Chapter 71 A Victim of a Ridiculous Love

When Li Shuwei was competing, Feifei clapped backstage, saying, "She's so amazing, why did she have to do that?"

The girl in number 6, Ou Xingran, who was with her, couldn't keep her composure because of what happened before the competition. She played terribly and even fainted from crying after going offstage.

"I don't know, maybe she's afraid of losing, afraid of her mother." Zhou Mu shook his head.

She didn't know whether she or Li Shuwei were worse off; in terms of physical harm and mental torment, it seemed impossible to determine a winner.

Li Shuwei appears glamorous, but in reality, she is driven to depression by her mother's oppressive upbringing. She struggles to live under the daily abuse from her mother. She has no time to be depressed because she is still striving to survive. Living well is her expectation for the future and her motivation.

Feifei's results were also quite good; she was the runner-up.

During the award ceremony, Zhou Mu stood next to Yan Songyu, clapping enthusiastically, doing the work of three people.

Feifei looked at the four of them, happily raised the trophy to them, her eyes crinkling with laughter, revealing a set of small white teeth, which was very endearing.

Li Shuwei's mother was right next to them, her eyes filled with an almost manic excitement. Beside her was a man in a suit, looking haggard, with red eyes, who managed to force a faint smile as he looked at Li Shuwei on the stage.

Although they were all happy and full of praise, Li Shuwei couldn't see the same sincerity on their faces as the Yan family. She turned her head and whispered to Feifei, "I really envy you."

Feifei was still lost in the eye contact with her family. Li Shuwei's voice was soft and barely audible even amidst the gradually quieting applause, "Hmm? Are you talking to me?"

Li Shuwei had already stood up straight and said calmly, "No."

Feifei didn't press further. She vaguely heard her say she was envious. No matter how she tried to comfort Li Shuwei, it seemed powerless, just like how she could only accompany Mumu but couldn't solve the problems between Mumu and her mother.

When she stepped off the stage, Feifei's family and friends were already waiting backstage, and she ran over to give them each a hug.

"My baby was amazing today! Mommy is so proud of you!"

"Oh my~ Grandpa's eyes are almost blinded by Feifei on stage!"

"I wonder if this elegant and beautiful little princess would do us the honor of attending the celebration banquet prepared for you at home? Hmm... at Luming Pavilion."

Feifei nodded to Feng Yu with a haughty yet reserved air, "Granted."

Zhou Mu looked at Feifei with starry eyes, "Feifei, you play so beautifully!"

"Hehe~" Feifei smiled and winked at Zhou Mu, "I don't have any more competitions. You can come to the music room from now on, and I can teach you to play the piano."

"Okay, I want to learn the song 'Auld Lang Syne,' it's really beautiful."

The atmosphere here was warm and cozy, but the Li family home not far away was eerily quiet, with only Li Shuwei's mother speaking.

"You did well this time, but don't be complacent. Keep up the good work. Registration for next year's Yuejiang-Kayserburg National Youth Piano Competition starts next month, and I've already devised the most rigorous training plan for you..."

"Heh~" Li Shu smiled sarcastically, "I will no longer participate in piano competitions."

Li Shuwei's mother seemed not to hear her and continued with her training plan, "Your studies can't fall behind either. Training will be concentrated in the mornings and evenings. Also, I've accepted the job as your school's music teacher, so from now on, come to the music room to practice with me every day after lunch..."

"Qingxi, stop talking!" Li Shuwei's father finally spoke up, his tone heavy with suppressed emotion, as if he were on the verge of exploding.

Li Shuwei's mother suddenly exploded, "Li Jiyun, what's your problem with my arrangements? Don't forget, back then..."

"Li Qingxi!" Li Jiyun suddenly raised his voice and yelled at her, "Let's talk about this at home, don't make a scene in public."

"Am I the one making a scene?" Li Qingxi retorted. "We agreed before that I would keep Li Shuwei, and her education would be my responsibility. You wouldn't interfere. What do you mean now? Are you dissatisfied?"

“You are Weiwei’s mother, but I am also Weiwei’s father. Your current parenting methods are problematic. You are treating our daughter as a tool. Why can’t I intervene?”

"But isn't that the meaning of her existence?"

Li Qingxi's words silenced Li Jiyun. He seemed to have been wrong, wrong from the very beginning.

He fell in love with Li Qingxi at first sight during the university's opening ceremony. After three years of pursuing her, he finally won over the aloof and indifferent Li Qingxi. They became the most popular couple on campus, and everyone envied them.

He loved Li Qingxi deeply, so even though she wanted to abort Weiwei for the sake of her future, he only suffered in silence and sought out famous doctors to try to make up for the damage the abortion had done to her body.

Because before she became a mother, she was first and foremost herself, and she had the right to choose the future she wanted.

Li Qingxi was truly moved by him at that time. He could feel the difference in her before and after. Their relationship gradually improved, but accidents always happen unexpectedly. Li Qingxi broke her right hand and injured her Achilles tendon while saving a child who was almost hit by an advertising board. Her dream of playing the piano was shattered, and the genius pianist fell from grace overnight.

Li Jiyun stayed by her side, helping her regain hope in life. Later, Li Qingxi accepted his marriage proposal and kept Li Shuwei, on the condition that she would take care of Li Shuwei's education from now on.

Li Jiyun agreed, overjoyed that Li Qingxi had agreed to marry him.

He thought Li Qingxi was worried that he wouldn't be able to raise the child well. It didn't matter; Qingxi was so outstanding and kind, she would definitely raise their child very well!

He assumed that every mother loves her child; it was all just his assumption…

Li Shuwei saw Li Jiyun's silence as yet another compromise from him. Ha~ These are her parents!

"What are you pretending for?" Li Shuwei's sarcastic gaze shifted to Li Jiyun. "Don't you know how she treated me in the past? Didn't I tell you? Did you stop her? What are you spouting now? Ha~ You're still a dud."

“Weiwei, I’m sorry, Dad was wrong…” Li Jiyun looked at Li Shuwei pleadingly, “Dad will not let her hurt you again, you have to believe Dad.”

“Li Jiyun, if you insist on interfering in Li Shuwei’s education, then we will get a divorce. I will do my best to fight for custody of Li Shuwei.”

She was threatening him; in fact, she didn't think Li Jiyun would really make a scene for Li Shuwei.

Li Jiyun looked deeply at the woman he had loved for over a decade and still loved. "Then let's get a divorce. I won't give up custody of Weiwei, but I don't want to go to court with you. Given what you've done, I have a high chance of winning. And most importantly, it's Weiwei's wish. I hope you can give up voluntarily and leave us both with a little dignity."

Li Shuwei was momentarily surprised by Li Jiyun's words. Did he really intend to divorce Li Qingxi for her? But she wasn't entirely convinced, and... it wasn't necessary...

"Are you so sure Li Shuwei will choose you?" Li Qingxi retorted. "Is your indifference any better than mine? At least my intention was for her own good."

Snap snap snap—

It was Li Shuwei who was clapping. She smiled and looked at Li Jiyun, "I don't care whether you two are really getting a divorce or not, but I won't choose you. Just like she said, I hate you no less than she does. Aren't you turning a blind eye to this because you're treating me as a victim of your ridiculous love?"