Chapter 22

That day at the department store, Lu Huaijin briefly explained to her why he insisted on adopting two children. His parents were worried that their family might not be safe in the future, as there could be complications ahead.

Lu’s parents were both researchers, and recently there had been some unsettling rumors about their family. Grandpa Lu was a retired commander, still influential and watched closely, so he couldn’t make things easier for Lu’s parents or use his connections for a simple three-month trip down south without potentially attracting unwanted attention. And, given her grandfather’s past, it could become a troublesome matter if anyone wanted to stir things up.

After Lu Huaijin saw his mother finish speaking with Xu Niannian, he approached her. His mother, sensing their private moment, tactfully went to find her husband.

Huaijin had overheard the conversation with his mother and, seeing that Xu Niannian was resolved to go to the countryside, pulled out a stack of money from his pocket.

“You prepared the food for lunch. Not sure if you have enough money, but tomorrow I’ll take you to get things for your trip to the countryside. I already called the military district yesterday, and they’ll start your political screening immediately.”

He added, “The review should be done in a little over two months. If I don’t have any assignments, I’ll pick you up then. If anything happens, just send me a telegram.”

Looking at Niannian’s thin arms and legs, he continued, “Make sure not to go out alone at night. It’s not safe.”

Nighttime in the countryside could indeed be dangerous, especially for women, as some bachelors would target the young female volunteers. Many girls either kept quiet out of shame or even drowned themselves after losing their honor.

Seeing her mother return from the balcony, Xu Ruhua noticed the empty table. Based on the crumbs, she could tell there had been plenty of meat dishes.

“Dad, why didn’t you save anything for me?” she asked.

Father Xu felt a pang of guilt. He knew his daughter hadn’t eaten, but the food was so delicious, especially the chicken, that it was all gone before he realized.

“I didn’t eat it all alone! Lu Huaijin and his father are both soldiers—they eat a lot. And your brother is a big eater, too,” he replied.

Yaoyao quickly backed him up, “It’s true. Sis, you should’ve joined us if you wanted some. Why complain now?”

Ruhua clenched her teeth. “You knew I didn’t eat. Couldn’t you save me some?”

At that moment, stepmother Xu Xiuhong looked at the fine fabric on the sofa and, hearing they’d enjoyed a feast, hurried over and shouted, “Wait, I locked up the food this morning. How did you manage to make such a feast?”

She quickly ran to the kitchen and checked her locked cabinet. Everything was intact. Relieved, she turned back to the table, perplexed.

“Where did you get all this food?” she demanded.

“Niannian made it,” they replied.

“And where’d she get the money? It must’ve come from you!” she accused Father Xu.

“I swear it wasn’t me…”

However, her words made him realize he hadn’t thought about where Niannian got the money. Could it be that his secret stash had been found?

Meanwhile, Ruhua’s stomach was rumbling, and she looked at the last bit of egg custard, torn between pride and hunger.

Then Niannian walked in, carrying a stick. Ruhua ran up to her, accusing her openly, “Where’d you get the money to buy all this?”

Niannian tapped the floor with the stick and said, “My fiancé gave it to me. Got a problem with that? If you do, keep it to yourself. Who do you think you are?”

Xiuhong hadn’t expected Niannian’s response and dropped to the floor, putting on a dramatic display. She cried out loudly, rolling around in frustration, hoping someone would come to calm her down.

She lamented loudly, “Oh heavens! I raised Niannian with such love, and now that she’s engaged, she’s turned her back on me! I was better to her than my own daughter—my real daughter even has to live on the balcony!”

At that point, a crowd of curious neighbors gathered outside the open door.

Niannian looked down at Xiuhong and said calmly, “Anything else? If not, let me speak.”

Stunned by Niannian’s calm response, Xiuhong faltered, unsure of her next move.

“My stepmother knew I was getting engaged today, so she locked up all the food and only came home after eating at the cafeteria,” Niannian told the neighbors. “You can come see for yourselves if you don’t believe me.”

The neighbors fell silent, some of them feeling ashamed of their previous judgments.

Niannian continued, “She says she treated me better than her own daughter. Then why is it that her daughter has a better reputation than I do? Why is it that I’m the one labeled as lazy and hard to please, while her own daughter’s name is spotless?”