Chapter 202: Throwing a tantrum and playing the victim

Because of Li mother's action, the wind shifted instantly, and everyone's gaze toward her grew a bit more sympathetic.

They thought Li Zhaodi was too heartless; in this world, how many parents would not love their own child?

After many years of marriage, Li father instantly understood Li mother's meaning, and pointed at Li Zhaodi's nose, scolding: "Unfilial daughter, must you really force your mother to kneel before you'll be satisfied?"

Li Zhaidi's face grew even colder: "She wanted to kneel herself; with so many people present, have I ever said a word telling her to kneel to me!"

Moreover, what good would forcing her to kneel do for me?

Elders all know that parents kneeling to their children shortens their lifespan!

You are so superstitious about borders—you couldn't possibly not know, yet you still choose to do this, merely wanting to use this method to make me compromise.

You once would have sold me for a hundred bucks without hesitation; now that you see I have use-value, you come knocking again, using this method to force me to compromise.

In your eyes, I am not really a daughter, but merely a tool for you to scheme money.

For money, you would do anything; to achieve your goals, even if I end up cursed and reviled, it means nothing to you.

After Li Zhaodi finished speaking, everyone around snapped to attention, looking at Li mother with strange eyes.

Although the state now vigorously suppresses feudal superstition, everyone knows that elders kneeling to juniors is tantamount to a curse; as a rural woman, Li mother could not possibly be unaware.

If Li mother knowingly still does this, it would be too vicious.

Li mother stared at Li Zhaidi, face full of bewilderment; she had always succeeded with this tactic before, never expecting it to fail this time. Upon seeing the strange looks from the crowd, Li mother neither continued kneeling nor stood up.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and said: "Ni'er, I really have no choice now; we have not a penny on us, and even if you resent us, you cannot bear to watch us starve to death."

After Li mother finished speaking, her eyes greedy, she glanced at the courtyard behind Li Zhaodi; as long as they could move in, everything else could be negotiated.

Li Zhaodi is, after all, the daughter she raised with her own hands; if she just coaxes her well, the daughter will surely soften.

Li mother appeared weak and helpless on the surface, but inside she was determined to succeed; yet this time she was mistaken.

Upon hearing her words, Li Zhaodi directly produced a stack of money and said: "This is a hundred bucks, enough for your food, lodging, and travel expenses."

Seeing the money in Li Zhaodi's hand, Li father's eyes lit up instantly; this was a hundred bucks—before, even if they ate and drank nothing, they could not save that much in a year.

Li father immediately felt that coming this time was right; had he known this girl was now so wealthy, they should have come long ago instead of tilling fields at home.

Li father reached out to grab it, but Li Zhaodi dodged; Li father frowned at her, not understanding what she meant.

Li Zhaodi said coldly: "You may take this money today, but after this, no matter what happens, you are not allowed to appear before me again."

I have already been adopted into my uncle's name, so I have no relation with you anymore; this time I pity you, but you had better not dream of getting even a penny from me again.

Li father felt furious inside and wanted to scold, but he restrained himself; no matter what, first get the money in hand, then talk—later matters are not up to him to decide.

Anyway, Li Zhaodi now has money and status, while they have nothing; as the saying goes, barefoot people fear no shod ones—once the money is spent they'll keep coming to Li Zhaodi to cause trouble, and he doesn't believe she'll refuse to give money.

Li father took the money and turned to leave; Li mother, tears in her eyes, looked at Li Zhaodi and said: "Ni'er, mother will come see you again in a couple of days."

But Li Zhaodi simply turned her head away, not giving her a glance.

Seeing there was no more spectacle to watch, the people around also dispersed one by one.

Only then did Su Ruo put away her camera, walk up to Li Zhaodi, pat her shoulder, and say: "You did very well."

Li Zhaodi, who had always pretended to be strong, instantly reddened her eyes upon seeing Su Ruo.

She said: "Master, was I wrong? I shouldn't have given them money."

As the daughter of Li father and Li mother, Li Zhaodi knows her parents' nature all too well; she knows money only fuels their greed, making them even more excessive.

But Li Zhaodi simply could not bring herself to truly let them sleep on the streets.

Su Ruo reached out and ruffled Li Zhaodi's head, saying: "This matter has no right or wrong; just follow your heart."

If giving them money makes you feel at ease, keeps them from harassing you, and lets you live peacefully, then give it.

We earn money precisely to spend it; if money can buy peace of mind, then spending it is worthwhile.

Su Ruo knows that, due to Li Zhaodi's upbringing, she has always valued money greatly; she wants Li Zhaodi to understand that we are the masters of money, not its slaves.

"But..." Su Ruo shifted tone and continued: "If spending this money makes you uncomfortable, even angrier and sadder, then don't spend it."

No matter what happens, I will be by your side; do not let anyone threaten you, even if that person is your parents.

If any difficulty arises, we will get through it together.

Li Zhaodi's eyes reddened again, but this time not from resentment, but from being moved.

She tightly hugged Su Ruo and said: "Thank you, Master."

Li Zhaodi felt that, whenever she encountered difficulties, her master was always by her side—like a lighthouse giving her strength and direction.

Actually, Li Zhaodi gave money to that couple not only because she pitied them, but more because she feared that if the matter blew up, it would affect the company.

But now Li Zhaodi is unafraid; she knows that even if she gives them money, they won't be satisfied—they'll want even more, as the saying goes, desire is a bottomless pit.

So let them make a fuss; after all, they'd better not dream of taking even a penny from her again.

"Master, can you still get in touch with the journalist who interviewed you last time? I want to accept an interview."

When the TV station came for an interview earlier, Bai Xinya and Li Zhaodi both refused; Bai Xinya declined because her status wasn't suited to being too high-profile, while Li Zhaodi was a bit nervous and also feared that if her parents learned she was making money, they'd come after her.

But Li Zhaodi hadn't expected that, even without accepting the interview, her parents would still show up; at this moment she realized that fear and hiding are useless—they only let enemies seize her weaknesses and keep pressuring her to compromise.

Rather than that, she simply decided to lay everything out in the open, letting everyone judge right from wrong, since she has a clear conscience.

"Alright, I'll take care of it!"

Su Ruo looked at Li Zhaodi, her eyes full of admiration; her girl had finally grown up.

Su Ruo knew that after experiencing this, Li Zhaodi would undoubtedly become stronger, unstoppable.

After Li father and Li mother got the money, they immediately rushed to the State-run Hotel for a meal, ate and drank their fill, and then each bought a set of clothes.

They never thought of returning to the countryside; being city folk here is great, and even after the money runs out, they can keep coming to Li Zhaodi for more.

But they don't realize that Li Zhaodi is no longer the former girl who could be easily manipulated by them.