The onlookers, hearing Old Mrs. Han's words, could only shake their heads. She had clearly already fallen out with Han Jun and his wife, yet now she insisted on upsetting Han Tao and his wife too. Han Tao was already distant from her, and Wang Qiqi stepping forward now was, in a way, showing her stance. But she still... Has old age truly clouded her judgment?

Song Yao had initially intended to just swallow the irritation, letting the old woman vent if she needed to, assuming the elder's mind was muddled. But this old lady was being far too much. "Hello, I am Qiqi’s older sister. Upon learning that Han Tao’s grandmother was ill, I immediately came to visit on behalf of Qiqi's maternal family. Although Qiqi has no parents, that doesn't mean she lacks a family who can stand up for her when people try to manipulate her."

There were things Wang Qiqi couldn't say, but that didn't mean Song Yao, as family, couldn't. Although Song Yao was younger, she was here as family to pay respects, and hearing such rude remarks, who could just stand there and take it? "I truly don't understand. Clearly, you were angered by your favorite grandson and his wife. Why take that anger out on Qiqi? Furthermore, if you get angry and upset, do Qiqi and the others gain anything? It seems like the old lady’s money has almost all been spent by your youngest grandson, and the house should have already been transferred to him or your son, right? Han Tao, while your grandson, hasn't benefited from any of it. I just don't get it—what benefit is there in being angered to death by the eldest grandson who hasn't taken any of the Han family's benefits?"

Yesterday in the emergency room, Old Mrs. Han had aired out some of the family’s dirty laundry to these unfilial descendants. After Luo Hongjuan and her daughter-in-law left, Ding Meina’s mother had gone on the offensive right in the hospital room, terrifying Old Mrs. Han half to death. Afterward, Old Mrs. Han felt that the gazes of the surrounding patients, their families, and even the doctors and nurses were strangely off; she felt deeply uncomfortable all over. She desperately wanted to be discharged, but the doctors advised a few days of observation. Only then did Old Mrs. Han reluctantly stay, immensely grateful she was moved out of the chaotic ER and into a proper ward. Just as Old Mrs. Han was starting to breathe a sigh of relief, Song Yao unexpectedly dragged the matter up again. Old Mrs. Han didn't even dare to look at the expressions of her fellow patients, knowing they couldn't be kind. The person who brought about this fresh humiliation was the granddaughter-in-law. "Qiqi, do you think I haven't left any property for Han Tao, so you brought people here to provoke me?" Old Mrs. Han wheezed roughly.

Wang Qiqi almost laughed at the old lady’s attempt to flip the script. She laughed loudly for a long time. When the laughter subsided, she stared intently at Old Mrs. Han for a long time, making the old woman unable to meet her gaze, before speaking slowly, "You don't dare do anything to Ding Meina, so you think I'm easy to bully? Regardless, you should know that those two dilapidated houses of your Han family are truly beneath my notice. Besides, Han Tao isn't like your good-for-nothing little darling grandson. Would a capable person fixate on your meager savings? Hmph. Moreover, Han Tao is marrying into the family. Why would someone marrying in stare at your tiny little property? I only came because, no matter what, you are Han Tao’s grandmother, and he isn't here. As his girlfriend, I felt I should pay a visit, but I never expected that the moment I arrive, you’d accuse me of coming to upset you. I truly don’t understand—what exactly am I supposed to do?" Wang Qiqi looked at Old Mrs. Han with an expression of someone genuinely seeking guidance, subtly prompting the old woman to define how she should have visited.

Wang Qiqi’s words completely shut Old Mrs. Han down again. "I, I, I was just in a bad mood, can't I say that?" Hmph.

Wang Qiqi merely responded with an "Oh," and didn't press the old woman on her childish evasion. Instead, she opened the fruit basket. "I’ll go wash some fruit; let everyone have some." Hmph. At least we didn't come empty-handed. With this many people here, we should distribute a bit of goodwill, right? Otherwise, this huge fruit basket might end up benefiting someone else entirely. Better to play the good person now.

Song Yao gave her younger sister an approving thumbs-up for so smoothly assuming the role of hostess. Impressive, impressive. She did her duty, brought the goods, and now the old lady can't even tell her son to take it all home. My sister is certainly cunning.

Old Mrs. Han watched Wang Qiqi generously carry away the expensive fruits to wash them, her heart aching terribly. Yet, she couldn't call Qiqi back. She knew Qiqi dared to be bold precisely because the old woman might play the fool again, leading to further embarrassment. "Take that basin with you to wash; you can't carry all that at once." It wasn't kindness from Old Mrs. Han; she worried that if that girl accidentally dropped and ruined some of the fruit, she’d just come back for more, and the already diminishing supply would be depleted right then and there.

How could Wang Qiqi not understand the old woman’s petty concerns? She smiled sweetly, thanking Old Mrs. Han for her "care," and took the basin to the sink to wash the fruit. Song Yao stood by the bedside, inquiring about the old woman’s health, interspersing polite conversation with the Han family relatives. Though young, Song Yao had honed her verbal skills through years in business, and she chatted wonderfully with the middle-aged women. The happier Song Yao became, the more unhappy Old Mrs. Han grew. She muttered inwardly, One by one, they are smiling tigers, clearly not good people. Hmph.

Old Mrs. Han’s quiet huff was, of course, heard by Song Yao, but she pretended not to notice. In her mind, the old woman wasn't the main focus; today was purely about maintaining appearances. "Grandma, are you feeling unwell? Should I call the doctor? Oh, and what about your dinner? Are Uncle Han and the others bringing it over?"

Song Yao insisted she wasn't intentionally bringing up the subject; she genuinely found it strange that no one was accompanying the old woman when she entered. Didn't the old woman have children besides her son? Why was not a single one present while she was hospitalized? And these relatives clearly planned to leave soon. If she and Qiqi left, the old woman would be left utterly alone. No, they needed to leave before the relatives did. Song Yao certainly didn't want to stay with this old woman until evening.

"He stayed with me all night, then went back to rest," Old Mrs. Han said with a hint of pride. Regardless of what her daughters-in-law or granddaughters-in-law thought, at least her son was decent. "He's the only one of my children who is filial; the others... Hmph."

Song Yao could only purse her lips at the old woman's clear favoritism, but she spoke in a voice low enough to be almost inaudible, yet loud enough for those nearby to catch: "Of course, Uncle Han should stay; after all, the family fortune was given to him, and it was his son who caused your hospitalization this time. No matter how you look at it, he has to step up."

Old Mrs. Han had been gearing up to boast about Han Ximing's filial piety and simultaneously slander her other children—especially trying to smear Luo Hongjuan, as the messy situation surrounding Han Ximing's family made Luo Hongjuan's life look comparatively pleasant. Old Mrs. Han wanted to suppress Luo Hongjuan further, lest her own relatives start talking about Han Ximing. But Song Yao’s words directly pointed out that Han Ximing’s filial piety wasn't without reason; the facts simply couldn't be suppressed, especially since some of these relatives lived nearby and the drama yesterday had been quite intense.

Seeing the old woman’s expression tighten with clear displeasure, yet remaining silent, Song Yao inwardly approved. Although she hadn't interacted with her much before, based on Wang Qiqi's descriptions and their current exchange, Song Yao concluded that Luo Hongjuan, Han Tao’s mother, was simply too easygoing, and this old woman was nothing more than a bully who preyed on the weak.

Wang Qiqi returned with the washed fruit to find the old woman half-reclining on the bed with a distinctly unhappy expression, while Song Yao was happily chatting with the crowd. Wang Qiqi didn't bother asking why the old woman was unhappy, assuming the grandmother hadn't verbally attacked Song Yao yet, perhaps because Song Yao had skillfully deflected any incoming jabs. "Grandma, let me slice an apple for you." Wang Qiqi rummaged through a cabinet for a fruit knife but couldn't find one. Fortunately, an elderly woman in the next bed kindly loaned her one.

Song Yao watched Wang Qiqi sit by the bed, appearing like a dutiful child peeling an apple for the elder, and took the initiative to invite everyone to have fruit. Old Mrs. Han could only watch as so much of the expensive fruit—some of which was imported—was consumed by these relatives, while she was relegated to eating the most common apples. Her heart felt like it was bleeding. It wasn't that she didn't want the other fruits; she did. "Grandma, apples are very good for you..." Wang Qiqi said while peeling, lecturing the old woman on the merits of apples. Regardless, the old woman was set to eat apples today.

"My teeth are bad; I can’t chew them," the old woman stated angrily to Wang Qiqi, who was reciting the benefits of apples like a monotonous chant. This was the main reason she disliked apples. She didn't believe Qiqi could force her to eat them.

Song Yao was surprised that such a simple apple could involve so much drama. As she ate her own slice, she mused that Qiqi didn't particularly care for apples either, claiming they lacked moisture. It was fortunate the old woman didn't know this, or she’d have more to complain about.

Wang Qiqi thoughtfully cut the apple into small, manageable pieces. "Grandma, I've cut them small so you won't struggle with your teeth. I know you don't eat much fruit at home. Next time you want fruit, ask Uncle and Auntie to slice it up small, and then soak it in some hot water; it won't feel so cold." Wang Qiqi even placed the bowl of apple slices into a washbasin containing warm water.

The surrounding people nodded as they watched Wang Qiqi’s meticulous movements. "This girl is truly wonderful; she is so attentive to the elderly."

Old Mrs. Han listened to the praise echoing around her while eating the cheapest fruit available, feeling utterly nauseated. This girl had only been here for one day. If she came every day for the next few days, wouldn't she steal all the good reputation while Old Mrs. Han was left seething with rage? Old Mrs. Han decided she needed to find a way to stop her visits. (To be continued)