Chapter 29: Huo Jiamai Receives a Beating

When Xu Peiwen suddenly paid a visit, Ruan Tang thought of buying some food to treat her, so she gave Nie Rong some money and asked her to ride her bicycle to town to pick up some groceries.

Xu Peiwen shook her head. "No need. I just came to check on you; I'll be leaving once I've seen you."

Ruan Tang looked at her with disapproval. "You haven't even finished your tea yet, why the rush? I am your daughter; since you’ve come to see me, you should at least stay for lunch."

In truth, she wanted to see her back to the Fang family personally, mainly to observe how they treated her.

Hearing this, Xu Peiwen felt her resolve waver. After hesitating for a moment, she looked down at Huo Qingqing, who was gazing up at her. Her heart softened, and she relented. "All right then, I'll stay for lunch before I go."

Ruan Tang smiled and waved for Nie Rong to head out for the groceries.

Once Nie Rong left, Ruan Tang pulled Xu Peiwen aside to chat while watching Huo Qingqing draw.

Meanwhile, at the Huo household, Lin Hui frowned, deep in thought about Huo Jiamai's recent erratic behavior.

Staying out all night and returning smelling of alcohol—it was clear she had been out running wild.

She was still an unmarried young woman; how could she act like this?

Furthermore, she was now highly suspicious that it was Huo Jiamai who had taken the diamond watch.

One day, while doing laundry, she had rummaged through that jacket Huo Jiamai cherished so much. Although Huo Jiamai had spotted her and snatched it back at the time, Lin Hui clearly remembered the texture—it had the distinct thickness that only a hidden lining pocket would have.

Her heart sank. Lin Hui stood up and went to the kitchen.

Regardless of anything else, the family was already in enough debt; she could not let them drag Huo Qian down further. No one was allowed to do that. She had to get that diamond watch back.

Mother Huo stomped into the house, grumbling, and upon seeing a bowl of water on the table, she downed it in one gulp.

Lin Hui remained silent, continuing her chores. Seeing this, Mother Huo narrowed her eyes, walked over to her, and looked her up and down. "I haven't seen much of you these past few days. What have you been up to?"

Lin Hui had been busy investigating and visiting her own family over the past few days. Borrowing money was one thing, but discovering Huo Jiamai’s theft of the watch was another.

She lowered her eyes for a moment before deciding to be direct.

"I saw Huo Jiamai staying out all night, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to persuade her otherwise." Lin Hui spoke with a calm tone.

She mentioned this because she knew that what Mother Huo cared about most was whether Huo Jiamai could be sold for a good price.

As expected, Mother Huo’s eyes widened instantly. "What?!"

She grabbed Lin Hui and demanded an explanation, her face terrifyingly grim. "You saw it?"

Lin Hui took the opportunity to shrink back, nodding timidly. "Yes, yes. I was up in the middle of the night and saw it clearly by the moonlight. It was Huo Jiamai; she climbed over the wall and through the window to get back into the house in the dead of night."

Because Mother Huo had been focused on Ruan Tang lately, she hadn't had much time to keep tabs on Huo Jiamai. This was precisely why Huo Jiamai had been so bold.

Mother Huo’s expression turned even darker, with a hint of suppressed fury.

"That little slut! She’s really lost her mind!"

Mother Huo cursed under her breath, shoved Lin Hui aside, and turned to head toward Huo Jiamai’s room.

Lin Hui’s eyelids twitched. She hadn't expected Mother Huo to confront Huo Jiamai directly. What if Mother Huo caught Huo Jiamai with the watch?

That wouldn't do!

Given Mother Huo’s temperament and lack of sense, she certainly wouldn't return the watch to Ruan Tang.

Gritting her teeth, for the sake of Huo Shancheng and Huo Qian, Lin Hui lunged forward to block Mother Huo, loudly pleading, "Mom, please don't be angry, Jiamai didn't mean to—"

The sudden commotion startled Huo Jiamai, who was inside admiring the watch and feeling quite pleased with herself. She hurriedly shoved the watch into her hidden pocket.

Outside the door, Mother Huo was incensed. She pushed Lin Hui away and backhanded her across the face. "Is it your place to tell me what to do?!"

Lin Hui saw stars, a burning pain spreading across her cheek, but she didn't make a sound. She slumped to the floor, waiting a long time before she could bring herself to stand up.

She had spoken so loudly just now; surely Huo Jiamai had heard her?

Mother Huo kicked the door open and caught sight of Huo Jiamai attempting to flee through the window. Her eyes widened, and she rushed forward, grabbed Huo Jiamai, and slapped her hard. "You money-losing wretch! Running wild before you're even married! Who taught you this?!"

She had been hoping to trade a "pure" daughter for a high bride price. Now, it was uncertain whether Huo Jiamai was still pure or not.

Just two days ago, she had been spreading rumors about Ruan Tang’s infidelity; now that it was her own daughter’s turn, she was absolutely furious.

Huo Jiamai was yanked backward, followed by a barrage of curses. Her heart pounded, and before she could even turn around, she was dazed by the sudden slap.

Before she could react, Mother Huo grabbed a stick and began a vicious beating. Under the flurry of blows and curses, Huo Jiamai cried out in agony, curling into a ball.

"Mom, stop hitting me—I didn't do anything like that!"

Huo Jiamai couldn't take it anymore. She wailed as she cried, her shrill voice carrying even to the neighbors.

Outside, Lin Hui, who had only been slapped once, curled her lips into a smile. Whether she had done it or not, they both knew the truth.

Mother Huo paused for a moment at the plea, but her anger remained unspent, so she tossed the stick aside and used her hands instead.

She pinched Huo Jiamai’s arms hard, cursing, "You slut! You money-losing wretch! You are mine to command; you do exactly what I tell you to do! Do you hear me?"

Most of this rage was displaced; having been humiliated by Ruan Tang and Huo Yanshi, she was now venting her long-pent-up anger on her own daughter.

After all, since she was her own flesh and blood, she could hit her as much as she wanted.

Tears soaked Huo Jiamai’s face, and cold sweat drenched her clothes. Her heart was filled with resentment and grievance, but to survive, she had to submit. "I hear you, Mom, I hear you..."

At the same time, a seed of hatred took root in her heart.

Ruan Tang!

If it weren't for her, her mother wouldn't be treating her this way!

She was nothing but a jinx!

Thinking of this, Huo Jiamai gritted her teeth, her existing dissatisfaction with Ruan Tang transforming into a bone-deep hatred.

Seeing that Huo Jiamai was finally acting submissive, Mother Huo gave her one final slap before stopping, her face full of disgust. "You had better be telling the truth. Stay home and behave yourself for the next few days. If I find out you've snuck out again, I’ll marry you off to Old Man Bai at the end of the village!"

Huo Jiamai looked up, panic-stricken, her face streaked with tears and her eyes full of disbelief. "Mom!"

Old Man Bai was a widower over sixty, without a wife or children; he was a drunkard, an abuser, and a gambler. Marrying him would ruin her life!

While Huo Jiamai felt bitter and unwilling, she had to swallow the insult through her tears. She suppressed her pain and looked at Mother Huo pleadingly. "Mom, I was wrong. Please don't marry me off to Old Man Bai—"

Seeing Huo Jiamai in such a submissive state gave Mother Huo an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. Her expression softened, and in a better mood, she naturally remembered their mother-daughter bond.

Mother Huo sighed, crouched down, hugged Huo Jiamai, and patted her back comfortingly. "Mom was just saying things out of anger. As long as you listen to Mom, I won't marry you off to Old Man Bai."

Huo Jiamai stiffened for a moment when hugged by her mother, but soon she tremblingly reached out to return the embrace, a cold glint flashing in her lowered eyes.

"I will be a good girl, Mom—"