Chapter 20 Stealing Meat to Eat

Winter days passed quickly, and before long, night had already fallen.

Since Xuexue had woken up from her fever, it had been Madam Xie and Chuner who brought food to her room. Now that she was better, there was no reason for her to continue lying in bed.

Thus, Xuexue and Chuner, hand in hand, went together to the kitchen, ready to have dinner with Madam Xie.

Just as they reached the courtyard, they heard a harsh scolding from Old Lady Mo in the kitchen, followed by Madam Xie's sorrowful explanations…

"You worthless hen without eggs, I asked you to cook a meal, and you dared to steal my meat to eat, I'll beat you to death."

"Mother-in-law, I did not steal it, really, you have to believe me."

"You clearly stole it, yet you dare argue, I'll beat you dead, you hen who lays no eggs, making you useless."

Then there was a series of loud banging noises.

"Sister, grandmother is scolding mother again, what should we do?" Hearing Old Lady Mo's scolding, Chuner became panicked, her small body trembling.

"Chuner, don't be afraid, Sister will help mother, just stand in the courtyard and don't move, do you understand?" Xuexue squatted down, her eyes intently fixed on Chuner, advising her.

"No, Chuner wants to help mother too, to protect her." Although five-year-old Chuner was terrified, she insisted on helping her mother.

"Chuner, be good, you are still small, wait until you grow up, then you can protect mother and sister, okay?"

"Okay."

With Xuexue's explanation, Chuner knew she was too small and weak to be of help and might even cause more trouble, so she quickly nodded her head vigorously.

"You stand here and don't move, don't go into the kitchen." Xuexue, worried about her timid sister, quickly reiterated the instruction.

"Okay, Sister, do not worry. Chuner will stand right here and not move. Hurry and save mother, she is almost being beaten to death by grandmother."

"Okay."

After advising Chuner, Xuexue stood up and rushed towards the kitchen as if flying…

Kitchen

"Mother-in-law, please stop beating me, I really didn't steal any meat." Madam Xie pitifully crouched in the corner, holding her head and crying sorrowfully.

Madam Xie's body was marked with bruises in shades of blue and purple, clearly showing that Old Lady Mo had been ruthless.

"Then where did my meat go? Did it grow wings and fly away by itself?" Old Lady Mo held a pot lid in one hand and her waist in the other, staring menacingly at Madam Xie curled up on the ground.

"I really don't know."

Madam Xie was extremely aggrieved, constantly busy in the kitchen without even a moment to drink water, let alone to steal meat. Furthermore, Old Lady Mo's abuse towards her followed a routine of severe beatings every three days and minor ones daily. Even if a water tank was given to her, she wouldn't have the guts to steal the meat.

"You gluttonous wretch, you don't keep your head down and behave, yet you dare to steal my meat and still argue? I'll beat you to death, beat you to death."

Old Lady Mo cursed while repeatedly swinging the pot lid at Madam Xie, causing continuous "clang clang bang bang" sounds.

"Ahh…, mother-in-law, please spare my life." Madam Xie held her head, continuously pleading for mercy.

Xuexue rushed into the kitchen and saw Madam Ruan and her daughter standing on the side, watching the scene with satisfaction on their faces.

Seeing Xuexue come in, Xiuzhi proudly lifted her chin, her eyes filled with defiance.

With her mother being beaten, Xuexue became frantic, not bothering with them, and dashed straight toward Old Lady Mo…

"Grandmother, why do you hit people indiscriminately again?" Xuexue advanced, snatching the pot lid from Old Lady Mo's hand, preventing her from hitting her mother with it anymore.

"You little wretch coming to cause trouble again, get out of my way so I can teach this gluttonous wretch a lesson." Old Lady Mo, enjoying the beating, suddenly found herself without the pot lid and became furiously angry.