Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Person Sent to the Countryside Is Wang Yaoyao

The only answer she received was the monotonous beeping—the call had already been disconnected.

Wang Cuilian was both anxious and afraid. She swallowed hard and said to Shen Zhongguo, “Our son said he wouldn’t touch a single cent of that money. He’s just holding onto it for now. Anyway, when the time comes, we’ll all leave together. With so much money, he wouldn’t dare to spend it.”

With a loud crash, Shen Zhongguo slammed his cup onto the floor, shattering it, and cursed furiously, “Don’t you know your son’s temperament? He says he won’t touch the money? What a joke! Tell him to come home this instant and return every penny!”

Shen Ruzhi’s gaze was deep and contemplative. Shen Zhongguo was indeed vigilant—fortunately, she had taken the gold from the bottom.

Upon hearing his father’s anger, Shen Jinlin hid outside for two days, not even daring to go to work.

Two days later, Shen Ruzhi went to the hospital to collect the paternity test. She looked at the results: no blood relation.

Then where were her real parents?

Taking advantage of the fact that Shen Zhongguo and Wang Cuilian weren’t home from work yet, Shen Ruzhi quickly went to Shen Zhongguo’s study.

She picked up a copy of “How the Steel Was Tempered” and opened it; inside was tucked the paternity test between Wang Yaoyao and them.

Shen Zhongguo was deeply suspicious—upon learning she wasn’t his daughter, he had already done a paternity test with Wang Yaoyao, giving her the best opportunity.

She placed her own paternity test results inside as well.

Now, she waited for tomorrow.

Wang Yaoyao came over carrying a bag of pastries. “Cousin, these are pastries I made myself. Take them with you—eat them on the train tomorrow.”

Shen Ruzhi looked at Wang Yaoyao, whose demeanor was as gentle as a spring breeze, and felt a surge of irony in her heart. Surely, they must be quite pleased right now!

Once I head to the countryside, your whole family can simply wash your hands of me.

“Cousin, I’m leaving for the countryside tomorrow. Honestly, I’m reluctant to part with Mom and Dad.”

Wang Yaoyao smiled, “Cousin, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Aunt and Uncle. I know you’re going in my place—you’re my benefactor. After you leave, I’ll treat Aunt and Uncle as my own parents and be filial. We’ll all be here waiting for your return.”

Shen Ruzhi thought: Aren’t they already your real parents? As for waiting for my return—you’ve already decided I’ll never come back.

“Cousin, since you’re so kind, why not come with me to the countryside tomorrow? Then you can take the train back.”

Wang Yaoyao’s face froze instantly. Why did Shen Ruzhi always act unpredictably?

Wang Yaoyao forced a smile. “Cousin, what are you saying? The whole brigade is heading to the countryside together—I couldn’t possibly go and disrupt things.”

Shen Ruzhi replied with conviction, “What do you mean, disrupt? You’re my cousin, after all.”

Wang Yaoyao’s mouth twitched; suddenly she pressed her hand to her forehead. “Cousin, my head hurts terribly—it’s been days. I should go take some medicine. Please keep the pastries.”

Without waiting for Shen Ruzhi’s reply, Wang Yaoyao quickly slipped away.

Shen Ruzhi watched her legs move so swiftly that anyone would think she was fleeing from something monstrous.

Wang Cuilian clearly heard Wang Yaoyao’s voice, but when she came out, the girl had already vanished.

“I heard your cousin was here. Where is she?”

Shen Ruzhi shrugged and waved her hand. “She left.”

“What? Left? Dinner will be ready soon—why didn’t you ask her to stay?”

Shen Ruzhi replied, “She dropped off the pastries and said she had a headache. She ran off before I could say a word.”

“Never mind, then. Hurry up and pack your things—you’re leaving for the countryside early tomorrow.”

“Alright.”

Shen Ruzhi headed upstairs. The countryside? It wasn’t her who would be going tomorrow.

The next morning, Wang Yaoyao’s cries filled the Shen household.

“I don’t want to go! I don’t want to go! It’s not me who should be sent to the countryside—you’ve made a mistake!”

Wang Yaoyao was at home when the staff in charge of the countryside assignment came to urge her to pack and prepare for departure.

She was utterly confused—what countryside assignment?

Seeing her name on the registration form, Wang Yaoyao’s eyes widened in terror. The sky was collapsing!

How could it be her name?

It shouldn’t be her—it should have been Shen Ruzhi’s name!

She ran to the Shen house in tears, clinging desperately to Shen Zhongguo and Wang Cuilian as if grabbing onto a lifeline.

“Aunt, Uncle, please save me! They want to send me to the countryside!”

Shen Zhongguo frowned. “What’s going on?”

The staff, seeing Shen Zhongguo’s attitude, softened a bit. The Shen family was highly educated, with all members holding prominent positions.

“Mr. Shen, it’s like this: our countryside policy requires Comrade Wang Yaoyao to be sent. Today is the final day—she must come with us.”

Wang Cuilian cried out, hastily shielding Wang Yaoyao behind her. “What! Sent to the countryside? Who are you sending? It’s Shen Ruzhi who should go—you must be mistaken, comrade!”

Shen Zhongguo, displeased by his wife’s outburst, explained patiently, “It’s indeed Shen Ruzhi who should be going, not Wang Yaoyao.”

The staff exchanged glances, incredulous as they looked at their roster. They almost thought they’d made a mistake, but after checking several times, the name remained Wang Yaoyao.

The commotion in the Shen household soon drew the attention of the neighbors.

“We haven’t made a mistake. It’s Wang Yaoyao who should be sent, not Shen Ruzhi. Here’s the roster—you may take a look.”

When Shen Zhongguo saw the name, his face darkened instantly and he glared sharply at Li Yong.

Li Yong was equally stunned—what was happening! He clearly heard the staff say the registration was for Shen Ruzhi.

Facing Shen Zhongguo’s murderous glare, Li Yong dared not lift his head.

Wang Cuilian saw the name and screamed. “What’s going on here? Why is Wang Yaoyao’s name on the list? It should be Shen Ruzhi!”

Could that troublesome girl be behind this?

Wang Cuilian shouted toward the house, “Shen Ruzhi, come out now and explain! You’re the one who registered; you’re the one who should be sent, not Wang Yaoyao!”

Shen Zhongguo’s gaze was sharp and cold. He realized Shen Ruzhi was behind this—she had registered Wang Yaoyao’s name.

Just then, Shen Ruzhi came out from the house. Wang Cuilian slapped her across the face as soon as she appeared.

Shen Ruzhi could have easily dodged, but she didn’t—after all, without a bit of physical injury, how could she highlight Wang Yaoyao’s importance?

“Mom, why did you hit me? Dad, Cousin, what’s happening?” Shen Ruzhi covered her face, looking at them in disbelief.

Wang Cuilian cursed her furiously. “How dare you ask! Didn’t I tell you to register in your cousin’s place and go to the countryside for her? Now they’re saying it’s your cousin who must go—explain yourself! You’re the one who should be sent!”

Tears streamed down Shen Ruzhi’s cheeks as she looked at them with pitiable innocence.

“Mom, Dad, I only did what you asked. You said you didn’t want Cousin to suffer in the countryside, so I registered on her behalf. The staff member told me that our family’s situation exempted us from the assignment, but I explained that I was registering for my cousin. He let me sign her up. Now I don’t understand what’s happened.”