Unexpectedly, when Grandma Ding wanted to vent her anger, she couldn't find anyone and accidentally pinched Xie Ziyuan instead.

Xie Ziyuan frowned in pain, but didn't complain at all, while Ding Huizhu was heartbroken.

How could she be pinched like that by her precious daughter, whom she had always cherished and never dared to say a harsh word to?

Ding Huizhu stepped forward and pulled Xie Ziyuan away. "Ziyuan, how are you? Does it hurt?"

Xie Ziyuan shook her head, her expression somewhat cold.

She took a deep breath and turned to Xie Li. "Li Li, your grandmother and uncle are your elders after all. Your grandmother is so old. Could you ask this Mr. Xu to let go of your uncle?"

She had greeted Xie Li earlier, but he ignored her. Now, however, Xie Li actually looked at her properly.

That glance, so calm and indifferent, seemed to leave no trace in her heart, causing Xie Ziyuan's fingers to clench tightly.

Xie Li: "No, you insisted on forcing your way in and even tried to cause trouble. This is not the way of a guest. Grandpa said that I don't need to treat you as guests."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Xie Ziyuan seriously again, "Besides, he is your uncle, not mine."

Therefore, Xie Ziyuan could plead for Ding Ruoxu, but she could disregard any sentimentality, since there was no sentimentality to speak of.

Xie Ziyuan felt inexplicably embarrassed.

"But Grandpa..."

Xie Li: "Oh, I just said that you don't need to worry about Grandpa's health. As for your so-called 'Heart Soup'—well, it's too cheap and doesn't do Grandpa much good."

Xie Ziyuan's pupils contracted slightly, and she was completely stunned.

She repeatedly mentioned Old Master Xie, seemingly out of concern, but it was also a way of reminding Xie Li that Old Master Xie's poison still needed her to cure it.

Fangxin Soup works wonders. Now, Grandpa Xie is able to organize Xie Li's family reunion banquet with great energy. But without her supplies, Grandpa Xie would just continue to be a bedridden, useless person.

It's too early to kick away the bridge after crossing the river.

But what was with Xie Li's tone? He seemed to look down on her Heart Soup and even accused her of cutting corners. She had indeed reduced the amount of Sacred Heart Fruit, but wasn't it because it was so rare and precious that she had to use it sparingly?

How did Xie Li know all this? She found this prescription by searching through ancient books; it's extremely rare...

"Xie Li!" Ding Huizhu couldn't stand it anymore when she heard Xie Li make such boastful remarks again.

She hadn't said anything because of her guilt, but first Xie Ziyuan was implicated innocently, and then Xie Li questioned her like this. She felt a lump in her throat and immediately exploded.

"What do you know? You're just spouting nonsense!" Ding Huizhu's voice was cold. "Your grandfather only got to stand up because of Ziyuan, and instead of being grateful, you're spouting rudeness—have all your manners and upbringing gone to waste?"

Xie Ziyuan's mind calmed down a bit at this point—she glanced at Xie Li and couldn't help but secretly admire his ability to lie so blatantly.

They were directly exposed, yet they remained unfazed; they certainly have thick skin.

Xie Li glanced at Ding Huizhu and said, "If you don't understand, could you please mute yourself?"

Ding Huizhu felt the anger burning within her intensify, and her voice became even sharper: "Xie Li! I'm your mother!"

"You give birth to someone but don't raise them, and you're even proud of it?" came an old yet vigorous voice.

Ding Huizhu recognized the visitor; he was none other than Old Master Xu from the villa next door, a nouveau riche.