Chapter Thirty-Five: The Past of the Li Family

After arranging a new place for Chen Long, dusk had already fallen. When Xiao Ye returned home, Mrs. Li had prepared a lavish meal, waiting for him to come back.

“Xiao Ye, where have you been so late? Were you working again? You’re always so busy.”

As soon as he stepped through the door, Mrs. Li hurried over to help him out of his coat and hand him his slippers, fussing over him with concern—she treated him even more like a son than her real son. It was all out of necessity; the peaceful life she and Qin Xue’er now enjoyed was thanks to Xiao Ye. Of all people, Mrs. Li had the most reason to hope nothing would ever happen to him.

“It was nothing, really. I just ran into an old friend,” Xiao Ye replied with a gentle smile.

Mrs. Li’s expression changed abruptly. She quickly asked, “An old friend? Was it a man or a woman?”

“A man,” he answered.

Only then did Mrs. Li’s worries ease. If it had been a woman, she would have feared Xiao Ye’s affections might stray. Given Qin Xue’er’s current circumstances, it was already a stroke of luck that someone cared for her.

A cold glint flashed in Mrs. Li’s eyes as she remembered the days spent in the pigpen. If Xiao Ye ever abandoned her and her daughter, they would be forced back into that life, one not even fit for animals.

Forcing a smile, she turned to Xiao Ye. “Xiao Ye, come with me somewhere tomorrow. I want you to meet my family.”

He was taken aback. “Why haven’t you ever mentioned this before?”

He remembered that after the Qin family suffered persecution from the Four Great Clans, only Qin Xue’er remained—the others had long since been wiped out.

“They’re not from the Qin family. They’re my relatives, the Li family.”

When trouble broke out between the Qin family and the four clans, the Li family naturally got caught in the crossfire. Most managed to leave after catching wind of the coming disaster, leaving only Mrs. Li and Qin Xue’er behind in Jianghai City. The family’s collective punishment weighed heavily on Mrs. Li, filling her with guilt and the desire to make amends.

“In that case, let’s go see them tomorrow,” Xiao Ye agreed. Knowing that Qin Xue’er still had living relatives brought him some comfort; at least she wasn’t as alone as he was in this world.

...

Early the next morning, Chilong drove while Xiao Ye accompanied Mrs. Li to the Li family’s hiding place. On the eastern outskirts of Jianghai City, they arrived at an abandoned stone quarry. According to Mrs. Li, her relatives were hiding here, living in constant fear.

Dust hung thick in the air, and small shards of stone littered the ground. As Mrs. Li gazed at the desolate path ahead, tears welled in her eyes.

“Brother, Second Sister, I’ve wronged you. If I hadn’t brought trouble to the Qin family, you wouldn’t have to hide in a place like this!”

Overcome with grief, Mrs. Li swayed, and Xiao Ye hurried to steady and comfort her.

“Mother, don’t worry. Let’s find them first.”

“You’re right, let’s find them first,” she said, wiping her tears, nearly forgetting the purpose of their visit.

They followed the stone path inward, the ground covered with sand and debris. To make the walk easier, Xiao Ye carried Mrs. Li on his back, easing her burden.

Just then, laughter rang out nearby. Two children, perhaps in their early teens, suddenly appeared, playfully waving small toys. Mrs. Li’s eyes blurred with tears once more.

“Tian Tian, Qing Qing, is that you?”

The laughter stopped abruptly as the children turned to look at them. The bolder of the two, a boy with wide, innocent eyes, cocked his head and asked curiously, “Granny, who are you?”

“Tian Tian, it’s me—your grandaunt!” Mrs. Li said anxiously, smiling.

But as soon as the children heard her, they turned and ran off, shouting as they went.

“Oh no, grandaunt is here!”

“Grandpa, grandaunt is here!”

“Wait, don’t run!” Mrs. Li called out, trying to stop them.

Seeing the children disappear, Xiao Ye quickened his pace, following them through several narrow alleys. Sure enough, he soon spotted a small house by a foul-smelling ditch.

“Li Jinxiu, you have the nerve to show your face here!”

Before they could approach the house, a thunderous voice rang out. Several people stood before the house, the most prominent among them an elderly man with white hair, whose eyes blazed with anger as he glared at them.

At the sight of him, Mrs. Li trembled and quickly asked Xiao Ye to set her down. She hobbled forward, voice quivering.

“Brother, it’s me, Jinxiu. I’ve come home!”

“I know you’re here! But you’re not allowed to set foot in the Li family home!” Li Jinrong’s cold gaze swept over her, filled with nothing but loathing.

“Why, Brother? Why?” Mrs. Li’s face was streaked with tears. She had finally found her family, only to be rejected.

“You dare ask why? If it hadn’t been for you, our family wouldn’t have fallen so low!” Li Jinrong’s eyes were bloodshot with rage. The Li family had never been powerful in Jianghai, but they had always managed to hold their own—until the Qin family offended the Four Great Clans, dragging the Li family into endless trouble.

“Because of you, my son and daughter lost their jobs. My grandchildren still haven’t been able to go to school!”

Mrs. Li’s face fell as she finally understood the depth of her brother’s resentment.

“Brother, I’m here to make it up to you. Whatever you want, I can give you!”

After all, the only foreign prince left in Dragon Country now stood behind Mrs. Li—one word from her, and even a prince would have to obey.

“Hmph! Keep your things. I want nothing from you!” Li Jinrong turned away in disgust, leading his family into the house and slamming the door shut.

“Wait, Brother, please open the door! I came just to see you all!” Mrs. Li sobbed, guilt-ridden and desperate at her brother’s heartlessness.

“Mother, please calm down,” Xiao Ye said, steadying her. “Don’t worry. Your family is my family now. Leave this to me.”

Exchanging a look with Chilong, Xiao Ye gave a subtle signal. Chilong nodded and stepped away to make a phone call.

Moments later, the ground began to tremble as the roar of engines grew louder outside. Inside the house, Li Jinrong’s face drained of color at the ominous sound.