The moment Zhou Shi heard about the twenty taels of silver, her eyes lit up. She almost reached out to grab it.
Could there really be such a good deal in the world? Drive out the annoying girl and get a reward? Whether her husband agreed or not, she was fine with it!
Li Shu couldn’t help but think Chen Yousong was ridiculously straightforward.
Who openly puts all the bargaining chips on the table? Others would use tricks to get something for nothing; he was practically feeding the lion with his own flesh!
At this moment, Li Shu realized her uncle was determined—he wouldn’t stop until she was safely removed from the Li household. Rejecting him repeatedly in front of Zhou Shi would indeed be unwise.
Being a dependent? She didn’t consider it.
Li Shu was used to being an orphan; she had little attachment to blood relatives or family ties.
For the sake of the original girl’s reputation, she decided to first put the other side at ease.
“Uncle, you underestimate my father. You have my best interest at heart, but if he knows, he’ll naturally follow your wishes. How could he dare demand your silver? You rest for a moment. When my father and brother return, we’ll discuss the matter of being fostered carefully,” Li Shu said with a smile.
Chen Yousong was pleased to see Alì had gained some eloquence, but he couldn’t help sighing.
She still didn’t understand Li Chutian and Zhou Shi.
Without silver as an incentive, would they even agree to sign the contract? Both husband and wife were stubborn and unyielding.
When Chen Yousong came to the Li household before, he didn’t just buy things for Alì—he also had to manage the other three children. Otherwise, nothing Alì had would be safe.
Chen Yousong sat down in the main hall, quiet but anxious.
This time he had special leave thanks to Captain Ma, only three days. He had to finish these matters quickly; otherwise, he risked military punishment if he returned late. He feared Li Chutian would stall or feign incompetence as usual.
With the twenty taels dangling as incentive, Zhou Shi went out to call people.
Li A’man locked herself in her room, crying loudly, disturbing everyone. Chen Yousong thought the Li family’s younger daughter was truly noisy—daring to bully Alì and still crying about it.
Soon, the Li father and sons returned.
Li Chutian wore a polite smile, calling Chen Yousong “Big Brother” repeatedly. To an outsider, it seemed they were very close, like blood relatives.
Chen Yousong disliked Li Chutian’s hypocrisy but had to admit—he knew how to handle people better than him.
“I heard just now that you plan to let me foster Alì in your Chen household?” Li Chutian squinted, “Not impossible… but this child has grown and can help the family. If she leaves, my wife and I would really miss her…”
Li Shu didn’t hold back: “Then I won’t go. I’ll stay here and serve your family until the end. I guarantee when you die, I’ll knock my head harder than anyone else!”
Li Chutian’s chest tightened.
“???” Chen Yousong was momentarily dumbfounded.
His soft, timid Alì—at home, barely daring to breathe—was actually provoking her father? This girl was going to get beaten!
“You brat… Adults speak, children don’t interrupt! Out!” Li Chutian’s face reddened with anger.
“Adults? Where are the adults? I only see a villain and an honest man,” Li Shu grinned. “Father, I scalded the chicken feathers today—did you see?”
“You dare! You burned your sister’s hair and yet deny it outside! How could you be so wicked!” Li Chutian, just returned home, was heartbroken.
“Then will you punish me? There are lots of mosquitoes tonight; I’ll stay up, promise to burn all the mosquitoes in this lane tonight,” Li Shu threatened, seeing through his thoughts.
What tricks did Li Chutian have? She preemptively exposed his moves, leaving him speechless.
He truly had no way to deal with Li Shu now. Zhou Shi had already described the scene in full. Normally, he would find a fault first and discipline her with reason.
But today, she was sly, flipping the situation, making it seem Zhou Shi had framed her, leaving him helpless.
“Alì, don’t think the neighbors will believe you. I am your father; if you keep disrespecting me, even with your uncle here, I can still act!” Li Chutian’s eyes darkened.
As a parent, even if he killed her without reason, the authorities wouldn’t pursue it!
A little indulgence, and she thought she was remarkable?
“Fearless children tread carefully. Father, don’t forget what I said before. Now my uncle wants to take me away. I don’t want to trouble him, but I also don’t want him to worry. So you sign the contract: my marriage in the future is decided by my uncle, you won’t interfere. I can stay here in the Li household and help out—win-win,” Li Shu explained.
“No way!” Zhou Shi, who had been eavesdropping, immediately jumped out.
“My point is, your previous engagement was arranged by the Chen family. Look at the mess… a murder case! If any more trouble happens, the shame falls on us,” Zhou Shi added.
Li Shu ignored her, only glancing at Li Lingsheng.
“Brother, you might worry I won’t be truthful with you. If I run, who will answer you? We siblings must support each other. Have father sign the contract, and I’ll tell you today what you need to know. You can arrange everything early—don’t miss the chance,” Li Shu smiled.
Chen Yousong’s feelings were complicated.
What was Alì saying?!
What “news,” what “settling accounts” and “timing”? He didn’t understand!
Why was she speaking to the Li father and sons like this? Her attitude was completely different from before!
And he had come to take her home, yet she only mentioned marriage, insisting on staying with the Li family—why?!
Chen Yousong was full of questions: “Alì…”
Just as he was about to speak, Li Shu said: “Foster care among relatives means the family should pay. Uncle, if you truly care for me, follow my wishes; otherwise, I won’t have the face to meet aunt later.”
“Father, I want to hear her news. As for the contract, it’s not important. Sign it. Let little brother write it; I’ll find a few witnesses,” Li Lingsheng didn’t care about these details.
He only cared about his own benefit.
Li Chutian looked at Li Shu, deeply reluctant. But her words weren’t unreasonable.
Alì wasn’t useless. But her temper was strange, unreliable. Keeping her at the Li household to watch her closely was the only way to feel at ease.