"I thought as much," Li Jing voiced. "Then again, if I choose not to lean on my maternal family, I have my darling husband." The dark glint in her eyes shone brightly. "I'd hate to have you suffer the way I suffered in the past, and then I won't put a stop to it since I am not considered part of the family."
The smug smile on her lips caught Li Xiu's eyes. The latter wished to have it slapped off Li Jing's face, but there was nothing she could do at this moment.
Enraging the Lin family's granddaughter and heir was not on her wish list. Her father would make her life a living hell for it.
"Jing." Li Chun cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself.
His wife and daughter had made a grave mistake. Now that Li Jing wasn't backing down, all he had to do was fix things.
"Forgive your elder sister."
"She is not my sister," she corrected, folding her hands in front of her chest. A soft smile found its way to his eyes. It was a facade. That wasn't genuine. Not after the whole situation that played before them.
"Yes, biologically, yes but you two shared a childhood together and grew up—"
"That I know," she cut in. "Can we change the subject already? It's becoming a bore. I am sure none of the people in this room wish to be associated with me. I won't force it either."
"You see!" Ding Jiaying fumed, turning on her heels to face her husband. '"Rather than put her in her place, you are stoking her ego."
There it was. The same plan Li Jing had. Ever since she came to this house and met the mother-daughter duo, she knew her interrogation of her foster father would be ruined. Furthermore, she either wanted him alone or needed the house to be clear to make her findings. She needed to check. To make sure it was true. Ever since she arrived at the Li resident as a child, she never saw this car that was mentioned but the plate number…
Turning her head in her foster father's direction, she gave a smile as if telling him secretly that this was what she meant.
Of course, he understood and quickly intervened. A part of him hoped that this action would prove to her that he did not want trouble and was ready to make things right with her.
"Jiaying! Enough with your squabbles already. Look around you; you are old enough. You are a mother, not a five-year-old. I demand you act with respect from henceforth."
Li Jing smiled, but it was brief. She got her aim. Something to use as an excuse to leave this house for now and cover her true mission.
"Father, do not be stressed on my account. I am sure you do not want your wife and daughter thinking you are taking sides," she said softly, her eyes brimming with tears.
Usually, Li Jing wasn't the skimming type, but she learned from the best. "I'd leave not to cause any worry. I only came to check on your health, but..." She bit back the urge to cry. And that got to him. His heart softened. He fell for it.
"Jing," Li Chun called softly. "It is okay. I apologize for both of them. I believe it is a misunderstanding. Right?" He flickered his gaze at his daughter. One menacing look from her father and Li Xiu could tell her mother and herself had lost this round.
Her father clearly did not want to anger Mr. Lin or Ye Cheng.
"I guess I am not wanted here. So, I'll leave," Li Jing added when Li Xiu hesitated.
"No!" he half yelled and glared at his daughter. "Xiu!"
She did not spare him a glance and tore quickly away just when he wheeled his chair closer to hold her.
"Y–You're right, father," she stuttered. "It was a misunderstanding." She bit her tongue, hating and cursing Li Jing inwardly for this embarrassment.
"You see?" He flashed Li Jing a smile, showing her his teeth.
"I appreciate the concern, but I don't feel safe or welcomed. I am glad you are fine. I am afraid I'll have to leave."
She did not spare him a glance and tore quickly away just when he wheeled his chair closer to hold her.
She gave one glance at both Jiaying and Li Xiu, a smug smile appearing on her lips briefly as she turned and made her exit.
That must have been a close call escape today, but next time she knew she had to make better plans, and this time, catch them off guard.
Li Chun may have taken her side out of fear today, but that doesn't mean he'd keep on doing so. Besides, she hated how skimming she was when she mimicked something Li Xiu would always do. She hated to be compared with that girl—that skank. Fishing for her phone from her pocket, Li Jing swiped it up, unlocking the screen and searched out a contact.
Once she found the name, she put a call across. A few seconds in, and the call connected. "Ma'am?"
"I need you to keep a close eye on the Li residence and it's family."
"Understood."
"And more importantly, I'll need an opening."
"Opening?" The voice asked, and his curiosity piqued.
"Yes. I'll let you know more later."
Once the call ended, she got into her car and drove off.
On the other hand, Ding Jiaying was seething with rage. Everything was wrong in more ways and when her eyes landed on her husband, she snickered, took her daughter's hand and stormed off.
But as soon as she got to the entrance of the living room, she paused, half turned to spare him a glance, and added, "I hope you enjoy your made-believe family because that girl would never be a Li. Get that into your thick skull and next time support your family, come what may."
She finished her words and looked at her daughter whose head hung low and almost facepalmed. However, she barely took a step when Li Chun's voice echoed, "And lose what is left of my company and family?"
He scoffed loudly. "I don't think so. You'll be delusional if you think I'll amount to ruin on your account or your daughter's."