Chapter 21: Taking care of my uncle's affairs so that we can celebrate the New Year
Wan Zhizhi looked at the flattering parents, are these her biological parents? Even if she was, she wouldn't go back.
"It's not my fault that the child was taken away by mistake. I called you mom and dad for fourteen years. Now you say it's not my fault. Have any of you considered my feelings?"
Chen Gaoqin felt that it was all Jiang Zhen's fault. She had spoken out everything that could have been resolved privately. She would not send away Wan Zhizhi, whom she had loved the most since childhood.
"No, no, mom won't let you go."
Shen Gaoqin and Wan Shuping expressed their thoughts: "Sister, Zhizhi and Shulan are already in conflict, and they definitely can't be together. How about you take Shulan back to Jing City, and we'll pay for her living expenses."
Wan Shuping has seen He Shulan's character and she is not going to take care of her: "You are not responsible for your child, but you push it to others. Do you think you are a good mother? It's not right!"
Wan Chunni has no good feelings towards the fake second sister. She used to mock her parents for not wanting her during the holidays and for not being a boy, which was why her parents abandoned her at her aunt's house. Now Wan Chunni mocks them back.
"Wan Zhizhi, you are not my second sister. My real sister is coming back, so you have to vacate your place and room."
Wan Zhizhi glared at her sister: "Wan Chunni, don't be so proud. If He Shulan can quarrel with me, she will scold you in the future, and you will not have a good life."
Wan Hongyan looked at her parents who were dragging their feet, feeling helpless, and negotiated with the He family's parents: "Zhizhi has been raised by us and has become willful. If you take her back, your family will be in turmoil. You'd better let her go to our house."
He's parents said, "We have no objection, but Shulan is a good worker at home. She sells charcoal in winter and bamboo shoots in spring. We rely on her to make ends meet. If you take her away, my family will lose an income and we won't be able to make ends meet."
Wan Zhizhi was angry: "What do you mean, do you want to blackmail my parents?"
He's parents also didn't want this unruly daughter, and they were not angry enough when they returned home: "We are your real parents, don't make any mistakes."
Wan Hongyan was afraid that her parents would spend their money, so she used psychological tactics: "Then you can take Zhizhi back with you, and we can each raise our own daughter."
Wan Zhizhi was shocked when she heard this and hid behind Shen Gaoqin: "Mom, save me, my elder sister wants to harm me."
…
With Shen Gaoqin protecting her, Wan Hongyan's method didn't work, and she finally negotiated with the He family. Shulan could only earn three or five yuan a month for the family at most, and the Wan family would give the He family five yuan a month, once a year, and paid sixty yuan on the spot.
The He family got the money and saved some food rations, and they were overjoyed: "Zhizhi, you will have a good life in the Wan family, and don't forget your parents and brother in the future."
Wan Zhizhi laughed: "You didn't raise me, if you want to be filial, go find He Shulan!"
The He family's parents didn't care: "You really think you are a legitimate daughter of a wealthy family. I advise you to think about your status. It is your blessing to be able to stay in the Wan family."
…
The He and Wan families had been talking for such a long time, agreeing on the payment and the subsequent arrangements, but only now did they start asking where Shulan was. It seemed that few people really cared about her.
Jiang Zhen said, "I don't know where Shulan is. You can go find her yourself. Once you have reached an agreement, it will be my turn. Shulan is Dean Wan's biological daughter. She has no worries about food and clothing. She doesn't need the money from Doctor Qi. Doctor Qi has entrusted me to get back the money he lent to Shulan not long ago."
"What? Isn't that a gift for Shulan?" He's parents swallowed such a huge sum of money and wanted to fool people.
Dr. Qi is not a fool. When he gave Shulan the money, it was in the name of a loan, with documents and a notary. Jiang Zhen has already obtained the documents from the notary.
"If you don't pay back the money, we will go to the police station. You want to evade the payment? It's enough to get you sentenced to more than ten years in prison. Someone from your family should go to jail."
The He family's parents insisted that the money had been spent, and wanted the Wan family to pay for it: "Just consider it as the money we use to raise Shulan."
Wan Hongyan refused to give in: "We also have a Zhizhi in our family. If you want to talk like this, then take Zhizhi back and let Jiang Zhen sue your family!"
Wan Shuping scolded Dean Wan: "You two should shut up and let Hongyan make the decision."
…
The He and Wan families are deadlocked over who should pay Dr. Qi for the house.
Jiang Zhen was not tolerant: "You two families have your own little calculations and don't want to make the mistake of taking the baby known to everyone, but I don't care. Shulan's situation can't get any worse, so she doesn't care. He's parents, you can't beat the Wan family. Either pay the money back or send someone to jail. Both options will offend the Wan family, so you have to compromise."
He's parents were so angry that they said, "Okay, we'll pay the money back, but Zhizhi must be brought home. She's so pretty, and she'll be able to find a husband in two years. Don't I need a few hundred yuan as a betrothal gift? Sixty yuan a year, who cares?"
Wan Hongyan insisted on not paying the money: "Then take Zhizhi back. After you have seen her temper, don't cry and beg to send her back."
…
Jiang Zhen demanded money from the He family, and the He family called Dr. Qi to verify. Dr. Qi had learned about the situation beforehand and was very supportive and cooperated flawlessly. Although the stalemate lasted until midnight, Jiang Zhen got all the money back.
Gu Liancheng was looking after the children at home. Jiang Zhen came back only after the children fell asleep while waiting.
The lights in Li Chongling's house next door were on. After hearing the footsteps outside the yard, he opened the door and came over to ask what was going on. Jiang Zhen did not refuse, so Gu Liancheng let him in.
"What's the situation?" Gu Liancheng and Li Chongling asked almost at the same time.
Jiang Zhen fanned the charcoal fire in the charcoal basin a little more, warmed the palms and backs of his hands, and then talked about the follow-up matters.
"When the He family saw that the Wan family was unwilling to help pay back the money, they took Wan Zhizhi home. When they saw the small space in the attic where Shulan had slept, Wan Zhizhi started to scold her on the spot. The He family beat her with a broom and she was injured. She was sent to the hospital. The Wan family called the police, saying that the He family was abusing their child. I also called the police, saying that the He family owed money and refused to pay it back. After mediation, the He family paid back the money and promised not to beat Wan Zhizhi again, but they did not agree to let Wan Zhizhi go back."
"Why is that?" Li Chongling was puzzled.
Jiang Zhen said: "Wan Zhizhi is fourteen years old, and the He family plans to arrange an engagement for Wan Zhizhi and exchange the betrothal gifts the year after next."
Gu Liancheng asked, "The He family's parents are pushing so hard, aren't they afraid that Wan Zhizhi will run away?"
Jiang Zhen was about to ask Gu Liancheng: "Originally, the Wan family compromised and prepared to pay the He family 800 yuan in one lump sum. Wan Zhizhi would have nothing to do with the He family in the future. But after Dean Wan received a phone call, he refused to agree no matter how much his wife and children made a fuss. Who in the Wan family is so powerful?"
Gu Liancheng didn't even need to think: "Brother Dean Wan, the eldest brother is like a father. He is very afraid of his elder brother. When he got married, his family was not satisfied. That's why Dean Wan stayed in Fancheng and didn't go to Beijing."
"What about He Shulan?" Li Chongling asked.
Jiang Zhen is very relieved about He Shulan: "She knows exactly what to say and when. Dean Wan feels guilty and pity for Shulan, and has begun to protect her. Doctor Qi said that the money from the sale of the house should be given to Shulan, and asked me to save it and give it to her when she turns 18. I agreed."
Gu Liancheng asked: "The He and Wan families took the wrong baby, so is this settled?"
Jiang Zhen said: "Shulan is useful, and no one else needs to interfere in the future. How many disputes will arise in the He and Wan families is a matter for the future, but the matter of the wrong baby is over."
For Jiang Zhen, this was considered a done deal, but Gu Liancheng was really worried about his uncle's family.
…
In the next few days, Wan Zhizhi refused to be discharged from the hospital. He's parents treated Wan Zhizhi badly, saying that they had no money to pay for the hospitalization fees and did not want the Wan family's money. They insisted on taking Wan Zhizhi away.
He Shulan fell ill after being pushed and insulted by Wan Zhizhi. Dean Wan, who is a doctor himself, found that she had been suffering from long-term malnutrition, anemia, physical weakness, and severe frostbite on her hands and feet. Dean Wan was heartbroken and began to have opinions about Wan Zhizhi who failed to recognize reality.
Originally, the Wan family wanted to handle the matter of the wrong baby quietly, but now the whole hospital knows about it.
Shen Gaoqin had nowhere to vent her anger, so she came to Jiang Zhen's house with her pregnant belly and asked Jiang Zhen for an explanation: "What benefit can you get from making my family restless, Comrade Jiang Zhen, why do you want to meddle in other people's business?"
Jiang Zhen thought she was unreasonable: "You don't blame the person who swapped the baby, you don't care about your biological daughter, you don't challenge your uncle who didn't let your family give you money, and you take your anger out on me. Fine, after the baby is born, I'll argue with you."
When Shen Gaoqin got home, she became angrier and angrier. She was so excited that she gave birth prematurely that night. Finally, she got the boy she wanted. But before she could be happy in the morning, the child was taken away.
The Wan family called the police immediately, and the person who took the child away was quickly identified. When Dean Wan was young, his family arranged a marriage for him. Later, Dean Wan broke off the marriage, and the family of the arranged marriage died or disappeared in the war. The woman was the same age as Shen Gaoqin. Shen Gaoqin was pregnant with her fourth child at 45, but she looked as old as 54.
After being caught, the man did not hide the truth: "If you want to give birth to a girl, I will never change it, but if you want to have a son as you wish, I can't let you do so. The child will go to a good family, which is luckier than being in a family like yours with such values."
The woman who exchanged the child coughed up blood and died. Now the only way to get the child back as quickly as possible is to let Jiang Zhen search the corpse.
…
"Mom, Uncle Xiao discussed with Dad and said he wants Mom to go to the hospital to help. Will you go?"
Jiang Tang and Gu Pan could hear the conversation between Gu Liancheng and Xiao Qingfeng. It was definitely the adults who wanted the two children to hear it and then come over to test Jiang Zhen.
Xiao Qingfeng asked Gu Liancheng for help, but Gu Liancheng said no and he couldn't persuade him, so he came up with the idea of letting the children eavesdrop.
The time has not come yet. Jiang Zhen held his forehead and sat down: "Mom is feeling very uncomfortable. She must be sick. She can't go, but she doesn't need to go to the hospital. You go and talk to Dad. I need to sleep for a few days and have a good rest."
"Then mom should take a rest quickly." Jiang Tang was very anxious.
Gu Pan touched Jiang Zhen's forehead. He didn't have a fever. He must be sick from anger. "The people in Uncle Wan's family are not good. We won't help them. Auntie, you should have a good sleep. I'll call you when it's time for dinner."
Jiang Zhao hurriedly asked, "You need to eat something good when you are sick. Mom, what do you want to eat tonight?"
Jiang Zhen thought for a moment and said, "Tell your father Gu to buy a roast duck. I want to eat duck legs."
…
The longer time dragged on, the smaller the chance of finding the baby. Shen Gaoqin had been waiting for her son for twenty years. She fainted several times from crying. She didn't care about Wan Zhizhi who was causing trouble, and let He's parents take her away from the hospital.
When Wan Zhizhi left, she yelled, "Mom, didn't you say you loved me? Now that you gave birth to a son, you don't care about me anymore. Who did you love?"
…
Jiang Zhen has been lying at home for several days, eating and sleeping every day without any worries. The longer the body is kept in the morgue, the less memory can be retrieved.
It was unknown where the Wan family found the connection, but someone advised them: "Go find Comrade Jiang Zhen. If she is willing to help, maybe the child can be found."
Dean Wan supported Shen Gaoqin, and Jiang Zhen didn't get up from the bed: "Sorry, my body is suddenly weak. Dean Wan, who told you that I can find the child? Isn't this embarrassing for me?"
Wan Qiming decided to come and give it a try after receiving a call from his elder brother.
My eldest brother said on the phone: "People with ability have personality. Comrade Jiang Zhen can get sick when she is sick and avoid trouble with our family. This shows that her ability is greater than you think. You are asking for help, so you must be humble."
Wan Qiming's voice choked up: "Comrade Xiao Jiang, my husband and I did not think carefully before we did things, which led to today's result, but the child who was only a few days old is innocent. If you have any way, please help us. Our family will remember the kindness."
Jiang Zhen shook his head and said, "Think about it, I have never seen the contact person, and I am not at the scene, what can I do?"
Shen Gaoqin didn’t want to listen anymore: “She definitely has no way, don’t beg her, I don’t want to be laughed at by her.”
Jiang Zhen sat up, not looking sick at all: "You hate me from the bottom of your heart. When you heard that I couldn't help, you immediately turned hostile. For someone like you, I wouldn't help you even if I could."
Upon hearing this, Wan Qiming immediately became serious to his wife: "I told you not to come, but you insisted on coming. And when you came, you didn't know how to talk properly. It's not my fault that my eldest brother couldn't accept you. You have to bear a lot of responsibility for our family's current mess. If you still want to find your son, go back now and don't make trouble."
…
Gu Liancheng saw Dean Wan off. The children were still next door, setting up a greenhouse with Professor Li in the backyard to experiment with growing vegetables. In the evening, he had to eat with Professor Li again, which really made Gu Liancheng helpless.
Gu Liancheng was also under a lot of pressure. Xiao Qingfeng came to see him several times, and his brother-in-law also asked about it. He did not force Jiang Zhen to touch the corpse, but just wanted him to ask why Jiang Zhen did not touch the corpse.
The rice cake in Gu Liancheng's hand was freshly cooked. He took a piece and went into the house. He saw that Jiang Zhen had already gotten up and had combed her hair.
"Are you going out?" Gu Liancheng asked.
Jiang Zhen saw the steaming rice cake and couldn't wait to pick it up and eat it. He said, "Let's go touch the corpse. Come with me."
Gu Liancheng was surprised and said with a smile: "I thought you really weren't going."
"How could that be?" Jiang Zhen said, "After a few days of delay, the parents of the Wan family have already known about this matter and have stepped forward to take care of it. The situation is more helpful to Shulan. Find the baby, put an end to the Wan family's affairs, and then deal with your uncle's family's affairs."
"Jiang Zhen, aren't you angry at Shen Gaoqin's attitude?" Gu Liancheng was angry.
Jiang Zhen had already finished eating the rice cake and said with a smile, "I only get angry when I get beaten, but I won't get angry at all when I can make others beg me. Your rice cake is really delicious. Let's go. Can we steam another pot after we finish our work?"
"Okay." Gu Liancheng felt that there was no need to ask questions about his brother-in-law. Jiang Zhen chose to delay time in order to put Shulan in the best position.
…
Jiang Zhen touched the body and found a clue, then quickly found the child.
Although the reason was not stated, the Wan family received another call from their uncle who was far away in Beijing, who repeatedly stressed: "Comrade Jiang Zhen helped to find the child. No matter what the Gu family asked you to do before, please don't meddle in other people's business. You can't afford to do that."
Dean Wan's youngest son was found, and he was overjoyed. He belatedly asked Wan Shuping and Wan Hongyan, "Why would my eldest brother say something like this? What were you going to say to Gu Liancheng?"
Wan Shuping said, "I won't meddle in other people's business. It was Hongyan who agreed to help persuade Gu Liancheng to return to Beijing. It just so happens that she wants Qingfeng to return to Beijing. Her family has already found a good relationship. If she wants Gu Liancheng to return, Qingfeng will definitely agree to go back."
Wan Qiming said quickly: "Hongyan, I support whatever you talk to Qingfeng about, but your uncle has told you not to ask about the Gu family's affairs."
Wan Hongyan said: "No matter how capable Jiang Zhen is, can't I say a few words to Gu Liancheng? Dad, don't worry about it. I know what's going on."
…
Wan Hongyan found Gu Liancheng and told him that his family wanted him to return to Beijing: "After you are demobilized, a job will be arranged for you. You can bring Jiang Zhen and the children back to Beijing to live a good life."
Gu Liancheng felt the powerlessness of Uncle Wan. There was indeed no one in his generation who was sober.
"There's a reason why my wife doesn't want to get involved in your family's affairs. No one is in their right mind. Are you still planning to let Qingfeng retire and return to Beijing?"
Wan Hongyan said, "Of course, I won't leave Beijing to come to Fancheng. If Xiao Qingfeng doesn't change his job and return to Beijing, how will we live together after being separated for a long time? The reason why I don't want a child until now is to show him my determination. If he doesn't agree this time, I can't continue with him."
Gu Liancheng was so angry that he cursed: "In the beginning, it was your uncle who took the initiative to ask for this marriage. He said that although he was looking for a wife, you would follow Qingfeng to the garrison. Qingfeng worked so hard just to be eligible to let his family follow the army earlier. You didn't consider your family at all, and only cared about your own ideas."
Wan Hongyan was very confused: "What's going on between you and Xiao Qingfeng? Why don't you want to go to the capital to develop? What's the point of staying in a small city like Fancheng?"
Gu Liancheng and her didn't get along: "I won't interfere with Qingfeng's choice, but I won't leave. I hope you have some self-awareness and don't come to my house and disturb my lover."
…
Gu Liancheng had a talk with Xiao Qingfeng and decided that if Xiao Qingfeng chose to put his family first, he would need to sign a confidentiality agreement and there would be no major development in the future.
Xiao Jianzhou was so angry that he slammed the table: "Qingfeng, if you choose to change your career, I will no longer have a nephew like you."
Although Gu Jiaoxia didn't know the details, she was very sad and ran to Jiang Zhen to confide in him.
"When the eldest brother of the Wan family approached your brother-in-law about marriage, he was reluctant. It was me who acted as the matchmaker and said that as long as the couple lived well, I could also ask my younger brothers to be sons-in-law in the future. Only then did your brother-in-law relent. It's all my fault. Can't all the marriages I arranged end in divorce?"
Considering Xiao Qingfeng's special experience and his current special department, Jiang Zhen estimated that he would not change his career.
"If Wan Hongyan insists on getting a divorce if she doesn't transfer to Beijing to reunite with her family, then they will probably get a divorce. Their values and interests are not compatible, so it's good for them to get a divorce early. Why are you so sad?"
Gu Jiaoxia was shocked by Jiang Zhen's remarks. She even forgot whether Xiao Qingfeng would divorce or not and began to worry about the relationship between Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng.
"You and Gu Liancheng, are you doing well lately?"
"Very well." Jiang Zhen leaned out to look: "Why hasn't he come back yet? I can't sleep well without him."
These were the most pleasant words Gu Jiaoxia had heard in the past few days. She couldn't help laughing. Putting aside the issue of whether Xiao Qingfeng and Wan Hongyan would divorce or not, she thought that everyone had their own happiness and it was no use worrying about it.
Gu Jiaoxia's mood brightened, and she said a few words about returning to Beijing: "I should have left, but my uncle is sick and confused, and he may not make it to the New Year. Qingfeng suddenly quarreled with Hongyan about divorce if she doesn't change her job, so I guess I have to wait a few more days before I can leave."
Jiang Zhen felt that neither of these two things were a big deal. She was originally going to deal with the aftermath of the mistaken baby taking away from Gu Liancheng's uncle's house, but the fake uncle was terminally ill, so Jiang Zhen decided to wait until he died and touch the corpse before doing anything, so she kept waiting.
She said, "Big sister, you and your brother-in-law should do what was planned. As for uncle and Qingfeng, Gu Liancheng and I are here, just like you are here."
Gu Jiaoxia thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll go back and discuss it with your brother-in-law."
…
Gu Jiaoxia hadn't walked a few steps when she ran into Gu Liancheng who was coming back. Thinking of what Jiang Zhen said, she smiled and said, "You are very capable."
Gu Liancheng: ... "Sister, stop playing dumb. What good news is this that makes you feel so good?"
Gu Jiaoxia said: "After chatting with Jiang Zhen for a while, I suddenly felt enlightened. I found that people often care about things that are not a big deal at all. As long as the family is safe and sound and has food and drink, that's all that matters."
Gu Liancheng smiled and said, "I will feel better when she is around."
Gu Jiaoxia teased him: "Jiang Zhen said that she couldn't sleep well when you were not at home. Are you two so close?"
Gu Liancheng: ...Actually not. It’s just that Jiang Zhen feels that the colder the weather is, the warmer he sleeps with him around.
He said, "We have a good relationship, isn't that a good thing?"
"Of course it's a good thing. I'm not nagging you. You're still young and the children are still young. You can wait a few years before having children. Don't be in a hurry."
"Yes, I know."
Gu Liancheng talked about Xiao Qingfeng's decision: "Qingfeng is very determined and said that he will not change his career. My brother-in-law has called Uncle Wan, who does not want to give up this marriage and is currently trying to persuade Wan Hongyan."
Gu Jiaoxia still regretted: "It's all my fault. If I hadn't said something, maybe your brother-in-law wouldn't have agreed to this marriage."
Gu Liancheng hurriedly said, "Sister, marriage is destined by heaven. Your role may not be as big as you think. Don't blame yourself."
If it weren't for these coincidences, he and Xiao Qingfeng would have no chance of rebirth. An Xiuqing's incident gave them a profound warning that they should be down-to-earth and not act arbitrarily. He knew in his heart that after this experience, Xiao Qingfeng would not change his career.
…
Xiao Qingfeng and Wan Hongyan agreed to divorce, and the political commissar approved Xiao Qingfeng's divorce application. Xiao Qingfeng and Gu Jiaoxia and her husband went back to Beijing to go through the divorce procedures.
After Uncle Wan found out that his marriage application had been approved, he fell off a chair and had a heart attack. The family members scrambled to find medicine before he recovered.
He chose Xiao Qingfeng as his niece's husband, not only because of the individual, but also because of his relationship with his uncle Xiao Jianzhou. The fact that the divorce was approved so quickly showed that Xiao Qingfeng had important tasks to do and did not have the time and energy to dwell on the divorce.
Letting go of such a good son-in-law, there is indeed no smart person left among the descendants of the Wan family. How can he not be sad?
Uncle Wan said, "Change Shulan's surname, register her household, and bring her back to Beijing. I will raise her myself."
The family members were puzzled: “Why?”
Uncle Wan looked at the useless younger generations and said, "Because you are too stupid. Shulan is smart, resolute, and patient enough to achieve great things. Our Wan family needs a smart person!"
…
Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng saw off their eldest sister and brother-in-law, and Xiao Qingfeng went back with them to get a divorce.
A few days later, I heard the news that Xiao Qingfeng and Wan Hongyan's divorce procedures had been completed. Shulan changed her surname to Wan and settled down in her uncle's house. Her school registration had also been transferred there. It was better than expected.
Xiao Qingfeng has already boarded the bus back to Fancheng. It has been snowing heavily all day, and he hopes he won't be stuck on the road.
Gu Liancheng's fake uncle died before the New Year, and the Shi family came to report the death and invited them to come over.
Jiang Zhen said to Gu Liancheng, "Let's go. I'll go touch the body and take care of my uncle's family so we can celebrate the New Year."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
