TSWPF -Chapter 177 As Desired

Hearing Old Li’s threat, Li Qingfeng’s eyes narrowed slightly. He looked at Old Li and gave a mocking smile. “I’ve never seen a grandfather threaten his own grandson like this. Today, I’ve experienced it firsthand.” Deep down, he still felt uncomfortable with Old Li’s actions.

However, from now on, he would not feel even an ounce of affection for Old Li.

Hearing Li Qingfeng’s words, Old Li felt a twinge of guilt. He didn’t want to threaten Li Qingfeng like this, but for the sake of his goal, he had no choice.

Once this matter was over, he could find an opportunity to explain everything to Li Qingfeng. He hoped that by then, Li Qingfeng would understand his helpless actions.

“Xiaofeng, I’m not threatening you. I’m just putting the facts in front of you so that you can think it through,” Old Li said, clearing his throat as he looked at Li Qingfeng. “I’m doing this for your own good, so that no one can use it against you.”

Yes, he claimed it was all for Li Qingfeng’s sake—to prevent him from being accused of being unfilial.

Thinking this, Old Li straightened his back even more, as if he were truly concerned for Li Qingfeng.

Li Qingfeng laughed coldly, the humor full of mockery. “So should I thank you for this? Huh?” He had never met anyone so shameless, and this person was supposed to be his own grandfather. It was utterly humiliating.

Didn’t he realize that the more he forced him like this, the more resentment it would breed?

“Xiaofeng, Grandpa is sincerely looking out for you. Of course, you should be grateful,” Li Laifu said, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in Li Qingfeng’s voice, smiling cheerfully. “You have to understand, only family would sincerely advise you like this.”

As long as Li Qingfeng was persuaded, Li Qingling’s objections wouldn’t matter. She, as a woman married out of the family, had no right to interfere in Li family matters.

But Li Laifu obviously forgot that if he wanted to climb onto Liu Zhimou’s influential path, he couldn’t offend Li Qingling. Offend her, and his plans would never succeed.

“Whether it’s sincere or not, I know that in my heart,” Li Qingfeng replied calmly. Did they really think he was a three-year-old child, incapable of judging right from wrong?

Li Laifu, trying to stir trouble in front of so many people, really showed either his brilliance or his stupidity—he wasn’t sure which.

“As long as you understand, Xiaofeng, that’s good,” Li Laifu said, glancing at Li Qingfeng again, rubbing his hands in a somewhat ingratiating manner. “Now that everything has been explained, shall we go home?”

“When exactly was everything explained? How come I didn’t know?” Li Qingfeng shot him a glance, then turned to the grim-faced Old Li. “Let’s take this opportunity to settle everything properly, so it won’t happen again.”

He didn’t want his sister to be disturbed by these people while he was away.

If it was to be resolved, then it should be done all at once. Only then could their peaceful life remain undisturbed.

Old Li clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth, and asked Li Qingfeng if he truly intended to sever ties with them.

Li Qingfeng nodded without hesitation.

He would not waver on this matter. He supported his sister’s decision and was determined to cut off these people.

“Don’t you want to become an official? Huh?” The crime of unfilial conduct was serious.

Did Li Qingfeng really not care at all? How could that be? Everyone cares about their future.

Li Qingfeng met Old Li’s gaze for a long moment before speaking seriously. “Even if I can never become an official in this life, I will sever ties with you.” Ignoring Old Li’s displeased expression, he gave a bitter smile. “After all these events, I’m truly afraid of you. Really.”

Time and again, these people caused trouble for them. He was completely indifferent to Old Li’s family now.

As soon as he said this, the old man who had been watching from the crowd shouted in approval, “Well said!” He strode forward from the crowd and stood in front of Li Qingfeng, patting his head happily. “Xiaofeng, you did well. If you can’t even protect yourself and your family, then there’s no need to pursue an official position.”

He knew that these children worked so hard at their studies and the path to officialdom merely to protect their family, so they wouldn’t be bullied.

If they couldn’t even protect their own family, what use was being an official?

Seeing the old man approach, Li Qingfeng grinned at him. In his heart, this old man was truly his grandfather.

Although they had no blood relation, their bond was deeper than that with Old Li.

True affection is built through living together and supporting one another.

The old man gently patted Li Qingfeng’s head again, then looked up at Old Li solemnly. “As long as I’m here, let’s see who dares to gossip freely.”

His words were domineering, making Old Li and his son’s faces turn pale and red by turns.

It was clear that Li Qingfeng’s feelings for Xue Liangzi were stronger than theirs.

This was a huge slap to their pride.

They were his relatives! How could he be closer to an outsider than them?

“Master Xue, this is a family matter. I hope you won’t interfere,” Li Laifu said, forcing himself. If Xue Liangzi intervened directly, they had no chance of winning.

The old man snorted coldly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Li Laifu and Old Li. “Xiaofeng is my grandson. Why can’t I intervene?” He had resolved to help Li Qingfeng settle this matter.

He had heard from others how Old Li’s family treated Li Qingfeng and the children, and he bore them no goodwill.

Even as someone with no blood relation, he cared for Li Qingfeng and the others.

Old Li’s family, on the other hand, not only failed to help, but actively made things worse. Why keep such relatives around if they didn’t discard them sooner?

Hearing this, Old Li’s face alternated between red, green, and pale white—clearly humiliated by the old man’s words.

“Master Xue, you can’t just claim family. I am Xiaofeng’s real grandfather,” Old Li said, still wary of Xue Liangzi since he was an imperial physician, not daring to speak too harshly.

If Xue Liangzi were an ordinary person, he would have been sent away long ago.

“To be honest, Xiaofeng is unfortunate to have a grandfather like you!” Xue Liangzi said bluntly, leaving Old Li no face. “Xiaofeng and the children are pitiful. Stop tormenting them—let them be!”

Since Old Li refused to treat his grandchildren properly, Xue Liangzi would do it instead. No need for him here—he could go wherever he pleased, as long as he stayed out of the way.

Old Li clenched his molars, forcing the words back down.

Xue Liangzi’s words were harsh, but he had no choice but to silently endure them, unwilling to offend him.

“Village Chief, I think Old Li has implicitly agreed to what he said before. Let’s implement this immediately. The longer we delay, the worse it is for both sides, right?”

The village chief glanced at Old Li. Seeing no response, he smiled and nodded at Xue Liangzi.

Settling this quickly would allow him to breathe easier.

Li Laifu still felt reluctant and wanted to argue, but Old Li held his hand, shaking his head.

With Xue Liangzi stepping in, they no longer had any advantage.

“Father, are you really going to sever ties with Li Qingfeng and his family? Are you willing to do this?” Li Laifu asked softly, his voice full of resentment.

Old Li felt powerless inside. Even if he was unwilling, what could he do? How could a commoner compete with an official?

“This matter ends here. Understood?”

“Father…”

Old Li impatiently cut him off. “Do you want to offend Master Xue? Huh?” A commoner cannot fight an official—did he even understand this?

Exhaling sharply, Li Laifu dared not provoke Xue Liangzi, though he still felt extremely resentful.

“Fine. Go home first. I’ll settle this matter before leaving,” Old Li said, glancing at Li Laifu to prevent him from speaking recklessly, sending him home.

Li Laifu pressed his lips together, responded softly, and left.

The matter of severing ties with Li Qingfeng was truly irreversible; he could only turn a blind eye.

Watching Li Laifu leave, Old Li dragged his heavy steps into the ancestral hall.

He looked at Li Qingfeng standing in the center and felt helpless. How had things come to this? Was he really about to lose his grandson? Would he blame him when he met Laigui in the future?

The old man thought of many things until the village chief brought a severance-of-ties document before him for his seal. Only then did he come back to reality.

“Old Li, press your seal!”

The situation had escalated to this point entirely because of Old Li’s family. If they hadn’t acted so recklessly, it wouldn’t have come to this.

Old Li’s fingers trembled slightly. Before pressing the seal, he asked Li Qingfeng once more if he truly wanted to sever ties.

Li Qingfeng nodded firmly.

This matter was unchangeable. No matter how many times Old Li asked, he would always answer yes.

Old Li took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and pressed his finger down. Instantly, a bright red fingerprint appeared on the document.

This fingerprint pierced Old Li’s heart.

The village chief noticed Old Li’s eyes reddening, took the severance document, and handed it to Li Qingfeng to press his fingerprint.

After Li Qingfeng pressed it, there were two copies of the severance document—one for him, one for Old Li.

Taking his copy, Old Li felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, too heavy to lift. He looked at Li Qingfeng one last time and said, “Take care of yourself,” before slowly leaving the ancestral hall.

From that moment onward, he and Li Qingfeng and his sisters were no longer related.