Things hadn't reached the point of no return, so Zhu Chunhong could only protect herself and endure it for the time being, watching as Song Zhaodi was forced to jump from the Song family's fire pit into the Zhou family's fire pit.

She felt utterly powerless and could only sigh silently for Song Zhaodi, helpless.

Until that day, when Zhu Chunhong was carrying a hoe to go to the field to weed, she suddenly heard that Song Zhaodi had been locked in the pigsty by the Song family for two days without food or water.

Zhu Chunhong was startled.

It was summer then, and it was so hot that you would break out in a sweat with the slightest movement. If you didn't drink water all morning, your lips would crack.

In this season, if a person doesn't eat or drink for two days, wouldn't they starve or die of thirst?

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Chunhong became restless, constantly thinking about Song Zhaodi. While working, she was so preoccupied with the matter that she almost twisted her ankle.

She pondered it silently for a whole day, but no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't put her mind at ease.

It's a human life, no matter what, and besides, Song Zhaodi often helped her when she was working in the fields.

Sometimes they weed, sometimes they harvest grain. They help each other move things and watch over the drying yard together.

Once, she accidentally fell into a ditch, and Song Zhaodi was the first to notice and come to her rescue.

Song Zhaodi was already struggling so much, barely able to take care of herself, yet she still showed kindness and compassion by helping her. She remembered all of this.

Now that Song Zhaodi is in trouble, how can she just sit idly by?

Even if it's risky, she has to find a way to help her...

Zhu Chunhong made up her mind. When cooking dinner in the evening, she deliberately left two coarse flour buns and filled her bamboo water bottle with water. She waited until it got dark, then quietly slipped into the Zhou family's backyard and stuffed the food and drink into Song Zhaodi's hands.

Song Zhaodi was clearly starving; she had no strength left.

Even under these circumstances, when she saw the food and drinks, her first reaction was not to take them without hesitation, but to look around nervously, frowning and wanting Zhu Chunhong to leave quickly.

“The Zhou family are all scoundrels. If they find out you secretly helped me, you'll be in trouble too.”

"Chunhong, you shouldn't worry about me. You're in a better situation than me. Your parents and brother are taking good care of you. Live well and don't end up like me..."

In the dim light, Zhu Chunhong saw that Song Zhaodi was covered in injuries, her eyelids were swollen high like walnuts, blood was still oozing from the broken corner of her mouth, her lips were all cracked open, her cheekbones were a mixture of red and blue, and her whole face was extremely pale, as if she only had one breath left.

It was absolutely shocking.

Even so, Song Zhaodi continued to speak with all her might—

"Don't worry about me. I can't drag you down with me. I'm just a worthless person, and this is probably how my life will end. You should go now, Chunhong."

Zhu Chunhong's eyes instantly reddened, and she bit her lip tightly to keep herself from crying out loud.

"You...how did you get beaten up like this?"

"I have to save you, Zhao Di, I have to save you..."