She became increasingly agitated as she spoke, her voice carrying an almost manic accusation:

"She keeps saying she wants to save money for her precious grandson, Yaozu, and Wang Caifeng! But what happened? All the good food, meat, and eggs, she secretly hid away herself! She hid them in that broken wooden box under the bed! Locked tight! My husband works himself to the bone at the camp all day, and when he comes back, all he gets is watery porridge and hard cornbread! Not even a speck of oil in it! But she, on the other hand, sneaks into the room at night to eat them!"

“She buys some meat and then secretly sells it to someone for money! She says it's to save up for Yaozu's wedding! We work so hard to earn a little money, and it all goes into her bottomless pit! This life... this life is worse than a dog's! It's a hundred times worse than eating in the cafeteria!”

Zhao Xiaoxiao collapsed to the ground, covering her face and wailing, her cries filled with endless regret and despair: "I regret it so much! I'm so regretful! I shouldn't have brought her from the countryside! I shouldn't have expected her to help us! She's a bottomless pit! A money-grubbing old bloodsucker who only cares about money and not people!"

She abruptly raised her head, her bloodshot eyes fixed on Mingzhao, the resentment in her gaze almost tangible: "But why?! Why am I suffering so much here, while you can be here peacefully, as if nothing happened?! Why doesn't Grandma dare to mess with you?! Just because you found a regimental commander to back you up?! Just because you're heartless?! Mingzhao! You're also of the Zhao family bloodline! Why should I suffer this alone?! Have you lost your conscience?!"

Zhao Xiaoxiao's wailing accusations were like a violent storm, completely tearing apart Wang Caifeng's despicable thoughts and the filth within the Zhao family, exposing them bloodily to the sunlight.

Only her hysterical sobs and heavy breathing remained in the courtyard.

Howard clutched his aching left shoulder, his brow furrowed.

He never imagined there was so much unsavory stuff behind it all.

Wang Caifeng's greed and meanness, Zhao Xiaoxiao and her husband's blind filial piety and cowardice, and that "bringing glory to their ancestors" that they always talked about...

This is a complete mess. He looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao, who was lying on the ground crying and almost fainting, and then at Mingzhao, who was standing aside without even a flicker of emotion. His feelings were extremely complicated.

Mingzhao listened calmly to all of Zhao Xiaoxiao's accusations. The details about "saving", "stealing", "exchanging money" and "bringing glory to ancestors" quickly formed a complete logical chain about Wang Caifeng's behavior pattern in her meticulous mind.

The image of an old-fashioned woman who is extremely selfish, sexist, and has the plundering of resources ingrained in her very being.

This explains why she pretended to be sick and why she specifically asked to see him; she simply wanted to take the opportunity to manipulate or extort benefits. It also explains why Zhao Xiaoxiao broke down.

But what does that have to do with her?

Blood ties? In the Interstellar Alliance, genetic optimization and collective upbringing are the norm, and blood ties are extremely weak.

To her, the Zhao family was no different from any other household on the roadside.

Wang Caifeng's greed and Zhao Xiaoxiao's predicament are the inevitable results of their own choices and character flaws.

She has neither the obligation nor the interest to get involved in such an inefficient and negatively charged relationship.

She uses her time to solve truly important problems.

Under Zhao Xiaoxiao's desperate and resentful gaze, and under Howard's complex and unspoken stare, Mingzhao spoke again, her voice still calm and unwavering, as if stating a physical law unrelated to herself:

"Your choice."

"Your question."

"It has nothing to do with me."

After saying that, she stopped looking at Zhao Xiaoxiao on the ground, turned around and walked into the house. Her steps were steady, without the slightest hesitation or guilt.

That resolute figure, like a cold knife, completely severed Zhao Xiaoxiao's last shred of delusion called "blood ties".

"Mingzhao—!!" Zhao Xiaoxiao let out a shrill, desperate scream, like a wounded wild animal.

"Enough!" Howard shouted, interrupting Zhao Xiaoxiao's wailing. He gritted his shoulders, stepped forward, his tall figure exuding an imposing aura. "Comrade Zhao Xiaoxiao! If your grandmother is truly unwell, I'll send someone to take her to the hospital! Crying and making a scene here won't solve anything! As for your family's affairs, resolve them behind closed doors! Don't vent your emotions on irrelevant people!"

“My wife, Mingzhao, as far as I know, was not raised by your grandmother when she was young, nor did she receive any love or respect. She should not be morally blackmailed and coerced by you!”

His tone was stern, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Zhao Xiaoxiao was stunned by him, her sobs caught in her throat, leaving only suppressed sobs, her eyes empty and desperate.

What should I do? How could this happen!

If the Ming Dynasty doesn't step in, who else can help her get rid of the old lady!

Howard watched Mingzhao's figure disappear into the room, then looked at Zhao Xiaoxiao, who was lying on the ground looking lost and dejected, and sighed heavily.

He can't ignore this mess.

After all, if something really happened to the old lady in his military compound, it would have a bad influence if word got out.

Moreover, while the things Zhao Xiaoxiao tearfully recounted were unbearable, if Wang Caifeng's greedy behavior was indeed as she claimed—hiding food and even stealing meat from her home to exchange for money—then the nature of the matter was egregious and must be dealt with.

“You,” Howard pointed at Zhao Xiaoxiao, his voice commanding, “go back first! Take good care of the old lady. I’ll send someone over immediately to check on her! If she’s really sick, get her to the hospital right away! If not…”

His eyes sharpened. "Then please have your husband, or the person in charge of your production team, come and take her away! The military compound is not a place for you to settle your family affairs!"

Zhao Xiaoxiao was intimidated by Huo Hua's imposing presence, and when she heard him promise to send someone to check, the despair and madness in her heart subsided slightly, leaving only endless exhaustion and confusion.

She struggled to her feet, wiped her face, and left the courtyard dejectedly, too exhausted to even cry.

Howard watched Zhao Xiaoxiao's staggering figure disappear outside the courtyard gate, his brows furrowing even more.

He moved his throbbing left shoulder; the wound, aggravated by Zhao Xiaoxiao's shoving and emotional outburst, seemed to be in trouble again.

He had to deal with Wang Caifeng's matter quickly, and couldn't let her cause any trouble in the military region.

He turned around, intending to go inside and tell Mingzhao, but found that Mingzhao was already standing at the bedroom door.

She held the small first-aid kit containing iodine and bandages in her hand, her gaze calmly falling on his hand that was unconsciously covering his left shoulder.

“You,” Mingzhao looked at him, her tone leaving no room for argument, “your wound has reopened.”

Her gaze was sharp, as if she could see through the clothes to the bloodstains seeping through.

Howard felt a warmth in his heart and was about to say, "It's nothing, I'll go take care of the old lady and come right back..."

Before he could even speak, Mingzhao had already walked over and shoved the small medicine box into his hands.

"Take off your clothes, let's apply the medicine!"