Chapter 147

Chapter 147

The gate of the canning factory was large, with a big signboard. Now it was crowded with people, and the murmuring voices gradually increased. Xu Zhilei didn't even need to listen to guess what they were saying.

He looked at Xu Yuqing in shock, not expecting her to have a newspaper!

Those who had been squatting now slumped down, their hearts ashen, knowing that this time things would not go smoothly.

When did this come out? Xu Zhilei stared in disbelief at the small picture on the paper, still unwilling to accept it. He gritted his teeth, leaped up, and planned to snatch and tear it apart.

Behind him were everyone's cries of alarm. Seeing him about to pounce, Xu Yuqing calmly held onto the newspaper.

She quickly hid the newspaper behind her back, retreated to avoid Xu Zhilei's lunge. Behind her was Liu Ruan, who, though small, had some strength. She steadied Xu Yuqing and managed to keep herself steady.

The newspaper remained intact, and the crowd's voices grew louder. Everyone was smart enough to see what was happening from Xu Zhilei's actions.

Xu Yuqing's eyes dimmed. Though she had long given up on him, she still felt sad.

She opened her mouth: "Everyone knows that although we are children, we are also human beings. Selling a daughter like goods, especially to a man who beats his wife—do you think this qualifies them as parents?"

Her powerful voice echoed, and the murmurs grew louder. Countless sympathetic looks fell upon Xu Yuqing.

Now, they felt a sense of balance. No matter how capable she was, her family life was unhappy. With this one move, everyone's hidden biases and envy dissipated.

Xu Yuqing continued, her eyes filled with sorrow: "I have today because I fought for it myself. If it weren't for the knowledge youth program, where they wouldn't let their son go, I would be dead by now."

These words were harsh, and everyone looked at her with condemnation. Xu Yuqing glanced at Xu Zhilei and Lin Chun, who were shaking their heads frantically and disbelievingly, and gave a bitter smile: "You're right; after all, you gave birth to me. I can't just leave you to die, but I have conditions. Otherwise, I'll end my life here!"

She withdrew her smile and glared fiercely at them, her gaze fixed on a wall.

Before anyone could react, a voice came from afar. The portly factory director ran over, panting heavily, and stopped Xu Yuqing: "Comrade Xu! Whatever your problem is, the organization will help you! Don't do anything rash!"

His anxious appearance stunned everyone. The factory director, however, cared only about losing his golden goose.

He glared fiercely at Xu Zhilei and Lin Chun: "Where's the guard? Quickly, take them away!"

This sudden turn of events left everyone bewildered. At this moment, Little Lin approached, apparently having called the factory director.

Xu Yuqing shook her head helplessly. How did this situation get so out of hand? She patted the factory director's shoulder reassuringly: "Director Xu, I'm fine. Don't worry."

She took out two pieces of paper from her bag. These were the letters of severance she wrote last night, prepared well in advance. This way, even if Xu Zhilei caused more trouble, he would be completely unrelated to her.

She slowly approached Xu Zhilei, squatted down. The snow was wet and cold; Xu Zhilei's pants were already damp, and Lin Chun, who had been sitting, was even worse off.

She handed the papers over: "I'm not like you, heartless enough to sell family members for money. I've just started working. If you agree, one hundred yuan will buy our severance. From then on, we'll go our separate ways, never to meet again."

One hundred yuan! Xu Zhilei's surprised expression darkened instantly. What good was one hundred yuan? Old Zhou wouldn't budge for that!

Xu Zhilei was about to refuse when Xu Yuqing saw his intention and stood up calmly: "If you don't agree, forget it. That's all I have. You can continue causing trouble, but we'll both end up dead."

She spoke calmly, without any emotional fluctuation.

Seeing Xu Yuqing like this, the factory director worried. He wanted to support her but was stopped by Little Lin.

Everyone stood quietly, watching Xu Zhilei and Xu Yuqing's exchange.

After a while, Xu Zhilei finally understood. This girl was deliberately using one hundred yuan to dismiss them. The problem was, she held all the cards.

They had no choice but to swallow this bitter pill.

One hundred yuan, one hundred yuan, one hundred yuan, what good was one hundred yuan?

Xu Zhilei suppressed his anger: "Fine, I'll sign!"

He snatched the paper from Xu Yuqing, almost tearing it with his force. Without hesitation, he made Lin Chun lie down, "Hurry up!"

He roared.

Lin Chun looked at him blankly, numbly lowering her head, covering it with her hands, and presenting her back to Xu Zhilei.

In Lin Chun, Xu Zhilei found a bit of dignity, smirking as he circled around. He took the pen from Xu Yuqing, scribbled his name carelessly, and reached for the money.

Xu Yuqing ignored his outstretched hand and took out an inkpad, "Put a thumbprint."

This!

Xu Zhilei knew his last bit of cunning was useless. His hopes shattered, and his temper worsened. He snatched the inkpad and pressed down hard, leaving a deep red thumbprint on the paper.

Xu Yuqing took the paper, carefully wrote her name, and put her thumbprint. She looked at the factory director with a pleading gaze: "Director, please witness this for me today."

The factory director's eyes lit up: "No problem! Give it to me!"

He took the pen, wrote his name, and put his thumbprint. Xu Yuqing added the date and wrote "witness" next to his name.

Satisfied, she looked at Xu Zhilei and Lin Chun, who were still lying down. She had long lost any sympathy for this woman, turned her eyes away, and took out her wallet.

Inside were various denominations, totaling exactly one hundred yuan. Xu Yuqing deliberately chose some old, worn bills.

These were the savings she had painstakingly accumulated during her days as a knowledge youth.

She took out the money and threw it at Xu Zhilei. With this throw, the past seemed to vanish forever.

Xu Yuqing: "Xu Zhilei, now we are no longer father and daughter. Don't come looking for me again, or I'll sue you."

She packed her bag and walked confidently towards her dormitory.

The crowd dispersed after the spectacle.

The factory director looked at the stunned couple and couldn't help sneering: "Fortunately, Comrade Xu didn't quit. Otherwise, it would have been a loss for our entire canning factory!"

Little Lin stood beside him, understanding what Director Xu meant, and nodded in agreement. "Yes, Little Xu is very capable."

The two of them glanced at Xu Zhilei with disdain and turned to leave.

In the vast entrance, they were soon left alone. Xu Zhilei looked at the still-dazed Lin Chun, clenched the money in his hand, and couldn't hold back any longer. He kicked her. "Look at the ungrateful child you raised!"

Lin Chun was already weak and had just managed to get up after a long time. Now, with this kick, she couldn't get up again for a while.

Xu Zhilei counted the money, confirmed it was one hundred yuan, and carefully put it in his pocket. Seeing that Lin Chun was still lying on the ground, unable to get up, he couldn't help but lick his lips, observing her pale face and near-death appearance.

Xu Zhilei was startled and quickly took two steps back, hesitating as he looked at Lin Chun. But she remained motionless.

Is she going to die?

Xu Zhilei hesitated, looking at the factory gate, then thought about the money in his pocket. He had done his best for her; it wasn't his fault that she had raised an ungrateful child. Holding his heart, he turned and ran away, heading frantically towards the village where he had stayed last night.

Along the way, he didn't dare to stop, fearing that Lin Chun might wake up and chase after him. He kept muttering, "Die quickly! Die quickly! It would be good to disgust that ungrateful child!"

Only when he reached the village entrance did Xu Zhilei stop. His heart was pounding loudly, and his legs felt weak. He walked slowly down the road. Not far ahead, someone approached. Xu Zhilei was startled, but thankfully, it was Xu Guoying, his youngest son.

To hide his guilt, he shouted, "What are you doing out here!"

Xu Guoying looked anxious. "Dad! My wife ran away!"

"What?"

Xu Zhilei was shocked and panicked instinctively. But then, looking at his youngest son, he began to scheme.

He only needed a descendant from the Xu family. Since he couldn't have any more children, his youngest son could. And since only the two of them were returning, they could claim that the eldest couple had run away. Xu Zhilei calmed down, his plan forming.

Xu Guoying looked around. "Dad, where's Mom? She didn't come back with you?"

Xu Zhilei stiffened, then hardened his heart. "She ran away too! Forget about her, Guoying, let's go back to Yancheng. I'll take care of you!"

Xu Guoying stared in shock. "Dad!"

But time was pressing, and Xu Zhilei knew his son well. If Xu Guoqiang found out about his plan, he might kill him. "No time to explain, we need to pack up quickly! Don't show any signs of distress, or we'll lose everything!"

It was typical of the Xu family's selfishness and coldness. After realizing the situation, Xu Guoying was overjoyed and nodded. "Big Brother went to look for people, so they won't be back for a while. Dad, wait here, I'll go pack our things!"

Feeling guilty yet excited, Xu Guoying rushed back. The villagers were sitting in the courtyard with chairs, watching him closely as he entered and packed everything, not even leaving a quilt behind.

Back at the village entrance, Xu Zhilei saw him coming and hurried forward. Xu Guoying restrained his joy and followed, and the father and son set off on their journey back to Yancheng.

On the other side, Xu Guoqiang and Zhou Mei were searching for people, but found no one. Exhausted and hungry, Zhou Lan slumped, holding her stomach. "I can't go on! Let's go back and see if Mom and Dad are there. If she's gone, let her be caught by thugs!"

Zhou Mei cursed viciously, unable to bear seeing her sister living better than her.

They returned, exhausted, to find the empty bed. No one had come back. Xu Guoqiang, unaware of being abandoned, angrily questioned the villagers.

However, the villagers didn't care and told him what happened that afternoon: "Your family came back earlier, packed their things, and left, saying they wouldn't rent anymore. Leave now!"

With that, they slammed the door shut.

Xu Guoqiang exchanged an incredulous glance with Zhou Lan, finally realizing they had been abandoned.

At the factory entrance, all was calm. After Xu Zhilei ran away, Lin Chun regained consciousness but lacked the strength to move. She watched helplessly as Xu Zhilei fled.

After decades of marriage, she knew who he was.

Seeing that she was no longer useful, he left.

Unwilling to die, Lin Chun lay in the snow for a long time before struggling to get up, wanting to find him and tell him she was still alive and useful.