Mianmian saw that Shen Jingyan's palms were bleeding, her cheeks were bruised purple, and there was a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth.
Her little teeth clenched in anger.
That damned scumbag father actually dared to lay his hands on someone.
Mianmian held her hand, her little face tense and tight.
She had learned fighting techniques in the post-apocalyptic era.
That kind of force wouldn't kill anyone.
Mianmian kept her little face stern and walked toward the emergency room entrance.
She carefully tugged at the doctor's coat, her eyes innocent.
"Uncle, will that auntie who hit the wall just now die?"
The male doctor was caught off guard, looking down at the adorable little one with a chubby, round face.
"What's wrong? Do you know her?"
Mianmian sniffled pitifully, tears streaming down her fair little cheeks.
"They're all framing Mommy. Mianmian doesn't want Mommy to be taken away."
"Wah wah wah."
The little one sobbed in hiccups, her face turning red.
The male doctor's heart immediately went out to her.
"Little one, don't cry, don't cry. That comrade's wounds look scary, but they're not serious—just some superficial injuries. Don't worry, your mommy won't go to jail."
Mianmian's glistening eyes were full of trust. "Really?"
"But Yueyue's mommy said she'd prove her innocence by dying. Is she going to die?"
The male doctor laughed.
"No, she won't. If someone really wanted to die, they wouldn't have hit the wall like that."
Mianmian looked as if she half-understood. "So she doesn't have to die?"
The male doctor looked at Mianmian's innocent face.
"Don't worry, that comrade is fine."
The bystanders who hadn't left overheard this, and their faces turned awkward.
They had just been saying that she was being driven to death.
So it turned out that woman was lying?
She was using them!
Using them as pawns.
Absolutely despicable!
Shen Jingyan's lips trembled. Her child was so young, so good, and yet she was forced to witness so much filth.
She walked over, crouched down, and hugged Mianmian. "Mianmian, it's okay. Mommy will handle this. Don't cry."
She reached out and wiped the tears from Mianmian's fair face.
A mother's love makes her strong.
She straightened her back and stood up, looking at Song Changming, who was walking out holding Su Yueyue's hand.
In a low voice, she said, "You say I'm being unreasonable. Then let me ask you—why are you living with Liu Xiaoshuang?"
Song Changming's face changed instantly.
Without a moment's hesitation, he denied it. "I'm not living with them."
Shen Jingyan looked at Song Changming, her chest heaving with agitation.
"Do you know why I found out you were at the hospital today?"
The seemingly random question caught Song Changming off guard.
"Because today, a man behind our house got hit in the head with a rock by a child. I didn't realize it was you at first—it was Auntie next door who saw it and told me."
Song Changming's face turned pale, displeasure simmering in his eyes.
"It's not what you think, Jingyan."
"Then what is it? Comrade over there—I saw you holding that boy next to my husband just now. Was his head hit by your son?"
The man stammered, not having expected that this man and the woman who often stayed next door weren't actually husband and wife.
He had gotten more than he bargained for with this gossip.
Shen Jingyan's eyes flickered. "Comrade, be honest with me. There are so many people here. If you tell the truth, I won't hold your son accountable, and you won't have to pay any compensation!"
The man's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes."
The man glanced at Song Changming.
"Well, this comrade here frequently visits that female comrade's home, but what their relationship is, I wouldn't know."
At these words, everyone was stunned speechless.
"You can know a person's face but not their heart—I never would've thought this man was this kind of person."
"Why would anyone bother with the home flower when the wild one smells sweeter? Some people just have to taste whatever dog shit they find outside, salty or bland."
Song Changming was momentarily at a loss for words, his face showing only sorrow.
"Jingyan, this is exactly why I hid it from you back then—I knew you'd be upset. You see, my concerns were justified."
Shen Jingyan couldn't believe Song Changming still had the nerve to be this shameless even now.
"Comrade Su was my partner when I went there. I looked after his wife and daughter out of guilt toward him."
"And the house?"
Just then, Liu Xiaoshuang emerged from inside, supported by a nurse.
"Sister Jingyan, that house was bought with money I borrowed from Changming. Don't worry, I'll pay it back."
Song Changming turned to look at Liu Xiaoshuang, whose pale face held a mix of sorrow and grievance, and felt a pang of guilt.
He had wronged her and her daughter.
Shen Jingyan sneered. Truly shameless—putting on a coquettish show for a man in public.
Her voice was calm. "And the money you borrowed—have you paid it back?"
Liu Xiaoshuang choked on her words. Under Shen Jingyan's oppressive gaze, she shook her head. "N-no, I haven't."
"That house was bought over five years ago, wasn't it? I recall Comrade Su's consolation payment and monthly allowances were quite substantial. Sister Liu, when exactly do you plan to pay us back?"
"Nobody's money just falls from the sky."
Liu Xiaoshuang stammered, "I… I'll do it as soon as I can."
Shen Jingyan's face showed difficulty. "So you can't pay it back yet?"
"Then I'll go to the Su family and ask Old Madam Su when she'll be able to repay it."
Liu Xiaoshuang panicked instantly.
"Shen Jingyan, I'll pay it back!"
Shen Jingyan turned, suppressing the dark glint in her eyes. "Sister Liu, would now be possible?"
"Our family's finances are really tight these days."
Liu Xiaoshuang gritted her teeth. "I'll go home and get it right now."
"That's enough, Shen Jingyan. She's already in this state—do you really have to demand it today?"
Before Shen Jingyan could respond, a voice came from behind.
"Technician Song, that's a problematic thing to say. Paying back a debt is only natural."
Everyone turned to look at the speaker.
Song Changming and Liu Xiaoshuang froze.
"Director Wu… Director Wu."
Wu Jianguo strode over quickly, looking at Liu Xiaoshuang and Song Changming standing across from him.
"What a coincidence—I came to the hospital on some business and happened to witness what just happened."
Song Changming's expression shifted. "Director Wu, it's just a misunderstanding on my wife's part. Nothing serious."
Wu Jianguo smiled. "Technician Song, it seems your professional skills are outstanding, but your handling of family matters leaves much to be desired."
Song Changming's face changed completely.
Wu Jianguo was the director of the logistics department at the factory. Though his position didn't directly affect Song Changming's promotions, he did have a say in evaluating his reputation—and that would affect his chances of being selected as an outstanding employee in the future.
"Director Wu, this whole thing is just a misunderstanding from start to finish. I'll handle it properly."
He turned to look at Shen Jingyan, his tone now carrying a note of pleading.
"Jingyan, can we talk about this back home?"
"That's right, Sister Jingyan. Don't misunderstand Comrade Song. I'll pay the money back soon."
Mianmian blinked and batted her eyes. These two were showing weakness now, huh.
But Shen Jingyan wasn't stupid either. She had only been lovestruck before, which didn't mean she had no brains.
The Shen family was in business, so they were sharp-witted.
Now that the lovestruck part of her brain had been dug out, she was terrifyingly strong.
Shen Jingyan turned her head and spoke to Wu Jianguo.
"Director Wu."
Wu Jianguo looked at Shen Jingyan before him and sighed inwardly.
If Old Shen were here, who knew how much his heart would ache.
But he didn't show it on his face.
"Comrade Shen, what's the matter?"