Chapter 26: Chapter 26

"Host, what exactly did you do to that scumbag father?"

Early on a weekend morning, while most neighbors in the tube-style apartment building were still quietly asleep, a thunderous outburst of curses erupted from the house next door. An Ning instinctively hid inside her small room, happily munching on a big meat bun she had stocked in her space.

At the same time, she skillfully observed the neighbor's drama through the system.

Yes, drama. From An Ning’s familiar gossiping expression, it was clear this wasn’t the first time something had happened.

In recent days, Lu Huaimin, who usually acted dignified and paid attention to appearances, had become like a powder keg ready to explode. At the factory, he was somewhat restrained, but at home, he even kicked passing dogs.

Just now, Lu Qing, who had just finished dressing up beautifully and was proudly preparing for a date, was slapped directly by Lu Huaimin, who was somehow triggered.

"Smack!" The loud slap echoed clearly through the door, so clearly that An Ning could hear it distinctly.

"Look at what you’re wearing! You’re just a teenage girl, behaving recklessly all day. Why don’t you get back inside and stop embarrassing me out here!"

"Huaimin! What are you doing?"

"Huaimin, I know you’ve been upset these past few days, but Qingqing is doing this for the good of our family."

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yuhua forced a smile and said:

"Huaimin, do you remember the Deputy Factory Director Jiang from the building next door? As long as Qingqing marries smoothly into that family, next time whether it’s for commendations or other benefits, it won’t be snatched away by that guy surnamed Wang."

The textile factory was one of the few large factories in Kun Province with over a thousand employees, with dozens of workshops alone. Although the production director position sounded impressive, in reality, he only managed two workshops. The Wang person Jiang mentioned was the director of the neighboring workshop.

He was a sworn enemy of Lu Huaimin, but due to some twisted relationship with the factory director, Wang always outcompeted Lu Huaimin when it came to awards and other opportunities.

An Ning could only think, well done.

Sure enough, hearing this, Lu Huaimin barely suppressed his anger but then frowned again as he thought of something:

"Deputy Director Jiang? Doesn’t his family only have the second son left?"

If he remembered correctly, the second son, Jiang Hao, had already been promised to An Ning a long time ago.

Facing Lu Huaimin’s suspicious gaze, Jiang Yuhua remained calm without a hint of panic:

"Husband, you said it yourself, that was a long time ago. These days, who still takes childhood betrothals seriously? Besides, haven’t you noticed there hasn’t been the slightest sign from them all these years?"

It was practically a clear rejection.

Thinking about this made Lu Huaimin even more resentful.

Back then, he and old Jiang shared the same office, and if judged by ability and connections, Lu Huaimin dared say that even now, Deputy Director Jiang’s brother couldn’t flatter the city officials as well as he could.

But who knew that this person, relying on his steadily rising younger brother in the city government, had forced his way to this position and dragged them all down into the mud.

But despite the anger, he still had to grab the benefits he deserved.

At this moment, Lu Huaimin couldn’t help but regret it a little—if he had known the family would come to this, he wouldn’t have let Jiang Yuhua, this fool, spoil their eldest daughter.

But that thought lasted only a moment. A useless waste like that wasn’t worth pity.

With the eldest daughter’s terrible character that couldn’t even produce a shred of accomplishment, even if she married into the Jiang family, she’d probably just be their pawn.

As Jiang Yuhua, his longtime partner, watched his expression, she guessed his thoughts mostly. She immediately smiled even more coquettishly:

"Husband, don’t worry about that. Our Qingqing is so beautiful, and she has you as her father, the production director. How could she not win over Jiang’s second son?"

"Besides, Qingqing and A Xu are real siblings. If the elder sister succeeds, how could she not support her younger brother?"

Lu Qing hastily reassured, "Dad, you have raised me for so many years, better than my biological father. I’ll never forget you. Also, Jiang Hao’s real uncle works in government, so no matter where he goes, my brother will have many connections."

"Dad, imagine if this were our eldest daughter, she wouldn’t even care about her brother, let alone try to help the family."

One had to admit, the mother and daughter were a perfect match in their "gift of gab," expertly striking where it itched.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Lu Huaimin didn’t even hesitate, clearly approving of their plan.

As for what would happen to the eldest daughter who lost her marriage prospects and had no job, it was obviously not something Lu Huaimin cared about.

The two of them just looked lightly at the few people outside and decided the fate of this betrothal, completely forgetting that this childhood engagement was won at the cost of the original owner’s mother’s life.

An Ning hadn’t said anything yet, but the system, knowing the background, exploded first:

"How can these people be so shameless!"

Back when Kun City was flooded, it was the original owner’s mother, a nurse, who risked her life to save Jiang Hao’s mother, who was eight months pregnant. But at the last moment before reaching shore, she collapsed from exhaustion and was swept away by the raging floodwaters, leaving behind little An Ning, who was less than three years old.

It could be said that the original owner’s tragedy began from that moment.

Afterward, to repay the debt, the two families arranged this marriage.

But what was the result?

"Surprised? There’s an old saying in China: when a person leaves, the tea cools. It proves that usefulness is all that matters everywhere."

An Ning spoke coldly. The original family wasn’t good, and was the Jiang family any better?

So the two families were best locked away, to avoid harming others.

Ignoring these people's "schemes," An Ning went to school as usual. After thoroughly familiarizing herself with the original owner’s handwriting, she finally removed the gauze on her right palm, which she had been using as a disguise.

With graduation approaching, Lu Qing’s actions became increasingly obvious. She left early every day and only returned at dusk. Perhaps with family permission, or perhaps her vanity was satisfied, she displayed a visible and mixed expression of guilt and contempt toward An Ning, her stepsister.

Fortunately, during this period, Lu Huaimin’s temper grew worse. No matter how proud Lu Qing and Jiang Yuhua were, they dared not flaunt too much.

Unlike in the original owner’s previous life, when she was about to finish her beloved studies with a bleak future, while enduring their heartless words, watching the last hope of escaping this home and starting anew completely shatter.

In the end, she was discarded like trash in the countryside.

Seeing the timing was right, An Ning simply ignored Lu Qing’s sneering flaunts.

Half a month later, one day when An Ning had just stepped into the house, she smelled a familiar herbal medicine scent.

Calmly opening all the tightly closed windows in the room, she then pretended she had forgotten her keys and, imitating the original owner, lowered her head and knocked on Aunt Guihua’s door next door.

The tube-style apartment was narrow and prone to smell drifting. As soon as the door opened, a strong bitter medicine smell hit An Ning’s nose. Aunt Guihua immediately placed her hands on her waist and cursed:

"I was wondering who’s so shameless, boiling medicine but can’t even close the windows. Isn’t the factory boiler room huge enough to use? And I don’t know what shameful stuff they’re boiling all day."

After a string of curses, Aunt Guihua noticed An Ning standing awkwardly with her backpack.

"Oh, isn’t this the Lu family girl!" Then she glanced behind her:

"You forgot your keys, huh? Come on, come with Auntie."

"Not to mention, An Ning is getting prettier. I almost didn’t recognize her just now! That dress must be new, it’s really nice!"

Sitting on a chair with a broken armrest, An Ning shyly lowered her head: "Teacher Ye at school helped make it, and also did my hair. She said my old clothes didn’t suit me."

"Of course they didn’t!" Aunt Guihua slapped her thigh hard.

Look how fresh and pretty she was now, far better than that freeloader who always stared at the sky with her eyes lately.

Suddenly, Aunt Guihua’s eyes rolled as if she thought of something: "Girl, listen to Aunt Guihua. Dress from now on, don’t listen to that stepmother of yours."

An Ning obediently nodded, then took out a few White Rabbit candies from her backpack and silently stuffed them into Aunt Guihua’s hand.

"Auntie, these were just given by the teacher. Didn’t Jianjun fuss about candy just yesterday?"

"Oh, you child, why be so polite!"

Seeing this child was finally sensible and more cheerful than before, Aunt Guihua’s face warmed even more. Not only did she bring in a handful of peanuts, but before leaving, she also pulled An Ning aside to nag:

"Ningning has met a benefactor. No wonder she’s changed so much. Listen to your teacher more from now on. Auntie knows that teachers at your City No.1 High School come from good families, so you’ve got to maintain those relationships."

"Don’t underestimate your teacher’s situation now. Just wait, better times will come!"

Indeed, wisdom at the bottom of society could never be underestimated. Even rough Aunt Guihua had such foresight.

Once again, An Ning was glad she was cautious.

That evening, as expected, seeing An Ning dressed so plainly, Lu Qing’s expression changed instantly upon returning home. Meanwhile, Jiang Yuhua and Lu Huaimin didn’t seem to be thinking of anything, their faces gloomy. After dinner, before dark, the two went to their rooms early.

In such a hurry? An Ning raised her eyebrows and calmly opened the windows on both sides of the living room again.

That night, while almost everyone was asleep, hurried panting suddenly came from the bedroom next door. Thanks to the terrible soundproofing of the tube-style apartment, An Ning could even hear the neighbor cursing angrily.

After about half an hour, when everyone thought it had finally quieted down, a sharp scream suddenly pierced through the entire building.