After Swapping Lives, the Metaphysics Side Character Became the Wealthy Family’s Beloved - Chapter 20

Jiang Yuwei spoke with passionate righteousness, completely unaware that Li Qiao had already reached her limit.

Without warning, Li Qiao lifted her foot and kicked the back of Jiang Yuwei’s knee.

Jiang Yuwei cried out in pain, collapsing onto the floor. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, “Li Qiao! Have you lost your mind? How dare you hit me!”

“Disgraceful!” Second Aunt Li snapped. “Yuwei is your cousin! You have no manners at all!”

“You threw away the Ancestral Master’s tablet,” Li Qiao said, her voice icy. “You’re courting death.”

Then—she raised her hand and slapped Jiang Yuwei across the face.

CRACK!

The sharp sound echoed through the room. Jiang Yuwei reeled, dizzy from the impact.

“Y-You… how dare you hit me?!” Jiang Yuwei clutched her stinging cheek, her voice trembling with rage. “You’ll pay for this, Li Qiao! Karma will get you!”

Li Qiao smirked, her lips curling in cold amusement. “Oh, dear cousin, the one facing karma is you. The Ancestral Master will punish you.”

“You—!” Jiang Yuwei’s teeth ground together. In a sudden burst of fury, she lunged at Li Qiao, hands outstretched to claw at her throat.

But the moment her nails grazed Li Qiao’s skin—

Her foot slipped.

She stumbled backward—

And the fruit knife on the table plunged straight into her abdomen.

“AAGH—!”

Jiang Yuwei doubled over, clutching her stomach. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she let out a strangled whimper. “It… hurts… Mom… it hurts so much…”

“Yuwei! YUWEI!” Second Aunt Li shrieked, rushing forward to cradle her daughter. Blood gushed from the wound, staining her hands crimson. Panic seized her. “Don’t be scared, baby! Mom’s taking you to the hospital!”

Whether from shock or blood loss, Jiang Yuwei went limp in her arms, unconscious.

“Yuwei! Stay with me!”

Second Aunt Li hugged her daughter’s lifeless body, then whirled on Li Qiao with a snarl. “You wretched jinx!” She raised a hand to strike—

Li Qiao sidestepped effortlessly.

Second Aunt Li crashed face-first onto the floor.

A tooth flew out. Blood pooled in her mouth.

“Enough!” Grandpa Li bellowed. “Someone—get them to a hospital!”

Footsteps pounded outside as the family’s sole servant rushed in.

Soon, an ambulance wailed outside the Li villa.

Neighboring wealthy families peered curiously from their mansions.

An ambulance at the Li residence? Had the old man finally kicked the bucket?

After the chaotic scene, Grandpa Li sighed heavily. “Qiaoqiao… your aunt was spoiled rotten. She’s always had a terrible temper. Ignore her from now on.”

At his age, he understood—some bonds were simply not meant to be.

“Grandpa…”

“Qiaoqiao,” he said carefully, “this Ancestral Master you worship… is it real?”

Deep down, he already knew. But he needed to hear it from her.

Li Qiao met his gaze and nodded.

Grandpa Li exhaled—then chuckled.

“Good. My Qiaoqiao was always destined for greatness.” He patted her shoulder. “Your aunt and cousin brought this upon themselves. I’m not excusing them, but…”

“You don’t need to explain, Grandpa. I understand.” Li Qiao’s voice softened. “But this isn’t my decision. They offended the Ancestral Master.”

Whether forgiveness came was up to him.

Grandpa Li rubbed his chin. “Qiaoqiao… what does the Ancestral Master want? The Li family will provide anything.”

“Hmm…” Li Qiao tapped her lip. “I’ll ask him tonight.”

Grandpa Li: “…?”

You can just… ask?!

News of the incident spread quickly. The Jiang family was furious—no matter what, Jiang Yuwei had been injured under the Li family’s roof.

They couldn’t escape responsibility.

Grandpa Li decided to visit the hospital himself. He needed to see his foolish daughter and granddaughter.

Li Qiao accompanied him.

…

Hospital Room

Second Aunt Li, now missing a front tooth, clutched her unconscious daughter and wailed.

Jiang Zhengyuan, red-eyed, stood by the bed, his heart twisting at the sight of Jiang Yuwei’s pale face.

“Husband…” Second Aunt Li sobbed.

Jiang Zhengyuan comforted her, though his expression was dark with unspoken thoughts.

“It’s all that bitch Li Qiao’s fault!” Second Aunt Li spat. “She’s a demon! A curse!”

Her daughter—her precious, unmarried daughter—had nearly lost her uterus.

Li Qiao had almost stolen her future grandchildren.

Just then, Grandpa Li and Li Qiao entered.

Second Aunt Li’s face contorted with rage at the sight of Li Qiao. She lunged—but Jiang Zhengyuan held her back.

“Father,” he greeted stiffly.

Then his cold gaze locked onto Li Qiao.

This was their first meeting.

“Why are you here?” His voice was dangerously quiet. “We have nothing to say to you. Leave.”

“Zhengyuan, Qiaoqiao came with me,” Grandpa Li said firmly. “We’re here to check on Yuwei. Qiaoqiao is worried.”

“Father! Look at Yuwei!” Second Aunt Li screamed. “She’s lying here because of her! You used to adore Yuwei—why are you siding with Li Qiao now? Don’t you care that your granddaughter is suffering?”

Her words stung—as if he were some senile old fool. Grandpa Li’s temper flared.

“I’ve loved Yuwei for years! Qiaoqiao just returned, and you can’t stand sharing attention?” He glared. “They’re both my granddaughters. But today, you provoked Qiaoqiao and insulted the Ancestral Master. This punishment is deserved.”

Second Aunt Li gaped. “Father! Have you gone mad too? You’re enabling her!”

“Silence!” Grandpa Li thundered. “You brought this on yourselves.”

Second Aunt Li’s fists clenched. “You’re protecting her!” she shrieked. “Yuwei almost died! And you’re spouting nonsense about some ‘Ancestral Master’? Bullshit! You’re just making excuses!”

To her, even her father had fallen under Li Qiao’s spell.

She was a curse. A plague.

Li Qiao stood calmly, watching the tantrum unfold.

She’d tried reasoning. They refused to listen.

Fine.

“Stubborn fools,” Grandpa Li muttered. He turned to Jiang Zhengyuan. “This matter isn’t so simple.”

He respected his son-in-law—at least the man was level-headed.

Jiang Zhengyuan studied Li Qiao, then nodded. “I understand.”

But his eyes betrayed his disbelief.

Grandpa Li sighed. Let them be.

As they left, Second Aunt Li’s curses followed them down the hall.

“I shouldn’t have brought you,” Grandpa Li said regretfully.