Volume One, Chapter Eleven: The Household Registration Was Immediately Transferred

"Zhizhi, you still have me," Tian Xiaoxia comforted her.

Tears streamed down Shen Ruzhi's face as she sobbed uncontrollably, but deep inside, she was happier than anyone could imagine—she was finally free of the Shen family.

But her household registration was still under the Shen family’s name; she needed them to transfer it out for her.

“Mom, Dad, you want me to leave, but where would I go? Mom, Dad, my registration is still here—aren’t we a family?” She reached out to grab Wang Yaoyao’s hand. “Cousin, Cousin, please talk to my parents for me, ask them not to send me away. I promise I’ll treat you like my own sister, and I’ll ask for less pocket money—you can have the bigger share and I the smaller.”

Wang Yaoyao would never allow her to stay and keep occupying her place. Yet with so many people watching, she couldn't be as heartless as Wang Cuilian. Putting on a troubled expression, she said, “Cousin, I know my wishes are selfish, but Mother is right—you’ve already spent eighteen years with my parents in my place. While I was hungry and cold in the countryside, you lived a glamorous life. Cousin, I just want to return to my parents. Please, let me have this.”

Seeing Shen Ruzhi shamelessly cling to her daughter, Wang Cuilian strode over and shoved her hard, sending her crashing to the ground and scraping her knees until they bled.

“Shen Ruzhi, you shameless little wretch! How dare you beg Yaoyao to let you stay? Eighteen years of taking her life weren’t enough? Get out! Out of my house!”

Shen Ruzhi wiped her nose, her eyes now filled with resolve. “You can’t drive me out—I’m still registered under the Shen family, I am still one of you. I won’t leave. I’m still the young lady of this house, and the Shen family’s wealth is partly mine.”

Shen Ruzhi’s words made Wang Cuilian and Wang Yaoyao’s faces darken. Damn Shen Ruzhi, she was after their money all along.

Wang Cuilian’s fury blazed as she glared at Shen Ruzhi. “Dream on! I tried to give you a shred of dignity, but you insist on being ungrateful. Fine! We’ll transfer your registration out today.”

Turning to Shen Zhongguo, she said, “Husband, Shen Ruzhi has ill intentions and repays kindness with betrayal. If she stays, she’ll only bully Yaoyao. Yaoyao is your real daughter. Call someone immediately and have her registration transferred.”

At this, Tian Xiaoxia was the first to protest, stepping forward and shouting, “How can you be so heartless? Zhizhi was raised by you from childhood, and now you’re throwing her out!”

Wang Cuilian shot back, “Tian Xiaoxia, keep your mouth shut. This is the Shen family’s business—it has nothing to do with the likes of you.”

“You—!” Tian Xiaoxia’s father stopped her from advancing further, shaking his head. Tian Xiaoxia was boiling with anger.

“I won’t go—you can’t transfer my registration! Dad, you once said everything in the Shen family would be mine. With all this money, I’m not leaving, no matter what!”

Shen Zhongguo’s gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing. He had underestimated her; who would have thought the girl hid her ambitions so well and coveted his inheritance?

She truly could not be allowed to stay.

“If you don’t transfer this wretch’s registration out today, I’ll take Yaoyao and return to my family!” Wang Cuilian threatened.

Shen Zhongguo sighed helplessly, his tone tinged with reluctance, playing the part of a man caught between two sides.

“Zhizhi, registration is just a formality. Even if you’re not registered here, you’ll always be my daughter. That will never change.”

Shen Zhongguo was well-connected and held a prominent reputation in the capital. A single phone call, and within ten minutes, the registration booklet was brought to the door.

“Here is your registration. From this day forward, you have nothing to do with this family—go as far away as you can.” Wang Cuilian flung the document in Shen Ruzhi’s face.

Staring at the booklet in her hands, Shen Ruzhi’s face was ashen, her eyes red as she pleaded, “Mom, Dad, do you really want to cast me out? At least let me take two sets of clothes!”

“Dream on! You’ll not take a single penny from this house. I’m not even asking you to repay eighteen years of upbringing. Consider yourself lucky—now get out!”

Furious, Tian Xiaoxia shot them a venomous glare—heartless people! She grabbed Shen Ruzhi and consoled her, “Zhizhi, don’t be afraid. You still have me. Let’s go.”

Shen Ruzhi left the Shen house, turning back every few steps.

Crowds had gathered in layers to watch the spectacle.

To outsiders, Shen Ruzhi’s tight grip on her registration booklet seemed like she couldn’t bear to part with the Shen family.

But what she clutched was not just a booklet—it was her lifeline.

From this moment, she had no ties left to the Shen family.

Were it not for the circumstances, she would have laughed out loud and shouted her newfound freedom for all to hear.

At the farthest corner, a tall young man watched with an intrigued smile. Interesting!

“Zhizhi, don’t be afraid. From now on, you’ll live with me,” Tian Xiaoxia said with a smile.

She ached for Shen Ruzhi, blaming herself for not seeing through the Shen couple’s true faces sooner. But from now on, she would protect Zhizhi.

Once they had walked some distance, Shen Ruzhi’s expression changed in an instant—she wiped her tears and broke into a smile.

“Haha, Xiaoxia, I have nothing to do with the Shen family anymore—how wonderful, how wonderful!”

Seeing her friend like this, Tian Xiaoxia feared the shock had made her lose her senses all at once.

“Zhizhi, listen to me, listen to me. Don’t overthink—your future is still ahead of you. You’re only eighteen. I know this is hard to accept and you’re hurting, but you still have me. I am your best friend and I’ll always be here for you.”

Tian Xiaoxia was both anxious and concerned.

Shen Ruzhi patted her on the shoulder and said, “Xiaoxia, I’m fine—I really am happy. To be honest, I’ve known for a while that I’m not their biological daughter.”

“What?” Now it was Tian Xiaoxia’s turn to be stunned.

Zhizhi had known all along?

Then today was…

“Xiaoxia, I realized long ago that they were using me. I’ve been waiting for this chance to free myself from the Shen family once and for all.”

Suddenly enlightened, Tian Xiaoxia said, “So that’s it! I see now. Zhizhi, you’re not foolish at all. That’s wonderful! Zhizhi, let’s go—come home with me.”

Shen Ruzhi let go of her hand. “Xiaoxia, I still have things to take care of. Go home first. When I’m done, I’ll come find you.”

The day after she was sent to the countryside, she’d received notice that the Shen family were capitalists. Unable to find any other Shen family members, they’d sent her to the farm instead.

They told her to contact the Shen family, but at the time, she hadn’t known they’d already vanished, taking their wealth with them. Now she realized they must have absconded as soon as she was sent away.

She had to hurry and report them—she couldn’t let the Shen family escape.

Back at the Shen residence—

After Shen Ruzhi left, Shen Zhongguo stood up and slapped Wang Cuilian hard across the face.

Caught off guard, Wang Cuilian was knocked to the ground, staring at him in disbelief and rage. “Shen Zhongguo, how dare you hit me! What gives you the right? I’ll fight you to the end!”

Shen Zhongguo, suppressing a bellyful of anger, shoved her aside and shouted furiously, “Who gave you permission to do a paternity test?”