Zhang Yimei's face flushed with shame at Lin Xiaoxiao's words, but she clung tightly to her child, refusing to leave.

If she walked away now, it would mean admitting fault—and being stuck with the 300-yuan medical bill. Money was already tight; they couldn't afford more debt. What's more, she suspected she was pregnant again. The doctors said even if her mother-in-law woke up, she wouldn't be fully functional and would need constant care.

That would mean caring for two children and an invalid—all those mouths to feed. How could Wang Wenju's salary possibly cover it?

If she hadn't been ordered to stay in bed, Lin Xiaoxiao would have pushed Zhang Yimei out the door herself.

Since she couldn't move, she turned to Zhou Xiaoling. "Xiaoling, open the door and call people in. Let everyone see what kind of person repays kindness like this. And let's make sure there are witnesses—so she can't blame us if something happens to her here."

Xiaoling immediately obeyed, heading for the door. Alarmed, Zhang Yimei turned and hurried out without another word.

She knew she was in the wrong. If this got out, how would Wang Wenju face his colleagues at work?

Xiaoling watched her leave with a cold glare before shutting the door. "Who does she think she is? A thief trying to play the victim."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled weakly and patted the edge of the bed. "Let me rest a bit longer, then find a flatbed cart to take me home. I need to lie down for a few days."

"Are you sure that's safe?" Xiaoling asked worriedly. "Maybe you should stay here a little longer."

"I'll be fine. I know my body. Besides, there are no professional obstetricians here—they don't really understand these things. I just need quiet rest at home. I'll have to trouble you to look after me."

Even though the baby was okay, she couldn't be careless. A few days of bed rest should stabilize everything.

Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's confidence, Xiaoling agreed. "Alright, I'll find a cart to take you back. I'll ask for time off to take care of you—with my brother away, they should approve it."

"If you can't get leave, just make sure you come back to cook three times a day. Don't let me starve," Lin Xiaoxiao said lightly.

Xiaoling pouted. "How can you joke at a time like this? I've only been truly scared three times in my life: when my second brother had his accident, when my mother had her surgery, and today when I saw you walking into the operating room... with blood all over your coat. I broke down right then."

Lin Xiaoxiao managed a smile. "I was scared too. But if something had happened to Mrs. Wang, you would've been blamed—no matter how you explained it."

Xiaoling nodded fervently. "I know. That's why I panicked."

"Still," Lin Xiaoxiao said softly, "this baby is a tough one. Giving me a warning early, telling me to slow down."

She'd already accepted that if she lost the baby, it just wasn't meant to be. She'd feel sorrow and regret, but she wouldn't regret her decision.

That evening, Xiaoling found a flatbed cart, laid a quilt over it, and carefully helped Lin Xiaoxiao onto it to pull her home.

When Zhong Zhiguo heard what happened, he offered to send a unit vehicle, but Lin Xiaoxiao

refused. The jeeps were small and cramped—sitting upright on a bumpy ride would be too risky. Lying on a cart was safer.

As Xiaoling pulled her slowly home under a sunset sky, Lin Xiaoxiao sighed. "Never thought I'd get to experience being pulled like this."

Xiaoling laughed. "You saved my life, sis. I'd pull you like this forever if you wanted."

"I'm sure your brother would have something to say about that."

"He can't ever find out about today," Xiaoling said seriously. "He'd never let me come see you again."

They chatted the whole way home. Xiaoling helped Lin Xiaoxiao into bed and started cooking.

She wasn't much of a cook, but she could make edible noodles. She boiled a pot, threw in some spinach, and drizzled in sesame oil before serving.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't complain. She added vinegar and chili oil and ate two full bowls. After lying down, she marveled, "It's like my stomach is a bottomless pit these days."

Xiaoling finished what was left. While washing dishes outside, she was approached by two public security officers accompanied by a guard.

"We're from the town station," one said politely. "A report was filed claiming you intentionally caused injury."

Xiaoling knew immediately it was Zhang Yimei. She stood her ground. "Someone was injured in our yard, but it wasn't intentional. She was stealing eggs, panicked when she saw me, tried to run, and fell against a table."

The officers nodded and asked her to show them where it happened.

Lying in bed, Lin Xiaoxiao listened. Clearly, someone had advised Zhang Yimei—maybe even Wang Wenju was behind it. They didn't want to pay the medical fees and were determined to pin the blame on them.

There was no point in going out. She stayed still, listening as Xiaolang explained everything clearly and logically—how the old woman had stumbled backward on her own.

"If I had pushed her," Xiaoling concluded firmly, "she wouldn't have fallen that way."

The officers exchanged a look. With both sides telling different stories and the old woman still unconscious in the hospital, they couldn't take Xiaoling's word alone. "Is there anyone who can corroborate your version of events?"

Xiaoling paused. "No, the yard was empty. She came because she thought no one was home."

"The family insists she was there to turn off your water tap and that you pushed her after misunderstanding her intentions."

Xiaoling didn't miss a beat. "The old woman hasn't even woken up. How would you know why she was in our yard?"

"Her daughter-in-law says she saw everything from the window."

Xiaoling's voice turned sharp. "Then let her come here and show you exactly how I pushed her."