Liu Cuihua and Song Dashan witnessed the entire scene with their own eyes.
At first, neither of them intended to stop Song Miaomiao from disciplining Song Bao.
But the moment they saw her actually slap him, Liu Cuihua’s heart ached for her precious son. She hurried over, shoved Song Miaomiao aside, and crouched down to check on Song Bao.
“My precious Bao, are you hurt anywhere?”
“Does your face still hurt?”
Seeing the bright red handprint on Song Bao’s cheek, Liu Cuihua felt heartbroken. She gently stroked his face before turning toward Song Miaomiao in fury and slapping her hard across the face.
“Why did you hit your little brother?”
“If the food’s gone, then cook another meal!”
“Don’t you know your brother is the treasure of the Song family?”
“Stop standing there and getting in the way! Get back into the kitchen and cook!”
“Bao wants eggs. Go find some eggs and cook them for him!”
Hearing that, Song Miaomiao stared at her mother in disbelief.
The family’s grain had all been borrowed from others.
Where was she supposed to find eggs?
Just then, Song Bao shot her a smug look and even stuck out his tongue at her.
Song Miaomiao was furious.
“Mom! Don’t you know what our family’s situation is now?”
“You want me to get eggs? Where am I supposed to find them?”
“If you don’t want to eat what’s there, then don’t eat!”
“I’m not cooking anymore!”
She couldn’t stand how Liu Cuihua and Song Dashan always favored Song Bao.
When Song Wanning had still lived at home, all these chores had been Wanning’s responsibility.
Why should she have to take over now?
After shouting at them, Song Miaomiao wiped away her tears and ran out of the house.
“You ungrateful girl!”
“You dare run away?”
“If you leave now, then don’t ever come back!”
Liu Cuihua thought those words would frighten her into stopping.
But when she turned around, Song Miaomiao didn’t even hesitate.
She ran straight out of the yard.
“Oh, Dashan! Just look at this!”
“What sins have I committed?”
“None of my children listen to me anymore!”
“How are we supposed to live like this?”
Liu Cuihua felt genuinely wronged.
She had wanted to complain to Song Dashan, expecting some comfort.
Instead, she was met with a scolding.
“Enough!”
“The food was finally cooked, and now it’s all been knocked over.”
“Go make another meal.”
“Why are you standing here crying?”
“We still have to work this afternoon.”
“Get into the kitchen and cook!”
Hearing Song Dashan’s harsh words, Liu Cuihua immediately shut her mouth.
She looked at the spilled food on the floor.
Although it was only thin porridge and sweet potatoes, the grain had been borrowed with great difficulty.
Now Song Bao had wasted it all.
It would be impossible for her to say she didn’t resent him at least a little.
Seeing Song Bao still sitting on the ground crying for eggs, her temples throbbed.
Her tone became much colder.
“Enough already!”
“Stop crying!”
“Didn’t I tell you that once your second sister gets married, we’ll have money to buy you eggs and meat?”
“Now go clean up this mess.”
Song Bao froze.
In this family, he had always been the most spoiled child, all because of Liu Cuihua’s indulgence.
Now even she was speaking to him impatiently.
He no longer dared throw another tantrum.
Song Dashan stormed back into his room.
Liu Cuihua reluctantly returned to the kitchen to cook another meal.
Meanwhile, Song Bao unwillingly picked up a broom and began sweeping the spilled food off the floor.
Liu Cuihua steamed another batch of sweet potatoes and cooked another pot of thin porridge.
Meanwhile, Song Miaomiao wandered aimlessly through the village with red-rimmed eyes.
She had nowhere to go.
Without realizing it, she ended up outside the village chief’s house.
The rich aroma of meat drifted out from inside.
Her stomach growled loudly.
She swallowed several times, only feeling even hungrier.
Unable to bear it any longer, she hurried away.
Staying there would only make her crave food even more.
A small river ran through Wangjiawan Village.
Having nowhere else to go, she walked to the riverbank, picked up a few stones, and gloomily tossed them into the water.
About half an hour passed.
Seeing that Liu Cuihua still hadn’t come looking for her, she felt even more wronged and finally stood up to head home.
Just then, she spotted Song Wanning walking toward her house with a bowl in her hands.
Why is she here?
What’s she carrying?
Curious, Song Miaomiao hurried over.
As she got closer, she sniffed the air.
It was the smell of meat.
The bowl Song Wanning was carrying contained meat!
Song Miaomiao licked her lips and quickly called out,
“Big Sister! Wait!”
The moment Song Wanning heard that voice, her good mood instantly vanished.
She didn’t stop walking and continued straight ahead.
But Song Miaomiao chased after her and blocked her path.
“Big Sister, didn’t you hear me calling you?”
“Do you need something?”
“If not, don’t block my way home.”
Hearing Song Wanning’s indifferent tone, a flash of hatred crossed Song Miaomiao’s eyes.
Still, she forced a flattering smile onto her face.
“Big Sister, I saw you from far away.”
“I just wanted to come over and say hello.”
“What happened before was my fault.”
“I’m here to apologize.”
“We’re sisters after all.”
“Can’t you stop being angry with me?”
Song Wanning narrowed her eyes.
When someone suddenly acted out of character, there was always a reason.
She had no interest in wasting time with Song Miaomiao.
Xu Lanjiao was still waiting for her at home.
“If you have something to say, then say it.”
“If not, get out of my way.”
“I have things to do.”
Seeing that Song Wanning remained cold despite her humble attitude, Song Miaomiao quietly clenched her fists.
She had already lowered herself this much, yet Song Wanning still refused to appreciate it.
Her attitude remained just as unpleasant.
But the tempting aroma from the bowl in Song Wanning’s hands forced her to suppress her anger.
Putting on a pitiful expression, she asked softly,
“Big Sister, I see you’re taking food home.”
“Are you going home for dinner?”
“Can I come with you and eat together?”
Song Wanning was so exasperated by her shamelessness that she almost laughed.
“And why should I let you come eat at my house?”
“When Mom gave you meat before, I begged you for just one piece.”
“You refused every single time.”
“You even ate all of it right in front of me.”
“Back then, did you ever remember I was your sister?”
“But now, suddenly you remember?”
“Oh, I get it.”
“You smelled the meat I’m carrying, didn’t you?”
“So you want to eat this meat?”
“Let me tell you.”
“This was left by my godmother for Xu Lanjiao.”
“It’s not for you.”
“Now get out of my way.”
“And don’t ever block my path again.”
“From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other.”
“You’re not my sister.”
“And I’m not your sister.”
With that, Song Wanning walked straight past her, carrying the bowl of meat.
As she brushed by, she deliberately slammed her shoulder hard into Song Miaomiao’s before walking away without looking back.