Wang Fenglan plopped down on the ground, staring at Lin Xiaoxiao in disbelief before slapping the earth and wailing, "Oh heavens! Lin Xiaoxiao is hitting me! Everyone, come see this city girl our family married—how dare she hit her own mother-in-law!"

She cried and beat the ground dramatically, putting on a show that astonished Lin Xiaoxiao.

Zhou Chang'an stepped in, pointing angrily at Lin Xiaoxiao. "How dare you defy us! Just wait till my second brother returns—he'll teach you a lesson!"

Lin Xiaoxiao hated being pointed at. "Take your hand away," she said coldly.

Instead of backing down, Zhou Chang'an grew more aggressive. "What if I don't? You wanna hit me? Think you're something special?"

Without another word, Lin Xiaoxiao grabbed his finger, twisted it hard, and kicked his leg.

Zhou Chang'an yelped in pain, hopping backward but still pointing. "Just you wait! Today I'll teach you a lesson for my brother!"

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at them with contempt. Did they really think they could bully her?

If they wanted a fight, she'd make sure they learned their lesson—once and for all.

As Zhou Chang'an turned to grab a shovel leaning against the wall, Lin Xiaoxiao moved faster.

She picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at him—aiming precisely where it would hurt the most without being fatal.

Chen Qiaolan screamed. Wang Fenglan was so shocked she forgot to cry. The neighbors who had gathered at the gate stood frozen.

Time seemed to stop. Then, with a dull thud, Zhou Chang'an collapsed.

Wang Fenglan seemed choked, unable to make a sound. Moments later, she scrambled up and lunged at Lin Xiaoxiao. "You little witch!"

But before she could reach her, Lin Xiaoxiao kicked her to the ground again. "I, Lin Xiaoxiao, never back down. If you're not satisfied, try to end me today. Otherwise, I'll beat you till you surrender."

She kicked Wang Fenglan hard in the backside, making her squeal like a stuck pig.

The crowd was stunned. It was common for mothers-in-law to hit daughters-in-law, but never the other way around—especially not in Zhou Village.

Zhou Chang'an, still on the ground, touched the back of his head. His fingers came away bloody.

When he saw the fury in Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes, his courage vanished.

Satisfied with the now-silent Zhou Chang'an and Wang Fenglan, Lin Xiaoxiao thought to herself—bullies only understand strength.

Crush them once, and they'll never dare again.

She looked coldly at Wang Fenglan. "Listen carefully. Scheme against anyone you want, but don't you ever plot against me. Or else you'll regret it."

Dusting off her clothes, she turned and went inside.

Wang Fenglan felt utterly humiliated but knew she was outmatched. She got up, wiped her face, picked up the chicken she had thrown earlier, and retreated to the kitchen before hiding in her room.

Zhou Chang'an was also ashamed. He couldn't beat Lin Xiaoxiao, but he could take his anger out on his wife. With onlookers still watching from the gate, the walls, and even nearby rooftops, he covered his head and glared at Chen Qiaolan. "What are you standing around for? Get inside!"

One by one, the family went back into their rooms. The crowd slowly dispersed, whispering—the city girl Zhou Huai'an married was pretty, yes, but fierce beyond belief.

Hitting her own mother-in-law? How unfilial.

Compared to her, Luo Caixia seemed so much more kind and respectful.

What a shame Zhou Huai'an gave up Luo Caixia for someone like this.

Back in her room, Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't angry at all. She sat on the kang, thinking—had Zhou Huai'an reached the hospital? Was Zhou Xiaoli in critical condition?

Would he be angry she hit his mother and brother? Even if he wanted to leave this family, they were still his blood.

And what about Zhou Mancang, who'd been coughing violently last night? Why hadn't he come out during all the noise? Was he even home?

After all that, Lin Xiaoxiao didn't expect any food from Wang Fenglan. Luckily, there were still steamed buns from yesterday. She decided to heat them up, eat, then take her things and go to the county hospital to find Zhou Huai'an.

Calmly, she carried her lunchbox to the kitchen.

The stove was still slightly warm. She placed the lunchbox on it until the buns were warm on the outside—even if the filling was still cool—and ate them quickly.

After washing the lunchbox and packing her bag, she also took the new basin Zhou Huai'an had bought and left the house.

Wang Fenglan had been listening all along. Peeking through the window, she saw Lin Xiaoxiao enter the kitchen and leave much later with her bag. She turned to Zhou Mancang, who was resting on the kang. "Lin Xiaoxiao left. Do you think she's going to complain to Huai'an?"

Zhou Mancang narrowed his eyes, a shrewd look crossing his honest face. "Let her. It's good for Huai'an to see what kind of woman he married."

Then he glared at Wang Fenglan. "And you—why ask for money now? Xiaoli's situation isn't even resolved. What will people think?"

Only then did Wang Fenglan seem to remember her daughter was still fighting for her life. She began to cry.

Lin Xiaoxiao walked out of the Zhou family home, following the tire tracks of the tractor toward town. From there, she could catch a bus to the county.

Not long after she left the village, a donkey cart heading to town passed by.

Lin Xiaoxiao decided to hitch a ride. She smiled warmly and waved at the driver. "Uncle, are you going to town? Could you give me a lift?"

The cart driver, seeing her fair skin and city appearance, thought she was an educated youth returning home. He cheerfully let her on.

Lin Xiaoxiao climbed onto the cart, holding her bag and touching the sacks underneath. "What's in the bags, uncle? Selling them in town?"

"Going to trade for seeds. Planting season's coming. Which team are you from? Haven't seen you before."

Not sure if he knew Zhou Huai'an, Lin Xiaoxiao said, "Do you know Zhou Huai'an? I'm his wife."

The uncle was startled. He looked back carefully. "What? You're Huai'an's wife?"

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes, we just came back yesterday. I'm going to the county on some business."

The uncle nodded repeatedly, a relieved look on his face. "Good, really good. So Huai'an finally brought his wife home."

Curious, Lin Xiaoxiao asked, "Uncle, did you watch Zhou Huai'an grow up?"

The man smiled. "Yes, he was always a clever boy, just quiet. The other kids in the village used to call him 'little mute.'"

Lin Xiaoxiao's mind flashed to an image of a young Zhou Huai'an being bullied by other children. It made her angry. "How awful!"

The uncle shared many stories about Zhou Huai'an's childhood all the way to town. Lin Xiaoxiao listened, captivated.

Fortunately, she caught the bus to the county.

Once she arrived, she asked for directions to the county hospital and headed straight there.

But just outside the hospital entrance, she saw Zhou Huai'an walking side by side with Luo Caixia...