Chapter Nineteen: Zhong Xiaoxiao, I've Finally Caught You!

"Mom..." a weak voice drifted from the kitchen doorway.

Zhou Mingli had risen at some point and was leaning against the doorframe, her face deathly pale and her lips devoid of color. She had clearly overheard Zhang Chunxue defending her; her eyes were rimmed with red, filled with gratitude and deep emotion.

The moment Zhang Chunxue saw her, the frost on her face softened. She hurried over to steady her. "Mingli, why did you get up? Quickly, go back to the room and lie down. The kitchen is full of smoke and fire."

Zhou Mingli shook her head, her voice raspy. "Mom, I... I was just thirsty. I wanted to come out and pour some water."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chunxue quickly helped her to a low stool nearby. She picked up a water ladle, scooped fresh, cool water from the crock, mixed in some hot water from the pot, and tested the temperature before handing it to Mingli.

"Drink some to soothe your throat. I’m simmering crucian carp soup in the pot, made especially for you. Drink plenty later, have both the fish and the broth, and build up your strength." Zhang Chunxue’s tone was noticeably gentler.

Zhou Mingli cradled the bowl of warm water in both hands, taking small sips. Her heart felt as if it were wrapped in a warm current, soothing and comforting. Her mother-in-law had truly changed. The Zhang Chunxue of the past, while caring, would never have pampered her like this, let alone reprimand her sister-in-law, Li Hongjuan, so mercilessly on her behalf. Zhou Mingli’s eyes grew warmer, and a lump formed in her throat.

Watching this display of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law affection, Li Hongjuan’s eyes burned with jealousy. *Why her?* she thought. *A sickly woman who can't even produce a son—why does she deserve such special treatment from the mother-in-law?*

Just then, Zhong Hongqing, who had been ignored, pouted and burst into tears. "I want to eat the fish! I want the fish soup! Grandma, I want to eat the fish too!" He cried, reaching his chubby hands toward the stove.

Seeing her son cry, Li Hongjuan’s malice flared. She pulled Zhong Hongqing toward her, but instead of comforting him, she spoke with biting sarcasm. "What are you crying for! Is that fish soup for someone like you? It’s for your precious Second Aunt! You, just like your mother, have a lowly fate. There's none for you!"

Zhou Mingli’s hand froze on the bowl. A look of embarrassment and unease crossed her face, and she quickly interjected, "Mom, maybe... just give Hongqing a little? He’s still just a child."

Zhang Chunxue’s brows knit together. She shot Li Hongjuan a glare before turning to Zhou Mingli. "Don't pay her any mind! She’s just begging for a lesson!"

She then looked toward Zhong Hongqing, her voice stern. "Zhong Hongqing! Have you lacked for good things to eat since you were small? Your second aunt is ill, can’t you see that? All you know is eating! Is this how your parents taught you? You don't have a shred of manners!"

Facing such a direct dressing-down, Li Hongjuan’s face turned from green to white; she felt utterly humiliated. Unable to suppress her rage any longer, she dragged Zhong Hongqing to her side, pressed him onto her lap, and dealt several sharp slaps to his backside. "Eat, eat, eat! All you know is eating! You greedy brat! Look at what kind of precious stuff that is—is that something you can even dream of having?!"

As she struck him, she cast a venomous look at Zhou Mingli. Mingli felt deeply uncomfortable under her gaze, her cheeks burning with shame, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the floor. She was never one for confrontation, and at this moment, she was too embarrassed to speak.

Seeing Li Hongjuan throwing a tantrum and hitting the child in front of her, all while snidely targeting Zhou Mingli, Zhang Chunxue’s own temper flared. "Enough!" she barked. "Li Hongjuan! Who are you putting on this performance for? Trying to show off? If you want to beat your child, go back to your own room! Don't be an eyesore in my kitchen! Get out of here!"

Li Hongjuan flinched at the scolding. Seeing the fierce expression on Zhang Chunxue’s face, she knew there was no winning this today. Shaking with rage, she snatched up the still-crying Zhong Hongqing, glared viciously at the two women, and muttered curses under her breath—"black-hearted old hag," "jinxed sickling"—before stomping away, hips swaying in fury.

The kitchen finally fell silent. Zhang Chunxue took a deep breath to quell her anger, then turned to help Zhou Mingli up. "Don't mind her; she’s just foolish. Come, let me help you back to your room to rest. I’ll bring the soup to you when it’s ready."

Zhou Mingli nodded, allowing Zhang Chunxue to support her as they walked slowly back to the room. After settling her in and tucking her under a light quilt, Zhang Chunxue returned to the kitchen. The aroma of the fish soup had grown even richer. She lifted the lid; the milky white broth was bubbling, emitting a mouth-watering scent.

She estimated it was about time, but after waiting for a while, Zhong Xiaoxiao had still not returned. She had sent her to Auntie Wang’s house to buy tofu ages ago; she should have been back long before now. *Could something have happened to the girl on the way?*

Zhang Chunxue felt a prickle of unease. She turned the fire down to a simmer, wiped her hands, and decided to go out and look for her.

Zhong Xiaoxiao was walking home, cradling her baby, Zhong Yuanyuan, in her arms while carrying a block of fresh tofu. Just as she reached the old locust tree at the entrance of the village, a group of people suddenly surrounded her.

Leading them was the fifth son of the Wang family, who had come to propose marriage just days prior. Beside him stood the shifty-eyed Matchmaker Liu, along with several of Wang’s older brothers and sisters-in-law, all looking menacing.

"Zhong Xiaoxiao, we’ve finally caught you!" Matchmaker Liu screeched.

The fifth son of the Wang family had beady eyes that darted across Xiaoxiao’s face, making her skin crawl.

"What... what do you want?" Xiaoxiao clutched the baby tighter and instinctively stepped back.

The Wang son’s mother, a stout woman, stepped forward, spitting as she spoke. "What do we want? Xiaoxiao, your mother has already accepted one hundred yuan in bridal gifts from us! You belong to the Wang family now! Come back with us to get married!"

"That’s right! You took the money, don’t think you can welch on the deal!" one of the Wang sisters-in-law chimed in.

Xiaoxiao turned pale with panic. "That’s impossible! My mother would never take your money! My mother said she was going to send me to school!" She knew Zhang Chunxue’s character all too well; if her mother said she hadn't taken it, then she truly hadn't!

The Wang son flashed a grin, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth. "I don't care what your mother says! We paid the bride price, and you, Zhong Xiaoxiao, are coming with me today!"

As he spoke, his rough hand reached out to stroke Xiaoxiao’s delicate cheek.

"Ah!" Xiaoxiao screamed in terror, retreating while holding Yuanyuan. The baby, frightened by the commotion, began to pout, on the verge of tears. Xiaoxiao wanted to run, but with the child in her arms, she couldn't move quickly. The Wang family had been prepared; they blocked her path from both sides, leaving her nowhere to go.