Chapter 4: Unfriendly

Because Su Qiuxin was still receiving an IV drip, Hua Ning could not leave for the time being. While she waited, she began to contemplate how she would navigate the days ahead.

"Water... water..."

Suddenly, Su Qiuxin’s dry, raspy voice pulled Hua Ning back to reality. She quickly rose, poured a glass of water, and carefully helped Su Qiuxin drink. Once her throat was moistened, Su Qiuxin regained her clarity. However, the moment she saw the bruised, purple marks on Hua Ning’s face, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Ningning, your... your face..."

Hearing the sudden mention of her face, Hua Ning remembered that the original owner had been beaten by her uncle and aunt before being sold off. A flash of cold, murderous intent flickered in the depths of Hua Ning’s eyes.

"Mother, I’m fine."

Saying this, Hua Ning propped Su Qiuxin up against the headboard. "Your medicine is almost finished; I’ll go call the nurse."

Without giving Su Qiuxin a chance to refuse, Hua Ning hurried out of the ward. She simply did not know how to handle Su Qiuxin, whose eyes were filled with such raw, aching tenderness.

After the nurse came to remove the IV needle, Su Qiuxin finally noticed Old Lady Hua lying on the adjacent bed.

"Ningning, is that... your grandmother?"

As soon as the nurse left, Su Qiuxin grabbed Hua Ning’s hand, her expression one of panic as she whispered the question. Hua Ning glanced at the still-unconscious Old Lady Hua and nodded at her mother. "Yes, it is."

Seeing Su Qiuxin’s brow furrow and her body instinctively shrink back, Hua Ning had no choice but to explain how she had been kidnapped by her uncle and aunt, taken to the back mountains, and sold to a pair of brothers as a shared wife.

Upon hearing this, Su Qiuxin broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. She glared at Old Lady Hua with eyes full of hatred and cursed through gritted teeth, "That entire family is nothing but beasts! They aren't even human! Your father has only just passed away, and they were already trying to sell his only daughter. I’ll fight them to the death!"

At this moment, Su Qiuxin’s maternal ferocity reached its peak. In the past, she had been willing to endure anything for the sake of her husband, Hua Zhongguo, and her daughter. But now that her husband was gone, those people were trying to drive her and her daughter to their graves. If they wouldn't let them live, then no one should have a peaceful life!

Driven by the desire to take them down with her, Su Qiuxin pushed Hua Ning aside and stumbled off the bed, intending to pounce on the old lady, but was quickly restrained by the sharp-eyed Hua Ning.

"Mother, this is a hospital."

Despite saying this, Hua Ning’s opinion of her "new" mother had improved significantly. As long as Su Qiuxin stopped being a doormat who let everyone bully her, Hua Ning wouldn't mind treating her as a real mother and showing her proper filial piety.

Hua Ning pulled her back to the bed, sat her down, and lowered her voice to explain. "Mother, Grandmother was knocked unconscious by her own grandson and broke two ribs; she hasn't woken up yet. If you cause a scene in the hospital now, people will only blame you as the daughter-in-law."

Considering their future life in the village, Hua Ning had to be pragmatic. Su Qiuxin, who had been ready to tear the old woman apart, looked at Hua Ning with a complex, appraising gaze after hearing her words. After all, a mother knows her daughter best; the words she had just spoken were not something her daughter would have ever said.

Hua Ning remained calm and indifferent, allowing Su Qiuxin to stare at her unreservedly.

"You..." Su Qiuxin gazed at her intensely, but didn't know what to say.

Hua Ning had been prepared for this reaction. After all, two vastly different personalities would inevitably show cracks in their disguise. "Rest for now. I’ll go buy you something to eat."

With that, Hua Ning left the ward. She felt a twinge of envy for the genuine love Su Qiuxin had for her daughter. However, as a twenty-five-year-old woman in her modern life, Hua Ning had long since stopped craving or needing maternal love. Even though she had been reborn ten years younger, her mental age was no longer that of a child. If Su Qiuxin treated her as a daughter, she would accept her as a mother. If not... well, that would be a headache. It was just unfortunate that this era, where one needed an official introduction letter just to step outside, was far from friendly to her.

Back in the room, Su Qiuxin stared at the doorway for a long time. She cried silently at first, then eventually broke down into uncontrollable wails. No matter how much she refused to believe it, she knew deep down that her real daughter was truly gone.

The sound of Su Qiuxin’s crying woke the old lady in the next bed. As soon as she opened her eyes, she began to curse at Su Qiuxin. "You heartless little harlot! I’m not dead yet, and you’re already wailing at my funeral! If you dare cry one more time, I’ll beat you to death once I’m recovered!"

After a barrage of firecracker-like insults, Old Lady Hua clutched her chest and began to moan in agony.

When Hua Ning returned with a lunchbox, she happened to hear the old lady’s abuse. She closed the door behind her, walked over to the bed with a cold, stern expression, and pressed down firmly on the site of the old lady’s broken ribs.

As a shrill, piercing scream echoed through the room, Hua Ning finally let go.

"Keep cursing! If you say one more word to my mother, I’ll do it again! Let’s see what feels better—cursing her, or screaming in pain on this bed!"

Without sparing the old woman another glance, Hua Ning set the lunchbox on the bedside cabinet. She handed a container of golden, thick millet porridge to Su Qiuxin and stuffed a white steamed bun into her hand. "Mother, you had a high fever. Eat something light for now; we’ll get you properly nourished when we get home."

Su Qiuxin looked down at the porridge, swallowed instinctively, and then glanced at the old woman who was glaring at her. Her lips trembled, but she said nothing. The last shred of tolerance and respect she had held for the old woman had completely dissipated.

Seeing this, Hua Ning felt her heart settle. As long as Su Qiuxin stayed sharp, she would ensure she had a better life. After all, she had a game inventory and warehouse stocked with supplies! While some items were not suitable for this era, food was perfectly fine.

The old woman was already suspicious of why this granddaughter—who should have been sold—had suddenly returned, and now, having been physically attacked and intentionally pressed on her injured ribs, she was terrified. She never wanted to experience that level of agony again. She decided that once her younger son and his wife arrived, she would have them beat this wretched girl to death!

Fortunately, Hua Ning was unaware of the old lady’s thoughts. Had she known, she would have sent the old woman to reunite with her son and daughter-in-law that very night. But seeing the old lady’s attitude—eating with one hand while cursing with the other—made Hua Ning truly disgusted. She decided that from now on, she would just leave the old woman bedridden.