Chapter Three: The Imminent Severance of Ties

He said nothing, simply turning to hand the money back to the sobbing Ruan Tang, his face solemn: “Child, don’t be afraid. With the village chief here, your father won’t harm you anymore.”

He truly felt sympathy for Ruan Tang. She had been timid and withdrawn since childhood, too shy to speak to others.

She had only improved somewhat as she grew older. Recently, he’d heard that Ruan Tang was sold off by Ruan Datong, who pocketed all the bride price to gamble, leaving Ruan Tang penniless. She had gone alone to the Huo family in the neighboring village.

At this point, the village chief sighed, glanced back at Ruan Datong, then looked toward Ruan Tang. “How do you want to resolve this?”

Ruan Tang’s expression was fearless. “Then sever ties.”

Suddenly, Ruan Datong on the ground struggled to rise, his face full of refusal. “No! Ruan Tang, you can’t sever ties with me!”

She was his cash cow! All his income depended on her!

Hearing this, the village chief hesitated. He looked at Ruan Datong, then at Ruan Tang, hesitating before sighing deeply and patting her shoulder. “Good child, I know you’re hurt and disappointed, but after all, he is your father.”

Ruan Tang had anticipated this response and remained calm. “Then let him repay the money.”

The fifty yuan that had been found earlier was already back in her pocket. Now only the one hundred yuan she had paid on Ruan Datong’s behalf remained.

Severing family ties was hardly realistic. People nowadays valued morality and propriety; to sever ties would mean cutting off all connection with Ruan Datong. He had no financial means, his wife had divorced him, and he was alone—destined to starve.

Perhaps this was the harsh reality of society: having such a wretched father but unable to fully break away.

Ruan Tang’s heart was filled with disappointment, though she did not show it.

Ruan Datong refused without a second thought, “Impossible! I’m your father!”

He had just realized that since Ruan Tang held an IOU, it meant the group she went to had already given her money before handing over the IOU. So Ruan Tang had far more than 150 yuan in hand!

Thinking of this, Ruan Datong’s greed grew stronger, and he was determined to cling to Ruan Tang.

He never expected that after she married that Huo Yanxiu, she would have so much money! He should have lived with them from the start.

Ruan Datong’s eyes gleamed with greed as he schemed, but reality did not favor him. The village chief slapped Ruan Datong without hesitation, his face burning with anger. “If you won’t repay the money, do you expect Ruan Tang to give it to you? Are you even human? In your eyes, is Ruan Tang just an object to be exchanged for money?”

After the village chief’s words, many people’s expressions toward Ruan Datong grew hostile. They usually remained united.

Ruan Datong wanted to argue but fell silent at the tense atmosphere.

Ruan Tang’s face was calm. “Then sever ties.”

At her words, the atmosphere immediately froze.

The village chief was troubled. This was a family matter of Ruan Datong’s, but since Ruan Tang was so resolute about severing ties, he had to intervene.

He couldn’t act harshly toward Ruan Datong, but seeing how stubborn he was earlier, his mind changed.

Originally, he did not support Ruan Tang severing ties, but now it seemed inevitable.

Otherwise, sooner or later, Ruan Datong would accuse him of favoritism and cling to him, which was unacceptable.

The village chief calmed himself and beckoned a village officer following him. “Go get some paper and a pen.”

Ruan Tang was slightly surprised.

What was he planning?

Soon, the officer brought the supplies. Without a word, the village chief wrote two copies of a document in front of everyone—one for Ruan Tang, one for Ruan Datong—and kept a copy himself for safekeeping.

Ruan Tang’s feelings were mixed, tinged with joy at the village chief’s change of heart.

She lowered her eyes to the severance document and, resolutely, bit her finger to press her fingerprint, her determined expression drawing many glances.

Finally, after the village chief and others forced the unwilling Ruan Datong to press his fingerprint, everyone carefully stored away the documents, and the farce came to an end.

Holding the document close to her chest, Ruan Tang breathed a long sigh of relief.

For now, Ruan Datong should no longer bother her.

The village chief’s expression was stern. “Ruan Tang, consider that one hundred yuan as payment for the severance document. Do you accept?”

On hearing this, Ruan Tang nodded. “I accept.”

After all, her objective had been achieved.

The village chief nodded. “Good. Then this matter is settled.”

Ruan Datong still struggled, shouting in frustration, “I don’t agree—”

In the end, Ruan Datong severed ties with Ruan Tang. Everyone looked hesitant.

But with the severance documents signed, there was no room for doubt.

Now that the relationship was cut, Ruan Tang and Ruan Datong were officially separate families.

Ruan Tang felt an immense sense of relief. She glanced at Ruan Datong lying on the ground and turned away without looking back to embrace Huo Qingqing.

Ruan Datong’s face was defeated, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness, a frightening sight.

“Ruan Tang, your daughter is awake.”

At the words, Ruan Tang looked up. Huo Qingqing, now awake, gazed at her coldly.

She stepped forward to hold Huo Qingqing, but the girl dodged away.

Ruan Tang’s body stiffened, her voice softening as she apologized quietly, “I’m sorry, Qingqing. Mommy didn’t know your father could be so cruel. Now I have nothing to do with him. Our family will live well together, okay?”

“I don’t want you. I want Daddy!”

Huo Qingqing turned her face away sharply, her tone cutting, and her actions clearly rejecting her.

Ruan Tang had guessed this would happen, sighed softly, and said seriously, “Then Mommy will call Daddy and let him talk to you, okay?”

At this, Huo Qingqing turned back, pursed her lips, and glanced at Ruan Tang. “I don’t want you.”

Ruan Tang raised her hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. Then let the village chief take you, okay?”

The village chief smiled. “Qingqing, Grandpa will take you to talk to Daddy, alright?”

Huo Qingqing hesitated briefly looking at the village chief, then clung tightly to her aunt’s neck, burying her head there. “I want Auntie.”

Ruan Tang and the village chief exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in the other’s eyes.

There was no other choice. Ruan Tang entrusted Aunt Huang to take Huo Qingqing to the village chief’s home.

Only the village chief’s house in the entire village had a telephone.

On the way, Ruan Tang thought about how Huo Qingqing had vanished after her brief appearance in the story—sold away and lost without further mention. Her personality was still unknown; they would have to explore it slowly.

She believed that as long as she tried hard enough, Huo Qingqing would eventually accept her.

The three arrived at the village chief’s house. Ruan Tang dialed the number left by Huo Yanxiu. After a long wait, someone finally answered.

“Hello, who’s calling?”

The man’s voice was calm, pleasant, and magnetic, but with a trace of hidden fatigue beneath.