Chapter 321: Chapter 321

Wu Dachuan rubbed the back of his head and turned his eyes. "Guozhi, let’s inform Second Brother and Mom about this. After all, the kid has been gone for so long, not even a word from her. Our family’s been pretty worried."

"Alright! Then you make the call! I’m tired and going to take a bath first!" Li Guozhi said as she got up. Working the late shift at the supermarket was exhausting—her feet hurt, and her mind was weary. Thinking about Li Si filled her heart with complicated emotions.

She used to be such a good kid! But ever since Big Brother passed away, although the family did go too far in some ways, weren’t they blood-related, a family connected by flesh and bone? Did things need to be drawn so distinctly?

Just look at Little Li Si’s attitude earlier; is there anyone she can still tolerate now?

So when Wu Dachuan suggested it, she said nothing but secretly thought to herself that if Second Brother and the elderly lady could straighten the kid out, she’d happily watch from the sidelines. The rightful source is novel·fiɾe·net

Wu Dachuan glanced at the clock hanging in the living room—it was almost ten o’clock. He wondered whether they might be asleep already. After hesitating for a moment, he still went ahead and dialed the number.

When Li Guofu learned about Li Si’s return, he couldn’t help but exclaim how coincidental it was. He had recently been pondering how to head to Beijing to look for Li Si, and here she was, returning on her own.

If not for that woman’s warning, he would’ve already gone to Beijing.

But deep down, there was still some unease and hesitation. After all, that’s her territory; he was just an outsider unfamiliar with the city and its people, lacking confidence.

Now it’s perfect! Her return happened at just the right moment! Perhaps she could even lend him a hand. No matter what, she’s part of the Li family. Could family members ever speak like strangers?

Zhang Meihua stirred in her red sleepwear, groggily awakened by the ringing phone. Seeing him hang up the call with a big grin but not saying a single word, she yawned and asked curiously, "Who was it, this late?"

Li Guofu happily placed his phone on the bedside table, lay back down, and finally answered, "Dachuan said Guozhi saw Li Si with her partner!"

Zhang Meihua raised an eyebrow, "Really? Did she say when Li Si’s coming home? I’ll make sure to properly host them!"

Now that she’s back in North City, even if she doesn’t visit us, she surely has to see the elderly lady, doesn’t she? No matter the rights or wrongs, that’s her grandmother. Would she really hold a grudge?

If she does, then it shows she’s unfilial. That one word, ’filial,’ alone could weigh her down.

She began calculating in her mind. They said the person Li Si found is quite wealthy. Fei’er was looking for an internship, but none of the connections they’ve tapped into led to decent opportunities.

If they manage to sweet-talk Li Si, wouldn’t it be effortlessly simple to have her arrange a job for Fei’er?

Suddenly, Li Guofu remembered what that woman had instructed him in Beijing, about not interfering with Li Si’s life.

Then again, with the world so vast and their actions so hidden, how would she ever find out?

Seems like he’d have to seize on creating an opportunity.

The smile on his face gave way to some dissatisfaction. "Why would she come back here? What good is there in this house? Let’s wait until we run into her someday and have a proper chat. After all, we’re the only family she has left now! In case anything happens in the future, wouldn’t it be us who’d have her back?"

Zhang Meihua nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! Hubby, even if that girl ends up marrying into a rich family, those families are full of complications. Let’s not even mention whether the man goes looking for a mistress outside;

Her in-laws alone could make her miserable. Our kid from a poor family has nothing. Do you think they’d ever actually hold her in high regard?

She’ll probably face all sorts of bullying. Li Si has always had a soft personality, and though she was forced to stand up for herself before, this time we need to ease things over with her properly! If we manage the relationship well, there’ll be mutual benefits down the line, isn’t that right?"

Zhang Meihua was already playing out countless versions of Li Si being insulted and mistreated in her head.

Li Guofu also felt this was likely the case. Those mother-in-law types in big households were notoriously sharp—haven’t you seen how they’re portrayed in TV dramas, handing out beatings and scoldings?

"Hmm! Looks like we’re on the same wavelength. Make sure to remind Fei’er to talk nicely to Li Si if she bumps into her. They’re girls of the same age, and their relationship could be close. With good relations, how could it harm Fei’er?" Li Guofu thought about his daughter and added this special instruction.

Zhang Meihua’s eyes glinted as she gave him a shove, "Look at you! Fei’er’s no fool, just trust her. Oh, and one more thing, now that she’s grown up and has her dignity, don’t keep yelling at her. Talk things through calmly, alright?"

Li Guofu stiffened his neck. "You’re always saying it’s me yelling. Day in and day out at school, what’s she learning? All she ever knows is chasing after boys!"

The mere mention of this irritated him. He used to believe his daughter’s good looks and academics would ensure her a stable career after college, followed by a suitable marriage, and her life would be set.

But as she grew older, she didn’t follow his plans at all. The boy she was dating might look okay, but his family conditions were far below par.

Zhang Meihua quickly comforted him, "Hubby, Fei’er is young, innocent, and doesn’t have the right perspective on these things yet. Here’s what I think: If Fei’er left North City and went to Beijing for work, with her and that boy separated for a long stretch of time, wouldn’t their relationship naturally fade?

Not to mention, Li Si knows plenty of wealthy people. If she could help introduce someone to Fei’er, you know how people start making comparisons—the boy who’s good-looking and rich will stand out. At that point, Fei’er would end up with a good marriage, wouldn’t she?"

Li Guofu’s eyes lit up. Right, isn’t this a win-win? The two exchanged knowing smiles, their minds flooded with fantasies about becoming relatives to affluent families. Neither of them stopped to consider whether Li Si, after everything she’d been through, would ever acknowledge them again.

"By the way, we missed visiting Big Brother at the cemetery during Qingming Festival when we were so busy. Tomorrow, let’s go and take a look! I’ll head back to the countryside to fetch Mom," Li Guofu brought this up, feeling it needed addressing. Appearances were still important, after all.

Zhang Meihua agreed eagerly. "Yes, Hubby, do talk it over properly with Mom. Easing tensions this time around, having the elderly lady step in, that’s crucial.

Don’t worry about my end! Tomorrow I’ll call Fei’er and see if she can spare time. I’ll ask if Guozhi and the others can join too! If they can, we’ll go together!"

"Alright! Let’s sleep!" Li Guofu, his initial excitement now dwindling, yawned and said.

"Sure!" Zhang Meihua, however, was wide awake, her thoughts endlessly filled with daydreams of brilliant prospects, letting slip occasional smiles of satisfaction.

At the North City Cemetery, Leng Mochen and Li Si arrived bright and early. The weather was beautifully sunny today. Thinking back to the rainy, gloomy weather on the first anniversary of her dad’s passing, Li Si curled her lips slightly.

Her father’s grave likely hadn’t seen any visitors recently; the Li family had probably long forgotten the man resting here.

Noticing the fresh flowers placed in front of many of the other gravestones, Li Si felt a pang of guilt over her lack of filial duty. Even being so far away wasn’t an excuse—shouldn’t she have made time to come back and visit?

Having been away for so long, her dad must have missed her too, right?

Carefully wiping the photograph of Li Guoqiang on the headstone, wherein he seemed to be smiling, Li Si quietly shared the highlights of her life during her absence, as though talking with him.

"Dad, I’ve gotten married to Mochen, and we’ve brought a baby into the world. I’m really happy! So don’t worry about me, Dad..."

Leng Mochen, standing quietly to the side, thought to himself that everyone faces death eventually. Hopefully, Li Si’s father could reincarnate or find a good afterlife just the way they desired.

Li Si spoke for a long time, and by the end, she felt much lighter, as though a weight had been lifted.

She stood up, patted the dust off her pants, and glanced deeply at her father’s smiling face once more. She smiled back: "Dad, I’ll be staying here for a few days this time. If I can, I’ll come back to see you again!"

The pair slowly walked down the trail toward the base of the hill. As they reached the foot, two figures came walking up—a pair of familiar faces: Zhang Meihua and Li Fei. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this story, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for access.)