Director Zhao didn't give the two a chance to continue arguing. "Hehe, let's talk about it later. Take him away!"

Seeing this scene at Ke Qiangfeng's house, Tang Yue's lips curled into a sarcastic smile. These three families would now have to experience the same treatment they had given Liu Ting. How could their son and daughter-in-law not personally endure the torment their mother had suffered?

Amidst the panicked cries and pleas for mercy from the three families, Director Zhao completed the inspection. He took the people away directly, interrogated them briefly, and put them on a train to the Northwest that same noon.

Liu Ting walked to the train station alone in the middle of the night. She had no money to buy a ticket and could only stay in the ticket office. Even the ticket office was much warmer than her thatched hut.

Tired, she spread a bundle of weeds she had gathered on her way over in a corner, curled up there, and closed her eyes to rest.

After a night of heartless treatment from her three sons, how could she possibly sleep? She was truly exhausted, utterly exhausted—physically and emotionally. Countless times she asked herself, was it better to die than to live like this?

But she was afraid. She was afraid that if Old Ke heard the news of her death, he would follow her in death. In the end, she couldn't bear it.

When Tang Yue arrived, she saw a thin figure huddled in a corner. From a distance, she looked weaker than a child. Tang Yue handed the steaming buns and soy milk to Liu Ting, "Grandma, it's dawn, have something to eat."

Upon hearing Tang Yue's voice, Liu Ting immediately opened her eyes, her gaze filled with disbelief. "Child, you... why are you here again? Where are your family?"

Tang Yue smiled and said, "Eat up. You'll have the energy to watch the miserable state of those hungry wolves, won't you?"

Liu Ting glanced at the bright daylight outside and knew it was getting late. She took the food from Tang Yue's hand, cradling the bottom of the lunchbox with both hands; the scalding heat seemed to offer her endless comfort.

"My child, I have no way to repay you. Now, I have nothing left."

Tang Yue stood beside her. "I don't need it. Ke Qiang's house is still there; it's reserved for you to live in later. After you see those people being put on the train, you can go straight back. It's just a bit chaotic!"

Liu Ting looked at Tang Yue, "Child, where are you going?"