Chapter 5

At this point, Su Yue could no longer cry; terrified, she followed Yao Xiaojun into the kitchen.

She knew very well that the only reason Fu Mingjun had taken a liking to her, the only reason she had the good life she enjoyed now, was because she was Su Daqiang’s daughter. If her surname was changed back, she’d lose everything.

In the kitchen, the mother and daughter whispered to each other.

“Mom, did you see that? Su Nian’s skin looks so much fairer. Do you think she found out about the poisoning? Otherwise, why would she suddenly start acting so weird?”

Yao Xiaojun was thinking the same thing.

“It’s fine, nothing to worry about. She doesn’t have any evidence anyway. Besides, her engagement with Fu Mingjun is completely over. Your dad said last night that we’ll go find them once we finish moving.”

Su Yue pouted. “Mom, I don’t want to move. I heard the housing in the family compound is really tiny.”

Yao Xiaojun twisted her ear. “Are you stupid? Right now, nothing matters more than your dad’s promotion. We can get the house back later—just bear with it for now.

Isn’t she about to be sent to the countryside?

And besides, things haven’t settled down yet. No one dares get involved with someone like Wen Wan. We better keep a low profile. As long as your dad’s in power, our good days aren’t going anywhere.”

Yao Xiaojun’s big promises successfully cheered Su Yue up.

After the meal, Su Nian grabbed the household registration booklet and left. She had several important tasks to take care of today!

Her first stop was the nearby Youth Relocation Office.

“Hello, comrade. My mom signed me up to be sent to the countryside a few days ago. I just came to ask for the location, and also to register my younger sister.”

The office was quiet, and her proactive attitude made the staff look at her like she was nuts.

After a while, someone finally spoke. “Did you bring the household registration booklet?”

She handed it over, and the staff carefully verified the information and found Su Nian’s name in their records.

“You’re being sent to the Heilongjiang reclamation area. The conditions there are quite good, so don’t worry too much. You’ll get a salary each month and stay in dorms with meals provided.”

The conditions sounded… good?

Had all those stories in old novels lied to her?

“I don’t have any experience—please don’t lie to me. I heard that life in the countryside is really hard. You have to cook your own food, and the annual labor points earned aren’t even enough to cover your meals.”

The staff member, feeling sympathetic, gave her a bit more information.

“That was true in the early days. But rural areas are saturated now and no longer accepting youth. The place you’re going to is part of the Corps—conditions are much better there.

It’s just very cold. From November to March, you’ll be off work. Make sure to bring warm clothes and bedding.”

Su Nian understood.

So this was actually a good deal. Should she still register Su Yue?

Thinking about Fu Mingjun’s family background, she decided to sign her up too. No matter how good the place was, it couldn’t compare to city life. And keeping Su Yue nearby made it easier to monitor her.

And when she was in a bad mood, she could always drag her out for a beating.

Because of the decent conditions, Su Nian didn’t even receive the usual countryside subsidy.

After leaving the Youth Office, she headed straight for Fu Mingjun’s house. She was determined to end the engagement—better to deal with it now than keep feeling sick over it.

The Fu family had the best living conditions in the area.

Fu Mingjun’s father was a key member of a research institute, far more influential than Su Daqiang, who was just a low-level clerk.

Fu Mingjun’s mother had poor health and stayed home most of the time, so she definitely knew about what was going on between Fu Mingjun and Su Yue—but still allowed it.

This was the so-called “close friend” of her mother?

When Fu’s mother opened the door and saw Su Nian, her expression immediately soured. “Why are you here?”

Su Nian didn’t mind her cold face at all. She pushed past her and sat down on the sofa. “I’m here for one simple reason: to break off the engagement!

Your son and Su Yue have no shame. I’m absolutely not marrying him.

Today, I’m here to ask for compensation. My body and reputation have both suffered—don’t you think some compensation is reasonable? Or is this something you can’t decide, and I need to speak to Fu Mingjun’s father?”

Fu Mingjun’s father cared about his reputation. If he found out his son behaved like this, he’d probably force him to marry Su Nian to save face.

But Fu’s mother clearly looked down on Su Nian.

Ugly was one thing, but her status was also poor. In contrast, Su Yue actually seemed like the better choice. Since Su Nian was the one proposing the breakup, her husband probably wouldn’t object.

“How much do you want?”

Su Nian had already anticipated this attitude, which was why she came in so boldly.

“Not much. One thousand yuan, and your son is free. Our engagement will be void, and your family can finally stop living on edge, right?”

A thousand yuan was a lot, but the Fu family could afford it.

Su Nian’s family used to be well-off—otherwise, her mom wouldn’t have been close friends with someone like Wen Wan.

“Write a statement, and give me back the token of engagement. Then this matter is settled.” With that, Fu’s mother turned to go get the money.

Su Nian had already prepared the document—she didn’t want to waste time. While the room was empty, she started looking around for something specific.

Though she hadn’t finished the book, she remembered clearly that the Fu family’s living room had a hidden stash of gold.

One thousand yuan wasn’t a small sum—Fu’s mother would take a while checking it.

Sure enough, her efforts paid off. She found a mechanism by the side cabinet. Without checking the contents, she quickly put all the boxes inside her storage space.

Ten or so boxes—if they were all gold, she’d be a rich woman!

Just as she sat down, Fu’s mother came out of the bedroom, looking displeased. She tossed a cloth-wrapped bundle at Su Nian. “Now give me the item!”

Su Nian removed half of a jade pendant from around her neck and placed it on the table. “From now on, there’s nothing between me and Fu Mingjun. I hope he and Su Yue can get married soon—their little secret won’t stay hidden much longer!”

Su Nian subtly hinted that Su Yue was already pregnant.

This way, they could quickly register the marriage before being sent to the countryside. A wedding ceremony wasn’t necessary.

After Su Nian left, Fu’s mother smashed a vase in anger.

Then she went to the research institute where Fu Mingjun’s father worked. After getting in through the gatekeeper, she quickly met with the so-called gentleman, Professor Fu.

“Nian Nian, what brings you to the institute? Is something urgent?”

Professor Fu asked kindly.

Who would have guessed that this smiling, friendly man was the type to toy with young girls? If Su Nian weren’t so unattractive now, she probably wouldn’t have escaped his attention either.

“Uncle Fu, I… sob sob… I’m here to break off the engagement.

My sister Su Yue and Fu Mingjun… they already… I can’t even say it out loud. But I won’t be marrying him. I hope you’ll understand.”

To her surprise, Professor Fu smiled.

Su Yue?

That girl was nice—fair-skinned and sweet. Every time she called him “Uncle,” he couldn’t help but fantasize. Was she really going to be his daughter-in-law?

Suppressing his smirk, he spoke gently:

“Nian Nian, what our family did was wrong, and that brat deserves a beating. The least I can do is offer you some compensation.

How about this: I haven’t brought home my salary in months—you can have it all, okay?”