When Lin Xiaoxiao saw Cheng Mingyue, she was reminded of how the original host had suffered at the hands of her birth parents. Hatred welled up uncontrollably in her eyes.

This woman was the original host's biological mother. She had given birth to her but failed to raise her properly, allowing her to bring harm to her own family.

Lin Xiaoxiao had initially planned to ignore Cheng Mingyue, but now she felt that this woman—the mother who didn't act like one—deserved to be punished. Even though the original host herself hadn't cared about her mother, Lin Xiaoxiao did.

Cheng Mingyue had not expected to run into Lin Xiaoxiao during this trip. Her son Lin Dalong was required to take the college entrance exam in Longbei due to his household registration status, so she and Lin Hongyan had accompanied him.

Seeing the pure hatred in Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes, Cheng Mingyue's attempt at a calm greeting turned into anger. "Xiaoxiao, is that any way to greet your own mother?"

Lin Xiaoxiao sneered. "Mother? Are you even worthy of the title?"

Lin Hongyan stared jealously at Lin Xiaoxiao—her luxurious fur-collared coat, her glowing complexion, her beauty that had only deepened since marriage. Fuming, she snapped, "Who do you think you're talking to, Lin Xiaoxiao?"

Lin Xiaoxiao's expression turned icy. "Is this the daughter you raised?" she shot at Cheng Mingyue. "No manners, no respect. And you—you remarried as soon as your husband died. Couldn't stand being alone, could you? Don't bother scolding me—I have no upbringing. How many days did you actually raise me? What did you ever teach me?"

Cheng Mingyue turned pale with rage. "I did what was best for you! I left you with your grandparents. Without that, would you be where you are today?"

The mere thought of the disgusting person the original host had become made Lin Xiaoxiao's blood boil. "Where I am today, I achieved on my own. But you failed as a mother. You'll get what's coming to you—and your daughters will end up worse than you."

Infuriated by the curse, Lin Hongyan shoved Cheng Mingyue. "Mom, are you just going to let her talk to us like that? How dare she say that about me? She's the one who's a worthless—"

Before she could finish, Lin Xiaoxiao stepped forward and slapped Lin Hongyan hard across the face.

In the same moment, Zhou Huai'an moved swiftly to shield Lin Xiaoxiao, gripping Lin Hongyan's wrist as she tried to strike back.

Lin Hongyan cried out in pain; her wrist felt like it was breaking. "Mom, help me!" she sobbed.

Cheng Mingyue was stunned by Lin Xiaoxiao's audacity and Zhou Huai'an's intervention. "Zhou Huai'an, let go of her. This is a family matter. Stay out of it."

Zhou Huai'an fixed her with a cold stare and released Lin Hongyan with a slight push. Stumbling backward, she fell into a snowbank by the roadside.

Humiliated and in pain, Lin Hongyan burst into loud, angry tears. "Mom, she hit me! Are you just going to let her?"

Embarrassed by the gathering crowd and a few familiar faces among them, Cheng Mingyue glared at Lin Xiaoxiao. "What is wrong with you? Have you no shame?"

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled coldly. "You slept around without shame. I just slapped some ungrateful trash. Why should I be ashamed?"

Too embarrassed to stay, Cheng Mingyue quickly helped Lin Hongyan up and hurried away.

Lin Xiaoxiao watched them go, her eyes narrowed with loathing. She couldn't get to the original host, but she could sure make Cheng Mingyue's life miserable.

The original host had ruined her parents' lives—why should they get to be happy?

She turned to Zhou Huai'an, her voice suddenly vulnerable. "Can you protect our child?"

Zhou Huai'an nodded, gently wiping a tear from her cheek. "You have nothing to fear from them. They're not worth your worry."

"I want revenge," Lin Xiaoxiao hissed, her jaw tight. "I want to make them pay. Every last one of them."

Thinking of her parents' gray hair and weathered faces, her eyes welled up again.

Zhou Huai'an held her clumsily. "Don't cry. If they hurt you, I'll deal with them."

After taking a moment to collect herself, Lin Xiaoxiao finally nodded, and they continued shopping.

Zhou Huai'an could sense that her hatred for Cheng Mingyue went beyond typical family drama—it was deeper, more violent, like the hatred for a father's killer.

The last time they'd met, Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't reacted like this. Had something happened recently that he didn't know about?

Not knowing how to comfort her, he stayed quiet by her side, quickly paying for whatever clothes she pointed out.

As they left the department store, he finally spoke up: "Don't be angry. I can take care of them for you, alright?"

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at his cautious expression and softened. She smiled faintly. "How would you do that? Let's not talk about them anymore. They're not worth ruining our day."

Meanwhile, Cheng Mingyue was shaking with rage back at her relative's house. Lin Hongyan had been crying nonstop since they returned.

They were staying with Cheng Mingyue's sister-in-law, Lin Dongmei, while accompanying Lin Dalong to his exams. Lin Dongmei was Lin Dalong and Lin Hongyan's biological aunt, but only a cousin to Lin Xiaoxiao, so her loyalties were clear.

Seeing Lin Hongyan's red, swollen face and hearing what happened, Lin Dongmei reproached Cheng Mingyue: "How could you just let Lin Xiaoxiao hit her? Hongyan is still young. That child has been spoiled rotten by your parents."

Then she added pointedly, "My brother could have married any young girl he wanted. Instead he chose you, a woman with baggage. And now look what happened."

Cheng Mingyue was trembling with anger, but held back for her son's sake. "Don't you think I hurt seeing my daughter hit? But Dalong is testing right now. I won't let some scandal ruin his future."

Mention of her nephew's future quieted Lin Dongmei, though she continued muttering complaints about Lin Xiaoxiao.

The next morning, Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huai'an returned home. Along the way, Lin Xiaoxiao's anger had faded. She wouldn't punish herself for others' mistakes. Sooner or later, their paths would cross again.

Once the baby was born and she regained her strength, she would deal with Cheng Mingyue—and that little brat Lin Hongyan.

They arrived after dark. Li Yunlan, who'd been counting the days, was already waiting with Zhou Zhennan at the entrance of the compound, flashlight in hand.