Chapter 242: Chapter 242: Killing the Donkey After the Grind

After seeing Yang Dong off, Jiang Moli went over to Li Hongying, who was secretly weeping.

"Aunt Hongying, I told you a long time ago: if Jiang Qing had just left me alone, it would have been fine. But since she dared to sabotage me, I was bound to have her removed from the family registry. The Jiang family is a humble one; we can’t afford to harbor an ungrateful wretch like her."

Li Hongying was speechless. Filled with shame, she apologized to the father and daughter. "I never thought Xiao Qing would do something like this. I didn’t raise her right. It’s all my fault... I don’t have the face to ask you to forgive her..."

Seeing her sobbing uncontrollably, Jiang Dahai felt terrible.

On the one hand, as a father himself, he could sympathize with Li Hongying’s feelings as a mother.

On the other hand, he was deeply hurt and disappointed by his stepdaughter’s betrayal.

He had done everything he possibly could for his stepdaughter.

Jiang Moli wasn’t moved by Li Hongying’s tears. "From now on, Jiang Qing has nothing to do with the Jiang family. In ancient times, this would be like banishing her from the clan! The fact that I haven’t publicized her disgraceful deeds is me already giving her plenty of face. Aunt Hongying, we won’t interfere with you doting on your daughter, but she is forbidden from ever setting foot in this house again. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting nasty."

Li Hongying, being naturally timid, could only agree in the face of Jiang Moli’s warning.

"Moli, I understand."

Jiang Moli had specifically taken time off work to return to her parents’ home and deal with Jiang Qing.

Now that the matter was resolved, she was ready to go back to work at the performing arts troupe.

Like her, Jiang Dahai also had to return to his job at the Agricultural Bureau.

The two of them left the house together.

"Dad, how have things been at the Agricultural Bureau? If anyone gives you trouble, you tell me, okay? I’ll go get even for you."

Thinking of his daughter’s wild personality, Jiang Dahai quickly said, "No one’s giving me trouble. Vice Director Gu has been looking out for me."

The gloom on Jiang Dahai’s face vanished when he spoke of work, and a smile began to spread.

"Vice Director Gu is very optimistic about my research. In a couple of days, he’s going to take me to dinner with the leadership from the machinery factory to discuss a potential partnership to develop new technology."

The more he spoke, the happier he became, and he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Jiang Moli grinned. "Not bad, Dad. You’re already finding your footing so quickly."

Even Jiang Dahai himself couldn’t help but marvel, "I never expected it either. This work in a government agency isn’t so difficult."

Jiang Moli replied, "Dad, from now on, when you run into problems, do less self-reflection and more blaming of others. It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, just focus on figuring out how to push the blame onto someone else."

Jiang Dahai: "..."

...

Meanwhile, after leaving the Jiang family’s home, Yang Dong went to the staff residential compound to find Jiang Qing.

"You need to move out as soon as possible. Oh, and you don’t need to go to the cafeteria anymore either."

Resentment crept over Jiang Qing’s already gloomy face. "Director Yang, I did everything I promised, and you got the technical information. Are you trying to get rid of me now that I’ve served my purpose?"

Yang Dong snapped, "Your dad isn’t at the factory anymore! Without him, that technical data is just a pile of useless paper!"

Jiang Qing retorted, "That’s because you’re an idiot! I gave you the information, and you don’t even know how to use it. How is that my fault?"

Yang Dong laughed coldly in anger. "Me, an idiot? And you think you’re so clever? Between Jiang Dahai and his daughter, if you’d just tried to get on either of their good sides, you’d be in a much better position than you are now. You were dealt a good hand and had no idea how to play it. I’ve never met anyone more foolish than you!"

"You accuse me of ditching you, but have you forgotten you now have a rural household registration? If I let you stay here any longer, I’ll be harboring an unregistered migrant!"

In those days, people with rural registrations weren’t allowed to work or make a living in the city, nor could they stay for extended periods.

This was one of the main reasons for Jiang Qing’s despair.

Jiang Moli had transferred her registration back to the countryside, meaning she wasn’t even allowed to be in the city anymore!

As soon as Yang Dong returned to the factory, Yang Zhigang summoned him to his office to ask about the flaws in the technical data.

When he heard what Jiang Moli had said, Yang Zhigang was at a loss for words.

He was filled with regret. Not only had he lost a talented employee and come away with nothing, but he had also offended both Jiang Dahai and his daughter.

But it was too late for regrets.

...

That afternoon after work, Jiang Moli had just stepped off the bus when she spotted a familiar figure up ahead.

"Hey there, my darling niece!"

Lu Tingting turned around, saw it was Jiang Moli, and let out a little huff before continuing on her way.

Jiang Moli quickened her pace to catch up, draping an arm over Lu Tingting’s shoulder. "Is that any way to greet your elders? Such bad manners."

"You’re not my mother. Why should you care about my manners?"

’Heh, this silly girl’s getting better at talking back.’

"Are you free in a little while?"

"What for?"

"I’ll treat you to some rock sugar bird’s nest soup."

Lu Tingting subconsciously gulped.

Although she had grown up well-off, a precious delicacy like bird’s nest soup wasn’t something she got to eat just any time.

She eagerly trotted after Jiang Moli back to the Lu family’s home.

Smelling a sweet aroma in the air, she excitedly asked An Hui, "Grandma, did you make bird’s nest soup today? Is it ready?"

An Hui eyed her. "It was made, yes, but not for you."

"Then who’s it for?"

Ma Hongmei emerged from the kitchen holding a thermos. "Your Third Aunt had this bird’s nest soup made for Vice Yang."

Saying this, she handed the thermos to Jiang Moli. "The bird’s nest soup is all in here. I only added a tiny bit of rock sugar, just like you said."

"Great. Thanks for your hard work, Aunt Hongmei."

Jiang Moli took the thermos, opened the lid, and flashed it in front of Lu Tingting.

"Smells good, doesn’t it? Want some?"

Lu Tingting glared at her, annoyed.

Jiang Moli pointed to a pot of lush, double-petaled begonias blooming on the balcony. "Grab that pot of begonias," she told Lu Tingting, "and come with me to Vice Yang’s place."

Lu Tingting snapped, "Why don’t you carry it yourself?"

"Do you want any of that bird’s nest soup or not?"

The thought of the translucent soup in the thermos, with its faintly sweet and milky aroma, made Lu Tingting’s mouth water.

Hugging the heavy pot of begonias, she grunted and puffed her way out the door after Jiang Moli.

They arrived at Yang Lijiong’s apartment.

Jiang Moli pulled out a key and opened the door, then directed Lu Tingting to put the begonias on the balcony.

Lu Tingting carried the pot onto the balcony, but after spinning in a circle, she saw it was completely packed. There was no place to set it down. She turned and yelled to Jiang Moli, "Hey, where does this go?"

Jiang Moli set the thermos on the coffee table and went to the balcony. Just as she was looking for a suitable spot for the begonias, Yang Lijiong returned.

The begonia’s branches were winding and beautiful, its petals red as flames, both delicate and proud.

Yang Lijiong placed it on the coffee table next to the TV.

Once the flower was set down, Jiang Moli picked up the thermos of bird’s nest soup from the coffee table and handed it to Yang Lijiong.

"The soup is still hot. It’s perfect to eat now."

"Okay."

Yang Lijiong took the thermos, placed it back on the coffee table, and said, "Thank you for going out of your way to bring this over. I love the flower, too. It’s getting late, so I won’t keep you."

Jiang Moli hesitated. "...Um, there’s a lot of soup in there. It’s more than half full."

"Yes, I’ll be sure to eat it all so none goes to waste."

As they walked out of Yang Lijiong’s apartment building, Lu Tingting couldn’t help but mock Jiang Moli. "She didn’t even think to ask you to stay and eat with her. That’s hilarious!"

Jiang Moli hadn’t expected that either. She couldn’t believe Yang Lijiong hadn’t invited her to share the soup.

’Has the love vanished?’

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