C10 Slap

After she finished speaking, she quickly stepped back, her eyes innocent yet timid. However, deep within them was a hint of mischievous defiance.

Lan Qingwan was stunned, Lan Qingjia's words echoing in her mind. When she finally processed them, her face flushed red with anger, a fiery rage surging up and consuming her reason.

"You little witch!"

Lan Qingwan raised her hand and slapped Lan Qingjia.

The slap resounded loudly, and Lan Qingjia even leaned her face forward slightly, making the impact more forceful. Instantly, a clear handprint appeared on her cheek.

Lan Qingwan's chest heaved with fury, her face still marked by anger and resentment. Fool? Did she dare call her a fool?!

In that moment, everyone was watching her. Lan Zhenkun and the others were shocked, while Mrs. Lau's face froze, realizing things had gone awry.

Before Mrs. Lau could do anything to remedy the situation, the Old Matriarch's stern voice cut through the tension, "Wan! What do you think you're doing?!"

The Old Matriarch's voice was so authoritative and filled with anger that it snapped Lan Qingwan out of her uncontrolled emotions.

Upon realizing what she'd done, her face turned pale, eyes wide with shock. She quickly glanced at the Old Matriarch, meeting her sharp, heavy gaze, and Lan Qingwan couldn't help but shiver.

Being young, she panicked and hurried to explain, "Grandmother, I-I didn't mean to. It was her! She called me an idiot first, she was the one who insulted me, and I just reacted in the heat of the moment!"

Meanwhile, Lan Qingjia stood to the side, holding her swollen cheek, her eyes filled with fear, like a startled deer, staring at Lan Qingwan in disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes, glistening but refusing to fall, making her look both wronged and pitiful.

In a hoarse voice, she spoke, "Grandmother, I didn't... I was apologizing to my sister. Earlier, I accidentally said something I shouldn't have, and she got upset..."

Lan Qingjia's words were skillfully crafted, making it seem like Lan Qingwan held a grudge over the earlier incident, prompting her to lash out. For the first time, Lan Qingwan felt the frustration of being unable to defend herself.

Her face flushed red, and she began to cry, tears streaming down as she shook her head desperately, "I didn't, Grandmother, I really didn't. It was her, she called me an idiot first, she insulted me first. Grandmother, you have to believe me!"

Lan Qingwan was crying her heart out, her eyes filled with panic. She couldn't understand why everything had suddenly turned upside down, ruining the good image she had worked so hard to build. The more anxious she felt, the more her tears flowed uncontrollably.

In contrast, Lan Qingjia bit her lip, her face swollen, and her eyes brimming with tears she stubbornly held back, refusing to make a sound. Her appearance was enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings.

The Old Matriarch, though advanced in years, was far from blind, deaf, or oblivious. She slammed her cane on the ground with a resounding thud and shouted, "Do you really think I'm blind and deaf?"

Lan Qingwan had never seen the Old Matriarch so angry, let alone directed at her, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Mrs. Lau, seeing this, steeled herself and quickly stepped forward, raising her hand to deliver a sharp slap across Lan Qingwan's face. The sound was even crisper and louder than before, and Lan Qingwan's face swelled rapidly, even more so than Lan Qingjia's.

Lan Qingwan clutched her face in disbelief, momentarily forgetting to cry. Mrs. Lau, suppressing her own heartache, unleashed a torrent of scolding, "You heartless girl!"

"How have I taught you to behave, and this is how you treat your sister? Don't you dare argue! Apologize to your sister right now!"

Lan Qingwan hesitated, "Mom, I didn't..."

Mrs. Lau gave her a sharp look, clearly frustrated and disappointed. "Still arguing? Are you trying to drive me crazy? Apologize now!"

Even though Lan Qingwan knew Mrs. Lau didn't mean to hit her and was just putting on a show for the Old Matriarch, she couldn't help but feel wronged and resentful.

It wasn't her fault; it was all Lan Qingjia's doing! She set this whole thing up, so why should Lan Qingwan have to bear all the consequences?