Perhaps because he had something to eat, Guo Xiaotao’s hostility diminished significantly. The two police officers saw he was no longer attacking anyone, so they attempted to release one of his hands, allowing the child to eat the rice cake on his own.

Guo Xiaotao ate to his heart’s content and then collapsed into a pile of cotton batting, falling into a deep sleep.

After all, he was still a five-year-old child, and he had been hungry all day, throwing a tantrum for a good half-day. Of course, he was both exhausted and famished. Now that he had eaten his fill and drunk enough, sleepiness hit him hard.

As soon as Guo Xiaotao fell asleep, a neighbor asked Yuan Chun, "Jingling’s wife, does Xiaotao really have a mental illness?"

Yuan Chun put on a worried expression, "Yes, on my first day here, I saw him pinning Jing Hong to the ground and hitting him hard. That behavior was not that of a normal child, which is why I suspected there was something wrong with his mind."

"Oh, your suspicions were correct. Xiaotao sometimes really behaves unacceptably; the look in his eyes toward others is really cold."

At this moment, Grandpa Zhang from next door spoke to Father Guo, "Little Guo, in the morning I saw that girl Jing Hong dragged away a cartload of items. She said her mother was afraid of the cold and wanted to take two quilts to the hospital for her mother, along with a lot of clothes, a thermos, enamel mugs... quite a few bundles. Didn’t Jing Hong tell you about it?"

Just then, a woman who worked at the neighborhood committee passed by Guo Family’s front door. Upon hearing neighbors discussing Old Guo Family’s matters, she walked in and explained, "Mr. Guo, yesterday Jing Hong came to register for moving to the countryside at my place. She said she wanted to do it as soon as possible and requested that colleagues from the neighborhood committee need not inform you in person. She even mentioned that you all agreed. Unexpectedly, Jing Hong secretly left on her own."

Upon hearing this, Father Guo realized that the items missing from his room weren’t stolen by a thief but taken away by his daughter.

Father Guo was extremely angry.

However, he couldn’t scold his daughter in front of outsiders.

The reputation of the eldest grandson was ruined, but as a kind father, his name must not be tarnished.

He replied, "Regarding Jing Hong’s plan to move to the countryside, her mother and I were aware. This child is determined to go and contribute to the country. Her mother and I fully support her. It’s just... sigh, it was all a misunderstanding. This child wanted to take the bedding from my bed and several clothes and shoes belonging to her mother, yet didn’t give me a heads-up and sneaked away with them. Oh well, as long as she has taken everything she needs, it’s fine if she doesn’t lack anything when she gets to the countryside."

With a few words, Guo Jinghong was labeled an ungrateful daughter.

And the fact that Guo Jinghong was a thief was confirmed.

Father Guo managed to preserve his reputation, but Guo Jinghong’s reputation was destroyed.

However, Father Guo wouldn’t care about a girl’s reputation.

If it weren’t for that nuisance running away fast, he would have chased her down to take everything back, sending her to the countryside with nothing in hand.

Father Guo politely sent off the police officers and then dismissed the neighbors one by one. Only then did he coldly look at Yuan Chun, "Jingling’s wife, Jing Hong suddenly thought of going to the countryside, was it you who instigated her?"

Yuan Chun smiled and nodded, "Yes, dad, Jing Hong is already 26 years old, but as parents, you haven’t planned for her to marry yet. You still want her to stay at Guo Family for life as a servant, being a punching bag for Guo Xiaotao her whole life. Dad, how can you bear that? That is your biological daughter, yet you intend to ruin her life. Sigh, even I as an outsider couldn’t stand watching, so I wanted to point out a way out for Guo Jinghong."

"If Guo Jinghong didn’t leave, she would certainly end up dead in this household. Therefore, dad, I saved your daughter’s life. Instead of being grateful, why are you upset?"