The Villain’s Daughter is Four and a Half

Jiang Boyuan tried to get his life back on track but suddenly received a distress call from his sister, Jiang Qiuyue. “Your brother-in-law is cheating!””He took all my money and ran!””Boyuan, what should I do? He borrowed a lot of money too!” She was sobbing uncontrollably on the phone. Jiang Boyuan had no choice but to comfort her: “I’m here. Don’t cry. Have you reported it to the police?” Jiang Qiuyue hesitated: “Report to the police? He’s Mingzhu’s father after all.””Does he still count as a person after doing this? Report him!””Come back! Hurry! There are so many people at home! It seems like… he borrowed from loan sharks… Please, don’t smash anything… I beg you…” Mixed with the sound of a child crying, there was the noise of things being smashed. Jiang Boyuan frowned, turned the car around, packed clothes for both of them, picked up Ruyi from the kindergarten, and drove to Lin City where Jiang Qiuyue’s family lived. It was quite remote, taking several hours by car. On the way, Jiang Ruyi asked, “Why are we suddenly going to Auntie’s house?””Because something happened at Auntie’s house.””What happened?””Children shouldn’t ask so many questions.” He didn’t think it was good to tell his daughter about her uncle’s infidelity. Jiang Ruyi was unhappy: “Why can’t children ask so many questions? You were a child once too! Daddy is being discriminatory!” Jiang Boyuan, hearing her grievances, explained cautiously: “Your uncle bullied your aunt. Daddy needs to protect Auntie.””Oh.” She guessed the meaning of “bullied,” either infidelity or domestic violence, and regardless of which, Jiang Boyuan, as the brother, should step in. Despite her not being a good sister or aunt, family ties were unbreakable. After a long journey, they finally reached their destination. Jiang Qiuyue’s home was in a bustling part of the city center, a luxurious three-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom, decorated lavishly. Unfortunately, the place had been emptied, with even the coffee table and TV smashed. Jiang Qiuyue was crying, holding her daughter, her eyes swollen like walnuts, the little girl having cried herself to sleep in her arms. Jiang Boyuan carried his daughter, avoiding the broken glass, and placed her on the floor, then found a broom to clean up the room. Since there was nothing to eat or stay in the kitchen or bedroom, Jiang Boyuan booked a hotel and took them there. Along the way, they found a restaurant to eat. Feng Mingzhu hadn’t seen her uncle in a long time and kept asking for hugs. Jiang Ruyi was initially jealous but seeing their pitiful state, she said nothing. Jiang Qiuyue, after this incident, seemed to realize who was good to her, and thus, she doted on Jiang Ruyi, who looked up at her dad with a hint of wanting a hug, and Jiang Qiuyue picked her up. “Little Ruyi, be good, Auntie was wrong before, don’t be mad at Auntie!” She showed genuine affection. Jiang Ruyi still didn’t like her but didn’t show it, obediently allowing the embrace. After dinner, the four returned to the hotel. Jiang Ruyi shared a room with her dad, overhearing him on the phone with Ye Xueqing, presumably asking for money to pay off Jiang Qiuyue’s debts. She thought Jiang Qiuyue was a bottomless pit, pouting, “That’s Mommy’s money.” Jiang Boyuan blushed, looking somewhat embarrassed: “Once Daddy starts working, I’ll make it up to Mommy.””Then Daddy should work hard.””Yes.” The affairs of his sister’s family were indeed a heavy burden on him. Zhou Linchuan was right; he wasn’t alone; he had his daughter and other relatives who all needed him. A true man stands tall and takes responsibility. Ye Xueqing agreed to go to the bank early the next morning to transfer the money. The transfer would take some time to process. Jiang Baiyuan only managed to withdraw the money from the bank the following afternoon, contacted the creditor, and paid back 780,000 yuan. Of course, he wasn’t just a pushover; he had discussed with Jiang Qiumei to use the title deed of her apartment as collateral. He became the owner of the apartment, but allowed her to continue living there. As for Feng Bin, he hired a detective agency to find him. Jiang Qiumei didn’t want a divorce, but Jiang Baiyuan was firm: “He’s never been honest. Initially, you liked him a lot, so I didn’t say anything. Now, the way he treats you and Mingzhu, he’s just a scumbag with a rotten character. If you want to fall into that pit, then go ahead and stay with him. If anything like this happens again, I won’t bother with you!” He wasn’t just joking; he picked up Ruyi and was about to leave. Only then did Jiang Qiumei get scared and agree to the divorce: “I’ll divorce him. I will. But what about me and Mingzhu after this—””If you don’t divorce, can you really count on him?” He’s just a gigolo living off her money! Jiang Qiumei knew this was true, couldn’t argue back, and just cried: “Wuwu, why is my life so hard! What’s the point of me living? Wuwu, my poor daughter—” Tears are a woman’s weapon. Men are afraid of women’s tears, and Jiang Baiyuan was no exception; his tone softened a bit: “Stop crying. You’re still young; if you meet someone suitable, we’ll talk then. If not, just take good care of Mingzhu. I’m your brother, I won’t abandon you. But Feng Bin is just a pit, you can’t fall into it.” Jiang Qiumei was choked up: “I-I know.” “But remember—” his expression turned stern, his gaze sharp: “I only have one daughter, Ruyi. If you fulfill your duty as an aunt, I’ll fulfill mine as a brother. Sister, don’t let me down.” Jiang Qiumei nodded frantically: “I won’t. I was foolish before, I was ungrateful…” She was very proactive in admitting her faults. Jiang Baiyuan stayed in Lincheng for a while, furnishing her apartment and also tracking down Feng Bin. Unlike Xu Xiangying, Feng Bin was quickly located. He was living with his mistress in a hotel, easy to find. The mistress was young, not particularly beautiful, but full of youthful charm, dressed provocatively with long legs, exuding a certain sex appeal. In short, she wasn’t much prettier than Jiang Qiumei in her youth. Jiang Qiumei went to catch them in the act, furiously shoving the mistress against the wall. She looked like a wild tigress. Feng Bin tried to escape but was kicked against the wall by Jiang Baiyuan: “Where do you think you’re going?” “Bai-Baiyuan, it’s you—” Feng Bin’s face was full of flattery: “Why are you here? Have you found Xiangying?” The last sentence hit Jiang Baiyuan’s sore spot. He grabbed his collar and punched him in the face: “Who gave you the guts to bully my sister? Hmm? Feng Bin, hasn’t my sister treated you well these years?” Jiang Qiumei was just a romantic fool, aging but not growing wiser. In her youth, she took care of Jiang Baiyuan, sacrificing her own youth without complaint, but after meeting Feng Bin, she poured all her heart into him. During Jiang Baiyuan’s toughest times, his only sister treated him like a burden, which was very painful, especially with the pressure of studies. If it weren’t for meeting Xu Xiangying, he might not have made it. Today, he avenged his sister’s grievances! Feng Bin always thought this brother-in-law was gentle, never expecting him to hit someone. By the time he reacted, another punch had landed. His face turned pale from the pain, and knowing he was in the wrong, plus knowing his brother-in-law’s capabilities, he dared not act out, only groveling for forgiveness: “I was wrong, I was just momentarily confused. Baiyuan, don’t be angry. I’ll apologize to Qiumei. Qiumei, forgive me—” He knelt in front of Jiang Qiumei, grabbing her hand as she fought with the mistress, causing her to get slapped twice by the mistress. Jiang Qiumei thought he was protecting the mistress and slapped him back: “You bastard! I treated you like royalty, and this is how you repay me! Feng Bin, I want a divorce!” Hearing about divorce, Feng Bin panicked: “I don’t want a divorce. Qiumei, I love you. Really. I was just momentarily confused! Forgive me!” Although he didn’t respect her, her brother behind her was capable, and she had always been very filial. He had no job; without her, he’d have nothing. They couldn’t divorce! He clung to her legs, expressing his sincerity: “Believe me. I love you. I’ll change my ways. Qiumei, we still have Mingzhu. Mingzhu can’t be without a father.” Mentioning their daughter, Jiang Qiumei wavered, looking at Mingzhu standing by, who ran into Jiang Baiyuan’s arms. Clearly, she preferred her uncle over her father. Indeed, had Feng Bin ever fulfilled his role as a father? He was young, playful, always out at bars, and chasing after other women. Mingzhu had once said, “Daddy plays kissing games with other sisters.” It was just a game, just a fleeting amusement. He came home every night, and on important occasions, he’d bring flowers and compliment her beauty. That was enough. She consoled herself like this. But reality was too harsh. He used her money to support his mistress and borrowed high-interest loans to enjoy himself. If the creditors hadn’t come looking for him, she wouldn’t have known how pathetic and laughable her life was. “Look at Mingzhu, does she see you as her father?” “How many times have you hugged her?” “You’ve really disappointed me.” Her daughter’s reaction solidified her resolve to divorce. She dragged him back home by his ear, showing him the records of his lavish spending over the years. “Here’s your monthly expense list.” “You haven’t given me a penny all these years!” “Get out!” “Leave with nothing!” At the last moment, she was wise. Jiang Baiyuan helped clean up the mess, and as he was about to return to Shenzhen, he received a call from Zhou Linchuan. “Someone’s tailing you. Be careful.” His words were startling. Jiang Baiyuan frowned: “What do you mean? Who’s tailing us?” Zhou Linchuan didn’t answer, asking him to pass the phone to Ruyi: “I miss my goddaughter.” “Not yet.” The condition for recognizing her as his goddaughter was that he had to find Xu Xiangying first. Zhou Linchuan’s tone was light: “It won’t be long. Give the phone to my goddaughter.” Jiang Baiyuan thought he was crazy and didn’t pass the phone to his daughter but pressed for more information: “You just said someone’s tailing us? What does that mean? Explain it clearly.”