“She’s Shen Liya’s mother!”
“Chen Can, don’t get it wrong!”
Chen Can frowned, not understanding why Shen Zhiqiu had suddenly become so aggressive.
Her attitude toward Wang Fengqin and Shen Liya had always been decent before. Had something happened recently to provoke her? Or had someone been whispering in her ear?
Yue Mingyuan!
If Shen Zhiqiu’s relationship with her family soured, she’d have no choice but to rely entirely on her husband’s family—meaning she’d never be able to leave him!
What a cunning plan!
No, he couldn’t let Shen Zhiqiu fall into Yue Mingyuan’s trap.
“Zhiqiu, you should think for yourself. Don’t just blindly listen to what others say.”
“For example?”
Shen Zhiqiu stared coldly at Chen Can, waiting to hear what nonsense he’d spout next.
“I won’t name names, but you know exactly who’s been talking to you lately.”
“I know you and Liya have had some misunderstandings and conflicts, and maybe that’s why you’re taking it out on Mom too.”
“The family usually indulges you, but you can’t take that for granted. What you just said was too much.”
“I’ve seen how good Mom is to you. You can’t treat family like this over trivial matters, especially when she’s your elder.”
“Just look at these little clothes—you can see how much effort Mom put into them.”
“What’s the point of Mom’s effort when her precious daughter only wears store-bought clothes? She looks down on Mom’s handmade rags.” Shen Liya added fuel to the fire.
“Ah-Can, you have no idea how arrogant my sister’s become since having a baby. She’s cut off all ties!”
“On the baby’s third-day ceremony, we came to bless the child, but her second uncle hit Dad, and her cousin hit me.”
“Ugh, you should’ve seen how high and mighty my sister was that day—sitting there like some empress dowager.”
“You keep asking why I haven’t visited her lately. It’s not that I don’t want to—it’s that she doesn’t want me around. She’s got her cousin now.”
“Outsiders are closer than family. What can we do? Nothing.”
Shen Zhiqiu listened to their duet as if watching a farce.
She didn’t care what they said about her.
But when Shen Liya called her uncle an “outsider,” she wouldn’t let that slide.
“Oh, so your uncle’s an outsider? Next time he visits, I’ll kick him out.”
“Shen Zhiqiu, how dare you kick out my uncle? That’s my home! If anyone’s the outsider, it’s you!”
“Your home?”
Shen Zhiqiu’s expression darkened. She pointed at herself. “I’m the outsider?”
“Shen Liya, anyone hearing you would think you’re Dad’s real daughter.”
“I am Dad’s real daughter!”
Only after blurting it out did Shen Liya realize she’d fallen into Shen Zhiqiu’s trap.
Her parents had always warned her never to let Shen Zhiqiu know the truth—it would cause big trouble.
But the words were out now. What could Shen Zhiqiu even do?
She was married to Chen Can. Who cared?
Shen Liya glanced at Chen Can, emboldened by his presence.
“Shen Zhiqiu, Dad and my mom have been together for years. He never wanted to marry your mom—she was the one clinging to him!”
“All these years, Dad hid the truth because he was afraid you couldn’t accept me.”
“You are the outsider! We’re family. You’re the only one who doesn’t belong!”
“Shut your mouth!”
Yue Mingyuan didn’t even bother setting down what he was holding. He barked at Shen Liya, then rushed to Shen Zhiqiu’s side, his face etched with worry.
“Zhiqiu, don’t get angry! Please, don’t!”
Getting upset during postpartum recovery was dangerous—it could lead to lifelong health issues.
[Mommy, the ugly freak is doing this on purpose! Don’t fall for her trap!] Ya-Ya cried in distress.
[Mommy, everything she said is a lie! Grandma wasn’t like that!]
[They hid her identity because they were afraid you’d take back the house. That big courtyard they live in belonged to Grandma!]
So that’s why Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin had gone to such lengths to keep her in the dark—they were afraid she’d claim the quadrangle courtyard.
No wonder they’d moved in so soon after her mother’s death.
The timing was too convenient. Shen Zhiqiu couldn’t help suspecting her mother’s death might be linked to them.
“Ya-Ya, don’t cry, sweetheart.”
Shen Zhiqiu gently soothed her daughter, kissed her cheek, then handed her to Yue Mingyuan with a reassuring smile.
“I’m fine.”
“Go ahead.” Yue Mingyuan knew exactly what she wanted to do.
Shen Zhiqiu raised an eyebrow. “You’re not stopping me?”
“Venting anger is good for physical and mental health.” He handed her a hair tie and clip. “Hit her hard. I’ve got your back.”
I’m here. No matter what, I’ll support you.
Shen Zhiqiu understood the unspoken promise.
No grand speeches—just steadfast assurance that he’d always be her shelter.
As she twisted her hair into a bun, Shen Zhiqiu strode toward Shen Liya.
Sensing danger, Shen Liya tugged at Chen Can, backing away. “Chen Can, let’s go! My sister—she’s going to hit me!”
“She wouldn’t—”
Before Chen Can finished, Shen Zhiqiu yanked Shen Liya forward and slapped her—hard.
“Zhi…qiu?” Chen Can was stunned by her ferocity, yet oddly intrigued.
Shen Liya wasn’t one to take a beating. She swung her crutch at Shen Zhiqiu, who anticipated the move, snatched it away, and smashed it down on Shen Liya’s good leg.
She’d wanted to do this ever since Shen Liya brought up the premature birth.
“AHH—!”
Shen Liya collapsed, clutching her leg. “It’s broken! My leg’s broken!”
“Zhiqiu, how could you be so cruel? Liya’s your sister!” Chen Can rushed to her side. “You’ve ruined her dancing career!”
Shen Liya sobbed, gripping his arm. “Chen Can, call a doctor! It hurts so much! I don’t want to be crippled!”
“I’ll take you to get checked now.”
As Chen Can lifted her, Shen Zhiqiu blocked their path and shoved the discarded baby clothes into Shen Liya’s arms.
“Take this trash with you.”
“If you think it’s so great, use it yourselves!”
Though Shen Liya didn’t understand the significance of the clothes, she remembered the eerie incident earlier and panicked, trying to throw them away.
But Chen Can snatched them and stuffed them into his pocket.
“Shen Zhiqiu… you’ve really outdone yourself.”
