Chen Xuan was so frightened she sat curled up against the wall, peeking out timidly without daring to make a sound.
Chen Ju’s body trembled. He stood up.
“I don’t believe she would be so heartless. She used to love me and my sister the most. I’m going to find her.”
“Good. Take your sister with you. I don’t believe Li Xianglian could be so cruel as to abandon her own children. Besides, Xuan’er said she was the only one who entered my room that day—our money must have been taken and hidden by her. You must help your father and ask your mother properly. Make her return it.”
Chen Lang suddenly felt less discouraged. Li Xianglian loved the children so much—if the children went to her, she would surely soften and come back. When she did, hmph… he would deal with her properly.
Chen Ju pulled Chen Xuan and headed toward the Li family home.
Night had already fallen. Li Mother was cooking when Li Xianglian, listening to Li Father describe how Chen Lang had been drenched with dirty water and dared not get angry, couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Chen Ju stopped in his tracks. Hearing his mother’s carefree laughter, he felt even more displeased.
Her husband and children were hungry, yet she was here laughing so happily.
Truly heartless.
But he also felt puzzled—why had his mother changed so much? She had become so cold and unfeeling.
“Mother,” Chen Ju called.
“Mother,” Chen Xuan followed, her voice choked with tears.
Li Xianglian immediately knew they were pretending.
Li Father went into the kitchen. Li Xianglian understood they had been sent by Chen Lang.
“Don’t try to persuade me. I will not go back,” she said directly.
Chen Ju couldn’t believe it. Had his mother become so cruel?
“We’re not here to persuade you to go back,” Chen Ju said. “We’re here to take refuge with you.”
Chen Xuan looked at her brother in shock. Why was he lying? Wasn’t he supposed to bring their mother home?
How laughable.
If she hadn’t experienced death in her previous life, she might have been moved. But now she knew—Chen Ju was also pretending.
“Mother,” Chen Xuan cried as she ran to hug her. “I was wrong. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me, okay?”
Li Xianglian remained unmoved.
“Mother, sister is still young and doesn’t understand. Don’t argue with her,” Chen Ju said hurriedly. “We really came to take refuge with you.”
Li Xianglian turned to him.
“Take refuge? What do you mean? I’m only staying at my parents’ home temporarily, not refusing to go back. What, does your father no longer want me?”
Chen Ju froze. She had become so suspicious.
Before, even if his sister only cried a little, she would feel heartache. Now her daughter was crying red-eyed, and she didn’t even look at her.
Had she fallen and damaged her head instead of her leg?
Chen Xuan hugged her again, trying hard to force tears.
“Mother, Father would never abandon you. Please don’t be angry.”
But Li Xianglian, having been reborn, already knew everything.
She pulled Chen Xuan away firmly.
“Stop crying. My daughter cannot be such a crybaby. Wipe your tears.”
Chen Ju quickly smiled. “Sister, stop crying.”
“I will listen to Mother,” Chen Xuan said, wiping her tears.
Li Xianglian glanced at Chen Ju coldly.
“Go back. I will return when my leg heals. As for you, are you still taking medicine?”
Chen Ju shook his head.
“Didn’t your father hire the county magistrate’s doctor for you? It didn’t work?” she asked, staring at him closely.
Chen Ju stiffened. “The doctor? I… I don’t know him.”
Li Xianglian sneered inwardly. They already knew everything—yet still pretended.
“Go back,” she said again.
At that moment, Li Father came out with a plate of vegetables. Seeing the children, he softened.
“Xianglian, let them eat before going back.”
Li Mother also spoke up. “Go wash your hands.”
The children quickly thanked them.
At the table, there was only a plate of vegetables and thin rice soup. Chen Ju frowned—he had just recovered and needed nourishment, but there was nothing nutritious.
Chen Xuan spat out her first bite but quickly pretended to eat after sensing Li Xianglian’s gaze.
Li Xianglian suddenly slammed her chopsticks down.
“If you don’t like it, don’t force yourself. At your home, your father might be eating well. If you stay with him, you’ll have meat and good food.”
Chen Ju frowned. “Mother, why do you speak like this about Father? You know our situation. Father has no money—it has always been you managing the household. Now that you’ve come here, how are we supposed to live?”
Li Xianglian struck the table.
“Are you questioning me?”
Chen Ju lowered his head. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“Not dare? You already learned to talk back,” she said coldly. “Even if I manage the household, I am still a woman. Men are supposed to earn money. Instead of questioning me, your father should reflect on why he cannot support us!”
Her chest rose with anger.
“If you don’t want to eat, then don’t. Go back.”