Chapter 20: Surprisingly, Not a Single One Was Wrong

“Where have you been? Don’t you know I would worry?”

Mrs. Xue stood on the street, looking around anxiously.

As soon as Lu Shijiu appeared, she hurried over with a worried mother’s expression, reaching out to inspect Lu Shijiu’s entire body to check for any injuries. Secretly, while fixing Lu Shijiu’s clothes, she pinched her hard.

Lu Shijiu was not one to tolerate this. She suddenly pushed her away and quickly slipped into the crowd, shouting, “Mother, I just looked up at a building I’ve never seen before because it’s so tall, and you’re treating me like this? Why do you want to hurt me so badly?”

Mrs. Xue didn’t expect this response and, seeing the hostile glances cast her way, her face, usually filled with motherly concern, almost lost composure.

“When did I ever beat you to death?” she asked.

Lu Shijiu rolled up her sleeve, revealing her arm. “Look at this arm—just yesterday you beat me, and just now you pinched me so hard I could barely breathe. What else is this if not trying to kill me?”

The mottled bruises and purpling skin exposed to the air drew sharp gasps from the onlookers.

“Ah, this is mistreating a child beyond measure!” someone exclaimed in anguish.

“Exactly! Even the harshest official punishments aren’t this cruel, especially not to a child!”

“Oh my! She looks so gentle but has such a venomous heart! Truly a serpent among women!”

Those who could not bear it openly cursed.

“You’re not dressed like someone who can’t feed her child. Take the child to the clinic immediately! If she develops a fever, she might not survive!”

An elder advised with compassion.

“Yes! Take the child to the clinic at once! Otherwise, we’ll have to report you for child abuse!”

“Right! Take her to be treated!”

…

Mrs. Xue had never faced such an uproar. Panic overwhelmed her; she tried to defend herself but found no words. She was pushed, muddled, to the nearest clinic—the Rejuvenation Hall.

“Oh dear! How did this child get beaten like this?”

The senior doctor at Rejuvenation Hall had initially thought something serious had happened at his clinic when he saw the crowd arriving. It turned out to be a battered child brought in for treatment.

Seeing the wounds on the arm, even he, accustomed to bloody cases, was shocked.

Examining the back, he found the fabric had grown into the flesh, impossible to separate.

“Madam, if you don’t care for the child, then don’t have her. But since she’s born, it’s a bond between you two. You need not lavish riches, but don’t abuse her to death! Look at her injuries—I don’t even know where to begin!”

In front of the crowd, the doctor’s words stung Mrs. Xue’s pride deeply.

“I…” she tried to speak.

“Pay for half a month’s treatment now! The wounds need cleaning and dressing, and she must be closely monitored for fever. She will stay here for observation,” the doctor ordered, dismissing her protests.

“I don’t have that much silver,” Mrs. Xue said, embarrassed.

“Pay what you can now, then bring the rest later,” the doctor waved his hand.

“The child’s fatherI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.