In the eyes of others, Li Chuchu looked exactly like a poor girl whose father had turned into a step - father after remarrying.
Li Chuchu showed a look of "soft yet tough like a white flower." "Thank you, auntie. I got it. I'll go upstairs first."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
The neighbors sitting in the yard below saw that Li Chuchu was still wearing the old clothes from a few years ago. They couldn't help sighing. "The family has bought a new bicycle and sent the woman's son to some cram school. But they're not even willing to spend money to buy their daughter a couple of new clothes. Old Li is really stupid."
"You can't say that. After all, a married - off daughter is like spilled water. Li Chuchu was disobedient before, and that woman knows how to sweet - talk. As time went by, Old Li naturally favored that woman."
"Humph, these men are really all the same. None of them are good."
...
Li Chuchu went upstairs according to the original owner's memory. The outer door of their house was slightly ajar, and the laughter inside came out.
"Mom, I've made an appointment with my classmates to go out and play this afternoon. Can I borrow the bicycle?"
He had deliberately gone downstairs to take a look yesterday. It was a Flying Pigeon bicycle! He wanted to ride it out and show off to his classmates.
"Ask your dad to lend you the bicycle."
"Don't talk about borrowing. Let the kid ride it if he wants. It's good to relax before the college entrance examination. Then he can get into a good university and bring glory to our Li family!"
"Thank you, Dad!"
The laughter and joy came from inside. If you didn't know any better, you'd think they were the real family.
Li Chuan was the son of Li Chuchu's step - mother and her ex - husband. He was about sixteen or seventeen years old this year, a sophomore in high school, only four years younger than Li Chuchu.
After Wu Li remarried, she made her son take Li Jianmin's surname. She was very good at using her charm to wrap Li Jianmin around her finger, and had Li Jianmin raise her step - son as if he were his own.
Li Chuchu stood at the door. "Dad, I'm back."
Wu Li didn't expect Li Chuchu to come. It took her a while to react.
She sized up Li Chuchu's dowdy clothes and empty hands. Disgust flashed in her eyes. As expected, she was a child with a mother but no one to raise her properly.
However, no matter how much she disliked Li Chuchu in her heart, in front of Li Jianmin, Wu Li still had to put on a show.
She stepped forward with a fake smile. "Oh, is it Chuchu? Why did you suddenly come back? You quarreled so fiercely with your dad last time. I thought you wouldn't come home again."
She looked so condescending, her nostrils almost turned up to the sky.
As soon as Li Chuchu entered the door, she led the topic to the sore spot between the father and daughter.
She was really afraid that the father and daughter would get along well!
This woman was really something.
Li Chuchu remained calm and deflected the topic back easily. "Even if I quarreled with my dad, this is still my home! Auntie, why don't you seem happy to see me come back?"
She pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth. "Oh, even a blind man knows what's going on. Auntie doesn't really think this is her own home, does she? You're really something. At your age, it's okay to fool others, but don't fool yourself."
She wanted to trap Li Chuchu, but there was no way.
Wu Li's face stiffened, and she almost lost her composure.
After not seeing her for so long, how could this girl be so sharp - tongued?
Li Chuchu walked into the room and looked around. Her eyes finally fell on the pennant in the middle of the living room.
It was personally presented to her by the leader of the steel factory back then, commending her mother for sacrificing herself for the factory. Her mother was a fire - fighting hero and a heroic martyr.
Li Jianmin was sitting on the sofa. He was also surprised to see his daughter come back, and his expression was far from happy.
"What are you doing here this time?"
His tone was very cold, not like a father talking to his long - absent daughter.
Well,
Li Chuchu actually liked this straightforward way of communication. "I'm here to reclaim Mom's job."
This statement was like a depth charge. Li Jianmin frowned slightly.
Before Li Jianmin could say anything, Wu Li's face changed first, and her voice rose an octave. "What job? There's no such thing! Where did you hear this, Li Chuchu?"
Li Chuchu turned to look at Li Jianmin. He was sitting on the sofa, silent.
She had never had much hope for this scumbag of a father. Now seeing his attitude, she had a clearer understanding of his coldness towards his own daughter.
Li Chuchu sighed. Her expression was calm, but her words were sharp. "Where did I hear it? The factory director told me personally back then.
"He said that my mom was a fire - fighting hero who had made great contributions to the factory. He said that if I had any difficulties in the future, I could go to him for help. He also promised me a job position, and I could report for duty at any time. Is it possible that what the great factory director said was all a lie?"
Wu Li was almost dizzy from this series of questions. She gritted her teeth and said, "That was so many years ago. What's the use of bringing it up now!"
She had been eyeing that job position of Li Chuchu's mother for a long time. She had pestered Li Jianmin for a long time before getting it from him.
With this job, her younger brother could gain a foothold in the city.
Things were about to work out, but this little girl showed up at this moment. Didn't she break off with this family? How could she still have the nerve to come back?
Li Jianmin frowned even deeper. He was very dissatisfied with Li Chuchu's aggressive attitude. "Chuchu, no matter what, Auntie Wu is your elder. Who allowed you to talk to your elders like this?"
This scolding was like a bucket of cold water. Li Jianmin really put on a good show of being the head of the family.
Li Chuchu cursed secretly in her heart. This old man really thought he was an emperor?
Wu Li also came to her senses. She sorted out her thoughts.
She hadn't seen Li Chuchu for a year or two, and as soon as they met, she was here for the job. This girl had grown more shrewd in the past few years. It seemed that she wouldn't be so easy to deal with this time.
Using force definitely wouldn't work. She had to change her approach.
Wu Li adjusted her expression and forced a smile. "Chuchu, I was too excited just now. I'm sorry. The family has been in a difficult situation recently. Your younger brother has to study and go to cram school. Your dad has to socialize with his work friends. And we need money for all our daily expenses.
"You haven't contacted the family for so long. I thought you didn't want that job anymore, so I came up with an idea and sold that job to someone else. Since you finally came back today, stay for a meal. I'll cook something for you at noon."
She subtly shifted the blame to Li Chuchu. It was she who abandoned the family first. How could they know whether she still wanted that job? Anyway, she just insisted that the job had been sold to someone else. Even if she was unhappy, what could a girl do?
If it were a girl without any ideas, she might really be sent back with just a few words.
Li Chuchu sneered. Did they really think she was a three - year - old child to be fooled?
"This job is the last thing Mom left for me. If I can't get it, I'll go and make a scene at the factory. The factory director has to give me an explanation."
Her tone was firm, and she would definitely do it.
"Nonsense!"
Li Jianmin scolded harshly.
"Why are you so unreasonable! As soon as you come back, you're asking for this and that. The family has raised you for so long and has done so much for you. Is this how you repay the family?"
As soon as Li Chuan saw that his dad was really angry, he immediately ran up obsequiously and pushed Li Chuchu. "As soon as you come, Dad gets angry. Haven't you already married a man outside? What are you doing back in our family?"