In the end, Li Chutian nodded.
Chen Yousong felt anxious. He truly couldn’t understand why Alì would be so stubborn—treated so poorly by the Li family, yet she insisted on staying! She seemed determined, even willing to confront Li Chutian directly.
He felt a twinge of disappointment, wondering if he wasn’t trustworthy enough.
But on reflection, perhaps it was understandable. After all… that engagement had made her a laughingstock.
Alì’s life had been truly harsh.
Zhou Shi’s youngest son, who could write, was called over. Following Li Shu and Li Chutian’s instructions, he wrote three copies of the contract. The wording was polite, roughly stating that the Chen family, feeling pity for her motherless childhood, wished to care for and raise Li Shu, taking responsibility for her future. The Li family would not interfere.
Where Li Shu would live wasn’t specified.
Witnesses would vouch for the agreement.
Chen Yousong accepted the terms, albeit reluctantly.
It proved that if he really objected, he could still take Alì away.
The original girl had no formal name and had been called Alì since childhood, or sometimes “Li’s eldest girl.” But now, Li Shu emphasized her real name, making Li Chutian feel she was increasingly rebellious—less lovable.
Li Chutian had some education; he knew that “cleverly planning with extraordinary skill” sounded unreliable.
“Alì, remember—if you suffer unfair treatment and cannot bear it, don’t hold on. Go to your uncle’s house. With this contract, his home is your home!” Chen Yousong carefully stored the contract, treating it seriously.
“Okay, thank you, uncle. I promise—if danger comes, I’ll run faster than anyone,” Li Shu replied.
Chen Yousong paused, struck by her tone.
These were words the old Alì could never have said.
She didn’t bother pretending to be the original girl; their personalities were completely different. She couldn’t keep up a façade forever.
“Good… that’s good.” Chen Yousong seemed to struggle internally before uttering a few dry words and departing heavily.
Once he left, Li Lingsheng asked, “Can you tell me now? Don’t try to trick me.”
“I keep my word. Lying brings a bad end!” Li Shu immediately swore. “This is important. Our parents cannot know. If word gets out, it could endanger others—or even ruin your chance to gain merit.”
Li Lingsheng nodded.
Once inside the room, with doors and windows closed, Li Shu began: “The Qian family will come into sudden wealth, with a large sum arriving on the eighteenth of the eighth month. They’ll use their grandson’s birthday as a cover. But this news reached a bandit gang, who plan to strike that day. Their target is the Qian family.”
“The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The authorities also know the bandits’ plan and will lie in ambush. You only need to seize the right opportunity—take down a few bandits—and you can claim credit.” Li Shu explained truthfully, not adding a word of falsehood.
“Really? How do you know it so clearly?” Li Lingsheng was skeptical.
“I have my sources. I know far more than you think. When you become a city gate guard, I can still help you.” Her tone shifted: “Of course, you’ll owe me a proper reward.”
“I’ve suffered enough in this household. I want a better life in the future,” he said.
“I want you to climb high. Only then can I make the Ma family regret their actions,” Li Shu continued.
Li Lingsheng frowned: “Regret what? The Ma family helped you out of prison. Yet you don’t seem grateful…”
“You don’t know? Ma Chengtian deliberately switched my engagement—she wanted Yao A’ning. I want the Ma family to pay. But one person alone against them is like an ant shaking a tree. I need you.” Li Shu’s resentment was clear.
Her explanation convinced Li Lingsheng completely.
It made sense.
Though he had doubts—why would someone he disliked provide such crucial information?—to verify it, he had to trust that Li Shu genuinely wanted to help. Now she had a reason.
He hadn’t expected Ma Chengtian to act so recklessly. No wonder the Ma family went all out to rescue Li Shu from prison.
“Alright, I’ll act on that day,” Li Lingsheng said confidently. “These bandits vanish without a trace, hard to catch. If I take down a few, I’ll at least become a squad leader once I join the city gate. Sister, I didn’t know you could do this. If you’d shown it earlier, I wouldn’t have bullied you before.”
“I was confused and afraid back then. Now… I want those who ruined my life to pay. I have no fear,” Li Shu said, head held high.
“Don’t worry. You know my skills. As long as you keep providing me with information, I’ll take care of the Ma family for you,” Li Lingsheng promised generously.
He truly admired Li Shu now.
Her former timid self had only been an outlet for his frustration. Now, calling her “elder sister” finally felt appropriate.
“Claiming merit is fine, but don’t be greedy. The bandits kill without blinking. Don’t let your efforts be wasted—understand?” Li Shu proudly warned.
“I don’t need you to tell me.” Li Lingsheng was even prouder.
After giving the news, Li Shu went back inside to rest.
Li Chutian and Zhou Shi, still worried, questioned Li Lingsheng further. After careful consideration, he realized the information couldn’t be shared. He only promised that he could succeed, without revealing a single detail.
“Alì… she just wants a different life from before. Mother, leave her be. Let her be obedient. Don’t make her compete,” Li Lingsheng said, remembering today’s conflict and defending Li Shu.
“Son, are you being tricked? Her heart is already with the Chen family. If there’s good news, she gives it to you instead of the Chen family? You forget how you treated her before,” Zhou Shi fretted.
“Mother, the Chen family is military. They don’t need her news. And her cousin can’t compare to me. I’m stronger—she can only rely on me.” Li Lingsheng was confident.
He was robust; the Chen cousin was thin and sickly.
A military family’s son is sturdy, unlike the Chen cousin, who would not last long once the uncle dies and is sent to the battlefield.
The Chen family’s line is doomed.
Zhou Shi wanted to argue further, but Li Lingsheng was impatient: “Go console Alì! Don’t meddle with me.”
Zhou Shi closed her mouth, embarrassed.
Meanwhile, back at home, Chen Yousong reported everything. The atmosphere was heavy.