and sharp cheekbones.The other person was glaring at her menacingly, reaching out with a death grip on the aluminum pot handle: "Mine, this porridge is mine, give it to me!"That old woman was so thin,...Soon, they walked to the production team's office.

Li Yanan let the other captains go to work first, he accompanied Ning Yuan into the office.

What was said to be an office was actually an old house in a rural courtyard. Inside, there was a table and some old cabinets.

The wall was plastered with posters of laborers and slogans praising the people's communes.

There was only a slightly plump, tall middle-aged woman in blue work clothes sitting there, holding a ceramic tea jar in her hands.

A plump woman often appears endearing.

But she had a pair of downward-slanting eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a thin face, giving her a serious and aloof appearance.

Ning Yuan looked at her, saying nothing.

The woman furrowed her brows, pulling her face even longer. Seeing Li Yan behind Ning Yuan, she stood up and strained a smile: “Secretary Li Yan, I’m so sorry...”

"It's nothing, Auntie Bai. You chat with Ningyuan first, I'll go handle something over here." Li Yan politely nodded and tactfully gave space to the aunt-niece duo.

Ning Yuan looked at the woman in front of her and still spoke slowly: "Auntie, my living expenses..."

"You still have the nerve to ask for money!" As soon as her words left her mouth, a porcelain teapot flew towards her head with a crash.

She instinctively sidestepped.

"Bang—gurgle!" The enamel tea pot smashed hard against the door and then tumbled to the ground, rolling twice.

Although Ning Yuan dodged the fate of having her head smashed, the hot water inside spilled over and scalded her lower half.

Luckily, the hot water inside wasn't very hot anymore, but it was still a little scalding, making Ningyuan involuntarily gasp and shiver in her clothes: "Hiss—!"

"What are you hiding Weren't you very good at splashing someone all over with dirty water this afternoon When did I teach you this landlord's daughter attitude!"

White Aunt's cold voice rang out with anger.

That is, Ning Yuan came a little late, the hot water wasn't hot enough anymore. Otherwise, she would have gotten several burns from this boiling water and learned her lesson!

Ning Yuan coldly raised her eyes to look at her: "Are you my aunt or someone else's aunt Before you make a move, ask clearly about the cause and effect of things"

It must have been Tang Zhenzhen and Huang Xuerong who couldn't handle her. They knew she was afraid of her aunt, so they immediately ran to tell on her. They were quick about it too.

Aunt Bai saw that her niece, who had always been timid and kept her head down in front of her, actually dared to speak to her like this.

She was stunned for a moment, then slammed her fist on the table. Her narrowed eyes burned with anger: "You dare to talk back Fine, I'll ask you this. People say you stole something and you deny it, then where did you get the jade chili pepper from That's our family heirloom, you didn't steal it, how is it in your hands!"

Ning Yuan took a bite, then looked up at Bai Yi: "That was given to me by my grandmother when I was three years old."

Aunt Bai's face darkened: "Shut up! I don't know what your grandmother gave you. Doesn't your mother know! Are you still lying!"

Ning Yuan simply said, "That's because Grandma didn't let me tell you and Mom, saying you would definitely take it away."

Bai Yi was taken aback, and then a serious expression spread across her long face. She gritted her teeth and said, "Your life is what your mother and I gave you, give me the jade chili!"

Ning Yuan lowered her eyes, her voice a little ethereal: "If there are any other requirements, aunt may as well say them together."

Bai Yi saw that she was 'yielding' and her tone softened a little: "You haven't gotten your marriage license yet. Immediately report to the squad, saying that that guy surnamed Rong, who was sent down for reform through labor, plotted against you. Then kneel down and ask Li Yuan for forgiveness, saying that you are innocent!"

Ning Yuan looked at Bai Yi: "You asked me to frame Rong Zhaonan. Do you know that he could be imprisoned for ten years or even sentenced to death"

Sentences now are different from what they were decades ago. During the crackdown period, even peeking at women bathing could result in a death sentence.

Aunt Bai's eyes narrowed, her gaze cold as she said, "He's a reformed criminal. He's dead, and it has nothing to do with you!"

Ning Yuan looked at her for a while and said faintly, "I disagree. I can't do such a thing worse than a pig or a dog."

Bai Yi heard this, her face turned cold instantly. She slammed her hand on the table and shouted: "I see you're just like what they said, sleeping in the same bed with bad people and becoming degenerate! How did I raise you Now you have no manners at all! Get down on your knees! Today, I will discipline you on behalf of your mother!"

Ning Yuan looked into her eyes, enunciating each word: "Auntie, you don't speak for my mother. I wasn't born from your womb, I didn't eat your food for nothing, I did most of the housework for your family."

Bai Yi's strong frame froze, staring in disbelief at Ning Yuan who stood there with a cold face, like she was looking at a stranger.

She gritted her teeth: "Will you kneel You say you've done nothing wrong, yet you dare to marry and fool around with a reformed criminal without my or our family's consent"

Aunt Bai stepped closer to Ning Yuan, pointing at her nose and shouting, "Don't you know this will implicate your family How will people outside view us in the future Are you worthy of all we've done for you"

Ning Yuan met Bai Yi's gaze directly and sneered, "I hold no guilt. Aunt, aren't you hoping I date Li Yan so he can help your nephews find jobs and military service recommendations"

Her mocking tone struck Bai Yi's heart all at once.

Her serious and harsh face seemed to tremble even her bones. For a moment, she seemed to have understood something: "Are you doing this on purpose"

Ning Yuan shrugged: "If you say so, then so be it. I'm not interested in being a stepping stone for others. The Jade Chili is a gift from my grandmother, and I won't give it to anyone."

Bai Yi's face turned sinister and cold as she stood there, staring at Ning Yuan's face: "Ning Yuan, you have really gotten bold. I ask you again, will you kneel down and apologize Will you give me the things"

Ning Yuan continued, each word punctuated by a pause, her gaze unwavering: "I won't kneel, I won't give in. I've grown up, you can't control me anymore."

You shall never fear her threats and shadows again!

Bai Yi suddenly twisted her face, grabbed a solid wooden stool beside her with one hand, and slammed it down on Ning Yuan's body: "Then you try!"

Ning Yuan didn't expect Bai Yi to suddenly become so out of control, saying she would take action and actually hit her in the delivery room with a large wooden bench.

Such a heavy chair, if it hit her like that she would have at least a fracture!!

Although she had some defenses, she dodged it, but Aunt Bai's tall figure immediately cornered her by the door.

Bai Yi panted excitedly, her face contorted in rage as she twisted the woman's hair and swung a chair towards her head. "What are you running for Big Aunt punishes you for your own good!"

Ning Yuan reacted, gritted her teeth and suddenly bowed down, about to ram into her legs.

Even if she got hit hard, she would still try her best to crash into White Aunt and call for help!

But someone was faster than her, the door "bang" open, a clear figure with long legs swept fiercely.

"Ah!!" Aunt Bai was kicked directly and flew backwards, hitting the wall before crashing to the ground.

She screamed and huddled in the corner under the wall.

Ning Yuan was stunned. She looked at the tall figure standing beside her: "Rong Zhaonan, how did you get here"

Rong Zhaonan lowered his head and looked at Ning Yuan who was squatting down. He said in a light tone: "If I don't come, you have to go to the hospital today. How can you get the marriage certificate"

Ning Yuan let out a slow breath and looked at the strong woman huddled under the wall: "Is her rib broken"

Róng Zhāonán pushed his glasses up. "Well, about two broke. Are you going to blame me"

He's already holding back.

Ning Yuan took a deep breath: "No, thank you."

Bai Yi almost fainted from the pain, trembling and glaring deathly at Ning Yuan and Rong Zhaonan: "Traitorous scum, you actually dared to let someone beat me...... How dare you...... I treated you as my daughter..."

"Ning Yuan, you're truly insane... fallen... only elders are here to discipline you! How dare you disobey!"

Looking at Bai Yi's hateful gaze, Rong Zhaonan raised an eyebrow: "Is this your aunt or your enemy"

I've never seen anyone who beat a child in such a cruel and malicious way.

Ning Yuan shook her head and lowered her eyes. "I don't know," she said.

Even if her aunt had passed away in a previous life, she wouldn't understand why her aunt treated her so badly!

He seems to have an extreme need for control and a desire to abuse her. He beat and scolded her mercilessly, and without hesitation, sold her to his cousin as a path to ruin.

It's not quite complete abuse and control.

Even when her mother didn't want to send her to school, her aunt would insist that her mother had to send her to study, even promising to pay for the tuition.

As they were speaking, the noises in the room also drew everyone else in.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, staring at the messy room and White Auntie groaning on the floor. They had no idea what had happened.

"What happened" Li Yan received the notice and rushed over.

Li Yan walked in and saw Rong Zhaonan, his anger burning: "How is it you again, this demoted cadre Shouldn't you be in the cattle shed What are you doing here!"

Rong Zhaonan lowered his gaze, hiding his cold eyes behind the lens, and spoke calmly: "Report, I'm here to pick up my partner."

"You..." Li Yan choked back, wanting to say something.

Ning Yuan walked to Bai Yi's side and squatted down, interrupting him: "I had a conflict with my aunt. She wanted to hit me, so I pushed her back. Then she splashed hot water on me, and she got hurt."

Li Yan frowned, his gaze sweeping over Rong Zhaonan with severity: "Ning Yuan, was it you or him who did this"

These days, if family members get into a fight, most people just let it go—making a big deal out of small things and sweeping things under the rug.

But if this reformed subordinate, surnamed Rong, were to resort to violence against the masses, the outcome would be very different.

Bai Yi endured the excruciating pain, trembling as she pointed at Rong Zhao Nan wanting to say something: "He...is..."

Ning Yuan, taking advantage of the act of supporting her, suddenly pressed down on Bai Yi's fractured ribs.ong Zhaonan looked at the young girl before him, and for some reason, he saw indifference and a sense of world-weariness on her youthful, plump face.This was the first time he had heard such words.The...