The neighbors were stunned into silence.
Was there truly such a shameless person in the world?
And not just one, but a whole nest of them!
This was merely a small trick Chen Xiao had employed, a Truth-Speaking Talisman.
Those affected by it would speak involuntarily.
What they uttered would be their true thoughts!
At this moment, Chen Xiao spoke again, "Sun Li, your mother said you got together with Long Yaoyang because I asked you to, just to swindle money for my mother's treatment. Is that true?"
Sun Li rolled her eyes:
"Of course not. What do you think you are?"
"I wish your mother would die sooner, and I would swindle money for her treatment? What a joke!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhen turned her head away. This Sun Li truly had a heart as venomous as a snake's.
Chen Xiao sneered, "Then let me ask you again, why did you come back to find me?"
A trace of hatred appeared in Sun Li's eyes:
"It's all because of that scoundrel Long Yaoyang. He's neither alive nor dead, and he won't answer my calls!"
"I figured he didn't want me anymore, and I needed someone to take over."
"Although you're poor and incompetent, you at least have a formal job, so I chose you to take over."
With this, the truth was laid bare.
Not only Chen Xiao's family, but even the neighbors were grinding their teeth in anger.
"Pah! I've never seen such a shameless person in my life. Chen Xiao was blind to fancy you!"
"Her mother actually twisted the truth and played the victim!"
"This family is a den of vipers, not a single decent one among them!"
...
Sun Li acted as if she hadn't heard the scornful remarks from those around her.
Sun's father couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward, delivering a fierce slap to his daughter!
*Slap!*
The slap was loud enough.
It not only silenced the surrounding crowd in shock but also jolted Sun Li back to her senses.
"Dad, why are you hitting me?"
Sun Li covered her face, asking in disbelief.
Sun's father stomped his feet in anger, "You wretched woman, how dare you ask me that?"
While the Truth-Speaking Talisman disrupted Sun Li's thoughts, it did not erase her memory.
Sun Li recalled what she had just said and became furious.
"Chen Xiao, is this your doing?"
"What am I doing?"
"If you weren't behind this, how would I have spoken the truth?"
The moment she said this, it was like protesting too much, further solidifying her despicable and shameless nature.
Sun's father felt his heart condition worsening. He grabbed Sun Li's ear.
"You wretched girl, hurry up and come home with me!"
With the situation as it was, the Sun family no longer dared to linger and slunk away in disgrace.
Only Sun Li's heart-wrenching curses echoed in the hallway.
"Chen Xiao, you remember this. This isn't over. Long Yaoyang's disappearance is definitely related to you! You just wait!"
Chen Xiao remained noncommittal, offering a faint smile as he said to his mother and Li Ziqing,
"Let's go home."
Upon returning home, Liu Zhen was overjoyed.
Her eyes were fixed on Li Ziqing, beaming with delight.
"This girl is so beautiful. Chen Xiao, when did you two get together? Why didn't you tell me?"
Just as Chen Xiao was about to explain, Liu Zhen continued,
"Oh, you young people's affairs, I shouldn't pry too much, or you'll find me annoying!"
Li Ziqing pursed her lips and smiled. Although mistaken by Chen's mother, she offered no explanation.
Chen Xiao was speechless, "Mom, you're mistaken. Actually..."
Li Ziqing linked her arm through Chen Xiao's, a shy expression on her face.
"Mom said not to explain, and you still insist on saying it? If you're not embarrassed, I am!"
Chen Xiao's eyes widened. She's even calling Mom?
What trick was this woman playing now?
"Girl, you and Chen Xiao sit for a while, I'll go make dumplings for you!"
Liu Zhen's heart fluttered with joy. She left with these words to make dumplings.
Chen Xiao glared fiercely at Li Ziqing, "That's my mother, not your mother!"
Li Ziqing made a face at Chen Xiao, then turned her head, resuming her demure and virtuous demeanor.
"Mom, I'll help you!"
Li Ziqing looked like a delicate young lady, seemingly unused to manual labor, but to everyone's surprise, she knew how to make dumplings.
Not only did she knead the dough and roll the wrappers, but her dumplings were also perfectly shaped.
Small and exquisite, crystal clear, they were delightful just to look at.
The three of them sat around the table.
The dumplings were steaming hot. They weren't delicacies, but they made one's mouth water and appetite soar.
"Here, girl, try one quickly."
"Mom, you eat too, don't let them get cold."
"Okay, okay, we'll all eat."
Liu Zhen picked up a dumpling, her eyes fixed on Li Ziqing.
A new daughter-in-law had arrived, she couldn't be neglected!
Li Ziqing opened her small, cherry-like mouth, brought the dumpling to her lips, and took a gentle bite.
Then, she seemed somewhat dazed, and a look of shock appeared in her eyes.
Two tears slid down from the corners of her eyes...
Liu Zhen became anxious, fumbling in her haste.
"What's wrong, girl? If you don't like them, don't eat them. Don't cry!"
Li Ziqing pouted and shook her head vigorously.
"No, Mom, your dumplings are too delicious, sob sob sob~~~"
Liu Zhen's heart skipped a beat. Seeing Li Ziqing eat two more dumplings, the heavy stone in her heart finally landed.
"Girl, if they're delicious, eat more. There are still some in the pot, I'll go get them for you!"
Liu Zhen happily went to fetch more dumplings.
Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes and sneered, "As expected of a top streamer, your acting skills are indeed impressive."
Li Ziqing shot Chen Xiao a glare, completely unbothered.
"Tch~"
She didn't explain. Her tears weren't an act.
She had simply tasted a long-lost flavor in the dumplings.
That was, the taste of home.