Yet to everyone's surprise, Afu didn't seem startled by these remarks, nor did she bow immediately to Granny Chen, as expected. Instead, she helped Chen Ming to sit on a chair.
Standing beside Chen Ming, she calmly replied, "Mrs. Chen, you must be joking. If you were indeed my grandmother, you wouldn't have paid to have me sold. No use pretending to be charitable, as I know you are not. My real grandmother lives in Xiangluo Village and my real father is right here. I have no idea who this so-called Mr. Chen is, nor do I recognize him. I wonder what brings you here today. Could it be another attempt to drive me out of Tang Garden, or perhaps to have my parents marry me off forcibly? I warn you, that dream of yours will not come true."
Granny Chen was taken aback by Afu's audacity. Her face turned beet red and she smacked the armrest of her chair, scolding, "Insolent girl! You show no basic filial piety, how could Mrs. Wang raise such a disrespectful child?"
