Liu Cunxiu was deeply shocked by Liu Ye'er's words, and a turmoil of doubt and reflection churned in her heart. In the past, they had always endured unfair treatment, believing it to be the arrangement of fate and a reality they could never change. But now, Liu Ye'er's words made her begin to question this notion. Could it really be that they were bullied simply because they were too kind?
This question took root and sprouted in her mind, slowly beginning to change her thoughts and attitude. She started to understand that kindness was not a weakness, nor could it be an excuse for others to bully her. Facing injustice, she needed to stand up and fight back rather than suffer in silence.
Liu Ye'er imparted more of her life experience to Liu Shande. "Xiao Dezi, do you know why we had meat to eat today?" Liu Ye'er's question caught Liu Shande off guard. He looked at Liu Ye'er with eyes full of confusion. Liu Ye'er smiled and explained, "In this world, apart from your parents, no one else has any obligation to care for and cherish you. If you want to get anything, you have to work hard for it yourself. People aren't going to give things to you for no reason."
Liu Shande lowered his head to ponder these words. He didn't fully understand them, but he could feel Liu Ye'er's deep intentions. He nodded to show that he understood. Liu Ye'er looked at him, feeling a trace of comfort in her heart. She knew these words might still be a bit too early for Liu Shande, but as long as he remembered them, he would eventually understand the reasoning behind them. For instance, the little aunt ought to be Old Master Liu's biological daughter, yet she had never seen Old Master Liu show her much care. "Still, the little aunt's current personality won't change overnight," Liu Ye'er thought to herself. "But the fact that she was able to listen to my advice is a good start." She decided to communicate more patiently with her little aunt in the future, hoping she could slowly step out of the shadows and return to the sunshine.
The afternoon sun shone into the quaint rural courtyard, where Liu Cunxiu was busy in the kitchen. She was a simple country woman who silently gave of herself at home; despite suffering many grievances, she could never stay idle and kept herself busy with housework. Liu Ye'er sat in the corner of the room, her deep gaze revealing her silence and contemplation. In this quiet afternoon, she seemed to be pondering a matter of vital importance.
She knew many ways to make money using the routine space, which was her secret weapon. The space contained numerous recipes that would be of tremendous value here; she knew many time-travelers who had made a fortune selling recipes, and she had the same intention. But how could she explain the origin of the recipes? She was currently just an illiterate country girl who didn't even know any powerful nobles. Even if she sold the recipes, who the money would belong to remained a problem—she likely wouldn't be able to get her hands on it. It might just end up in Old Madam Yu's pocket.
Demanding a family division was the most urgent task. Her little aunt had a weak personality and couldn't be counted on. This ready-made father didn't hold much hope either. Since this father was the main pillar of the entire household, the old master and old madam would never agree to split the family. Her own status and position were too low, and she simply couldn't think of any good solutions.
Liu Ye'er's thoughts drifted in the afternoon sun, and she felt a sense of helplessness and frustration. She longed to change her destiny, but she was deeply trapped in this rural courtyard and unable to break free.
Liu Ye'er sat alone in her room, quietly pondering her future plans. She understood that if she didn't take action now, her whole life might be spent in this hopeless family. Therefore, she decided to persuade her father to divide the family; if he refused, she would run away from home to seek her own future.
Liu Ye'er knew very well that her decision would change the destiny of herself and her family. She thought of the tens of thousands of taels of silver in the space, which could provide enough for her to sustain herself for a long time. With this safeguard, she wouldn't have to fear the hardships of life after running away from home. Moreover, she still had the space as a hiding place, so she wouldn't be afraid of being bullied.
After running away, Liu Ye'er planned to make money by selling recipes. She believed that as long as she worked hard, she would definitely earn enough money to support herself and her family. Furthermore, she could use the resources within the space to engage in other businesses, making her life even more fulfilling.
Liu Ye'er firmly believed that as long as she bravely took this step, the future would surely be even better. She knew that filling her own stomach was only the first step, and she still had to strive to pursue her dreams and happiness.
In the room, Liu Ye'er quietly contemplated her future action plan. Suddenly, a commotion broke the tranquility as Liu Cunren rushed in carrying a woman. "Xiuer, go quickly and fetch a doctor!" he shouted anxiously. Liu Cunxiu answered and hurried out of the room.
Liu Cunren gently laid the woman onto the *kang*, and Liu Ye'er immediately helped pull back the bedding to carefully cover her. Seeing the woman's pale complexion and blood at the corner of her mouth, Liu Ye'er felt suspicious: "Father, who is she? What happened?"
Liu Cunren turned back, his heavy tone revealing his worry: "I ran into her on my way back. She looked severely injured, so I brought her back."
Madam Yu sat at the doorway, where the situation in the courtyard was clear at a glance. Seeing Liu Cunren carry in a woman, she immediately led the entire Liu Family over. Old Master Liu was very unhappy, resenting Liu Cunren for meddling in other people's business. He pulled Liu Cunren outside and asked, "You brought this person in—whose silver will pay for the cost?" Old Master Liu's words were filled with questioning and dissatisfaction. He glared at Liu Cunren, seemingly blaming him for meddling and seemingly doubting his decision.
Faced with his father's interrogation, Liu Cunren's gaze was firm and resolute. Knowing that a human life was at stake, he answered without hesitation, "I'll use my own silver." His voice was full of finality and determination, as if proclaiming his persistence in this decision.
However, right at that moment, a faint yet resolute voice echoed through the room. It was the injured woman; she used all her strength, seeming to struggle as she forced out her voice. Her voice was weak yet clear, revealing a firm determination in her words: "My name is Han Yuling. I will repay the silver you spend twofold, and I will never break my word."
Liu Ye'er felt a shock in her heart. She had transmigrated into the book *Seeking Relatives in the Demonic Realm*, which featured many martial arts masters. While Han Yuling was an ordinary person among those masters, she was certainly no ordinary figure here—her abilities were a hundred times stronger than the people in this place. Having such a person as a backing meant no one would dare bully her! This was the very candidate she needed to recognize as a mother; she had truly struck gold. It seemed heaven was still looking after her.
Madam Yu was calculating the silver in her mind. Hearing Han Yuling's words, she immediately said to Liu Cunzhong, "Go write an IOU for twenty taels of silver, and then have her press her thumbprint on it." Twenty taels of silver, Liu Ye'er thought to herself—that was downright extortionate, enough for an ordinary family to live on for several years. Liu Cunzhong immediately went to write the IOU. Liu Ye'er felt nothing but contempt for this family.
Liu Cunxiu was burning with anxiety and rushed to fetch the doctor. The doctor carefully took Han Yuling's pulse with a solemn expression. After a moment, he said to Liu Cunren, "Her internal organs are severely injured, and she needs proper rest. I'll write you a prescription." Hearing this, Liu Cunren had no other choice and could only see the doctor out.
Madam Yu observed all this from the side, secretly rejoicing in her heart. Only when Han Yuling pressed her thumbprint on the IOU did she breathe a sigh of relief, taking out the silver to pay the doctor's consultation fee. The crowd dispersed, leaving Liu Cunren and his daughters in the room. Liu Cunxiu hurriedly fetched the medicine and brewed the decoction.
With a face full of apology, Liu Cunren expressed his inner distress to Han Yuling. Sighing, he said, "Miss, I'm truly sorry that my family asked you for that twenty taels of silver. But don't worry, I will give you silver privately, just consider it as you paying off the debt." Facing his kindness, Han Yuling offered a warm smile and softly replied, "A drop of kindness received in time of need should be repaid with a gushing spring. Since I promised to pay the money back, I will never break my word. Rest assured." Her tone was firm, leaving people deeply sensible of her honesty and sense of responsibility.
Liu Ye'er, a frail yet resilient young girl, made a special request to Han Yuling. Having no mother, she hoped Han Yuling could become her foster mother. This request greatly surprised Han Yuling.
Han Yuling looked at the young girl before her, whose gaze was firm and sincere, and couldn't help but feel moved in her heart. She knew that Liu Ye'er was not after anything from her, but simply wanted a mother and yearned for care and affection. This pure emotion deeply touched Han Yuling.
Liu Ye'er looked at Han Yuling, knowing what this request meant for her. She wasn't an ignorant girl; she knew Han Yuling's current situation was not good—she could even be said to be barely surviving herself. Yet she still firmly made this request because she believed that with Han Yuling's care and affection, they would certainly be able to overcome their difficulties.
In her heart, Liu Ye'er secretly made up her mind: she would learn martial arts from Han Yuling and no longer be bullied by others. She knew this would be a difficult path, but she was willing to pay any price.
As for Han Yuling, looking at Liu Ye'er filled her heart with gratitude and emotion. She had once lost the courage to go on living because of her severe injuries, but Liu Ye'er and her father had given her the strength to pick herself back up. They had shown her the warmth and beauty of the human world and let her see the meaning and value of life.
Liu Cunren looked at the two of them, and his own heart couldn't help but be moved. He had once considered marrying Han Yuling as his wife, but quickly dismissed the thought. He understood his family's situation; his late wife hadn't lived a good life, and he didn't want to use the debt of gratitude to bind Han Yuling, nor did he want her to suffer in this household.
Liu Cunxiu walked into the room carrying the medicine, her gaze falling upon the bedridden Han Yuling. Han Yuling's face showed fatigue, yet it also carried resilience and courage.
"Sister, this is the medicine. It's time to take your medicine." Liu Cunxiu's voice was soft and warm as she handed the medicine bowl to Han Yuling.
Liu Ye'er took the medicine bowl and gently said to Han Yuling, "Foster Mother, it's inconvenient for you; let me feed you." Spoon by spoonful, she fed the medicine to Han Yuling.
Watching Liu Ye'er's meticulous care, a warm current surged through Han Yuling's heart. She thought that once her body recovered, she must protect this family well. They weren't just a family; they were her saviors.
After finishing the medicine, Liu Ye'er said with concern, "Foster Mother, get some good rest." With that, she and Liu Cunxiu walked out of the room.
Standing outside, Liu Cunren saw the two come out and asked Liu Cunxiu in a low voice, "How much of my private savings do you have left?"
"A little over twenty taels," Liu Cunxiu replied.
Liu Cunren pondered for a moment and said, "Take ten taels and give it to her, and I'll take another ten taels and give it to her. I'm afraid that since she has no silver on her, Your Grandpa and Grandma won't let her leave, and there will be trouble later."
Liu Cunxiu nodded; she knew her parents' personalities inside and out. They were usually extremely stingy, treating outsiders with coldness and harshness.
As night fell, the four members of the Liu family sat huddled around the dilapidated dining table, the dim light casting shadows on their weary faces. Liu Cunxiu broke the silence, telling Liu Cunren about Liu Ye'er falling seriously ill recently. However, Liu Cunren's reaction was disappointing: he merely responded with a faint hum, expressionless and completely indifferent to his daughter's suffering.
Liu Ye'er looked at this cold father, her heart filled with distress. She couldn't help but think: does this father even have his daughters in his heart? He cared nothing about her misfortune; could it be that they had nothing to eat and no warm clothes to wear simply because this father refused to back them up?