Chapter 659 - 653: Something’s Not Right
Chapter 659: Chapter 653: Something’s Not Right
"Yeah, my brother is the only family I have left, too," Li Xiaojuan said, her voice low.
Li Xiaodong placated Li Xiaojuan with a few more words, and the siblings made up.
Su Qing waited in the alley a while longer. Hearing nothing more from the siblings, she secretly tossed a Vine Seed into a corner of each of their rooms. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Li Xiaodong say to Li Xiaojuan again, "Oh, right, Xiao Juan. You mentioned you were going to look for Zheng Jiang or Zheng Hai before. How did that go? What’s their family’s attitude toward us?"
Li Xiaojuan frowned at his words. "Brother, just pretend we don’t have those relatives. Haven’t I already told you? You’re the only family I have left."
Hearing what Li Xiaojuan said, Li Xiaodong shot up from the bed. He frowned and asked, "Xiao Juan, what do you mean by that? Are you saying the Zheng family has no regard for our past relationship?"
"Yeah," Li Xiaojuan grunted irritably.
Su Qing couldn’t help but frown slightly when she heard this. ’So, Li Xiaojuan actually went to find the Zheng Family members?’
Li Xiaojuan’s purpose for seeking out the Zheng Family members was likely the same as her reason for finding Su Shengguo’s family. To her surprise, the Zheng family had simply ignored the two siblings.
"Damn it!" Li Xiaodong slapped the bed in fury. "Zheng Jiang and Zheng Hai, those two little bastards! They really are a pair of ingrates. Aunt was so good to them, doted on them since they were kids. Our dad thought about them all the time, too. Every festival and New Year, he always gave them a big red envelope. And now? Our family has fallen on hard times, and they’re avoiding us like the plague, staying as far away as possible. A bunch of scumbags."
Li Xiaojuan sighed. "Actually, I went to see Zheng Jiang a few times, and he was about to help me. But then he suddenly started ignoring me for some reason. Now he stays far away whenever he sees me. And don’t even get me started on Zheng Hai—he’s even more difficult to talk to than Zheng Jiang."
Li Xiaojuan was furious. ’Honestly, I always thought it would be best if Zheng Jiang or Zheng Hai were willing to help,’ she thought. ’After all, the Zheng family and the Li family were once in-laws. Even after what happened with my aunt, the two families just grew distant, but it would still be easy for a Zheng Family member to visit the Li family. It’s not like Su Shengguo’s family, who are already on such bad terms with Su Qing that they’re practically estranged. Mending that relationship would take time and obviously require a lot more effort.’
But unfortunately, for some unknown reason, Zheng Jiang, who had been somewhat receptive to her, suddenly started ignoring her. Left with no other choice, she finally turned to Su Shengguo’s family.
"Hmph, the Li family must have done something behind our backs," Li Xiaodong said furiously. "We’re the ones who are proper relatives with the Zheng family. Those two little bastards won’t even help their own kin!"
"Oh, please. You know what a sorry state we’re in. Do you really expect our relatives to give us the time of day? What are you thinking?" Li Xiaojuan, however, saw things clearly. Never mind the Zheng Family members; even their own maternal uncles and aunts from their mother’s side were pretending not to know them now, weren’t they?
Li Xiaojuan’s expression grew cold. "All right, it’s getting late. I’m going back to my room to rest."
"Fine, fine, I get it. I was just angry and had to vent a little," Li Xiaodong said. He then turned to Li Xiaojuan with a grin. "Hey, Sis, what’s for breakfast tomorrow?"
Li Xiaojuan shot Li Xiaodong an irritated glare. "Don’t worry, you won’t starve."
With that, Li Xiaojuan turned and went back to her own room.
Li Xiaodong pouted and flopped leisurely back onto the bed. His eyes darted back and forth as he pondered something.
Seeing that Li Xiaodong and Li Xiaojuan had each gone to rest, Su Qing finally left the alley, mulling over Li Xiaojuan’s words.
Su Qing’s intuition told her that someone was targeting the Li family, and it definitely wasn’t the "young master from Xiangcheng" Li Xiaojuan had mentioned. ’Perhaps I should discuss this with Grandpa and my eldest uncle.’
So, Su Qing returned to the Li family home that weekend and pulled Mr. Li and Li Fenghuo into the study.
After Su Qing explained what had happened, both Mr. Li and Li Fenghuo frowned deeply.
Su Qing said, "I just feel that there’s more to this than that young master from Xiangcheng. He has no reason to target our Li family."
"Qingqing is right." Mr. Li nodded gravely. "There’s definitely more to this than meets the eye. Qingqing, you were right not to act against them for now. Let your eldest uncle investigate this in secret first. We can decide how to handle it once he has some results."
"Yes, I’ll investigate it," Li Fenghuo agreed with a nod. He actually already had a few suspects in mind, but it was best not to jump to conclusions. It would be better to make a plan after the investigation turned up some leads.
With that settled, Li Fenghuo added, speaking to Su Qing, "Speaking of which, Su Shengguo’s family seems to be much more level-headed these days."
Su Qing smiled. "You’re right, Su Shengguo is definitely more sensible than before. He’s even keeping Zheng Erlian in check and stopping her from causing trouble. I suspect Su Shengguo has become somewhat wary of our family."
"It’s good that he is," Li Fenghuo nodded. "So, what are your plans for Su Shengguo’s family?"
Su Qing laughed. "I’ve already told them what to do. I’ll have them go along with Li Xiaojuan’s plan, and I’ll ’forgive’ them at the opportune moment. The first step is to get my hands on the so-called evidence Li Xiaojuan has. That way, Grandpa and you, Eldest Uncle, can look at this supposed evidence and make your own assessments."
"Good idea," Mr. Li nodded. "I’m rather curious what crime they plan on pinning on our family."
"It’ll be the usual accusations," Li Fenghuo sneered. "But I have to admit, I’m curious too."
"Me too," Su Qing said with a grin. "However, when the time comes, I might have to bring Su Shengguo and his wife here for a visit. Grandpa, Eldest Uncle, you two should be prepared for that."
"Let them come," Li Fenghuo said with a grand wave of his hand. "Seeing as they didn’t dare to cause any real trouble this time, I suppose I can refrain from dealing with them. Otherwise, hmph, I wouldn’t have let them off so easily."
Li Fenghuo had never forgotten the suffering his younger sister and niece had endured at the hands of the Old Su Family.
Remembering how her eldest uncle had gotten Su Shengguo fired from his job last year, Su Qing smiled. "Don’t worry, they wouldn’t dare. If they really harbor any ill intentions, I definitely won’t let them off the hook."
"Alright. Then we’ll make our move after that couple returns to Beijing," Mr. Li said with a smile. "For now, we just need to lie in wait."
Meanwhile, Su Shengguo’s family of four had returned to Lihua Village with Su Mei’s remains. They planned to choose a date to bury her, after which Su Shengguo and his wife would rush to Beijing.
However, the moment the family of four got home, they sensed that something was not quite right.