Chapter 320: Chapter 320

"Li Si, when did you get back? If you have time, go visit your grandma. She’s been talking about you!"

Li Guozhi said softly, but immediately sensed the atmosphere between the two people across from her turn cold. What’s wrong with mentioning this?

Li Si’s lips curled with a hint of sarcasm. "Oh? She’s been talking about me? Talking about what?" She could already guess it wouldn’t be anything good—how could she not know what kind of person her grandma is?

"Just... just missing you! You’re a young woman, venturing out on your own isn’t easy. No matter the time, your family will always be thinking about you!"

Li Guozhi tried to say something positive, but the truth was Grandma Li had indeed been talking about Li Si—all bad things.

Especially after Second Brother and Wu Dachuan came back injured and with a large sum of money. Upon learning that this little girl had gotten engaged without informing the family, and that Second Brother and Wu Dachuan hadn’t even seen her after making a trip, as she was reportedly traveling abroad, Grandma felt even more resentful.

She was bitter—how could she have money to travel overseas but not spare some to help out her poor relatives? Truly, she was burning through money!

She completely ignored how she and the family had treated Li Si all these years.

"Stop spouting nonsense! Talking about this makes you feel guilty, right? Otherwise, why don’t you dare meet my eyes? Forget it—what bad luck running into you Li family people here. I’m not looking to cause trouble; can’t I just avoid you? Honey, let’s go!"

Li Si spoke rapidly, catching Li Guozhi off guard. She couldn’t believe it—the once gentle-tempered niece had turned into someone capable of saying things so cutting, without leaving any room for courtesy.

By the time Li Guozhi recovered and wanted to say something more, Li Si and the man beside her had already walked far away.

Her coworker, Sister Feng, approached curiously from not far away: "You know those two?"

She wasn’t just being nosy—since Li Guozhi started working here, none of the people visiting her had seemed wealthy. Sister Feng had met her husband and her mother-in-law before; they were the kind of people who liked taking advantage where they could.

The couple just now, though—from top to bottom—radiated affluence. If Li Guozhi knew someone like that, she might want to cozy up to them; you never know when you might need their help.

Li Guozhi’s face stiffened, and she lowered her head as she arranged cartons of yogurt. "That’s my niece."

Sister Feng patted her shoulder enviously, "You’re something else! Keeping a low profile, but having such a wealthy niece—why are you even still working?

If it were me, I would’ve gone home long ago to enjoy life, rather than dealing with all this hard work!"

Working at the supermarket wasn’t easy. Switching shifts daily, unloading and arranging goods, and when promotions came around, the workload increased even more. Beyond all that, there was monthly inventory and organizing to be done.

"I’m just the kind of person who’s used to being busy—can’t sit still!" Li Guozhi casually made up an excuse, but it sounded insincere. Sister Feng, still lost in pondering Li Si and Leng Mochen’s relationship, didn’t notice her awkwardness.

After checking out and leaving the supermarket, even as she sat in the car, Li Si’s mood hadn’t improved. She never expected to run into the Li family immediately after returning—North City really was too small.

However, seeing how much older Li Guozhi looked, it seemed her life wasn’t going well.

Then again, thinking about it—what did their lives have to do with her? Borrowing a phrase from later generations, knowing they’re not doing well actually gave her peace of mind.

Leng Mochen pinched her cheek playfully: "Keep frowning, and you’ll turn into a bun! Why let them bother you?"

Leng Mochen knew the current state of the Li family better than Li Si did.

Li Guofu may have brought back a large sum of money from Beijing to invest in his business, but it hadn’t made much difference. Struggling businesses remained struggling. Seeing competitors with smaller operations thriving while his floundered only made him more jealous and angry. But what could he do? Sabotage them?

What a joke. Ever since he’d been held at a Beijing police station for a few days, his courage had shriveled completely. He’d rather not earn money than risk breaking the law again.

Wu Dachuan, on the other hand, hadn’t squandered the 100,000 yuan he received earlier; he’d plowed all of it into housing, leaving little leftover. He’d also pocketed an additional 50,000 yuan when he followed Li Guofu to Beijing. This time, he was even more cautious and insisted on spending money only where necessary, which meant his family’s lifestyle hadn’t changed much.

The one tiny change was that the major funds were now in Li Guozhi’s hands. Wu Dachuan might grumble, but what could he do? That money came from the Li family, and holding onto it wasn’t easy.

Li Si swatted away Leng Mochen’s hand. "Be gentle! I’m not bothered by them, really—it’s just seeing them made me uncomfortable, that’s all.

By the way, honey, I wonder how Leng Mohao is handling his large piece of land?"

She couldn’t help but think of it. Every time she pictured Leng Mohao running himself ragged, she felt oddly happy.

As for the Li family, she’d simply ignore them.

Leng Mochen started the car, a glint flashing through his eyes. "As they say—’Wildfire may destroy the grass, but the spring breeze will revive it.’"

Nowadays, most people have backups of documents on their computers. Dreaming of erasing it all completely? Impossible.

Li Si clapped her hands and smiled brightly, "How fitting! You’re good—if this were ancient times, you could compose poetry and counter others’ verses. Truly fitting for the occasion."

Leng Mochen offered a rare mysterious smile. "I was influenced by you!"

"Huh? Me?" Li Si pointed at herself, looking confused. Had she really influenced him?

"Milk, milk—don’t forget to buy milk!" Leng Mochen mimicked her tone, repeating the words she’d been muttering earlier.

"Hehehe!!" She giggled—it actually did rhyme a little!

When Li Guozhi returned home from work, she found Wu Dachuan at the dining table, drinking baijiu with some peanuts, his face flushed red. He glanced at her. "You’re back!"

"Yeah," she muttered, changing into slippers, tossing her bag aside, and slumping on the sofa, utterly drained.

Wu Dachuan took a sip of his drink and staggered over to her. "What’s on your mind?"

Even a bit tipsy, he could tell something was off about her mood.

"Huh? Nothing much. Is Mom asleep?" She glanced at her mother-in-law’s bedroom door—it was silent inside—prompting her to casually ask.

"Been sleeping for ages! It’s late—who wouldn’t be asleep by now?" He said, sinking onto the sofa beside her. "Did something happen?"

Having been married to her for so long, Wu Dachuan considered himself familiar with Li Guozhi’s habits. Her complexion was poor—it was obvious something had happened.

Li Guozhi turned to him, conflicted and hesitant about whether she should tell him. Her emotions were swirling.

Seeing her hesitation, Wu Dachuan grew impatient, his voice rising: "What’s with you? If something’s up, just say it! What’s with all this hemming and hawing? It’s maddening! No wonder my mom doesn’t like you!"

Li Guozhi felt a sharp pang in her chest. All her relentless efforts had been for this family, but she still didn’t earn any respect. Her mother-in-law constantly picked on her, and if Wu Dachuan was in a good mood, he might help out; bad mood meant she’d become their punching bag. If not for Wu Yue’s education, she would’ve been done with them long ago.

"I saw Li Si today at the supermarket," she blurted out.

Wu Dachuan’s eyes widened in shock. "Li Si is back?"

This was great news! The last time he and Second Brother went to see her, they endured such humiliation—Little Li Si didn’t even show her face. Weren’t they her elders? How could she be so heartless? Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novｅlfire.net

The woman said Li Si was abroad, but who believed that? It was probably just an excuse.

Li Guozhi smoothed back her hair. "Yeah, with her fiancé—the guy we saw at Big Brother’s gravesite last time. Judging by their demeanor, their relationship seems very good."

(To be continued. If you work, you’re welcome to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)