books44 Chapter 319: Li's Difficulties
Chapter 319: Li's Difficulties
Chapter 319: The Li Family's Difficulties
Ji Meiqing sighed in embarrassment, wondering if Zhao Ning'er would actually end up with someone as dense as Shen Bin.
Seeing that Shen Bin didn't want to say anything, Li Meiqing pulled Lu Yu out of the back hall. Lu Yu felt that the question that had been weighing on his mind had suddenly been answered, and he felt much more at ease.
Zhao Ning'er ran out of the back hall and upstairs, her eyes red and swollen. She held back the tears that were about to fall. Zhao Lei, who was tidying upstairs, saw his sister's red eyes and knew that Zhao Ning'er might have suffered some grievance. He whispered, "Sister, what's wrong? Who bullied you?"
Hearing Zhao Lei's words, Zhao Ning'er smiled slightly and said, "It's nothing, just some sand in your eye. It'll be fine soon." Zhao Lei had been well protected by Zhao Ning'er since childhood and was a simple-minded child. Hearing Zhao Ning'er's words, he nodded as if he understood. Seeing that her only biological son, Zhao Lei, was still by her side, Zhao Ning'er felt a little gratified.
After packing their things, Zhao Ning'er and Zhao Lei went downstairs. Upon reaching the first floor, Zhao Ning'er saw Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu, but without asking any questions, she went straight to the back hall. She saw Shen Bin lying alone on the bed, ignored by everyone, and felt a strange pang of pain in her heart.
He walked over, squatted down, and said, "Young Master Shen, are you... are you alright?" Shen Bin turned his head and saw Zhao Ning'er, avoiding her gaze as much as possible. Seeing Shen Bin avoiding her like this, Zhao Ning'er felt very wronged and left the back hall.
Shen Bin watched Zhao Ning'er leave without trying to stop her. He lay down on the bed, thinking that Zhao Ning'er wouldn't come back. But before long, Zhao Ning'er returned, carrying food in her hands, and placed it in the back hall.
"Young Master Shen, your injuries haven't healed yet. Eating something will help your wounds heal faster." Zhao Ning'er thought to herself as she picked up a bowl of rice and added some vegetables. She helped Shen Bin, who was lying on the bed, sit up and fed him little by little.
Zhao Ning'er watched Shen Bin finish the rice in his bowl bit by bit. When there was still some left, Shen Bin said he couldn't eat anymore, so Zhao Ning'er stopped. Seeing that he had finished eating, Zhao Ning'er cleared away the dishes and prepared to take them to the kitchen. She had only taken a few steps when Shen Bin called her back and said, "Even if I am an official in the court, I will still come back. This restaurant will continue to operate as usual."
Zhao Ning'er listened to Shen Bin's words, her face expressionless, but secretly delighted. "Okay, I understand." Zhao Ning'er didn't turn around, worried that Shen Bin would see her slightly flushed face, and left the back hall after speaking. When she arrived at the front hall, Zhao Ning'er saw Ji Meiqing and the others eating, so she picked up her bowl and prepared to go to the kitchen.
Sharp-eyed Ji Meiqing noticed Zhao Ning'er's evasive eyes and slightly flushed face, like a child who had done something naughty, secretly smiling. Sitting beside her, Lu Yu saw Ji Meiqing watching Zhao Ning'er as she came out of the back hall, secretly laughing. Helpless, he patted her head, signaling her to eat obediently.
Ji Meiqing smiled obediently at Lu Yu, then lowered her head and ate her food quietly. Lu Yu felt a warmth in his heart as he watched Ji Meiqing eating with her head down.
After dinner, Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu wanted to check on Shen Bing, who was lying on the bed in the back room, to see if her injuries had improved. So, the two of them went to the back room.
Hearing the noise, Shen Bin, who was lying in bed, opened his eyes to look at the people who came in. When he saw that it was Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu, he closed his eyes again and remained silent. Seeing Shen Bin's behavior, Ji Meiqing seemed to dislike her and Lu Yu, but she was not angry. She walked to the bedside and said, "Young Master Shen, are you really going to get involved in this mess? The officialdom is dark, and there are cunning people everywhere."
Shen Bin opened his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly. He also wanted to know if what he was doing was right. But he knew that if he went, the pressure he would face would be immense. His disobeying the emperor's order back then was enough for people in the court to deliberately instigate him with the emperor.
But when he thought of his father, he resolutely said, "Yes, I've made up my mind. No matter how difficult it may be, I will overcome it. After all, I still have my father. I can't let him worry about the court's troubles anymore."
Shen Bin lay on the bed, his voice calm and devoid of any emotion. Yet, his determination was still evident. Seeing that Shen Bin was also stubborn, Ji Meiqing didn't try to persuade him further. She pulled Lu Yu towards the door, but suddenly remembered something and turned back to Shen Bin, saying, "Ning'er is a good girl, don't let her down." After saying this, Ji Meiqing turned and left the back hall.
Lying in bed, Shen Bin was somewhat lost in thought when he heard Ji Meiqing's words. "Don't let her down..." he murmured, a slight smile playing on his lips. He thought to himself, how could he possibly let her down?
Rongcheng.
"Knock knock knock..." A knocking sound came from the door early in the morning. Yan Zhi was lying in bed when she heard the sound. She opened her eyes slightly, frowned, and wondered who was making such a fuss so early in the morning.
After a while, there was no sound outside the door. Rouge closed her eyes to go to sleep when she suddenly heard a louder noise. It seemed that someone was kicking the door. Rouge had no choice but to get up and see what was going on. She controlled her temper and opened the door. Just as she was about to give the person a good scolding, she suddenly saw that the person who came in was Li Ming's mother, Li Shi.
"aunt……"
"Slap!" Rouge had just politely called out to Madam Li when Li slapped her across the face, leaving her cheek stinging. Dazed, Rouge stared at Madam Li, not yet reacting, when Madam Li pointed at Rouge, seemingly furious. Her chest heaved with anger, and she glared at Rouge through gritted teeth, her expression contorted as if she wanted to beat her to death.
Rouge recognized Li Shi, Li Ming's mother whom he depended on for survival. Rouge had met her several times and remembered Li Shi as a virtuous and kind woman, unlike her current state.
She could only lower her head, covering her slightly swollen face, and not retaliate against Li Shi, saying, "Auntie, why are you applying rouge so early in the morning? If you've done anything wrong with the rouge, please tell me."
Li kept patting her chest, trying to calm herself down, but upon hearing what Rouge said, she angrily pointed at Rouge and said, "Who do you think you are? You really think you're a daughter-in-law of the Li family. Let me tell you, with your questionable background, stay away from my son!" Li almost shouted, her face burning red with anger.
Rouge covered her face and stood there, her mind reeling as if it had exploded. She stared wide-eyed at Li Shi, a bitter smile creeping onto her face. So, to others, she was someone of questionable character. She didn't even consider defending herself; after all, this was Li Ming's mother, what right did she have to retaliate?