Chapter 303 Returning to Familiar Places

The laughter was soft, yet not to be ignored, like a fallen leaf hitting a calm lake, creating ripples.

She stared into Li Hongmei's eyes, her gaze sharp and clear. "If you stand here now and jump, she'll really have nothing left. You say you're doing this for her own good? Have you ever thought about how a child without a mother will live her life?"

She took a step forward. "You're making a scene here, but Miaomiao is at home. She didn't sleep a wink all night, afraid to sleep, afraid you'd really be gone. Can you bear it?"

The footsteps were light, yet they felt as if they were treading on Li Hongmei's heart.

Qiao Wanyin's voice was low and firm, without accusation or anger, only deep regret.

"She kept crying and calling your name. She's afraid of the dark, afraid you'll never come back. Can you hear her? Can you hear her calling 'Mother' from inside the house?"

Li Hongmei's shoulders began to tremble.

At first it was just a slight tremor, like a withered leaf in the wind, but then it became more and more intense, and my whole body was shaking.

She bit her lip, trying to hold back, but the emotions surged like a flood that had burst its banks, and she could no longer stop them.

Her breathing became rapid, her chest heaved violently, and her eyes were red and burning.

Qiao Xuezhi rushed forward, his eyes red and swollen: "Hongmei! Did you hear that? Miaomiao cried all night, shouting 'I want my mother!' How can you be so heartless?"

He practically roared it out, his voice so hoarse it was almost cracking.

His face was covered in tears, which mingled with sweat and slid down his forehead, dripping onto the ground.

He stared intently at his wife, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "What will happen to her if you leave? She's only six! Who can she rely on?"

This sentence, like the last rope, snapped.

The string that had been stretched taut and teetering on the brink of collapse finally gave way, letting out a silent lament.

Li Hongmei felt as if her bones had been removed, and all her strength collapsed in an instant.

She slid down the windowsill and collapsed to the ground, crying uncontrollably.

Her knee slammed into the ground with a dull thud, but she felt no pain.

She curled up, clutching her head with both hands, her face covered in tears and snot, and making whimpering sounds.

The crying started low and hoarse, then grew louder and louder, as if it was trying to cry out all the grievances, fears, and helplessness that had accumulated over the past few days.

Qiao Xuezhi rushed over and hugged her tightly: "Hongmei, what are you doing... why are you doing this to yourself..."

He held her tightly with his arms, afraid that she would break free again.

His voice choked with sobs, trembling with emotion as he patted her back repeatedly, "Our lives will get better, really... Don't be like this, if you're gone, how will Miaomiao and I live..."

Li Hongmei nestled in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably, "I...I just wanted Miaomiao to eat well and dress well..."

Every word was torn apart by tears; she couldn't utter complete sentences, only repeating broken phrases, "I don't want her to go hungry... I don't want her to be looked down upon... I... I just want her to have a better life..."

Qiao Wanyin stood there, watching her brother and sister-in-law embracing, feeling a mix of emotions.

There was heartache, pity, and a lingering weariness.

Seeing her brother holding his wife, his expression almost breaking with tears, made her heart ache.

But she knew that some things couldn't be solved with tears alone.

She knew that her second sister-in-law didn't really want to die.

She was driven to the brink, overwhelmed by life's pressures, and resorted to this method to seek an answer.

But such extreme measures will only cause more suffering for everyone.

She stood there, like a silent mountain, guarding this crumbling home.

This was nothing more than a crying scene, a gamble on her soft heart.

Li Hongmei probably thought that as long as she made a scene like this, Qiao Wanyin would back down and agree to give her a share of the money.

But she didn't know that some concessions don't bring peace, but rather greater demands.

But she cannot back down.

If she quits, it will happen again, twice, or even three times.

Today it's for the children, tomorrow it might be for the bride price, and the day after tomorrow it might be for some other reason.

She can sympathize and help, but she must never compromise on principles.

One step back leads to another.

If you soften your stance this once, there will be no bottom line from now on.

If she agrees to take the money today, Li Hongmei will cause even more trouble tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow she might even turn the whole family upside down.

This isn't being heartless, it's being clear-headed.

If you give in today, your second sister-in-law will make an even bigger scene tomorrow.

She couldn't let Miao Miao live in a home filled with arguments and threats.

What she wanted to protect was not only her brother's family, but also that poor but sensible little girl.

She walked up to Li Hongmei, squatted down, and said in a voice as soft as the wind, "Second Sister-in-law, let's go home. Miaomiao is waiting for you."

She offered no blame, no sarcasm, only calm words of comfort.

Looking at Li Hongmei's red and swollen eyes, she gently reached out and placed her hand on Li's arm. "She's still at home, sitting barefoot on the bed waiting for you. She's hungry and scared. Please go back, okay?"

Outside the window, a sliver of light was just beginning to appear on the horizon.

At the edge of the gray-blue sky, a faint hint of orange-red peeked out, as if a tear had been made in the sky.

A gentle morning breeze blew in, carrying the scent of earth and dew.

A new day has finally arrived.

Li Hongmei stared at Qiao Wanyin with teary eyes, her voice trembling: "Are you really that heartless? You won't even tell me the truth? What have I done to wrong you? I treated you like my own sister, how could you do this to me?"

Qiao Wanyin's lips moved slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Second sister-in-law, this matter... is really not as simple as you think. There are some things I can't say now, and shouldn't say, but please believe me, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Stop talking!"

Li Hongmei abruptly flung her hand away, shoving aside her husband Qiao Xuezhi, who was standing beside her trying to reason with her. She straightened her back and stood up. "Qiao Wanyin, I finally understand you! It turns out that in your eyes, my daughter and I have never deserved to be treated kindly!"

Her eyes were like ice, cold and devoid of any warmth. "From now on, neither of us owes the other anything! Even if I, Li Hongmei, starve to death on the street, I will never step into your house again! I don't care about your kindness, and I don't ask for any favors from you!"

After saying that, she gritted her teeth, turned around and rushed downstairs, her steps hurried and unsteady, as if she would suffocate if she stayed for even a second longer.

Qiao Xuezhi hurriedly chased after her, calling her name as he reached out to grab her: "Hongmei! Wait! Listen to me! It's not what you think! My little sister... she has her reasons!"

Qiao Wanyin stood there, her legs weak, as if she were walking on cotton, each step unsteady, her whole body swaying precariously.

It felt like a huge boulder was pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Fu Lian stepped forward, gently put his arm around her shoulder, pulled her into his arms, and whispered to comfort her, "Qingqing... don't hold on, I know you're feeling bad."

"I'm fine."

She forced a smile, but her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, like a breeze brushing past your ear, "Let's go home. Here..."

It's no longer our home.