Han Yichen's face changed. "What do you mean by that she didn't bring the money back home? That money belongs to Chen Chen. Why would she bring the money back, and even if she brings the money, why should she hand it all over to you?"
"I am her mother!" Meng Yunhan spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
When Han Yichen heard her response, he opened his mouth angrily, but then he paused and slyly questioned, "Don't tell me that you took Ruochen's salary as well?"
As soon as Han Yichen finished speaking, Meng Yunhan choked. She lowered her voice and quibbled, "Does it matter?"
"Of course it matters! It's one thing that you took a part of her salary, but it's a completely different matter if you take every penny that she earns. So, did you or did you not take her salary?" Han Yichen pressed on, and Meng Yunhan couldn't lose her temper with him even if she wanted to. She could only begrudgingly say, "I took it all."
That's right, Han Ruochen's salary was taken away by Meng Yunhan. She didn't even leave a single penny in her hands, and all of the money was naturally used to sponsor the Yun family.
When Meng Yunhan saw Han Yichen swelling like a balloon, she knew that she was in trouble. She would have lied if this had happened in the past, but Han Ruochen was no longer the same. This wretched girl was hell-bent on going against her. If she dared to lie, then Han Ruochen would certainly tell the truth to Han Yichen.
Han Yichen was so angry that he almost fainted. No wonder his daughter was wearing clothes that were three to four seasons old, and here he thought that she was being thrifty.
"Took it all?" Han Yichen raised his voice. "Why don't you stuff yourself with money? Why do you need the money of our daughter? Aren't I giving you enough money? Do you want to go outside and ask others how despicable it is to take every penny from your child's salary? Look at Ruochen; she is wearing clothes that are old and faded. Do you feel proud of making her live like this?"
"Isn't she just a girl? In the end, she is going to get married, and who knows what kind of in-laws she might get? What if she is married into a family that is frugal and not well-to-do? Isn't it better for her to learn how to be careful with her money?" Meng Yunhan didn't think that she was wrong. Anyway, she had already planned to marry Han Ruochen off to the first family she could find. As long as the man was willing to pay the dowry of two hundred yuan, she didn't care who Han Ruochen married.
"What do you mean by 'not a well-to-do family'?" Han Yichen's moustache bristled as he rolled his eyes at the woman in front of him. "Why will I marry my daughter to a family that cannot even take care of her? I will naturally marry her off to a family where she will be cared for and supported."
He then waved his hand and said to Meng Yunhan, "Enough with this; you tell me why you took her salary, and even if you did take it, why did you not buy some new clothes for Ruochen?"
"Her clothes are neither torn nor that old. Why should I buy her a new set of clothes? Isn't that a waste?" Meng Yunhan was angry. She took Han Ruochen's salary because she needed to fill the hole in their savings for the time being. Without Han Ruochen's salary, how was she going to buy new clothes for herself and Han Ziyan?
"Fine, you are really good. Are you satisfied after making your daughter live such a hard life?" Han Yichen could no longer be bothered to look at Meng Yunhan anymore. Why did he not know that this woman was such a person? His wife often said that their children were one troublesome thing after another.
This was what she meant by troublesome? Han Ruochen didn't even dare to complain when her salary was taken away and had to make do with whatever she had.
"You would buy new clothes for Ziyan, no matter what season or occasion it might be. As long as you can buy a new set of clothes, you will do it. She doesn't bring back a penny, and she is treated like the little princess of the family. But my own daughter… my own biological daughter is reduced to wearing scraps. Okay, since you want to do this the hard way, then you can dote on Ziyan, and I will dote on my children. You are so capable; I believe you will be able to take care of yourself just fine."
"What do you mean by this?" Meng Yunhan's face turned red with fury. "Is Ziyan not your daughter? Even if she is adopted, you cannot just ignore her like this."
"Then is Ruochen not your daughter? Is Beijiang not your son? What about the eldest and the second or the third?" Han Yichen questioned back. "You treat them like they are dirt, but they are my children. I cannot turn a blind eye to their sufferings. Now I will take care of them, and you can take care of Ziyan alone. With you taking care of her, naturally, the girl will be fine. But I will not let my children continue like they did before."
This time around, Han Yichen was determined to stand on the side of his daughter and other children.
He even started to wonder whether he should go and take a look at Han Jianyou. Meng Yunhan even took Han Ruochen's money; would she take care of Han Jianyou? It was better to go and take a look at the condition of his second son.
He then turned to look at Han Ruochen and said to her, "Ruochen, from now on, if there is anything you need to tell dad, don't bother mom. She is too busy with Ziyan and cannot be bothered with your matters."