"Dad, you didn't tell them our new home address, did you?"
"I'm trying to avoid them, how would I dare tell them the address?"
Li Changchun also wanted to stay as far away as possible, finding them extremely annoying.
What it felt like to have a relative who was only after money, only someone who had experienced it would understand.
Hearing this, Tang Xiaomin's heart, which had been pounding in her throat, finally settled back down.
"It's good you didn't say anything, you scared me to death. They just know how to ask for money."
Tang Xiaomin wasn't afraid of ghosts or spirits, but she couldn't stand Li Dali's family. She truly couldn't bear it.
Seeing Li Changchun's distressed look, Tang Xiaomin volunteered.
"Dad, I'll go with you to see them later. With me there, let's see what tricks they dare to pull."
Although Tang Xiaomin had a fiery temper, it was perfectly suited for dealing with Li Dali's family. Li Changchun had no reason to refuse her company.
"Then... please don't let your mother know about this."
"Okay, I understand."
...
In the afternoon, Tang Xiaomin and Li Changchun made an excuse and went out together.
Tang Xiaomin's sharp eyes spotted Li Dali and Li Yong at the bus stop in front of the bus station, waiting for something.
Tang Xiaomin and Li Changchun took a taxi. As the saying goes, one should not flaunt wealth, especially in front of greedy people, so they didn't drive themselves.
As soon as Li Dali saw Li Changchun, he put on a surprisingly gentle smile.
"Changchun, we've been waiting for you for over an hour. We thought you were angry and wouldn't come."
Li Dali patted Li Yong's head beside him, feigning sternness as he scolded him.
"You little rascal, why aren't you apologizing to your second uncle quickly?"
Li Yong reluctantly lowered his head and said, "Uncle, what happened that day was my impulsive act. I'm sorry, please forgive me."
Just like that...
"There's no sincerity at all. What kind of apology is this?" Tang Xiaomin said coldly.
Li Changchun said nothing, watching silently.
Li Dali glared at Tang Xiaomin, gnashing his teeth with hatred for her.
But they had a mission today, so it wasn't a good time to clash with them.
Suppressed the anger in his heart, he gritted his teeth and kicked his son Li Yong.
"Have you forgotten what I told you when we came? Hurry up and kneel and apologize to your uncle!"
Li Yong rubbed his butt, feeling indignant.
He had never knelt before his own father, and now he was being asked to kneel before Li Changchun.
Humiliating.
It was truly humiliating.
For the sake of money, he gritted his teeth and with a "plop" knelt before Li Changchun.
"Uncle, I truly know I was wrong. Please forgive me."
"If you don't forgive me, I'll keep kneeling. Uncle..."
...
Since they had sincerely knelt, Li Changchun couldn't continue to hold a grudge.
"Alright, it's all in the past. It doesn't look good to be kneeling here. Get up quickly. You must be tired from the journey, let's find a place to eat first."
And so, the four of them found a restaurant near the bus station.
Li Dali said, "Changchun, eating out is such a waste of money. Let's go back to your place. Some home-cooked meals will do."
Upon hearing "go back home," Li Changchun immediately shook his head.
"No, no, absolutely not."
"You've come to Modu all the way here, I must entertain you properly. I'll take you for a big meal."
...
Fearing that Li Dali would insist on going to his home, Li Changchun didn't bother to be picky. He quickly led the way into a Sichuan restaurant, then generously booked a private room, ordered ten dishes, and a bottle of wine.
Li Dali sat down with some displeasure.
"Fine, we can still go to your place after we eat."
...
His words sent shivers down Li Changchun's spine.
He was already regretting that he had agreed to meet them.
But it was too late to regret it now.
Li Changchun used going to the restroom as an excuse, and called Tang Xiaomin along, quietly instructing her.
"Xiaomin, I'll pay for the meal first. After we finish eating, let's find an excuse to leave."
...
His father was still too kind.
If it were Tang Xiaomin, she would have run away after eating. She didn't believe Li Dali and the others wouldn't pay.
However, these worries were unnecessary.
"Dad, let's hear what they have to say first. Perhaps they'll rush to pay."
Li Changchun's face was full of worry, greatly annoyed.
"Alright. Anyway, no matter what, just don't let them know where we live."
If they couldn't afford to provoke them, they could at least avoid them.
...
When they re-entered the private room, Li Dali suddenly said, "Changchun, I've already paid the bill. Don't you try to pay later."
"Ah?"
Li Changchun was truly startled and could hardly believe that this stingy person would voluntarily pay.
Had the sun risen from the west today?
...
Li Changchun suddenly had a bad premonition.
Halfway through the meal, the bad news indeed arrived.
Li Dali said, "The old man is gone. You and your sister-in-law have lived in Modu for so many years, you're definitely not going back to Hetang Village, right?"
Li Changchun remained silent.
"I'm here today to discuss the matter of your two mud houses."
At this point, Li Changchun understood. The food tasted bland, and he put down his chopsticks.
"Just say what you have to say directly."
He wanted to see what kind of scheme his money-grubbing elder brother could come up with.
Clearly sensing Li Changchun's unhappiness, Li Dali quickly put on a smile.
"You and your sister-in-law haven't been back, and the houses have been empty. My wife and I have been using them for storage. It's been so many years, and we feel quite bad about it."
"This time, I'm here to discuss these two mud houses with you. We're not taking them for free; we'll pay you to buy them, how about it?"
"Anyway, the houses are empty, and you don't need them anymore. Selling them to us is perfect."
...
So that was their intention.
Given the nature of Li Dali's family, didn't they always occupy the houses directly when the couple was away?
It was strange that they were now offering to buy them with money.
However, Li Changchun was not tempted in the slightest.
"Those two mud houses are the only things I have in Hetang Village. They are my roots. I cannot sell these houses to you."
Upon hearing this, Li Dali immediately became unhappy.
"Changchun, why are you like this? You're not going back, so what use do you have for those dilapidated houses?"
"Besides, I'm not asking for them for free. Why can't you do your elder brother a favor? I'm your biological brother."
Biological brother?
Having such a bullying biological brother, Li Changchun felt he had had the worst luck in eight lifetimes.
He wished he had no relation to him.
"If you've come for this matter, then I will not agree."
"Xiaomin, let's go."
Li Changchun's attitude towards the houses was very firm. He only wanted to preserve what belonged to him.
"Ah, don't go, don't go."
Li Dali quickly stepped forward and pressed Li Changchun to sit down.
"We haven't finished eating yet. Sit down and eat. We can discuss it while we eat. We're family, there's nothing that can't be discussed."
"Yes, Uncle. Please sit down first. I'll pour you some wine."
Seeing this, a wicked smile appeared on Tang Xiaomin's lips. Sudan Novel Network
"Dad, why don't we first see how much they're willing to pay? What if it's a large sum?"