The next day, at two in the afternoon, outside the Nan Family's residence.
"Madam, we've arrived at the Nan Family's,"
Chi Ying, leaning on a cane and supported by Housekeeper Xu, slowly descended from the car and looked at the imposing front gate of the Nan Family.
Just as she was about to gesture for Xu Qi to knock on the door, she heard angry shouting from inside.
"Nan Yu, you truly are shameless! Didn't I tell you to get lost? How dare you come back?"
"You said you left something here to pick up, but I think you've come back to steal."
"Someone, throw her out!"
The next second, the Nan Family's grand doors swung open.
A slender, frail girl was pushed out by the arrogant and overbearing Sheng Ruomei, holding a stick.
"Stop it!"
Upon hearing Nan Yu being scolded, the old lady felt heartache; they were even using a stick to beat her!
The old lady forgot she was a frail elderly woman and moved forward to support the stumbling Nan Yu.
"Who are you!"
"Old hag, find somewhere else to drop dead!"
Sheng Ruomei, seeing someone protecting this useless girl Nan Yu, felt her anger surge; while cursing, she raised her stick and swung it at the elderly woman.
Nan Yu reacted swiftly, turning around, and shielded her mother-in-law with her own body.
Her frail back was fully exposed to Sheng Ruomei, who landed a harsh blow with the stick.
"Hiss..."
Nan Yu gasped in pain.
"Xiao Yu!"
The old lady exclaimed in shock.
Her dear granddaughter-in-law, beaten like this, yet still remembering to protect her, a stranger she had never met before.
Truly a good child.
The old woman felt a pang in her heart, her eyes clouded with age filled with uncontrollable anger!
"You dare to help an outsider? The world has gone mad!"
Upon seeing this, Sheng Ruomei swung her stick again.
But this time, it did not land as she wished.
"How audacious!"
A shout of anger followed, and a middle-aged man firmly grabbed her wrist.
"Who else is seeking death!" Sheng Ruomei spat venomously, turning to look as she cursed.
But upon looking... her whole body started to tremble.
"Xu... Housekeeper Xu... why... is it you?"
The marriage alliance between the Nan Family and the Huo Family had always been facilitated by Housekeeper Xu, whom she naturally recognized. She had been too agitated just now to notice who it was.
Now... Sheng Ruomei was panicked. Was that old lady also brought by Housekeeper Xu?
Sheng Ruomei, terrified, tried to pull her hand away, but Housekeeper Xu held on tightly, leaving her unable to move.
Sheng Ruomei glanced sideways at the old lady.
However, the old lady walked towards her with her head held high and chest puffed out, and slapped her forcefully across the face.
"Xu..."
Sheng Ruomei was still confused about what was happening.
Suddenly, her other cheek was also fiercely slapped!
Sheng Ruomei was seeing stars for a moment.
But the old lady's next words made even struggling a luxury for her.
"Sheng Ruomei, do you think our Huo Family is dead to the world? How dare you bully my precious granddaughter-in-law like this?"
The old lady stood firm, radiating a chilling presence.
Sheng Ruomei was stunned.
"Huo... Madam Huo?"
"Shut up, you disgusting thing," the old lady snapped back, too disgusted to engage with her.
She turned around and looked intently at Nan Yu, who had just taken a beating for her.
The old lady said anxiously and sympathetically, "My darling granddaughter-in-law, are you hurt? Is it common for you to be bullied like this at home?"
Nan Yu suddenly faced a face full of kindness and concern, eyes full of worry for her, and she couldn't help but be startled.
"I... I'm fine."
That morning, she found that the Silver Needle her master gave her before his death was not in her suitcase and suspected it was left at the Nan Family's home, hence she returned to find it.
What she didn't expect was to be stopped by Sheng Ruomei at the door, who wanted to beat her out of the house with a stick as usual.
Before she could even react, the grandmother in front of her had stepped forward to protect her.
From their conversation, she realized this must be the grandmother of her arranged marriage partner.
The old lady looked into Nan Yu's clear, beautiful eyes, and seeing her slightly swollen right cheek, a trace of heartache flashed in her eyes.
She gripped Nan Yu's hand tightly. "Xiao Yu, don't be afraid. With grandma here, no one dares to bully you."
Chi Ying turned her head and glared at Sheng Ruomei with intense anger, and burst out, "Sheng Ruomei, you said Xiao Yu had grown up cherished and loved; is your so-called affection hitting her?"
Sheng Ruomei, just released, felt her heart jump to her throat and cold sweat broke on her forehead; tentatively, she forced a smile, "Madam, you misunderstand, I was just joking with Xiao Yu."
She forced a laugh twice and then turned to Nan Yu, pretending to be a virtuous wife and mother, and said gently, "Xiao Yu, didn't you want to pick something up? Go ahead and get it."
Nan Yu, seeing her pretentious demeanor, felt sick to her stomach and for the first time decided not to continue performing the act with her.
She bit her lower lip and struggled to speak, "Mrs. Nan, rest assured, I will only take what belongs to me, I won't touch anything else, nor will I affect the life of your family of three again."
She then looked at Chi Ying, who was protecting her, and tried to muster a forced smile, "Grandma, I will go up and grab my things."
The old lady didn't need a moment to understand everything, and she fiercely grabbed her hand, "Xiao Yu, wait a moment."
Then, with a grim expression on her face, she turned to Sheng Ruomei.
"Sheng Ruomei, do you think I'm a three-year-old child, amusing me with your games? Your Nan Family doesn't want her, treating Xiao Yu like a piece of merchandise for sale, and you think you can get away with just saying it was a joke?"
"I'm telling you, she is now my granddaughter-in-law, and I will not allow her to be slighted in the slightest."
"Sheng Ruomei, I want you to apologize to Xiao Yu right now, immediately!"