After Swapping Lives, the Metaphysics Side Character Became the Wealthy Family's Beloved - Chapter 42

Li Qiao listened quietly.

Mrs. Meng harbored strong resentment toward the Liu family.

Through her words, Li Qiao learned about the history between the Liu and Li families.

The Liu family had three children.

Liu Yusi was the eldest daughter. The second child was an adopted daughter named Liu Yulan, and the third was Liu Yusi’s biological younger brother.

Despite sharing the same mother, the younger brother disliked Liu Yusi and adored Liu Yulan instead. In his eyes, Liu Yusi was the embodiment of wickedness, while Liu Yulan represented purity and kindness.

The most unsettling part? The entire Liu family shared this belief.

From the elderly to the young, none of them liked Liu Yusi.

The Xiao family, who found and took in Liu Yusi, were an influential aristocratic clan.

Liu Yusi lived with the Xiao family until she was ten before the Liu family brought her back.

Why “brought back”? Because the Liu family had always known where she was.

They deliberately waited until Liu Yusi and the Xiao family had formed a deep emotional bond before reclaiming her.

Li Qiao’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “The family that took in my mother—did the Lius have ulterior motives?”

“Exactly. Back then, the Liu family was in decline. The only reason they regained their current status was because of Yusi’s connection to the Xiao family. It was through her that they secured the Xiao family’s support.

But the Lius were ungrateful. Instead of appreciating Yusi, they believed she owed them for orchestrating the situation that led to her privileged life.” Mrs. Meng couldn’t hide her disgust as she spoke.

What kind of family was this? How could there be any genuine affection?

No wonder her mother never mentioned the Lius!

Li Qiao pressed further, “What happened to the Xiao family’s biological child?”

“They died shortly after birth. Around that time, they found Yusi. The Lius intentionally abandoned her—it was all part of their scheme.”

The Xiao family adored Yusi. As a child, the Lius exploited her bond with them to extract countless benefits.

But as Liu Yusi grew older, she deliberately distanced herself from the Xiao family to prevent the Lius from using her to leech off them.

By now, Li Qiao had developed a deep dislike for the Liu family.

When Mrs. Meng mentioned Liu Yulan, she explained that after losing their daughter, the Lius were so consumed by grief that they adopted a girl to fill the void.

“Hypocrites,” Mrs. Meng sneered, her face full of contempt.

Then, she shifted the topic to the love triangle between Li Shanchuan, Liu Yusi, and Liu Yulan.

Over the course of two hours, Mrs. Meng laid out the entire story for Li Qiao.

After returning home, Li Qiao couldn’t stop replaying Mrs. Meng’s words in her mind.

Liu Yusi was baking a cake. She handed a freshly made slice to Li Qiao.

“Qiaoqiao, try this. Tell me what you think.”

Li Qiao took a bite. The sweet flavor burst in her mouth.

She smiled. “It’s delicious, Mom.”

“I’m glad you like it. All that practice paid off. I’ll learn more recipes and make them for you.”

As Liu Yusi busied herself, every word and gesture radiated love for her daughter.

Thinking about how her mother had been deprived of familial affection, only to pour all that love into her daughter, Li Qiao felt a pang in her chest.

She was determined to meet these so-called relatives and see what kind of monsters they really were.

That evening, after Li Shanchuan returned home, Liu Yusi brought up their visit to the Liu family the next day.

While polishing her peachwood sword, Li Qiao noticed Li Shanchuan’s slight tension.

He asked, “What’s the occasion?”

“It’s a welcome banquet for Liu Yulan. She’s back from abroad.”

Annoyance flashed across Li Shanchuan’s face. “A party for an adopted daughter? Yusi, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“I’m taking Qiaoqiao with me,” Liu Yusi replied calmly.

Li Shanchuan was about to object, but when he heard Li Qiao was going, he burst into laughter.

He wholeheartedly approved. With her around, no one would dare mistreat Liu Yusi.

Li Qiao smirked, pleased with her father’s reaction.

Her parents truly loved each other.

After dinner, Li Qiao found a gift from Li Shaoyang in her room—a set of expensive bracelets.

When Li Shaojing and Li Shaoyang came in, she had just put them away.

After thanking them, Li Shaoyang immediately launched into a rant about the Liu family, assuring Li Qiao not to take them seriously and to just enjoy herself.

They wanted nothing to do with that side of the family.

Especially Li Shaoyang—his disdain for the Lius was palpable.

“Second Brother…”

“Qiaoqiao, I’m not being unreasonable or unfilial. The Liu family is a den of wolves.”

He didn’t elaborate further.

After Li Shaoyang left, Li Shaojing said, “Qiaoqiao, about Mom and Dad…”

“Big Brother, I already know everything about their history with the Lius. Don’t worry—we won’t be bullied. Since they owe Mom, it’s only right that I settle the score. Besides, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Li Shaojing smiled warmly. “Mom would be touched to hear that.”

“Of course. I’m her little snuggle bug.”

“And what about us?”

“You two are my trusty leather jackets.”

The siblings exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

The next day.

Next door.

He Yi was sweeping the yard when he remarked, “Miss Li is attending the Liu family’s banquet. The Lius have never treated Mrs. Li well. If they’re going, it’s out of sentimentality. But I wouldn’t put it past the Lius to stir up trouble.”

Inside, He Jingnian stood by the window, his expression cold. “Prepare the car. We’re going to the Lius’.”

“Huh? Master, you never attend these pointless social events.”

He Jingnian shot him a look.

He Yi chuckled awkwardly and hurried off to arrange the car.

The Liu family’s welcome banquet was extravagantly prepared.

They had invited numerous elites from high society.

“Miss Yulan, now that you’re back, will you be staying for good?”

“I’ll be in the capital long-term. My parents are getting older, and I want to be there for them.” Liu Yulan’s voice was gentle and sweet.

“Miss Yulan, you’re truly kind and filial.”

“Ah, if only you had married Mr. Li back then, you wouldn’t have had to go abroad.”

“Who’s to blame? Yulan is so gentle—she probably never expected her own sister to steal her man.”

The crowd’s whispers quickly turned toward Liu Yusi.

Dressed in a white gown, Liu Yulan looked delicate and beautiful. Despite her age, she had aged gracefully—a pretty face masking a rotten core.

“That’s all in the past. If my sister wanted him, I wouldn’t have fought. I suppose Mr. Li and I just weren’t meant to be.”

Her melancholic tone stirred pity in many.

Li Qiao let out a deliberate, mocking laugh.

All eyes turned to her, especially when they realized who she was—the Li family’s daughter, freshly brought back from the countryside!

“Sister, it’s been so long. And this must be my niece? I heard you grew up in the countryside, but you’re just as lovely as your mother.” Liu Yulan’s words were sweet, but the underlying meaning was anything but.

What a masterful display of two-faced rhetoric. A true veteran white lotus.

Li Qiao smiled. “My mother’s only sister died at birth. So, Auntie, who exactly are you?”