Shen Meng held Lu Mingyang’s trembling body tightly. He was just a nine-year-old child—how strong could he really be?

Meanwhile, Wu Xianglan lay on the ground, writhing in pain and glaring viciously at Shen Meng and her son. She pulled Yongqiang and Yongli behind her, protecting them as if they were victims.

“Shen Meng, look at what your son did to my arm!” Wu Xianglan screamed, her voice dripping with venom. “This isn’t over! He’s just an outsider—a stray—eating and living off the Lu family while daring to attack a real member of it. I’ll make sure to tell Father and Mother about this! I’ll have all of you thrown out, and you’ll get the punishment you deserve! You may not have split the family yet, but you’re already favoring outsiders. Just wait and see!”

Lu Mingliang and Lu Mingfang looked at Shen Meng with fear in their eyes. They were terrified that if their grandparents found out, she would abandon them.

Shen Meng turned her head sharply and shouted back, “Get out of my house! If you don’t leave right now, you’ll regret it!”

Letting go of Lu Mingyang, she led him to Xie Jinghao, who was sitting weakly nearby. Jinghao was pregnant and needed care, especially now at seven months, the most critical time.

“Jinghao, are you okay? Hold onto me, and let’s get you to the bed to rest. I have some medicine in my room. I got it from the county hospital just in case. It’ll help stabilize your pregnancy. Mingyang, bring some warm water for your third aunt!”

Tears streamed down Lu Mingyang’s face, but he nodded obediently. Wiping his eyes, he rushed to fetch water. Xiaogang, seeing his mother in pain, began wailing loudly, adding to the commotion.

The chaos in Shen Meng’s yard had drawn the attention of the neighbors. Some climbed onto their walls, craning their necks to see what was happening, though the dim moonlight made it hard to see clearly.

Once inside, Shen Meng rummaged through her cabinets, pulling out the stabilizing medicine and a piece of ginseng for Xie Jinghao to suck on.

“Sister-in-law,” Xie Jinghao whispered, her face pale with fear, “I’m scared. Do you think something might happen to the baby?”

“Don’t think like that!” Shen Meng reassured her firmly. “The medicine will help. Just relax and rest. I’ll handle everything. Stressing yourself out will only make it worse for the baby. Xiaogang is scared too. If it will ease your mind, we can go to the county hospital first thing in the morning.”

Xie Jinghao tried to calm herself, placing her hand on her belly and taking deep breaths. Slowly, the tightness in her stomach eased. She reached out to pull Xiaogang and Lu Mingkai close, comforting the two frightened children.

Shen Meng crouched in front of her other children. “Mingyang, Mingfang, Mingliang, stay here and look after your third aunt. Call me if anything happens. I’ll go handle things outside.”

“Mom, I’ll go with you!” Lu Mingyang exclaimed, stepping forward.

Shen Meng grabbed his hand and shook her head. “No, stay here. I can handle this. Trust me.”

Leaving the room, Shen Meng closed the door securely behind her.

The commotion had gotten so loud that the village chief, Lu Debang, had been called over. With a flashlight in hand, he arrived to find Wu Xianglan sitting on the ground, her arm bloodied.

“Village chief!” Wu Xianglan wailed dramatically. “You have to help me! I came over to Sister-in-law’s house to visit, and Mingyang tried to kick me out! I said a few words, and he bit me! He’s nothing but a wild, ungrateful cub! He eats and drinks from our family but turns around and attacks me! And look at Yongqiang and Yongli—they were beaten by Mingliang and Mingfang! Chief, tell me, what are we supposed to do with this situation?”

The flashlight beam illuminated the blood on Wu Xianglan’s arm. Lu Debang winced. The injury looked serious. “What on earth did you say to him that made him do this?” he asked.

“Exactly,” one of the onlookers chimed in. “Mingyang’s a well-behaved kid. He wouldn’t do something like this unless she really provoked him.”

“You can’t say it like that. I’ve heard those kids didn’t have it easy back when they were at home. They’ve only just started to live a better life. But sometimes, roots don’t change. Maybe this is just their nature showing as they grow older.”

“Yeah, I heard they were orphans—lost their dad, and their mom either ran off or died. It’s unlucky, really. Some say they’re cursed, doomed to bring bad luck to their family. Look at Lu Zhenping—he hasn’t been back in years. Who knows what’s happened to him?”

Wu Xianglan stiffened, “See? It’s not just me. Even others think it’s strange. And since sister-in-law got gored by that cow, she’s been acting so differently, almost like she’s under a spell from these kids!”

“Shut your filthy mouth!”

The crowd turned to see Shen Meng standing in the doorway, a gleaming kitchen knife in her hand.

The murmurs died instantly. Even Wu Xianglan recoiled, Yongqiang and Yongli burst into tears and hid behind her.

The Lu family members arrived just in time to see Shen Meng holding the knife. Liu Sanjin, out of breath and disheveled, shouted, “What are you doing? Are you trying to cause a scene in front of the village chief? Put the knife down before you get arrested!”

“Sister-in-law, calm down! We’re all family—there’s no need for violence,” added Zhou Jiaojiao, her face tense.

Lu Debang’s expression was grim. As the village chief, he felt his authority had been completely overshadowed by Shen Meng. Although dissatisfaction simmered in his heart, he refrained from taking any action, especially with Zhang Hongfa’s earlier words still echoing in his mind.

Shen Meng’s voice was sharp and unwavering. “If anyone should be arrested, it’s Wu Xianglan! She barged into my house, ate my food, frightened my pregnant sister-in-law so badly that she’s now bedridden, and still has the audacity to spread lies about my family!”

“What? Jinghao’s pregnancy is at risk?” Liu Sanjin exclaimed, her face paling. “Oh no! That’s Jia Sheng’s second child—he’s working hard out there, and we can’t afford any complications. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

In a flurry of panic, she rushed toward Shen Meng’s house, still managing to point accusingly at her as if Shen Meng were the true culprit behind everything.

Shen Meng stared at her as though looking at a lunatic. This old woman’s brain must be completely addled.