128 Self-reliance is not easy
Uncle Luo, not yet forty, looked much younger than Li's father, Li Zhaoxing. He had a buzz cut and was a bit plumper than a few years ago. At nearly 1.8 meters tall, he didn't appear bulky but rather mature. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a set of white teeth that occasionally flashed as he chatted and laughed.
His attire was also very appropriate, with a navy blue suit and trousers, and a snow-white shirt with a royal blue and bright purple striped tie. What made him look particularly smart was that the snow-white shirt, which extended slightly beyond the cuffs and collar, gave this seasoned man a touch of dashing and debonair charm.
He was toasting and greeting everyone at each table, all smiles and friendly manners. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Uncle Luo was getting married today.
Li Wei, Li Lin, Luo Er, and Luo Xiaosan were at one table, while Luo Da belonged to the main table with the sixth senior brother, clearly a person of status and position.
Li Wei whispered to Luo Er beside her, "Hey, I never realized Third Uncle was so charming. Why didn't you and your brother inherit that charm?" Although they look somewhat alike, one looks like a mafia boss, and the other looks like a cunning old monkey. As for Luo Xiaosan, he's a smiling tiger. Look at Third Uncle Luo, he's got both looks and money now. He earned it all through his own hard work. Will his three sons be able to compare to their father in the future?
Luo Er glanced at Li Wei: "You're supposed to be a good student, so how come you don't know what it means to surpass your teacher, what it means for a hero to be like a hero, what it means for dragons to be like dragons and phoenixes to be like phoenixes, and what it means to reap what you sow? Little girl, broaden your horizons a bit, just wait until we grow up, hehe..."
Li Wei glared at Luo Er: "Looking for a beating, huh? Who are you calling 'little brat'? Is that how you address someone? Don't forget how good I was to you when you were little. If I hadn't constantly disciplined you, would you have studied this well? You wouldn't have even gotten into a vocational school; you'd be better off going to a reform school! If you don't respect me, I'll tell Uncle San that you're ungrateful and bullying me. You better behave yourself, you hear me!" Like father, like son; the last part, "like a mouse's son knows how to dig a hole," would be a shock to Uncle Luo if he heard that.
Luo Er shrank back, glancing in his father's direction. His father hated ungrateful people most of all, and had repeatedly taught his brothers to be loyal and righteous, to repay kindness tenfold. Every time he heard his father lecture them like this, Luo Er wanted to laugh, but he didn't dare, struggling to hold it in.
His dad's line was exactly the same as what Li Xiaoming said when he threatened them. If you met someone like Li Xiaoming, you wouldn't need to think about repaying a debt of gratitude; she would remind you herself. And she would remind you anytime, anywhere, so you couldn't pretend you forgot.
And most importantly, Li Xiaoming might become his sister-in-law in the future. If he offends her too much, will his brother let him get away with it?
So Luo Er smiled obsequiously at Li Wei: "I was wrong, please forgive me. Let me get you a piece of... well. Which one do you want?" With so many dishes, he didn't know where to begin.
Li Wei didn't stand on ceremony with him: "Um, that sweet fermented rice balls, bring them over to me. Could you please pick out some small rice balls for me? Thank you." Anyway, everyone at this table was an acquaintance, so she wasn't afraid of losing face.
After the meal, the guests gradually left. Li Wei saw her parents sitting some distance away talking to a few people, but didn't go over. Just then, she saw Luo Da coming over and quickly pulled him aside: "Hey, how's that thing I told you this morning about learning some quick self-defense techniques? Did you talk to your senior brother about it? Any chances?"
Luo Da scrutinized Li Wei: "Really no one's bullying you? Then why are you in such a hurry to learn these things? You'd better tell the truth. Otherwise, I'll find out too." Li Xiaoming always glared when he felt guilty, seemingly quite self-righteous.
Li Wei stared wide-eyed: "Of course not. I stay at school and home obediently. It's not like I'm out in the world. I'm so honest, who would be so bored as to bully me? Don't worry. So, is there any kung fu suitable for me to learn? Give me a definite answer!" The kind where you just punch a sandbag all day is out of the question. Something like wrestling, tripping someone or something, using minimal force to overcome great strength.
Luo Da sized up Li Wei's figure. He pinched her biceps. They weren't very prominent. He then said, "With your skinny arms and legs, you'd better work out first. Otherwise, all your training will be in vain. Even with that so-called 'using four ounces to move a thousand pounds,' you need to have four ounces first. Otherwise, how can you move someone else's weight? Right now, you don't even have an ounce of strength. What's the point of learning kung fu? It'll just be all show and no substance."
Li Wei felt utterly deflated. Was she truly powerless to resist the violence of her fellow countrymen? What if she kept encountering people like that? What would be the point of living then?
Seeing Li Wei's dejected expression, Luo Da thought for a moment and then said, "However, there are some life-saving techniques for emergencies. How about I teach you sometime?"
"Why didn't you say so earlier? Why keep me in suspense? Honestly." Li Wei's worry turned to joy. She discussed the time with Luo Da and they decided to meet at lunchtime every day, which meant going to Li Wei's house for lunch.
One person gets a free meal and drinks, and the other gets a free time; neither of them loses out.
Li Lianhui and Li Lin planned to enroll in a kung fu class, supposedly two or three days a week. They would travel together, keeping each other company. With Grandpa Cheng's approval, Li Zhaoxing and his wife didn't object, only requesting that it not interfere with their studies.
Li Zhaoxing and his wife, along with Luo Sanjiu, stayed in the office for a while before finally returning to their home with their three children.
Aunt Gao wasn't home, so Cheng Min looked around the room as soon as she entered. She opened up and checked everything, from the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom, refrigerator, and cabinets, like a leader inspecting the house. After a long time, she was basically satisfied and felt relieved.
It seems the children are doing quite well without her around. Aunt Gao has been very dutiful, which puts her at ease. Otherwise, she would always be thinking about them when she has nothing to do at home.
Li Zhaoxing, the father, chatted with the children in the living room, asking about their studies and school, and inquiring about any difficulties they were experiencing or struggling with. Although his tone was casual, his attitude was very serious. This made Li Wei and the other children feel like they were facing a major crisis, afraid of being scolded, until their mother, Cheng Min, arrived and relieved them from the awkward situation.
Li Zhaoxing and his wife were busy with their affairs and left soon after. Li Wei went back to her room to read. Li Lin originally wanted to watch TV for a while, but after seeing her sister go in to read, she also went in to study reluctantly.
Li Lianhui lay on the living room sofa playing games. He figured he just needed to learn what the teacher taught; he didn't believe that staring at books all day would make him a better student. He was already working harder than before. But he really couldn't stand his sister being such a bookworm.
The next day was Monday, and Luo Da and Ding Anni went home with Li Wei for lunch. Because it was Monday, Aunt Gao's food reserves were not sufficient, so lunchtime was a bit chaotic. She managed to cook a bag of noodles to get by.
When Li Wei went into her room for a nap, Aunt Gao followed her in: "Li Wei, do you think Luo Jianhua should come over for lunch from now on? Or at least let us know in advance. I know you don't need his meals, but sometimes our food supplies run out because of his visits."
Li Wei also noticed the problem and thought for a moment before saying, "I'll be coming to eat here soon. Have you bought everything you need? If it's inconvenient, I can have him bring it up for you. Anyway, it's always good to prepare more food."
Aunt Gao quickly waved her hand: "No need for that, as long as I'm mentally prepared, that's fine. Otherwise, I'll always be caught off guard. I'll always feel like I haven't done something right, and that makes me uncomfortable."
Luo Da officially became one of the guests at the three-person household.
Li Wei, lying in bed, suddenly remembered that she was supposed to learn a few of Luo Da's ultimate techniques. She quickly got out of bed, dressed, and went to the living room to find Luo Da.
Luo Da dismissed her with a single sentence: "Let's talk about it tomorrow. A day won't make a difference."
Li Wei thought about it and agreed, then went back to sleep.
During the last self-study period in the afternoon, Luo Da came to the classroom to find her. Li Wei had no choice but to close her book and leave the classroom: "What's up?"
"Come with me." He said, then turned and walked away.
Li Wei had no choice but to follow, wondering what major event had caused this mysterious commotion. They eventually reached the water dispenser next to the sports department, where Geng Xinyang and Qin Ling were now standing. What were they up to?
Li Wei had a vague feeling that it was related to Qin Ling, so she remained silent and waited to see what was going on.
Qin Ling's expression wasn't good, and when she saw Li Wei arrive, her face paled even more. She even began to apologize softly, "I'm sorry, I was wrong before..."
Li Wei looked at Qin Ling in surprise, then turned to Luo Da and asked, "Did you hit her?" Otherwise, why would Qin Ling suddenly change her personality?
Luo Da said impatiently, "Why would I hit a girl? Is she someone you can't take?" He just hit a brick next to him. All those words were said by that bastard Geng Xinyang. Then the girl got scared. How could Li Xiaoming be afraid of such a scoundrel without even telling him? It's infuriating.
After Qin Ling disappeared from sight, Li Wei slowly said, "Actually, it's not that serious. Although I'm worried that she might corner me and beat me up sometime, it's also a good opportunity to study hard and learn some self-defense techniques. Someone as beautiful and intelligent as me will always attract jealousy, right? I have to find a way to adapt, don't I?"
Geng Xinyang slumped his shoulders and patted Luo Da: "Brother, I'm leaving first. I feel like I've done something stupid."
Luo Da: "Let's go together. Let's pretend nothing happened. Just ignore all the swear words you said."
Li Wei looked at the two people's backs, somewhat puzzled: "Sigh, I'm serious."
The two walked even faster, both feeling like fools who had been tricked by someone who seemed to be a fool.
Qin Ling's matter wasn't over yet. A couple of days later, she was called away by Li Lianhui from Class 7 of the first year of high school, the class with the most rogue boys. When she returned, she was in a bad mood again.
One day at noon, while I was eating in the cafeteria, I was surrounded by several girls. The leader was a pretty girl who said only one thing: "If you dare to bully my sister again, I'll scratch you to death, then throw sulfuric acid on you and disfigure you, so you'll never be able to show your face in public again, hmph!"
Li Lin secretly took a taxi to No. 1 High School with her close friend during lunchtime. After making some harsh remarks, she secretly went back to school. Li Wei had no idea about this.
One day, Qin Ling was cornered in the corridor by Ding Anni and Zhou Xiaoyan. Ding Anni never hesitated to flaunt her family background: "I heard your mother works as an auditor in the tax bureau. So what? My dad is the director of the Public Security Bureau. I'm not as arrogant as you. I heard you threatened to beat up Li Wei. Let me tell you, my brother, who is also her uncle, works in the criminal investigation team. If she has a headache or fever, you'll be the first person she suspects. You'd better watch out. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Actually, if Li Wei was a little worried at first, she later really wanted to learn some self-defense skills. Her target was no longer someone like Qin Ling, but at least someone of a grown man's caliber. However, Luo Da kept putting it off, just eating and not doing any work.
In a fit of anger, Li Wei decided to go to the martial arts gym herself on the weekend. Aren't there three professional instructors there? Aren't they all more dedicated than Luo Da?
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