WBSGVS Chapter 71 V1

After a flurry of commotion, Qingli finally met Xiang Lifeng, who had retired from the military, and Song Dongyun, who was now radiant and confident, so different from before. Along with them were their three children.

The sight surprised Qingli. There were still nearly two years left until the main story should begin, but somehow, events had progressed on their own. Qingli, no longer playing the stepmother role, was curious about how this shift would impact the story. Had the heroine come early because the usual setup would delay a divorce if anyone else filled her role? And now, Xiang Lifeng had retired early.

Qingli had only recently heard about Xiang Lifeng’s early retirement from Aunt Xiuhong.

Xiang Lifeng and Song Dongyun were briefly stunned by Qingli’s arrival.

Xiang hesitated before asking, “What’s going on here?”

The second Child had just finished his noisy crying, and the eldest child eagerly exclaimed, “Dad, she hit us!”

Qingli scoffed, then turned to help a little girl who was huddled up, silently sobbing and trembling. Qingli checked her over carefully; thankfully, she was wearing an old, thick jacket, so the few hits hadn’t harmed her much.

Song Dongyun frowned, disapprovingly looking at Qingli. She had only arrived in this world a few days ago and was still adjusting. Her parents had quickly arranged her marriage to Xiang Lifeng, and while the original owner of this body didn’t want to marry, she had secretly jumped into a river to escape—though she survived, thanks to a nearby aunt who pulled her out. After waking up, however, it was Song Dongyun who took over.

Coming from a world forty years in the future, Song was a devoted homebody who loved kids. When she learned of Xiang Lifeng’s background through her new memories, she agreed to the marriage after seeing him again. He looked good, carried an air of integrity from his military past, and was quite unlike the shallow pretty boys from her former world.

Today was only their third meeting, and Xiang had brought his three children to spend some time with her. She found the kids clever, especially the youngest, who was cute and endearing. But now, this happened.

She recognized the little girl from Qingli’s village. Not long ago, she had also been evaluated for marriage with Xiang Lifeng, though they split up within three days. The girl wasn’t under her parents’ control and had always been envied by the original owner for her independence.

Yet, Song was taken aback by the girl’s boldness. How could she, barely an adult herself, dare to raise her hand against these young children? She remembered hearing that the girl had hit the children before, too.

But watching her now, Song noticed she treated a dirt-covered child quite gently, seemingly unfazed by the grime, and this made Song wonder.

Unaware of Song’s thoughts, Xiang Lifeng looked to Du Qingli rather than taking Eldest Child’s account at face value and gently asked, “Can you explain what happened?”

Qingli stood, as the little girl shrank behind her, too timid to look up.

She glanced at Eldest and Second Child, who were glaring at her with hostility. With a stern face, she said, “I’d like to ask the same thing. Why would she steal anything from Third Child? She’s so timid; would she even dare?”

Eldest Child quickly defended himself, “She did! I gave the Third Child two egg cakes. He ate one, and the other disappeared. She took it! She still has egg crumbs in her mouth!”

Second Child nodded and asked Third Child, “It was her, wasn’t it?”

Third Child, who had clung to his father during the argument, buried his head in Xiang’s chest but nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Eldest Child got even more excited and shouted, “See, I told you!”

Xiang tried to calm him down, “Lower your voice.”

But Eldest wasn’t listening, pulling at his father’s arm, “No! Dad, she hit me. Hit her back!”

Song frowned at Eldest Child’s shrill voice. It was too loud, and her opinion of him lessened slightly.

Meanwhile, the little girl behind Qingli sobbed and pleaded, “I—I didn’t! I didn’t!”

“Be quiet!” Qingli scolded Eldest, and he shrank, finally falling silent. She gently patted the little girl’s back and reassured her, “Alright, don’t worry. Just tell me slowly. Where did the egg cake come from?”

The girl clung to Qingli’s clothing, trying to calm herself, her tears leaving clean streaks on her dusty cheeks. “It—it was from Sister… She gave it to me…”

“Understood.” Qingli smiled slightly before turning back to the others with a cold look. “Did you hear that? I give her one or two egg cakes daily. Sometimes she saves them for the next morning, and that’s probably what you saw.”

“But—” Xiang began to speak.

Qingli cut him off. “She’s not the bold type. She’s been eating egg cakes daily for a month, and I always bring her today’s portion. If she wanted to steal, it wouldn’t be an egg cake. Ask Third Child what happened.”

Xiang raised his eyebrows in surprise, “You give her egg cakes every day?”

Ignoring the question, Qingli pulled a bicycle over and opened the basket on each side, letting the smell of sweet cakes waft out.

She pulled out an egg and a small box of five mung bean cakes. “I make these to sell, and you probably buy from the vendor on the other street, which is why you haven’t seen me around there.”

Xiang’s suspicions dissolved. He frowned and turned to his youngest son, speaking in a low voice, “Third Child, tell me the truth. What happened to the egg cake?”

With his siblings quieted, the Third Child nervously buried his head. Xiang’s face darkened as he lifted the boy’s face, “Third Child! Answer me!”

Eldest and Second looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

Second, being quicker, chimed in, “Dad, maybe he couldn’t eat that much, so someone else took it….”

“Silence!” Xiang snapped.

Both kids shrank back, intimidated and quiet.

With his brother and sister unable to defend him, Third Child cried and stammered, “I… I traded it… for candy….”

No further explanation was needed for the adults to understand. Likely, another child wanted the cake but didn’t get one from home, so they traded candy for it.

Xiang’s face turned grim, and he swatted the child’s backside with a resounding slap. “So, you’ve learned to lie now!”

Third Child wailed, drawing the attention of the nearby crowd.

Eldest and Second kept their heads low, staying silent.

Qingli watched the scene and, with a small smile, said, “Don’t rush to punish them. I think they should apologize.”

Xiang hesitated, then awkwardly nodded. “You’re right. Young lady, I apologize. Here’s some money; go buy yourself a treat.”

The little girl quickly shook her head and hid behind Qingli again.

Expressionless, Qingli said, “Xiang Lifeng, I meant your three kids should apologize to her! And Eldest, who hit her with a stick—either let me hit him back, or you do it. Pick one.”

Eldest had a bad temper and lashed out when upset, which Qingli disliked.

Xiang, embarrassed, nodded and turned to the three children. “Apologize to her now!”

Eldest’s face paled, and he looked nervously between Qingli and his stern father. He scowled and shouted, “No!”

“Still defiant? Want me to hit you?” Xiang threatened, raising his hand.

Eldest glared at Qingli and turned to run.

Qingli casually stuck out her leg.

Eldest tripped with a thud, hitting the ground hard, his arms and knees stinging from the impact. After a brief shock, he burst into loud, wailing cries.

The little girl, still hiding behind Qingli, had the perfect view and saw Qingli trip him. Her big eyes widened with surprise, and her shoulders shook with quiet laughter.

Seeing this, Eldest cried even louder.

“Ah!” Song Dongyun gasped, surprised by the incident.

Xiang glared at Qingli, his face darkening. “Du Qingli, what are you doing?”

Qingli laughed, saying, “Coming back, huh? What’s the matter? Your daughter won’t apologize, and she just runs away every time there’s a problem. You’re her father, you let her get away with it, but I’m not responsible for her. I’m not putting up with her nonsense.”

Song Dongyun quickly stepped forward to help Dabao up.

Xiang Lifeng followed, looking frustrated, his temples pulsing with anger. While brushing the dirt off his daughter, he said nothing. Ignoring Dabao’s continued crying, he looked at Erbao with a dark expression. “Are you going to apologize yourself, or end up like Dabao here?”

Erbao, already frightened, immediately stammered, “S-sorry…”

Afterward, Sanbao also obediently apologized and then joined her sister in crying loudly.

The little girl remained silent.

Qingli waved her hand and purposely added, “Alright, just make sure to get the facts straight next time instead of bullying others. You’re just a kid—think you’re invincible or something?”

Xiang Lifeng forced a smile, his lips twitching, as he picked up his daughter and held Sanbao in his other arm. Song Dongyun silently held Erbao’s hand, and the five of them left.