He Shi saw Song Yuemei’s fierce look and said nothing more, but also went out, presumably to check on Yu’er. Song Yuemei looked at Dongyu and asked, “How did Maomao get burned today?”

Dongyu was the type who lived for drama. She couldn't deal with Song Yuemei, nor could she touch He Shi, and she secretly wished these two would quarrel one day so she could enjoy the show. Hearing Song Yuemei ask this, she immediately spoke up, “That has nothing to do with me. Yu’er and I were in the yard. Mother took Maomao into the kitchen, and not long after, we heard Maomao crying, and Mother was scolding her the whole time. Yu’er was the first to go see. I don’t know exactly how she got burned.” After speaking, Dongyu picked up the chicken soup, took a sip, and then smacked her lips contentedly.

What Dongyu said was technically the truth; she hadn't exaggerated. It was just that if it had been someone who disliked stirring up trouble, they would certainly have smoothed things over with pleasant words and suppressed the matter, rather than detailing it exactly as it happened. Dongyu’s purpose in saying this was to incite conflict between Song Yuemei and He Shi.

Hearing Dongyu’s words, Song Yuemei had even less place to vent her anger. If He Shi were standing before her, she would have desperately wanted to stab her. Although Dongyu hadn't explained everything clearly, based on Song Yuemei’s understanding of He Shi, combined with seeing Yu’er’s condition upon returning, Song Yuemei had guessed the whole story with about eighty percent certainty.

She knew her mother-in-law had killed a chicken and made soup while she was away, intending to feed all the good things to Dongyu and Yu’er. He Shi must have coaxed her daughter into the kitchen precisely because she didn’t want Maomao screaming for food in the yard; she had specifically lured her away. After luring her away, she didn't watch her, leaving her in the kitchen—and now she was burned. What kind of place is a kitchen? How could such a small child be left alone there, especially right after the cooking was done?

Even after Maomao was scalded, He Shi remained indifferent. If Yu’er hadn't been home today, she probably would have just left Maomao to cry on her own, waiting until Song Yuemei returned. He Shi truly had a heart of stone; this was her own granddaughter, after all. And then there was Dongyu, such a vicious woman, to be eating so enthusiastically while a child was in such distress.

After a while, Yu’er finally managed to call the physician, followed by Qingshan and He Shi. When Yu’er rushed out to call the doctor, Qingshan saw it and knew something had happened to Maomao, so he followed back. The physician examined the child’s injuries, said a few words, prescribed some herbal medicine to be applied for a few days, explained some care instructions, and then left.

After applying the medicine, the pain must have lessened, as Maomao’s crying quieted down somewhat. Song Yuemei and Qingshan carried the child into the room. Inside, Song Yuemei asked Maomao how she got burned. Maomao was over four years old and could speak. When her mother asked, she naturally told the whole story. Although the child’s description wasn't perfectly clear, Song Yuemei understood. She glanced at Qingshan beside her; he didn't know what to say and remained silent, standing to the side.

Song Yuemei soothed Maomao for a while until she fell asleep, then told Qingshan, “I definitely won't let today’s matter go. I won't press about your mother excluding me and cooking chicken soup for Dongyu and Yu’er, but I must settle accounts with her over Maomao’s injury. If you are worried about being put in a difficult position, you stay in the room and watch Maomao for me.”

Qingshan had also heard Maomao’s account and naturally understood everything. He knew his mother was genuinely at fault this time, and his wife’s anger was justified. Furthermore, he understood Song Yuemei; he knew her anger had reached a point of no return, and a confrontation was inevitable today. Song Yuemei wasn't consulting him; she was merely informing him. Qingshan could only nod in acceptance and sat down by the bed, indicating he wouldn't leave.

After Song Yuemei left, she closed the door. Yu’er was waiting in the yard. Seeing Song Yuemei emerge, she hurried over and asked, “Sister-in-law, is Maomao feeling better? Is she still crying terribly after the medicine was applied?”

Song Yuemei nodded to Yu’er and said, “She’s better. Your brother is watching her inside. Go in and check on her. If she starts crying again, help me soothe her a bit. I have something to discuss with Mother.”

Yu’er looked at Song Yuemei and knew it was time to settle scores. She said apologetically, “Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry. It was my carelessness today that led to Maomao getting burned. I was truly too careless.”

“It’s not your fault. If you hadn't been here today, Maomao might have been left to cry until she was scalded to death with no one to care. I should be grateful to you, not the other way around. You’re the one who called the doctor, too. Don't blame yourself. I don't blame you. Go in and help me watch Maomao first.” Song Yuemei nudged Yu’er.

Yu’er looked at Song Yuemei and walked toward the room. Song Yuemei headed to the kitchen. He Shi was also in the kitchen, still muttering about how unfortunate it was that a bowl of chicken soup had been spilled, and how the child's father wouldn't have chicken soup for dinner now. Song Yuemei walked to the hearth, looked at the remaining soup in the pot, picked it up, and hurled it into the yard, shouting angrily, “I’ll let you drink chicken soup!”

He Shi watched Song Yuemei’s action, rushed into the yard, and shouted, “Song Yuemei, what are you trying to do? Why are you smashing the pot? Whose temper are you taking out on?”

Song Yuemei also rushed in front of He Shi and yelled, “My daughter is scalded like that, and you’re still worrying about your chicken soup! You old hag, you truly have a heart of stone! You curse others as cheap bitches all day long; I think you are the cheapest one! Excluding me is one thing, but Maomao is your own granddaughter, and you can be this cruel? Are you even human anymore?”

Song Yuemei left no room for courtesy this time; the insults flew out the moment she spoke. These few sentences successfully ignited the combative spirit within He Shi, who also roared back, “She’s burned, isn’t she? Didn’t you call the physician? Why did you throw out the soup? Now you dare say I’m not human, that I’m cheap? You a daughter-in-law trying to rebel?”

“What do I dare not say? You are eating my food and living in my house, yet you boss people around all day long! I’m telling you, starting today, you get out of my house. I refuse to serve you anymore.” Song Yuemei declared.

“Is this house yours alone? My son hasn't spoken yet, so by what right do you kick me out? Besides, it’s only natural for a mother to live with her son and daughter-in-law. I’m not leaving. Let’s see what you can do about it!” He Shi retorted.

“We divided the households; didn't you know? This is my home. I decide whether you stay or go. You need to leave right now, and your son agreed to it.” Song Yuemei stated.

He Shi heard Song Yuemei’s words and then shouted, “Qingshan, your wife is trying to kick me out! Come out and say something, Qingshan!”

After a long pause, no one answered. Song Yuemei stared at He Shi with a cold face. He Shi inwardly realized that Qingshan had probably consented, or he wouldn't have remained silent for so long. But if she were kicked out now, where would she go to live?

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