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

Wang Hehua ran home in one breath, deliberately making a loud thud as she entered the door.

Old Mrs. Lin was waiting for Wang Hehua to find out the news when she heard the noise and scolded, "What are you stepping on? You've trampled the ground!"

"Mother—" Wang Hehua cried as she rushed over, "You have to do justice for me!"

Grandma Lin then lifted her eyelids, glanced at her from head to toe, and frowned: "Didn't I tell you to go and gather information? You're all soaking wet, did you fall into the river?"

"It's worse than falling into the river!" Wang Hehua squatted down abruptly, leaned close to the old lady, and lowered her voice, "Mom, I just passed by Qianqian's door, and guess what? She poured a basin of vegetable-washing water all over my head! After that, she pretended to ask me, 'Auntie, what are you doing squatting in the corner of my house?'—When did I squat in the corner? I was just walking normally!"

Grandma Lin paused, but didn't reply.

Seeing that she remained unmoved, Wang Hehua leaned forward again: "That's not all. Do you know why she splashed me? She was guilty! When I passed by, I glanced into the courtyard through the gate—her basket was bulging, and when she saw me, she hid inside, acting all sneaky."

Grandma Lin put down the bean pods in her hand and finally looked at her properly: "You saw it clearly?"

"How could it be fake?" Wang Hehua slapped her thigh. "I knew her dead mother would hide something! Think about it, where would she get the money to buy new clothes and meat?"

"Alright, alright." Old Mrs. Lin raised her hand to interrupt her, squinted her eyes, and thought for a moment. "You mean she hid something in her basket?"

"It was hidden very well!" Wang Hehua said confidently. "I only saw a corner, it was white and looked like cloth, or maybe—"

She hadn't actually seen anything, but as she spoke, the more she talked, the more believable it sounded.

After a moment of silence, Grandma Lin suddenly spoke up: "Lotus, go again."

Wang Hehua was taken aback: "Huh?"

"This time, don't just squat by the door, go properly." Old Mrs. Lin patted the bean curd bits off her hands. "Just say you're out of salt and you're going to borrow a spoonful. Go in and see what's in her kitchen, and what's in that basket."

Wang Hehua's face changed: "Mother, she just splashed water all over me, and now she's rushing off to do it again—"

"What, can't this old woman like you do anything?" Old Mrs. Lin's eyes flashed with sternness.

Wang Hehua shrank back, not daring to say anything more. She stood up hesitantly, muttering, "Fine, I'll go... but that little slut is so sharp-tongued, I can't argue with her..."

"You won't admit you're stupid," Old Mrs. Lin scoffed. "Borrowing salt is just an excuse; you really want to check things out. Keep your eyes open when you come in, don't just get caught up in arguing with her."

Wang Hehua was forced to change into dry clothes and reluctantly went out.

As she walked, she grew angrier and angrier, her steps becoming heavier and heavier. When she reached the old locust tree at the west end of the village, she could see the half-open gate of Lin Qianqian's house in the distance, and her heart pounded.

"That little slut, what nasty things will she say next..."

She took a deep breath, raised her hand, and knocked twice on the door.

No one answered.

He knocked twice more.

Still, no one answered.

Wang Hehua gritted her teeth, reached out and pushed the door open with a creak. The courtyard was empty, and the kitchen door was also closed.

She tiptoed inside, about to approach the kitchen door.

"Aunt?"

The sudden sound behind her startled her, and she turned around abruptly.

Lin Qianqian appeared at the courtyard gate at some point, holding a basin of dirty water, and was smiling at her.

Wang Hehua's face turned pale instantly.