leaving now? Not likely!

Once the door was shut, Song Jinxi dropped her fearful act entirely. Her eyes turned cold:

“I didn’t want things to turn out like this. You all forced me. You forced me. That elder sister of mine, Song Rou, is your biological child, isn’t she? Don’t look so surprised—I’ve known for a long time.”

“Don’t bother making excuses—I’ve got proof. You think I’m just bluffing? Here’s a reminder. When Song Rou was still in the womb, you thought she was a boy, didn’t you? So you rejected your wife’s suggestion to induce early labor. You wanted your son to be born full term. Not many people would know about that, right? As for the more damning evidence that could finish you off—I won’t reveal that just yet.”

Li Mei gritted her teeth and snapped:

“You little bitch, what do you want? Who knows if you really have evidence or if you’re just bluffing?”

Song Jinxi replied calmly:

“Doesn’t matter to me. Believe it or not—it’s up to you. You’re welcome to gamble on whether I have the proof or not. Just hope your little affair during your marriage won’t count as immoral conduct. And of course, it’s buy one get one free.”

“Didn’t the police and nurse just say it? You heard them too. Where did you buy that drug? Where are the remaining powders hidden? Did you manage to destroy the dishes you used to mix it? Judging by Stepmother’s face, I’m guessing… you didn’t clean up everything in time.”

“If I decide to press charges, do you think you’ll still have your good reputations? Won’t it all come crumbling down? What a pity, for a Deputy Director no less!”

Song Bai stared at his daughter with a complicated expression and asked:

“What exactly do you want? Why are you acting like a completely different person?”

“Someone who’s died once might call this an epiphany. I don’t want anything. The situation now—none of it has anything to do with me. When I used to be gentle, obedient, and humble to the bone, not only did it earn me nothing, but it gave you license to walk all over me. Of course I’ve changed.”

“Now, before we talk, let me be clear. I’m utterly disappointed. From this point on, I don’t want any more ties to you. Here’s my demand: publicly admit that I’m just someone you picked up, and that you don’t have the face to keep calling me your daughter. Then I’ll agree to sever ties. I still have to go to the countryside—there’s no changing that. So you’ll give me 500 yuan. These two conditions must be fulfilled—miss even one, and it’s a no-go!”

Song Rou tried to raise her hand to strike her, but Song Bai stopped her. If they hit her now, it’d only make things worse.

“Sever ties with me? Don’t even think about it. From the day you came to this house, you were my daughter. This is a family matter.”

Song Jinxi retorted:

“Came to your house? I was sent to your house. Oh, so I was stolen then, huh? No wonder I don’t look like any of you. Stealing a child is a crime, you know~”

Song Bai froze. Then he said:

“You’re crazy—completely insane! How dare you smear your own father! Do you think feeding and raising you all these years was for nothing?”

Song Jinxi sneered:

“Stop pretending. Who are you trying to fool? That expression you made just now already gave you away.”

Song Bai’s face darkened even further.

“So you knew even before I said anything. Fine, then. I’ll tell you straight—I’m not your father. So every time I saw you, I felt disgust and hatred. If you want to cut ties, go ahead. But I won’t give you a single penny.”

Song Jinxi paused, stunned for a moment.

“…So I really was picked up?
But now’s not the time to dwell on that.

She continued with a cold smirk:

“Heh. Then let everyone hear this juicy gossip! Since my trip to the countryside is already set in stone, I’ll go all in. I’m already barefoot—I’m not afraid of losing shoes. If you won’t give me the money or cut ties voluntarily, then I’ll go public with the truth about the drugging. That’ll break our ties just fine.”

Song Bai:
“You… you’re not Song Jinxi. You weren’t like this before.”

Song Jinxi laughed coldly on purpose:

“You treat me like a good girl? Fine, I’ll act the part. But if I’m treated like dirt, then I’ll drag all of you into hell with me!”