RYEY -Chapter 481 Yuan Mengzhi Surrenders

Li Le stepped over, snatched Li Chen from Jiang Meili, and glared at her: “Li Chen is our Li family’s child. He has no obligation to see your freak brother.”

Jiang Meili turned pale. She hadn’t meant for her son to see his brother, but no one would believe her explanation, and it would hurt her husband’s heart, so she lowered her head in silence.

Jiang Hua felt annoyed hearing Li Le. He only wanted Meili to meet her brother, and hitting the face but not the person—this little aunt had to publicly call her son a freak.

Her son was already normal, though not handsome, but Cheng Qiao had said he would naturally grow in a better direction over time.

Guoqing, seeing his wife try to pick up Li Chen, ran quickly to help, but Li Chen, terrified, clung tightly to Li Le.

“Li Chen, your aunt is pregnant. Stop clinging to her. I’ll hold you and take you to see your second uncle and aunt, okay?”

Hearing about the pregnancy, Li Chen’s eyes flashed with disgust. He hated hearing about pregnant women—what if the baby was a freak?

Seeing Li Chen release his grip, Guoqing immediately held him and started walking toward Mother Li, telling Li Le they had time to talk to their mother instead.

Li Bing quickly ran over. He understood his son’s mental block. He, too, disliked Meili’s brother—not because the child was at fault, but because so many complications arose from him.

“Father-in-law, you go back. Take care of yourself and your son. Meili and Chengcheng are with me; they won’t be wronged.”

Jiang Hua took a deep breath, looked at Jiang Meili and Li Chen, and left in despair. He knew he had lost Meili and Li Chen at that moment.

Li Bing held Li Chen, comforting him, and let him sit next to Mother Li. Children loved the driver’s seat for the sense of pride, and sure enough, Li Chen nestled into Mother Li’s arms, finally smiling.

Li Huan checked one last time. Everyone who was supposed to get on the car was already on board, with no one left behind. He gave Uncle Niu and Yang Jun a quick nod—he was leaving the construction of the family farm to them.

The driver exhaled and kept silently urging, Brother Huan, get in already—the engine idling is still burning fuel! When he finally saw Li Huan climb into the car, he released the clutch and prepared to shift gears and leave.

But Cheng Qiao told the driver to wait a little longer. She had heard someone calling her—a familiar voice—but she couldn’t recall who it was. She could only peek out to see the direction from which the voice came.

“Li Huan, it’s Uncle Yuan. He brought Yuan Mengzhi. Not sure what they’re here for.”

Hearing Yuan Mengzhi’s name made Li Huan angry. That woman—she had no reason to bother him, yet she schemed to ruin his reputation. She arrived just at the right (or wrong) time.

He signaled the driver to turn off the engine, sensing that they wouldn’t be leaving quickly. Seeing Li Huan jump out, Yuan Guangming immediately rushed forward.

“Li Huan, I finally caught up. I’ve brought Yuan Mengzhi to turn herself in.”

“Turn herself in…”

Li Huan was startled. He had expected Yuan Guangming to plead for her. If that were the case, out of respect for Cheng Liguo, Li Huan might have had to relent.

“Uncle Yuan, you’re too kind.”

“You’re Cheng Liguo’s son-in-law, and I’m Cheng Liguo’s brother. I can’t let Yuan Mengzhi ruin the bond between us that’s lasted so many years. Besides, she really did something wrong.”

Hearing her brother repeatedly call her by name, Yuan Mengzhi knew he was utterly disappointed in her. He had lost faith in her.

At first, she had hidden in the cave dwelling, telling her brother that the newspaper wouldn’t hire her and she couldn’t find work elsewhere.

Although Yuan Guangming suspected her story, he let her stay. But Yuan Mengzhi underestimated her brother; he quietly investigated her.

Though older, Yuan Guangming knew his willful and reckless little sister thoroughly. After scanning all newspapers in Liangzhou for a month, he guessed the truth.

Returning to the cave with newspapers in hand, he saw Yuan Mengzhi lazily daydreaming and threw the papers at her face, demanding to know her intentions.

Since she couldn’t hide it, Yuan Mengzhi confessed. She hadn’t expected her brother to pick up her luggage and toss it outside. He didn’t tolerate such a sister—especially one who envied and plotted against Cheng Liguo’s own daughter and son-in-law.

Over the years, without Cheng Liguo and Cheng Qiao, he would have starved or frozen to death in this desolate, sandy land. There would have been no good life today.

Thus, Yuan Guangming firmly told Yuan Mengzhi to apologize and turn herself in, or else be banished from his sight forever. He would also report her misdeeds—she would have no comfortable life otherwise.

Under her brother’s strict stance, Yuan Mengzhi had no choice. With no money or status, every place she went was a dead end. Turning herself in—even serving time—was better than starving.

They hurried along and, luckily, caught up just in time. Seeing Li Huan’s icy expression, Yuan Mengzhi closed her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I was blinded by jealousy and harmed your reputation. I apologize, and I will turn myself in.”

Li Huan glanced at Qin Daqiang, who nodded and gestured. Naturally, his orderly stepped forward to take custody of Yuan Mengzhi.

“Uncle Yuan, we’re about to leave. We should return by the end of October. You must be tired from the journey. Stay at the guesthouse for a couple of days to rest before heading back.”

“And your father-in-law?”

“He left with Cheng Li about an hour ago. But don’t worry, I’ll inform him about this.”

“I’ll speak to him myself. I’ve lost faith in Yuan Mengzhi. A leopard can’t change its spots. Unless society teaches her a harsh lesson…”

“True. It’s National Day, my brother-in-law—if you need anything, go to him. I have to catch a train, so I can’t chat. Next time, I’ll stay at your place for a while.”

Yuan Guangming shook hands with Qin Guoqing and bid farewell to Li Huan. As Li Huan got into the car, Yuan Mengzhi suddenly called out to her brother:

“Big brother, are you really sending me to prison? You only have me left as a sister. Our parents died fleeing, and our brother is missing!”

Yuan Guangming’s heart tightened. He never had hope for the youngest brother. The family misfortune had made his siblings arrogant due to their wealth.

Especially the brother—already notorious in Hucheng. They had thought following their parents would save them, but it resulted in two dead and one missing.