“Xia Mingyu! Xia Mingyu! You shameless woman, where are you going? Is my breakfast ready?”
“Can’t you see I’ve relieved myself? Hurry up and clean it! It stinks—I still need to eat!”
“You useless mute! You can’t speak and you’re not even diligent! You even gave birth to two sons who don’t look like my son at all. If not for my son’s kindness, he would have divorced you long ago!”
“He’s a military officer—he could have any kind of wife he wants!”
When Li Zhaodi saw Xia Mingyu leaving with the child and ignoring her, she couldn’t help but shout even louder.
Her lower body was paralyzed, and she depended entirely on her daughter-in-law for eating, drinking, and hygiene, yet her sharp-tongued nature never changed.
Every day she would scold and beat her, and often deliberately wet the bed just to make someone clean it—utterly disgusting.
Xia Mingyu listened to her insults, her eyes reddening, and only turned back to glare at her.
“Why does Grandma always curse at people? So annoying!”
Yuanyuan muttered unhappily. At just four years old, he already knew how to protect his mother.
He was a bit thin, but his features were delicate, with baby fat still on his face. His big, bright eyes and long lashes made him look clever.
Xia Mingyu looked grief-stricken. She no longer had the energy to deal with her abusive mother-in-law and quickly pulled her younger son along.
Neighbors were sitting outside enjoying the cool air. Hearing the old woman’s yelling again, they couldn’t help but sigh.
“Mingyu, why is it only Yuanyuan? Where is Tuantuan?”
“And what about Qiao Hongye? Didn’t he come back? Let him take care of his difficult mother for once. He treats you like a servant every day!”
The neighbors spoke up for Xia Mingyu.
“Ah…”
Xia Mingyu tried to speak, but it felt like something was stuck in her throat. No words came out.
She used her hands to gesture anxiously, trying to explain what had happened.
But the neighbors couldn’t understand and only looked at her in confusion.
“What are you trying to say?”
Xia Mingyu bit her lip as tears streamed down her face.
She couldn’t speak! Why still couldn’t she speak!
Thirteen years! She couldn’t stay weak any longer!
“Brother, he…”
Yuanyuan saw his mother struggling and was about to speak when Xia Mingyu suddenly picked him up.
There was no time!
If they didn’t catch up now, it would be too late!
Leaving the confused neighbors behind, Xia Mingyu ran forward with Yuanyuan in her arms.
At the commune.
“Commander, did you receive the child? Do you like him?”
“If you think he talks too much, there’s a younger one who doesn’t talk much.”
“You saved me. My life is yours. Let alone one child—if it can help you, that’s that boy’s blessing!”
Qiao Hongye spoke in a fawning tone, holding the telephone and trying his best to please.
A completely shameless display.
Xia Mingyu couldn’t hear what the other person on the phone was saying.
She secretly crouched outside to eavesdrop and could only hear Qiao Hongye’s disgusting words.
Her body trembled with anger. Her nails dug into her palms until they drew blood.
“Mom… save Brother…”
Yuanyuan had also heard it. Tears filled his eyes as he looked up at Xia Mingyu pleadingly.
She gently stroked his round little head.
Of course she would save him. He was her son—she had raised him with such difficulty. She wouldn’t lose even one!
But she couldn’t understand—weren’t Tuantuan and Yuanyuan their biological sons?
Qiao Hongye being cruel to her was one thing—she had long known he wasn’t a good man—but how could he be so heartless toward his own sons?
Just because his superior couldn’t have children, he was going to give theirs away!
What did he take their children for?
For five years of marriage, she worked at home, raised the children, and took care of her paralyzed, harsh mother-in-law—yet he hadn’t sent back a single cent!
She endured everything for five years, believing she had done nothing wrong to him!
He had been in the army all this time and never came back—not even once after their wedding night. And now that he finally returned, it was to give away her son!
Qiao Hongye had gone too far!!!
Even a rabbit will bite when cornered!
A fierce hatred flashed in Xia Mingyu’s eyes.
She couldn’t endure it anymore!
“Ah… hi… hide…”
With great difficulty, Xia Mingyu forced out faint sounds. She pushed her younger son into a corner behind the counter, covered him with a straw basket, and disguised him as clutter.
Yuanyuan understood his mother without words.
“Okay.”
“Mom, be careful.”
He obediently nodded, hugging his knees as he crouched there, letting her cover him, peeking out through the gaps.
So small, yet so sensible.
Xia Mingyu’s eyes reddened again, almost crying.
But now was not the time to cry.
She wiped her tears fiercely and rushed toward Qiao Hongye.
He was still on the phone, but his expression had grown increasingly ugly—it seemed the plan to give away the child hadn’t gone smoothly.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Xia Mingyu attacked—kicking him hard in the lower back!
“Give me back my son!”
Her lips moved. She thought she still wouldn’t be able to speak—but the moment she saw his face, all her resentment burst forth!
Her mind burned, her throat burned—her blood seemed to boil!
Qiao Hongye had forced the mute Xia Mingyu—silent for thirteen years—to shout!
The barrier in her throat shattered!!!
After shouting, Xia Mingyu touched her throat in disbelief.
She could speak?
This time, she would definitely make Qiao Hongye hand over Tuantuan!
She would settle everything with him—she would no longer endure!
Furious, she rushed at him again!
“Hiss!”
Qiao Hongye held his waist and groaned in pain.
But Xia Mingyu was still a small, weak woman—she lacked strength and speed.
Qiao Hongye, having climbed to the rank of battalion commander, still had basic reflexes.
Before she could strike again, he quickly turned, dodged her kick, grabbed her wrist, and shoved her to the ground!
“What are you doing? You bitch! Are you crazy?!”
He hadn’t expected the usually obedient Xia Mingyu to fight back. Furious, he raised his hand to slap her.
So she knew about the child.
But so what?
He was giving the child away no matter what!
If the commander didn’t like the older one, he’d send the younger one too!
They were just two worthless brats—he wouldn’t even care if they died, let alone giving them away.
A trace of cruelty flashed in his eyes.
Xia Mingyu fell hard, her tailbone hitting the ground. Pain shot through her lower body, leaving her numb and unable to get up.
She covered her face, bracing for the slap.
Fortunately, this was the supply cooperative, and many people were around.
As the commotion grew, people rushed over to stop the fight.
“Why are you hitting someone? This is a public place—no trouble allowed!”
“That’s right! You’re a grown man—how can you hit a woman? Can’t you talk things out?!”
People quickly stepped in between them.
A kind woman helped Xia Mingyu up.
She knew she couldn’t defeat Qiao Hongye alone—she had to rely on others.
A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she pointed at him and shouted loudly:
“He’s a human trafficker! He sold my son to the capital!”
“Please help me catch him—I’m going to report this to the police!”
Her words exploded like a bomb.
“What?! He looks decent, but he’s actually a trafficker!”
“All traffickers deserve to die! Everyone, help!”
What people thought was just a family dispute suddenly turned into something else. No one hesitated—they rolled up their sleeves and rushed forward.
At any time, in any place, traffickers were hated by all.
Qiao Hongye was stunned.
When did she learn to lie?!
“I’m not a trafficker! I’m his father! Xia Mingyu, don’t talk nonsense—”
“Wait—you can speak? Aren’t you mute?!”
As he dodged and shouted, he suddenly realized—she had spoken.
Not a hallucination.
She had said it earlier—“Give me back my son”—but he had ignored it!
His shock deepened.
Xia Mingyu seized the moment and retorted:
“Look! He didn’t even know I can speak!”
“I don’t know him! He took my son and sold him! He’s a trafficker!”
Her voice was clear and loud, her eyes filled with hatred.
At ten years old, after a family tragedy, she had stopped speaking. But now, for her son, she broke through that barrier.
Once she spoke, her words were clear and logical.
Everyone present immediately sided with her.
“She’s right! Catch the trafficker! Don’t let this scum escape!”