Zhou Jiaojiao’s face fell after being scolded. When Lu Jiaxuan saw her being chastised, he couldn’t hold back.

“Mother, what are you saying? Jiaojiao was only trying to help! When my sister-in-law was brought in, she kept moaning and yelling at Jiaojiao nonstop. And it was Jiaojiao who stopped her bleeding!”

Zhou Jiaojiao had only been married into the family for six months and hadn’t heard a harsh word from anyone until now. Now, with Liu Sanjin’s harsh rebuke, her eyes filled with tears, which only made Lu Jiaxuan feel even more protective of her.

Hearing her son talking back to her like this, Liu Sanjin’s face darkened.

Zhou Jiaojiao sniffed and, seeing her mother-in-law’s displeasure, quickly said, “Mother, this isn’t the time to argue. Right now, we need to focus on taking care of Sister-in-law. If she recovers, our family’s reputation will be safe.”

Liu Sanjin gave a cold snort, preparing to head into Shen Meng’s room when Zhou Jiaojiao stopped her.

“Mother, wait a bit. Jiaxuan, take some food to Sister-in-law’s parents. They came rushing over and must be hungry. After that, you, Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, and I can go check on Sister-in-law together. If we bring her some good things, she’ll listen to us.”

Her words were smooth, and Lu Jiaxuan nodded approvingly, even glancing at Liu Sanjin with a touch of pride.

After some thought, Liu Sanjin saw the sense in it and returned to the main room to discuss the plan with the other daughters-in-law.

Meanwhile, in Shen Meng’s room, she asked Wang Guizhi to open the storage chest. Inside were some cakes and biscuits the original Shen Meng had secretly bought. Her parents, looking at her pale face, wanted to save the rare treats for her recovery.

“Dad, Mom, listen to me. You two need to eat something to keep up your strength. Later, you’ll need to help me stand up for myself. If you don’t eat, you’ll be too weak to confront them.”

Wang Guizhi looked at the cake and biscuits in her hand, gritted her teeth, took out a cake and two biscuits and handed them to Shen Fugui.

“Old man, eat first to fill your stomach. I used to believe Xiao Meng’s words about how good the Lu family is. Now I see how our daughter lives. No matter what happens today, we must seek justice for Xiao Meng. Eat quickly. When we go home in the evening, I will cook you an egg.”

“Ah… but maybe you should eat it, my dear. I’m fine with just water,” he hesitated, trying to pass the food back.

Seeing them hesitate, Shen Meng quickly intervened. “Please, both of you, eat. If you don’t, it will just end up in Lu’s hands anyway. Do you know why I’m stuck in this shack while they live in my three-room house? My mother-in-law said that Lu Jiaxuan and Zhou Jiaojiao are getting married, and the house needs to be more spacious. They borrowed my house to get married first. I let them live there for two yuan rent but till now the rent has not been paid, and they won’t move out of my house. Now that I’m injured, they’d love nothing more than for me to die so they can keep it. Mom, listen to me. My grandma used to have no rivals in our village. You have been tortured by her for many years, and you must have learned some skills. Let your hair down, smear a little dirt on your face, and head to the production team. Raise a fuss until the village cadres come to sort it out!”

“What? They’ve got some nerve! And you—how could you ever agree to that? That house was built for you and the children! Normally, you’re smart; why’d you let this happen?” Wang Guizhi’s hands shook in anger.

Shen Meng felt just as baffled but knew now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. “Dad, Mom, hurry and eat. Then, split up, one go to the production team, and the other go to find the children. Tell them I’m on the brink of death.”

“Silly child, stop talking nonsense, just pat the wood.”

  Shen Meng: “.”

Shen Meng bit back a sigh—superstition wouldn’t help now! “Dad, Mom, hurry up and eat while I explain. Lu family will be here soon, and we need to act fast. After this is done, I’ll live well and take care of you both, but for now, it’s up to you. Mom, don’t be afraid. Speak slowly when you cry. It’s easy to make mistakes if you speak too fast. Don’t care what others say. Just say that I am going to be killed by the Lu family because of the big tiled house. By the way, the people in Lujia Village will definitely try to protect the Lu family. There is a piece of red paper in the kang cabinet. Dip some water on it and wipe it on the corners of your mouth and forehead, and say that you were beaten. Mom, believe in yourself, you can do it!”

  ”Dad, you should also dip some red paper water. I guess Mingyang and the others must be with Second sister in law. Second brother in law and Second sister in law are kind and have taken good care of the children. Just go find them and bring them back. No matter what their attitude is, you must get them back. Mingyang is the eldest son of Lu Zhenping and the eldest grandson of the Lu family. His mother is going to die, so he must be here.”

Shen Meng watched as her parents hurriedly ate, though guilt tugged at her heart. After two accidents, she wasn’t willing to take any more chances.

With a few bites and a drink of water, Wang Guizhi and Shen Fugui smeared some red paper water on themselves, their appearance as pitiful as Shen Meng could have hoped for.

Just then, the sound of footsteps neared, and all three froze, glancing toward the door.

“Mom, go first. Dad, wait a moment before you follow. Once outside, don’t stop; they’ll try to hold you back.”

“Okay, my daughter, today your parents will fight for you, but what about you? I am really worried about you being alone!”

  Shen Meng raised her arm and gently patted Wang Guizhi’s hand.

  ”Mom, don’t worry. As long as you run away, they won’t dare to do anything to me. They are coming. Dad and Mom, whether your daughter can get better this time depends on you.”

  Wang Guizhi and Shen Fugui looked at each other and both felt that they were short on time and had a heavy task. The footsteps outside were getting closer and closer.

They exchanged looks and then, without further hesitation, Wang Guizhi took the lead, bursting out the door with a wail.

“Help! The Lu family is beating people up. They want my daughter to die. These evil-hearted people want to eat up my daughter’s big tiled house. They watched her die without even calling a doctor!”