Liu Yi could no longer bear it; after enduring half a day of provocation, she wished she had a knife to chop down this hateful woman. From childhood to now, no one had dared to speak harshly to her unless she allowed it. Now, this insolent girl dared to step on her head. Ignoring her usual grace, Liu Yi leaped up in fury, ready to slap Fu Xiaotang. However, her hand was caught mid-air by someone. She turned in surprise to see Cheng Yu, his face dark with anger, gripping her wrist tightly and growling, “Yi Yi, you have no right to touch her.” Fu Xiaotang wanted to burst into laughter, “Sister, he was the one who hit and scolded me for you back then, and now he’s protecting me against you. Isn’t it true what they say about the tides turning?”
Looking at Cheng Yu, Fu Xiaotang said, “Cheng Yu, thank you for standing up for me like this. Our friendship wasn’t in vain. Actually, thinking about it, we were together first, right? Isn’t that so, Song Li?” Her words struck Song Li and Cheng Yu like a heavy blow. Song Li staggered, instinctively letting go of Fu Xiaotang’s hand.
Fu Xiaotang’s face showed a mix of forced strength and sharpness as she looked at Song Li’s mother. The pretense faded, and she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, almost crying, “Auntie, I’m sorry you had to see this mess, isn’t it? I feel so ashamed, so unbearable… But that’s not the worst of it…” She lowered her head, struggling to control her trembling, trying to swallow the lump in her throat, and to ignore the deepest, most painful hatred in her heart. After a long pause, she suddenly looked up, her voice hoarse, trembling, and disjointed, “Auntie, did you know, you once had a grandson… Song Li said he would bring me to see you, and I was so excited, counting the days, even on the day of my miscarriage I dreamt of you teaching me to make baby clothes. I woke up with a smile, only to find myself alone in the hospital… That day… was also my birthday. I couldn’t… he didn’t want him… I couldn’t.”
