Hu Jiao Jiao saw right through Lu Cuicui’s poor acting.

Initially, she wanted to observe what Lu Cuicui was scheming, but soon realized Lu Cuicui was plotting against Hu Min. Her expression instantly darkened.

It’s one thing to target her, but she would not tolerate anyone going after her family!

Lu Cuicui’s eyes were filled with hatred. If Hu Jiao Jiao hadn’t interfered, Ying Yuan would have been her mate long ago. Now, Lu Mian’er had taken him away, and Hu Jiao Jiao, along with her whole family of beastmen, deserved to die!

Just as Lu Cuicui was about to push Hu Min, a slender hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Slap!

Before Lu Cuicui could react, she was forcefully pushed away. The next moment, a stinging pain spread across her cheek.

In disbelief, she looked up, anger flashing in her eyes. “Hu Jiao Jiao, you actually hit me!”

“I did,” Hu Jiao Jiao sneered, her gaze sharp and fearless.

She hid her slightly reddened hand behind her back, giving it a small shake.

Ouch… She hadn’t controlled her strength, and now her hand hurt. Turns out those dramatic TV slaps weren’t as satisfying as they seemed.

Furious, Lu Cuicui noticed the nearby beastmen turning their attention towards them. She immediately put on a pitiful act, crying loudly, “Hu Jiao Jiao, I was just trying to help. If you didn’t like it, you could’ve just said so. Why did you hit me?”

Her words instantly sparked discontent among the nearby females. Without considering the situation, they began scolding Hu Jiao Jiao.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, you’ve gone too far! Everyone is here working hard digging up the earth fruit. If you don’t want to help, then don’t come. Why did you hit Lu Cuicui?”

“If you’re going to throw a tantrum, go back to the tribe!”

“What bad luck. Chief, don’t bring her along next time.”

Lu Mian’er rushed over to support Lu Cuicui, her face filled with concern. “Cuicui, are you alright?”

Lu Cuicui didn’t reply, but tears began streaming down her face.

Seeing this, Hu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but think, What a performance.

Hu Min, not entirely sure what had happened, instinctively took Hu Jiao Jiao’s side. Face red and shouting, she retorted back at the crowd.

“If we’re such bad luck, then starve this winter and don’t eat any of the earth fruit Jiao Jiao dug up!”

“Lu Cuicui, what are you pretending for? You ruined so much of the soil fruit with your stomping, and now you’re trying to act innocent. I bet you’re here to destroy our fruits on purpose.”

As she spoke, Hu Min noticed Hu Jiao Jiao’s hand hidden behind her back, reddened from the slap. She rushed over, her voice filled with concern. “Jiao Jiao, your hand is all red! Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine, Mom,” Hu Jiao Jiao shook her head, feeling warmth in her heart.

It was comforting to have someone stand up for her. She will make sure nothing ever happens to Hu Min.

Hearing Hu Min’s words, the surrounding females noticed the trampled earth fruits on the ground.

Lu Cuicui had crushed them?

In winter, food was scarce, the males were too busy, so even the pampered females had to come out and dig earth fruits. This only showed how valuable they were. The crowd’s attitude toward Lu Cuicui shifted.

Lu Cuicui’s sobs faltered, her face filled with guilt, though she stubbornly denied everything. “I didn’t mean to, I wasn’t trying to ruin the earth fruits.”

Internally, she fumed. Hu Jiao Jiao had never dared stand up to her before, yet today she actually hit her.

Fortunately, Hu Jiao Jiao still hasen’t realized that her real goal was to push Hu Min into the rocks.

“What’s going on here?”

Hearing the commotion, the tribe leader approached with a stern expression.

“Chief…”

“Chief! Lu Cuicui trampled the earth fruit I dug up. My mom scolded her, and she held a grudge and tried to push her onto the rocks. Luckily, I reacted quickly, or else my mom could’ve been seriously hurt or even killed!”

Hu Jiao Jiao didn’t give Lu Cuicui a chance to twist the story. She immediately recounted the events in full detail to the chief.

Lu Cuicui’s face turned pale. How did Hu Jiao Jiao know? She was supposed to be dumb! How could she possibly know what she had been planning?

Lu Mian’er’s face grew serious, and she glanced suspiciously at Lu Cuicui. “Cuicui…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Lu Cuicui interrupted, her voice filled with tears. “I-I didn’t do it! Mian’er, do you not believe me either?”

Standing by, Hu Jing could no longer stay silent. Furious, she glared at Hu Jiao Jiao. “Hu Jiao Jiao, how dare you make such wild accusations! Lu Cuicui would never do something like that. You can’t just lie about this!”

At Hu Jing’s words, Lu Mian’er’s doubts vanished, and she frowned at Hu Jiao Jiao. “Jiao Jiao, you’ve gone too far this time. No matter what Cuicui may have done, you shouldn’t have hit her. Apologize to her.”

Lu Mian’er’s innocent face took on a serious expression as if she were about to stand up for Lu Cuicui.
Lu Cuicui, secretly smirking, felt dissatisfied. Just an apology? That was too easy on Hu Jiao Jiao.

“Heh…” Hu Jiao Jiao couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

She told the truth, but no one believed her. Lu Cuicui shed a few tears, and everyone immediately took her side.

It seemed that whether it was humans or beastmen, people always sided with the weaker party. Well, she refused to be the weak one!

With a frosty expression, Hu Jiao Jiao fired back. “You think I’m lying? Lu Cuicui, answer me-did you or did you not trample the soil fruits on the ground? And just now, did you or did you not grab my mother’s hand?”

“Yes, I stepped on the fruit, but it wasn’t on purpose.”

“Then swear to the Beast God that you had no intention of harming my mother just now.”

Lu Cuicui’s face turned pale again, her expression flickering between guilt and fear. “I… I…”

She stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

There was no way she could swear to the Beast God. Lying under oath would result in divine punishment!

Hu Jing, who had always disliked Hu Jiao Jiao, couldn’t stand her arrogant demeanor. She immediately pointed at Hu Jiao Jiao’s nose and angrily exclaimed, “Hu Jiao Jiao, stop pushing your luck! Why should Cuicui swear to something she didn’t do? Who do you think you are, bossing everyone around?”

Lu Mian’er also glared angrily. “Jiao Jiao, you’ve crossed the line. Apologize to Cuicui now.”

Hu Jiao Jiao almost laughed in disbelief.

“Apologize for what? Why should Jiao Jiao apologize? My Jiao Jiao didn’t do anything wrong! Let me tell you, just because there are more of you doesn’t mean we’re afraid!” Hu Min quickly jumped in, standing protectively in front of her daughter, fully ready to argue back.

Her obvious bias only irritated the surrounding females further.

Noticing their growing displeasure, Hu Jiao Jiao gently pulled her mother back, giving her a reassuring look.

She confidently stepped forward, facing Lu Cuicui, and coldly smirked, “Alright, fine. You don’t have to swear. But tell me-why did you come over when you know I despise you? What’s your real intention?”

“Don’t say it was to help. I’m ‘evil’ and ‘entangled with your brother Ying Yuan,’ yet you still wanted to help me? Are you insane?”

“If you’re not insane, then you came under the pretense of helping just to stomp on the soil fruits in revenge. These fruits are everyone’s winter food supply. By trampling them, are you trying to starve us all this winter?”