He tricked the female lead into becoming his boyfriend, but then went on to criticize the male lead.

As soon as Sang Jiuning said this, the other end of the phone fell silent.

Immediately afterwards, Fu Xulan let out a heavy sigh, a sigh filled with complex emotions: disappointment, grievance, and above all, barely suppressed anger.

"Don't mention that scumbag to me!" Fu Xulan's voice suddenly rose several decibels, filled with intense disgust and hatred. "I never want to see him again in my life! Back then, he heartlessly abandoned my daughter and me, not caring whether we lived or died. He hasn't cared about us for so many years. Now that I've finally been able to live a peaceful life, why bring him up!"

The more Fu Xulan spoke, the more agitated she became, even choking up slightly, clearly recalling those sad and painful past events, which instantly made her mood somber.

Sang Jiuning's heart tightened, and she instantly regretted bringing up the topic. She quickly and softly comforted her, "Mom, don't be angry. I won't mention it anymore, okay? It's all my fault, please don't take it to heart."

Hearing her mother's angry and sad voice, Sang Jiuning fell silent.

She thought to herself that there must be some misunderstanding she didn't know about. Her father always looked at her mother's photo, thinking that her mother was dead. Perhaps what happened back then was not as simple as Fu Yanchen said on the surface. But now was not the time to investigate these things.

The most important thing right now is to stabilize Mom's emotions and prevent her from getting hurt or harmed by these things.

Anyway, it's summer vacation now, so she has plenty of time to deal with these things slowly. She can take it one step at a time and eventually find a solution.

After clearing her mind, Sang Jiuning took a deep breath and tentatively spoke again, her tone gentle and patient: "Mom, don't be sad. I promised to live with you, and I promise I won't go back on my word. How about this, I'll rent a clean and comfortable place today. After I've settled in, I'll go to the hospital to pick you up, and we'll move there together, okay?"

She thought that she should rent a house first, away from all the people and things that might upset her mother, so that her mother could rest and recuperate in peace.

Unexpectedly, Fu Xulan on the other end of the phone visibly relaxed after hearing this, as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Her previously downcast tone instantly became cheerful again, and she quickly said, "No need, no need, Ningning, you don't need to bother renting a place. Your cousin has already arranged everything. He's found a very cozy house, clean and tidy, fully furnished, and you can move in right away."

"I'm going to process your discharge procedures now and head straight to the new house. I'll pick you up from school on my way, and we can go together so we can live together from now on."

Hearing this, Sang Jiuning felt relieved, and a gentle smile returned to her lips. She obediently replied, "Okay, Mom, I'll listen to you. I'll get up and pack my things now. Be careful on your way here, don't rush."

"Okay, Mom knows. Ningning, take your time packing. Mom will be there soon!" Fu Xulan replied with a smile, her tone full of anticipation for the future.

After hanging up the phone, Sang Jiuning stared at her phone screen, a smile lingering on her lips.

But just thinking about her mother's hatred for her father made her feel a little melancholy. What secrets were hidden in what happened back then?

How much does Fu Yanchen know?

These questions lingered in her mind. Sang Jiuning sat on the edge of the bed, holding her phone, lost in thought. Her mother's words, "Don't mention that scumbag to me," kept replaying in her mind, and her heart clenched tightly.

But Mom's tone didn't sound fake. Could it be that Dad really did wrong her back then?

She rubbed her hair vigorously, trying to sort out her chaotic thoughts, but she couldn't get them out no matter what she did.

After saving Fu Xulan's phone number, she called Fu Yanchen.

Fu Yanchen was still in the CEO's office when he received Sang Jiuning's call. He wasn't surprised at all: "Ningning, what's wrong?"

Upon hearing the name "Ningning," Sang Jiuning wondered when she had become so close to Fu Yanchen. Should she call him "cousin"? But she stubbornly refused to say it. "Um, I wanted to ask you, why does my mom say my dad is a scumbag?"

Fu Yanchen thought for a moment, "Her memory is a bit distorted; she thinks your father abandoned her with the money back then. The doctor said we need to take it slowly, so let's not tell your father yet."

Sang Jiuning: "Understood."

After hanging up the phone, Sang Jiuning sent a text message on WeChat to the Sang family group chat.

Summer vacation has started, but I'm not going home. I'm looking for a part-time job to start my summer job.

Sang Tingyan replied immediately: "Daughter, are you short of money? Tell me if you are."

Grandma Sang sent a voice message: "My dear granddaughter, it's your first summer vacation since university, why didn't you come back?"

Then came Grandpa Sang's booming voice: "Hey, Ningning's all grown up. The other day your dad offered you money, but you didn't want it. It's true, girls really do change a lot as they grow up. Our Ningning is becoming more and more sensible."

Cousin Sang Jiuyang: [Sis, it's good you're not coming back. All the good food at home is mine.]

Sang Jiuning immediately replied, "You soy milk maker, eat up, eat up! If you're not fat, who is?"

Sang Jiuyang [is fat.]

After sending a few messages back and forth, Sang Jiuning put down her phone and started packing her things, directly into a purple 26-inch suitcase.

Just after I finished tidying up, my phone vibrated again.

Sang Jiuning was wondering whose WeChat message it was when she opened it and saw that it was from Wen Zhaoci.

[ZC: Baby, what are you doing?]

[The ruffled little Totoro: Packing my bags, I'm moving in with my mom for summer vacation.]

[ZC: Where are you staying?]

Sang Jiuning answered truthfully.

[The ruffled little Totoro: I don't know yet, I forgot to ask for the address. My mom said she's coming to pick me up in a bit.]

There was no response for half a day after the message was sent.

Sang Jiuning thought Wen Zhaoci was busy and wouldn't reply. Just as she thought that, the message came in the next second.

[ZC: Baby, we can see each other more often during summer vacation.]

Sang Jiuning pursed her lips. Wen Zhaoci's words seemed to be entirely correct. They were both in the capital, but Sang Jiuning didn't take it to heart.

[The ruffled Totoro: I'm leaving, my mom's almost here, I have to get to the school gate.]

[ZC: Baby, remember to think of me. Call me if anything happens. Take care of yourself and don't make things difficult for yourself.]

[The ruffled Totoro: Okay, okay.]

After ending the conversation, Sang Jiuning glanced at the dormitory. The other three had left yesterday, and she hadn't said goodbye since she wasn't there.