Chapter 25: Parents’ Betrayal

“Comrade, I’m here to see Qin Hongyan. The ones who just went in are my uncle and aunt. I’ve brought breakfast to give to Sister Hongyan quickly.”

Qin Fang carried a plate of soup dumplings and a few fried dough sticks in her hands, her face showing a flattering smile.

The guard glanced at the harmless-looking young girl and stepped aside. “Go ahead. They’re in the visiting room, the first one. Remember not to make a scene.”

“Thank you so much, comrade,” Qin Fang said repeatedly, hurrying inside.

The door was pushed open heavily, and Qin Fang’s eyes immediately locked onto Qin Hongyan sitting in the middle. It had been a long time since the two had seen each other, and the woman before her was a shadow of her former self. Her face was full of suffering, her hair dry and yellow, completely different from the beautiful image she once had.

She was dressed in a blue prison uniform, with handcuffs on her wrists. Seeing this scene, a triumphant smile spread across Qin Fang’s face as she raised her head high.

Walking forward, she spoke loudly, “Oh, Sister Hongyan, I can’t believe it’s really you. What did you do to end up in jail? Do you need my help?”

As she spoke, her lazy gaze swept over the room and met Qin Hongyan’s hollow eyes. Qin Fang found a chair and sat down, sliding next to Qin Mother.

“Auntie, really, why didn’t you take me along when you came? I haven’t seen Sister Hongyan in ages, and I missed her so much.”

Qin Mother awkwardly glanced at her tear-streaked daughter and gently moved her niece’s hand off her arm. Smiling, she replied, “Oh, Fang, we only just found out ourselves. Otherwise, we would’ve brought you.”

“You followed us, didn’t you?” Xu Jiaojiao spoke coldly, her delicate face full of disdain. Beside her, both Xie Zhi and Xu Yan wore the same expressions.

On the side, Guan Zhiman had an amused smile on her face, leaning her arm on the chair as though she was enjoying a show.

Hearing her mother’s words, Qin Hongyan’s trembling figure shuddered. She seemed unable to believe what she’d just heard. Her fragile eyes scanned her parents briefly, but they were already busy asking Qin Fang whether she’d had breakfast yet.

Qin Fang cast a glare at Xu Jiaojiao before putting the breakfast on the table with a coquettish laugh. “Sister, this is what Uncle and Auntie bought for me this morning. You should have some.”

Xu Jiaojiao saw the smug look on Qin Fang’s face and felt enraged. Was she trying to steal someone else’s parents?

Qin Hongyan’s voice was cold. “No need, you can have it.”

“Exactly, Fang, you woke up early. You should eat more,” Qin Father chimed in.

Qin Mother quickly tugged at his sleeve. The visiting room fell silent. Xu Jiaojiao felt stifled. Were Qin Hongyan’s parents really this clueless?

Qin Fang seemed oblivious to the fact that her arrival had redirected all the attention of her aunt and uncle away from their once-beloved daughter.

She glanced at Xu Jiaojiao and chuckled. “Oh, Xu Comrade, your bracelet is so beautiful. Look at mine—though not as nice as yours, it’s still a popular item from the department store.”

Qin Hongyan tried her best to keep her gaze away from them, but her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own, turning red and sour as she struggled to hold back tears.

Xu Jiaojiao noticed it all, her heart aching. To her, Qin Fang was nothing less than the stereotypical antagonistic cousin in old novels, stealing the spotlight and affection from the rightful protagonist.

With a sarcastic smile, Xu Jiaojiao replied, “Oh, that bracelet is nice. But, Qin Comrade, isn’t it inappropriate for you to stay in Hongyan’s house for so long? After all, Hongyan will be returning home someday.”

Xie Zhi’s cold gaze swept over Qin Fang, making her shiver.

But the woman didn’t seem to notice or care. Instead, she beamed, “Xu Comrade, you don’t know. Uncle and Auntie have always treated me like a second daughter. Sister Hongyan doesn’t know how long she’ll be in there. If I leave, who’ll take care of them?”

“And in the future, I’ll be the one supporting them in their old age,” she added with a smug tilt of her head.

Qin Hongyan, back when you abandoned your parents to marry into the countryside, they were left to fend for themselves. I’ve been the one by their side all these years, treating them like my own parents. Do you think blood ties matter that much?

Do you think there’s still a place for you in this family?

Qin Mother laughed heartily at her niece’s words, lightly tapping her forehead. “Oh, you cheeky girl. Taking care of us in old age? You’re so lazy and greedy, only getting up after I’ve made lunch every day.”

“Auntie, I’ve been giving you all my article royalties. Anyway, I’ve made up my mind: I won’t marry. I’ll stay with you and Uncle for the rest of my life. I even want to save up and take you both to Beijing to see Chairman Mao,” Qin Fang said.

Qin Father also smiled broadly. “Good, good. Your aunt and I will just wait to enjoy your blessings in the future.”

Although she didn’t call them “Mom” and “Dad,” her actions and words made it clear they were a family of three, leaving Qin Hongyan as the outsider.

Qin Hongyan looked at her parents, who once showered her with love but now gave all their affection to her cousin. She felt an indescribable sadness. But she didn’t know who to blame—she could only fault herself for trusting the wrong people.

Xu Jiaojiao observed the scene. Initially, Qin Father and Qin Mother had surrounded Hongyan, but the moment Qin Fang appeared, all their attention shifted to her.

But Xu Jiaojiao didn’t know how to address the situation. From the looks of it, Qin Fang genuinely seemed devoted. People’s hearts are made of flesh; after all, Hongyan had been away for years and had once defied her parents.

Qin Hongyan didn’t want to witness their happy family scene anymore. She abruptly stood up, her tone unpleasant. “That’s enough. I’m going back. Take care, Mom and Dad.”

“Hongyan.”

“Hongyan.”

She quickly left, tears falling the moment her back was turned. Behind her, Qin Fang stopped Qin Father and Qin Mother from following. “Sister, safe travels.”

Xu Jiaojiao couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed her bag and stormed out, followed closely by Xu Yan and Xie Zhi. Her beautiful face was filled with anger.

“How can Qin Fang act like this? Hongyan barely got to see her parents, and now it’s all ruined.”

“Xu Jiaojiao, even if you’re close to Qin Hongyan, you don’t need to criticize me. What’s wrong? Has the rich young lady realized rural life isn’t as good as it seems and now wants to come back and rely on her parents?”

“Tell me, where in the world do you get such an easy deal?”

“When Auntie and Uncle were young and healthy, with the best resources, Qin Hongyan enjoyed it all thanks to blood ties. But over the years, who has taken care of them when they were sick? I’ve spent money and time by their side. Not once has your beloved Hongyan served them. Now that she’s back, she expects everything to go back to the way it was? She might as well just die outside,” Qin Fang sneered.

Xu Jiaojiao was left speechless, fuming as she glared at her. “But it’s not her fault! She was deceived.”

“Then blame her stupidity. If she hadn’t trusted the wrong people, would she be in this mess now?” Qin Fang mocked.

Xie Zhi’s icy gaze pierced through her as he replied, “Is that how Auntie and Uncle feel as well?”

“Jiaojiao, Fang speaks bluntly and without tact. Don’t take it personally. She’s been through a lot these past years,” Qin Mother said with an awkward smile, trying to smooth things over.

Xu Jiaojiao wanted to argue further, but Xie Zhi pulled her away. Guan Zhiman and Xu Yan had already left, having matters to discuss.