The Sound of Bad Luck Knocking on Your Door (19)

"Mommy, this wasn't my sister's idea, it was my idea," Pudding said through tears, in a somber voice. 

"Yeah? Then why didn't you tell me just now when I asked you?" Huo Mian stared at Pudding and asked word for word. 

"It's because…" Pudding bit her lip and struggled to explain. 

"Because of fear? Fear that you would be punished if you admitted your mistake?" Pudding nodded. 

"Then why didn't it occur to you that if your younger sister admitted this mistake instead of you, that she would be punished the same way?"

"I didn't expect… her to say that. That's why I was surprised. When I wanted to explain, it was already too late."

"You were afraid, so you didn't come clean. But Pudding, when you caused the trouble in the first place, why weren't you afraid?"