Qin immediately fell silent when she saw the photo of the old woman. One could see from the photo that the elderly lady's eyes were evasive; she had something to hide and had committed a wrongdoing in the past.

Gu Qin did another divination, and the final oracle also pointed to Xu Meixuan's mother-in-law. It was clear that the incident involving NiuNiu being taken away was related to her mother-in-law. In fact, it wasn't that NiuNiu was taken away; she was sold by her own grandmother.

From this, one could understand the father's attitude. During the first year, he believed his daughter had been kidnapped and searched for her frantically. After a year, he likely found out the truth, but what could he do? His mother was his mother. Perhaps he accepted it and followed his mother's advice, which led to his attitude changing over the next year, persuading his wife to give up as well.

Gu Qin waited until the next day before calling Xu Meixuan. Xu Meixuan answered quickly, "Master Qing, is it true that you have news about NiuNiu?"

Gu Qin said, "NiuNiu's mother, NiuNiu wasn't kidnapped; she was sold. It should be your mother-in-law. You can ask her about it."

Xu Meixuan's mind went blank. She couldn't stand on her feet, her legs grew weak, and she collapsed onto the sofa next to her. Her daughter was sold! When the incident happened, she had always felt something was off. Although child traffickers were common, no one in their area had ever heard of a kidnapping. Why was it so coincidental that her mother-in-law, who never took NiuNiu there, just happened to go that day? Furthermore, there were no surveillance cameras in that place, making everything seem too convenient.

She knew her mother-in-law favored boys and treated her son like a precious gem. She often taught her to take care of men, stating that men were heaven, earth, and everything for women. Fortunately, they didn't live together, and she endured it.

Later, when she became pregnant, her mother-in-law didn't come to take care of her. When she gave birth, her mother-in-law came, but after seeing she had given birth to a girl, she left the next day. When her mother got sick and needed care, she had to beg her mother-in-law to come, paying her 3,000 yuan monthly. She thought, even if it was her grandmother, she would still care for her. But how could someone be so heartless?

Xu Meixuan burst into tears. Gu Qin sighed and hung up, hoping that the old lady still had some humanity and would tell NiuNiu's mother where she was sold.

Xu Meixuan cried uncontrollably. Her husband hadn't gone to work yet and rushed into the room upon hearing her cries. "Wife, wife, what's wrong with you? Don't scare me. Are you feeling unwell?"

Xu Meixuan grabbed something nearby and hit her husband, crying, "How can you be so heartless? How can you be so heartless? Did you know all along that NiuNiu wasn't kidnapped but sold by your mother? How can your mother be so cruel? She is also your daughter. Because we can't have a second child due to our work unit policy, she sold NiuNiu. Is she human?"

Lei Hongyun froze, standing there as Xu Meixuan hit him, his mind struggling to comprehend why his wife knew and how she knew.

Xu Meixuan stood up, ran to the living room, and went directly to her mother-in-law's room, kicking open the door and pulling her awake...

Lei Hongyun's mother was named Dong Lihua. Growing up poor, she was not given a formal name. As she was born when the pear blossoms were blooming, they called her Lihua.

Dong Lihua was startled awake and saw her daughter-in-law staring at her fiercely. "Meixuan, what's wrong with you? Have you lost all manners?"

Xu Meixuan wanted to kill her but held back, grabbing Dong Lihua's clothes. "Tell me, did you sell NiuNiu? Where did you sell her?"

Dong Lihua was shocked but refused to admit it. "What nonsense are you talking about? Who sold NiuNiu? Even though I hoped you would have a son, NiuNiu is still my granddaughter and my son's flesh and blood. How could I be so cruel?"

"You still won't admit it!" Xu Meixuan snapped, choking the last bit of her patience. She grabbed Dong Lihua's neck. "Where did you sell NiuNiu? Give her back to me! Why are you so cruel..."

Lei Hongyun finally woke up, rushing into the room, seeing the scene, his blood boiling. He turned red-eyed, pulling Xu Meixuan away. "Are you crazy? You dare hit your mother!"

Xu Meixuan cried, "Give me back NiuNiu! Give me back NiuNiu!"

Suddenly, she remembered something, running to the wardrobe, pulling it open, and finding a small wooden box. The box was locked, but it was poorly made. Xu Meixuan lifted the box high and smashed it on the ground.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Dong Lihua's face changed, shouting to Lei Hongyun, "Stop her!"

Lei Hongyun also realized something was wrong too late. The wooden box shattered, revealing a savings book. Xu Meixuan wiped her tears and began flipping through it. With little strength left, Lei Hongyun dared not approach to snatch it. Her expression was too fierce.

Xu Meixuan quickly found what she was looking for: three days after NiuNiu disappeared, 30,000 yuan appeared in the savings book. Dong Lihua had no job and received social security from her son and daughter-in-law. She had no income and only stayed in the city for two months, receiving only 5,000 yuan. The source of the 30,000 yuan was obvious.

Xu Meixuan screamed, throwing the book down and collapsing on the bed, hitting Dong Lihua wildly. "Give me back NiuNiu! Give me back NiuNiu!"

Her cries alerted neighbors, many coming to knock on the door, but no one dared to open it.

Lei Hongyun also cried, hugging Xu Meixuan, kneeling before Dong Lihua. "Mom, please tell us where NiuNiu is. I can't take it anymore. Mom, please..."

Dong Lihua stubbornly refused. "I didn't sell NiuNiu. I don't know what you're talking about."

Xu Meixuan tried to attack again. Lei Hongyun pulled her back. She picked up the savings book, throwing it at Dong Lihua. "If you didn't sell NiuNiu, how did 30,000 yuan appear in your account on the day NiuNiu disappeared? Tell me!"

Her voice choked with tears. "Where did you sell NiuNiu? Please, please..."

Dong Lihua insisted she didn't sell NiuNiu. Xu Meixuan rushed out, picking up the phone, shaking as she dialed 110. A cheerful female voice answered, "This is the police station. What can we help you with?"

Xu Meixuan quickly said, "I'm Xu Meixuan. I want to report a case. My mother-in-law sold my child..."

She provided her address. "Police, please come quickly. If my mother-in-law and husband try to hurt me, I can't fight them. Please hurry."

Dong Lihua came out of the bedroom, holding a wooden stick. "What kind of daughter-in-law are you? Daring to call the police on your own mother? Hongyun, get the phone!"

Xu Meixuan put the phone on speaker. The policewoman heard Dong Lihua's words and warned Xu Meixuan, "If they try to hurt you, run outside. We'll handle it from here."

Dong Lihua's face darkened.

Xu Meixuan saw Dong Lihua looking for something to hit her and noticed Lei Hongyun standing there, stunned. She knew confronting them now would be disadvantageous. Since things were already out in the open, she decided to divorce anyway. Lei Hongyun knew NiuNiu was sold by his mother but still urged her to let it go and have another child. Such a heartless man, she wouldn't stay with him anymore.

Now wasn't the time for rash actions. Xu Meixuan recalled the online story of a daughter-in-law killed by her mother-in-law and shuddered. Before Dong Lihua could charge at her, she dashed out the front door.

It was early morning, people eating breakfast and going to work. The commotion at the Lei family home caught the attention of neighbors. Seeing Xu Meixuan, they were alarmed and asked, "Meixuan, what's going on?"

Xu Meixuan cried, "My mother-in-law sold NiuNiu. She sold NiuNiu."

Neighbors looked at each other. "No, that can't be right. She's your husband's daughter and your mother-in-law's granddaughter. How could she be so cruel? Is there a misunderstanding?"

Xu Meixuan shook her head vigorously. "No, no. I checked her savings book. Three days after NiuNiu disappeared, 30,000 yuan appeared. She has no job and no income. How could she have that money? My husband admitted it was my mother-in-law who sold NiuNiu."

Neighbors were stunned but believed her. Someone began discussing, "We've seen her favoring neighborhood boys and saying they want a boy. Could it be true? Meixuan and her husband aren't allowed a second child. Unless NiuNiu was gone..."

Neighbors' faces paled. They had heard of such cases but never thought it would happen so close to home. Some were mothers-in-law themselves, and many had daughters-in-law with daughters. Most only felt pity, not cruelty, much less selling their granddaughters. This was monstrous.

Dong Lihua charged out with a wooden stick. "I'll beat you for spreading lies! I'll beat you!"

Neighbors stopped her. Xu Meixuan took the chance to run out. She called her cousin and cousins, who arrived quickly. They were big men and gave Xu Meixuan confidence. She explained the situation. Her cousin, impulsive, wanted to attack. Her cousin stopped him, "Focus on NiuNiu first. We won't let them off easily."

They trusted Xu Meixuan's words. The 30,000 yuan was too coincidental.

Police arrived quickly. Xu Meixuan explained everything. They arrested Dong Lihua and Lei Hongyun and took them to the police station.

Xu Meixuan's brothers accompanied her to the station. Dong Lihua denied selling NiuNiu. Lei Hongyun also denied it.

Xu Meixuan wanted to attack Lei Hongyun. "Hongyun, you're despicable. Even knowing your own daughter was sold, you helped your mother. You admitted it at home. Please, return NiuNiu to me!"

She broke down crying. Police investigated the 30,000 yuan, traced to Dong Lihua depositing it herself, breaking the trail. Without her admission, they couldn't find NiuNiu.

Xu Meixuan was desperate. She remembered Master Qing. "If we find NiuNiu, can we charge them?"

Police nodded. "Finding NiuNiu will definitely help. But with NiuNiu missing for two years, it's difficult. Prepare yourself."

Xu Meixuan insisted, "NiuNiu is there. Master Qing won't lie."

Police sighed, thinking Xu Meixuan was delusional. If divination could find missing children, all would be found.

Xu Meixuan called Master Qing, explaining everything. Master Qing agreed to help. Xu Meixuan's brothers overheard and asked her. She told them about Master Qing's abilities.

Master Qing used divination and saw NiuNiu's location. Opening her third eye, she saw a well-decorated apartment with a thin girl kneeling. A woman in a fur coat scolded her.

"NiuNiu, where are you?" Xu Meixuan's mind exploded. She thanked Master Qing and rushed back to the police station.

Police were skeptical but followed the lead. The address was in another province. They contacted local police and told Xu Meixuan to wait.

The officer asked how she got the information. Xu Meixuan hesitated, "I consulted a master."

The officer sighed, advising her to prepare for disappointment.

Xu Meixuan was resolute. "NiuNiu is there. Master Qing wouldn't lie."

The officer sighed, thinking she was obsessed.

Local police arrived at the address, a well-dressed woman opening the door. "What do you want?"

Police said, "We received a report. Your residence is connected to a child trafficking case. Please come with us."

The woman panicked. "That's a mistake. We bought a child legally, with a signed agreement."

Police realized the situation and took everyone to the station.

Back at the station, DNA confirmed the girl was NiuNiu. The woman showed signed documents from NiuNiu's family.

At home, Dong Lihua...

The worried mother said to her son, "Hongyun, what should we do? What if they find out it was me? Your daughter-in-law actually dared to report her own mother-in-law. She's just disobedient; she deserves a beating. Are you even a man? Can't you control your own wife?"

Lei Hongyun's face turned pale. In a hoarse voice, he said, "If you had told Meixuan where Niuniu was when she came looking for her, this wouldn't have escalated to this point. It's all because of you and your preference for boys over girls. Niuniu is my child too. Why were you so heartless back then, hiding from me and giving the child to Meixuan?"

At first, Lei Hongyun also thought that the child had been truly abducted. Later, Dong Lihua, seeing how distressed he was, secretly told him about Niuniu.

When Lei Hongyun found out, he was furious at first. Eventually, Dong Lihua threatened to commit suicide if he didn't comply, forcing him to agree to give up Niuniu and persuade Meixuan to have another child.

Yesterday, in the police station, he had no choice but to give false testimony because his mother, Dong Lihua, was involved. He couldn't let her go to jail.

Dong Lihua was still very worried. "I saw your wife outside talking on the phone. She said she found a fortune teller. Could the fortune teller have figured out where Niuniu is? I had to sign something back then..."

Lei Hongyun finally snapped. "Shut up!"