Chapter 4: The Uninvited Guest

"What?" Fang Zhiyan felt a jolt of alarm and immediately quickened his pace toward home.

"I'm coming back right now!"

Fang Zhiyan’s father, Fang Jianjun, had two sons and two daughters. Fang Bei and Fang Fang were born to his first wife. After his first wife was driven away by his abuse, the two children remained with the Fang family.

Years later, Fang Zhiyan’s maternal grandfather, Jiang Tao, was out on a snowy night to tend to a patient when he accidentally slipped and fell in the snow. Fang Jianjun, who happened to be returning home drunk that night, spotted Jiang Tao. However, his mind was muddled, and instead of helping, he merely sensed someone lying there. It wasn't until he later encountered members of the Jiang family searching for the old man and mentioned that someone seemed to be out there that Jiang Tao’s life was saved.

From then on, Fang Jianjun took to calling himself Jiang Tao’s savior. He then set his sights on Jiang Xu, Zhiyan’s mother, and proposed to her. Out of a sense of gratitude, Jiang Xu felt compelled to marry him. But once they were wed, Fang Jianjun revealed his true colors, only growing worse over time. Between domestic violence and alcoholism, he treated Jiang Xu like a mere servant. Because of his attitude, his children from his first marriage also treated her as a servant, ordering her around at will. Now that Fang Fang had shown up, Fang Zhiyan could easily imagine just how badly she was treating his mother.

As expected, when Fang Zhiyan reached the rented apartment, a commotion was already underway. A tall girl with a "big hair" perm, wearing tight jeans and sporting a non-mainstream look, was blocking the doorway. Inside, Jiang Xu stood looking furious.

"How many days has it been? Still not coming back?" Fang Fang glanced at Jiang Xu, her tone devoid of any respect for her stepmother. Having recently made friends with a group of non-mainstream youths, she spoke with a haughty, arrogant air. "What, are you having such a great time living in someone else's house?"

"What does it have to do with you? I've already left your family; why are you still harassing us?" Jiang Xu glared at her.

Fang Fang spat on the ground. "My dad is your father's savior. When your father married you off to us, it was for you to repay that debt. You’re just a long-term servant for our family. Now you’ve stopped paying your dues and run off? You’re really something."

Indeed, in the eyes of Fang Bei and Fang Fang, Jiang Xu was nothing more than a maid—a servant there to cater to their every whim. She had only come to find Jiang Xu today because, with her gone, there was no one left at home to do the chores.

Hearing this, a flash of anger crossed Jiang Xu's eyes. Just as she was about to retort, a sound came from outside the door. Immediately after, Fang Fang felt a powerful kick land on her backside. She lost her balance and tumbled to the floor with a thud.

"Who is it!"

"Which bastard dared to hit me?" As she turned around, she saw Fang Zhiyan standing behind her.

"You little brat! Have you lost your mind? You dare hit me?" Fang Fang roared in fury, scrambling to her feet as she kicked out in anger.

"Zhiyan," Jiang Xu called out softly, looking worried.

Fang Zhiyan waved her off and cast a look of disdain at Fang Fang. "Didn't you brush your teeth before coming out today, Second Sister? Your mouth really stinks."

Fang Fang’s expression shifted, and she instinctively covered her mouth to breathe on her palm and check. But then she realized what he was doing—Fang Zhiyan was insulting her! This brat, who used to be timid as a mouse—how did he become so sharp-tongued after moving out?

"You little punk, you dare talk to me like that?" Fang Fang cursed. "Your mother is a servant, and you’re just a manual laborer! Calling yourself a college student—have you even found a job? A loser like you won't be able to feed yourself out there. I advise you to come home, bow your head to Dad, and be a good servant for us."

Fang Zhiyan frowned, ignoring her as he walked inside and placed the meat he had bought onto the cutting board. Only then did Fang Fang notice what he was holding. She looked on in disbelief; meat was a rare luxury in these times. Even the Fang family hadn't eaten meat in a long while. Seeing him holding it, she couldn't help but feel a pang of hunger, her mouth nearly watering.

"Where did you get that meat?"

Fang Zhiyan glanced at her. "Want some?"

Fang Fang paused, then nodded. "If you share some with me, I might put in a good word for you with Dad."

"Pfft, as if I care." Fang Zhiyan sneered. "As for eating this meat, keep dreaming. I bought this, there's none for you. Get out!"

"You!" Fang Fang’s face flushed with shame and anger. "You dare speak to me like that?"

"Enough, 'Second Sister.' Do you really think you're my sister just because I called you that?" Fang Zhiyan retorted ruthlessly. "Why don't you go look in a mirror? Look at that messy hair—what kind of non-mainstream nonsense is that? You look like a complete fool. How can you have the nerve to walk around the streets looking so ugly? If I were you, I'd hide my head in shame."

Fang Fang’s eyes reddened, and she began to cry. "Fang Zhiyan, how dare you call me ugly!"

"He's not the only one who thinks you're ugly," a voice added from behind her.

A tall young man carrying a stick stepped forward—it was Fang Zhiyan’s good friend, Lu Mingtao. Seeing both of them call her ugly, Fang Fang’s pride was shattered.

"You're in your twenties, yet you're still playing the part of a teenage delinquent. Have you no shame?" Lu Mingtao added.

Fang Fang finally snapped. She ran off, sobbing. Once she was gone, the tension in the room dissipated.

"Zhiyan, you're finally back."

"I saw her coming and called you, then rushed home to grab a rolling pin," Jiang Xu said.

"Is everything alright, Auntie?" Lu Mingtao asked.

Jiang Xu waved her hand, looking at him with gratitude. "I'm fine, thank you."

"What are you saying, Auntie? The bond between Zhiyan and me is strong; there's no need for thanks," Lu Mingtao replied. He then noticed the meat on the table. Though it wasn't much, it was still meat. "How come there's meat?"

"Yes, Zhiyan, why did you buy meat?" Jiang Xu asked, feeling a bit pained by the expense. This piece of meat could have fed the family for several days.

"Mom, I found a job. I'll be working in the Emergency Department at the Jiang'an City Hospital," Fang Zhiyan explained. "Taozi, stay for dinner tonight. We're having braised pork."

"Oh? That wouldn't be right. That's not what I meant," Lu Mingtao said, looking embarrassed.

"Come on, no need to be polite between us," Fang Zhiyan said. "You've helped me a lot in the past. Now that I have a job, don't worry, I'll pay back the rent I owe you."

Lu Mingtao waved his hands dismissively. "What are you talking about? Don't put yourself under such pressure."

Jiang Xu chimed in, "That's right, Mingtao. We really want to thank you. Please, stay and eat with us today."

Lu Mingtao couldn't refuse, especially since he was quite tempted by the prospect of the meat. Happy to hear her son had found work, Jiang Xu began to prepare the meal. Since it was almost time for Fang Zhiyan's little sister, Fang Zhixia, to finish school, Zhiyan and Lu Mingtao went to wait for her at the school gate.

Before long, the children began streaming out. Soon, Fang Zhiyan spotted his sister, Fang Zhixia. However, she was being led by a beautiful woman—it seemed to be her English teacher, Xu Qiushuang.

"Brother!" Fang Zhixia saw him and shouted, rushing toward him like a joyful little pony.