Chapter 200

When the New Year's bell rang, Su Ruo and they raised their glasses to celebrate together; this was a year of great significance for Su Ruo and them.

In the new year, An'an and Qin Xiao, with perfect scores, skipped a grade to Jingda's Youth Class, where their talents would be better stimulated.

Su Ruo looked at the two children with a satisfied smile, raised her glass and thanked Bai Xinya.

The two children's current achievements are certainly due to their own talent, but more so because of Bai Xinya's meticulous guidance.

Nothing is more pride‑inducing than watching one's own child succeed; Bai Xinya's face was wet with tears of excitement.

The master's wife also announced a major piece of news at this time; after the New Year she would go south with Yu Liang to film a movie.

After the leaf rain incident, the master's wife was deeply moved; if she were also a star, if she also had sufficient influence, then Su Ruo would not be bullied.

The master's wife knew that if Su Ruo wanted to continue forward, she would surely face more difficulties.

The master's wife wanted to use her own strength to give Su Ruo a sky of her own; becoming a star was the fastest and most effective way she could think of.

Yu Liang also nodded excitedly; these days he had not been idle, aside from necessary filming at the factory, he was in his room studying scripts.

Becoming a director had always been his dream, but later that dream was gradually worn away by life.

Until that day the master's wife lifted a box of money and placed it before him, asking if he wanted to make a film; only then did Yu Liang's hope reignite.

The temptation offered by the master's wife was too great; Yu Liang could not possibly refuse, and at that moment he raised his cup and bowed deeply to thank everyone.

Su Ruo and they were truly his benefactors, changing his dark, defeated life.

If it weren't for them… Yu Liang didn't finish the rest of his sentence, instead downing the wine in his glass in one gulp.

The master's wife laughed and said: "Once I become a big star, I will endorse only Xia Hua; I will make Xia Hua famous throughout China and blazing across the world."

The master's wife's light and cheerful words instantly broke the heavy atmosphere.

Su Ruo looked at the master's wife, her eyes full of indescribable emotion; she also understood perfectly that the master's wife did all this because of her.

Su Ruo was truly grateful; after her rebirth she had met so many people who loved her—she now had a master and master's wife, relatives, friends, and children, and for Su Ruo this life was already worthwhile.

After fifteen days, everyone began to get busy; Su Ruo and they saw off the master's wife and Yu Liang.

Bai Xinya also took the two children to attend the Youth Special Training Class.

The originally lively home now had only Su Ruo and Li Zhaodi left, but they could not stay idle for long, because the factory was about to resume work.

But on this day, Su Ruo and they welcomed a few uninvited guests—Li Zhaodi's parents, bringing their son Li Jinbao to their door.

They knew Li Zhaodi had become successful, not only opening a factory and becoming a boss, but also having built a school for the village, so they immediately came over eagerly.

Because they had no money, they had suffered a lot on the way and had almost been kidnapped; thinking that Li Zhaodi clearly had money yet refused to give them even a cent, watching them suffer made them furious, and they decided that whenever they saw Li Zhaodi they would give her a good beating to vent their anger.

However, Li Fu and Li Mu, according to the note left by that person, hesitated before the vermilion gate; seeing the courtyard, they could tell at a glance that only a wealthy person could live there.

They looked at the surroundings, then at their own ragged clothes, and a strong sense of inferiority rose in their hearts.

The mocking glances of those around them these days made them dare not raise their heads to look at people.

But soon Li Fu straightened up, saying he was looking for his own daughter, so what was there to feel inferior about?

That ungrateful dead girl, now that she has money she doesn't know to filial piety toward her parents; from now on everything will be theirs, this big house should also be left for their family's treasure to marry a wife.

And that clothing company, once Li Jinbao grows up, will all be his; a little girl, what use is so much money?

Li Fu thought this and slammed the door with a bang; Li Zhaodi opened the door, saw the people outside, and her brows furrowed instantly.

Li Fu and they did not immediately recognize Li Zhaodi, for at this time her attire was noble and, having long been in the business world, she bore an imposing air, completely different from the dark‑skinned, thin, weak little girl she had been in the countryside.

Li Fu was overwhelmed by Li Zhaodi's presence and stammered: "We are looking for Li Zhaodi; does she live here?"

Li Zhaodi's brows furrowed even tighter: "What's the matter?"

After all, she was their own daughter raised by them; even though Li Zhaodi's appearance had changed greatly, this voice had not changed, so Li Fu and Li Mu immediately recognized it.

Li Fu and Li Mu stared in shock at Li Zhaodi, unable to believe that this capable, efficient woman before them was actually their daughter.

"Zhao Di," Li Mu called out with tears in her eyes, but Li Zhaodi's eyes showed no trace of emotion at seeing her parents; her gaze was cold, as if looking at strangers.

Li Zhaodi knew they would come looking for her, and it was certainly not out of concern or longing for her.

How much affection could a pair of parents who wanted to sell their daughter for money possibly have for her?

Li Fu had been domineering at home for so long; seeing Li Zhaodi dare to look at them like that, he thought it was disobedient and unfilial, and raised his hand to strike her.

But Li Zhaodi dodged sideways; Li Fu had not expected her to dodge, lost his balance and almost fell to the ground, fortunately held up by Li Mu.

Li Mu said through tears: "Zhao Di, don't blame your father; you disappeared for so long with no news, he was also worried sick about you."

"Worried about me?" Li Zhaodi felt it was ridiculous; they had once sent her to disaster relief for work points without worrying.

They had wanted to sell her to an idiot for money, and had not worried about her then.

Now, seeing her living so well, they suddenly started to worry—truly laughable.

Li Zhaodi had no time to wrangle with them; she coldly asked: "What exactly do you want to do?"

Li Fu immediately wanted to flare up, but Li Mu held him back; Li Mu could see that her daughter was now different from the village girl, and they could no longer manipulate her as before, they had to play the emotion card.

Li Mu, with a pleading face, looked at Li Zhaodi and said: "Zhao Di, you've been out here so long with no word; your father and I have been worried sick, come back home with us!"

Li Mu and their appearance and attire had already attracted many people's attention.

Seeing Li Zhaodi dressed so well yet ignoring her parents, and moreover having run away from home, these people immediately began to point and gossip, thinking she was an unfilial daughter.

And this was exactly what Li Mu wanted; now that her daughter had status and position, they could not simply drive her away.

Kyoto is so good, they must stay; her Li Jinbao must stay; even if Li Zhaodi is unwilling, she has plenty of ways to force her to compromise.