Chapter Eight: The Little One’s Counterattack

Damn it, you just blurt out baseless accusations, huh? Luo Yan was furious.

“Wah!…” Luo Yan, who had just finished eating, burst into a deafening cry.

“Tongtong has yellow teeth, stinky,” she sobbed.

Liu Jingqiu immediately bristled and glanced at Hua Li.

“Where did you learn to say such things, child?”

Luo Yan cried as if her heart was breaking.

“Daddy doesn’t give money to Yan Yan, he gives candy to Tongtong…”

Though the child’s words were incoherent, the adults understood perfectly well.

Liu Jingqiu claimed to have donated most of her money. If that were true, mother and daughter wouldn’t even have enough to eat, let alone spare money for candy.

Moreover, An Xiaotong, Liu Jingqiu’s daughter, insisted that her father’s money belonged to her. Wasn’t this an attempt to usurp someone else’s place?

Besides, because Liu Jingqiu neglected An Xiaotong’s upbringing, the girl rarely brushed her teeth and indeed had yellow teeth.

Could someone who didn’t even care for her own daughter truly have the compassion to help others?

Not only Sun Bailing but even Luo Shicheng, who trusted Liu Jingqiu, couldn’t help but suspect her intentions.

The little girl’s tantrum seemed childish, yet every word felt like a pointed attack. The more Liu Jingqiu observed Luo Yan, the more suspicious she became.

“It’s An Xiaotong’s fault. Auntie will apologize to you on her behalf, okay?” Liu Jingqiu coaxed Luo Yan, pulling a piece of candy from her pocket.

“Here, Auntie’s giving you candy. Don’t cry anymore.”

She handed over a fruit-flavored hard candy, which, once in the mouth, became slippery—especially risky for a child who might choke if startled or suddenly crying.

Luo Yan’s cheeks were streaked with tears as she sniffled and took the candy.

“Thank you, Auntie Liu.”

Finally, the child stopped crying, and all four adults breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“Mommy, peel it…”

It seemed Liu Jingqiu wanted to stir up trouble again. Luo Yan handed the candy to Hua Li.

Hua Li had no good impression of Liu Jingqiu, a known gossip, and did not want her daughter to accept candy from her. But since children lack understanding, forcibly rejecting it would only cause more tears.

Reluctantly, Hua Li thanked Liu Jingqiu and unwrapped the candy to feed Luo Yan.

Tears still glistened in Luo Yan’s eyes as she puckered her small mouth around the candy, looking utterly adorable, melting Hua Li’s heart.

Sun Bailing’s impression of Liu Jingqiu worsened after hearing Luo Yan’s tearful complaints.

“Comrade Liu Jingqiu, your intention to help those in need is commendable, but that does not justify holding down two jobs. Your position should belong to Comrade Hua Li. Even her husband has no right to give the job away. Therefore, the hundred yuan subsidy that Luo Shicheng gives you monthly can remain with you, but the salary must be returned to Comrade Hua Li.”

What? Return all her salary to Hua Li? Liu Jingqiu nearly lost control of her expression.

“The commander said so, but I’ve already donated my money. I simply can’t return it.”

Since the commander had already supported her, Liu Jingqiu couldn’t silently expect others to fight her battles. Hua Li spoke quietly.

“The commander never said you had to return it immediately. If you can’t pay now, there’s the monthly subsidy for military dependents. Fifteen yuan can be deducted each month until my salary is covered.”

Usually meek and submissive, Luo Yan clapped her small hands and smiled.

“Mom is awesome! Go, Mom!”

Liu Jingqiu wished she could strangle the sharp-tongued Hua Li, but Sun Bailing interjected.

“Comrade Hua Li is right. Let it be decided as such. As for Comrade Liu Jingqiu’s job, wait for notice within three days.”

Sun Bailing made the final call. No matter how displeased Liu Jingqiu was, she could only accept it.

Hua Li bowed to Sun Bailing, and Luo Yan waved goodbye.

Sun Bailing shot a glare at the wooden-stiff Luo Shicheng.

“What, do I have to send someone with you?”

Luo Shicheng, feeling frustrated, saluted Sun Bailing and was the first to leave.

Hua Li hugged Luo Yan and followed Luo Shicheng out, but Liu Jingqiu suddenly stepped ahead to the door, causing Hua Li to stumble.

Luo Yan began coughing harshly. Liu Jingqiu heard it and secretly curled her lips into a smirk, then nervously apologized.

“Oh dear, sorry! I was lost in thought and didn’t watch where I was going. Did I hurt you?”

Hua Li had no patience for Liu Jingqiu’s insincere apology and gently patted Luo Yan’s back.

Luo Yan coughed as if something was stuck, her face turning beet red. Hua Li, frightened, wiped away her tears again.

That wretched woman, trying to harm my child—may she choke to death. Liu Jingqiu gloated inwardly and reached to pry open Luo Yan’s mouth.

“Is the child choking? Let me see.”

If something’s stuck in the throat, you must not poke inside—a fact Liu Jingqiu clearly hoped Luo Yan would suffer from.

Suddenly, Luo Yan coughed violently, and the candy shot out, splattering sticky syrup onto Liu Jingqiu’s face and staining the white fabric of her blouse.

The sugar stain wasn’t obvious at first, but if left too long, it would attract dirt. Liu Jingqiu struggled hard to restrain herself from slapping Luo Yan.

Sun Bailing hurried over, saw Luo Yan spit out the candy, wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, and cautioned Hua Li.

“Don’t give the child hard candy anymore; it’s too dangerous.”

Hua Li, still shaken, nodded vigorously through her tears.

Luo Shicheng went downstairs immediately, paying no attention to what had just happened.

Sun Bailing instructed the driver to take Hua Li to the supply and marketing cooperative. Luo Shicheng got into the front passenger seat.

Hua Li, holding Luo Yan, came out with Liu Jingqiu and could only sit in the back.

Though Hua Li was gentle by nature, she was not foolish. Liu Jingqiu had given Luo Yan hard candy, then deliberately bumped into her to cause the choking incident—this was outright attempted murder.

Placing Luo Yan near the car door, Hua Li guarded her like a mother hen, her protective stance drawing Luo Shicheng’s frowns as he watched through the rearview mirror.

Catching sight of this, Liu Jingqiu sniffled and choked up.

“Comrade Hua Li, I truly didn’t mean to bump into you. Why do you have to act like I’m bullying you and your daughter? I won’t ride with you anymore—I’ll just get out and walk, is that not fine?”

With that, Liu Jingqiu opened the door to get out, but was stopped by Luo Shicheng’s voice.

“It was just an accidental bump. Don’t be so sensitive. Hua Li, apologize.”

“Why should I apologize? She bumped me and almost harmed Luo Yan…”

“That’s enough!” Luo Shicheng interrupted sternly. “I returned your job to you and still give you a hundred every month. Your demands have been met. What more do you want? Are you only happy if you keep picking at Comrade Liu Jingqiu’s faults?”

“I’m not!” Hua Li’s tongue tied in her fury, her whole body trembling like a leaf, unable to speak clearly.

Liu Jingqiu wished she could make Hua Li die of rage on the spot.

“Comrade Hua Li, I know you’re unhappy with how much Shicheng favors me, but you can’t just slander me. I’ve explained myself, yet you won’t let it go. Do you want to push me to my death before you’re satisfied? Boo hoo…”