Chapter 42: A Severed Bond Between Mother and Daughter

Meanwhile, at Cao Kun’s residence, Wang Shanshan was watching television with a look of annoyance while stuffing her face with snacks.

"It’s infuriating! That spineless sycophant Cao Kun, how has he become so thick-headed? He knew I wasn't feeling well and skipped lunch, yet even now, he hasn't brought any food back. Is he trying to starve me to death?"

"Hmph, I’ll give him one more hour. If he doesn't bring food back by then, I—I’ll never let him fawn over me again. It’s not like I’m desperate for his pathetic attention!"

Wang Shanshan felt that her day had been particularly miserable. The root of it all was the negotiation with Huang Jianren’s parents. She had wracked her brain, but she never imagined that they would actually agree to provide a letter of forgiveness in exchange for 800,000 in compensation.

Good grief, she had only wanted to cultivate the image of a devoted, filial daughter. As word of this spread, everyone would know that Wang Shanshan was a woman of deep affection and righteousness. To save her father’s life, she would have been willing to exhaust her entire family fortune, leaving herself no way out. How moving! The image of a selfless, filial daughter who valued emotion over money would have been firmly cemented. These were all shining points that would have earned her endless praise.

But now that Huang Jianren’s parents had agreed, it completely disrupted her rhythm. The image of a devoted daughter could no longer be built. After all, she was only putting on an act; she never intended to actually trade 800,000 for that letter. Furthermore, not only would the image fail, but it might also backfire and stain her reputation. Since the other party had agreed and she was the one who would now refuse, if it leaked, she would be branded a miser who would rather watch her own father face the death penalty than part with her money. If such a reputation spread, it would be a fatal blow. Based on that alone, she could forget about marrying into any wealthy or powerful family.

Fortunately, this stain on her reputation hadn't been set in stone yet. She hadn't voiced her refusal, and she wouldn't. She still had her mother! Such cold-hearted words would have to come from her mother; she had to ensure her own image remained untarnished. And her mother would surely say it. With university starting soon, there were tuition fees, living expenses, and accommodation costs to consider—how could her mother possibly agree to hand over the entire 800,000 for a letter of forgiveness? She was still young; she could afford to be naive. But could her mother afford to be?

Just as Wang Shanshan was pondering this while snacking, the door opened, and Cao Kun walked in with Bai Jing. Seeing that Cao Kun had returned empty-handed, the expression on Wang Shanshan’s face collapsed. What was wrong with this sycophant? Did he not know she hadn't eaten lunch? Even her mother didn't know, but surely he should have? He didn't even bring back a snack. Fine, just wait—she would never let him fawn over her again!

As this unhappy thought crossed her mind, she suddenly noticed something and gasped. "Mom, where is your necklace?"

Wang Shanshan clearly remembered that when Bai Jing left for her beauty treatment, she was wearing that beautiful gold necklace around her fair neck. But now, her neck was bare. It was gone. Did she lose it? That necklace was worth several thousand, nearly ten thousand! As she noticed the necklace, she realized that Bai Jing’s gold earrings were also missing. Even the gold ring on her finger was gone.

*Sss—* What was going on? Where were all her accessories? Had she been robbed?

Facing Wang Shanshan’s shocked gaze, Cao Kun spoke up with fawning eagerness before Bai Jing could say a word. "Shanshan, I have good news! We’ve secured the letter of forgiveness for Uncle."

"What?" Wang Shanshan’s body trembled as if she had seen a ghost. She stared at Cao Kun, articulating every word, "What did you just say? We... we got the letter for my father?"

"Yes!" Cao Kun said, beaming. "This afternoon, Aunt Bai and I went to handle it personally." He then recounted the events of the afternoon in detail—from mortgaging their house to Huang Jianren’s parents and transferring all their savings, to Bai Jing giving up all her jewelry. Finally, he described how the parents had provided the letter at the police station. He told the story with meticulous detail, terrified of missing a single point.

After hearing Cao Kun’s account, Wang Shanshan felt dizzy, nearly fainting on the spot. The house was gone, the savings were gone, and even Bai Jing’s jewelry was gone? How were they supposed to live? And with university starting, where would the money for her tuition, living expenses, and housing come from?

Struggling to stay conscious, she looked at Bai Jing with a trembling voice. "Mom, what he’s saying isn't true, right? Our house is still ours, and our savings are still there, right?"

A flicker of intense disgust crossed Bai Jing’s eyes. *Who are you putting on this show for?* Wasn't it you who cried and screamed that you would borrow money to save your father? Now that the letter is in hand, you put on this act—who are you trying to disgust?

"Everything Cao Kun said is true," Bai Jing replied coldly. "Our house and our savings are all gone, all to trade for your father’s letter. Besides, isn't this what you’ve always wanted?"

Hearing the definitive answer, Wang Shanshan stumbled, nearly falling onto the sofa. She stared at Bai Jing as if looking at a stranger. After several seconds, she shrieked, "Bai Jing, have you lost your mind? The house is gone, the money is gone! University starts soon, do you even know that? How am I supposed to pay for tuition and living expenses? How am I supposed to attend university now?"

Seeing Wang Shanshan’s hysterical behavior, Bai Jing could no longer contain her rage. She walked up and slapped her hard. *Smack!* The blow left Wang Shanshan stunned.

Bai Jing glared into her daughter’s eyes, speaking slowly and clearly, "Wang Shanshan, listen to me carefully. No matter what, I am the mother who raised you for eighteen years. You may not have me in your heart, but you will not disrespect me! If I hear you speak to me like that again, I will break your face! Furthermore, you are eighteen now, an adult. Attend university however you like; it has nothing to do with me! Even if you don't go to university and choose to work in a factory, work in a KTV, or sell yourself, that is your own business! Remember, your affairs are no longer my concern. I will not look after you anymore. I will not live for you ever again!"

With that, Bai Jing turned sharply and stormed out of the room, fuming.