NOVPUB
Chapter 711: Chapter 701 Show Me Where You Stand
Shen Yunfang did as she said and not long after, she brought over Niuniu, who had already calmed down, dressed and ready.
To be honest, she didn’t want to deal with the Li family’s mess at all. If Old Man Li really had a plan, she would be more than happy to leave it to him.
"Li Hongjun, come with me, I have something to tell you," Shen Yunfang said with a stern face, and as she left, she called Li Hongjun away as well.
Li Hongjun obediently got off the kang and followed his wife.
Old Man Li sat on the kang, puffing his beard and glaring in anger. He couldn’t believe his daughter-in-law would turn her face so quickly, not giving him any respect. His son was even more useless, scampering after his wife at a single call, without any regard for his old father.
"Okay, you two go out and play but be mindful of the time, and be safe. Don’t go running all over the place, and Pangpang, you look after your sister, understand?" After sending the two kids out to play, Shen Yunfang went back to her room.
"Li Hongjun, let me tell you, since your dad took over the matter today, you just stay put and don’t get involved, do you hear me? If I find out you’re meddling, I’ll immediately take the children and leave. If you like being the Li family’s beast of burden, then go ahead, but don’t drag me into it," Shen Yunfang grew angrier as she spoke.
The Li family’s endless troubles were exhausting—just when the mother-in-law and younger brother-in-law stopped causing a scene, the younger sister-in-law started acting up.
"Look at you, getting all worked up before anything has even happened, what’s the point? If you hurt yourself, it’s still me who’ll be heartbroken," Li Hongjun, always attuned to others’ emotions, hurriedly went over and put his arm around his wife’s shoulder to comfort her.
"Don’t just say what sounds nice. Make a stand now. What are you planning to do about Li Xianghe’s situation?" Shen Yunfang was not going to fall for his sweet talk.
"What to do? Didn’t you already say it? My dad’s handling it, so what do I have to add?" Li Hongjun made his position clear.
Truth be told, who would want to deal with these rotten issues? Life was good when it was peaceful at home. If it weren’t out of respect for the old man at home, he wouldn’t have bothered at all. But now that the old man had made it clear he would handle it, he as the son wouldn’t interfere.
Shen Yunfang looked at him suspiciously, "You’re really not going to get involved?"
"Really," Li Hongjun said earnestly.
"Even if your dad asks for your help again, you won’t get involved?"
"I won’t. If my wife says I shouldn’t, then I won’t," Li Hongjun replied.
"Psh, you just know how to sweet-talk me," Shen Yunfang’s mouth curved up slightly.
"Nonsense, I could fool anyone but never you, my dear wife," Li Hongjun shamelessly moved a bit closer.
"Humph, don’t make it sound so sweet. It’s not definite that after your dad talks to you, you won’t change your mind. Then you’ll come back and think I’m the cruel one," Shen Yunfang thought if Qiu Shuping were here, she would definitely do that. Now it was the old Li who was in question, and she really didn’t know if he would do the same.
"I don’t like hearing this from you. We have such a deep connection, a bond forged in our ’revolutionary’ days. I know exactly the kind of person you are. How could I possibly think of you that way just because I heard a word or two of incitement from others? You’re underestimating me," Li Hongjun was displeased, his resolve was so strong, how could his wife see him that way?
"Alright, alright, don’t get cocky. Let me make it clear to you now, I’m not going to deal with your sister’s issue. It’s true that Niuniu and Jiajia are both your nieces, but Niuniu’s current situation is different from Jiajia’s back then. They say ’help someone in an emergency, not in poverty.’ When Jiajia got sick and urgently needed money, your eldest sister’s family really didn’t have the funds. We had the capability, and by giving some money to save the child’s life, I had no objection whether you gave them the money or took them to the Capital for treatment. By saving the child, it was also a way to accumulate blessings for us and our children," Shen Yunfang sat upright, ready to have a serious talk with Li Hongjun.
Li Hongjun nodded in agreement.
"But Niuniu’s condition isn’t something that can be cured with just a bit of money. If she really has autism, as I suspect, then what she needs besides money is the attentive care and company of her family. If Li Xianghe were like that, and she really lacked the money for the child’s treatment, I wouldn’t mind contributing some money, to help Niuniu. If she could really get better, although I, as an aunt, wouldn’t gain any direct benefits, I would still be happy for her. But the current situation is obviously that Li Xianghe sees me as easy to talk to, easy to bully, planning to shift her responsibilities to me, and I’m not taking that on. As far as I know, the treatment for a child with autism requires years of rehabilitation at special education institutions, meaning Niuniu’s growth must include a parent’s long-term accompaniment, constantly helping her learn to speak, listen, take care of herself, and so on." 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Li Hongjun frowned upon hearing this, troubled by autism, something he had never heard of before.
"I’m quite selfish. Although I do pity Niuniu, I care more about my own two children. If it were my kid who was sick today, I wouldn’t say anything. Even if it meant quitting my job, I would do everything I could to accompany and help my child grow. That’s what I, as a mother, should do. But Niuniu isn’t my child. I can’t neglect my own children and devote a lot of time to someone else’s kid. It wouldn’t be fair to my two children."
Shen Yunfang didn’t mention anything about a career; in her view, a career is fine to have, but it’s insignificant compared to her children. If faced with a choice between her children and her career, it wouldn’t take a second thought; she would choose her children without a doubt.
After letting his wife vent, Li Hongjun patted her shoulder, "I know, I understand, and I’m glad that we’ve unconsciously aligned our thoughts once again. Don’t call yourself selfish; I’m no better in comparison. Niuniu is my niece, and it really hurts to see her like this, a lovely little girl with such an uncertain future. But you’re right, Niuniu isn’t our child, and we can pity her. Helping her within our means is what I should do as an uncle. However, she has her own parents. Sun Chengbin isn’t much worse off than me. If it’s like you said, that someone needs to accompany Niuniu for treatment, then Li Xianghe, her unemployed mother, is the most suitable candidate.
For now, their family doesn’t seem to need our help. Am I right or not?"
Shen Yunfang gave him an unsatisfied side glance, "Don’t try to trap me. Do you think I can’t hear it? Your words are ambiguous. What do you mean by ’temporarily no need for help’? If they need help in the future, you’re planning to just go ahead and offer it."
"Heh, heh, my wife is an educated woman, nothing gets past you. But I promise you, even if that day comes, I will absolutely not ask you to do something you can’t. If Niuniu really needs money for treatment, I, as an uncle, can’t just stand by; you agree, don’t you?"
"Whether I agree or not, you have already spoken for me. Enough now, I’m well aware of your little schemes, always trying to stir up trouble with me."
"Haha, my wife truly understands the greater good."
