Chapter 22: From now on, this will be your home

Su Dazhuang also heavily puts down the dry tobacco pipe in his hand, his tone harsh: "Everything's been moved away, why come back? Get out quickly! Seeing you annoys me!"

If it had been before, the original self would have been so aggrieved they'd have started crying.

But now Su Ruan merely gives them a light glance, her gaze calm and unruffled, not even pausing her steps, and walks straight toward her narrow compartment.

Such total disregard hurts Su Dazhuang and Wang Juhua more than any rebuttal could.

It's like punching cotton; the other side doesn't even bother to react.

Wang Juhua's chest heaves with anger, wants to chase and scold, but Su Dazhuang holds her, lowering his voice, eyes fierce: "Let her take it! Finish taking it and get lost! She's an eyesore! Anyway Yan Hua said the Jiang Family's pit will have her suffer, and she'll be crying then!"

Su Ruan walks into her little room, slams the door shut behind her, cutting off the malicious gazes and sounds outside.

The room remains simple, but she has tidied it spotless. She quickly drags out from under the bed a bleached bundle.

Inside, besides the few close‑fitting old items she owns, the most important are the things she secretly prepared over the past days while no one was watching.

She opens the bundle to inspect; inside are several small parcels wrapped in clean handkerchiefs, and a few garments she sewed herself.

These are the greeting gifts she prepared for Jiang Nainai, Li Huijuan, and Jiang Jiaojiao.

The items aren't valuable, but made with care, they represent her sincere intention.

As for Jiang Jianguo and Jiang Ran, she hasn't thought of suitable ones yet; she'll deal with them later.

After confirming the items are intact, she ties the bundle, turns without hesitation, and pulls open the house door.

In the Main Hall, Su Dazhuang and Wang Juhua still sit there, staring at her with resentful, yet slightly schadenfreude‑filled eyes.

Su Ruan keeps her gaze steady, cradling her small bundle, stepping toward the doorway.

Just as her hand touches the door handle, Wang Juhua can no longer hold back, her sharp voice rings again: "What junk are you taking? Don't think you're sneaking our family's stuff out to patch up some wild man!"

Su Ruan's steps halt.

She slowly turns, looks at Wang Juhua, and for the first time a clear, coldly mocking smile appears on her face.

"Step‑mother," her voice is low but strikes both hearts, "Everything I take belongs to me. Including my own life; from now on I have no relation with you Su Family."

"As for you…" her gaze sweeps over Su Dazhuang and Wang Juhua's twisted faces of shock and anger, her tone casual yet laced with a deadly curse, "Just keep cherishing your dream of a university professor son‑in‑law, and your precious son, and live slowly."

"I wish you… may all your wishes come true."

After speaking, she shows no lingering attachment, forcefully pulls the door open, walks out, and gently closes the door that symbolizes all past suffering and humiliation behind her.

A light "Bang" sound, separating two worlds.

Sunlight pours again on her; she sees the Alley entrance, Jiang Ran pacing anxiously, occasionally glancing this way.

Seeing her emerge, his eyes light up, and he pushes his bicycle toward her.

"Got it? Are you okay? They didn't trouble you, right?" he anxiously scans her up and down.

Su Ruan shakes her head, hands him the small bundle: "I'm fine. Let's go home."

"Home!"

Jiang Ran takes the bundle without asking what it is, slings it onto the handle, then carefully lifts Su Ruan onto the rear seat, like a knight escorting a princess back to the castle.

Su Ruan looks back, takes one last glance at the increasingly distant, dark, dilapidated Alley, then turns back, tightly hugging the man who pulled her out of the mire.

The bicycle rides through the street gradually bustling, sunlight bathing the two, warm and cozy.

Jiang Ran rides steadily and fast, humming an off‑key tune, anyone can see he's in a great mood.

Su Ruan wraps around his waist, cheek against his broad back, clearly feeling his back muscles taut and the warm heat through the fabric.

The wind brushes her hair tips, carrying early‑summer scent and a hint of… freedom.

She gently closes her eyes, feeling the moment's tranquility and solidity.

That suffocating Su Family, those troublesome people and events, are finally left far behind.

From today onward, she is Su Ruan, Jiang Ran's wife, and will begin a life wholly her own.

"We've arrived!" Jiang Ran's voice is excited, parking the bicycle steadily in front of a tidy two‑story red‑brick house.

This is the Jiang Family. Unlike the Su Family's ruinous chaos, here exudes orderly peace. The small courtyard's gate is planted with some flowers and grasses, not rare but thriving.

Jiang Ran just steadied the bicycle when the courtyard gate is pulled open from inside.

Li Huijuan wears an apron, her face showing unhidden anticipation and smile, clearly having watched the outside.

Jiang Nainai follows behind, tiptoeing to peek.

Jiang Jiaojiao, though standing a bit later, shows evident concern and curiosity in her eyes.

"Back? How was it? Smooth?"

Li Huijuan asks repeatedly, her gaze immediately landing on Su Ruan, with unabashed affection.

"Smooth! Mom, Grandma, sis! Look!"

Jiang Ran eagerly pulls the two bright red Marriage Certificates from his pocket, holding them up to the family like a treasure, his face showing unabashed pride.

"From today, RuanRuan is my wife! Legally!"

"Ah! Good, good! So great!" Li Huijuan takes the Marriage Certificate, looks at Jiang Nainai, laughing so hard her mouth can't close.

Jiang Nainai, even more excited, wipes her eye corner: "Great! Ranran and I are a family now! Good!"

Jiang Jiaojiao leans over, smiles and teases Jiang Ran: "Look at you showing off! From now on you're a family man, settle down, stop goofing around!"

"When did I ever goof around!" Jiang Ran retorts, stretching his neck, but his smile stretches to his ears.

The whole family warmly welcomes Su Ruan inside.

The living room is clean and bright; the furniture, though half‑new, is neatly arranged, windows clear, exuding a warm, comfortable atmosphere.

On the table sit fruits, sweets, and tea, clearly prepared especially to welcome her.

"RuanRuan, sit quickly, you're tired, right? Have some water."

Li Huijuan enthusiastically pulls Su Ruan onto the sofa, pouring water and handing fruit, bustling happily.

Jiang Nainai also sits beside, holding Su Ruan's hand, kindly studying her, increasingly satisfied: "Good child, from now on this is your home, never feel constrained."