Chapter 66 – The Self-Pitying Stepsister in a Historical-Era Novel (Part 14)

Here's how it happened: someone secretly tattled to Yang Mother, saying they had spotted Wu Yu around the textile factory in the western part of the city.

Of course, the person didn't report this out of kindness—they just wanted to see Yang Mother make a fool of herself. After all, she always put on airs outside, claiming her eldest daughter handled everything at home while she sat back and enjoyed life. That kind of bragging rubbed many people the wrong way.

To put it bluntly, Yang Mother was too obsessed with appearances. She loved to flaunt to her peers how filial her children were and how harmonious her family was.

Over time, the other women—who had to work hard at home even after work—couldn't help but feel resentful.

So, one evening, Yang Mother stationed herself outside the textile factory, waiting for a glimpse of Wu Yu. Her legs went numb from squatting so long, and she still hadn't seen anyone.

Just as she was about to leave, she caught sight of a girl who looked vaguely like that jinx.

Why "vaguely"? Because over the past few months, Wu Yu had nourished herself well—her complexion was now glowing and rosy, her hair shiny and black instead of dry and frizzy, and her clothes neat and well-fitted. All this made Yang Mother hesitate—was it really her?

Wu Yu also saw Yang Mother standing by the gate. Her expression didn't change, but she instinctively quickened her pace, walking past her and muttering softly:

"Come with me. Don't try anything stupid."

Yang Mother's face darkened at her tone, but remembering Wu Yu's ruthlessness, she didn't dare make a scene. She trotted along after her.

When they arrived in a secluded alley, both stopped as if by mutual agreement.

Wu Yu simply stood there, coldly staring at her without a word.

At first, Yang Mother felt a chill under that icy gaze. But then, recalling her purpose today, she forced herself to muster some courage.

"Yu'er, you're working at the textile factory now? Why didn't you tell me such a big thing?"

Trying to play the motherly card? What a joke. Fake maternal love was cheaper than grass.

Wu Yu had no patience for her games. She cut straight to the point:

"I know exactly what you're thinking. If I told you, would this job still be mine?"

That look in her eyes—like she could see straight through her greedy heart—shocked Yang Mother to the core. She realized she had never truly understood this daughter she had abandoned. Since when had the once-timid girl become so calculating? Was all that weakness in the past just a mask?

No, she couldn't keep thinking like this. She had something important to confirm today.

"Forget that for now. I want to ask—did you take the money from my room? If it was you, just return it and I'll let it go."

As she spoke, Yang Mother stared unblinking at Wu Yu's face, not willing to miss even the tiniest reaction. Her fingers dug into her palm from anxiety.

Wu Yu's expression didn't flicker. She glanced down at the woman's tense posture, then smirked:

"You lost money. Shouldn't you go to the police? What's it got to do with me?"

Her tone was casual, like she was commenting on the weather. Not a trace of guilt or nervousness.

Yang Mother was enraged by that mocking smile. Her earlier fear forgotten, she raised her voice and threatened:

"I know it was you! If you don't return that money, I'll come to the textile factory every day and make a scene. Let's see how long you can keep that job!"

Finally showing her true colors.

Wu Yu's entire aura shifted. She took leisurely steps forward until she was right in front of Yang Mother—and clamped a hand under her chin.

"If I were you, I'd think twice before airing out my dirty laundry. Remember what happened in Chicken Call Alley, the day before the Dragon Boat Festival four years ago?"

At those words, Yang Mother's face turned ghostly pale. Her back sagged as if all the strength had left her.

She had never imagined that this wretched girl would know that secret. She was doomed now.

Seeing her fear-stricken face, Wu Yu smiled in satisfaction and added calmly:

"If you make my life hard, I'll tell everyone about your little affair. I'm sure you wouldn't want that, would you?"

So she really remembered. Yang Mother now deeply regretted not strangling the girl years ago. If only she had…

After dealing with Sun Lanting, Wu Yu had started investigating Yang Mother, combing through her memories using her psychic powers. She noticed that Yang Mother often snuck out at fixed times and never came home for lunch on certain days.

Eventually, after a month and a half of sorting through the mental clutter, she cleared a blood-blocked memory node in the original host's mind—unlocking a long-buried truth.

That day, Wu Yu had witnessed Yang Mother meeting her old flame—and overheard that Sun Lanting wasn't even Sun Father's biological daughter.

Unfortunately, the original host had made a noise and was caught. The man struck her unconscious. Later, when they realized she had no memory of the event, they spared her life.

It turned out Sun Lanting's plain looks were mostly inherited from her real father.

After that, Yang Mother returned to the Sun household, utterly disheartened. Now, all she wanted was to stay far, far away from Wu Yu.

Back when Wu Yu and Yang Mother had first entered the Sun family, Sun Yan—then a bratty kid—constantly bullied them. He had heard somewhere that stepmothers were always evil and treated them like intruders.

Yang Mother, young and impulsive at the time, couldn't tolerate the hostility. When the scumbag ex showed her the slightest kindness, she fell right back into his trap.

She bitterly regretted not resisting him—and believing his promises of love. But once she got pregnant, the man vanished. By then, she had already married Sun Father and had no choice but to carry the mistake to the end.

That's why she always lowered herself in front of Sun Father. Especially when she looked at her younger daughter—who bore no resemblance to him—she would shrink even more, putting on a "gentle stepmother" act and fawning over the eldest son.

As for why Wu Yu never reported her?

Because exposing Yang Mother would be a mutually destructive move. She'd be dragging herself down too—losing her job at the textile factory and getting saddled with a reputation that would follow her forever.

No way was Wu Yu going to sacrifice her own future for a woman like that.

Now that she could use this secret to manipulate Yang Mother, she felt a sense of relief. Thank goodness her performance just now had been convincing enough—she had that woman tightly wrapped around her finger.