Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After hanging up, Qiao Lian turned back to look at Wang Lan and her daughter once more.

Both of them were thin and weak. They looked pitiful and pathetic.

Wang Lan was sobbing non-stop, while her daughter was laughing as she grabbed the corner of her shirt to stuff into her mouth.

Wang Lan dried her tears with her dirty sleeves and helped her daughter up from the ground.

They walked back slowly to the griddle cake stall.

Before Wang Lan could even make another griddle cake, her daughter snatched a piece of sausage and stuffed that into her own mouth.

The way she devoured the meat made other passers-by cast strange looks at her and whisper to each other.

Qiao Lian heard someone sigh and remark, “The poor girl. She was so pretty and good at her studies. When she was taken away by the loan sharks and starved for three days, she was traumatized to this state. Pff! Life is so unpredictable!”

Qiao Lian lowered her gaze slowly.

She had never been one to feel sorry for the enemy, but the picture of mother-daughter mutual dependence in front of her reminded her of herself years back.

Eight years ago, when ill fate struck her parents and her family business went broke, she and her brother were left with nothing and were almost sent to an orphanage.

She fought for survival with her little brother in tow.

In this world, the strong would hide behind the weak, who get pushed to the front line to suffer.

What reasons did she have to make life harder for Wang Lan?

Weren’t she and her daughter pitiful enough as it was?

Besides… even without Wang Lan’s evidence, she had other ways of finding out the truth.

200 000 was by no means a small sum of money.

If Song Yuanxi had withdrawn that money all at once, there surely would be a trail.

Lost in her thoughts, Qiao Lian walked to the side of the road to hail a cab home.

The moment she entered the dining room on returning to the villa, she heard Xia Yehua and Auntie Li chatting.

Auntie Li said, “These sweet fermented rice balls are Ms. Song’s favourite.”

Xia Yehua replied, “Yuanxi loves the sweet and sour ribs that I make, take some with you too.”

“Okay, I will.”

Xia Yehua smiled as she said, “I’m sure the food provided by the filming crew tastes awful. I’m not sure if she can put up with it. What if she loses weight?”

Auntie Li shook her head. “You’re always worried. Ms. Yuanxi would be so happy to lose weight! Girls nowadays all want a slim figure.”

Xia Yehua shook her head in disagreement. “What’s so attractive about being thin and sickly-looking? Ah, Xiao Qiao might be home soon. Hurry up and get out through the back door to avoid running into her. Oh, the sweet fermented rice balls that I kept aside for Xiao Qiao… Where did you put them?

“I’ve taken them out and set the table as well. Madam, I’ll take this to Ms. Yuanxi now.”

Immediately, she heard approaching footsteps.

Qiao Lian wanted to back out but it was too late. The next thing she knew, she came face to face with Auntie Li and Xia Yehua.

Auntie Li was stunned for a moment and reflexively hid the lunchbox behind her back. Then she stammered nervously, “Madam…”

Xia Yehua too was taken aback and her posture was tense. She gave Qiao Lian a look and Qiao Lian saw an expression of guilt in her eyes, not unsimilar to that of a child who had done something wrong.

Looking at those two, Qiao Lian sighed in her heart.

Obviously Xia Yehua was really fond of Song Yuanxi, worrying about her even when she was out of sight.

Qiao Lian’s gaze fell on the lunch box that Auntie Li was trying to hide behind her back.

Xia Yehua said in an embarrassed tone, “Xiao Qiao, this… I—”

“Mom.” Qiao Lian looked up suddenly at Xia Yehua. “Let me take the food to Yuanxi.”

Xia Yehua was stunned. She looked up and saw Qiao Lian’s sincere expression.

Her expression began to soften and then she warmed up to the idea. Eventually, she was very receptive and said, “Sure, why not.”

Although Song Yuanxi did not trust Qiao Lian, the fact was they were family after all.