Three days later.
Li Ke's house was bustling with excitement; it was said that a celebratory graduation party was being held.
It wasn't until Tian Xin arrived that she realized everything Li Ke had told her before dying was true.
In the center of the yard hung a large red cloth on the wall with bold characters written in calligraphy: "Congratulations to Li Xiangli's daughter, Li Ke, for being accepted to Ancient City Transportation University, our village's only college student this year."
Li Ke's mother and a few relatives were busy preparing the feast, while her father, Li Xiangli, stood at the door greeting the arriving friends and family.
The entire yard was filled with warmth and joy, celebrating Li Ke's achievement of becoming a college student.
Li Ke was inside getting ready. She was wearing a floral dress, her hair in a high ponytail, with powder and lipstick on her face.
"Welcome everyone who joined us today for my daughter's graduation party. Our daughter did us proud by getting into Ancient City University. Let's have a joyful time with some simple drinks. Please eat well, drink well, and have fun. The feast begins—"
Li Xiangli raised his glass, standing at the head of the table, toasting the guests. A burst of applause erupted around him as he began to propose a toast.
Tian Xin waited for Li Ke to come out of the house before bringing Xiao Xu to the front of the banquet!
Seeing Tian Xin holding Xiao Xu's hand, Li Ke was taken aback but quickly composed herself and walked over to them.
"Tian Xin, you all..."
"Smack—" Before Li Ke could finish, a slap landed on her face!
"Are you crazy? Why did you hit me?" Li Ke shouted at her, holding her face.
"Hit you? Why? You tell me. Of course, because you deserve it!" Tian Xin said, "That slap is for nearly causing Xiao Xu's death."
"Smack!—" She slapped Li Ke's left cheek: "This slap is for taking my things, nearly causing my family's ruin..."
"What are you doing? How can you hit someone?" A guest at the neighboring table hurriedly grabbed her, and Li Ke was pulled behind her father, Li Xiangli.
"What are you rushed about? The account hasn't been settled yet!" Tian Xin broke free and said, "Li Ke, considering we were once friends, I'm giving you a chance. Return it voluntarily!"
"Xinxin, what are you doing? Why are you hitting Li Ke?" Li Xiangli asked glaringly.
She ignored Li Xiangli and demanded from Li Ke: "Hand it over!"
"Hand what over?" Li Ke shouted sharply, holding her reddening face.
"The acceptance letter! Mine! Give it back!" Tian Xin's tone was steady, her voice low, but fury burned in her eyes.
Guests at the surrounding tables were shocked by her forcefulness, pointing fingers at her: "Young lady, whatever the matter, talk it out, don't resort to violence. The Li family is hosting today, don't disrupt the party!"
"Exactly, exactly, this young lady has too much temper!"
"Give it back! Return it to me!" She ignored the complaints around her, continuing to pressure Li Ke with her outstretched hand.
Li Xiangli, not understanding the situation, asked angrily: "Xinxin, aren't you mistaken? Today is Li Ke's graduation party. I heard you didn't pass the university exam this year. What letter are you asking for?"
"What letter? You should ask your beloved daughter!" Tian Xin replied coolly: "Uncle Li, are you really unaware or just pretending to be? The acceptance letter your daughter Li Ke is holding is mine! Did you really not know?"
"Yours?" Li Xiangli looked at her incredulously and turned to Li Ke: "What's going on?"
Li Ke's face was full of grievance: "Dad, I didn't!"
"Didn't?" Tian Xin sneered: "Lies just spill out so easily, don't they?"
She knelt down and softly said to Xiao Xu, "Xiao Xu, tell everyone what you saw, don't be afraid, sister is here, no one will hurt you!"
Xiao Xu looked up at Li Ke and slowly started: "A few days ago, I was playing at our front door when an uncle came to deliver a letter to sister. Sister wasn't home. Li Ke sister came to play with sister, saw the letter, and took sister's letter!"
"What letter? What nonsense are you talking?" Li Ke's mother came rushing over, grabbing Xiao Xu's shoulders, asking loudly: "Did you see clearly that it was Sister Ke who took it?"
"It was her who took it; she left right after! I was at the door calling for sister, and she covered my mouth and took me to the old house. I almost fell from the tree!" Xiao Xu said loudly.
Tian Xin pulled Li Ke's mother's hand away and hugged Xiao Xu, saying to everyone: "You all heard, right? This is the good deed Li Ke did, for a letter, she almost harmed such a young child. You tell me, shouldn't I reclaim what's mine?"