Juhua remained silent. Her mother, Mrs. Yang, put on a stern face and said, "It's only the second day of the New Year, and they drag a whole crowd over? What's that about? If you ask me, you and Huai Zi shouldn't go back tonight. Just stay here with me. Let them raise a fuss. Your mother-in-law is there; what more can they do?"
Huai Zi frowned, his good mood completely ruined. Banli gurgled up at him, hoping to be tossed in the air again, but his father didn't even notice.
Just as he was thinking they should go back and see what they were up against so they could deal with it, Juhua stood up. "Let's go," she said. "We're going home!"
With that, she turned and left without another word.
Pu Pao glanced at Huai Zi, then quickly followed after her, holding Cong.
Mrs. Yang watched her daughter's retreating back with concern and quietly urged Huai Zi, "Keep a close eye on her. Don't let her get pushed around."
