Chapter 21: Don't Just Bring Anyone Home Just Because You Know Who They Are!

Seeing her like that, Song’s mother couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, saying, “Didn't you say it didn’t hurt?” Yet her hands moved even more gently, with greater care.

Feeling Song’s mother’s tender touch, Huan Ya felt a warm current flow through her heart, and the pain seemed to vanish entirely.

Her aunt was so kind to her! She was determined to help her aunt and cure Brother Tiancheng!

Unaware of Huan Ya’s thoughts, Song’s mother applied the ointment and said, “Don’t wash it for the next couple of days. It’s almost healed. Just bear with it.”

Huan Ya nodded repeatedly and was about to put away the ointment when someone knocked at the door.

She glanced back at the door and asked if she should open it.

Song’s mother shook her head slightly and called out loudly, “Who is it?”

“It’s your aunt, me, Liu Shun’s mother.”

“Cao Liu Shun?” Song’s mother narrowed her eyes, hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly toward Huan Ya, signaling her to open the door.

Huan Ya hurriedly placed the ointment on the windowsill and said, “Coming!”

She ran over but accidentally stepped on a rolling corn cob, twisting her ankle painfully. She gritted her teeth in pain.

“What’s wrong, girl?” Song’s mother looked up and asked.

Huan Ya bit back the pain, shook her head, wiped away the tears welling up, sniffled, and slowly made her way to the door.

—

Creak—

“Oh my, Aunt! You scared me to death! Who—who are you?” Liu Shun’s mother clutched her chest, looking startled.

She tilted her head to scrutinize Huan Ya standing before her.

Her face was smeared with dark ointment, looking strange and frightening. Especially the exposed wound—it would surely terrify anyone who saw it at night.

Liu Shun’s mother quickly stepped back, saying, “Girl, why are you scaring people in broad daylight?”

Huan Ya hesitated, not recognizing this woman and unwilling to cause trouble for her aunt. She backed away a couple of steps.

In her flustered state, she twisted her ankle again.

Ouch! It hurt badly.

Tears brimmed in her eyes, but Huan Ya held back any sobs.

She braced herself on the doorframe and said, “Aunt, please come in and sit.”

Seeing her reddened eyes and pitiful look, along with the wounds and ointment on her face, Liu Shun’s mother suddenly didn’t want to come inside.

“I…”

“Why don’t you come in and sit, Liu Shun’s mother?” Song’s mother’s tone was sharp and her expression darkened.

“Well, I was just wondering if your corn harvest was finished.”

—

Liu Shun’s mother gave a sheepish smile. Before she finished speaking, her eyes caught the golden corn piled up in the yard, and she exclaimed, “You’re done? I was thinking of asking if you needed help.”

“My Liu Shun just finished harvesting the fields today. I thought if you hadn’t, I’d send him to help you tomorrow.”

Song’s mother’s expression softened slightly but she still shook her head. “No need. Huan Ya has already finished.”

“Huan Ya?” Liu Shun’s mother glanced at the little girl with the battered face. “Her?”

“Yes.”

Before she could ask more, Song’s mother explained, “She’s a distant relative from Old Song’s side. The little girl’s family is gone, and she came here seeking relatives.”

Hearing this, Liu Shun’s mother frowned, avoided looking at Huan Ya, grabbed Song’s mother’s arm, and led her out of the courtyard, closing the door behind them.

“What are you doing?” Song’s mother asked in confusion. “I haven’t finished shelling the corn yet.”

“You’re still shelling corn? Do you even know who this is that you’re bringing into your home?” Liu Shun’s mother scolded, exasperated. “Have you forgotten about the Old Zhang family? Zhang Yiming brought a distant relative home once, and what happened? Zhang Yiming was a good boy, but that little vixen led him astray. Now he gambles every day and won’t study.”

As she spoke, Liu Shun’s mother’s face grew sterner. “Don’t ruin your Tiancheng, okay?”