In the hot summer, the Huang family added new fans to every bedroom. The sound of the wind and the chirping of cicadas outside the window intertwined into a summer melody.

Xu Mengyao and Grandma Huang sat side by side on the sofa, each holding half a chilled watermelon in their arms. The classic opening line of "Zhengda Variety Show" was playing on TV: "You don't know how wonderful the world is until you see it." The customs and people from all over the world in the picture made the two laugh from time to time.

"Grandma, look, this refrigerator of ours is worth buying! It's so refreshing to eat a bite of ice watermelon and freeze some mung bean ice cubes on such a hot day~" Xu Mengyao said as she sucked the sweetness of the watermelon with enjoyment.

Grandma Huang tapped her forehead lightly and said angrily:

"Girls should stay out of the cold. You either stay in the city and don't come back, or you stay at home when you come back. Your sister and Wenxia are out and about, so why are you still staying at home?"

Xu Mengyao giggled, leaned back on the sofa, and said leisurely:

"My sister can't sit still, she's busy at the snack bar. Wenxia has made a lot of good friends in the yard recently. A group of kids spend every day in the collapsed pit imitating the adults to fish. They finally got a little whiter, but now they're tanned like little charcoal. I'm different. I'm at home with the fan whirring. How cozy!"

Hearing this, Grandma Huang laughed and scolded, "You're only energetic when you're making money, but the rest of the time you're just a lazy idiot."

"Hey, isn't the purpose of making money to enjoy life better? When I make enough, I'll take you around the world and visit every beautiful place you've seen on TV. Let's experience 'What a Wonderful World' for ourselves!"

"Hey, you're getting more and more excited. Shut up and don't delay me from watching TV."

Just then, Chen Chen's voice came from outside the door, interrupting their conversation. Xu Mengyao quickly put down the watermelon and went out to greet him.

"It's so hot out here, why are you here? Come inside and cool down."

Chen Chen shook his head helplessly: "I came here to say goodbye to you. I have to rush back to Hai City."

"So urgent? Isn't school open yet?"

"Yes, I would like to stay a few more days, but my family has arranged a summer camp for me in the UK. The car sent by my grandfather is waiting at the entrance of the alley, so I have to go back today." Chen Chen's face was full of regret.

Xu Mengyao patted his shoulder gently and comforted him, "Going abroad is a good thing. Your English will definitely improve by leaps and bounds. I'll definitely ask you for advice when the time comes.

Don't be sad, we'll see each other again during the Lunar New Year. I'd love to go to Haishi if I get a chance. The People's Daily even said that China's trump card lies in Haishi, and the key to Haishi lies in Pudong. I want to go and experience it for myself."

Chen Chen instantly became happy:

"Really? That's a deal! I'll definitely take you to all the fun places. Also, if I encounter anything interesting in England, I'll write to you!"

Xu Mengyao patted his shoulder and said, "It's a deal! By the way, wait here for two minutes, I'll go to the snack bar and pack some food for you." As she said that, she hurried into the snack bar.

He stood at the door and watched Chen Chen leave before turning back to the house and excitedly announced to Grandma Huang:

"Grandma, did you hear that? Chen Chen is going to England. In the future, I will definitely take you to see the world!"

In the evening, the family sat around the dining table enjoying dinner. Wenxia was excitedly recounting his fishing haul of the day, proudly pointing to the fish soup on the table to show off his "trophy."

However, this warm moment was broken by a sharp noise coming from upstairs - the sound of throwing, the whimpering of children and the rough cursing of adults.

"Oh, it's started again upstairs." Huang's mother sighed, her tone full of helplessness.

"This Xiao Zhang is such a beast. He beats children at every turn. At first I thought the children had made mistakes, but later I found out he was just drunk!" Grandma Huang cursed angrily.

"He is a well-known drunkard in our mine. He beat his last wife away. Now he doesn't dare to beat a woman to live with, so he takes out all his drunkenness on his own daughter." Huang's father despised Lao Zhang's behavior.

"Zhang Xiaomei is my classmate in the class next door. She usually has good grades and is a kind person. I never thought she would have such a father." Huang Wenrong shook his head sympathetically.

Xu Mengyao felt mixed emotions. She was angry and powerless about this domestic violence incident. She carefully considered and suggested to Huang's father:

"Dad, can you find a suitable opportunity to report this problem through his workplace? The continued domestic violence not only hurts Zhang Xiaomei, but also affects the peace of the entire family compound. It would be best if we could organize a few people to report him together.

Then we should start with work discipline and restrict him from drinking during working hours, after all, this involves safety issues underground."

Huang's father nodded in agreement. As a father of three daughters, he couldn't bear to see another girl suffer, even though the abuser was her father. "I'll organize someone to report this tomorrow."

After a few days, the noise coming from upstairs seemed to have really disappeared. The Huang family felt a little relieved, thinking that the fragile life had finally gotten a respite.

Until one night, Xu Mengyao, who couldn't sleep and went out for a walk, caught a glimpse of Zhang Xiaomei limping alone towards the collapse pit, and suddenly an ominous premonition arose in her heart.

She followed him involuntarily. Under the moonlight, Zhang Xiaomei stood on the shore sobbing softly. Her sad cry was particularly harsh in the silent night. Then she slowly walked forward.

Xu Mengyao's heartbeat quickened. She rushed forward and grabbed Zhang Xiaomei's arm tightly. "Don't do that! It's too dangerous over there. You'll fall!"

Zhang Xiaomei turned around, tears welling up in her eyes, filled with despair: "I want to end it all. Life is too painful."

She struggled, trying to break free from the restraints. Seeing this, Xu Mengyao didn't hesitate to hug her around the waist and dragged her back with all her strength. The two stumbled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Listen to me, you only have one life, so live it well! Only by living can you have the chance to change your fate." She gently stroked Zhang Xiaomei's back, trying to soothe her wounded heart.

Zhang Xiaomei lay on the ground, tears streaming down her face like beads from a broken string. She scoffed, her voice filled with despair and exhaustion.

"How can I change? He doesn't smash things after drinking anymore because he's afraid of being reported. But he didn't let me go. He made me kneel down and beat me with a belt, not allowing me to make a sound. If I couldn't help but scream, he would stuff a towel in my mouth and continue beating me... Tell me, how can I live a normal life?"

Xu Mengyao was shocked by this naked cruelty, and indescribable emotions surged in her heart. She held Zhang Xiaomei's hands and spoke with determination:

"This isn't your fault. Don't give up on yourself. Come to my house first, and I'll figure out a solution."