Wang Ermei had already gotten up and looked at Jun Jiuli, feeling angry.
"What are you muttering about over there? You ungrateful white-eyed wolf with a broken heart. You don't even bother to help your mother when she falls. Have all those years of schooling gone to the dogs? I think you should just stop going to school after this semester and let your grandma find you a good husband."
Shui Wa: "That's worse than an animal. Chun Yan is only 12."
"Whoever says I'm going to get married can go marry themselves. I want to study. This is nine-year compulsory education now. If you don't let me study, I'll report you to the police. Let's see what the neighbors say about you, and how your son will find a wife in the future."
"You shut up, you disobedient and unfilial thing. How can you curse your own brother like this? Our darling will definitely have a great future. He's so handsome, what kind of girl can't he find? I wouldn't even look at someone without a family background."
As she spoke, she raised her head high, as if she could truly see that day.
"Hmph, your preference for sons over daughters. With that wicked mother-in-law's face, no matter how good your darling is in the future, he'll have trouble finding a wife."
"Bah, bah, bah, shut up. I'm going to tear your mouth apart today, you money-losing goods. Can't you wish our family well? Our darling is going to be your great support in the future, what nonsense is this."
Saying this, she rushed towards Jun Jiuli. This time, she wasn't so lucky.
Her foot slipped, and she fell again. Her head hit the corner of the table, and blood gushed out.
Her whole body felt weak, and her hands and feet were cold. Seeing the blood dripping on the floor, she screamed in fright.
"Mom, Mom, hurry and take me to the hospital. This injury is serious, I feel like the floor is shaking."
"Are you calling the spirits? Such a loud noise. Are you dying or something? You never let me have any peace. Bei Bei is tired from a whole day's work, you unruly thing, you have to wake him up, don't you?"
Wang Ermei's face instantly filled with grievance, "Mom, it hurts, that's why. Hurry and send me to the hospital."
"Let me see. Oh my, what a big cut. I didn't scream this loudly when I gave birth to Zhao Bei. Don't make such a fuss. I'll go get you some tetracycline to put on it, and it'll be fine if I wrap it with gauze."
The old woman went to the cabinet to rummage for tetracycline, while Wang Ermei put away her aggrieved expression and didn't dare to say another word.
Zhao Bei was the original host's father, a cement worker. He built brick walls for people, tiled walls, and plastered them.
This line of work was actually quite profitable, but there weren't many jobs available in a small county town. He supported the entire family with his income, and their life was barely enough.
The old man's son couldn't even save money, and the bottom of the family's food chain was Wang Ermei and the original host. Wang Ermei was an adult, so it was better for her, but the original host was the most miserable.
The clothes she wore were all picked up by Wang Ermei from the trash can from other families. She only gave the 120 yuan for the school uniform after the head teacher urged her repeatedly.
Being in her rebellious teenage years, the thin and poorly dressed original host couldn't make any friends. She was singled out as an easy target for bullying. She had resisted, but it was useless.
Zhao Bei came out rubbing his head and yawning, "What's all the commotion? You never have a moment of peace. If I go down, your lives will get better."
"Xiao Bei, you go back and sleep. You've worked hard all day. Your wife bumped her head, it's not a big deal."
"Since I'm woken up, how can I sleep? I'll watch some TV first."
He sat down and looked at Jun Jiuli standing not far away, immediately getting angry.
"You little slut, all you know is how to cause trouble. I provide you with food, shelter, and education, and this is how you repay me. I can't stand looking at you, get out, I don't have a troublesome daughter like you."
"What trouble have I caused? The food is what you left behind, the clothes are picked up, and education is free. How much money have I spent of yours since I grew up? If you can't afford to raise me, don't have me. Useless trash."
"Hey, you're getting worked up now. Let's see how I deal with you today. If it weren't for giving birth to you, a money-losing goods, I would have been driving a luxury car and living in a big house long ago. What's the point of working hard without a son?"
"Dream on. You'll be like this your whole life. What's the use of having a son? Will he attain immortality? You useless person, you won't get rich even in ten lifetimes."
"I'm going to beat you to death today."
He charged over angrily, and Jun Jiuli seized the opportunity. As he got close, she pulled open the door and retreated outside.
She didn't close the door, but pushed it inward forcefully. Zhao Bei crashed straight into the door, making a loud noise.
His nose started bleeding instantly, and his head was spinning. Jun Jiuli went upstairs and found the house in chaos.
The old woman yelled like a Bodhisattva, helped her son down the stairs to hail a taxi, and instructed Wang Ermei to keep a close eye on her grandson and not to let Jun Jiuli in. Jun Jiuli had no intention of returning to that home anyway.
Zhao Chunyan felt her nose sting. Was this person avenging her? It felt good to be remembered by someone.
"Sister, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Shui Wa: "Today seems to be her 12th birthday. This girl is quite pitiable."
Jun Jiuli, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhao Chunyan.
"Child, is today your birthday?"
She thought for two seconds and nodded blankly.
"Yes, I'm turning 12."
"Do you have any wishes?"
"I want... I want happiness."
Shui Wa squeezed a small tissue and wiped away tears that weren't there.
"Wuwuwu, so sad. .·´¯`(＞▂＜)´¯`·."
Jun Jiuli hailed a taxi and went to the most famous cake shop in the county to buy a 6-inch small cake.
She went to the park she most wanted to visit according to her vague memories. By then, it was completely dark.
Finding a pavilion, she took out the cake, lit the candles, and let Zhao Chunyan return to her body.
At first, she was a bit nervous and scared, but seeing Jun Jiuli sitting beside her, she smiled.
She accompanied her to sing the birthday song, blew out the candles, and made a wish. The little cake, she insisted on eating only half, leaving the other half for Jun Jiuli to deal with after returning to her body.
She ate with tears streaming down her face, but still forced herself to keep smiling.