Witty Wife, Better Life

Chapter 265: Chapter 255 You All Owe Me an Apology

Li Hongqi changed his position from kneeling to sitting and quietly looked up to gauge the expressions of the three people in the room. He weighed his options and figured it would be best to tell the story himself. If he could make his story sound pitiful enough, innocent enough, and out of necessity, his parents would surely help him. So, Li Hongqi sat up straight, then lunged forward again to hug his father Li’s thighs, and began to recount the story of writing the denunciation letter to his sister-in-law.

Of course, in his own words, he was just young and impulsive, provoked by someone with intentions into writing the denunciation letter against his sister-in-law. He hadn’t thought much about it at the time; his head was hot, and he did what he was told to do. But soon after, he regretted it and wanted to retract the letter. But once the letter was submitted, it couldn’t be taken back just by asking.

He pleaded with a capable classmate and pulled some strings, which is why she was released the next day. He had intended to apologize to her, but being a younger brother-in-law, it didn’t seem appropriate for him to approach her. Besides, he couldn’t bring himself to do it out of pride, so he decided to wait until the New Year when his elder brother and sister-in-law would return home together, so he could kneel in front of them and apologize. Unexpectedly, Hongjun came back before the New Year, and without a word, started beating him up. Scared, he found himself unable to speak out.

Li Hongjun stood by, silent, just listening to what Li Hongqi had to say, also curious to see what kind of person his younger brother, whom he hadn’t seen in years, had become.

After sobbing through his story, the old couple in the room fell silent, astonished that their youngest son could have done something so despicable. Even though their youngest son made it sound insignificant, they, having lived through the events starting in ’66, understood the dire consequences that could befall someone who was denounced; their surroundings provided ample examples.

"Mom, I really didn’t mean to do it on purpose. I didn’t realize it would be this serious," Li Hongqi said pitifully, tugging at Qiu Shuping.

He didn’t expect his elder brother to believe him, as long as his parents did. That way, even if his brother did not accept it, he would have no way to punish him.

"You said someone instigated you, who was it? Name them," Li Hongjun asked.

Li Hongqi hesitated and stammered, "It was a classmate of mine. Even if I told you his name, you wouldn’t recognize him. But I’ve completely cut ties with him and will never associate with him again." There was no such person; it was all fabricated.

"Ah, yes, yes, your brother said it was someone else’s instigation, not his own intention. Son, people like that have no good intentions. They can corrupt even the good ones. We should stay away from such people in the future," Qiu Shuping regained her composure and couldn’t bear to see her youngest son so embarrassed, so she temporarily came to his aid.

"What’s the name of this classmate of yours? Where does he live? And you said that when your sister-in-law was arrested, you helped find someone to get her released, who was it?" Li Hongjun persisted with his questions.

Li Hongqi didn’t dare to say anything at random because he knew his elder brother’s temperament; he really could find the person. By then, the lie would be exposed, and he would be in an even worse situation. However, he couldn’t complete the circle without speaking up, so he just stammered on.

Seeing her son in that state, what else wasn’t clear to Qiu Shuping? She hurriedly stepped in to save the situation.

"Oh, your wife is fine now, so why keep asking so many questions? Even your brother said he won’t hang out with those people anymore and that nothing like this will happen again. Isn’t that enough? Why can’t you just let it go? Alright, enough. I’ve decided, you’ve hit him and had your say; let’s put an end to this matter and no one is allowed to bring it up again."

Qiu Shuping wanted to smooth things over, but Li Hongjun was far from ready to let things slide. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Dawei’s help, if Yunfang hadn’t known Xing Zhonghua herself, Li Hongqi’s ’careless action’ could have been a disaster for his wife and his own family. Besides, these few vague, flawed words trying to bluff him? He was no fool.

"Li Hongqi, you’re seventeen now, about to enter university. You’re not a three-year-old child, and you should be very aware of the consequences of your actions. I won’t ask anything else now, I just want to know what exactly you accused your sister-in-law of in that whistleblower letter. And I want to know in what way Yunfang or I have wronged you, to the point that you meticulously plot against us until you’re satisfied."

Li Hongqi went silent again.

Qiu Shuping looked from her younger son to her second son, and then to the old man, their expressions ranging from pitifully awaiting rescue, to looking like they wanted to devour someone, to wearing troubled frowns. She too didn’t know what to do.

Ultimately, thinking of her younger son soon entering university, and her second daughter-in-law being such a terrible person, she steeled her heart to start a quarrel with her second son.

"I’ve already said this matter ends here. Don’t bring it up again. Why are you asking these useless questions? Even if your brother did speak up, what could be done? Could we turn back time? Could your wife not have been caught?" Qiu Shuping spoke with her hands on her hips, ready to start a big fight, "Besides, your brother did nothing wrong. Your wife is the bad one, I’ve disliked her for a long time, she is not filial at all, I would have sued her myself..."

"Mother!" Li Hongjun couldn’t stand it any longer and shouted, "How can you say such things about Yunfang without feeling guilty? Since the day Yunfang married into the Li Family, when has she not treated you with respect? When you said to split the family, we split. When you said not to give us a house, we moved out. When you wanted money for Li Hongqi’s education, Yunfang provided both money and goods. What has she done wrong? Compare her with the daughters-in-law of the neighbors; in what ways has Yunfang fallen short? We should have a conscience, and even more so when speaking."

"You, what do you mean? Are you saying I’m heartless? You ungrateful brat, I wasted over twenty years raising you! Don’t hold me back, let me go, I’m going to beat some sense into this infuriating brat today." Qiu Shuping dramatically searched the bed for a broom.

Li Hongjun ignored her and continued to question Li Hongqi, who was hiding behind, "You heard my question, I just want to know in what ways Yunfang and I have wronged you."

Li Hongqi glanced at his mother, realizing her raving tactic was useless, then looked to his father. The old man puffed on his dry pipe, his face shrouded in smoke, seemingly not wanting to get involved.

Then, seeing his older brother’s glaring eyes, he steeled himself. After all, his parents would always take his side. Why should he act submissive? Li Hongjun couldn’t do anything to him at home. Building up his courage, Li Hongqi gritted his teeth and yelled, "How have you treated me fairly? Acting like you care so much about me, but all the while taking me for a fool. I finally got a chance to go to university, and when Mom asked your wife for money, she gave only fifty bucks after much hesitation. Is this how you treat your own brother, like giving spare change to a beggar?" He knew that his older brother could make almost fifty in a month, and in his mind, that tiny sum for a gift should be nothing for Li Hongjun to handle alone, without the parents dipping into their savings (which he also considered his own money). That Yunfang gave only fifty bucks meant she was disrespecting him and wronging him.