Li Xiuqin had always been wary of A Lai, instinctively sensing that he was up to something. She followed him into the small grove, feeling increasingly uneasy. The sound of their footsteps on the fallen leaves and twigs echoed with a "crunch, crunch" as they moved deeper into the woods.
Suddenly, two birds flew up in a flutter of wings, startled into the sky.
The grove was dark, with no sunlight penetrating the dense foliage. The atmosphere was eerily quiet and sinister, causing Li Xiuqin to shiver and halt.
"Why did you drag me all the way out here? What do you have to say?" she demanded.
"Nanny, I don't know how to tell you this," A Lai began.
"Are you trying to pull something, dragging me out here like this?" Li Xiuqin accused, her suspicion growing.
"I didn't want to embarrass you in the courtyard earlier, so I kept quiet," A Lai continued.
"Cut the crap. Get to the point! I have other things to do," Li Xiuqin snapped.
"Well, the truth is, Fang Fang and I have already been eating, drinking, and sleeping together," A Lai confessed.
"What?!" Li Xiuqin's mind went blank as she stared at him in shock.
A Lai grinned, "We've been close since childhood, so I'm telling you now so you can mentally prepare for the future."
"That's nonsense! You're nothing but a bandit!" Li Xiuqin exploded in rage, grabbing A Lai by the collar. "I've tried so hard to guard against this, but you've tricked me with your sweet words. You've taken advantage of her... You're a live bandit!"
"Old lady, I'm going to fight you to the end!" she screamed, launching at A Lai, clawing at his chest.
In the struggle, she suddenly grabbed him by the crotch, refusing to let go.
A Lai quickly grasped her wrist and, with a light push on her little finger, dislodged her grip.
"Ow!" Li Xiuqin cried out in pain, the agony shooting through her like fire. She collapsed, clutching her hand.
A Lai, calm and collected, issued a stern warning, "I remind you once again, don't get too close to Li Shiren! Or you'll end up in prison!"
Li Xiuqin was shaken.
After a moment, she asked, "You recognized him? What do you remember?"
A Lai's voice was cold and foreboding, "Heaven is watching what people do. There are gods three feet above our heads."
Li Xiuqin, still on the ground, was forced to calm down. After thinking for a while, she coldly said, "What crime has he committed? His men only bought a few wild animals, killed them, and used them to nourish his body."
"Is that all? Then why send someone to assassinate me?"
"I've already explained that! What more do you want? He's a famous entrepreneur and philanthropist. Do you think you can bring him down over something like this? Stop dreaming," Li Xiuqin retorted.
"Heh," A Lai let out a cold laugh, thinking to himself, "She's only trying to cover things up. I expected this, which is why I put the matter on hold for now."
Li Xiuqin felt a chill down her spine as she listened.
"Sigh," she said, trying a different approach. "If this gets out, his reputation might suffer a bit."
"Heaven is watching what people do. There are gods three feet above our heads!" A Lai repeated, his voice filled with righteous conviction.
"Come on, A Lai," Li Xiuqin sighed. "To be honest, everything Fang Fang and I eat and live on comes from him. For our sake, can you let this go? Do you want me to kneel and beg you?"
"Hmph," A Lai snorted, saying nothing, but his eyes flashed with disdain.
Li Xiuqin, trembling, finally gave in completely, "Alright, I'll let Fang Fang stay here to help you with your studies. Is that okay?"
A Lai nodded.
"But," Li Xiuqin continued, "don't make your relationship with Fang Fang public for now. If you really succeed and get into a prestigious university, we'll discuss marriage then. How does that sound?"
A Lai nodded rapidly, like a chicken pecking at grain.
Li Xiuqin wiped her tears, dusted off her clothes, and they both returned to the courtyard as if nothing had happened.
Seeing Fang Fang, Li Xiuqin still felt uneasy and pulled her aside to whisper some questions. After confirming what she feared, she sighed helplessly.
At this moment, she appeared unusually calm. Holding Fang Fang's hand, she turned to Grandpa Lei and said, "A Lai's college entrance exam is a big deal. I've thought it over and decided to let Fang Fang stay here and help him with his studies."
Grandpa Lei, bewildered, stood there speechless, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Li Xiuqin pulled out 1,000 yuan and placed it in his hand. "Take this to improve Fang Fang's meals," she said. Without waiting for him to respond, she walked out of the courtyard, her spirit crushed.
A Lai watched her leave, a smug grin spreading across his face. He thought, "You clearly haven't spent enough time with me to understand that I'm no longer the little boy you remember. I'm not someone who easily gives in or backs down."
Grandpa Lei, watching Li Xiuqin's lonely figure disappear, sighed deeply, "Poor parents, their hearts are always with their children."
Seeing A Lai's triumphant expression, he asked darkly, "What did you say to her?"
A Lai explained, "Even a pile of manure can give off heat at times. Do you really have no faith in A Lai? I appealed to her reason and emotions, and she changed her mind."
Grandpa Lei's eyes grew moist as he nodded, "Your Aunt Li has had a hard time raising Fang Fang on her own. She's just trying to protect her, afraid she'll suffer in the future. You should understand her feelings. But living in the big city has changed her, made her more worldly."
A Lai grinned, "Grandpa, don't worry so much. Haven't you noticed how my mind has become sharper since I was struck by lightning? My grades are improving, and I'm becoming more sensible."
Grandpa thought about it and smiled with relief, but he still reminded him, "Do not do unto others what you would not want done to you. Don't pretend to listen to me while doing something against Fang Fang's best interests. Don't make me lose face in front of your Aunt Li."
"Grandpa, relax. Even if I'm a rascal, I know how to behave," A Lai assured him.
Fang Fang remained silent, puzzled by the whole situation. She knew her mother's temperament well—what had A Lai said to change her mind? Was it just because they had slept together?
If A Lai could turn a simple text into a royal decree and talk her mother into submission, he had to be incredibly clever—almost too clever. As long as she kept him focused, getting into a top university shouldn't be a problem...
Self-reliance, working while studying, what was wrong with that?
A Lai, stubborn as ever, suddenly remembered the small trinkets he had picked up from the wholesale market that hadn't been sold yet. He thought about going back to the city to sell them at a low price to help cover expenses at home. He decided to ask his grandfather's opinion.
Switching gears, he said, "Grandpa, I'm broke right now. I was thinking of going to the city to set up a stall in a few days. What do you think?"
As the saying goes, "A poor man has no ambition." Without money, it's hard to live well.
Grandpa pondered the idea.
"Grandpa, give me a straight answer, will you?"