Zhao Sulan absentmindedly took the letter, originally planning to glance over it briefly, but after looking at it twice, her expression changed instantly.
She read the letter incredulously again, cursing Old Madam Lee in her heart.
That old hag, actually threatening her, saying that she had entrusted the local police station staff and if anything happened to Zhao Xiaoxin, which involved the police, she would reveal that Zhao Xiaoxin was Zhao Sulan’s biological daughter.
In other words, Zhao Xiaoxin must be well taken care of from now on.
Any slip-up would tarnish Zhao Sulan’s reputation.
Zhao Sulan was furiously grinding her teeth.
This wicked old fool didn’t consider, after all these years, if it hadn’t been for her hiring her to look after the child, how could an old, nearly blind widow live so happily?
She might well be dead by now.
This old fool, truly ungrateful.
Since the old hag is already dead, let’s not hold a grudge against her.
Moreover, she was just criticizing her for being too harsh on Zhao Xiaoxin, merely threatening her to find a decent marriage and job for her. That wasn’t difficult.
She would just do as instructed.
Zhao Sulan quickly came to terms with it.
To prevent Zhao Xiaoxin from causing trouble with her emotions, she spoke gently, "You know, acknowledging our relationship would do neither of us any good. I might be driven out of the Lin family, and you would become despised as an illegitimate daughter. So from now on, you should just call me ’Cousin Aunt’. Don’t worry, it’s just a title; I will take good care of you."
"Okay. I understand. Cousin Aunt, where am I staying tonight?"
Zhao Xiaoxin was not stupid; she had just been severely bullied by some kids in town when she was younger and was somewhat timid and seemed foolish.
She had long known her insignificant place in Zhao Sulan’s heart.
Otherwise, why had Zhao Sulan not glanced at her even once over the years?
Couldn’t she visit as a cousin aunt, using the pretext of seeing Old Madam Lee?
Also just now, the thick disdain in Zhao Sulan’s eyes... she saw that too.
But she was always content.
She came to find Zhao Sulan because she knew that without Old Madam Lee’s already insufficient supervision, life in the town would be miserable, she would be kidnapped and enslaved.
Now, it didn’t matter that Zhao Sulan didn’t acknowledge her; it was enough if she could help find a decent job.
Actually, before coming to Hai City and finding Zhao Sulan, she tried to find a job herself, pretending she was an orphan, not planning to meet Zhao Sulan.
But she had bad luck, almost as soon as she entered a canning factory with a Help Wanted sign, someone groped her...
Terrified, she had hurriedly run away.
Never daring to job hunt on her own again.
Zhao Sulan thought that leaving Zhao Xiaoxin in the Lin family was out of the question, as Lin Youdong and Lin Yuzhe would definitely disapprove.
Send her to a small motel... too unsafe.
A big hotel? Too expensive.
After much consideration, she decided to take her to the hospital and stay in Lin Fangwei’s hospital room for a couple days.
Lin Fangwei had a private room containing two beds, one for Lin Fangwei, and the other for caregivers.
She had slept in the caregiver’s bed the previous night, so tonight she and Zhao Xiaoxin would sleep there together.
She then said, "Your half-sister by the same mother is hospitalized, and I need to take care of her. I can’t be at ease leaving you here alone. Come to the hospital with me. When asked, I’ll say you are my cousin niece here looking for a job. Before you find a job, you can keep her company for a few days."
"Okay," Zhou Xiaoxin agreed.
Zhao Xiaoxin didn’t want to stay alone at the Lin family’s home either.
Without Zhao Sulan there, who knows how the Lin family would treat her?
As a girl, preserving her reputation was paramount.
Seeing how compliant Zhao Xiaoxin was, Zhao Sulan sighed inwardly, well, being foolish has its benefits – at least she’s obedient.