Chapter Twenty-Three: Why Is Our Family So Cursed?

Shameless. Absolutely shameless. How did I never realize he was this thick-skinned before?

Wei Yao was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. Of course, that was it. He had been putting on an act for his mission for so many years; how could she have possibly known what his true nature was like?

"Don't sneer. I’m really giving you good things. Could you just take a look first?"

With his sturdy, handsome face and a pitiful expression, he was still quite deceptive. Wei Yao let out a hiss, feeling unexpectedly guilty. Seeing Song Mingrui about to sit up to move the children, she quickly threw off the quilt and sat up herself.

"Fine, I can reach it from here." She snatched it, opened it, and her eyes widened like lightbulbs. She looked up at him in disbelief. "Why—why is there so much money and so many ration coupons here?"

Song Mingrui: "..."

Was that all she could see? Inside were his military medals, a new appointment letter, the ownership certificate for the house they had been allocated, and even a letter of introduction for a job transfer!

"All the bonuses and wages I’ve earned from my missions over the years are here. The salary from the transport team was only a fraction of it. I’m now at the deputy regiment level, earning a ninth-grade wage of 180, plus a military seniority allowance of 90.5, bringing it to 275 a month, not to mention the benefits."

Wei Yao: "..."

With so much money, where had it all gone in her previous life?

Facing Wei Yao’s reddened eyes, Song Mingrui swallowed nervously, his mouth twitching as he struggled to find the words.

Wei Yao stood frozen for a long time. She suddenly remembered that not long after Song Mingrui died in her past life, she and her two children had been kicked out. Yet, the Song family’s life had suddenly improved. Not only were Song Liping’s three children sent to the Youth Palace for lessons, but they even bought Li Ying an accordion.

The whole family dressed in fine, slick clothes every day. Back then, she had assumed Song Liping’s lover was a complete fool, but now, thinking about it, the fool had been her all along.

"W-wife, what’s wrong? I saved all this money and these coupons. In the early stages of my missions, I didn’t dare bring money home, and since you were always so intent on giving our wages to Mom and Dad, I was even more afraid to bring it back. I had planned to have you and the children join me at the base once the mission ended, and then I would give all this to you."

Wei Yao couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. It was a good plan, but they were merely supporting characters, and the truth was held by the protagonists. That was why everything she did failed, why she was constantly plagued by bad luck, and why anyone could tease or belittle her at will.

"Song Mingrui, I used to think I was the biggest fool, but it turns out you were the biggest one of all. You were neglected by the Song family since you were a child, and in the end, you were just a stepping stone for others. How is our family's fate so miserable?"

Song Mingrui didn't understand why she said that, attributing it to the grievances the Song family had caused her over the years. Under the quilt, he clenched his fists tightly. Seeing his beloved crying silently, his guilt reached a breaking point.

After a long while, Wei Yao regained her composure. She picked up the other items in the document bag and examined them carefully. When she saw the military medals, the weight that had been bothering her all morning seemed to dissipate.

Her husband was a hero who sacrificed his small family to protect the greater good. Though life at home had been hard, she had contributed her own strength, and these medals were half hers. She wasn't the bottom-feeding wretch she had been belittled as in her past life; she was the woman behind the hero, and a hero in her own right.

It was just that some people had stolen the fruits of their labor.

"Stop crying, wife. I won't let the matter with the Song family go just like that. Someone is coming to see me tomorrow, and I’ll make arrangements then. Once I’ve recovered a bit, we’ll head back to Yucheng. Your parents miss you dearly; I visited them when I went to report to the regiment headquarters during my mission, and they’re doing well. Don’t worry, the political commissar already arranged a job for you before I came home—it’s an apprenticeship at a photo studio. Yucheng has developed well these past few years, the studio there is larger than the one here, and the benefits and salary are comparable. As long as you agree, we can move there soon."

As he spoke, his hand slowly reached toward Wei Yao. From a gentle pat, he eventually took her hand, moved closer, and pulled her into his arms.

Wei Yao rolled her eyes while resting her chin on his shoulder, but she let him be. She imagined his heart had been just as bitter as hers all these years.

"Fine. I only have one request: make sure Song Liping doesn't have an easy time. She and her three children bullied Yangyang every day, and when Huihui was two months old, she nearly starved to death in her crib because your heartless parents didn't give the child a scrap of food. I..."

"Alright, alright, don't think about it anymore. I know. Xiao Yao, rest easy."

Having received his promise, Wei Yao let out a long sigh. He was her husband and the father of her children; it was only right that he seek justice for them. Of course, she wouldn't let Song Liping off easily either.

The next morning, Zheng Li drove over. Dressed in his military uniform, he bowed respectfully when he saw Wei Yao.

"Hello, Sister-in-law."

"Hello, hello. Say, have you eaten? Would you like to have something here?"

"Heh heh, no need, Sister-in-law. I’m here to see Captain Song."

He swallowed hard. Yesterday, he had heard Shi Yongmeng say that the dumplings his sister-in-law made were delicious. He had been craving them all night, even dreaming about eating dumplings, but he hadn't dared to mention it just now.

"He’s in the room coaxing the children; go talk to him. I just made some dumplings, you should have a bowl. There’s chicken soup, too. It’s the New Year and you made the trip, have something hot."

"Oh, thank you, Sister-in-law!"

Wei Yao paused. The young man’s expression of gratitude was clearly much louder than his greeting earlier!

Before the New Year, she had wrapped over five hundred dumplings—pickled cabbage and pork, celery and pork, lamb and green onion... all sorts of varieties. She had kept them frozen in the courtyard, and now they were all stored in the freezer of her secret space.

Zheng Li ate two large bowls, received his orders, and left, full of spirit and vigor.

When work resumed on the eighth day after the New Year, the Western District Post Office had originally intended to select a secretary for the director from within their own staff, but for some reason, it was changed to an open recruitment.

Song Liping was mocked and ridiculed at the post office every day, but she told herself that love was free and true feelings were priceless. Those who mocked her were vulgar people who didn't understand the value of love.

But no matter how much she consoled herself, she was still bothered deep down.

She had been certain of winning the secretary exam. Even though it was now an open recruitment, she felt she was still the most qualified. She prepared very actively for the exam, even selling a silk scarf Sun Xudong had once bought for her to buy sweets and pastries for the leaders. Seeing that they didn't refuse and accepted the gifts, she felt relieved, believing her success was secure.

Three days later, the exam results were posted on the bulletin board of the Western District Post Office.

Song Liping looked at the board, but her name wasn't there. A nameless rage surged to her brain. With her ability and seniority, she was the only one who should be the director’s secretary. Even if it weren't her, she should at least have been on the list. There was clearly something fishy going on.