Chapter 191: No, I Didn’t, I Don’t Know

"And another thing." Wen Ci’s eyes reddened, her mind flooded with memories from her childhood. Her early life had been truly bitter; she had even considered jumping into a river to end it all.

"She knew the truth about being switched at birth as early as middle school, but she kept it a secret and sent money to support her biological parents every month."

"They took the money and went out to eat at restaurants in the county town, while I was at home gnawing on tree bark!"

In the sixties and seventies, every household needed ration tickets to buy anything. When the Wen parents got money, they’d take Wen Yaozu out to restaurants.

She survived by growing and eating snake gourds.

Snake gourds grew quickly, but they had little flavor or nutritional value.

Wen Ci spent her entire adolescence eating snake gourds. In the whole family, only a young Wen Yaozu felt sorry for her, secretly hiding bits of meat behind the Wen parents’ backs to give her a treat.

Jiang Ye retorted, "No, I didn’t. I don’t know."

"Your biological parents have a ledger that clearly records the amounts you gave them, and even the money they saved up!"

Jiang Ye’s expression grew frantic. She had only just returned to the Jiang Family and enjoyed two days of being the young miss. Her eyes reddened as she shook her head, completely at a loss.

"No, it’s not like that! I was threatened too."

"Threatened?" Wen Ci sneered, her gaze as cold and sharp as ice. "Threatened that if you didn’t give them money, they would expose your identity as the fake young miss?"

"No..."

Jiang Ye’s mind was a chaotic mess. She was terrified she’d slip up in her panic and never be able to return to the Jiang Family. Her eyes darted to the onlookers gathering around.

As a military district minister, Mr. Jiang was constantly under scrutiny. As soon as a crowd formed, Mrs. Jiang would get stage fright and leave.

Hearing her daughter’s grievances, Su Guilan instantly burst into tears, pounding her chest in remorse. She knew her daughter had suffered a lot in the countryside.

But, she never knew she had suffered *this* much.

The Wen Family had deliberately neglected her, refusing to give her food.

"Ah Ci..."

Wen Ci felt nothing as she watched the tears stream down the other woman’s face. Seeing the crowd of onlookers growing, she said indifferently, "I’m leaving. Don’t let this affect your husband’s military career."

’Huo Jingyuan’s childhood friend’s nephew still relies on Minister Jiang.’

’Cutting ties is one thing, but I have to remember the favor.’

-

On the way home, Wen Ci’s mood lightened considerably.

She had already said her harsh words and didn’t care how Mrs. Jiang felt. All that mattered was her own well-being.

In the courtyard, Wen Yaozu was practicing kicking a shuttlecock. With his chubby body, he was already looking disoriented after just a couple of kicks.

Just as Wen Ci reached the doorway, Wen Yaozu’s voice rang out, "Sis, you’re finally back! I missed you guys."

Wen Yaozu ran to the door, but seeing his sister was alone, he asked in confusion, "Sis, how come you’re the only one back? Where’s my brother-in-law?"

Wen Ci looked at the shuttlecock in his hand. "What are you doing?"

"Training my Spiritual Power."

Wen Yaozu blinked at her, rubbed his hands together, and asked, "Where’s my brother-in-law? Didn’t he come back with you?"

"He’s not back. I told him to stay in Hangzhou and spend a couple more days with his elders."

"Oh." Wen Yaozu didn’t seem disappointed. He suddenly noticed his sister was only carrying a bag and his eyes widened. "Then, Sis, does that mean you didn’t bring the computer back?"

"No."

"But I already told all my friends at school that I was going to learn how to use a computer and be the first elementary schooler in our county to ever touch one."

Wen Ci was speechless.

’Wait.’

Wen Ci tilted her head, her face full of confusion. "How did you contact your school friends?"

Wen Yaozu was an elementary school student; normally, he wouldn’t be allowed to take the bus back to the county by himself. She had just contacted him yesterday.

"On the phone, of course."

"Your school has a landline?"