Feng Xianxu walked with a grim expression toward the dormitory where his parents lived.
Before he even entered, he heard Cheng Tao’s voice, seemingly anxious about the property transfer not being completed, urging the old lady to hurry.
Feng Xianxu let out a cold laugh and strode in.
“Of course, you’re in a hurry. If your true identity is exposed, where will you find another chance to stay with the Feng family and take things!”
His sudden entrance and words caught Cheng Tao off guard.
Cheng Tao’s eyes flickered slightly, “Brother Xu, what are you talking about?”
Feng Xianxu stared down at her, his gaze icy, as if looking at a dead person.
“Cheng Tao, is your mother truly the daughter our Feng family lost years ago? Do you know that what you’re doing now is fraud, enough to put you in jail!”
Cheng Tao pinched the flesh on her thigh, and tears immediately welled up from the pain.
She looked at Feng Xianxu with a completely innocent expression, “Brother Xu, what exactly are you saying? It was your father who found me, saying my mother was your family’s daughter, and then my maternal grandparents brought me back. I never said I had any connection to the Feng family.”
She extricated herself completely, and at first hearing, it did sound quite innocent.
Only the elderly Feng couple listened, utterly bewildered and clueless.
The old lady stood up and asked sternly, “Ah Xu, what do you mean?”
Feng Xianxu coldly exposed Cheng Tao, “I went to Wujing Village. Feng Yaojun was confident we wouldn’t have a chance to contact others, so he only bribed the Song family. But if you ask around in the local countryside, no one doesn’t know that Song Yulian is Song family’s own! So, how can Cheng Tao be our Feng family’s child?”
The old lady was devastated, almost unable to stand, swaying precariously. Fortunately, the old gentleman beside her lent her support.
Old Master Feng said in a deep voice, “Ah Xu, continue!”
Feng Xianxu went on, “What I know is that Cheng Tao colluded with Feng Yaojun’s family to deceive you two elders and seize the family fortune.”
Old Master Feng’s expression turned grim, his cold, sharp eyes fixed on Cheng Tao.
“Is what Ah Xu says true?”
Cheng Tao feared the old master the most. He had been on the battlefield and possessed an iron will.
His gaze was so sharp it could cut a person.
“I… I didn’t. It was Feng Yaojun who approached me, saying I was the Feng family’s granddaughter. Even if it was a lie, it has nothing to do with me. I am innocent.” Cheng Tao stuck to this story.
As long as she maintained her ignorance, the entire responsibility would fall on Feng Yaojun’s family.
Feng Xianxu gave a cold, mocking laugh, “You do know how to play it smart.”
Cheng Tao lowered her head, “I truly don’t know. Even if I’m not the Feng family’s daughter, that’s your Feng family’s own affair. I was also deceived. Brother Xu, Feng Yaojun is still your father, you’re really acting with great righteousness to punish your own kin.”
The old lady, unable to bear the shock, finally collapsed and fainted.
Finding her daughter had been a weight lifted from her heart.
Now, to discover Cheng Tao was a fake, the drastic emotional swing was too much for her body.
The old master and Feng Xianxu, unable to engage with Cheng Tao further, let her escape during the confusion.
She had figured it out. Since she had married Qiu Desheng, she was now a soldier’s wife and could legitimately remain in the military compound; no one could drive her away.
Feng Xianxu hastily gave the old lady water and medicine, and only then did she begin to recover.
When she slowly regained consciousness, her first question was, “Ah Xu, do you have any leads on your aunt?”
Feng Xianxu was silent for a moment and said, “I have a preliminary idea, but it’s not confirmed yet.”
With Cheng Tao as a precedent, he dared not jump to conclusions, fearing he would disappoint the elders.
“Who is it?” The elderly Feng couple stared at him intently.
Feng Xianxu spoke with difficulty, “It’s Cheng You’s mother.”
…
The news of Cheng Wenyu being admitted to Qing University reached the compound, bringing great honor to Cheng You.
She was usually good at interacting with people and had gifted many things to the military wives in the compound.
Now, hearing about the good news in her family, many people voluntarily brought gifts to congratulate her.
Two university students from one family – this was a joyous occasion that many longed for.
Everyone marveled, wondering what kind of parents could raise such excellent children.
Cheng You spent days receiving gifts until her hands were sore. She planned to save them and give them all to Cheng Wenyu later.
Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping also heard the news and came with gifts.
Duan Liping gave a fountain pen she had saved up to buy, while Sun Xiaowan gave clothes.
“You know, my family doesn’t lack anything but clothes. If my younger brother ever needs clothes, just come to my place and pick some out.”
Cheng You raised an eyebrow, “No need for money?”
Sun Xiaowan patted her chest, “Our brother is a Qing University student. I can afford to support him. Tell him later, I’ll cover his clothes for the next few years!”
After chatting for a while, Duan Liping shyly said, “Good things might be happening for me soon.”
Her boyfriend had proposed marriage. Both were students and would rent a place to get married temporarily.
Duan Liping had no objections. She was a relatively traditional girl and had felt a bit anxious seeing Cheng You and Sun Xiaowan get married so early.
Not having a house wasn’t an issue; perhaps their units would assign them housing once they started working.
Sun Xiaowan nodded, “Indeed, you should hurry. Your boyfriend isn’t young anymore.”
Cheng You hadn’t met Duan Liping’s boyfriend and didn’t know him that well.
Hearing Sun Xiaowan say that, she felt a bit curious.
“How old is he?”
Sun Xiaowan replied, “He’ll be thirty this year.”
Cheng You was a little surprised, “Thirty and not married yet?”
Duan Liping smiled, “He was like us, he went down to the countryside before, so it was delayed.”
“Has the wedding date been set?”
Sun Xiaowan teased, “He’s eager to marry Liping home, saying it’s best to get the certificate and hold the wedding during the summer break.”
Cheng You said, “So urgent? I just received an invitation. Qi Chengyan’s comrade-in-arms is also getting married. I hope it doesn’t clash.”
The couple getting married was Liu Zi and Yuan Yuzhen.
They met during a performance on National Day last year. Later, Liu Zi visited Yuan Yuzhen’s family a few times, and a mutual affection grew.
They had been dating for about half a year. Because Yuan Yuzhen’s grandfather was in poor health, they were asked to get married sooner.
Duan Liping asked, “What’s the date for the comrade-in-arms? We should be setting ours in mid to late next month.”
“Then it won’t clash. His is at the beginning of the month.”
Sun Xiaowan leaned back in her chair and stretched, smiling, “That’s wonderful. We’re all getting married.”
Cheng You rested one hand on the back of her chair, propping up her chin as she looked at them.
She had thought she would walk alone on a thorny path, but fortunately, she had met many people on this journey, accompanying her in her mother’s stead.
If her mother were still alive, she would surely be very happy.