Chapter 967: The Child’s Question
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Hearing that, Old Master Li sighed and advised Su Tang. “Su Tang, go back first.”
Su Tang felt her heart turn cold. She could not believe that Old Master Li was not supporting her just because of a few words by someone else when he usually protected her. So what if she wanted to continue fighting with Xia Ling? There was no use… The three words “The Household’s Matriarch” were the highest token. As long as Xia Ling was occupying this position, nobody would be able to defy her!
Su Tang lowered her head hatefully. With the maids urging her on, she left the villa.
Xia Ling was still angry. She said to the maids, “Do not let her in next time!”
The maids obeyed her.
Su Tang headed out with her back stiff, feeling a deep sense of embarrassment. She used to be of such high esteem and was even held in admiration by the Li family. How had she fallen to this state? She clenched her hands into fists secretly at the sight of the maids looking at her with pity. Xia Ling, it was all because of Xia Ling! If it were not for that vile woman, she would still be the center of attention! And also the woman Li Lei admired most! She… was not satisfied!
As the night wind got colder and colder, she was chased out of Li family’s doorsteps. Her heart was heavy with complex thoughts.
There were only three people left in the living room—Li Lei, Xia Ling and Old Master Li.
Xia Ling said, “Grandpa.” She was uncertain of what to say.
Old Master did not like the vicious way she had driven Su Tang away. He reprimanded. “Xiao Ling, you are already the Li family’s matriarch, you have to remember to be cautious at all times. You must serve with virtue!”
“How did I not have virtue?” Xia Ling rebutted unhappily. Old Master was being too much of a busybody! He still thought he was still the all-powerful Li Shanhe! He should know who the head of Li family was now, as well as which family’s daughter she was! He really thought she was a push-over, like a soft persimmon for him to squeeze at any time? Xia Ling was very unhappy. Why were there still so many people who did not respect her even though she was already the Li family’s matriarch!
Old Master Li’s expression darkened. This girl, acting out of her line just because her family had power!
He was about to continue reprimanding her when Li Lei interrupted. “Grandpa, aren’t you here to see Shaohui? I’ll get a maid to bring you to the backyard. You won’t be able to see him when he goes to sleep later on.”
Li Lei added more emphasis to his last sentence.
Old Master Li glared at him angrily. This stinky boy has learned how to threaten people?! The meaning of his words was that if he were to make Xia Ling unhappy, he would not even be able to see his great-grandson! Even though he had not come specifically to see his grandsons, but it had been a long time since he’d seen the two of them… Oh, he missed Xiao Hui the most. This child that had the Li family blood flowing in him was so adorable. He was entirely a replica of young Li Lei, and was much more likable than this grown-up grandson of his! Sadly, Xiao Hui was not close to him. He would have to spend more time with the children and think of ways to improve their relationship…
Old Master Li thought it over and finally decided not to reprimand Xia Ling.
Li Lei smiled happily and rewarded his grandpa. “The kitchen has Xiao Hui’s favorite desserts. He has not eaten dinner yet and should be hungry by now. Why don’t you bring some over to him? Also, he’s not into pirates anymore. He likes to listen to our fighting stories now. Grandpa, you know more about this than I do, so why don’t you stay here for a few more days and tell the stories to Xiao Hui?”
Old Master was elated. He went to find his great-grandson with the desserts.
Xia Ling silently watched him leave before saying to Li Lei, “You know Shaohui discriminates him.” She felt uncomfortable. The one who had ordered Shaohui to join the Training Club was this great-grandpa of his!
Li Lei embraced her. “Angry?”
“Yes.” She murmured, not wanting to bother with him.
Li Lei smiled and pinched her nose. “I know you don’t like it, but Xiao Hui is to be our family’s heir. He needs to have greater tolerance and smarter communication skills than the average person. He needs to know how to forgive for him to be able to understand what is called ‘There is no eternal enemy, only eternal friend.’ Only then can he go further in this survival-of-the-fittest world.”
“Is it really only because of this?” She did not believe it.
This time he laughed bitterly. “Okay, I am a little selfish. I hope that my most beloved son and my most respected grandpa can get along cordially.”
She raised her head to look at him. “You want me to be cordial with grandpa too right?”
“That’s different,” Li Lei said. “Grandpa has softened towards Xiao Hui, regretted it, and is now treating his great-grandson with much care. That is why I hope for Xiao Hui to take over him. However, Grandpa seems to have a prejudice against you. He is always making you unhappy, so how could I ask that of you too? I’ll be thankful if you two don’t fight.”
She laughed, understanding his pains.
She leaned onto him and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for you.”
Love was love, but life was life. She was unable to endure any kind of wrong in love, which explained why she had been so nervous and defensive back when he was chasing her. She had wanted to test him. But once they were together, getting married and living together was a different matter. She was willing to learn how to compromise in order to maintain this family for her loved one.
Li Lei planted a kiss on the crown of her head, his heart filled with affection for her.
Night fell, and he returned to his bedroom to sleep while she followed her routine to read bedtime stories to Shaohui and Li Rui.
The two used to sleep separately in different rooms. But once their relationship improved, the two rooms were combined into one and they were now living together. Xia Ling had initially been worried. Li Rui was, after all, a brat, what if he were to negatively influence Shaohui? But her worries were unfounded. Shaohui did not get influenced negatively, he even started to listen to the rules of the Li family more obediently. He was a true brother.
Xia Ling went in with the storybook.
She sat by their bed and recited softly about the story of Little Snow Wolf and her Wolf Mother. A clear tranquil sound seemed to echo in the air, bringing the children to a fascinating environment unconsciously. The two children were enchanted by her story, and when she put down the storybook they were still thinking about it.
“What happened after that? What happened to the Little Wolf?” Shaohui asked while grabbing onto her sleeves.
Xia Ling smiled and said gently, “It’s late, go to sleep. I’ll tell you more tomorrow.”
The children were a little reluctant, but they obediently snuggled into their blankets.
Xia Ling tucked him in before tucking in Li Rui. Suddenly, she head Li Rui call, “Aunt Ling.” He had never called her Mother before, but Xia Ling did not mind.
She asked the child, “What’s wrong?”
Li Rui seemed to hesitate before asking, “Was my mother here?”