I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 435 - 374: The Mystery of Origins

Jiang Ming’an and his sister exchanged a glance. They thought if the reforms happen, they could make a fortune with just this machine, but for now...

"Brother, Yan Jinzhi gave me the blueprints. You should send them to Uncle later. I reckon the machinery factory would be very interested in this."

Jiang Ming’an didn’t care much for that cheap father, but he wouldn’t refuse his sister’s words.

"It’s quite a deal for him."

Xie Yunhai: "What’s this talk about deals? Aren’t we family? I reckon Uncle is due for a promotion this time."

After dinner, a few of them sat in the hall, chatting while warming themselves by the fire.

"By the way, Han Shu from Ning Yan’s family is quite sharp."

Xie Yunhai had Huang Mao and others keeping watch on the outside reactions, so naturally, he knew what Han Shu was doing.

That young wife, after her husband was taken away, went from being initially bloodless pale, to later running straight home, without crying or screaming, and shut the windows and doors tightly.

A quarter of an hour later, she was seen leaving with a suitcase.

As for where she went, it wasn’t their concern.

But it was good news for them; one less troublemaker among the neighbors.

Han Shu was indeed very calm, having experienced the catastrophe brought upon her parents last time. Now, with disaster striking again, she was naturally more composed.

Firstly, she knew Ning Yan was done for and relying on him was impossible; she had to find another way out.

Secondly, as for seeking refuge with her parents, she didn’t want to go to the countryside; she’d rather starve in the city than endure the hardships of the elements.

She crossed out the second option.

Thirdly, she was pregnant. Her belly wasn’t showing yet, so she had to quickly find a man to marry. In the future, her son wouldn’t be connected to Ning Yan and won’t be affected by Ning Yan’s dark past. This was her initial plan as a mother for the child, and another was to find a stable provider for them.

Since she decided to erase these bad influences, she couldn’t stay in the compound, lest more people remember her.

Han Shu was now looking for her former desk mate. Although they had fallen out before, if she could lower her dignity to beg for forgiveness, with that desk mate’s weak personality, she’d surely forgive her. Once reconciled, she could use the desk mate’s resources to quickly find a dad for her child.

She remembered her desk mate had an older brother, not sure if he was married, but he was a very good candidate. Plus, her desk mate’s fiancé was also capable, so she’d wait.

As Han Shu left, Ning Er Ya came shortly after, dazed by the lock on the door. There were also curious people in the yard but upon asking her identity, they immediately avoided her like the plague. However, they did inform her about Ning Yan’s whereabouts.

Afterwards, she was called to the public security bureau for questioning, trembling the entire time. As she left, dripping cold sweat for who knows how many times, she finally understood; her brother was truly finished.

"Wow!" Ning Er Ya cried her heart out, realizing she knew too little. The city was too dangerous, with frequent arrests. She decided to return to the countryside, staying with her father and marrying a simple man.

Shen Fangdiao’s family had the same idea, not interested in a big city house anymore, hastily returning to the countryside in embarrassment.

Having heard the news, Cui Xiaoxiao sneered: "What a useless family!"

But soon, Cui Xiaoxiao herself couldn’t laugh at others anymore.

"Xiaoxiao, the latest news..."

As the most pampered daughter in the Cui family, surrounded by admirers, bringing information was one of them.

However, upon hearing the news, Cui Xiaoxiao slapped the messenger.

"You dare spread nonsense again, I’ll cut out your tongue and feed it to the dogs."

The girl whimpered: "Xiaoxiao, I’m telling the truth. There’s really a girl sticking around Cui Mingshi, and my mom said Mrs. Cui likes her, plans for engagement are underway. Oh, that girl was supposedly introduced by Cui Ying."

Cui Xiaoxiao froze as if iced over, not responding for a long time.

Who was Cui Ying?

She was none other than Cui Mingshi’s actual sister, the beloved of Cui Family’s main branch, while Cui Xiaoxiao was nothing more than an imposter, Mrs. Cui’s postpartum depression substitute.

Although Cui Ying is back now, the Cui Family still spoils her, but to Cui Xiaoxiao, things felt different. She loathed this feeling, because she liked Cui Mingshi, wanting to possess him.

That night, Cui Xiaoxiao hatched a plan.

The next day, the compound was abuzz.

Aunt Cui felt eyes on her everywhere, whispers abound, but upon her gaze, heads lowered, feigning ignorance.

Uncle Cui experienced the same at work.

Frustrated all morning, he exploded in the cafeteria.

"So, who the hell is spreading these baseless rumors? Xiaoxiao is my biological daughter."

But to his colleagues, his reaction screamed ’guilty as charged.’

Ah! Understood, this one lacked procreation ability, struggling for heirs, fearing public scrutiny, simply had his wife take a niece-in-law’s child to raise, thus silencing wagging tongues.

Though the solution seemed fair, wasn’t it too cruel for his wife?

Some men couldn’t resist sympathizing with Aunt Cui, feeling sorry for her tough life, always smiling through unhappiness, women of the compound felt the same.

No wonder the second wife always had a sharp tongue; spousal issues were hard to discuss, they’d be resentful too.

Today, many women in the compound showed tolerance to Aunt Cui, some even apologizing.

Until she heard the rumors.

Aunt Cui was terrified, realizing the whispers had reached the compound where her husband surely heard them.

Finished, she awaited her husband’s storm.

That night, the inevitable confrontation came.

Aunt Cui thought her end was near.

But then...

Uncle Cui: "Wife, don’t mind those rumors. I’ve warned them individually. This was our decision from the start; they have no right to criticize. Don’t need mental counseling."

Aunt Cui: "..." That’s it?

Until her husband fell asleep beside her, Aunt Cui realized she dodged a bullet.

For Cui Xiaoxiao, this was exactly what she wanted, just enough.

She was ready to see Mrs. Cui’s reaction, having been treated like a daughter.

If changes shifted, Cui Xiaoxiao wasn’t confident.

But she still watched the main branch’s reactions eagerly.

Before the news she desired arrived, new rumors emerged.

"What? That child wasn’t from the sister-in-law, but from a premarital affair?"

This shocking news reverberated through the compound.

Of his daughter’s true parentage, Uncle Cui had the most authority to speak, but his expression was frighteningly gloomy...