Jiang Yongfeng's words couldn't even be called an implication; it was a direct and blatant hint.
Li Qiyu wasn't someone to be trifled with. Since Jiang Yongfeng had said that, she certainly wouldn't just sit back and let Jiang Yongfeng shift the blame onto her—even though what Jiang Yongfeng said was the truth.
"Auntie, your words don't make any sense. The family has never treated you badly. No one has ever said a single bad word about you. How can you say that this is all directed at you?"
Just then, Zhong Yuxiu, who had come out upon hearing the commotion at home, had just reached the door when she heard the word "auntie".
This wasn't a very nice term.
She frowned.
However, she didn't expose it on the spot. Instead, she walked into the room.
Seeing Zhong Yuxiu come in, but she just silently sat on the sofa sipping juice, acting like a transparent bystander who had nothing to do with it, Li Qiyu was puzzled.
This wasn't like Zhong Yuxiu's character.
She was the one who couldn't stand it when someone under her did something wrong, especially someone like Jiang Yongfeng, who clearly would make her lose face. Logically speaking, she couldn't possibly tolerate this.
But Li Qiyu didn't have time to think more because Jiang Yongfeng had launched another attack.
"Xiaoyu, I don't know what I've done wrong to you for you to treat me like this. You analyzed so much last night. Everyone here isn't stupid. We can all tell what you meant between the lines."
Hearing this, Li Yuanhua couldn't stand it anymore. He really wanted to say that they weren't stupid either. Jiang Yongfeng pretended to be virtuous and kind, but behind the scenes, she had caused a lot of trouble in the Li family. Li Yuanhua had seen it all and remembered it in his heart.
However, usually Jiang Yongfeng just asked for some money. The Li family could afford that. Keeping two idle people could keep his father in line, so Li Yuanhua thought it was a good deal. That's why he had never stood up to expose Jiang Yongfeng.
But this time, Jiang Yongfeng was openly confronting his younger sister right in front of him. This had crossed Li Yuanhua's bottom line.
Li Yuanhua directly asked, "Who can tell?"
This question stumped Jiang Yongfeng. She stammered, "Isn't... isn't it obvious enough?"
"If I remember correctly, every word Xiaoyu said last night was directed at that kidnapper. She just voiced her suspicions, and it was to provide clues for the police and prevent similar incidents from happening again. And I can tell you, I had the same suspicions. Before Xiaoyu said it, I was already wondering who had leaked Xiaotong's school information and who had told a stranger about my divorce from Azhu. I had already asked Xiaoyu the same thing before she asked that kidnapper in front of everyone. So, what do you mean? Are you saying that I'm also suspecting my own younger sister? Should Xiaoyu also stand up and argue with me, asking why I, her own older brother, don't trust her?"
Li Yuanhua deliberately emphasized the word "own" in "own older brother". The implication was that even though they, the own siblings, had been suspected, they hadn't said anything. Who was she, an outsider whom they didn't fully trust, to make a scene here?
Li Yuanhua subtly mocked Jiang Yongfeng, this stepmother. It made Jiang Yongfeng grind her teeth in anger, but she could only bear it.
In fact, ever since Li Tong went missing, Li Yuanhua's attitude towards Li Qiyu had been very bad, which was obvious to everyone. By saying this, he was also telling everyone that even though Li Qiyu and he had such a strained relationship before, she had still handled this matter rationally. But Jiang Yongfeng had started making a scene instead, which was a bit like trying to cover up the truth and losing her composure.
Li Qiyu was good at seizing the opportunity. Seeing Li Yuanhua say this, they played along with each other: "Yes, I asked that person because I heard what big brother said. I just didn't want to be misunderstood by big brother. I wanted to know the truth and also wanted the police to investigate and eliminate future troubles. I really can't figure out which of my words made auntie misunderstand. You've been disturbing big brother and dad early in the morning."
Jiang Yongfeng was so angry.
At this time, Zhong Yuxiu, who had been sitting there silently, finally spoke up.
"I think, mom, you should calm down a bit. Sister and big brother, don't be so angry either. Since big brother said that he also has his suspicions, then let's all sit down and wait for the news. After the police figure things out, we can then judge right from wrong, can't we?"
Hearing this, Jiang Yongfeng simply plopped down on the sofa and said, "Yes, I'm not leaving just like this. Anyway, no one can leave until this matter is cleared up! I won't take this blame for nothing."
Li Qiyu looked at Li Xiangping. Jiang Yongfeng had been making such a scene, but he hadn't said a word. Moreover, he looked guilty. It seemed that Li Xiangping must have said something like suspecting Jiang Yongfeng, so now he felt guilty towards her and was being held back by her.
Li Xiangping was actually quite aggrieved. Early in the morning, as soon as he got up, Jiang Yongfeng had dragged him to talk about what Li Qiyu had said last night and had been speculating about who it was. Li Xiangping got annoyed and impatiently said, "If I really had to guess one person, it would be you."
Originally, the reason he liked Jiang Yongfeng was because she was a kind and understanding person. No matter how bad Li Xiangping's attitude was, she never got angry. She was the kind of person who would still smile even after being scolded.
So, Li Xiangping blurted out those words without thinking, but he didn't expect that this one sentence would make Jiang Yongfeng, who had always been well - behaved and obedient, throw a tantrum.
On a normal day, Li Xiangping definitely wouldn't have indulged Jiang Yongfeng.
But now Song Yi'an was still at home. It would be really embarrassing if the family was in such a mess. He knew the relationship between Jiang Yongfeng and Song Yi'an. If Song Yi'an saw that he was treating Jiang Yongfeng badly, he would surely feel uncomfortable.
So Li Xiangping couldn't persuade Jiang Yongfeng, and now he was afraid that he would say something wrong if he said more. He could only be a silent onlooker here.
Jiang Yongfeng clearly knew that Song Yi'an was her backer. She was determined to keep Song Yi'an here.
"Xia'an, you must stay and stand up for your Aunt Jiang."
Song Yi'an was both amused and annoyed by Jiang Yongfeng. He didn't know why she was so obsessed with thinking that everyone was排挤ing her. Even if it were true, he would surely stand firmly by Li Qiyu's side.
Song Yi'an clearly knew who his family members were.
But for now, Jiang Yongfeng was in a bad mood. Song Yi'an was sensible enough. He said, "We're all family. There's no such thing as standing up for someone. Aunt Jiang, your words are a bit too strong."
Jiang Yongfeng pouted. In her heart, she replied, "They don't treat me as family. Of course, I don't want to be part of their family either."
But she definitely couldn't say that on the surface. She could only roll her eyes disdainfully.
The calmest one present was Zhong Yuxiu. She drank a glass of juice with the same poise as if she were drinking red wine.
As long as she could keep everyone here, her task was accomplished.