As soon as Xiao Weidong finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed from the courtyard gate.

“Zhihuan, Dongzi, something… something bad has happened! Your mother got into a fight with Wang Chunmei and her husband!”

Shen Zhihuan immediately jumped out of bed, slipping into the old-fashioned black-and-white cloth shoes by the bedside. She rushed out of the house.

“Your… your mother grabbed… a butcher’s knife and went to confront Wang Chunmei and her husband! They’re already fighting!” gasped Aunt Wang, sweat pouring down her face as she pointed toward the direction of the Su family’s house.

A butcher’s knife?

Shen Zhihuan was stunned. Seriously?

Without hesitation, she followed the panting Aunt Wang at a brisk pace.

In the Su family courtyard, Li Qiuhua sat disheveled, supported by their neighbor Aunt. Her hair was a mess, her face bore several scratch marks, and her clothes were wrinkled, with visible tears around the collar.

“Mother, you…”

“Zhihuan, you… you scared me to death! If something happened to you, how would I and your younger brother survive?” Li Qiuhua cried as she pulled Shen Zhihuan to her side. Her red eyes filled with tears, and she lightly hit her daughter out of frustration and pain.

This ungrateful child! Risking her life for a man? Isn’t this tearing her mother’s heart apart?

“Mother, I just lost my temper in the moment. I promise I won’t do it again,” Shen Zhihuan quickly reassured her, enduring the pain.

Her heart ached for this woman.

Her real mother had a congenital heart condition and wasn’t supposed to have children. Yet, to give a child to the man she loved, she sacrificed her life during childbirth.

Ironically, the man she gave her all for didn’t care about her or their daughter. He had already built a life with another woman elsewhere.

Raised by her grandparents, Shen Zhihuan had never experienced such maternal love, and now, even in this chaotic situation, she felt bittersweet joy. Was this what they called ‘pain and joy’?

“Mother, stop crying! Watch your hands. Once your hand is better, you can hit me however you like, okay?” Shen Zhihuan gently stroked her mother’s trembling back, trying to calm her down.

Li Qiuhua sniffled, her cries subsiding slightly.

Wang Chunmei’s sharp voice broke the moment. “Li Qiuhua, if you want to wail, do it in your own house. Don’t bring your nonsense here! Now that everyone’s gathered, let’s settle this. You came at us with a butcher’s knife today. If you can’t give us a reasonable explanation, we’ll have to involve the police!”

With a loud clang, Wang Chunmei threw the gleaming butcher’s knife at their feet, making Shen Zhihuan flinch in surprise.

Her eyes drifted to the knife, then to her mother. This timid woman who could barely handle slaughtering a chicken actually grabbed a knife and went after someone?

Was this a breakthrough or what?

“You’re the one who should wail, Wang Chunmei!” Li Qiuhua shot back, rolling up her sleeves and wiping her tears. Her face flushed with anger.

“Who are you cursing at?” Wang Chunmei’s expression darkened as she prepared to charge at Li Qiuhua.

Su Changhe quickly stopped her, giving her a meaningful look. Today’s goal was to solve problems, not create them.

Wang Chunmei got the hint and reluctantly stepped back, her anger simmering down. She reminded herself that once her precious son married Xu Jiaojiao and became a full-time worker at the factory, she’d have the last laugh.

Seeing that Wang Chunmei had calmed down, Su Changhe cleared his throat. “Zhihuan’s mother, let’s not talk about the knife for now. Let’s discuss Zhihuan and my son Zijie.

“The government has made it clear: marriages should be based on the full consent of both parties. Arranged marriages, bride selling, and interference in marriage freedom must be abolished.”

The onlookers exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with disdain.

All this just to climb the social ladder? Even at the expense of his dignity?

“I agree to the annulment. Can we leave now?” Shen Zhihuan cut Su Changhe off before he could continue rambling.

The original owner of this body might have had her thoughts, but Shen Zhihuan had her own plans now.

Su Changhe was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t even finished his prepared speech!

Wang Chunmei clapped her hands in delight. “You said it yourself! Everyone here heard it. You can’t go back on your word and pester my Zijie anymore!”

Li Qiuhua glared at Wang Chunmei, clearly furious but unwilling to make a scene.

Shen Zhihuan gently patted her mother’s back to comfort her before turning to face Wang Chunmei and Su Changhe. “Yes, I said it. From now on, we’ll have nothing to do with each other. Even if I have to beg on the streets, I won’t step near your courtyard.”

Wang Chunmei’s expression shifted smugly. “Then about the 80 yuan you owe us…”

“Dear, don’t bring that up!” Su Changhe feigned a scolding tone.

Shen Zhihuan paused, confused. There’s no mention of any debt in the original memories.

But her mother’s silence and uneasy expression confirmed its validity. Li Qiuhua clenched her hands nervously at her sides, clearly embarrassed.

“By the end of the year, I’ll repay every penny, with interest,” Shen Zhihuan declared firmly, holding her mother’s hand. Her mother’s calloused palm stirred a deep sense of responsibility within her.

Despite being petite and frail, Li Qiuhua had carried the weight of their family for years.

Seeing her daughter’s determined expression, Li Qiuhua finally relaxed.

“What if you can’t pay it back?” Wang Chunmei sneered, eyeing Shen Zhihuan’s skeletal frame with disdain.

“You can rest easy. By the end of the year, even if I have to sell my own skin and bones, I’ll repay you every cent with interest!” Shen Zhihuan’s voice was icy as she picked up the butcher’s knife at her feet, her sharp gaze sweeping over the couple.

Without waiting for a reply, she helped her mother to her feet and walked out of the courtyard.

The onlookers, realizing the show was over, slowly dispersed, fanning themselves and muttering about the afternoon work ahead.

As Shen Zhihuan stepped out with her mother, she spotted Xiao Weidong holding an empty medicine bowl, his face puffed with indignation and his lips pursed tightly.

“Little brother, go check if Doctor Hua is back from the team office. Have him take a look at Mother’s hand,” Shen Zhihuan instructed gently.

Doctor Hua, Little Fatty’s grandfather, was Panshi Village’s only doctor. Known for his kindness and fairness, he was well respected.

“No need. It’s just a minor sprain. A bit of medicinal wine and a rub will do,” Li Qiuhua protested.

“Mother, your wrist is swollen, and we don’t know if it’s more serious. We’ll find a way to handle the money, but you need proper care,” Shen Zhihuan reassured her, her voice firm but comforting.

At her signal, Xiao Weidong shoved the empty bowl into Little Fatty’s hands and bolted into the woods before Li Qiuhua could stop him.