"You find it amusing, don't you? So according to you, if my parents were beaten by them, we should comfort them and make sure they don't get upset?"

Lin Sisi looked at her with a "you don't get it" expression. "Si Nian, that's not what I mean. I just think that small arguments and disagreements are normal. Every rural family has conflicts. If everyone acted like you and sent their own family members to jail over a dispute, how would things ever be resolved? Don't you think, parents?"

Si Nian's parents nodded in agreement. "Sisi is right. Si Nian, you're being unreasonable. Hurry up and go to the police station to get them out!"

"Why can't you be as understanding as Sisi? How did we raise you?"

Si Nian, surprisingly calm, responded with a smile, "Uncle and Auntie, is this how you really feel? If you were the ones who got beaten and hospitalized, and your own daughter not only refused to seek justice but also told you to endure and reassured the aggressors, would you think that's the right approach?"

Wang Cui felt uncomfortable but instinctively retorted, "You're being too petty. If everyone acted like you, this family would be at each other's throats."

"Yes, I admit I'm petty. I can't stand seeing others bully my mom. If someone harms her, I will repay it tenfold. So what if it means creating a rift? They've already attacked my mom—how can I still consider them family? Am I crazy, or is it them?"

She sighed.

Si Nian's parents, hearing her words, felt their emotions become more complicated. As outsiders, they felt Si Nian's actions were excessive and had escalated the situation too much. But if they were in her shoes, having been beaten and not wanting to escalate things further, it would be nearly impossible to forgive so easily.

Having their own daughter bring those who had harmed them to plead for leniency was indeed a painful situation.

"That may be true, but the situation is different now. It's not entirely their fault," they said, trying to find a way to make peace despite their discomfort.

Zhang Cuimei tried to find an excuse.

Si Nian nodded in agreement. "Yes, of course it's not their fault. After all, my parents should have included them in the business and shared the profits. If my parents had given them the technology, maybe they wouldn't have been beaten."

Zhang Cuimei was momentarily silenced.

Before she could respond, the door to the hospital room was pushed open.

Lin Mama had actually woken up early. The hospital room was not soundproof, and she had immediately heard the commotion outside. At first, she was somewhat pleased to hear Lin Sisi's voice, thinking that she might have come to visit her upon hearing about her injury.

However, upon hearing the way Lin Sisi spoke, she realized that what she saw as a serious issue was dismissed by Sisi as a mere "small quarrel."

In the past, Lin Mama might have thought that such a situation would blow over and that Lin Sisi's stance was just a way to manage family relations. But hearing her daughter wholeheartedly support Si Nian and unequivocally side with her, Lin Mama understood that true family would never allow someone to mistreat their loved ones for the sake of others.

The stark contrast between the support she received from her own daughter and the lack of it from Lin Sisi made Lin Mama feel a deep sense of guilt and self-reproach.

Her own daughter was preparing to get married and had barely spent any time with the family, while Lin Mama found herself still worrying about Lin Sisi's well-being in the city. Now, the only person truly standing by her side was Si Nian.

Lin Mama felt a mix of emotions, like a jar of assorted flavors spilled and mixed together.

Dressed in a hospital gown with her head wrapped in bandages and bloodstains in her hair, Lin Mama looked pale and haggard.

The Si family, who had been so vocal earlier, fell silent when they saw her.

Lin Sisi stood there, stunned, and glanced at Lin Mama, who was staring back at her with a cold expression.

A shiver of unease ran through Lin Sisi.

"Mom, why are you out here?" Si Nian turned to help Lin Mama.

Lin Mama looked at her with a face full of tenderness. "I couldn't bear to see you being blamed by so many people for me. Nian Nian, I'm sorry for all the trouble you've been through."

Si Nian shook her head, not taking it to heart.

Lin Sisi then realized the gravity of the situation and hurried over with concern. "Mom, are you alright?"

Lin Mama's gaze was distant, her tone tinged with sarcasm. "What could be wrong? Didn't you say it was just a minor argument? Thanks to your blessing, I'm still alive."

Lin Sisi was taken aback, her face alternating between pale and flushed.

She hadn't expected Lin Mama to be this severely injured; she had been told it was just a minor scrape. She had thought Si Nian was overreacting.

Now, reflecting on her earlier words, Lin Sisi wished she could turn back time.

She had genuine feelings for the Lin family and didn't want them to side with Si Nian. She wanted to secure her place of importance within both the Lin and Si families.

Lin Sisi knew the Lin family wouldn't remain poor forever. Her eldest brother, Lin Xiao, was poised to make a lot of money and meet wealthy people.

Although not as useful as the Si family, the Lin family still held significant value for her.

Lin Sisi was determined not to give up easily. She didn't want to see her once-loving family now ignoring her for Si Nian's sake.

"Mom, I misunderstood. I thought the injuries weren't severe. Please don't be angry; I realize I was wrong," Lin Sisi said pitifully.

Usually, this kind of plea would soften Lin Mama's heart. But considering the harsh words Lin Sisi had just spoken, Lin Mama felt as if all the affection she had given to this adopted daughter had been wasted.

In a cold tone, she said, "Don't call me 'Mom.' I'm not your mother."

Lin Sisi's eyes reddened with grievance.

Si Father and Si Mother also looked uncomfortable.

Seeing the change in expressions, Wang Cui became frustrated and loudly mocked, "It's just a minor injury. Sister-in-law, you don't need to make such a big deal out of it, and staying in the hospital? It'll heal in a couple of days. Are you trying to scam your own family?"

Si Father and Si Mother exchanged skeptical looks.

They, too, believed that family disputes shouldn't escalate to such severity.

Could it be that the injuries were exaggerated?

Si Nian looked at her and said, "My mother had over a dozen stitches in her head and might have a concussion. The doctor clearly explained this in front of the police and you yesterday. The medical reports are still in the hospital room. And now you're calling it a minor injury? Aunt, even if you're lying, you should at least have some basis for it."

"But it doesn't mean you have to send my son to prison! Comrade Si, please help my poor son!"

Wang Cui, feeling guilty, turned to Si Father and Si Mother with tears.

Si Father and Si Mother hadn't expected the situation to be so severe, but they also felt that prison was too harsh. After some consideration, they tried to mediate.

"Nian Nian, this issue doesn't have to end in such a drastic way. Your cousin is still young; sending him to prison would ruin his life. Maybe there's another way to resolve this without being so extreme!"