It sounded like footsteps were faintly coming from the kitchen again, very quietly, but Qiao Lian'er had sharp ears.

She leaned against the kitchen's outer wall, then turned and went inside.

I happened to see a figure rummaging through those jars.

Although it was just a glimpse of her back, Qiao Lian'er recognized her immediately; it was none other than Song Rui'er.

"You used to climb over the wall, but today you just jumped over it! Song Ruier, do you think you're so shameful that you have to sneak around like this?" Qiao Lian'er said with her arms crossed, amused.

Song Ruier was engrossed in looking at what was inside the jar when she heard a sound. Startled, she dropped the jar she was holding and nearly shattered it.

He composed himself and stood up: "This is my grandparents' house. What's wrong with me coming back to visit? Can't I even go into the kitchen? Sis, you're so heartless."

She turned around, and Qiao Lian'er finally saw his face clearly.

His cheeks were swollen high, and his eyes were swollen like walnuts; it was obvious he had been beaten and cried.

It's obvious that it's because the mushrooms aren't selling.

However, Qiao Lian'er feigned surprise: "Oh dear, what happened to your face? Did you get beaten up for stealing chickens or dogs? Since leaving your mother, your new father and bride haven't taught you how to be a decent person?"

Song Ruier gets angry whenever this is mentioned, especially since Qiao Lian'er said he climbed the wall earlier. It seems she knew all along and was just pretending to tease him.

"Sister, you've gone too far! Since you knew I was climbing the wall, why did you still wave that poisonous mushroom in front of me, causing Uncle and my two brothers to get beaten?"

Song Ruier's face was puffed up with anger as she glared at Qiao Lian'er.

He didn't think he had done anything wrong; on the contrary, he felt that Qiao Lian'er had ulterior motives and was despicable.

To scheme against his own brother like this is truly despicable.

"Then why did you climb the wall? Why don't you just use the main gate? Do I need your permission to wash mushrooms? Did I ask you to go up the mountain to find those kinds of mushrooms?"

Qiao Lian'er's series of questions left Song Rui'er speechless.

"I... you're just deliberately messing with me, you're intentionally playing tricks on the Song family."

"You must be very happy and proud to see me beaten up like this."

Qiao Lian'er was both amused and exasperated: "Did I force you? Did I teach you how to do it? You stole and learned things haphazardly, thinking you were clever, and ended up hurting yourself. Who can you blame?"

"That's right, I'm glad you got beaten up like this. For me, you haven't been beaten badly enough yet."

Qiao Yunni arrived at the door at some point and felt a pang of sadness upon seeing Song Ruier in this state.

Although Song Ruier went too far, disowning her own mother is worse than some beasts.

But he was her own child, yet others beat him up like a pig's head.

She overheard the siblings arguing and understood what had happened.

"Rui'er, just stay with the Song family and live a good life. Don't have any other ideas. Let them figure out how to make money. You're still young."

"Mrs. Qiao, it's just in time for you to come. Song Ruier has tricked and deceived me. She is your daughter. Shouldn't you give me justice?"