NOVPUB
Chapter 551: Chapter 541: I Have No Relation to Them
"What I need to do now is make a clear distinction with the Li family," Shen Yunfang declared. "I don’t covet anything from them, and they should refrain from meddling in my life. The three Li brothers should figure out how to take care of the elderly themselves. As a daughter-in-law, I will certainly not shortchange the elders, but beyond that, they better not count on anything from me—least of all Li Hongqi." In fact, by saying this, she also meant that Qiu Shuping should not get her hopes up either, as Qiu Shuping and Li Hongqi were in cahoots.
Ma Liguo and his wife nodded in agreement, thinking that handling things this way was appropriate. Since they truly couldn’t get along together, there was no need to force it. Everyone could just live their separate lives and that would be that. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
"If Li Hongjun comes back and thinks that what I’ve done is wrong, then he can just pack his things and go live with his mother," Yunfang said earnestly. She had been caring for the children alone for several years. Although she knew that Li Hongjun going to the battlefield was a soldier’s duty, just like a civilian going to work, the nature of his job made her feel aggrieved. What was the difference whether this man was at home or not? What else could she possibly rely on him for? If things stayed like this and he still thought she must tolerate his unreasonable family, Shen Yunfang felt she would have no regrets in kicking this man out of the house.
Her greatest wish in life had been to find a man who was sensitive and caring, to build a happy family with him, have several children, and raise them to adulthood, thereby making up for the regrets of her past life in this one. But if something untoward were to happen, she could well content herself with fulfilling just the second wish.
A perfect life is unattainable; the wish for a man can be deferred to the next life.
"Right now, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law are causing trouble at my school. They’re probably trying to use this method to make me cave, so they can then take whatever they want from me. I won’t compromise; I’d rather drop out of college and do without a diploma than let them get the better of me." Though she said this, Shen Yunfang was also aware that the school wouldn’t go so far as to expel her over this matter, but it was possible that she might not be assigned to a good job in the future.
"Exactly, we fight for dignity, not just a piece of bread. Even if you don’t go to college, I’ll make it up to you. Every year, you and I will engage in small businesses for a month or two, and that will be enough for us to live on," Mu Huazhen said confidently. Having done business with Yunfang for the past couple of years, she really had tasted sweet success. If it weren’t for fear of backtalk, her family would have followed in Yunfang’s footsteps and bought a TV long ago.
"That won’t be necessary. I don’t think the school cares enough to meddle in a student’s personal life. But there’s a Vice Principal Tao there, and we had a bit of an issue before. I guess he will use this incident to make things difficult for me. Regardless, I’ve made up my mind. No matter what anyone says, I have nothing to do with the Li family relatives anymore. They can live however they want; I neither envy nor resent them. The only thing I ask is that they don’t come bothering me," Shen Yunfang was resolved to maintain her detachment to the end this time.
"So, with the old lady coming over this time and Hongjun not being home, are you really not going to let them in?" Although Ma Liguo understood Yunfang’s thoughts, he still felt somewhat hesitant about actually denying them entry.
"No, I didn’t invite them. If it weren’t for this morning’s incident, if they wanted to stay for a few days, I would’ve treated them to good wine and good food. But now, there’s no need for any of that. They can go wherever they please, and if they can’t stay, they’ll just have to find a way to get home," Yunfang was not concerned that they would really end up homeless. With someone as crafty as Li Hongqi, he wouldn’t let himself fall into such straits.
With Yunfang’s mind made up, Ma Liguo and his wife had no choice but to support her without objection. After dinner and clearing the table, the three adults took the three children out for a stroll, and to let the children play.
By this time, children should all be out playing on their own, but Shen Yunfang was worried about kidnappers, so every time she preferred to accompany them. She had also repeatedly emphasized to Mu Huazhen and her husband how important the children’s safety was. Mu Huazhen and her husband, who initially did not take it seriously, were now very attentive to safety and had developed the habit of ensuring at least one adult was with the children whenever they went out to play.
Of course, if there’s an older child to take care of, that’s another story.
The next morning, Shen Yunfang still got up early to take her two children to the kindergarten. This time she did not head straight to school but went back home instead. She stayed at home until it was time for her class, then cycled to school.
However, it was clear that Vice Principal Tao did not want to let Shen Yunfang off the hook. Having gained experience from their previous wits’ battle, he directly took Li Hongqi and the three others and waited at the bike shed.
"Ah, Student Shen, you’re really not easy to get a hold of," Vice Principal Tao said with a sneer as Shen Yunfang parked her bike.
Shen Yunfang parked her bike and then looked up at the group standing at the door of the bike shed. "It seems Vice Principal Tao is not too busy entertaining VIPs lately, to have time to meet me at the bike shed is really stooping low."
Vice Principal Tao was infuriated by her remarks. Was she implying that he was creating trouble out of nothing, or mocking him for flattering others?
Seeing that just a few words from her had offended him, Shen Yunfang closed her mouth. She did not want to clash with the authorities, but the grudge had been formed, and even if she spoke flatteringly, Tao would take it as sarcasm. Especially since what she had just said was indeed mocking the Vice Principal.
"Alright, I won’t waste my words with you. These are your relatives, right? Hurry up and take them with you. I’m busy every day with schoolwork; I don’t have time to deal with these trifles. Also, they’ve eaten three meals at the school’s faculty cafeteria yesterday and today. I’ve spoken to the cafeteria to put it on a tab for you. When you have time, go and pay for the meal tickets. The school shouldn’t foot the bill." Vice Principal Tao had planned to use this situation to deal with Shen Yunfang, but after the torment of the previous afternoon, he just wanted to get rid of these people as soon as possible. He didn’t care about revenge anymore.
Shen Yunfang glanced at the silent group behind Vice Principal Tao and forced a smile. She could only apologize to the Vice Principal.
"Vice Principal Tao, I believe you understood my situation with them already yesterday; I have no relation to them now. Whatever they’ve done at the school has nothing to do with me, so please handle it yourself," Shen Yunfang said as she lifted her bag off her bike and slung it over her shoulder, ready to go to class. "If there’s nothing else, Vice Principal Tao, I need to go now; Mr. Cai’s class is about to start."
"Oh my dear heavens, have mercy on me. My dear son, who I’ve raised with such hardship, has been tossed aside by this woman. I acknowledge her as my mother-in-law now, oh, who will stand up for me..." Hearing her daughter-in-law’s resolute words, Qiu Shuping, under Li Hongqi’s guidance, sat down on the ground and began to wail.
