Li Ran sobbed as she defended Li Qing, “Mom, don’t scold brother. Brother didn’t bully me.”
Father Li also shot an angry glance at his son. “All you know is how to cause trouble. When will you ever let me worry less? How old are you already, still bullying your little sister?”
Curled up in Mother Li’s arms, Li Ran spoke to her parents again, “Dad, Mom, brother really didn’t bully me. It’s just that brother told me…”
She repeated what Li Qing had just said to her. Mother Li never expected her son to say such things and couldn’t help but sit on the floor, wiping away tears.
Father Li sighed. “You silly child, what’s there to cry about? Your brother is right. You’ll always be the little princess of the Li family. Mom and Dad will always be your mom and dad. Your brother has finally done something good for once.”
These words happened to be heard clearly by Li Xin, who had arrived upon hearing the commotion.
Her hatred for Li Ran reached its peak at that moment, with the malicious voice echoing endlessly in her mind: “Make her die! Make her die!”
Li Xin couldn’t remember how she returned to her room. When she regained her senses, she was already sitting on the soft, large bed she had never experienced before.
Her palms were already bleeding profusely from where her nails had dug into them.
Casually picking up a tissue to wipe them, she tossed the tissue into the trash bin, then lay down on the bed to rest with her eyes closed.
Not long after, her door was knocked on. Outside was the nanny coming to call her for dinner.
After some thought, she changed back into the clothes she had worn when she first entered the house and went downstairs with the nanny.
Li Ran was currently sitting in the dining room with her parents and brother, waiting for Li Xin to come downstairs. Looking at the dishes before her, she smiled with narrowed eyes.
“Mom~ Today Auntie made all my favorite dishes! I’m so happy.”
Mother Li felt her own spirits lift seeing her daughter’s adorable little face. “Of course! Mom asked Auntie this morning to make your favorite dishes. My precious girl must eat a lot today.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Li Ran saw Li Xin gracefully descending the stairs and waved to her with a smile.
“Little sister, come sit here by your big sister. Don’t be shy, just treat us like family.”
Hearing this, Father and Mother Li nodded in satisfaction. Xiao Ran is so sensible!
Li Xin glanced at the seating arrangement at the dining table. There was an empty seat next to both Li Ran and Li Qing. After some consideration, she chose to sit beside Li Qing.
“Dad, Mom, Brother, sorry I’m late.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qing was about to lecture her but was stopped by a look from Li Ran.
Li Ran was actually somewhat pleased. She didn’t know whether Li Xin was doing this on purpose or if it was just her nature, but she still hadn’t greeted her? Didn’t she know this would only make the family dislike her?
With great effort, she managed not to laugh out loud. “Brother, I want to eat braised prawns.”
Li Ran pointed at the bright red prawns in front of her and gently kicked Li Qing under the table.
Li Qing skillfully picked up several prawns with his chopsticks, quickly peeled them, and tossed them into Li Ran’s bowl.
While peeling, he said disdainfully, “Tsk, you little girl. You’re clearly allergic to prawn shells but always want to eat them. Every time I have to peel them for you! All these years, I’ve never eaten a single whole prawn.”
Li Ran ate with her eyes narrowed in delight. “Aiya, thank you, brother. The prawns brother peels are the absolute best! Xiao Ran loves brother the most!”
Li Xin watched the four people in front of her enjoying a harmonious atmosphere, then her eyes shifted as she turned to Father Li and said:
“Dad, when will my new ID card be ready? I want to apply for a library card at the city library.”
After saying this, she couldn’t help but want to applaud herself—she had managed to bring up the matter of her name change while also showcasing her love for learning and reading.
Unexpectedly, Li Qing wiped her hands and gave Li Xin a noncommittal glance.
“Why don’t you finish reading all the books in the Li family’s private library first? The city library’s collection might not even be as extensive as ours.
But, Dad, what new ID card? Did this little girl lose hers?”
Father Li shook his head. “No, your sister is part of the Li family, so she’ll have to change her surname to Li sooner or later. I was thinking of getting her name changed before she starts school to make things easier.”
Mother Li also thought Father Li’s plan was quite appropriate. “Zhengyun, it should be done sooner rather than later. Xiaoxin was previously at Third High School, right? The teaching standards there are a bit lower than at First High School.
I’m not sure if Xiaoxin can keep up with the pace at First High. If she falls behind, make sure to tell Mom and Dad right away so we can find you a tutor.”
Li Xin firmly shook her head. “Mom, Dad, my academic performance is quite good. At Third High, I was always in the top three of my grade.”
Li Qing, as if she couldn’t help but oppose this sister who had just arrived at their home, chimed in, “Top three? Now that you’re back with the Li family, you better study hard. Xiao Ran and I have always been first in the entire school. Don’t embarrass the Li family!”
Mother Li put down her chopsticks and shot Li Qing a disapproving glare. “Why do you have so much to say? Xiaoxin just got back. If you keep bullying her, you might as well head back to school early.”
Li Ran took the opportunity to gently kick Li Qing under the table. “Brother, that’s enough. Xiaoxin’s previous educational environment wasn’t great, so it’s understandable if she struggles to keep up at first.”
“Sis, you’re just too kind-hearted. When will you learn to be as tough as your brother? Tomorrow’s Saturday—I’ll take you out to have some fun and relax.”
Li Ran thought of the WeChat message she had just received and politely declined her brother’s offer. “I’m going out with Jingchuan Gege and Zhizhou Gege tomorrow, so I can’t go with you, brother. Don’t be mad, okay?”
Li Qing’s eyes widened involuntarily. “Qi Jingchuan? Lu Zhizhou? What’s so fun about hanging out with those two brats? Let me tell you, you’re only sixteen—no early dating allowed.”
Li Ran’s face flushed slightly. “Oh, brother, what are you talking about? I’m done eating. I’m going upstairs now.”
Without waiting for the others, Li Ran pretended to be shy and hurried upstairs.
Only after closing her bedroom door did she let out a sigh of relief. Throughout the entire meal, she had been observing Li Xin, feeling that the person who had taken her life in her previous lifetime wasn’t as terrifying as she had imagined.
Malicious and selfish, but not exactly ruthless.
How foolish she had been in her past life—to be manipulated by this person and even die at her hands!
Still, she couldn’t let her guard down. Li Xin was capable of hiring a killer at such a young age, so she couldn’t be underestimated. The only question was where the person she hired was now.
If she could find that person, she would finally be able to relax completely.
Li Ran casually opened her laptop and began typing rapidly, muttering to herself as she typed.
“Ah, when will I ever have a draft stockpile? Every night I have to rush back to write and update on the spot. If one day something comes up and I forget to update, my readers would be worried to death.”