Chapter 16: The Imperial Confrontation

Li Tianzhen stared at Li Qi in disbelief.

All her life, in the compound, who would dare speak to her like that?

Everyone around her treated her with the utmost respect; parents strictly instructed their children to yield to her.

But today, in this filthy house, she was actually being insulted by a scruffy kid like a vagrant?

“What did you say? How dare you insult me? Who do you think you are? Do you even know who my father is, who my mother is? How dare you ask me to donate a kidney? What is my status, and what are you? How could you possibly compare yourself to me? Have I not been giving you face? Besides, are you illiterate? I’m a woman; how can I donate a kidney to a man? Believe me, I’m going to make a scene when I get home, and by tomorrow, your family will be ruined!”

Li Tianzhen was on the verge of losing control, her words tumbling out incoherently.

Li Peng, standing nearby, heard Li Qi’s words and was terrified, grabbing Li Qi’s arm fiercely.

“How dare you say such things? Apologize to our cousin immediately!”

“Get lost. Look at you, acting like a servant, like a eunuch. After all those years of schooling, did your brain rot away?”

Li Qi’s feelings were complicated at that moment.

Two days ago, when Uncle Manjiang had come, his words were sincere, his attitude humble—he was practically begging on his knees.

He said he only had one son, and there was no other way but to come begging.

But it turned out he also had a daughter.

He understood that donating a kidney was harmful to health, so the donor could be anyone else—but absolutely not his own daughter.

As for the absurd claim that a woman couldn’t donate a kidney to a man… Li Qi couldn’t even be bothered to refute it.

Just then, as the tension in the room peaked, the door to the small room opened and Li Zhe stepped out.

He caught sight of Li Tianzhen at once and was momentarily stunned.

How could a woman be so beautiful?

Without a doubt, she was the most stunning woman Li Zhe had ever seen in his life.

Look at her attire, her demeanor.

Then glance at their eldest sister Li Li standing on the ground—dirty, disheveled, wearing ragged clothes—next to her, Li Li looked like a genuine mountain village woman.

Li Zhe felt that all the other women he had ever known combined could not compare to even a corner of Li Tianzhen’s garment.

Not even Deng Fengyan, the classmate he secretly admired, could match her.

Li Zhe knew his chance had come.

If he could make his cousin Li Tianzhen remember him, he would have the opportunity to escape this filthy, impoverished family and see a broader world.

He considered himself the smartest in the family, because he knew Li Qi’s weakness.

He intended to take credit for persuading Li Qi today!

His elder brother didn’t even have the qualifications to compete with him!

He entered the main room and politely nodded to Li Tianzhen.

“Cousin, my name is Li Zhe, the youngest in the family. Please don’t be angry; let me say a few words to third brother.”

Li Tianzhen’s chest heaved with anger, but from the moment she entered until now, she’d realized that Li Qi was a lost cause and probably impossible to reason with.

So she gave Li Zhe a small encouraging look to let him feel it out himself.

Li Zhe, as if injected with adrenaline, turned around and put on a sincere expression.

“Third brother, I know ever since mom passed away, our family has fallen apart. Dad’s just an old man who works hard every day to support us. You didn’t even finish vocational school, wandering the streets every day, groveling to Liu Yuting, who doesn’t even take you seriously. You have neither diploma nor career. At least second brother has his wife helping with the pickled vegetables and has a business. But you’re nothing. You must be very frustrated, which is why you always go against everyone. The teacher told me this is a classic rebellious personality. I understand how you feel. Listen to me: you actually have another choice. If you donate a kidney to cousin, you can prove that you’re useful, that like elder brother and second brother, you can be a man who contributes to the family. You could even get a job at the mine. Stop hiding your fear behind denial. Agree to it, and you’ll have money and work. The neighbors and relatives won’t look down on you anymore.”

Li Zhe finished, staring intently at Li Qi with clear, intelligent eyes.

He thought his words could melt even stone; any normal person wouldn’t be able to refute them.

Unfortunately, Li Qi just scratched his ear.

Such a cheap manipulative trick—he had to admit, it was impressive that Li Zhe thought of it.

“Finished? That’s it? It’s freezing outside; do you have worms in your brain? What contribution has elder brother made to the family? He spent so much money, yet we can’t count on him for anything. Second brother thinks mom is biased because she gave him less dowry than elder brother; he hasn’t cared about the family for years. I’m amazed your little brain came up with so much nonsense. Now get back to your little room and keep burying your head in the sand.”

Li Zhe was young, and seeing Li Qi remain unmoved, he lost control instantly.

“Third brother, how can you be so selfish? Are you only thinking about yourself? What kind of status do we have? How dare we offend Uncle Manjiang? Besides, after getting the money, we can build a new house and eat meat every day. I can even buy a new bike. You’re sacrificing just one kidney for a better life for Dad and me. Why won’t you agree? And the mine job is so valuable—if you don’t want it, at least hold onto it for now. If I don’t do well later, you can give it to me.”

He was furious now; in this moment, Li Zhe completely empathized with Li Peng.

Li Qi’s stubbornness would ruin their good lives.

Seeing Li Zhe’s attempt fail, Li Tianzhen lost all patience, a cold sneer curling the corner of her mouth.

“Li Qi, you’re still too young and naive. Just because I’m speaking to you nicely doesn’t mean I’m easy to deal with. Do you think we didn’t investigate before coming to you? Over the years, you’ve been nothing but a complete vagrant, how many times have you stolen coal and iron? You know it yourself, don’t you? If we grab a few habitual thieves and make them snitch on you, you’ll end up in jail. My patience is limited; don’t push me. Agree now, and my family will give you money and a job. If I hear one more ‘no’ from you, I guarantee you won’t get off easy!”

When Li Tianzhen finished speaking, old man Li Mantang’s face changed dramatically, even Li Peng was stunned.

They hadn’t expected such words.

Only Li Zhe jumped up.

“Yes, arrest him! He’s just a vagrant, a parasite, a freeloader. Get him caught, tie him to the radiator and beat him. After taking his kidney, don’t give him a cent, and keep the job for me.”

Smack! Li Mantang slapped Li Zhe hard.

The blow was so fierce that Li Zhe’s nose and mouth immediately bled.

Li Qi took a deep breath.

Things had gotten this far; if the other side really pulled strings and resorted to dirty tricks, he might be in serious trouble.

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Aunt Wu’s loud voice rang out.

“Brother Mantang, come out quickly! The police officers are here to arrest your third son!”