“No need to apologize, Ms. Song.”
The one who made the mistake should apologize. Li Qiao wouldn’t blame an innocent person.
“Ms. Song?”
Song Xi’s heart skipped a beat.
Liu Yusi noticed Song Xi’s misunderstanding and explained, “Qiaoqiao doesn’t acknowledge Liu Yusheng as her uncle.”
Song Xi suddenly understood, her mood lifting.
As long as Li Qiao didn’t dislike her, it was fine. Song Xi actually liked Li Qiao quite a bit.
“Liu Yusheng isn’t worthy of being an uncle.”
Li Qiao glanced at Song Xi. In the entire Liu family, Song Xi was the only normal one.
After what had happened today, Liu Yusi couldn’t help but worry about Song Xi.
Before they left, Liu Yusheng’s attitude had been vicious. If Song Xi went back now, she’d likely suffer.
“But that’s still my home.”
“Ms. Song, don’t you want to leave that family?” Li Qiao studied Song Xi. At only thirty-five, she looked decades older, worn out and exhausted.
This marriage had brought her no benefits whatsoever.
“Actually… when Yusheng and I were dating, he was good to me. But after marriage, whenever Liu Yulan was involved, I always came second…”
Song Xi’s voice trailed off, her disappointment palpable.
She had thought Liu Yusheng would change.
But he never did.
Now that Liu Yulan was back, Liu Yusheng had even less regard for her.
With her youth and beauty faded, whatever affection they once shared had long since eroded.
Song Xi wiped her tears. “Now, I’m just glad I never had a child with him.”
Song Xi was a good woman. It was a shame the Liu family didn’t appreciate her.
They were too foolish.
Li Qiao handed her two tissues, and Song Xi accepted them gratefully.
Ah, my niece is so thoughtful!
Li Qiao stiffened slightly.
What was with Ms. Song’s suddenly fervent gaze?
“Um… Ms. Song, I’ve read your fortune. Actually, your face shows you’re destined to have both a son and a daughter.”
Song Xi froze, bewildered.
“Song Xi, Qiaoqiao knows metaphysics. She’s very accurate. If she says you’ll have children, she must be right.”
In truth, Li Qiao had mentioned this before, but Liu Yusi hadn’t paid much attention at the time.
“A son and a daughter… Really? Is it really possible?”
No one understood Song Xi’s longing for children better than herself.
Over the years, the Liu matriarch had forced her to drink countless bitter herbal concoctions and folk remedies—yet her belly remained empty.
Medical exams showed no issues on her end.
Now, Li Qiao was telling her she was fated to have children? It was unbelievable.
“Qiaoqiao, when will I get pregnant? When will my children come?”
“You are destined for children, but… Liu Yusheng isn’t. To put it simply, as long as you’re with him, you’ll never conceive.”
“What?!”
Song Xi was stunned.
“The Liu family has committed too many sins. They’re fated to die without heirs.”
Li Qiao smiled.
And that wasn’t all—the Liu family’s relationships were far messier than they appeared.
Song Xi never imagined this was the reason she couldn’t conceive. It wasn’t her fault—it was the Liu family’s karma.
Li Qiao peeled a banana and took a bite, letting Song Xi digest the revelation.
“Qiaoqiao… should I really get a divorce?”
“Whether you divorce or not is your decision. I’m only telling you what I see. But I will warn you: leave the Liu family as soon as possible.”
“Why?”
Song Xi sensed something deeper.
Li Qiao lounged lazily on the sofa. “Go back to the Liu family now, and you’ll have your answer.”
The cryptic response unsettled Song Xi.
“Sister, Qiaoqiao, I’ll head back first. I’ll visit again when I can.”
She left in a hurry.
“The storm is coming,” Li Qiao mused.
“Qiaoqiao, what’s really going on?” Liu Yusi was just as curious.
Li Qiao grinned. “Heaven’s secrets can’t be revealed.”
She then asked why Liu Yusi had gone to the Liu family in the first place. When Li Songsong’s ghost encounter was mentioned, Li Qiao’s smile turned radiant.
“Mom… do you think I’m a bad person?” Li Qiao rested her head on Liu Yusi’s lap, her gaze darkening as she noticed the bandage on her mother’s forehead.
Liu Yusi stroked her hair. “Of course not. My daughter could never be wrong. I trust Qiaoqiao’s judgment.”
“Mom, you’re the best.”
“And my precious Qiaoqiao is wonderful too.”
Li Qiao relaxed under her mother’s touch, the soothing motion lulling her to sleep.
…
When Song Xi returned to the Liu residence, her heart pounded with dread.
Something terrible was about to happen—she could feel it.
She entered the courtyard she shared with Liu Yusheng and froze at the faint, unmistakable sounds coming from their bedroom.
The door was slightly ajar.
Men’s and women’s clothes were strewn across the floor—clothes she recognized instantly.
One belonged to her husband.
The other…
The moans were unmistakable. That voice—
Song Xi stood paralyzed.
Liu Yulan’s voice pierced her ears.
Her face drained of color.
The people inside were—
Fighting nausea, she forced herself to stay, her legs leaden.
“Yusheng, isn’t this wrong? What if Song Xi comes back…?”
“Tch, that useless bitch can’t even bear a child. Why keep her? If she hadn’t reminded me a little of you back then, I wouldn’t have bothered pursuing her.
“She’s like a dead fish in bed—no passion at all. Now, just looking at her wrinkled face disgusts me. You’re the one who knows how to please a man.”
“You’re so bad—”
“I can be worse.”
The obscene noises made Song Xi’s tears fall freely.
So the love she thought they’d shared… had all been a lie.
How laughable.
She had been the only one truly in love.
Crying silently, Song Xi clenched her phone and recorded the evidence of their betrayal.
Five minutes later, she slipped away.
On her way out, she bumped into a young maid.
“Madam, you—”
“Xiao Hong, pretend you never saw me today.”
Xiao Hong nodded. The madam had helped her before—she wouldn’t betray her.
As Song Xi left, Xiao Hong glared at the room, disgusted by the shameless moans.
Trash. They’ll get what’s coming to them.
…
When the Li family returned and saw Liu Yusi’s injury, they immediately wanted to storm the Liu household. Liu Yusi stopped them.
This wound had severed her last ties to the Liu family.
“Dad, Brother, just wait. The show’s about to begin.”
Li Qiao’s words caught their attention.
If she said so, the Liu family was headed for disaster.
But letting his wife’s suffering go unpunished? Unacceptable.
Li Shanchuan and Li Shaojin exchanged a glance—they already had a plan.
“Yusi, forget the Liu family. You’re my daughter now. It’s not like I have one anymore anyway.”
Old Master Li’s sudden remark confused Li Shanchuan.
“Dad… what do you mean?”
“Grandfather has disowned Li Shanxi. She’s no longer part of the Li family,” Li Qiao explained.
