Li Shu’s eyes flickered with tension as she snatched the bracelet from Zhou Shi’s hands.
“I couldn’t find it earlier this morning, and it turns out you stole it! Not only did you take it, but you also hid it in such a place… You wanted to destroy the heirloom my mother gave me. Li Aman, I am your sister—why can’t you accept me?”
Her words mirrored the ones previously thrown at her—now it was her turn to make others feel the helplessness of being falsely accused.
Twisting truth and falsehood, Li Shu sought to confuse right and wrong, leaving the Li family bewildered.
“That’s not true! I didn’t hide anything! You’re framing me, Li Shu! Mom, tell them! She stole my hairpin, ate the meat, and bullied me!” Li Aman yelled in frustration.
Zhou Shi was stunned, her mind struggling to process the chaos.
The kitchen was empty of meat, the yard empty, and no other room had any sign of it.
Where could it have gone? Could it really have been taken by a dog? And what about the knife? The bowl of meat she had prepared was gone. All that remained were scattered wood and charcoal, and even Li Aman’s hairpin couldn’t be found.
In other words, Zhou Shi had no proof that Li Shu had done anything wrong.
But Li Shu’s bracelet… it lay under the stove.
To Li Shu, this item was precious—no one would think she would use it to falsely accuse her sister.
Even Zhou Shi couldn’t help but suspect that her daughter might have taken Li Shu’s bracelet and hidden it under the stove while she went searching for the meat.
Looking at Li Shu standing there, calm yet slender and innocent-looking, Zhou Shi felt a pang of helplessness. Her hands were clean; her daughter was dirtier than her.
“This meat… I did buy five jin. It must have been hidden there. My daughter wouldn’t lie. She said Li Shu burned her hair—then that’s the truth!” Zhou Shi murmured, uncertain.
“Yes, our family always defends Alì, no matter what she does. But this time… I really can’t bear it. If Father and Dàláng return and blame me, I can’t withstand their punishment,” Li Shu’s voice was soft, almost numb, as if she was destined to bear all burdens.
“Li Dàsao, your little daughter needs proper guidance too…”
Zhou Shi flinched.
Li Aman had never been falsely accused before and could not accept this. She immediately shouted, “Are you blind?! She burned my hair with charcoal! I didn’t touch her bracelet—she’s framing me!”
Li Shu looked at her sister with a disappointed gaze.
“You have parents and brothers to shield you. How could I dare harm you? Sister, over the years, how many times have you falsely accused me? Only now I fight back, and you get angry. Did you ever think how I’ve lived all these years?”
“You shameless girl! Lies! I’ll have my brother beat you to death!” Li Aman screamed.
Li Shu shrank her head slightly, stepping back with a feigned look of fear.
…
“Who dares touch her?!” a voice suddenly roared.
Li Shu froze.
Everyone turned to see a man pushing through the crowd.
Zhou Shi’s face showed a hint of guilt.
“Alì’s mother is gone, but her uncle is still alive! The Li family truly has no shame. Thinking you can bully her because I am often away, now that she’s suffered such injustice, you still mistreat her! Zhou Shi! You, a stepmother, fail to treat your husband’s daughter properly—do you want to be despised?!” The man’s voice was fierce.
Li Shu recognized him—her maternal uncle, Chen Yousong.
It had been nearly two years since his last visit. He looked slightly older, more worn than in her memories.
The crowd murmured.
As a maternal relative, with the mother gone, Chen Yousong naturally held the moral high ground. Even neighbors treated him with respect.
Unfortunately, his duties in the military kept him away most of the time.
“Brother Chen is here? If you say we bullied Alì, that’s untrue. Look at my daughter’s hair…” Zhou Shi hurriedly pulled Li Aman close, attempting to argue.
“Untrue! Alì is gentle by nature, always bullied, never fought back. Don’t dump mud on her! Less than three months after my sister died, you remarried. What kind of person are you? Framing my niece to leave her no way out—you are heartless!” Chen Yousong said firmly.
He felt guilty.
When the marriage with the Ma family was arranged for Li Shu, it settled a matter in his heart. But neglecting his own daughter for someone else stirred resentment in his wife.
He made a decision—this would be his final effort to protect Alì.
The Ma family was honorable; once she married there, her life wouldn’t be hard. Li Shu’s mistreatment by the Li family would end.
He only recently learned the marriage plan was botched and that Li Shu had been forced into a deadly situation.
Ma Xiaowei had apologized personally. Chen Yousong, even if resentful, dared not speak; he could only take leave and come to check.
He didn’t expect to see such a scene upon returning.
Zhou Shi, who had entered the Li household hurriedly years ago, already faced public criticism. Now being confronted again, her face darkened.
“This is all her…” Li Aman cried, heartbroken.
“Shut up! If you speak again, I’ll go complain to Li Chutian’s superiors. I want to see how he manages his household while holding a post at the relay station!” Chen Yousong barked.
Chen Yousong wouldn’t act unless necessary, but he could not allow Li Shu to remain in the Li household.
Li Aman wanted to mutter, but Zhou Shi restrained her.
“This is a misunderstanding between two children. Let it be resolved. Her hair will grow back; no need to make a scene… Brother Chen, since you’re here, why not stay for a bit? The head of the household will be back soon, and you can have a drink…” Zhou Shi gritted her teeth, forcing a polite facade.
Stepmothers were easily criticized; if the dispute escalated, her life would worsen.
“No need! I’m here to take Alì away! If your family won’t treat her as a human being, I will. From now on, we cut ties!” Chen Yousong declared.
He had thought all day; Li Shu could not remain in the Li household. After that incident, Li Chutian would never treat her well, and the Ma family could no longer intervene. Her future marriage would be ruined; she could face endless torment.
Li Shu looked at her uncle, a complex feeling stirring.
He was a good man—but too late.