Chapter 642: Don't force me to slap you

"Hey! Sister Qin! Don't talk nonsense!"

Sha Zhu still wanted to explain, but by this time, Qin Huairu had already turned and headed outside the main gate.

"Hey! Look at this person!"

Sha Zhu waved his hands helplessly and said, "It really is: one mouth spreads rumors, and the one debunking them runs their legs off!"

Li Xuewu smiled and looked at the group of people returning from the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

Wang Yamei and Chen Xiaoyan were walking in front, Yu Li was walking behind, and behind them were the Ye Ye Erye and the Grandfather.

"Wu Ge!"

Chen Xiaoyan greeted Li Xuewu with a smile, but Wang Yamei only smiled at Li Xuewu without saying a word.

Li Xuewu also glanced at her and didn't say anything; the girl was older now, and her thoughts were complicated.

Seeing Yu Li again, Li Xuewu also smiled and asked, "So tired?"

"Too many people."

Yu Li shook her neck and said, "There were especially many people today, all here to buy furniture. I was so tired I couldn't even stand."

Because it was hot inside, they all moved stools and washbasins to the courtyard to wash up.

Yu Li stood by the door, leaning against the windowsill, talking to Li Xuewu.

"The goods ordered this afternoon still need to be delivered by Lao Lao Biaozi. It's already midnight again, and tomorrow will be busy again."

"There will be even more people tomorrow."

Qin Laoer Master stood at the doorway holding a small teapot, sipping and saying, "It's summer now, everyone is thinking about changing their furniture. Between insects and rats, there's always damage. If you don't fix it in the summer, you'll be busy once autumn comes and won't have time."

They were talking about business, so Li Xuewu didn't interrupt; he just stood to the side, listening with a smile.

It was Shen Guodong who, seeing Li Xuewu standing there without speaking, asked with a smile, "The Old Lady and the Sister-in-law are back?"

"Yeah, they went back to the front courtyard. Li Shu kept calling for Grandma."

Li Xuewu said with a smile and asked in return, "Is the Aunt doing well?"

"She's doing great. She even came over to sit for a while last night."

Shen Guodong squatted down beside Li Xuewu and said, "Work at the textile mill is heavy. It's rare to have a day off, so she said she slept for half the day at home."

"If your health isn't good, come and get it checked early."

Li Xuewu urged Shen Guodong, saying, "As a son-in-law, you should remind her diligently so the Aunt doesn't feel embarrassed."

"Got it."

Shen Guodong nodded and glanced at Chen Xiaoyan, who was busy inside the room, his eyes full of happiness.

Sometimes life is just like this: having brothers, friends, and a lover, chatting together—even if squatting, even if just at the doorway—it feels meaningful.

Because Sha Zhu still had work in the kitchen, he didn't chat with them. He gestured to Li Xuewu and said, "I stewed a big carp tonight. Come if you want, or don't!"

"Hehe, who made it?"

Li Xuewu asked with a light laugh. Yu Li said with a smile, "Who else could it be? Who else would be so busy yet still have the heart to play around and catch fish?"

"Hee hee, it was Brother Biao."

Chen Xiaoyan finished washing first. By this time, she walked out and stood at the doorway, explaining to Li Xuewu, "The day before yesterday, I heard people say fish had come into the river. Nobody knows where they ran out from, but everyone went fishing. Even the Third Master went."

"By the time the news reached Brother Biao, the day lilies would have already gone cold."

Chen Xiaoyan covered her mouth and said with a smile, "In the end, Brother Biao got anxious and used a big cast net. He let the people fishing by the lake curse him all the way to the alley entrance. Hahaha~"

"Hehe~"

Li Xuewu knew his "big-chested brother's" impatient temper. He didn't have time to compete with old men in fishing, but he was definitely capable of smashing the pot if he couldn't play the game.

"Whose fish? Nobody cares?"

"Maybe a fish pond leaked and they popped out."

Qin Laoer Master took a puff of his cigarette and guessed casually with a smile, "The lake connects to the river, and there are quite a few fish farms upstream. Who knows where they ran out from."

"That's rare."

Er Hai washed his hands and face, stood by the screen door, and said with a smile, "You don't encounter this once in many years. It was back when I was a kid that I heard about fish farms losing fish."

"What's that compared to now~"

Qin Laoer Master said with a smile, "Real fish farming only developed in the last ten years or so. It was that Fish King in Jinmen who bred a good variety, which is why these fish are so big and fat."

"How much did you get?"

Li Xuewu asked, then added, "Tell him later: the water is high right now, it's not safe, so don't go into the river often."

"Not much, I went along."

Shen Guodong chuckled and said, "We got over 180 jin in one net. I told him not to bait the spot, but he insisted. One net and he made those people anxious."

"They were being polite by not hitting you with their fishing rods~"

The Grandfather also knocked the ash off his cigarette with a smile and said, "These two brought them back on a tricycle. Those fishing were cursing all the way home, some even followed them to the alley entrance."

"Hehe, this isn't my fault."

Shen Guodong looked up at Li Xuewu and said, "He got some distiller's grains from the supply and marketing cooperative. I don't know what he mixed in, but he sprinkled it in the lake, and the fish were splashing everywhere."

"Big playfulness."

Qin Laoer Master looked at Shen Guodong and said, "Just this once. Don't go down there again. The lake is full of old mud; if it grabs you, you won't be able to get back out."

"Got it!"

Shen Guodong was obedient. He had already been lectured by his mother-in-law last night, and he knew what was going on today; he was just telling Li Xuewu about it.

Li Xuewu finally understood. So that's why Chen Xiaoyan's mother came over.

She really had the manner of an elder. Chen Xiaoyan's mother rarely spoke on weekdays and looked cold, but she cared about them.

Especially after Dazhuang was gone, the way she looked at them was even more complicated.

Now that they had Shen Guodong as a son-in-law, she treated him like her own son; after all, Shen Guodong had no one left in his family either.

Perhaps seeing what Li Xuewu was thinking, Shen Guodong explained with a smile, "Brother Biao said summer doesn't have much to chew on, and this fish doesn't have much oil, but at least it's fresh. So he called me to go get a net and divide it among a few families."

As he spoke, he counted on his fingers for Li Xuewu: "We kept over ten jin at home, and divided the rest among Director Wang's family, Secretary Dong's family, Master Dou's family, Team Leader Shen and Political Commissar Wang, Chief Duan, Director Ma's family, Director Huang, and a few families at the hospital."

Shen Guodong chuckled, "He even wanted to send some to your father-in-law's family, but he couldn't get in."

"I don't even want to go over there; it's too much trouble."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, then added, "Don't think about that side anymore; the mother-in-law and sister-in-law have both been transferred."

"Got it."

Shen Guodong was gradually taking over the family affairs, and he was told more, so he understood what it meant.

Just as they were chatting, Qin Huairu returned from outside. Passing by the screen door, she saw Li Xuewu still chatting here and reminded him, "When I came over just now, Aunt Liu had already prepared the meal. Aren't you going home yet?"

"Hey, right away."

Li Xuewu responded, signaled to the Grandfather, and greeted Sha Zhu inside the room.

Seeing Li Xuewu was going home, Sha Zhu asked with a smile, "You're really not staying to eat? It's braised!"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow!"

Li Xuewu waved his hand and walked home with the Grandfather.

Qin Huairu was waiting at the entrance of the hanging flower gate. Seeing Li Xuewu come over, she asked, "Did you sell Jingru? I haven't seen her this time either."

"Heh! She has to be worth something first~"

Li Xuewu curled his lip. Thinking about how he asked Qin Jingru twice before leaving and she wouldn't come back, he knew what she was thinking.

Coming home meant being crowded, and she felt embarrassed not to help with the kids. How could that be as comfortable as staying alone in a big villa?

Li Xuewu said what he said, but he didn't treat her poorly. When he left, seeing her say she wanted to tend the garden, prune the onions, and weed, he thanked her for her hard work and gave her a yuan as pocket money.

He didn't say it was deducted from her wages, and the simple-minded girl didn't think about whether Li Xuewu gave it extra; she just got the money in front of her and was happy to spend it.

There were no guests at home this week, so there wouldn't be much to do tomorrow. She was happy tonight.

Qin Huairu also knew what kind of person her sister was. Telling Li Xuewu was just to let him know.

She wasn't her own sister anyway; caring was a kindness, but caring too much was annoying.

Not to mention, this was Li Xuewu's home. If something really happened, Li Xuewu would have exploded long ago.

Perhaps in Qin Huairu's heart, there was no place in this world safer than Li Xuewu's home.

Li Xuewu said her sister wasn't worth much, and she had no opinion. After all, she was a country girl, and city girls were wandering the streets everywhere, let alone this one.

But she could think that, but if Li Xuewu said it, she would be annoyed. She said, "She's not worth much, but she's still a girl. Tell her, if she doesn't come back next week, she doesn't have to come back at all."

Li Xuewu stood in the front courtyard, glared at Qin Huairu, and said, "You're speaking in reverse, aren't you? Are you lecturing her, or are you finding trouble for me? I'm not taking this burden of yours~"

"Yo~ She's not with me anymore, I don't care."

Qin Huairu joked with Li Xuewu and went to the third gate. It was mealtime for every family, and there was no one in the courtyard to face Li Xuewu, which saved trouble.

That was why he had hidden in the room facing the street just now. Looking at Qin Huairu's back, he twitched the corner of his mouth, glanced at Yan Jiefang, who was eating with the door open and peeking at him, and turned back home.

As soon as he entered the house, he saw an outsider in the main room. It was Old Man Zhou from the front alley. They didn't interact often, and his eldest son was also at the steel mill. Looking at the situation, he was here for a consultation.

No wonder Qin Huairu said the food was ready at home, and his mother didn't come to call him to eat. The family was sitting in the inner room talking in low voices, obviously waiting for Li Shun.

His father, Li Shun, was frowning while taking the pulse. Seeing Li Xuewu enter, he didn't pay attention.

After a long while, he looked at Old Man Zhou suspiciously and asked, "Is the coughing still severe?"

"Severe."

Old Man Zhou curled his lip, nodded, and said, "I can't even lie down at night; I only feel comfortable sleeping sitting up."

Li Xuewu glanced at Old Man Zhou, who was being polite to him, took the thermos, and refilled the hot water in his and his father's teacups.

Li Shun frowned and checked again, saying, "That shouldn't be. How could it get worse after taking the medicine?"

He smelled the cigarette smoke on Old Man Zhou and asked, "Didn't I tell you to smoke less last week? How much are you smoking a day?"

"Not much~"

Old Man Zhou said solemnly, "Less than half a pack a day."

"And before?"

Li Shun frowned and went to take the pulse again, only to see Old Man Zhou straighten his neck and say, "I didn't know how to smoke before!"

Li Shun: "..."

Li Xuewu really couldn't hold it in. He put down the thermos and hurried into the inner room. When his father was consulting, he couldn't even make a sound, let alone laugh.

By this time, Li Shun couldn't care about his son's reaction; he was also crying and laughing looking at Old Man Zhou.

He waved for Liu Yin to hurry and prepare the medicine, and he explained it in detail again before sending the person away.

After washing his hands and entering the room, he saw everyone in the room laughing, so he said with a smile, "His father is just a big confused person; he's the same as his father."

"Why don't you say you didn't explain it clearly?"

Liu Yin scolded him with a smile, then began to serve food for everyone. Before she could finish, Ji Yuxiu and Li Xue took over.

Seeing the children taking the initiative, Liu Yin praised with a smile, "It has to be my eldest daughter and little daughter-in-law."

"See that? Mom is talking about you."

Seeing his mother speak, Li Xuewu saw Gu Ning was embarrassed again, so he nudged Gu Ning's arm and said this to her with a wicked smile.

After he finished, Gu Ning was even more embarrassed. Liu Yin, on the other hand, wouldn't let it go. She hit him on the back with a smile and said, "I didn't mean that. You're just naughty. You'll know when I hit you with the fire poker."

Zhao Yafang also said to Gu Ning with a smile, "With him just watching the fun and not fearing trouble, why don't you discipline him properly? Are you saving it to beat him together during the New Year? ~"

Gu Ning pinched Li Xuewu under the table with a slightly red face, but forgot that this person had thick skin.

Li Xuewu smiled at his sister-in-law and said, "Look at them. How can there be no scheming in living a life? Even at the dinner table, there have to be eyes squinting. Seeing our family so harmonious, they probably think it's a performance."

"Say less. There's enough gossip already."

Liu Yin thought more about it. Her son's words weren't targeted, but the people across the street would definitely take it personally.

Li Xuewu looked at his mother and asked, "Tell me, why can we get along so well as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? Is it a performance?"

"I'll perform a slap on you~"

Liu Yin was also embarrassed by her son. This wasn't teasing; this was praising her in a roundabout way.

Her son was flattering her, but she was embarrassed in front of her mother-in-law and daughters-in-law. She scolded her son, "I'm performing. I shouldn't be a kind mother; I should show my strict side and beat you a few more times."

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Li Xuecai was still winking and joking with his second brother.

The Old Lady sat on the kang with Li Shu standing beside her, also watching the children play with a smile.

Li Shu stood by the kang table, seeing everyone picking up food to eat, she stomped her feet anxiously, wanting to climb onto the kang table.

The Old Lady mashed the stewed potatoes, mixed them with fish soup, scooped a little bit with a spoon, and fed it to Li Shu.

A house full of children and grandchildren, a happy family—naturally, this made the Old Lady happy and comfortable.

The question Li Xuewu asked made the family laugh on the surface, but in reality, they were all thinking about why the family was so happy together.

It was nothing more than a few points: few people, united hearts, and high earnings.

Saying "few people" doesn't mean there are few people eating in the Li family now; it means the population of each household among those eating is small.

The eldest son's family has two people, and Zhao Yafang is pregnant. Although they haven't separated the family, Liu Yin told Zhao Yafang to keep her own wages.

The second son's family has three people and separated early to live on their own, not far from here.

Although the third son is still at home, his household registration is gone. As a college student, he was already booked to separate and live on his own. The house and wife were all prepared; he just needed to graduate and get married.

Finally, there's only the little daughter left, who doesn't take the family property, so what can the sisters-in-law say?

A big family separated into several households early, each living their own life, without entanglement or fighting over who has more or less. The conflict was reduced, and the mother-in-law was comfortable.

Saying "united hearts," the Li family is indeed united; they think of each other when something happens.

Although there are inevitably some unpleasant moments, they don't care after a day.

With the Old Lady setting the example, Liu Yin wouldn't be stingy. Since the mother-in-law isn't stingy, the daughters-in-law all follow suit.

The most fundamental reason is that they earn more. The most fundamental problem of family conflict can be traced back to money.

It's said that poor couples have a hundred sorrows; that's what it means.

Li Shun's earnings are now collected by Liu Yin, mainly used for household expenses and the little daughter's schooling.

Even if they wanted to spend more, there's nowhere to spend it. Even the youngest son in college doesn't need money from him; his partner gives it all.

Ji Yuxiu also spoils Li Xuecai. She earns her own wages and can't spend much, but she gives a lot to Li Xuecai.

She really has the air of an eldest sister-in-law, but without the harshness.

Li Xuewen and Zhao Yafang are both university teachers, earning over a hundred yuan. They are definitely not the type to ask their mother-in-law for money. Now that she's pregnant, she often rushes to buy groceries when eating at home; she's not stingy at all.

The second son's family doesn't even care about Liu Yin's money. Not to mention the second son earns over three hundred a month, even the daughter-in-law earns over sixty; together it's nearly four hundred. How could they be short of money?

If everyone in the family can earn money and has ambition, there won't be any scheming over money. How could the atmosphere not be harmonious?

Li Xuewu's contribution alone makes others feel embarrassed to make the elders angry.

Zhao Yafang's younger brother is taken care of by Li Xuewu. The car was bought with a ticket borrowed from Li Xuewu, and now he's pulling his eldest brother to repair radios and appliances in the Bai Bai Xiyuan to earn money.

The house for the third son's family was organized by Li Xuewu, the land was also requested by Li Xuewu, and even the third son's wife was arranged by Li Xuewu. For his second brother and the elders, he couldn't be better.

There's the little sister left, whom Li Xuewu treats with all his heart. Every time he sees her, he gives her pocket money, and she's saved up a small treasury.

This doesn't even count the fact that the family's jobs and safety are all arranged by Li Xuewu. The eldest went to prison, the third and father went into the mountains, the third's wife was arranged near home—what reason is there to make trouble?

Everyone knows that Li Xuewu asked this question today to make his mother laugh, but in reality, it also made everyone "recall the bitterness and think of the sweetness," cherishing the hard-won good life today.

Liu Yin also knew her son's intention, so her eyes were full of relief and happiness. She was happy that her second son's family came back with the Old Lady to cook a few more dishes.

Seeing everyone laugh, Li Shu stared with big eyes. After watching for a long time, she didn't understand what it meant, so she stopped listening.

Seeing her grandfather and great-grandfather drinking happily from small wine cups, she became anxious because she didn't have any.

Being anxious, she wanted to throw a tantrum. Li Shu stood by the table, looked at them, and seeing they had no intention of giving her a drink, she slapped the table hard and pointed at the two of them.

"Ya~ Yo!"

"Hahaha~"

Everyone understood what Li Shu meant, because by this time, the child's drool was already running down.

The Old Lady gently patted Li Shu's bottom and said with a smile, "That's not good to drink; we don't drink that."

Li Shu looked at the Old Lady, then saw her grandfather and great-grandfather drinking happily, suspecting the Old Lady was lying to her.

"Yo!"

Now she was really anxious. Kicking her legs, she wanted to climb onto the table to grab it. Li Xuewu shouted, but it didn't work.

To the little demon king Li Shu, only delicious food and drink and Mom could not be let down; others didn't work!

Seeing her eldest granddaughter making such a fuss, Liu Yin smiled, went to the cupboard, found another wine cup, washed it clean, added a little warm water, and placed it in front of Li Shu.

Li Shu looked at what Grandma brought, which was the same as her grandfather's and great-grandfather's, and only then did she stop climbing the table.

With small hands, she carefully picked up the wine cup and learned from her grandfather and great-grandfather to clink glasses with them.

Li Shun and the Grandfather couldn't help but laugh, so they had to clink with Li Shu. Only then did they watch Li Shu take a sip from the wine cup.

After drinking, she wasn't done. Li Shu wiped her mouth with her small hand, learned from Li Shun and the Grandfather, wrinkled her nose, pursed her lips, and went "Sss-ah."

Her "Sss-ah" had a bit of a milky tone; there was no heroism or taste, but it made everyone laugh out loud.

Seeing everyone laugh, Li Shu also slapped the table and laughed, her small teeth white, looking like a little rabbit.

Because of this little treasure, the reunion dinner on Saturday night became even more lively.

After the meal, Liu Yin cleaned up, the daughters-in-law helped, and Li Xuewu sat in the living room chatting with his father.

Seeing Ji Yuxiu pouring tea for them, he asked with a smile, "Did your brother come home?"

"No, I haven't seen him for several days. I don't know what he's busy with."

Ji Yuxiu poured the tea, curled her lip, looked at Li Xuewu, and asked, "Second Brother, do you know?"

"I don't."

Li Xuewu shook his head and said, "I haven't seen him for many days either. I was just asking."

"Sigh~~~ He's like a street loafer."

Ji Yuxiu sighed and said, "I want to persuade him, but I can't find the time. Sometimes he comes home at midnight, and I don't know what he's doing."

"Are you afraid being home alone?"

Zhao Yafang was sent over by Liu Yin, not wanting her to bend over to wash dishes, so she sat beside Li Xuewen.

Seeing Li Xuewu talking to Ji Yuxiu, she asked with concern.

Ji Yuxiu smiled at her sister-in-law and said, "It's okay. Living upstairs, there's nothing to be afraid of. There are people above and below, and I'm not home during the day anyway."

"Then stay here more often."

Liu Yin washed her hands, wiped them with a towel, and said to Ji Yuxiu, "Just live in the East Courtyard. It's convenient for commuting, and it saves you from being lonely at home alone."

"Yeah, got it, Mom."

Ji Yuxiu agreed, but she glanced at Li Xuecai.

Li Xuecai was sly. Seeing Ji Yuxiu looking at him, the corners of his mouth curled up to his ears.

But then his mother's words gave him a heavy blow: "Xuecai, move to the room facing the street to live. It's spacious over there."

The smile on Li Xuecai's face instantly petrified. He wanted to argue with his mother, but seeing his father's gaze, he lowered his head again.

Without a marriage certificate, he wasn't allowed to cross the line. Liu Yin was afraid that her son and Ji Yuxiu would make a mistake, which was why she kept them close.

A birth certificate—what if it really happened?

It would affect both Li Xuecai and Ji Yuxiu. They were already engaged, so why make a mistake for such a short time?

Li Xuewu looked at Li Xuecai with amusement, reached out and patted his shoulder, and said to him, "Nothing to do, go to the East Courtyard and tidy up the room with Yuxiu. Why are you dazed here?"

Li Xuecai looked up at his second brother blankly, instantly thinking of something.

He jumped up and wanted to walk out with a smile, knocking over the stool behind him.

Turning back to see his father's sharp gaze, he walked back embarrassedly to pick up the stool, then walked out the door pretending to be steady.

But once in the courtyard, he wasn't himself anymore, laughing and joking with Ji Yuxiu as they went to the East Courtyard.

The feelings of young children are just that innocent and romantic. Why else would they say that childhood sweethearts have the most solid feelings?

They only get together when they're over thirty; their mentality has long been tortured by life, so where would there be any passion?

Saying it's for the family and children is just living like a walking corpse and helplessness.

Li Xuewu watched his younger brother and Yuxiu leave with a smile, then turned back to see his father's dissatisfied expression, and persuaded with a smile, "He's still young. You should teach him more."

"Eighteen and still young?"

Li Shun snorted and drank tea from his teacup.

Li Xuewu looked at his eldest brother, and both were helpless.

His father didn't restrain his eldest brother much, which contained an element of disappointment—it was a pity he didn't study medicine when he was so good at studying.

He restrained Li Xuewu a lot, but there was no disappointment at all, because he never had any expectations.

That was also good; now seeing his second son's progress was all surprise—an unexpected joy.

Only for the third son, the son who inherited his medical skills, was he most concerned and attentive. He not only taught him medical skills but also principles and truths for conduct.

Sometimes he would even break down a matter and explain it bit by bit to Li Xuecai.

After he went to college, he taught him hand-in-hand and discussed the knowledge he learned in college—it was just hoping his son would become a dragon and master medical skills.

But the mentality of hoping his son would become a dragon was a bit anxious. He always compared his son to himself back then, and nothing was right, which put pressure on his son and made him anxious enough.

The Grandfather would sometimes persuade him. Today, the Grandfather went back to the room facing the street after eating; there were still accounts to do.

Li Xuewen didn't dare to persuade his father. He cared about few things at home, had no power or money in his hands, so who would he dare to speak to?

Even Li Shu knew her eldest uncle had a good temper and would make a fuss when she caught him, either grabbing his glasses or snatching his books to play with.

Li Xuewu was ultimately worried about the relationship between his father and the third son. No matter how obedient a boy is, he has a rebellious side; Li Xuecai was already considered an obedient child.

If father and son had a falling out over studying medicine, the loss would outweigh the gain.

"There will be time later."

Li Xuewu comforted, "When you get to the mountains, there's no village in front and no shop behind. He won't be able to play around even if he wants to. He'll come back once a month. See if he's attentive; if he's not, don't let him come down the mountain."

Li Shun looked at his second son, thinking that being a leader is indeed ruthless—good words are said to the face, and bad words are said behind the back.

Li Xuewu didn't care about his father's gaze, drank tea, and asked, "Does the hospital have any opinions? It's been several days."

"They had a meeting and are studying it."

Li Shun said, then added, "This is not a small matter; it can't be rushed."

"I'm not in a hurry, as long as you're fine."

Li Xuewu said indifferently, "However, the later it is, the later the season in the mountains will be. The temperature in the mountains and below the mountains is different, and autumn comes early."

"It won't work this year."

Li Shun drank tea and said, "There's no preparation this year. Let's focus on inspecting the environment, choosing the terrain, and cultivating the roots."

Li Xuewu didn't know much about this, just talked about the situation in the mountains and didn't say much to his father.

He checked the time, stood up, said goodbye to his father, and went to the Bai Bai Xiyuan. He had an appointment with Old Lao Lao Biaozi to pick up the car.

Shen Guodong sent Li Xuewu out the main gate and introduced, "Brother Biao just took the boy; it's about time."

Li Xuewu nodded. Just as he was about to shift gears and step on the gas, Wang Yamei ran out from the screen door, chased to the car, and asked, "Wu Ge, are you passing by my house?"

Fearing Li Xuewu would refuse, she explained, "It takes five more minutes to walk if Brother Guodong and Sister Chen Xiaoyan send me."

Li Xuewu glanced at the little girl and nodded, signaling her to get in the car.

Wang Yamei instantly showed a smile, jumped, turned around, and got into the passenger seat.

Li Xuewu nodded to Shen Guodong, and the car drove out of the Bai Bai Xiyuan.

On the road, Wang Yamei didn't take the initiative to say anything, just secretly looking at Li Xuewu.

Seeing Li Xuewu didn't pay attention to her, the secret look turned into a careful examination, as if it were the first time they met.

When they were almost at her house, Li Xuewu turned his head, glanced at her, and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing~"

Seeing Li Xuewu asked, Wang Yamei didn't stare at Li Xuewu anymore, but kicked her legs awkwardly, looked in the direction of home, and said, "I just feel like you've changed."

"Heh~"

Li Xuewu laughed lightly, "Who isn't changing? Aren't you changing? You're a big girl now."

"That's not what I meant~"

Wang Yamei rolled her eyes and said, "I mean you've changed so fast I don't recognize you. It feels so strange."

"That just means you've grown up."

Li Xuewu didn't care about what the little girl said. Wang Yamei also heard the perfunctoriness in Li Xuewu's words; he still treated her like a child.

She looked at Li Xuewu stubbornly, then pursed her lips and stopped talking.

When the car stopped at her door, Wang Yamei didn't say thank you, jumped out of the car, and trotted home quickly.

Li Xuewu looked at her back and smiled helplessly. Just as he was about to start the car, he saw someone walking in front of the road.

"Why are you here?"

"Sending your sister."

Li Xuewu saw Wang Yajuan, who was pushing her bike to the door.

Seeing Li Xuewu's explanation, Wang Yajuan glanced at the house. By this time, Wang Yamei was already gone.

Li Xuewu had things to do, smiled at her, and said, "I have things to do, I'm leaving first."

Wang Yajuan nodded, didn't say anything, and watched Li Xuewu's car leave.

Entering the house and asking her mother, her sister had just returned, but as soon as she returned, she ran back to her room.

Her parents didn't know what was going on either. Wang Yajuan didn't mention Li Xuewu sending her sister back and went to find Wang Yamei in the room.

She didn't see who entered the courtyard when she returned just now. The headlights were flashing, and she only saw a car at the door.

Hearing Li Xuewu's words and combining them with her parents' words, she thought there might be something going on.

Pushing open the door, she saw her sister hadn't changed clothes and was lying on the bed, looking like she was sulking.

"What's wrong?"

She asked, but there was no response. Wang Yajuan put down her bag, found clothes on her bed, and while changing, asked, "Are you not satisfied with being sent back by car?"

Seeing her sister's clothes were normal, she felt relieved. It wasn't that she didn't have confidence in Li Xuewu, but she didn't have confidence in her own sister.

Since she was a child, she had been calling him "Brother-in-law" privately, calling him that until Li Xuewu left.

Li Xuewu had been gone for three years without a word, only knowing he went to the south to be a soldier.

In three years, she grew up, and her sister grew up. She thought everyone's life path would diverge and never intersect again.

But she didn't expect that three years later, every encounter with Li Xuewu would produce a psychedelic sting and torture for her and their past.

Actually, she didn't fall into it when they broke up, and Li Xuewu wasn't hurt either. It should have been a peaceful time.

Li Xuewu left because his father took his pulse, knew he had done something bad, and knew about her, so he persuaded them to break up.

Although it couldn't be called a peaceful breakup, Li Xuewu had gradually become synonymous with depravity in her heart.

But why did they have to meet again after he came back? Isn't fate teasing people?

Every encounter made her see the more mature him—the way she wanted Li Xuewu to live three years ago.

If Li Xuewu had been like this three years ago, what would their today be like?

Every time she thought of Li Xuewu and herself, looking at her ignorant sister, she felt both helpless and angry.

She had fallen into it unknowingly; did she want her sister to follow in her footsteps?

Meeting the brother-in-law once ruins a lifetime, and from then on, the "yellow hair" is a passerby?

Wang Yamei was afraid of her sister; she had been afraid since she was a child because her sister really hit her, and the bloodline suppression ability was very strong.

She could ignore two of her sister's questions at most. If there was one more word, she was in danger of being beaten.

Although her sister wouldn't hit her now, she was still afraid in her heart when her sister glared.

She was lying on the bed now, and without looking, she knew her sister was glaring.

"Nothing~ I'm fine~"

"If you're fine, why are you acting like this?"

Wang Yajuan changed her clothes, glanced at her sister, and said, "Get up, change clothes."

She could hear her sister's voice was low, knowing her mood must be bad again.

It had been like this for a while—sometimes cloudy, sometimes sunny. She wouldn't say when asked; how could one guess a young girl's heart?

She had gone through this herself; how could she not know what her sister was thinking?

When they washed up and lay on the bed, the lights were off, and it was quiet outside, but they couldn't sleep.

Wang Yamei was thinking about that person, and Wang Yajuan was thinking about her sister thinking about that person.

The sisters tossed and turned for a long time. Wang Yamei couldn't help but speak first: "Sister."

"Yeah."

"Can't sleep."

"If you can't sleep, sleep hard."

"If I can't sleep, how can I sleep?"

Wang Yamei turned to look at her sister opposite and said, "When you came back, did you see him looking at me?"

"Sleep. Everything is in your dreams."

Wang Yajuan faced the wall. The words she said hit the wall and moved it, let alone Wang Yamei behind her.

Wang Yamei curled her lip and said, "He's changed. He's become boring and not as fun as before."

"Do you think everyone is like you? Never growing up?"

Wang Yajuan might be gentle and polite to others, but to her sister, she had no more hypocrisy.

The sisters had slept in the same room for nearly twenty years. Conflicts or happiness, things that could be said or done, had all been done.

To put it bluntly, the feelings had faded. If they wanted to renew their sisterly love, they would wait until they were married and had children.

Now Wang Yajuan only felt helpless and annoyed with this sister, especially when talking about Li Xuewu.

Wang Yamei didn't seem to notice her sister's impatience. Holding the thin quilt and looking at the opposite side reflected in the moonlight, she said, "I really want to go back to the past—carefree, no work, no school, letting him lead me to play every day. How good that would be."

"It's fine now."

Wang Yajuan turned over, looked at her sister, and said, "Turn around, hit your head against the wall. If you hit yourself stupid, you won't have to work or go to school, and someone will accompany you to play every day."

"Hmph~"

Wang Yamei wrinkled her nose at her sister and scolded, "Can't you say something nice to me? Am I your enemy?"

"Almost."

Wang Yajuan glanced at her sister and said, "If you keep letting your imagination run wild and do something out of line, you're going to make me angry."

"What does it have to do with you?"

Wang Yamei curled her lip unconvinced, "You already broke up with him. He's free now, and I didn't snatch him from you."

"First of all, I have nothing to do with him, but I have something to do with you."

Wang Yajuan's eyes narrowed, then she said, "Secondly, he's not free now. He has a lover and a family. You can't do this kind of thing."

"But..."

Wang Yamei wanted to say more, but heard her sister opposite gritting her teeth and saying, "I've been tired all day and am about to fall asleep. Don't force me to slap you during the happiest time of the day."

"Hypocritical~"

Wang Yamei curled her lip and muttered this with the smallest voice.

She didn't say it in her heart, but out loud. This was her last bit of stubbornness against her sister's oppression of her pursuit of love.

Wang Yajuan knew her sister was muttering about her, but didn't care, and said in a low voice, "He's not someone you can catch up with. The gap is too big; there will be no result."

These words seemed to be for her sister, and seemed to be for herself.

It was false to say she had no thoughts about Li Xuewu, but when facing Li Xuewu's calmness and Gu Ning, she couldn't muster a shred of confidence.

Even if she was a dance actor and had to be confident, she couldn't do it in this matter.

Just as she said, Li Xuewu had changed and become someone she couldn't catch up with. The gap between them was getting bigger and bigger.

This distance made her suffocate, retreat, and not dare to have a shred of delusion about Li Xuewu.

Even if she met Li Xuewu at the door just now, she still endured it and didn't dare to have too much communication with him.

Because she was afraid—afraid she couldn't control her emotions, afraid of doing something that would make her lose face and regret.

Wang Yamei wasn't afraid. After her sister finished speaking, she curled her lip and muttered, "How do you know it won't work if you don't try~" ===== CHAPTER 643 =====

This distance made her suffocate, made her retreat, and made her not dare to have even the slightest delusion about Li Xuewu.

Even though she had just met Li Xuewu at the entrance, she still endured and did not dare to have too much interaction with him.

Because she was afraid—afraid that she wouldn't be able to control her emotions, and afraid of doing something that would make her lose face and regret it.

Wang Yamei was not afraid; after her sister finished speaking, she curled her lips and muttered, "How do you know it won't work if you don't try~"