The first update, asking for pink tickets.

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"I..." Lian Huahua endured the pain, looking at Lian Manman with a mix of shame and anger.

Lian Manman, however, remained calm and composed, her expression unperturbed. There was neither feigned concern nor schadenfreude. Lian Huahua was simply not worth such effort.

Could it be that Lian Manman truly had no idea what had just happened outside? Lian Huahua couldn’t help but wonder, because if their roles were reversed, she knew she’d never act this way.

Lian Huahua was holding back her anger, ready to recount the incident, but in the next moment, she swallowed her words. What could she even say — admit to Lian Manman that she’d been humiliated by Yingzi’s parents, those two old fools? Of course not. Besides... Lian Huahua glanced toward the main courtyard. If Song Hailong or Aunt Sun or Xiao Hong learned of what had happened, another conflict was bound to arise, and her dignity would be shredded.

She could only grit her teeth and swallow her bitterness.

A thousand venomous plans brewed in Lian Huahua’s mind as she plotted her vengeance for the humiliation she’d suffered today. But outwardly, she dared not reveal anything.

"It’s nothing, just twisted my ankle accidentally earlier." Lian Huahua said.

"Sister Huahua, life in the countryside is nothing like the city. You should be more careful," Lian Manman chuckled inwardly, then spoke.

"Manman, stop standing there. Can’t you see my twisted ankle? Come and help me back to my room," Lian Huahua gestured and called to Lian Manman.

"Sister Huahua, don’t move," Lian Manman replied, "I’ll go find some medicine for you and ask Sister Caiyun to inform Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong to take care of you."

With that, Lian Manman ran off with Zhang Caiyun.

Lian Huahua stood there, stuck between moving and staying, feeling utterly frustrated. She’d intended to use this opportunity to have Lian Manman support her, so Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong could witness how close their cousins truly were. Curse Lian Manman—slippery as an eel, impossible to hold onto.

After a while, Lian Manman and Zhang Caiyun didn’t come back with medicine, but they did return with Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong.

"Oh dear, Granny, let Xiao Hong and me help you. You said you wanted to take a walk and wouldn’t let us accompany you. Now, how are we supposed to explain this to Master and Old Madam?" Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong quickly helped steady Lian Huahua, intending to escort her to the main courtyard.

The Moon Gate was halfway open, and at that moment, two figures peeked in from the doorway before stepping inside.

"Huahua, my great-niece, wait for your little grandaunt."

It turned out Yingzi’s parents hadn’t left but instead followed them here. Clearly, these two were still set on lingering around as unwelcome guests.

Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong exchanged uneasy glances, suspicion creeping into their expressions as they looked toward Lian Huahua’s foot. Nonetheless, they tacitly pretended not to hear Yingzi’s father’s words and even quickened their pace.

Lian Huahua’s face turned from red to pale blue as she clenched her lips, pretending as though she hadn’t heard anything. Supported by Aunt Sun and Xiao Hong, she hurried through the Moon Gate toward the main courtyard.

It seemed everyone was well-aware of the true situation. Lian Manman thought to herself as she quietly whispered a couple of instructions to Zhang Caiyun.

Lian Huahua had fled, leaving Lian Manman to turn and glance at Yingzi’s parents. Earlier outside, she could afford to ignore them, but now that the two had entered the courtyard, she had to intervene.

"What are you doing here?" Lian Manman blocked the two from proceeding any further.

"Well, I..." Yingzi’s father opened his mouth to speak but ultimately dared not act entitled in front of Lian Manman. "Huahua came, so we thought we’d come talk and help you entertain guests as well."

"Oh, that’s what this is about, is it?" Lian Manman said with an inward laugh. "Then you should be leaving. Didn’t you see people ignoring you? Who do you think you’re here to accompany? Just leave already."

Refusing to leave, the two hesitated until Zhang Caiyun arrived with two long-term workers.

"Get rid of them."

Lian Manman gave the order, and the two workers began shoving Yingzi’s parents out. Though forced to the doorway, the pair still resisted and muttered something about being relatives.

Lian Manman couldn’t suppress her mix of irritation and amusement.

"There are no relations between our family and yours. I’ve warned you before: if you dare behave shamelessly here again, I’ll have you tied up and dragged to the front courtyard for a beating. Do you see that plaque above the entrance?" Lian Manman pointed at the structure facing the main courtyard gates.