Chapter 11: Retrieving the Antique That Was Misjudged

"Very satisfied, quite satisfied."

Wen Ran understood that Wen Xin’s assignment to the countryside was already settled.

She hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. Given her personality, it was unusual that she didn’t struggle or resist more.

Song Jianshe slammed his fist on the table, clenching and unclenching his fist.

If the factory director hadn’t specifically praised Lu Meiqin and Wen Ran, his hand might have struck out in anger!

He didn’t know what had gotten into the factory director, suddenly taking such a keen interest in their family affairs.

Especially since the director had inquired so thoroughly about Wen Ran’s situation, which left him confused.

He wasn’t sure if the director was looking at him differently or focusing more on Wen Ran. Perhaps there was still a chance for the workshop supervisor election to turn in his favor.

Narrowing his eyes, he said in a low voice, “Wen Xin is going to the countryside tomorrow. Help her pack and make sure she has everything she needs.”

Wen Ran was even more puzzled.

Just moments ago, he had been teetering on the edge of losing his temper, and she almost thought he would hit her. She had even prepared how to defend herself, but surprisingly, he did nothing.

Today’s events felt strange.

She walked straight into the inner room with her bag.

Wen Xin glanced at her and wiped the tears from her face.

“Are you here to mock me?”

“I’m here to make sure you don’t take the wrong things!” Wen Ran raised an eyebrow as she looked at the two large, already-packed bags.

Since they shared the same room, their belongings had been mixed up quite a bit.

When their second uncle was sent down to the countryside, most of the valuable items in their home were confiscated.

Wen Xin had brought nothing but bedding and two sets of clothes.

According to the book, even a starving camel is bigger than a horse, and their second uncle had left some hidden reserves, though Wen Xin was unaware.

At first, they treated Wen Xin quite well, taking care of her needs in every way.

But Wen Xin was skilled at manipulating Song Jianshe; she always found ways to snatch things from her, eventually causing resentment from the mother and daughter.

Wen Xin never asked directly for what she wanted; she would hint indirectly, and Song Jianshe was especially susceptible to this, almost always granting her requests.

Her mother, quick to lose her temper, often argued with Song Jianshe over his favoritism. The more they quarreled, the more Wen Xin acted obediently in front of him, winning his favor.

Wen Ran couldn’t imitate Wen Xin’s duplicity and had suffered many losses because of it.

Song Jianshe always saw Wen Xin as being bullied, and the house was filled with constant quarrels.

At this moment, Wen Xin’s face flushed red and pale alternately as she opened the packed bundles.

“Check whatever you want!”

Wen Ran stepped forward; many of the items in the bundles had originally been taken by Wen Xin from her, including clothes and shoes.

She wasn’t cruel enough to deny Wen Xin food and clothing, but she pulled out a plain, impractical comb from the bundle and said, “This was given to me by grandma. You can’t take it.”

Wen Xin’s expression changed drastically.

Because her mother was the daughter of a wealthy capitalist, Wen Xin had grown up surrounded by antiques and understood their value.

This comb was no ordinary comb; despite its unassuming appearance, it was highly valuable as a collectible.

She had thought Wen Ran and her mother wouldn’t notice, but Wen Ran had immediately taken it.

She wasn’t sure if Wen Ran knew its worth or simply kept it for sentimental reasons, and her mind began to wander.

Recalling Wen Ran’s recent changes, she tentatively asked, “Sister, I’m going to the countryside. You won’t even let me take an ordinary comb?”

“How can you say that!” Wen Ran tossed another common comb, one easily bought anywhere, onto her bag. “You take this one. Grandma’s comb is a keepsake for me and mom. It wouldn’t be right for you to take it.”

Wen Xin gritted her teeth so hard she thought she’d shatter them but found no reason to insist on the valuable comb.

Seeing Wen Ran casually pocket the precious comb, she guessed that Wen Ran probably didn’t know its value—that it was just a coincidence!

Silently, she put the ordinary comb into her bag.

After all, she still needed a comb and couldn’t go without one.

Wen Ran didn’t know the comb’s value; she could always find a way to get it later.

Fortunately, Wen Xin hadn’t taken the most inconspicuous coin, a “Da De Tong Bao” coin, which Wen Ran had discarded, unaware of its future worth.

Just as she was secretly pleased, Wen Ran reached out, took the coin directly, and happily said, “No wonder I couldn’t find it anywhere—it was with you!”

Wen Xin was speechless. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want it?”

“Who said I didn’t want it? I was going to use it to make a shuttlecock for my little cousin!” Wen Ran said matter-of-factly and pocketed it.

She wasn’t foolish; no one knew the value of the comb and coin better than her.

According to the book, Wen Xin had sold these two items for millions.

Wen Xin’s hand trembled involuntarily, feeling the waste of such treasures. She dared not show it, fearing Wen Ran would notice.

Steadying her nerves, she said, “Sister, won’t you give it to me? I could make a shuttlecock with it when I’m bored in the countryside and think of you.”

Wen Ran smiled faintly. “Going to the countryside means receiving re-education from the poor and lower-middle peasants. Do you think you’ll have time to play shuttlecock? Besides, it’s just a coin—why do you always compete with me over it?”

Wen Xin was left speechless.

Her frustration was mounting, but she dared not show it.

She was also certain that Wen Ran was still as stubborn as ever.

Wen Ran put the coin into her jacket pocket, confident that there was nothing valuable left in her bundle, and happily left the room.

Lu Meiqin was in a good mood today too; she steamed some vegetarian buns and cooked rice porridge, with pickles on the side.

Wen Xin originally had no appetite, especially after Wen Ran had taken all the valuable items, making it even harder to eat.

Song Jianshe tried to persuade her but failed.

He barely ate himself, feeling full from anger alone!

His specialty was the silent treatment; when angry, he barely spoke to Lu Meiqin.

Lu Meiqin ignored him as well, eating three buns while Wen Ran ate two.

They also consumed a fair amount of porridge and pickles.

Indeed, a good mood brought a good appetite, making food taste better!

After the meal, Wen Ran learned about everything that had happened today from Lu Meiqin.

It was strange that the factory director would suddenly use Wen Xin as a model example—a scene absent from the book.

Lu Meiqin didn’t tell everything, omitting the part where Wen Xin bumped into Shen Nanzheng and received chocolates.

Despite her usual carelessness, she was cautious.

The chocolates, a luxury, had been hidden away, intended for her daughter after Wen Xin left.

As for the dwindling cash at home, she kept it close.

Usually, part of Song Jianshe’s earnings was sent back to their hometown, part to their second brother, and some secretly supplemented Wen Xin.

The household expenses were covered by her.

She was planning to divorce Song Jianshe, so naturally, she wouldn’t let him spend her money. Making them eat the meals she cooked was already the limit.

After all, it was only for one night. Tomorrow, Wen Xin’s household registration would be transferred to the countryside. Once moved out, it would be easy to transfer, but moving it back would be impossible.

Song Jianshe was busy rummaging through the room, which had just been tidied up and was ready for sleep. Lu Meiqin suddenly lost her temper.

“What are you digging through? You never clean up once, always just making a mess!”

Song Jianshe wanted to give Wen Xin some extra money but couldn’t find his secret stash anywhere. After years of hard saving, not a cent was left. He snapped, “Where’s my money?”