When Xiaoli saw that it was Zhou Xianye, she subconsciously pulled her hand back, glanced timidly at her grandmother, and her lips moved slightly, but she didn't say anything.

Xiao Juan angrily shoved Zhou Xianye and shouted, "It was Auntie who kicked my sister!"

Dad, will you kick it back?

You won't. You only believe Grandma's words; you never believe me, my sister, or Mom's.

Xiaoli mustered her courage and asked, "Dad, will you kick back? Grandma pinched my sister's thigh, will you pinch her back?"

Zhou Xianye fell silent, as if something was choking him, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Thinking of everything that had happened these past few days, Su Xiumei was overcome with grief, hugged her two children tightly, and burst into tears.

"We don't want you anymore, I want Grandma, not Grandpa." Xiao Juan's childish voice was like a sharp knife, piercing straight into Zhou Xianye's heart.

Zhou Xianye felt a sharp pain in his chest, a sensation that made it almost impossible for him to breathe.

"I..." Zhou Xianye looked at the two sisters, opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything. Guilt and regret overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

Over the years, Zhou Xianye has devoted himself to earning money to support his family, hoping to provide more financial assistance so that his wife and two daughters can live more comfortably.

He is always on the go and spends very little time at home.

But now, the scene before him was like a heavy hammer blow, slamming into his heart.

He never imagined that his two beloved daughters had already grown distant from him, their hearts completely turned away from him.

"Look at you, you neither help my sister and me kick back, nor help us pinch back."

Xiaoli and Xiaojuan spoke in unison, their eyes filled with disappointment, tears welling up in their eyes.

As soon as they finished speaking, the two of them pushed Zhou Xianye hard at the same time, and then ran to Meng Shuyun's side like startled deer, hugging her legs tightly.

"You definitely won't, Grandma will definitely help us."

"Help Xiaoli kick her aunt's stomach."

"Help Xiaojuan pinch Grandma's thigh."

Zhou Xianye stumbled from the sudden push and fell heavily to the ground.

In an instant, he felt as if his heart had fallen into an ice cellar, the chill penetrating to the bone, and all the color drained from his face.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with helplessness and pleading, and looked at Su Xiumei, who was crying with her face covered not far away.

Su Xiumei felt that gaze and cried even harder. Her sobs seemed to be telling of the grievances and bitterness that had been accumulated in her heart over the years. Each sob was like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of everyone present.

Su Xiangnan stood quietly at the doorway, witnessing this scene. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his icy gaze seemed to freeze the air.

Su Xiulan quickly walked to Su Xiumei's side, gently supported her with her hand, her eyes full of heartache.

When he looked at Zhou Xianye again, his eyes revealed undisguised dissatisfaction and blame.

“Brother-in-law, if you really care about my sister and the children, you should completely sever ties with your family and come back to pick them up cleanly. If you bring people back now, you're just pushing them into a fire pit.”

"Alright!" Meng Shuyun spoke up at the right moment, stopping the chaotic farce.

She looked at Su Xiumei and the two sisters with gentle eyes, then turned her gaze to Zhou Xianye and said seriously, "Zhou Xianye, you have seen how much injustice these three women suffered while you were away from home."

Those you can't protect, I, as their mother, will naturally protect well.

Zhou Xianye knelt down with a thud, kneeling in front of Su Xiumei, his face full of remorse and self-blame: "Xiumei, I'm sorry for you and the child."

When I get back, I will definitely demand an explanation from my mother and give you justice.

I will work even harder to earn money so that both my sisters can go to school.

Hearing Zhou Xianye's assurances, Su Xiumei's heart couldn't help but waver.

Just as she was about to nod and agree to go back with him, she looked up and saw the concerned looks of her relatives around her. The suffering she had endured over the years flashed through her mind, and she knew in her heart that she could not forgive him so easily.

Besides, even if she agreed, the children would certainly not.

Before Su Xiumei could even speak, Xiao Juan, acting like a little adult, blurted out, "Dad, if you separate from Grandma's family, we'll go back with you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianye's eyes widened in surprise. He stared at Xiao Juan in disbelief and asked in shock, "Xiao Juan, where did you learn that?"

Xiaoli whispered from the side, "I heard it from my aunt. She said that if it weren't for the fact that Dad sends money home every month, he would have separated from us a long time ago."

Upon hearing these words, Zhou Xianye felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He stood there stunned, overwhelmed by a wave of guilt that made him feel utterly ashamed.

Meng Shuyun gently patted the two children's heads and asked softly, "Are you hungry? Let's go eat."

In the evening, Zhang Laidi and her daughter-in-law came to deliver the finished hair accessories.

The two cloth bags were full, containing a total of 530 pairs of flowers.

This mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are both known for their competence; they accomplished so much in just two days.

They said that if it weren't for the shortage of fabric that morning, they probably would have made even more.

As soon as the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law finished settling their wages and left, Yu Xiaoqiu and the other people who helped make the hair accessories came to the door one after another.

Including yesterday's batch, Yu Xiaoqiu brought a total of 120 pairs of flowers. Her competence made the people standing by waiting for the inspection envious.

As everyone watched Meng Shuyun hand over the twelve yuan, they were filled with envy; this was much more than what they could earn working in a factory in the county town.

"Sister Meng, take mine first. I have twenty pairs here. It's two yuan for the workmanship, right?"

"I made twenty-six pairs, watch mine first."

Everyone rushed over, chattering amongst themselves, and surrounded Meng Shuyun, all eager to see their hair ornaments.

At this moment, Su Xiuju and Meng Kangshun returned carrying the mooncakes distributed by their work unit.

Seeing this, Xiaoli and Xiaojuan quickly ran over to help put the things away.

Su Xiuju and Su Xiumei also quickly stepped forward, greeting people and helping to inspect the hair accessories.

After the inspection was completed, Meng Shuyun carefully counted the money and settled the accounts. Those who received their payment were ecstatic, full of energy, and all expressed their desire to go home and continue working.

After a thorough count, we found that we had collected 1,200 pairs of flowers, proving that many hands make light work.