Chapter 2

As soon as Su Nian rushed out, she realized for the first time that their house was actually quite large—it was just her room that was small. A west-facing suite with a small courtyard—what kind of luxury was that in the 1970s?

According to the original owner’s memory, this house was a gift from her grandfather when she was born. Su Nian herself was the rightful owner of this house, and yet she had been wronged into living in a tiny storage room. Was that even reasonable?

From a distance, she spotted Su Daqiang riding his bicycle home. Su Nian immediately sat down on the ground, crying and making a scene, drawing in curious neighbors eager for gossip. Su Daqiang was so frightened that he jumped off the bicycle in a panic.

Just then, Yao Xiaojun came hurrying over, still graceful and attractive in her thirties. Looking at her and then at Su Daqiang with his graying hair, Su Nian felt like a lightbulb had gone off in her head.

No wonder she, the legitimate daughter, was the one stuck in the tiniest room of the west house and courtyard. She couldn’t compete with the influence of the woman who shared her father’s bed!

Su Nian suddenly stopped crying and stormed up to Su Daqiang, demanding,
“Are you really my father or not? How could you just let Su Gang, that half-grown boy, kick down my door? Did you even know I got injured and hit my head? I was lying in that little dump of a room, couldn’t even keep my eyes open, and Yao Xiaojun was egging Su Gang on to break into my room. What kind of stepmother does that?
It’s bad enough she mistreats me with food and clothes, now she wants me to serve the whole family even while I’m sick.
Everyone, tell me—is this how a stepmother should act? Or should I take this to the neighborhood committee?”

Su Nian’s sudden outburst, her aggressive stance, completely terrified Yao Xiaojun.

“How can you just accuse me like that without proof?” Yao Xiaojun said, looking deeply at Su Daqiang. “You’ve seen with your own eyes how I’ve treated this child—how could I possibly do that?”

Su Daqiang’s face was dark as ink.

“All this yelling and fussing—what kind of behavior is this? Can’t we settle things behind closed doors? Is this how I raised you? Now get home and eat. All those years of school—where did it go?”

Su Nian thought: if not for the crowd gathered around, Su Daqiang wouldn’t have spoken so mildly just now.

Trying to smooth things over? That depended on whether she was willing to let it go.

“Hold it! Where are you going? Some things need to be said out loud, in front of everyone—it’s no fun keeping secrets, right, Dad?
Like that matter Uncle Wang mentioned when he came by a while ago…”

Su Daqiang’s head buzzed.
This damn girl—did she take gunpowder this morning? Why bring that up now?

That day, Old Wang had come to talk about housing allocations. How did this girl know about that? Now that Su Daqiang had officially severed ties with his ex-wife, the unit was ready to assign him a new work apartment.
As for his ex-wife… Wen Wan had fled abroad years ago, and all the family assets had been handed over.
Su Daqiang had managed to avoid political fallout only because he’d officially broken with her and taken their young daughter with him.
All they had left was this house and a savings passbook Wen Wan had left for the child.
Nothing else.

Back then, the family was a mess. That’s when he married his distant cousin Yao Xiaojun—young, pretty, gentle, understanding. She cooked, cleaned, and helped care for his child. The ideal wife.
Otherwise, with his low-level official status, how could he have married an unemployed woman?

“Nian Nian, be good and listen to your father. Let’s go home.”

There was a trace of anger in his tone.

“Dad, I’m doing this for your own good. You don’t know what the neighbors have been saying about you behind your back.
I want to show them they’re wrong about you.
You’re one of the youngest clerks in Hangcheng—about to get promoted too.
How could someone like you be two-faced?
Those people who say you still pine for my mother are just jealous.
They don’t understand that you’re living in this big house for my sake.
Back then, I was still a child. Of course, you didn’t feel safe letting me live in such a big courtyard alone. But now I’m grown, and the unit’s assigning you a new place—that means it’s finally time to move, right?”

Yao Xiaojun, ever the shrewd one, realized Su Nian was trying to kick them out. Of course, she was dead set against it.

“Nian Nian, I know you don’t like me as your stepmother, but I’ve always treated you sincerely. Now you’ve graduated, and you want to drive your dad, me, and your younger siblings out of the house?”

She knew very well this house belonged to Su Nian, so she couldn’t force things. She had to use emotional tactics.

But Su Nian wasn’t the same girl as before—why would she let herself be manipulated again? If Yao Xiaojun could cry, so could she.

“Dad, you understand me, don’t you?”

With eyes slightly reddened, her vulnerable expression finally softened Su Daqiang’s heart. He followed her gaze and suddenly noticed the retired minister standing on the edge of the crowd.

Word was that a promotion would come after a surprise inspection—could it be today?

His daughter was clever—staging this whole thing during the inspection to show her loyalty, and if he moved into the unit’s housing, it would prove he had fully cut ties with his ex-wife.
Promotion? Practically in the bag.
He had heard the whispers behind his back—that he was shameless—but he hadn’t wanted to give up his comfortable life. Still, the promotion was more important. He couldn’t afford any connection to Wen Wan.

His daughter was giving him the perfect excuse.

Su Daqiang’s scowl turned into a smile.

“Yes, our Nian Nian is Daddy’s little sweetheart. You’re so young, yet you understand the hardships your father has endured.
I was going to tell you today anyway—just didn’t know how to bring it up.
Now that you understand, I’ll take your stepmother and siblings and move out.
This house is your legacy. Just don’t blame me for not taking you with us!”

Su Nian hugged him, seemingly moved.

“Dad, I understand. Let stepmom pack tonight. You can move first thing tomorrow morning. I’ve got more to talk with you about tonight.”

Su Daqiang hadn’t been this close to his daughter in years.

“Alright, Dad will do as you say!”

The surrounding neighbors began whispering among themselves—had they misunderstood Su Daqiang all these years? Maybe he wasn’t a cruel man after all.

Thinking of all the criticism they’d voiced behind his back, they suddenly felt guilty.

Seeing this, Su Daqiang was touched again. He knew it—his daughter wouldn’t stir up drama for no reason. She’d done all this to restore his reputation and help him get promoted.

Compared to that, the three standing nearby seemed utterly… insignificant.

Watching the old minister’s silhouette disappear, Su Daqiang dropped the act and locked the door behind him.

Once inside, his face darkened.

“Nian Nian, next time, give me a heads-up. If I hadn’t been quick-witted, this would’ve turned into a laughingstock.”

Yao Xiaojun chimed in.

“Exactly. People might think you’re kicking us out just because you don’t like us. You should learn to calm down and act more ladylike.”