Chapter 06: Resistance
Song Hanmei was frustrated with her daughter's behavior; she couldn't understand what Li Yuwei was thinking.
First, she arranged a marriage, then sabotaged her own plans, and now she was pleading for Ying Sisi.
Unable to contain her frustration, she said, “Yuwei, stop covering for Sisi. If she doesn't learn to act properly when she gets married, her in-laws will surely say she's uncultured.”
Ying Sisi had been subjected to countless accusations and questions, and she could no longer tolerate it. Her face flushed red, but her gaze remained resolute. After a long moment, she declared in a clear voice, “I know you dislike me, but you have no right to criticize me for being uncultured. I saw how warmly you treated Qin Yanci today. You think I'm unworthy of him, and that Yuwei deserves him more. Just say it outright; there’s no need to beat around the bush.”
“Sister, what are you talking about?” Li Yuwei immediately distanced herself from Qin Yanci. “You’re engaged to him; he’s my brother-in-law. Bringing me into this makes it sound terrible. After all I've done for you, is this how you repay me?”
Song Hanmei was even more furious. “You little brat, pretending to be a good girl, I didn't expect you to be so sharp-tongued. How dare you turn the tables on me! Junlu, look at this child! Where is her respect for her elders?”
Ying Sisi shot a deep glance at Li Yuwei.
How did her logical rebuttal to Song Hanmei turn into an act of ingratitude?
Could it be that Li Yuwei believed she deserved the insult of being called uncultured by Song Hanmei?
So, was it all an act of kindness that Li Yuwei had shown her before?
With these thoughts in mind, she finally exploded. “You're the one turning the tables! You say you're concerned for me in front of others, yet behind my back, you treat me like a servant! Ever since I got here, I have been ordered around like a maid, with endless laundry and household chores. Your daughter has delicate, fair hands; do you want to see mine?” Ying Sisi raised her rough, calloused hands in front of her. “I have never endured such hardship even in the village.”
She then pointed at Li Junlu. “You said you brought me here to enjoy a better life, or were you just using me to pave the way for your own future?”
Li Junlu was left speechless.
“I'm going back to the village tomorrow! You can do whatever you want!” Ying Sisi stormed back to her room.
Song Hanmei stomped her foot in frustration. “Old Li, look at the precious daughter you brought back from afar!”
Li Junlu certainly wouldn’t let Ying Sisi leave.
The engagement with the Qin family had already been arranged.
If the bride ran away, it would offend the Qin family. He wouldn't just lose his future; he would lose his way back.
He hurried to knock on Ying Sisi’s door. “Sisi.”
Ying Sisi had already packed her meager belongings and opened the door to face Li Junlu.
He took the opportunity to snatch her bag away. “You have such a temper. If you have complaints, just say them. No need to cause a scene.”
“Who's causing a scene? Give me back my things!” Ying Sisi made a move to grab them back.
Li Junlu pulled her into the room. “Sisi, let's talk.”
“There's nothing to talk about.”
Li Yuwei was left in a daze. In her past life, on this very day, Ying Sisi had been tricked by their mother into being alone with Feng Shuangxi, ruining her reputation.
Upon returning home, she had thrown a fit, vowing to return to the countryside.
Today, she had been advocating for Ying Sisi, so why was she causing such a ruckus?
Could it be that history was unchangeable?
As this realization hit her, she panicked.
Suppressing her anxiety, she tried to speak calmly. “Mom, you shouldn't say that about my sister.” She had always overlooked one issue: her mother’s attitude towards Ying Sisi.
Kind in front of others, but harsh behind closed doors.
Ever since Ying Sisi moved into their home three months ago, her mother had not done a single chore.
Perhaps the pressure she had placed on Ying Sisi was too great, causing her to explode unexpectedly.
(End of Chapter)
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