TSWPF -Chapter 176 Opposition

Old Li Tou was momentarily stunned by the cold and sorrowful gaze from Li Qingling. Suddenly, he didn’t know how to respond.

Before him, he seemed to see the small, pitiful Li Qingling kneeling in front of them, crying as she said that they hadn’t eaten for days, that her younger brother was crying from hunger, and begging them to lend her a few containers of coarse rice, promising to repay them after the autumn harvest.

What was his reaction back then? It seemed he was about to have Madam Liu give her some coarse rice. But before he could even speak, Li Qingling had been pushed by Li Qingfu into a wall, fainting and bleeding from her head.

Fearing she might die in their house, he hurriedly had Madam Liu and the others send Li Qingling back home.

He still wanted Madam Liu to send some rice over, but Madam Liu refused, saying the household was almost out of rice.

He couldn’t quite believe Madam Liu, so he checked the rice jar himself. Indeed, there was hardly any left, and so he gave up on the idea of sending rice.

It was said she remained unconscious for three days and three nights before waking. And it was after that awakening that she changed.

She was no longer as timid as before; she became decisive. Step by step, she led her younger siblings to prosperity.

Had he insisted on sending that rice back then, would things have been different?

But now, it was useless to think about it. Time doesn’t flow backward—there was no chance to undo it.

Feeling the sorrow emanating from Li Qingling, Liu Zhimousheng held her hand tightly, silently telling her that no matter what happened, he would always be by her side, accompanying her until old age.

Li Qingling withdrew her gaze and turned to Liu Zhimou, meeting his gentle eyes. She pressed her lips into a small smile and said, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.” She was only saddened for the Li Qingling that no longer existed.

She hoped that she, too, could live as she did—just in another world.

Liu Zhimou nodded and slightly tightened his grip on her hand, careful not to hurt her, yet ensuring her hand was firmly held in his palm.

In this lifetime, now that he had grasped her hand, he would never let go again.

He would walk beside her for life, until the end of his days.

“Xiao Ling, what are you saying? What do you mean by ‘returning your life to my father’? You’re alive and well, aren’t you?” Li Laifu, seeing Old Li Tou at a loss for words, chuckled and added.

Only when Li Qingling died would she truly have returned her life to the Li family. Otherwise, the blood of the Li family would always remain within her, impossible to remove.

Li Qingling treasured her life too much—she would never give it up.

If that were the case, the bond of family between them could never be severed.

Li Qingling’s expression remained cold as she looked at Li Laifu. Though he always seemed cheerful, his scheming was the deepest of all in the Li family—a true smiling tiger.

“So? You want me to return the life the King of Hell gave me? Back then, the King of Hell saw how pitiful my mother and brother were and feared that if I was gone, they would be gone too, so he relented and let me live.” She curled her lips in a sinister smile. “The King of Hell even told me that the cycle of heaven ensures that those who hurt me will one day receive their due retribution. All I have to do is watch carefully.”

Her eerie tone sent shivers through everyone, especially Li Laifu, who felt frozen in place, unable to move.

The sensation made him uneasy.

He swallowed hard, forcing a smile and stammering, “X…Xiaoling, niece, you’re joking, right?”

He refused to believe Li Qingling’s words. Yes, he could not trust them.

“Joking? Just wait and see,” Li Qingling said coldly, giving Li Laifu another icy glance, leaving his face pale with fear.

Seeing this, Li Qingling snorted inwardly. How dare he provoke her—let’s see if it scares him to death.

“Village Chief, I’m sorry for the trouble caused,” she turned to the village chief and bowed. She hadn’t expected this matter to wrongly implicate him.

Old Li Tou and his son were even worse than Madam Liu.

The village chief quickly helped Li Qingling to her feet, saying, “Child, what are you doing? This isn’t your fault—there’s no need to apologize.” He didn’t blame her at all and instead felt pity. Facing such unreliable relatives, she had suffered greatly.

If he had such a granddaughter, even laughing would wake him—how could he treat her so cruelly?

Li Qingling straightened up and said to the village chief, “Village Chief, let’s not delay—let’s get this handled!” Given the behavior of Old Li Tou’s family, she feared more complications might arise. She wanted this matter resolved quickly so she could finally rest her mind.

The village chief agreed and nodded repeatedly, moving to take care of the matter.

Seeing the village chief speak openly with Li Qingling, Old Li Tou trembled in anger. He shouted, “Li Qingling, you really don’t take me seriously, do you? If I don’t agree, you won’t even have the chance to start your own household!” She thought she could get this done without his consent?

Hearing this, Li Qingling turned sharply to Old Li Tou, her voice cold: “What exactly do you want?”

Did he not realize that by blocking her repeatedly, he would only make her more determined to sever ties with him quickly?

With relatives like them, she wanted nothing to do with them.

“I want nothing, I just don’t want to lose my grandson,” Old Li Tou replied, face stern.

Li Qingling stared at him for a long moment before smirking coldly. “You only say you don’t want to lose your grandson now? Where were you when we needed you? When we no longer needed you and became strong enough, only then you come back whining? Don’t you think it’s ridiculous?” She had expected better from him, but clearly, she had been blind. “We are no longer children to be ruled by you. If you want to sever ties with us, go ahead. If you don’t, you can change your mind—but do you think we’ll just let you?”

The angrier she felt, the clearer her mind became. Today, she would sever ties with Old Li Tou, absolutely…

She would never give him or his family a chance to cling to her.

Old Li Tou saw the grim look on Li Qingling’s face and gradually calmed down. He said lightly, “You are married now. This matter is no longer in your hands.”

He had just forgotten that Li Qingling was already married. It wasn’t too late to remember now.

Right, Li Qingling was married and no longer part of the Li family—he had no authority over their matters. Li Laifu’s eyes brightened at the thought. Smiling, he said, “Xiaoling, niece, now that you belong to the Liu family, you truly can’t make this decision. Let’s wait for Xiaofeng to return. He’s such a filial person; he wouldn’t sever ties with us.”

No sooner had he said this, Li Qingfeng spoke up: “No, I listen to my sister.”

A path opened in the crowd. Li Qingfeng strode over, standing firmly beside Li Qingling, eyes blazing as he looked at Li Laifu. “Family matters are entirely decided by my sister.”

He had rushed over after hearing from Huang Daniu and had just caught Li Laifu’s words, which angered him instantly.

In his heart, no one was greater than his sister. Whatever she decided, he would support her wholeheartedly.

If it weren’t for his sister, he wouldn’t even exist—his life was hers. He would never oppose any of her decisions.

Hearing this, Li Laifu frowned, disapproving. “Xiaofeng, you are the head of the household. How can you follow a married daughter in everything? People will look down on you!” How could someone with no decisiveness, following Li Qingling in all things, accomplish anything?

Li Qingfeng snorted coldly, scanning the crowd. “So what? Family matters are decided by my sister. Let’s see who dares to look down on me.”

“Exactly. Xiaofeng is still young. He should focus on his studies. Household matters should be decided by Xiaoling. That’s right,” someone in the crowd said.

Others quickly agreed.

“Yes, Xiaofeng is still young. He has schoolwork—of course, Xiaoling should handle these matters.”

“Exactly…”

“I also think Xiaofeng’s choice is right.”

Hearing everyone support Li Qingfeng, Li Laifu was furious.

He should have realized that the villagers, having benefited from Li Qingling, would naturally side with her.

With just him and his father, they couldn’t oppose an entire village.

If they offended the entire village, they wouldn’t be able to live there.

Li Laifu’s face changed multiple times as he realized he might really have to follow Li Qingling’s wishes.

Once Li Qingfeng started his own household, they would truly be like kites cut from their strings—impossible to pull back.

“If I disagree, Xiaofeng, will you still insist on severing ties with me? Hmm?” Old Li Tou waited a long moment. Not hearing from Li Laifu, he spoke again. “If you still wish to take the imperial exams and become an official, you cannot sever ties with your family. It will be harmful to you.”

Old Li Tou’s words gave Li Laifu a glimmer of hope. Excited, he rubbed his hands and said, “Xiaofeng, your grandfather is right. If you insist on severing ties and it’s discovered, people will think you unfilial, and you won’t be allowed to become an official.”

This would give him leverage over Li Qingfeng.