Chapter 100
◎Self-Destruction 2◎
Since leaving the Lu family, Lu Youxin had been staying at the Capital Hotel. She stayed until the school year was about to begin, and all her money was spent. She had also sold everything she could for money. The hotel staff had urged her for the room fee three times, and the last time, their eyes were filled with an undisguised scrutiny. Only then did she have to pack her things and go home in disgrace.
As soon as she stepped into the house, she heard Sheng Ruiru on the phone. “Thank you, Director Liu. Your testimony has been a great help to us.”
Sheng Ruiru’s eyes were red, and her voice was filled with excitement.
“Please don’t say that. Our hospital also has a large part of the responsibility for the swapping of the two children back then. It’s our duty to actively cooperate with the investigation. If there are any new developments in the future, I will contact you in time,” the person in charge of the commune hospital said on the other end of the phone.
“Alright, thank you.”
As soon as Sheng Ruiru hung up the phone, Lu Youxin could no longer hold back and rushed forward with her luggage to question her. “Mom, what did you mean on the phone just now? You’re collecting evidence. You’re going to send Su Yandi to prison?!”
Sheng Ruiru frowned slightly. When she looked up at her, her eyes were no longer as gentle as before, but had a hint of distant calmness. “Youxin, this is not something you should be concerned about. Su Yandi deliberately swapped the children back then, almost ruining Tangtang’s life and disrupting two families. She should be responsible for the sins she has committed.”
“She’s my biological mother! If you send her to prison, are you trying to make me unable to hold my head up for the rest of my life? Have you considered my feelings when you did this? Isn’t it enough that you’ve acknowledged Su Xintang? Do you have to be so ruthless?”
Lu Youxin had never met Su Yandi, so she naturally had no feelings for her. She just couldn’t stand the way Sheng Ruiru was trying to seek justice for Su Xintang!
“She is not your biological mother. She is a human trafficker!” Sheng Ruiru’s voice suddenly rose, her chest heaving with excitement, and her blood rushed to her head. “Do you think she was just confused back then? If she were just confused, she wouldn’t have wanted to sell Tangtang to a fool as a child bride. If she were just confused, she wouldn’t have abused and beaten Tangtang. The one who is being ruthless is not me, but her!”
“The law will not spare her just because she gave birth to you, and neither will I! If you want to acknowledge her, I can’t stop you. But don’t expect me to act as if nothing has happened!”
Hearing her say “biological mother” over and over again, Sheng Ruiru’s heart turned cold.
“Since you want to acknowledge her, then you can choose between the Lu family and the Wang family. If you want to acknowledge Su Yandi as your biological mother, then I will sever ties with you. I will no longer be in charge of your studies, life, and work in the future.”
The thought of losing the Lu family’s protection in the future, which meant that she would no longer be able to live in the Lu family’s big house, no longer be able to eat delicious dinners, no longer be able to wear the most fashionable clothes, and no longer be able to carry beautiful bags, made Lu Youxin panic immediately.
She still understood the principle of choosing the lesser of two evils and the greater of two benefits.
Besides, she had never wanted to acknowledge any biological mother. She just wanted to make a scene and use Su Yandi as a pretext to see how much weight she still had in the Lu family. There was no need to contradict Sheng Ruiru for that ignorant country woman.
Lu Youxin secretly glanced at Sheng Ruiru’s tense profile. She curled her lip and squeezed out two tears. “Mom, Mom, I was wrong. I was just confused just now and talked back to you. That Su Yandi… I don’t even know her, let alone acknowledging her as a relative. I was just in a hurry because of what you said and was talking nonsense.”
As she spoke, she gently shook Sheng Ruiru’s arm, her tone pure and innocent. “I’ve grown up so much, and in my heart, you and Dad are my only two relatives. It was you who sent me to learn ballet and piano, and who accompanied me to study abroad. My pocket money, those fashionable clothes, and beautiful bags, which of these were not given to me by you? I only have you as my mother.”
Seeing the signs of Sheng Ruiru’s expression softening, Lu Youxin changed the subject. “I’ve been living outside all this time, and I haven’t been eating or sleeping well. You don’t even feel sorry for me. Wuwu…”
Sheng Ruiru sighed. “Then you can move back home to live.”
…
In September, when the school year began, Tangtang entered her second semester of her sophomore year.
Compared to the last semester, the pure basic courses had been reduced, and the professional basic courses had increased a lot.
She still lived in the school dormitory and would occasionally go home on the weekends to play chess with her grandfather and go for a walk in the park with him. The relationship between the grandfather and granddaughter was very harmonious. Every time she came home, her mother would be busy buying a lot of vegetables to cook for her, buying her clothes, and braiding her hair. Her dad would also specially stay at home on the weekends to teach her martial arts. The relationship between her parents was also very good.
Tangtang’s room was on the second floor. After Lu Youxin moved out, Sheng Ruiru had redecorated the room. A classical carved solid wood bed was placed by the window. The bedsheets and quilt covers were a warm and simple cream color. A retro bedside lamp was on the bedside table. To the right of the bed, against the wall, were two walnut-colored solid wood wardrobes, filled with all kinds of fashionable new clothes that Sheng Ruiru had bought for her, as well as two large drawers of hair accessories and jewelry. Green curtains hung in front of the arched window.
To the right of the bed was a desk for studying. On it was an exquisite and beautiful glass vase. At this time of year, crabapple blossoms could no longer be bought, so only a few fresh and tender yellow roses were in the transparent glass vase. There was also a bookshelf for her various books. This room was very large and spacious. Not only did it have a private bathroom, but it also had an arched balcony with an iron-carved railing. From the balcony, you could see the entire garden, and you could also curl up in a hanging chair on the balcony to read and drink tea.
Because she didn’t spend much time here, the room was not very messy. Everything was in order.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, the school had a three-day holiday. This was the first Mid-Autumn Festival that Tangtang had spent since returning to the Lu family. Old Mr. Lu had told her that she had to come home no matter what, to have a reunion festival together.
After taking a bath, Tangtang came out of the bathroom, wringing her hair with a dry towel. Just then, she saw Sheng Ruiru knock on the door and come in with a cup of hot milk.
“Mom.”
A smile appeared on Sheng Ruiru’s face. “Tangtang, Mom has redecorated all these furniture. Do you like them?”
“Mhm, I like them. They’re all very nice.” Tangtang looked around the room and nodded. She didn’t have high requirements for her living space. It was enough to have a clean and comfortable place to live. And every single item in this room showed that the person who had arranged it must have put in a lot of thought.
“What about the clothes in the wardrobe? Do you like them?”
Tangtang nodded again. “I like them.”
Hearing her say she liked them, the smile in Sheng Ruiru’s eyes couldn’t be hidden. “The Mid-Autumn Festival is in a couple of days. Don’t forget to have Juesheng and Little Zhou and the others come to our house then. We can have a lively Mid-Autumn Festival together!”
She had acknowledged a daughter and had also gotten a future son-in-law. Lu Junshan was not very happy about Tangtang and Zhou Shunian’s relationship, but Sheng Ruiru was quite satisfied with Zhou Shunian.
She had heard from Tangtang about how she and Zhou Shunian had met and started dating. That Little Zhou was indeed a reliable person. He would always appear when she needed help the most. He was outstanding in all aspects, and the two children clearly liked each other sincerely. It was enough for her daughter to be happy.
“I know.” Tangtang held the towel she was using to dry her hair to the side and leaned on her mother’s shoulder. “Mom, what are we having for breakfast tomorrow?”
“What do you want to eat?”
Tangtang thought seriously for a moment. “I want to have savory congee.”
Sheng Ruiru scraped her nose. “Yam and shredded chicken congee? How about that? With a few braised pork buns.”
Tangtang nodded. “Alright.”
Sheng Ruiru looked at the time on the wall. “It’s getting late. Mom won’t disturb your rest anymore. Remember to drink the milk before you sleep.”
“I know.” She nodded obediently.
…
Sheng Ruiru had gone to the wet market early in the morning to buy fresh chicken and yam. She put the chicken breast in cold water with two slices of ginger. After the water boiled, she skimmed off the scum, took it out, and rinsed it carefully with warm water. Only then did she patiently wash the chicken breast and shred it, then spread it on a white porcelain plate to dry.
She blanched the shiitake mushrooms and celery, then diced them with the carrots. Then she peeled the yam and cut it into small pieces.
She added the washed rice and clean water to the pot. After it came to a boil on high heat, it bubbled. Sheng Ruiru stirred it while adding the diced yam, shiitake mushrooms, and carrots. She simmered it on low heat for fifteen minutes. The congee was almost ready, and a rich congee fragrance filled the kitchen.
Then she added the diced celery and shredded chicken breast, and a pot of soft and glutinous yam and shredded chicken congee was ready. With the embellishment of carrots and celery, it looked very appetizing just by looking at it. The fragrance of the rice was mixed with the freshness of the meat, and the clear sweetness of the yam was wrapped in the refreshing taste of the vegetables.
At 7:20 in the morning, the family sat down at the dining table for breakfast.
Breakfast was braised pork buns, fried dough sticks, sweet potato and corn, boiled eggs, and also donkey rolls, rose-filled pastries, a refreshing pickled cucumber side dish, and yam and shredded chicken congee. There were many varieties, and the table was full.
Tangtang didn’t have breakfast at home often, so Sheng Ruiru had tried her best to prepare more, wanting her to try a little of everything.
“Tangtang, try this congee and see how it is. Is it to your liking?” Sheng Ruiru served her a bowl of congee.
Tangtang took a sip of the congee. The yam was stewed until it was glutinous, and the shredded chicken was so tender it was like it had no dregs. The fragrance of the rice was mixed with the fragrance of the meat. One bowl of it made her whole body feel comfortable. “It’s so delicious.”
Hearing this, Sheng Ruiru’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “If you like it, have more.”
“Tangtang, try this braised pork bun. I specially bought it from that shop last time. I went to queue up early in the morning!” Lu Junshan grinned and put a braised pork bun on her plate.
Tangtang took a bite. The fluffy and soft skin was wrapped around the meat filling. The savory fragrance of the braised pork was mixed with a hint of sweetness. The meat was finely minced and so tender it had no dregs. With one bite, the sauce of the meat gushed into her mouth. “It’s so fragrant, so delicious.”
Hearing this, Lu Junshan smiled. “If you like to eat it, Dad will go to that shop to buy it for you next time.”
Lu Mingbai took the opportunity to peel an egg for her and smiled. “The egg yolk goes well with the congee. It’s not so choking.”
“Thank you, Big Brother.” Tangtang took a bite of the smooth and tender boiled egg, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
Old Mr. Lu smiled and broke off a small piece of sweet potato for Tangtang. “Eating some coarse grains is good for your health. This sweet potato was bought from a local villager. It’s particularly sweet to eat.”
Tangtang took a bite of the sweet potato. The sweet potato was sandy, hot, and golden yellow. It melted in her mouth, and even the skin was soft, without a single hard dreg. She curved her eyes. “Thank you, Grandpa. This sweet potato is so fragrant and sweet, just as delicious as the sweet potatoes grown in my hometown!”
Old Mr. Lu was obviously very happy. “Next time, I’ll ask that villager to buy two more baskets!”
Seeing this scene, Lu Youxin couldn’t help but laugh in anger in her heart. Wasn’t it just having breakfast? Did Su Xintang not have hands or feet? Couldn’t she do it herself?! Who was she trying to disgust by acting so pretentiously?
She felt as disgusted as if she had eaten a fly when she saw this harmonious and joyful scene.
She had originally thought that this Su Xintang was a country girl and would sooner or later expose some of her rural habits, hygiene habits, and intelligence problems. But she hadn’t expected that since Su Xintang had moved into the Lu family, she had been outshone by her instead.
Su Xintang was an expert at being a people-pleaser. She would accompany Old Mr. Lu to play chess, read, and go for a walk every day. She would accompany Sheng Ruiru to go out to buy vegetables and cook. She had coaxed the whole family, and even the maid, to be on her side.
She couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger in her heart, her nails almost digging into her palm.
Why could Su Xintang snatch her position as soon as she came? She was clearly the daughter who had been raised in the palm of the Lu family’s hand for more than a decade!
Just a country girl who had suddenly appeared. With just the two words “biological,” she could openly live in her room, use her things, and even take away the affection that should have belonged to her!
Lu Youxin took a deep breath. She had originally wanted to calm her breathing, but the stuffy fire in her chest burned even more fiercely.
…
The Lu family was very prestigious in the capital. The matter of a provincial-level leader’s family having a swapped child quickly spread. And because Sheng Ruiru taught at Capital University, many students had also heard about it.
Originally, in the eyes of everyone, Lu Youxin was the famous talented girl of the management department. She could play the piano and ballet, had studied abroad in many countries, and could speak Russian, English, and French. Her family background was outstanding, and she was the center of attention.
As for Su Xintang, although her grades were good and she was beautiful, her hometown was a rural area in the north. Her parents were farmers who faced the loess with their backs to the sky. She had gotten into Capital University through her diligent and hardworking studies, changing her fate of toiling in the fields.
Before the matter of the swapping came out, no one would have connected these two people.
After the matter of the swapping spread, many people discussed it with great interest.
Lu Youxin was buying something at the school store and was queuing up to pay when she heard someone discussing it in a low voice next to her.
“Is that Lu Youxin?” Dong Shuqing asked in a low voice.
“Yes. That Lu Youxin usually acts high and mighty because of her family background, with her eyes on the top of her head, looking down on this and that, and her tone is harsh and sarcastic. I didn’t expect that her proud family background would be gone in an instant, and she would become a fake daughter. A sparrow flying up to a high branch one day, and falling from the clouds the next.” Chen Xiaohui clicked her tongue and sighed. She hadn’t forgotten Lu Youxin’s arrogant and sarcastic emphasis on her being just an ordinary person.
Now, she’s really become an ordinary person.
Chen Xiaohui almost couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She tugged at Dong Shuqing’s arm. “Why doesn’t she go back to her biological parents’ home? She’s still shamelessly staying at the Lu family’s house. The Lu family’s real daughter has already gone back. If it were me, I would definitely have no face to continue to stay at the Lu family’s house.”
Dong Shuqing curled her lip in Lu Youxin’s direction. “Her biological parents’ family’s conditions are too poor. Didn’t you hear Tangtang say that their hometown is a poor and remote small mountain village? How can an ordinary family compare to the Lu family’s conditions? Besides, her biological father has had a stroke, and her biological mother is in prison. Their family is so poor that they probably don’t even have a good bowl. How could she go back? She’ll definitely shamelessly stay at the Lu family’s house!”
Chen Xiaohui clicked her tongue. “She’s also lucky. She’s stolen Tangtang’s life for so many years. But this also shows that a sparrow can’t become a phoenix even if it flies up to a high branch. What is stolen will eventually have to be returned!”
The two of them were speaking in a low voice, but the content of their discussion still reached Lu Youxin’s ears, word for word, like a needle piercing her ears.
She clenched her fists, her lowered face ferocious and distorted.
Su Xintang, I will definitely repay you double for all the humiliation you have given me!
…
Wang Guide had gambled away all the money that Wang Shijin had saved for fertilizer. He couldn’t resist his gambling addiction and had borrowed a lot of capital to put on the gambling table. He hadn’t expected to lose more and more. Seeing that it was about to roll into tens of thousands of yuan, the people at the casino threatened him that if he couldn’t pay it back, they would go to his house and smash it, and then chop off his hands and feet in front of Wang Shijin.
Wang Guide was so scared that he was terrified. Just when he was in a panic and didn’t know what to do, a flash of inspiration came to his mind. He thought of that biological sister who had been swapped by his biological mother.
Wasn’t his biological mother, Su Yandi, arrested and put in prison because she had swapped a rich person’s child? He had heard that his biological sister, whom he had never met, was still living in that rich family! Although that family had acknowledged their own biological daughter, they had not kicked out the fake daughter!
Damn it, why was it that they had come from the same belly, but he, Wang Guide, was suffering here, while she could enjoy a life of ease in a rich family?
If it weren’t for letting her go to a rich family to enjoy a life of ease, his old mother, Su Yandi, would not have been arrested, and their family would not have been without someone to wash clothes and cook! Their whole family had even become the laughingstock of the entire Hongqi Commune! His plan to get a wife was covered with a thick layer of yellow earth, and there was no hope at all.
Wang Guide bought a standing ticket overnight, squeezed into a can-like train for two days and one night, and came to the capital.
As soon as he got off the train, he didn’t care about his sore and smelly body and went straight to Capital University. He had heard that his biological sister was in the same university as that damn girl, Su Xintang.
He was not afraid of not being able to find his biological sister. Anyway, if he couldn’t find his biological sister, he would find Su Xintang. Although he didn’t know what Lu Youxin looked like, he knew what Su Xintang looked like!