Old Madam Liu was finally sent back to the Liu household after being tossed around until late at night.

Ming Shuo didn’t say much; he sat for a bit and then took Liu Qinxin home.

But the Liu siblings wore grim expressions.

As soon as the front door closed behind them, Liu Fan slapped the table in indignation and said, “Mom, what’s going on with Ming Shuo? He’s been completely silent—no apology, no promises. Does he really think he can just brush this off?”

Liu Fan’s wife, Wang Zhi, brought over a cup of warm milk.

Hearing this, she quickly reminded her husband, “Qinxin said he’s currently dependent on that ‘star of misfortune’ and can’t afford to fall out with him.”

“So what?” Liu Fan shot back.

“Qinxin means we shouldn’t stir up trouble—we should just bite our tongues for now. Ming Shuo is no easy person to deal with; if we really anger him, our good days will be over.”

“So we’re just supposed to let that ‘star of misfortune’ keep bullying Mom? Keep bullying Jiajia and Lai Lai?”

“Liu Fan…”

“Enough! Shut up! You’ve got nothing to say here!” Liu Fan growled, cutting his wife Wang Zhi off mid-sentence.

Old Madam Liu leaned against the headboard, a medicated patch stuck to her temple.

Hearing her son and daughter-in-law argue, she rubbed her temple again.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Liu E cast a sidelong glance at everyone, idly fiddling with her newly done nails as she said casually, “Young sister-in-law, I’m not blaming your brother for snapping at you.

Mom’s suffered such a big injustice, and instead of helping her get even, you’re actually emboldening that unnamed male operative while undermining your own authority. Clearly, you don’t hold Mom in high regard at all.”

“How could I not hold Mom in high regard? I’m just relaying Little Sister’s words. What, have you forgotten that it’s all thanks to Little Sister that our family is where it is today?”

Wang Zhi slammed the cup of milk she was holding onto the table.

Liu E snorted coldly, “I don’t need you reminding me over and over—it’s obvious that Little Sister deserves the credit for how well things are going at home. But young sister-in-law, do you really have to make your stance so obvious?”

“I…”

“Am I wrong? Look at how you’re acting in front of Little Sister and Ming Shuo—you’d almost want to drop to your knees and lick their boots!”

“Liu E, how dare you talk like that? No matter how I treat Little Sister, it’s still better than you coveting her man and going to great lengths to climb into his bed, isn’t it?

What, are you so desperate that even after throwing seductive glances at him, he won’t even give you a second look? So now you’ve turned from love to hatred and started envying Little Sister instead?”

“Wang Zhi, are you crazy?!”

“You’re the one who’s crazy!”

The aunt and niece-in-law began bickering.

Liu Fan dared not interject.

Old Madam Liu’s headache only grew worse, and no amount of pressing her temples helped, so she roared, “Shut up! Shut up! Both of you, shut up!”

“Mom…”

“Mom…”

Wang Zhi and Liu E both looked over at Old Madam Liu at the same time.

Liu Fan also shifted his gaze to his mother, asking, “Mom, are you okay?”

“Not dead yet,” Old Madam Liu shot back irritably.

Liu Fan kept quiet, taking it in silently.

Wang Zhi and Liu E also fell silent, standing stiffly by Old Madam Liu’s bedside without another word.

Old Madam Liu shot them both a glare and rubbed her temple for a while before finally speaking, “Ming Shuo’s big affair is urgent—we can’t hold him back.”

“Mom?”

The other three people in the room all turned to look at Old Madam Liu at once.

Old Madam Liu slowly lowered her hand from her temple and fixed her deep gaze on the dark window outside, saying, “But there’s absolutely no way we can just sweep this under the rug. That little bitch absolutely cannot stay in the Ming household. Otherwise, none of us—old and young—will ever have a peaceful life.”

End of Chapter 55: Resentment