After Awakening, She Tore Apart Her Enemies and Joined the Army on an Island - Chapter 2

She wondered if he had left yet.

From the original plot, Su Meng knew that Huo Zhenhua’s true identity was not that of an ordinary soldier.

If the effects of the drug had worn off, he would never allow himself to be trapped like a turtle in a jar.

With that thought, Su Meng no longer felt anxious. Casually, she emptied Zhong Wanrou’s room.

From the large wardrobe and carved wooden bed to the smallest comb and hairpin, nothing was left behind.

She didn’t even spare Zhong Wanrou’s underwear and socks, determined to leave not a single item.

After all, these were bought with the Su family’s money, and she had every right to decide their fate.

However, she had no intention of keeping the belongings of a despicable woman. Giving them to those in need seemed like a better idea.

When she discovered the cash Zhong Wanrou had hidden away, Su Meng felt a pang of envy and resentment so sharp it twisted her heart.

Eight thousand six hundred!

As the legitimate daughter of the Su family, she had never possessed so much cash in her life.

How ironic!

Outside, Zhong Cuilin was still knocking, and the murmurs and speculations in the hallway continued.

Guided by Zhong Wanrou’s subtle hints, the whispers gradually turned into malicious assumptions.

Zhong Cuilin: “Why is there no sound from inside? Could something have happened to Su Meng?”

“Surely, my sister is fine. She… might be in a situation where she can’t open the door right now.”

As she spoke, Zhong Wanrou suddenly seemed to remember something, covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes darting nervously as she quietly stepped back.

The onlookers grew even more suspicious.

“What about that soldier?” The second branch’s old lady, struck by a sudden insight, exclaimed excitedly as if she had uncovered the truth.

The Su family had a guest that day.

The visitor, Huo Zhenhua, had been sent by Nie Ronghua, Su Meng’s childhood fiancé, to deliver her eighteenth birthday gift.

Zhong Cuilin and the others saw this as a sign of Nie Ronghua’s disrespect toward the Su family.

But given Nie Ronghua’s rank as a regiment commander, the Su family forced smiles and invited Huo Zhenhua to stay for the meal.

The second branch of the Su family was also present to keep them company.

The dinner had just ended.

Noticing that Su Meng had been absent for a long time, the group, led by Zhong Cuilin, made their way to the second floor.

In front of the tightly shut door, everyone was whispering, with the second branch’s old lady being the loudest.

“Could he be inside?”

The second grandmother spoke without restraint, seemingly delighting in stirring up trouble.

Zhong Cuilin quickly intervened, “He’s a soldier. We mustn’t slander him, that could lead to punishment.”

The second grandmother showed no fear. “Hah! He’s just a low-ranking soldier. Besides, even royalty is subject to the law. Do soldiers think they’re above it?”

“Then let’s break down the door! I hope we haven’t made a grave mistake.” Zhong Cuilin’s tone was full of resignation, but inwardly, she was gleefully celebrating.

She had already discreetly inquired and learned that Huo Zhenhua was merely a foot soldier from a humble background, running errands for Commander Nie.

A perfect match for her Su Meng, she thought with a sneer.

Zhong Cuilin tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, lowering her head to hide her triumphant expression.

On the other side of the wall, Su Meng was well aware of their commotion.

She smirked disdainfully.

With practiced ease, she slipped into the hidden room in Zhong Wanrou’s chamber.

The air in the hidden room was thick with dust.

Pressing a finger against one of the wooden chests left a clear print.

There were four chests, arranged exactly as they had been ten years ago.

One contained gold bars, another held jewelry, calligraphy, and paintings, while the remaining two were filled with antique porcelain.

Every room on the second floor had a hidden compartment like this.

Adhering to the principle of dispersing risk, the Su family had stored several chests of treasures in each hidden room.

However, only the main branch of the Su family, Su Mianzhi’s line, knew about this secret.

After clearing out Zhong Wanrou’s room, the stifling anger in Su Meng’s heart eased slightly.

Suddenly, a loud bang came from next door.

The wall shook, and fine dust drifted down from the ceiling.

They must have forced the door open violently.

Zhong Cuilin was really something!

Going all out to catch someone in the act!

But she didn’t know if Huo Zhenhua had left yet or not.

Just as she was about to rush out the door, she faintly heard Zhong Wanrou’s puzzled voice.

“Where is she? Why is no one here?”

After a long wait, Zhong Cuilin’s voice finally came, “Perhaps the young lady has fainted in the bathroom? Go check quickly!”

Hearing this, Su Meng felt relieved.

Huo Zhenhua must have already left.

She slid down the drainpipe and swaggered into the living room.

Her fake father, Shen Wuyang, looked at her with concern, “Xiao Meng, why are you here? Didn’t you go back to your room because you weren’t feeling well?”

Su Meng naturally didn’t miss the flicker of surprise in his eyes.

So, there were clues all along, it was just that the imposter’s acting was too good.

“I just went to the garden to walk off my meal. Who said I wasn’t feeling well?”

Her tone was cold and distant, her gaze scrutinizing and slightly annoyed.

Shen Wuyang felt suspicious.

Su Meng had always been gentle and obedient, full of admiration and dependence on him, and she would never treat him so coldly in front of others.

“What’s wrong with you, child? Nie Ronghua couldn’t make it to your eighteenth birthday party for a reason. But even in his busy schedule, he sent someone to bring you a gift. He’s a good kid. Don’t be willful!”

Su Meng raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to look at Shen Wuyang, “What does he have to do with this?

I’d like to ask why your dear wife barged into my room with others without my permission?”

Shen Wuyang patiently explained, “She heard you weren’t feeling well and brought a doctor to check on you.”

Su Meng chuckled lightly, “Oh, really?”

Then, she turned to the Second Grandfather, who was watching from the sidelines, “Second Grandfather, as an elder, could you tell me what’s going on?”

This Second Grandfather was her grandfather’s half-brother, who had long coveted the Su family’s wealth.

But he had been a frivolous youth in his day and failed to win his father’s favor. His descendants, too, had few capable individuals.

Thus, the Su family estate was passed down to the eldest branch.

As for him, he was ordered to move out of the Su Mansion and struggled to make a living outside with his own branch of the family.

Because of this, he had always harbored resentment toward the eldest branch.

Hearing the tension in Su Meng and “Su Mianzhi’s” exchange, his murky eyes brightened slightly.

He tapped his pipe heavily on the tea table and glared disapprovingly at Su Mianzhi, “You, you’ve been blinded! How could you marry a lowly maid who doesn’t know her place? Look at her, she has no manners at all. Xiao Meng, Grandfather will stand up for you. Since this maid doesn’t respect you, a legitimate young lady of the house, you have my permission to teach her a lesson!”

It had to be said, those words struck a chord.

Su Meng glanced at Shen Wuyang’s stiff expression and smiled, “Thank you, Second Grandfather, for your support.”

“Go on!” Second Grandfather Su was eager to see them fight among themselves and even more eager to see Zhong Cuilin get what she deserved.

Su Meng abruptly stood up and stormed up to the second floor, her footsteps echoing loudly.

She had long wanted to deal with that murderous maid.

Now, with the timing, location, and circumstances all in her favor, it was just perfect.

“What are you doing in my room? Get out!”

Su Meng slammed the door forcefully, her pretty face flushed with anger.

Her sudden voice was like a thunderclap out of nowhere.

Just as Second Aunt was about to sneakily pocket something, she was startled so badly that she trembled, and the item in her hand clattered to the ground.

Seeing it was Su Meng, a flicker of annoyance and jealousy flashed in her eyes. She immediately clutched her chest and groaned, “Oh my! You scared this old woman half to death. I’m going to faint, I need to lie down.”

Ignoring Su Meng’s icy gaze, she shuffled step by step toward the large bed.

Zhong Wanrou swiftly tucked away a velvet box and shot Su Meng a displeased look. “Sister, how can you be so rude? Don’t you know that startling someone could scare them to death?”

Zhong Cuilin stood beside a man who looked like a doctor. Seeing Su Meng appear perfectly fine, she was momentarily stunned and surprised but quickly regained her composure.

She then stepped forward and said with concern, “Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well? Why are you wandering around? Come quickly and let the doctor check you.”

In both expression and action, Zhong Cuilin was the picture of a caring mother at that moment.

Had she not known the plot, Su Meng would never have believed that Zhong Cuilin was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Su Meng stared intently at the woman approaching her and asked, word by word, “I heard I have a heart condition. Did you pass it on to me, or did you cause it?”

Zhong Cuilin, a seasoned old fox, didn’t take the bait at all. Instead, she smiled gently and innocently, “Where is Comrade Huo? He’s been missing with you for so long, we thought he had come to see you.”