The next day.
Xiao Rou stood outside the school hall, her heart racing with anxiety. She had never attended a parent-teacher conference before, and the thought of facing her children's teachers and classmates made her nervous. But she was determined to be there for her kids, to show them that she cared.
As she entered the hall, she was immediately hit with the chatter of parents and teachers. She scanned the room, her eyes locking onto Ming and Li's teacher, Mrs. Wang. She made her way over, trying to look confident and composed.
Just as she reached Mrs. Wang's table, she overheard a group of parents gossiping about her children. "I heard their mother abandoned them," one of them said. "No wonder they're so poorly behaved."
Xiao Rou's eyes narrowed as she turned to face the group. "Excuse me," she said, her voice firm. "I think you're talking about my children. I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread rumors about them."
The group fell silent, their faces reddening. One of them, a woman with a pinched expression, stepped forward. "Oh, you're the mother," she sneered. "I heard you're not exactly the most involved parent. Leaving your kids alone like that."
Xiao Rou's anger simmered just below the surface, but she kept her cool. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak about my children like that," she said, her voice even. "They're good kids, and they deserve respect."
The woman snorted. "Respect? They need a good scolding. My child says they're always getting into trouble."
Xiao Rou's eyes flashed with anger. "I think my children can speak for themselves," she said, her voice rising. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't bully them."
The woman's face turned red with rage. "How dare you!" she shouted. "You're one to talk, abandoning your kids like that!"
That's when Ming and Li stepped forward, their faces set in determination. "Leave my mom alone," Ming said, her voice firm. Li just glared at the woman.
The woman sneered at them. "You think you're tough? I'll show you who's tough." She raised her hand to slap Ming, but Xiao Rou was quicker. She grabbed the woman's wrist, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Don't you dare touch my child," she said, her voice low and menacing.
The woman yelped in pain as Xiao Rou's grip tightened. The other parents gasped in shock, and Mrs. Wang rushed over to intervene.
"Okay, okay, let's calm down," Mrs. Wang said, trying to separate Xiao Rou and the woman. "Let's talk about this calmly."
The woman's child started crying, claiming that Ming and Li had beaten her up. The woman demanded that Xiao Rou pay for her child's medical expenses and apologize to her child.
Xiao Rou stood her ground, refusing to back down. "If my children are guilty, they will apologize and make amends," she said firmly. "But I won't let you bully them."
In the end, it was determined that the woman's child had been the aggressor, and Xiao Rou's children had acted in self-defense. The woman was forced to apologize to Ming and Li, and Xiao Rou was proud of her kids for standing up for themselves.
As they left the school, Ming threw her arms around Xiao Rou's waist. "Mom, I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice muffled against Xiao Rou's shirt. "You stood up for us."
Li didn't say anything, but Xiao Rou could see the hint of a smile on his face. She knew it would take time for him to forgive her, but she was willing to wait.
That night, Xiao Rou tucked her kids into bed, singing softly to them as they drifted off to sleep. She carried Ming to her bed and sang some more, feeling a deep sense of love and connection to her daughter.
The next day, Xiao Rou took Ming shopping, buying her favorite clothes and treats. Ming chattered happily, and Xiao Rou felt a sense of joy she hadn't felt in a long time.
Li watched them with a mixture of emotions, his expression softening slightly as he saw how happy his mother was to spend time with Ming. But he still wasn't ready to forgive her completely.
Over the next few weeks, Li's demeanor towards Xiao Rou slowly began to shift. He still wasn't overly enthusiastic, but he started to respond to her questions and comments without the anger and resentment he had previously shown.
Xiao Rou noticed the change and was cautiously optimistic. She knew that Li's forgiveness wouldn't come overnight, but she was willing to take things one step at a time.
One evening, as she was cooking dinner, Li walked into the kitchen and offered to help. Xiao Rou was surprised, but she handed him a vegetable to chop. As they worked together, Li started to talk to her about his day, sharing stories about school and his friends.
Xiao Rou listened attentively, asking questions and making supportive noises. She could see the tension in Li's shoulders start to ease, and his voice became more relaxed.
As they finished cooking, Xiao Rou put a hand on Li's shoulder. "I'm glad we're talking, Li," she said softly. "I've missed you."
Li looked up at her, his eyes still a bit guarded. But for a moment, Xiao Rou saw a glimmer of the little boy he used to be, before everything had changed.
"I've missed you too, Mom," he said quietly.
Xiao Rou's heart swelled with emotion. It was a small step, but it was a start. She knew that Li still had a long way to go, but she was willing to be patient.
As they sat down to eat dinner together, Ming chattered excitedly about her day, and Li even cracked a smile or two. Xiao Rou felt a sense of hope that things might finally be starting to turn around.
Xiaoxin stood at the door, a sly smile spreading across her face as she gazed at Xiao Rou. Ying stood beside her, his eyes fixed on Xiao Rou with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Long time no see, sis," Xiaoxin said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see you're doing well. Or should I say, you're trying to do well?"
Xiao Rou's eyes narrowed, her instincts on high alert. She knew that Xiaoxin was trouble, and she didn't want her anywhere near her children.
"What do you want, Xiaoxin?" Xiao Rou asked, her voice firm.
Xiaoxin chuckled. "Oh, I just thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing. And I brought Ying along to...keep things interesting."
Ying's eyes locked onto Xiao Rou, and she felt a flutter in her chest. She hadn't expected to see him again, especially not with Xiaoxin.
Li's eyes flashed with anger as he stepped forward. "What are they doing here?" he demanded.
Xiao Rou placed a calming hand on Li's shoulder. "It's okay, Li. I'll handle this."
But she knew that this was just the beginning of a long and complicated drama. Xiaoxin was not here to make friends, and Xiao Rou would have to be on her guard to protect her children.
Ming, who had been watching the scene unfold, stepped forward. "Mom, who's this?" she asked, her voice curious.
Xiao Rou took a deep breath. "This is your aunt Xiaoxin, Ming. And this is...an old friend, Ying."
Xiaoxin's eyes landed on Ming, and a calculating look crossed her face. "Ah, Ming, you're getting so big and beautiful," she said, her voice dripping with insincerity.
Xiao Rou's instincts screamed at her to get Xiaoxin out of her house, but she knew that wouldn't be possible. Not yet, at least. She would have to play along, for now.
Xiao Rou took a deep breath and steeled herself for what was to come. She knew that Xiaoxin's visit would not be a pleasant one, and she would have to tread carefully to protect her family.
"Come in," Xiao Rou said, stepping aside to let Xiaoxin and Ying enter.
As they sat down in the living room, Xiao Rou could feel the tension in the air. Xiaoxin's eyes seemed to be taking in every detail of the room, and Xiao Rou knew that she was looking for weaknesses to exploit.
"So, what brings you here?" Xiao Rou asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
Xiaoxin smiled sweetly. "I just wanted to check in on you and the kids. Make sure you're doing okay after...everything that happened."
Xiao Rou's instincts screamed at her that Xiaoxin was up to something, but she kept her cool. "We're doing fine, thank you for asking," she said, her voice neutral.
The rest of the visit was a minefield of awkward conversations and veiled insults, with Xiao Rou trying to keep her family safe from Xiaoxin's barbed comments. Ming and Li were quiet, sensing the tension in the air.
As the visit dragged on, Xiao Rou's patience was wearing thin. She knew that Xiaoxin was trying to get under her skin, but she refused to give her the satisfaction.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Xiaoxin stood up to leave. "It was so nice catching up with you, sis," she said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "I'll have to come back and visit again soon."
Xiao Rou forced a smile. "I'd like that," she said, knowing that it was a lie.
As soon as Xiaoxin and Ying left, Xiao Rou let out a sigh of relief. She knew that this was far from over, and she would have to be on her guard to protect her family.
Ming and Li looked up at her, concern etched on their faces. "Mom, what did she want?" Ming asked.
Xiao Rou hesitated, not wanting to burden her children with her worries. But she knew that she couldn't keep things from them. "I don't know, kids," she said, her voice soft. "But I promise you, I'll do everything to keep us safe."
The three of them hugged, a sense of determination and unity forming between them. They would face whatever challenges came their way, together.
As the days went by, Xiao Rou couldn't shake off the feeling that Xiaoxin was plotting something. She noticed that Xiaoxin would often call or text her, always making small talk and asking about her and the kids. But beneath the surface, Xiao Rou could sense a simmering tension, a feeling that Xiaoxin was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
One day, Xiao Rou received a call from the school. Ming had gotten into a fight with one of her classmates, and the teacher was asking Xiao Rou to come in and discuss the situation. Xiao Rou's heart sank as she rushed to the school, wondering what had happened.
When she arrived, she saw Ming sitting in the office, looking upset. The teacher explained that Ming had gotten into a fight with a girl who had been making fun of her mother, saying that Xiao Rou had abandoned her family and didn't care about her children. Xiao Rou's eyes widened in shock as she realized that Xiaoxin was behind this.
Xiao Rou took a deep breath and calmly asked Ming what happened. Ming explained that the girl had been teasing her for weeks, and she had finally lost her temper. Xiao Rou listened attentively, her heart aching for her daughter. She knew that Ming was a good kid, and she didn't deserve to be bullied.
After talking to the teacher and sorting out the situation, Xiao Rou took Ming home. As they walked, Ming looked up at her with tears in her eyes. "Mom, I'm sorry," she said, her voice shaking. "I know I shouldn't have gotten into a fight."
Xiao Rou's heart melted as she hugged her daughter tightly. "You're my brave girl, Ming," she said. "You don't have to apologize for standing up for yourself or for me. I'm proud of you."
As they hugged, Xiao Rou knew that she had to do something to protect her family from Xiaoxin's toxic behavior. She couldn't let her step-sister continue to manipulate and hurt her children. But what could she do?
How would you like to see Xiao Rou handle this situation? Should she confront Xiaoxin directly, or try to find another way to deal with her?