Chapter 378: The Truth
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“I just returned to check on things, Granduncle Li Zheng. Please pass these things to my parents but don’t tell them I gave them to you,” Li Shi said, “My mother birthed me and raised me alongside my father, so I should give them these things.”
Li Zheng was shocked when he heard Li Shi’s words and saw the things he was holding. They were good things that were not cheap. He quickly pulled Li Shi back and said, “Don’t leave yet, Li Shi. You can blame your parents, especially since they have a reason for what they did.”
Li Zheng was also thinking about the villages.
‘Li Shi’s parents and siblings were terrible to him, but only Li Shi turned out fine. I thought Li Shi was dead, but there’s hope for his parents now that I know he’s alive. I must untie the knot in this child’s heart.’
Li Shi stopped in his tracks. “What reason could there possibly be for my parents to beat me and treat me so poorly, Granduncle Li Zheng?”
Li Shi was full of resentment and hatred. Just as Lin Zheng had said—there was a knot in Li Shi’s heart. However, Li Shi did not care about that since he had only returned to see what had become of his so-called family.
He had saved money and planned to build a house in Zhou Shan’s village before getting married and settling down. Li Shi would have children and would undoubtedly treat them well.
He knew he must not be like his parents because he knew how terrible it felt when they treated him horribly. He always felt like a floating leaf, unable to find a home. That was why he wanted to have a family of his own.
If he worked hard with Su Binglan and saved money, he could build a big house, get a wife, and have children. Still, he felt inferior and was worried that others would scorn him for not having parents or relatives.
He had always felt like that due to his childhood experiences. So, he returned to Northern Song Village to know why his parents were so biased and treated him so poorly.
‘What did I do wrong?’ Li Shi’s eyes reddened as he looked at Li Zheng. Li Shi’s hands clenched into fists when he thought about it, trying his best to control his emotions.
“Sit down first, and let’s talk.” Li Zheng sighed. After persuading Li Shi to sit, he continued, “Your parents don’t have it easy either. Did you know you had a younger sister?”
“I-I had a younger sister?” Li Shi was stunned.
‘My parents only had three sons. When did they have a daughter? I never had a sister.’
Seeing Li Shi’s confused expression, Li Zheng continued to explain, “You were three years old, your little brother was just one, and your mother was pregnant with another child. The doctor said it was a girl.
“Your parents were thrilled. They already had three sons and wanted a daughter. Your family had always consisted of three boys, but your grandparents also wanted a granddaughter.
“Your grandparents’ attitude toward your mother changed when they heard she would have a daughter. They started treating her better. However, your mother had a miscarriage because of you.
“From then on, your grandparents constantly pestered your mother and caused her to develop mental health issues, while your grandparents hated your father.
“After that, your grandparents decided to split up your family. When your parents separated, they didn’t receive a single cent from your grandparents, not even land.
“I intervened and asked your grandparents to give your parents at least one acre of land. Don’t hate your parents, Li Shi. They also have bitterness in their hearts, so sometimes they can’t help but lash out.”
Li Shi could not believe what he had heard. He only remembered the bad things his parents did to him and the times they had hit him. He could not remember anything else from his childhood.
Now that he thought about it carefully, he had a vague impression. At that time, his mother would kneel in the courtyard on a cold day, and his grandmother seemed to scold his mother often.
After that, the family no longer lived with the older couple, and Li Shi’s mother developed some mental issues.
“No, how could I have caused my sister’s death? I couldn’t have.”
Li Zheng sighed. “You might not remember. You played by the river when you were three and accidentally fell in. Your mother was still pregnant then and reacted instinctively.
“She went straight into the water to save you. That’s why she got hurt and even lost your sister. See? How can you say that your mother never cared about you?
“She could have gone to the village to ask for help, but you would’ve drowned before help arrived. Your mother was aware of the dangers but still instinctively protected you.
“Your mother was distraught and blamed herself. However, she thought she should feel sorry for her unborn daughter if she was good to you. She was in a bad state of mind and could not accept what had happened.”
“Also, your father grew up as your grandparents’ favorite, so he was inevitably affected. Don’t blame your parents, Li Shi.”
Li Shi kept shaking his head as he listened. “How could that be?”
He did not want to believe it. ‘If that was the case, my parents must have felt tormented. I-I should blame me. I could’ve had a sister.’
Lin Zheng sighed. “I would never lie to you, Li Shi. You can ask the elders in the village if you don’t believe me. Everyone knows this story.”
Li Shi’s eyes started to sting. After a long time, he finally adjusted his emotions and said with a choked voice, “Thank you for telling me this, Granduncle Li Zheng.”
“Your parents felt terrible when everyone said you had died. Your mother isn’t doing well, so you should go and see your parents.”
Li Shi could not bear to hear this. He had blamed his parents, but he could not accept this news. “M-My mother is still okay. How could there be a problem?
“Your mother’s mental problems worsened when she heard you were dead. She was about to break down. She also helped your brothers get married and settle down.
“However, your two sisters-in-law are tough to handle. No matter how angry your mother is toward them, she can’t handle it.”
Li Shi could not care about anything else when he heard that. “Granduncle Li Zheng, please, take me to see my parents.”
“All right, I’ll take you there now.” Li Zheng brought Li Shi to a thatched house at the back of the village. It was barely even a house that could shelter them from the elements. “Your parents live here.”
“Cough, cough.” Coughs sounded from inside the house. It was Li Shi’s mother’s voice.
Li Shi’s heart tightened when he heard his mother’s voice. Lin Zheng patted Li Shi’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go in.”
Li Shi took a deep breath, then carried his things and entered.
Li Shi’s mother heard the noise at the door and shivered in fear.. She told Li Shi’s father, “Don’t tell me Li Liang’s wife is here again?