Shen Miao cried louder and louder, yet her words remained sharp and clear, recounting, one by one, all the injustices and mistreatment Ji Ge and Xiang Jie suffered at Uncle Shen’s household:
For three years, they had never received a single new set of clothes.
They were forced to fetch water and chop firewood like servants.
Ji Ge was no longer allowed to attend school.
They were thrown out into the streets with only the clothes on their backs, nearly falling ill and starving among the ruins.
Shen Miao spoke with precision, ensuring that every accusation was true and undeniable.
Ji Ge and Xiang Jie, moved by her heart-wrenching cries, were suddenly overwhelmed by the bitter memories of the past three years—the endless days of living under their aunt’s control, fearing her moods, struggling to survive.
Ji Ge bit his lip, trying to hold back his emotions, but eventually, silent tears rolled down his face.
Xiang Jie, unable to contain herself, tilted her head back and wailed.
Seeing this, Shen Miao released Uncle Shen’s arm and pulled both children into a hug.
The pitiful sight of a grieving sister embracing her two weeping siblings moved the onlookers deeply.
Sympathy spread through the crowd, and soon, someone spoke up:
“Look at this uncle—dressed in fine silks and living in wealth, yet his own nephew and niece are wearing such shabby clothes! Tsk tsk…”
Nearby neighbors began whispering among themselves:
“I was wondering why I hadn’t seen those two children for days… turns out they were thrown out! How pitiful!”
Uncle Shen’s face turned a deep purple-red, like a pig’s liver, panic flashing in his eyes.
He dared not meet the judgmental gazes of his neighbors, nor could he withstand their scornful whispers.
Desperate to end this humiliation, he hurriedly reached out, trying to push the three of them inside the back hall.
“Come inside, come inside—we’ll talk inside!”
But at that moment, the half-drawn curtain separating the shopfront from the residence was suddenly flung open.
“Niece, you’re speaking too harshly! After all, which family doesn’t have quarrels and misunderstandings?
Even pots and pans clang together, even teeth bite the tongue—this is completely normal! You’re still young—why make such a big scene?!”
A large and imposing woman strode out, apron tied around her waist, her voice loud and authoritative.
This was Ding Shi, Uncle Shen’s wife.
She had a round, fair face, but her sharp, phoenix-shaped eyes were filled with calculation.
In her youth, she might have been beautiful, but years of indulgence had made her plump—her features now marked more by cunning and shrewdness than elegance.
With just a few words, she immediately turned the tables:
“Niece, you don’t know the full story!”
She dramatically pointed at Ji Ge and Xiang Jie, her expression full of grief and indignation.
“These two children are completely unruly and impossible to discipline! If Ji Ge hadn’t gotten into a fight with his own cousin and classmates at school, the teacher never would have expelled him!
It wasn’t us who stopped him from studying—the teacher refused to take him because of his violent temper! And as a mere aunt, I had to be careful—I couldn’t be too harsh or too lenient.
You wouldn’t understand, niece—you’ve never raised children yourself! It’s an incredibly difficult task!”
Ding Shi’s performance was flawless—as she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and she sobbed into her sleeve, before suddenly grabbing hold of Shen Miao in a motherly embrace.
“Oh, niece! Please don’t misunderstand your uncle and me! We were doing this for Ji Ge’s own good! If he doesn’t learn discipline now, who knows—one day, he might not just be hitting people, he could be killing them!
I only scolded him a little, but instead of listening, he ran away, taking Xiang Jie with him! Your uncle and I searched for them day and night, we haven’t eaten or slept properly for days!
We even ran our legs thin looking for them! How could we have known they had gone back to your ruined shop?!””
Ji Ge’s face turned crimson with rage.
“Aunt is twisting the truth—!”
But before he could say another word, Shen Miao swiftly pressed a hand against his shoulder, holding him down.
She locked eyes with Ding Shi, her expression now calm and collected.
Then, she wiped her tears and gasped in mock astonishment:
“So that’s what happened?! I had no idea! It seems I truly misunderstood you, Uncle and Aunt!”
Straightening her posture, Shen Miao retrieved the bag of pears from Ji Ge’s hands.
With impeccable composure, she performed a formal bow to Ding Shi and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear:
“I have already visited Ji Ge’s teacher and learned the truth. It was actually Hai Ge’er and the other boys who bullied him, mocking him for having no parents, hurling cruel insults.
Only then did Ji Ge retaliate. However, raising a hand was wrong. So today, I have come to personally apologize for his actions.
These crisp spring pears are known for soothing the throat and cooling the temper—please offer them to Hai Ge’er, as a show of goodwill.It’s not much, but I hope Aunt will not refuse this humble gift.”
Shen Miao’s graceful and composed response impressed the gathered crowd.
A few onlookers even nodded in approval:
“This niece is well-mannered and respectful—she understands propriety.”
“They’re cousins—shouldn’t they be supporting each other at school? Instead, they ganged up to mock an orphan? Serves them right to be taught a lesson!”
“Think about it—the younger Shen brother has only been dead for three years. Yet the elder brother’s son is already making fun of his cousin for having no parents? That’s like stabbing someone in the heart!”
“If it were me, I’d tear that brat’s mouth apart! Ji Ge did nothing wrong!”
Every word that floated into Uncle Shen and Ding Shi’s ears felt like a slap across their faces.
And with the teacher’s name already brought up, they had no way to argue back.
Ji Ge, still fuming, suddenly looked at Shen Miao in surprise.
How did she know the truth?
She never even visited the teacher!
Shen Miao, of course, had guessed the truth all along.
In just two days, she had learned Ji Ge’s personality—mature beyond his years, burdened with responsibility.
For a boy like him to lose control and lash out, what else could have provoked him?
Only cruel, cutting words.
And the pears?
She had bought them in advance, knowing she would need them to turn the tables.
Arguing is like cooking—a delicate balance of fire and timing.
She had struck first with fury, then turned the tables with reason.
Now, it was time to win over hearts and seal her victory.
Shen Miao paused for a moment, then sharpened her gaze like a blade, aiming it directly at Ding Shi:
“Aunt, I agree with everything you said. Ji Ge was wrong, and I will not deny it. But there’s one thing I must ask—Ji Ge is still a young child. Even if he is hot-tempered, he should be patiently guided, not cruelly punished!
Do you even realize that if I hadn’t made a last-minute decision to return to Bianjing, they would have starved to death in Yangliu East Alley?! You claim to have searched everywhere for them—then why didn’t you check our home?
How far can a child even run? The journey is only half an hour, yet they wandered for four or five days without shelter or food!”
Her eyes glistened with tears as she turned toward Uncle Shen, who had remained silent the entire time.
“Uncle, you are a scholar—you know the teaching: ‘Respect the elderly as one would their own elders, love the young as one would their own children.’
How can you, of all people, not understand this? And besides—we are not just ‘other people’s children.’ We are your own nephew and niece!
A family’s bonds run deeper than mere blood—if Ji Ge grows up well, wouldn’t Hai Ge’er also gain a capable cousin to support him? You’ve been blinded by foolishness!”
Her tone softened, as if reminding him of the past:
“Do you remember, Uncle? When Grandfather was still alive, Ji Ge and I would come to the outer city for New Year’s, and you would carry Ji Ge on your back to set off firecrackers…
We are not some distant, poor relatives who only show up to beg for favors! My father was your own younger brother! He was trampled by the horse of a nobleman, his chest crushed, coughing up blood, barely clinging to life—And in his final breath, do you know what he did?
He refused to die until he saw his elder brother one last time! Uncle… do you remember? When our grandparents passed, wasn’t it just you and my father, relying on each other?