When Li Youran returned home excitedly, carrying large and small bags, she saw this scene.
“His father…” Madam Li didn’t know what to do, so she looked at Li Dazhu.
"Since you're already here, you might as well stay. But let me make this clear from the start: you'll leave after the New Year."
I just can't bring myself to do it.
Li Dazhu didn't want to leave the family of four behind, but then he thought about how the two of them had a child with them, and how their clothes were thin and tattered, and they were afraid they wouldn't have enough to eat.
Moreover, with the Lunar New Year just around the corner, this round trip means I'll probably be on the road for the entire holiday.
Li Hongxing is 28 years old this year, the same age as Li Youran. Li Hongchao is 14 years old this year, but because he is thin, he looks no more than 12 years old.
"Big brother, I knew you wouldn't abandon me. Hongxing, Hongchao, come and kowtow to your grandpa. Thank you for taking us in."
Li Er'er avoided the main point and, while speaking, pulled the two children over and made them kowtow to Li Dazhu.
"This must be You Ran. Look at her, she's so pretty, and her figure is absolutely stunning. Girls change so much as they grow up, she's completely different from when she was little."
Li Erniang then wiped away her tears, put on a smiling face, and looked at Li Youran.
Li Erniang's gaze fell on Li Youran's large bundle, and she gave Li Hongxing a wink as she spoke.
Li Youran curiously sized up the family of four in front of her, then looked at the person in charge who was praising her. Li Youran felt that what he said... it sounded like he was praising her, but it also seemed like he was indirectly criticizing her for being ugly when she was a child.
"Hurry up and help your sister Youran with her things! Look at all these bags, she must be exhausted!"
Before Li Youran could dodge, Li Hongxing's black hands grabbed the bundle on her body.
"Sister Youran, let me help you with this." Li Hongxing pretended to be careless and accidentally opened the package, revealing brand-new clothes that fell to the ground.
Greed, envy, and resentment shone in Li Hongxing's eyes. Why was she starving and cold while Li Youran had new clothes to wear?
But she quickly hid it and replaced it with an innocent look.
"I'm sorry, Sister Youran..."
As Li Hongxing spoke, she used her dark, black hands to pick up the clothes from the ground.
Li Youran frowned slightly, and before she could react, hurriedly picked up the clothes and put them into her bundle.
"Father, Mother, what's going on? Who are they...?"
The first thing that came up was an extremely attractive mother and daughter. Li Youran felt like her head was about to explode and looked at the family of four with curiosity.
The family of four looked travel-worn and disheveled, their clothes tattered and thin, their faces pale and emaciated, as if they were fleeing a disaster.
“My dear niece, I’m your second uncle. You’ve forgotten that I used to hold you when you were little.”
"You still have the nerve to say you hugged my sister? When you hugged my sister, weren't you just trying to secretly sell her?"
Li Haoran walked in as he spoke.
With the academy closed for the holiday and few customers, the students who needed to copy books had all taken them home. Li Haoran simply closed the bookstore early and went home to help.
“Nephew, what are you saying? Your second uncle was confused back then, but now he has reformed.”
Li Erzhu was extremely thick-skinned and didn't take Li Haoran's words to heart at all, saying with a grin.
“You Ran, this is your second uncle and aunt, your younger sister Hongxing, and your younger brother Hongbing,” Madam Li introduced.
Li Youran nodded, which was considered an agreement.
"You silly child, why are you touching things like that! Your hands are so dirty, you've dirtied your sister Youran's clothes, what are we going to do? These are all new clothes!"
As she spoke, Li Erniang pointed to Li Hongxing's tattered clothes.
"Do you think I don't know what you're up to? Let me tell you, don't even think about making a move on your sister You Ran."
"I can make do with this outfit for another two months. It won't be cold until next spring."
Li Erniang's words made people feel very uncomfortable. Li Niangzi was a soft-hearted and proud person, and she hesitated several times before speaking.
"You Ran, you and Hong Xing are about the same height. See if you have any suitable clothes and give one to Hong Xing."
Although Madam Li didn't want it to be like this, she was kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see her child dressed so sparsely.
“Auntie, Hongxing is very dirty and doesn’t deserve to wear these new clothes. You’re too kind,” Li Erniang said, feigning reluctance.
“Since Second Aunt has said so, then I will listen to Second Aunt. I will go into the room and find two clothes that my sister doesn’t wear anymore.”
Li Erniang didn't react for a moment. By the time she did, Li Youran had already carried the new clothes she had bought back to her room.
Li Youran wasn't stupid; she wasn't willing to be taken advantage of. Clearly, this mother and daughter were a terrible pair.
She actually wanted new clothes? She wouldn't do something like that even if she were out of her mind. So she just rummaged through a few clothes she didn't wear anymore; they were a bit worn, but thick and clean.
Li Youran was unaware that this was only the beginning of a nightmare.
"Auntie, he stole my chicken leg..."
The little girl tugged pitifully at Li Youran's clothes and pointed at Li Hongchao, who was engrossed in gnawing on a chicken leg.
During dinner, a chicken was stewed, and Li Youran tore off two chicken legs to give Niu Niu a special meal. But unexpectedly, in the time it took to pick up a bowl, Li Hongchao snatched Niu Niu's chicken legs away.
"You even snatch food from a child. Don't you have any manners?" Li Youran said, snatching the untouched chicken leg and shoving it back into Niu Niu's hand.
Although I don't know what kind of person Li Hongchao is, he can't be any better than someone who would do something like this.
"I'm sorry, Sister Youran, I'm just so hungry." Li Hongchao said, and then burst into tears.
"It's okay, if you're hungry, go ahead and eat!"
Li Niangzi was soft-hearted. Although she knew that Li Hongchao was in the wrong, she couldn't help but feel maternal love overflowing when she saw his thin frame.
Li Youran opened her mouth but didn't say anything, wondering how long she would have to endure this.
Knowing full well that they are a terrible family, why do they still insist on keeping them at home? Isn't this just because they think the house is too quiet and they're just looking for trouble?
"Brother, the pancake shop is so busy, it must be short-handed. I'll go help you!"
At the dinner table, Li Erzhu drank two glasses of wine and patted his chest as he spoke.
"Brother, I have reformed and will not be idle here."
"Good brother, I believe in you. Go help out at the pancake shop tomorrow."
After several rounds of drinks, Li Dazhu was already quite drunk.
Li Haoran looked at Li Dazhu with a helpless expression, thinking that if he asked his second uncle to help out at the pancake shop, it would be like putting a rice weevil into a rice bag.
"Oh dear, Hongxing, what's wrong with you!"
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