Five years later.
"Mom, I don't want to live anymore! What's the point of me living? That whole family is bullying me!"
As soon as Tang Xianfang pushed open the door of her parents' home, she heard Tang Aifang's familiar crying and fussing again, and a wave of annoyance welled up in her heart.
Tang's mother sounded extremely anxious on the phone, as if the sky had fallen. It turned out that it was about Tang Aifang's little troubles again. Tang Aifang always lost in her battles with her in-laws. Every time this happened, she would go home and cry and make a scene, looking for someone to stand up for her. But she was always in the wrong, and no one was willing to listen to her. She was tired of hearing these words.
"Xianfang is back!"
Hearing the noise, Tang's mother turned around and saw Tang Xianfang's figure, and her whole body relaxed.
Tang's mother ran over and tried to pull Tang Xianfang into the room, but Tang Xianfang refused firmly.
Tang Xianfang stuffed the things she brought into her mother's arms: "I'm not staying here. Today is An'an's first day of school. Her father has invited the family to dinner, and I have to rush over there later!"
"An'an, I have to come with you. Don't go yet, I'll change my clothes and come right away!" Tang's mother was instantly distracted.
Tang Aifang looked over from the room with a venomous look in her eyes, and Tang Xianfang couldn't help but shake her head at the sight.
If it were just her mother going, there wouldn't be any problem. The key issue is that there's also Tang Aifang, who has a very malicious heart. If Tang Aifang causes trouble at this dinner party today, Chang Pengfei, who dotes on his daughter, will definitely go crazy and kill people.
Tang Xianfang refused again: "No, Mom. Tonight's dinner is just my in-laws, it's not appropriate. Let's have a family gathering another time."
After saying that, he left in a hurry without waiting for Tang's mother to react.
Tang's mother was overjoyed but her hopes were dashed, and she looked disappointed.
Tang Aifang laughed with a vengeful satisfaction: "You're just offering your warm face to someone who's been lucky enough to climb the social ladder. Who cares about you now!"
Tang's mother turned pale, but dared not refute. Ever since her eldest daughter got married and had a hard time in her husband's family, her personality had become increasingly wicked, and she could only silently endure this bitterness.
Through her experiences over the years, she knew that her second daughter was as hard-hearted as a stone and unreliable, and that if her eldest daughter left her, she would have no hope for the rest of her life.
With Tang Xianfang gone, there was no need for acting anymore. Tang Aifang got out of bed, her face full of resentment.
"It's all Dad's fault! The Chang family had such a good marriage, but he had to arrange it for Tang Xianfang, that disobedient girl. Now look what happened, Dad's in trouble, and Tang Xianfang is acting like she's blind, pretending not to see it, and continuing to live her life of luxury!"
Tang Aifang felt miserable whenever she thought about it. She felt that the reason her in-laws dared to treat her rudely was because her father had gotten into trouble and was punished and exiled to a poor, remote place. Since her family had no one to rely on, she was also looked down upon by her in-laws.
She has such a hard life...
Tang's mother also started crying. The thought of her husband, who had been with her for most of his life, being sent to work in another province at such an advanced age made her heart ache as if it were being sliced.
Xianfang, the daughter, is not close to her family. When her biological father got into trouble, she pretended not to see it and continued to live her life leisurely as if nothing had happened.
Tang Aifang angrily pounded the bed: "Mom, did you tell Tang Xianfang everything I asked you to do? I definitely want to get a stake in her mother-in-law's company. This deal is a sure thing. If our family doesn't benefit, who knows which distant relative will get the better deal!"
Over the course of five years, Zhou Hongyu's business has grown from a few stores to a company with thousands of employees. The enormous effort required for this growth was largely contributed by her capable subordinates, such as Zhou Bing and Chen Lijuan. Zhou Hongyu has relinquished her power and now focuses on making money behind the scenes.
Tang Aifang couldn't see the efforts Zhou Bing and the others had made; she only saw them making money hand over fist and getting richer and richer, which drove her crazy with envy.
Tang Aifang wasn't the only one with this idea; many relatives who missed out also had their own ulterior motives.
Tang's mother wiped away her tears: "Xianfang has been busy working on a project with her supervisor lately, so I haven't had a chance to talk about this. Every time I call her, she says she's very busy..."
Tang Aifang interrupted angrily: "What's she busy about! She has a nanny to take care of her at home, and she's not short of money. Even the education she got is probably due to some kind of connection. What could she possibly be busy with? These are just excuses to fob you off. Be firm with me. You're her mother. Does she think she can disobey you?"
Tang Aifang couldn't let go of her pride; she refused to bow down to Tang Xianfang, so she could only keep urging her mother to be at the forefront.
Tang's mother explained helplessly, "I'm her mother, but there's nothing I can do. She acts like she was adopted, like she has no parents and won't listen to anyone! Also, Aifang, I need to tell you something. Ever since your father's accident, your younger brother doesn't want to go to school anymore. It's fine if he doesn't go to school, but he still needs to find something to do. I'm thinking that everyone in your in-laws has a stable job, so why don't you think about arranging one for your brother..."
Tang Aifang immediately stood up and left: "I have some things to take care of at home!"
Tang Xianfang was out of control; she was seething with hatred. Tang Aibao was a good-for-nothing, and she wished she could strangle her.
Tang's mother chased after him relentlessly: "Aifang, your brother can only rely on you now. If you don't lend a hand, he'll have no hope for the rest of his life..."
Shuangdong Hutong.
Chang Pengfei stood at the door, holding his daughter An'an and trying to soothe her. They had agreed on a time a few days ago, but Tang Xianfang had something to do on this important day.
With Tang Xianfang not around, her daughter An'an couldn't sit still for a moment. She didn't want anyone else but her mother.
"Mother!"
A long shadow was cast under the corner light. An'an couldn't wait to reach out her hand and raised her little voice to its loudest volume.
Chang Pengfei still didn't believe that someone could be recognized just by a shadow.
He is the one An'an loves the most!
"An'an!" Tang Xianfang was walking calmly in the alley when she heard her daughter's call and immediately quickened her pace.
She arrived in front of Chang Pengfei in a moment and hugged her daughter with a smile.
"An'an, how was your first day of school? Did the teacher like you? Did the other children like you?"
"I like them all, Mom! I'll tell you a secret!"
"oh?"
An'an glanced at her father secretly, then whispered in Tang Xianfang's ear.
Chang Pengfei felt a pang of jealousy. He was the one who loved An'an the most, and An'an should also love him the most!
"An'an, didn't Daddy teach you that you and Daddy shouldn't have any secrets between you?"
Chang Pengfei impatiently reached out and hugged his daughter, while Tang Xianfang rolled her eyes at him when the daughter wasn't looking.
Chang Pengfei snorted, kissed An'an's little face, and coaxed, "An'an, can you share your little secret with Daddy?"
An'an giggled and said, "Daddy, it's not a secret, but you can't tell Auntie!"
Tang Xianfang's heart melted when she saw her daughter's innocent and adorable appearance.
Chang Pengfei agreed without hesitation: "I will absolutely not tell my aunt!"
"Second brother, what bad thing have you done behind my back this time? Don't tell me!"
Before they knew it, Chang Meiying and Ke Qiao appeared not far away.
Chang Meiying looked shrewd, while Ke Qiao seemed a little absent-minded. Normally, Ke Qiao would have followed closely behind and spoken up for Chang Meiying, but today she went straight in after saying hello, instantly destroying the cheerful atmosphere.
Tang Xianfang frowned: "Your third brother is causing trouble again? Doesn't he get tired of being so far away across the Pacific Ocean!"
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