Well! The plain broth and tough old vegetables couldn’t be ignored anymore—they kept coming up!
Li Father scowled, staring at Ye Xiaoxiao. “Tianyou’s mother and I had already planned it, discussed with the accountant: marry off his daughter, lighten some of the Li family’s chores.
Then you, little beggar, appear. The marriage between the Li family and the accountant’s family falls through, and now there’s enmity. The old Li family can still spare a sip of broth for you, a few scraps of those old vegetable stems to gnaw on—that’s generosity! And yet, what more do you want?!”
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if they’d never truly known Li Father before.
The accountant being called out felt like punching Li Father right there—if you’re going to die, why drag me into it?
The old secretary gave the accountant a meaningful glance. The accountant’s face immediately turned pale.
Anyone who had doubted Ye Xiaoxiao earlier now dismissed all suspicion. Li Father’s words shattered their understanding of the Li family; his confession confirmed the truth in Ye Xiaoxiao’s statements.
No one suspected manipulation—they all believed this was Li Father speaking in a fit of anger, revealing his honest feelings.
All present were heads of households, upright men, used to direct dealings. None had imagined the Li family could be so filthy—this was hell for Ye Xiaoxiao and her child.
“I always thought Father treated everyone equally, unlike the rest of the Li family. I never imagined your prejudice runs this deep,” Xiao Lu said, disbelief just barely restrained, looking deflated from the blow.
Li Father continued, immersed in his resentment of Ye Xiaoxiao. “How could I treat you, a little beggar, the same as others? To the Li family, you’re a curse. From the moment you stepped in, I wanted to drive you out.”
Once Li Father spoke, he seemed like a different man. The hatred in his expression, the sincerity—every word without pretense.
The accountant who had come along to help find someone was stifled with anxiety—why was the Li family’s mess dragging him in?
“Li Daniu, my daughter is already married. Don’t drag her into your battlefield, okay? And when have I ever made things difficult for your family? The eyes of the public are sharp—if I had, they would have reported me to the old secretary. Did anyone report me?”
Accountant Li Aiguo spoke righteously, without a hint of guilt. His words intimidated the clueless onlookers, though he fell silent under the old secretary’s sharp gaze.
Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but think to herself: he deserves a thumbs-up. This little old man had cleared himself in just a few words. Over the years, the person most targeted had always been her, Ye Xiaoxiao.
Hmph—when she has time, she’ll teach him a lesson, make him suffer for a few years—revenge for all those years of persecution.
Ye Xiaoxiao stayed quiet, and Li Father didn’t want to speak further.
Sensible Accountant Li immediately withdrew from the spotlight, ignoring everyone else’s awkwardness.
“Father has always harbored these thoughts, such hatred for my family. Then why, after marriage, could I go with the army? You wanted to keep me here—if I left, wouldn’t that be better? Out of sight, out of mind?” Ye Xiaoxiao said, looking genuinely curious.
“Ridiculous! If you weren’t here to take the brunt of Li Aiguo’s anger, do you think we would?” Li Father sneered, mocking her naivety.
“Taking Li Aiguo’s anger? The accountant was chosen by the people! If he abuses his position, anyone can report him. Are officials chosen by the people meant to oppress the people? Ah, so the reason he’s made things difficult for me all these years… is because of you!” Ye Xiaoxiao said, lowering her voice but loud enough for everyone to hear.
The accountant’s anger choked him. If she spoke any softer, he might have believed she hadn’t done it on purpose.
“Tianyou’s wife, your family’s matters—don’t drag me into it.” Li Aiguo dared not confront her directly, asking instead. The old secretary’s heart sank—this Li Aiguo, making moves under his watch.
Others who had been mistreated by Accountant Li knew this was the perfect time to confront him.
“I want to report the accountant. He indeed uses his work to make things difficult for us,” someone started. Soon others chimed in about their own mistreatment. Li Aiguo thought: this is over!
Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t dwell on her own grievances with the accountant—there were more important matters at hand.