A crazy beauty has an island, and a powerful figure from that era dotes on her.

As soon as the tall, burly staff members and Factory Director Wu entered the room, the already small living room felt even more cramped and oppressive.

After bringing the tea, Li Meiqian quietly left the kitchen.

Jian Xiaojing was so frightened that she hid in the kitchen and dared not come out.

Jian Zhongliang was left alone to face the few stern-faced staff members.

Perhaps due to excessive nervousness, fine beads of sweat appeared on Jian Zhongliang's forehead.

"Comrade Jian Zhongliang, someone has reported you for selling your daughter. Do you have anything to say about that?" Director Zhou didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding. A few days ago, a matchmaker introduced my daughter to a potential husband, but she wasn't interested, so we immediately turned it down," Jian Zhongliang quickly said.

"Then how come I heard that your family has already accepted the bride price?" Director Zhou stared straight at Jian Zhongliang, his eyes sharp.

Although Director Zhou has not been in Nancheng for long, he is notoriously difficult to deal with in the Public Security Bureau. All kinds of vicious and cunning monsters and demons are like mice in front of a cat when they see him.

"No, no, it's all a misunderstanding." Jian Zhongliang's voice began to tremble.

Director Zhou's sharp eyes swept around the room, finally settling on the trash can in the corner of the living room.

"Blue and white porcelain?"

"They accidentally knocked it down while they were cleaning." Jian Zhongliang swallowed nervously.

"How many children do you have?" Director Zhou asked Jian Zhongliang again, his tone indifferent.

"Two." Jian Zhongliang's heart pounded like a drum.

"A boy and a girl?" Director Zhou asked again.

“Both are daughters.” Jian Zhongliang secretly wiped the cold sweat from his palms on his trouser leg.

He really regretted it.

If he had known this would happen, he would never have let his mother run wild.

"Is the person you're meeting on a blind date your eldest daughter?" Director Zhou pretended not to notice Jian Zhongliang's subtle movements and continued to ask.

"Little girl!" Jian Zhongliang's palms, which he had just dried, became wet again.

"Your eldest daughter has a husband?" Director Zhou's gaze fell straight on him.

Jian Zhongliang broke out in a cold sweat from his gaze.

"no!"

As if afraid that Director Zhou would misunderstand, he quickly added, "His eldest daughter is still in school."

"Your eldest daughter goes to school, but your younger daughter doesn't? Does that mean your younger daughter isn't your biological daughter?" Director Zhou's face turned cold.

As soon as he finished speaking, Director Zhou seemed to realize something and slapped his forehead, "Was the little girl brought over by the wife from the back?"

The sudden rise in his tone seemed to carry a hint of having seen through the secrets of the world.

"You're a director, after all. How could you be short of a few bucks? Besides, it's all the same whether you herd one sheep or two. Even though she's not your child, we're still in the same boat. You don't need to be so calculating and hurt that young girl's feelings."

At this point, Director Zhou lowered his voice, "Although everyone is biased towards their own offspring, don't go too far. There are so many people watching!"

If Director Zhou's previous words made Jian Zhongliang feel ashamed, then this last sentence was like a knife to his heart.

Director Zhou seemed oblivious to Jian Zhongliang's obvious embarrassment and cheerfully got up to take his leave.

"Now that things have been explained, we'll be leaving."

Factory Director Wu, who had been sitting there as a background figure, quickly stood up as Director Zhou stood up.

Jian Zhongliang forced a smile and saw the person out the door.

After watching the group go downstairs, he turned around and went back into the house with heavy steps.

The moment the door closed, the smile on his face vanished.

Hearing the door close, Li Meiqian came out of the kitchen and saw Jian Zhongliang looking dejected. She knew he had taken her words to heart, and she felt a surge of annoyance.

She had worked so hard and endured so much, and was about to get rid of that eyesore of a brat, when that damned Director Zhou interfered...

It's all over!

“Zhongliang, Director Zhou said someone reported us…” Li Meiqian bit her lower lip, hesitating to speak.

However, his gaze secretly drifted towards the direction of Jian Qingyi's house.

Jian Zhongliang was still immersed in Director Zhou's words, "Everyone will favor their own offspring," and didn't get Li Meiqian's hidden meaning at all.

After a long pause, he sighed, "Let's cook a couple more dishes tonight. Yi Yi just got out of the hospital, we need to give her some nourishment."

Li Meiqian's face was like a spilled palette, alternating between green, red, and white, a riot of colors.

"No, I have to go and talk to Mother." Jian Zhongliang turned and walked out.

The matter of returning the betrothal gifts cannot be delayed any longer.

Jian Zhongliang's father, Jian Dashan, was a retired accountant from the candy factory. Jian Zhongliang and his older brother, Jian Zhongkang, also worked at the candy factory, so the whole family lived in the candy factory's staff quarters.

Feeling anxious, I took extra large steps.

Jian Zhongliang made a few turns and arrived at the building where his father, Jian Dashan, lived. He ran upstairs.

As soon as he reached the door, he heard his mother, Mao Chunqiao, cursing and swearing.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Mao Chunqiao's voice was tinged with impatience, probably because she was in a bad mood.

“Mother, it’s me.” Jian Zhongliang’s voice sounded like a sigh.

Footsteps sounded from inside the door.

With a creak, the door opened.

Upon seeing Jian Zhongliang, she couldn't wait to speak.

"Zhongliang, that damned Wang Jiawang..."

Perhaps because she had been cursing for a while, there was white saliva on both corners of Mao Chunqiao's mouth.

"Mother, let's go inside and talk." Jian Zhongliang glanced around warily.

Upon hearing Jian Zhongliang's words, Mao Chunqiao reluctantly shut his mouth and made way for him.

As soon as they sat down inside, before Jian Zhongliang could even speak, Mao Chunqiao started complaining again.

"That bastard Wang Jiawang not only took the bride price, but also asked me for money for meat..."

"Did you return the betrothal gifts to him?" This was what Jian Zhongliang was most concerned about.

The police have already come knocking on his door. If he causes any more trouble, he'll be in deep trouble.

“I paid him back. How could I not pay him back? That bastard said that if I didn’t pay him back, he would report me to the police station for selling my granddaughter.” Mao Chunqiao became more and more angry as she spoke.

He was the one who wanted to marry her, and he also forced the bride price on her.

Before I could even enjoy it, he came running back for more.

That's really something!

"Serves him right for having such a dead wife!"

“Mother…” Jian Zhongliang frowned and called out disapprovingly.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anymore." Knowing that her son didn't like hearing these things, Mao Chunqiao quickly said.

He shut his mouth for less than a minute, then started yelling again.

"Oh! By the way! Has that brat come back yet? She's awake, what's she doing still lounging there? Let me tell you, when she gets back, you'd better give her a good talking to..."

"Mother, I have things to do at home, I'll go back first." Jian Zhongliang's head was throbbing.