Chapter 12

aroma of burnt goodness.Even the aroma of cumin and pepper made her stomach grumble uncontrollably."Awake" a cold, magnetic male voice suddenly sounded.Ning Yuan only then saw clearly that besides the...Soon, they arrived at the production team's office.

Li Yan let the other squad captains go busy first, he accompanied Ning Yuan into the office.

It's said to be an office, but it's actually an old house in a rural courtyard. There's a table and some old cabinets inside.

On the wall were posted posters of labor heroes and slogans like "Long Live the People's Commune."

There was only a slightly plump, tall middle-aged woman in a blue work shirt sitting there, holding a ceramic tea pot in her hand.

Plump women often appear endearingly naive.

But she had a pair of down-looking eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a thin face, giving her an austere and unapproachable look.

Ning Yuan looked at her, without speaking.

The woman frowned, pulling her face even longer. When she saw 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 go chat with Ningyuan first, I'll just take care of something." Li Yan politely nodded and tactfully gave the space to his aunt and cousin.

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

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

She instinctively sidestepped.

“Crash—gurgle!” The enamel tea pot smashed against the door and then tumbled to the ground twice.

Although Ning Yuan dodged the fate of having her head smashed, the hot water inside splashed all over her lower body.

Fortunately, the hot water inside wasn't too scalding anymore, but it was still a bit hot, causing Ning Yuan to take a sharp breath and shiver her clothes: "Hiss——!"

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

Bai Yi's cold and angry voice rang out.

That is, Ning Yuan came late, the hot water wasn't hot enough. Otherwise, I would have scalded her a few times and then made her eat it as punishment!

Ning Yuan coldly lifted her eyes to look at her: "Are you my aunt, or someone else's aunt Did you ask clearly about the cause and effect before taking action"

Of course it was Tang Zhenzhen and Huang Xuerong who couldn't get past her. They knew she was afraid of Auntie, so they immediately went to tattle on her. They were quick about it too.

Aunt Bai had never seen her niece, who had always been timid and kept her head down in front of her, speak to her like this.

She was taken aback for a moment, then slammed her fist on the table, her narrowed eyes blazing with anger: "You dare talk back to me Fine, then I'll ask you this. When people said you stole something, you denied it. So where did you get the jade chili pepper That's our family heirloom, not something you stole! How could it be in your hands"

Ning Yuan took a bite and raised her eyes to look 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! Stop lying!"

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

Auntie Bai was taken aback, then her usually serious face seemed to have a palette of colors appear as she gritted her teeth and said, "Your life is given to you by your mother and me! Give me the Jade Chili!"

Níng Yuán lowered her eyes, her voice a little ethereal: "If there's anything else you require, Aunt, why not say it all at once"

Bai Yi saw her 'soften' and her tone eased slightly: "You haven't received your marriage certificate yet, immediately report to the brigade and say that the demoted reformist surnamed Rong plotted against you. Then kneel down and ask Li Yan for forgiveness, saying that you are innocent!"

Ning Yuan looked at Bai Yi: "You want me to frame Rong Zhaonan. Do you know that he could go to jail for ten years at least, or even be shot"

Sentencing is different now compared to decades ago. During the crackdown period, even peeking at women bathing could result in a death sentence.

Aunt Bai narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "He's a reformed criminal, if he's dead, so what What does it have to do with you!"

Ning Yuan looked at her for a while and said faintly, "I disagree. I can't do such a despicable thing."

"When Bai Yi heard this, her face turned cold instantly. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "I see you are just like what they said, sleeping in bed with bad guys! You've become so depraved! I taught you well when you were young, but 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 and said slowly, "Auntie, you don't speak for my mother. I didn't come out of your womb. I haven't eaten a single grain of rice from your house for free. I've done most of the housework for your family."

Bai Yi's sturdy figure froze, staring in disbelief at Ning Yuan who stood there with a cold expression, as if seeing a stranger.

She gritted her teeth: "Will you kneel What did you do right, to dare marry and mess 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 look at us in the future Aren't you ashamed of how we raised you!"

Ning Yuan looked directly at Bai Yi and sneered, "I've lived up to myself. Auntie, aren't you just hoping that I'll date Li Yan so that you can pressure him into getting jobs and military service recommendations for your eldest and second nephews"

Her mocking tone hit Bai Yi's heart like a sharp arrow.

Her stern and sharp face seemed to tremble even to the bone, as if she had suddenly understood something: "Are you doing this on purpose"

Ning Yuan shrugged: "If you say so, then so be it. I have no interest in being a stepping stone for others. The Jade Chili is from my grandmother, and I won't give it to anyone."

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

Ning Yuan continued, each word measured, her gaze fixed on her: "I won't kneel, I won't give in. I've grown up, you can't control me anymore."

From now on, you shall never fear her threats and shadows again!

Bai Yi suddenly twisted her face, grabbed a solid wood stool beside her, and slammed it hard towards Ning Yuan. "Then you try!"

Ning Yuan hadn't expected Bai Yi to suddenly become so out of control, saying she would hit her and actually using a large wooden stool to attack her in the delivery room.

That heavy chair, if it hits her like that, she'll definitely break a bone at the very least!!

Although she braced herself and dodged, Bai Yi's tall frame pushed her against the door.

Bai Yi gasped excitedly, her face twisted in anger. She reached back and pulled at the other woman's hair, brandishing a stool over her head: "Why are you running Big Aunt is punishing you for your own good!"

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

Even if she got hit hard, she would still charge at Auntie Bai and call for help!

But someone was faster than her. The door was kicked open with a bang, and a figure strode in, their long legs sweeping powerfully.

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

She screamed and cowered at the base of the wall.

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

Róng Zhāonán lowered his head to look at Níng Yuán, who was squatting down. He said calmly, "If I don't come, you have to go to the hospital today. How are you going to get your marriage certificate"

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

Rong Zhaonan pushed his glasses up. "Hmm, probably two broken. Should I apologize"

He's already holding back.

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

Aunt Bai almost fainted from pain, trembling and staring at Ning Yuan and Rong Zhaonan with hatred: "You traitors! You actually dared to let someone beat me... How dare you... I raised you like my own daughter..."

"Ning Yuan, you've truly gone mad...... fallen from grace...... You deserve a good scolding from your elders! How dare you defy me!"

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

I've never seen anyone beat a child to the point of severe injury.

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

Even if her aunt died in the previous life, she still didn't understand why her aunt treated her so badly!

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

It's not about 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 her tuition.

As they were talking, the noise in the room also drew everyone else in.

Everyone stared at each other, looking around the messy room and at White Aunt groaning on the floor. They had no idea what happened.

"What happened" Li Yan rushed over after receiving the notification.

Li Yanyi entered the room and saw Rong Zhaonan, his face burning with anger: "How is it you again, this demoted cadre You shouldn't be at the cow shed. What are you doing here!"

Rong Zhaonan lowered his eyes, concealing his cold gaze behind the lenses. He remained calm and composed: "Report, I'm here to pick up my significant other."

"You..." Li Yan choked, 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. I got splashed with hot water, and she was injured."

Li Yan frowned, his eyes sternly scanning Rong Zhaonan: "Ning Yuan, was it you or him who did this"

These days, when family members fight, most people just let it slide—making a big deal out of small things and minimizing the bigger ones.

But if this reformed member of the Rong clan were to resort to violence against the people, the outcome would be very different.

Auntie Bai endured the agonizing pain, trembling as she pointed at Rong Zhaonan, trying to say something: "He...is..."

Ning Yuan, taking advantage of the act of supporting her, suddenly pressed down on Bai Yi's broken ribs.ouldn't act like a life coach for them... ahem..." Old Master Tang coughed and waved his hand.Summer Grandma patted his back busyly: "Rest for a bit, I'll go process the chicken in a while and stew it...