Feeling the pressure of the gazes from both sides, Zhuo's mother took a deep breath.
She glanced at Zhouzhou, who was being protected by Zhou Qiqi, her face tense but unusually stubborn, and then at Chen's mother, who was haughty and relentless.
The polite smile on his face faded, and he spoke loudly.
“Sister-in-law Chen, it’s unfair that Zhouzhou can’t defend herself because of her health. But I’ve known her for a long time, and Guangming has told me a lot about her. I believe in her character. She’s a kind and sensible girl and would never push someone for no reason.”
You saw Jiaojiao fall, and Zhouzhou was right there. Actually... it was probably just an accident, or a misunderstanding caused by children losing their balance while playing. It's just a small thing between kids, why make such a fuss?
She paused, then spoke carefully.
"So, my little Yu bought a brand new floral dress at the department store last week, it's still brand new and she hasn't even worn it yet."
She turned her head and shouted into the house.
"Xiaoyu, go and get that pink and white floral dress. Let Jiaojiao change into it first, so she won't catch a cold."
Zhuo Qiuyu was a little reluctant, and her face fell instantly, but she still obediently ran upstairs.
Although Zhuo's mother's statement was tactful, her stance clearly indicated that she was on Zhou Qiqi and Zhouzhou's side.
There was no compromise, nor did they succumb to the pressure from Chen's mother.
She tried to deflect the conflict by changing her clothes, which was a clever approach.
The other parents present nodded in agreement, thinking that the matter could be let go like this, at least everyone could save face.
But unexpectedly—
"no!"
Chen's mother resolutely refused, raising her voice even higher.
"Changing clothes is changing clothes, and an apology is an apology! She has to apologize to my Jiaojiao! Otherwise, this isn't over!"
"You're dreaming!"
Zhou Qiqi took half a step forward, pulled Zhouzhou back further, her eyes piercing.
"My Zhouzhou did nothing wrong, why should he apologize?"
The two were locked in a stalemate, neither willing to back down, creating an extremely tense and volatile atmosphere.
Just then, an old but powerful voice came from outside the crowd, carrying an air of authority that tore open a gap in the tense atmosphere.
"Who said that little girl pushed someone? I was watering the flowers on the second-floor balcony next door just now, and I saw everything that happened in the yard clearly!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man wearing a faded old Zhongshan suit with mud stains on his trousers, walking over with a cane.
It was the same elderly man who had suffered an angina attack that Zhou Qiqi and Zhouzhou had helped on the road before!
The old man had deep-set but bright eyes. He slammed his cane on the ground with a "thud," pointing directly at Chen Jiaojiao, who was still sitting on the ground sobbing.
"It was this little girl who first shoved Zhouzhou hard! Zhouzhou stumbled from the push, her hand slipped from the cake plate, and some cream got on the girl's clothes. She lost her balance and fell on her bottom, and then she blamed the girl? I've lived this long and I've never seen anything like this that twists the truth!"
So that's what happened!
The crowd erupted in commotion, all eyes turning to Chen Jiaojiao.
Chen Jiaojiao was choked by the old man's stern gaze and shrank into her mother's arms guiltily.
Chen's mother's face instantly turned extremely ugly, both shocked and angry.
"You...you old geezer, what nonsense are you spouting? You keep calling me 'Zhouzhou' so affectionately, you must know these two country bumpkins, right? You're ganging up on me to slander my Jiaojiao!"
"Sister Chen, say less!"
Zhuo's mother quickly grabbed her arm, her face changing, and said urgently in a low voice,
Do you know who this is?
Several parents nearby quickly came over to persuade him, some pulling his arm, others exchanging knowing glances.
"Yes, Sister Chen, please stop talking, this old man is..."
Before he could finish speaking, two car horns beeped at the gate, and then a man carrying a black briefcase stepped in.
"dad!"
Upon seeing the man, Chen Jiaojiao forgot all about her tantrum and scrambled to her feet. She rushed over, hugged his leg, and cried uncontrollably.
"They all bully me..."
Seeing his daughter crying her eyes out and his wife furious, Mr. Chen's face instantly darkened.
"What's wrong?"
Chen's mother rushed over and excitedly recounted what had happened, but her words were full of complaints about Zhou Qiqi and Zhouzhou, portraying her own daughter as a doormat.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen frowned deeply, his protective instincts kicking in immediately. He cleared his throat and spoke in a very official tone.
"No matter who this old man is, the fact that he knows the girl's name means he knows her, and it's hard to guarantee he won't show favoritism. Everything needs evidence. Everyone saw it. If a child pushes someone, they should apologize. That's basic family education! We can't let some unknown old man's words wrong my child!"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhuo's mother was already stamping her feet in frustration, her voice filled with helplessness.
"Oh, Director Chen, this isn't just any old man! He's someone of importance, he is..."
Who cares what his background is!
Director Chen impatiently interrupted Zhuo's mother, waving his hand with an air of authority.
"In my opinion, reason is law! You must apologize to my daughter today, or else..."
He snorted coldly, his eyes sweeping over Zhou Qiqi and Zhuo's mother, his words carrying a threat.
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