Lin Xiaowan's mind felt groggy and heavy. She could smell a salty and fishy scent distinctive to the beach, while the sound of waves beating on the sh.o.r.e faintly traveled to her ears. This must be a dream! It must be! Her hometown was located in the inner regions. She had only seen the sea once in her life when she visited her sister, who studied in a university located beside the sea. Why would she be able to hear the sound of waves now?

　　Lin Xiaowan tried her best to open her eyes, but she was unable to break away from the clinging darkness. It felt like a nightmare. Her mind was sober, but she couldn't wake up.

　　"Second Sister, Second Sister! Waahhh… Second Sister, you can't die! s.h.i.+tou isn't hungry anymore, s.h.i.+tou doesn't want to eat steamed buns anymore! Second Sister, please wake up!…" Lin Xiaowan felt a light weight beside herself, shaking her arm desperately.

　　Second Sister? That wasn't right? She was the eldest child in her family. Her parents had died when she was in middle school. As the eldest sister, she dropped out of school to work and raise her younger siblings all by herself. She has been called 'Eldest Sister' for over twenty years. Why was she suddenly being called 'Second Sister'? He must have made a mistake!

　　"So wicked! The child had just wanted to pick up a steamed bun to eat, yet that woman had beat her as if she wanted to kill her! Xiaocao has always been a child with a weak const.i.tution. Can she still survive after having her head smashed in? Look at how much blood there is! Is she still alive?"

　　"Moreover, it was the child's aunt who did it! A steamed bun doesn't even cost much money. She hit her so hard the child's head slammed against the s.h.i.+p. I've never seen such a cruel person!"

　　"Xiaocao's father is the most famous fisherman around this area. He's also a good hunter. If it wasn't for him, Old Yu's family wouldn't have been able to build that new five-room house and s.h.i.+p. Why couldn't she just let the child eat a steamed bun?"

　　"The child doesn't seem to be doing that well. Quick, call her mother over! If this drags on, she might not even be able to see her child's last moments!"

　　"Li Guihua really has a sharp tongue and cruel heart. She was so vicious even to her own niece! We should keep our distance from her. Otherwise, she might backstab us if we accidentally offend her in the future!"

　　…… 

　　Lin Xiaowan's ears buzzed with the voices of strangers. Her senses were gradually returning. She felt herself lying on soft sands and her forehead was aching with pain. She seemed to be surrounded by a large crowd.

　　This is such a strange dream. When can she wake up?!

　　"What nonsense are you talking about?! If you don't know what happened, then don't speak blindly! That darned girl stole a steamed bun that I brought back from my maiden home. I just scolded her a little and lightly pushed her a couple of times. Who could had thought that she would b.u.mp into that s.h.i.+p? Didn't you see me tell my son, Heizi, to call for a doctor?" She snorted. "So much money is needed to take care of her fragile body, but she was born in a poor family. She's always sick, just like her mother! What an utter waste of food!" The woman spoke with a sharp voice, which sounded like a broken gong.

　　"Second Sister didn't steal the steamed bun. Brother Heizi dropped it on the ground and didn't want it since it was dirty! Second Sister picked it up because I was hungry! Second Sister isn't a thief!" It was a young child's voice. He was obviously sobbing, but his voice still sounded abnormally clear.  

　　"You little brat! You've already learned how to lie at such a young age! Your Brother Heizi clearly said your second sister stole it, yet you still won't admit it! I just gently pushed her. Maybe she purposely b.u.mped her head on that s.h.i.+p. She might just be using her injury to escape punishment!" A sense of guilt emerged within that woman's bitter tone.

　　"Dashan's wife, your words are unfair! The child has a huge b.l.o.o.d.y hole in her head and it seems like she's about to stop breathing. You're still trying to accuse the child of using her injury to avoid punishment! She was still just a little girl, so how would she be able to think of such a trick!" The speaker's voice sounded old, but it was full of energy and hidden rage.