Chapter Two: The Greedy Ruan Datong

A broadcast sounded in her ear, and Ruan Tang couldn’t help but ask, “Siri, was it you who brought me here?”

[Sorry, you do not have permission.]

Ruan Tang’s face fell; she didn’t press further, tucked away the IOU, and turned to lay Huo Qingqing gently on the bed.

Once the tension faded, a stabbing pain at her neck flooded in like a tide. Frowning, she reached up to touch it, then glanced around and spotted a water jar by the door. She walked over and peered inside. The bruising on her neck was shocking, enough to make anyone’s heart ache.

She sucked in a breath; no wonder the pain was so unbearable—such severe marks, clearly Ruan Datong hadn’t held back.

At this thought, Ruan Tang’s expression turned cold, and a profound hatred welled up in her heart for Ruan Datong’s attempt to murder his own daughter.

A father like that deserved to be punished as he should!

She lowered her eyes again and saw the reflection of a delicate woman in the water: an oval face, double eyelids, a thick head of black hair, and large, watery cinnamon eyes, pure and pitifully lovely. Her brows were finely shaped, naturally beautiful even before being groomed; her lips were rosy, her skin fair with a healthy blush.

Ruan Tang was quite pleased. She’d always had a babyish face and was short, so people mistook her for a minor. She hadn’t expected, after falling into this novel, to gain a height of over 160 centimeters and a face with the classical beauty of the Jiangnan region—a delightful surprise.

Having gained so much, Ruan Tang decided not to fuss about being “kidnapped by the system.” After all, she’d been alone before, but here, she had a husband, a child, and endless money to spend. What more could she ask for?

But—

Remembering Ruan Datong’s escape, her face turned icy once more.

There was still a matter left unresolved.

Cradling Huo Qingqing, Ruan Tang planned to go down the slope to find the village chief.

When she reached the pond by the rice fields, she saw a commotion from afar; at the center of it, struggling to flee, was none other than Ruan Datong.

Her expression hardened. She walked closer, handed the child to a nearby aunt, and, without a word, slapped Ruan Datong square across the face, leaving him utterly stunned.

The crowd fell silent, then Ruan Datong, face ashen as if he’d seen a ghost, stammered, “You—you’re alive?!”

The village chief was equally shocked. He quickly pulled the two apart, shot a guarded look at Ruan Datong, and turned to Ruan Tang with concern. “Girl, what happened to your neck?”

He had noticed the bruise—such a deep mark, proof of someone’s ruthlessness.

At his words, Ruan Tang’s nose stung, and a wave of grievance from deep within her body made her tremble. Tears spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks, her pitiful appearance making the village chief’s heart ache.

“Village Chief—” Ruan Tang sobbed, wiping her tears. Her weeping, as delicate as a flower in the rain, moved not only the chief but drew several soft-hearted aunties to her side, comforting her.

The village chief’s expression grew grim. “Was it your father? I saw him sneaking out of your house just now, looking guilty as anything!”

Ruan Tang hiccupped through her tears, nodding vigorously. With tear-filled eyes, she pointed at Ruan Datong. “He nearly strangled me—just to steal the one hundred and fifty yuan Yan Xiu gave me to pay his debts!”

At this, the crowd erupted in shock.

The village chief’s face darkened further, and without a word, he kicked Ruan Datong to the ground, leaving him sprawled and unable to get up.

Ruan Datong was still reeling from the shock of Ruan Tang’s resurrection; now, hearing her accusation, he couldn’t contain his indignation and anger. “You—what nonsense are you spouting? I only borrowed money from you!”

Never mind why Ruan Tang had come back to life; right now, he couldn’t let the villagers discover what he’d done to her.

Ruan Tang’s emotion was genuine, and so was Ruan Datong’s shock and indignation. The villagers weren’t sure whom to believe.

The village chief frowned and pressed Ruan Datong, “Did you steal it or borrow it?”

After all, those bruises on Ruan Tang’s neck were real—who would treat their own child so fiercely?

One of the aunties couldn’t hold back, spat toward Ruan Datong, and shouted angrily, “Don’t try to change the subject! A father who nearly kills his own daughter for money—isn’t that just a beast?”

Hearing this, Ruan Datong began to wail, wiping at his eyes. “Heavens, I don’t know where those bruises came from! I only went to borrow fifty yuan, and now she’s accusing me of stealing one hundred and fifty! I’m being wronged!”

This girl really was a lion opening her mouth wide, accusing him of stealing so much! What an ungrateful child!

Fuming, Ruan Datong spat at Ruan Tang.

At his words, the villagers hadn’t expected Ruan Tang to be so shameless; their gazes toward her changed.

Whispers spread—accusing her of being unfilial and scheming.

Some even agreed with Ruan Datong, nodding. “Exactly, I think Ruan Tang’s just spoiled. All she talks about is money. Now she wants to cheat her own father. Is money more important than her own father?”

Seeing that public opinion was turning in his favor, a trace of smugness flashed in Ruan Datong’s eyes.

A child is still a child, too inexperienced.

Ruan Tang had anticipated this. She turned tearfully to the village chief, took the IOU from her pocket, and handed it to him. “Here’s the evidence.”

Ruan Datong’s pride froze on his face the moment he saw the IOU. His pupils dilated in shock, and his gaze toward Ruan Tang was filled with disbelief and panic.

How did she have the IOU?!

The village chief studied it carefully. It bore a red seal, a fingerprint, and Ruan Datong’s name. That was enough to shatter Ruan Datong’s lies.

The chief’s face grew dark as he handed the IOU to the village committee member, who examined it and nodded to the crowd. “It’s Ruan Datong’s IOU, for one hundred yuan.”

With that official confirmation, the villagers gasped, their eyes toward Ruan Datong now full of fury.

On one hand, they had been deceived; on the other, they felt ashamed for nearly wronging Ruan Tang.

Ruan Tang, face full of suppressed pain but eyes resolute, said, “If you still don’t believe me, the chief can search him. He must have the leftover money from paying off the debt!”

At her words, the chief stepped up with several others and searched Ruan Datong on the spot.

Ruan Datong panicked, struggling like a bull, but was ultimately restrained by the village chief.

The chief reached into Ruan Datong’s chest pocket, fished around, and pulled out a still-warm fifty-yuan note.

The scene instantly erupted. One after another, villagers glared at Ruan Datong with condemnation and disgust.

It was now clear—he truly had meant to kill his own daughter.

At this realization, everyone drew away from him, afraid this “murderer” might suddenly lash out.

The village chief stood before the now-deflated, shifty-eyed Ruan Datong, his gaze filled with undisguised disappointment.