He Fengzhen was so furious she felt like her lungs were about to explode. She wanted nothing more than to rush forward and tear Su Muxue apart.
Was this damned brat trying to ruin her completely? How had she never realized that Su Muxue was so ruthless before?
Had she been pretending all along, acting weak and gentle, just waiting for a moment like today? Or was it resentment over being sent to the countryside that pushed her over the edge?
“Since I’ve made my intentions clear today, I must sever all ties with them. If I don’t, once you all leave, the He Fengzhen family will surely try to beat me to death. I refuse to die so young for no reason.”
“When a rabbit is cornered, it will bite. If you provoke me, I can do anything—after all, I’m barefoot and not afraid of shoes.”
Guan Jingxiu quickly intervened: “Comrade Xiao Su, you mustn’t act rashly or let your emotions control you. Don’t do anything foolish. If there’s an issue, we can discuss it calmly.”
He then looked at Su Haijun and He Fengzhen. “How do you two feel about Xiao Su severing ties with your family?”
“I warn you: don’t pretend to agree while secretly plotting. This little girl’s injuries are evidence.”
“Don’t think that just because she’s not your biological child, you can hit and scold her at will. She’s lived with you for over ten years. Regardless, you can’t abuse her like this.”
He Fengzhen sneered: “Officer, isn’t this a family matter? Even if you are police, what does it have to do with you? Aren’t we entitled to discipline our child?”
“Even though she’s not our biological daughter, we raised her from a young age. What’s wrong with making her do some work?”
“If she does it poorly or disobeys, she deserves a beating. She lazes around all day, does nothing.”
“I only wanted to train her a bit before she went to the countryside—so she’d know how to manage things there. Who knew she would be so stubborn and resist me? I got angry and hit her. Maybe I was a bit too rough.”
“Officer, I promise I won’t hit her next time—I’ll just talk to her nicely.”
Su Muxue scoffed inwardly.
He Fengzhen, what right do you have to say these things? Doesn’t your conscience ache while you’re speaking?
“You almost beat me to death! If even the police can’t intervene, who can? Must you beat me to death before someone steps in?”
“When my mother entrusted me to you, didn’t she also give you money? And this is how you treat her daughter?”
“Today, no matter what, I’m cutting all ties with you. You never considered me your daughter, and I don’t want a family like you.”
“You talk about me not doing chores, not cooking, being lazy—but am I the only one in this house with hands and feet? Are the rest dead or missing limbs?”
“I’m not your maid. Why should I serve you three times a day?”
“What about Su Qingrou, Su Qingchu, and Su Minghao? Why don’t they cook, clean, or do chores? Just because I’m not your biological child, you treat me differently?”
“Such double standards! If I don’t do it, I’m lazy. If they don’t do it, they’re incompetent. Am I supposed to fix that?”
“You hit me like this and still have the nerve to say it was an accident? You’re really good at making excuses for yourself.”
“If that’s the case, when I deal with your precious daughter and son later, I’ll say it was just playful roughhousing, too. I’m sure the police won’t intervene either, right?”
Guan Jingxiu interjected: “Comrade Xiao Su, think carefully. If you sever ties with them, you will be on your own.”
“If you’re sure, I can help you. With so many witnesses here, and us police present, no one can twist the truth.”
He Fengzhen ground her teeth in anger, thinking: What’s with the police today? Are they taking a fancy to this brat? Wanting to help her?
All because of that fox-like face—so seductive and annoying. If only her daughters looked this good. Then she could find a wealthy family and set up her son.
Su Muxue lifted her chin proudly. “Officer, I’ve made up my mind. Everything is in front of us—do I really need more time to think?”
“If I wait any longer, my life might not be safe. Look at them—they’re terrifying! How could I continue living in this house?”
Su Haijun snarled at Su Muxue: “You little brat, you can sever ties if you want, but don’t even think about taking anything from this house.”
“If you leave, don’t expect a single thing from us. You’ve freeloaded, eaten, and lived here for over ten years.”
“We paid for your schooling, your food, and clothes. And this is how you repay us? You’re utterly unfilial—just cut ties if you want.”
“Who do you think you are? Gold-plated? Cannot be scolded or hit? You were lazy and useless, so you deserve to be beaten.”
“You don’t even know who your biological parents are, yet you dare defy us? If we hadn’t agreed to take you in, do you think you’d even be standing here today?”
Su Muxue laughed coldly.
“Your face is bigger than your ass, Su Haijun. You’re a toad with fur—bird or beast?”
“I don’t want your filthy possessions. I only want to take what belongs to me.”
“Since I started earning money, I’ve paid for all household expenses myself. Even the 200 yuan I saved has been cruelly taken by you.”
“You must return this money. Don’t make excuses that it’s gone or spent. Don’t say it’s my duty to provide for this house.”
“Don’t think that because you registered me for the countryside assignment, I have no recourse.”
“Let me remind you: watch your own lives. If I get pushed too far, I can do anything. Don’t be surprised if you don’t even know how you die.”
“You… you…”
Su Haijun could only stammer, pointing at her.
Su Muxue shot back: “You ‘you’? Can’t even speak properly now? And stop pointing your filthy finger at me—be careful, or it might fall off.”
Guan Jingxiu added: “Comrade Su, I think you two need to reflect. You’ve gone way too far.”
“I’ll give you a few days to think it over. But your stepdaughter here, I must take her today. So many witnesses heard her talk about your feudal practices.”
“She even admitted you beat and abused her. As police, we cannot just stand by. Protecting citizens is our duty.”