After the family split up, my stepmother and scumbag father begged me to come home.

The moment the clothes fell, a collective gasp filled the courtyard.

A series of shocking scars, bruises of varying shades, new wounds layered on top of old ones, densely covered that frail body. The ribs protruded distinctly, as if they might pierce the thin layer of skin at any moment.

Is this the body of a nine-year-old child?

Lin Qianqian stared blankly, her eyes instantly reddening.

She never imagined that her brother would be so badly injured.

She will definitely get her revenge.

Aunt Ding's voice trembled, choked with sobs: "When Su Yunrou was alive, she never even touched one of the children's fingers... and you treated her like this! Don't you have any conscience? Aren't you afraid that Su Yunrou will come looking for you in the dead of night?"

Ding Yuxiang staggered back a step, almost falling, but was caught by Lin Yuanyuan behind her.

"Mother, stay calm," Lin Yuanyuan said in a low voice.

Ding Yuxiang took a deep breath and forced herself to stand up straight: "Who...who knows where he went to cause trouble? Maybe he bumped or hurt himself, what does it have to do with me?"

"Do you think everyone's blind?" Aunt Ding pointed to the numerous bruises covering her body. "You bumped and bruised yourself? Show me one!"

"That's right!"

"You beat the children like this, bullying two motherless children, how despicable of you!"

"His own children are well-fed and chubby, while he mistreats his children from his first marriage—and Lin Lao Er, as their father, doesn't care at all?"

"A stepmother means a stepfather! Poor kid..."

"Lying in the arms of a lover, how could she possibly think of her child..."

"What a terrible thing..."

The discussions came like a tidal wave, each one more jarring than the last.

Old Man Lin's face turned pale and then red, and Old Mrs. Lin felt her face burning, wishing she could disappear into the ground.

Lin Guozhu simply stood to the side, head down, rubbing his fingers, without saying a word for the two children from beginning to end.

Lin Yulong looked at the man called "father," and the last glimmer of light in his eyes was completely extinguished. In its place was a cold hatred.

"alright."

The village chief finally spoke, his voice deep and authoritative.

He looked at Lin Qianqian, at her stubborn kneeling on the ground, and at the boy beside her who was covered in wounds but remained silent, and slowly nodded.

"Since you've made up your mind, let's break up."

Grandma Lin immediately chimed in: "Dividing the family property is fine! We have no money, no land—only half a sack of sweet potatoes."

Lin Qianqian didn't haggle: "Okay."

She raised her head, her gaze calmer than a child's: "But the old house at the east end of the village should be given to us. We can't be left to sleep on the streets."

The village chief frowned: "Child, that old house has been uninhabited for years, it's in such a dilapidated state, even if you gave it to me, no one could live there..."

"Grandpa Village Chief, any house will do," Lin Qianqian interrupted him. "It doesn't matter how dilapidated it is."

Grandma Lin quickly agreed, "Okay! Here you go!"

Old Man Lin wanted to say something more, but seeing his granddaughter's expressionless eyes, he swallowed his words. He sighed, "Have you thought it through? Once the family is separated, you can't come back."

He thought Qianqian was just throwing a tantrum, trying to scare the adults and get coaxed.

Lin Qianqian said nothing, but simply took the family division document and pressed her fingerprint on it.

Then, she carried the half-sack of sweet potatoes on her back, quickly packed their clothes, had Ah Long carry the straw curtain, and the two of them walked out of the courtyard without looking back.

Two small figures disappeared into the twilight.

"That's enough." The village chief waved his hand and turned to leave.

A farce will end here.

The Lin family has completely lost face. As for that chicken—the chicken that caused this whole mess—no one mentions it again.