Chapter 56: Ignoring His Daughter’s Life or Death? He Deserves to Be Condemned by the Public!

"This Sun Gui really is a piece of work—not only is he short and poor, but he also gambles. His ancestors must have blessed him to find a wife at all, yet he doesn't cherish her!"

"Poor Chun Ya, what a hard life she has! Her mother disliked her since she was a child, and now as an adult she faces this misfortune. She can't return to her husband's house, and her own mother refuses to take her back!"

"Ma Yulian is truly cruel. Brother Li hasn't even asked her to care for Chun Ya, yet she won't even let her step inside the door. Where does she expect Chun Ya and her child to go?"

"All these years, Chun Ya has been so obedient and filial to Ma Yulian—I've seen it with my own eyes. Yet Ma Yulian still doesn't care for her. It's truly disheartening!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Li Junsheng feigned difficulty and turned to the elderly neighbor across the hall who had heard everything.

"Auntie, tell me, am I wrong to do this? If I don't bring my daughter back, should I just let her wander the streets?"

The eighty-one-year-old woman leaned on her cane, her back bent, and nodded in agreement. "Junsheng, you did nothing wrong. Rules are dead, people are alive. It's right to bring little Chun Ya home."

Li Junsheng knew the old woman lived alone and had spare rooms in her apartment, so he said, "But Ma Yulian said if I dare bring them back, she'll throw them out. Auntie, I'm at my wits' end. Could I possibly rent a room from you for Chun Ya to stay in?"

The elderly woman's apartment had three bedrooms and a living room connected to the corridor, as was typical. One of the smaller bedrooms had an exterior wall broken through with an iron staircase outside, making it nearly a self-contained unit.

Li Junsheng thought it would be a convenient place for Li Chun Ya, as they could live without disturbing each other.

The old lady was straightforward and warm-hearted. Upon hearing Li Junsheng's request, she quickly nodded. "Of course, that room is empty anyway. We've been neighbors for years—no need for money!"

"Feel free to use my kitchen, too. Chun Ya has just lost so much blood, she needs to recover well."

But Li Junsheng didn't want to take advantage. He politely refused, "No, Auntie, I must pay you. I'll pay you the market rate for rent—it wouldn't be right to live here for free."

Meanwhile, Ma Yulian was dumbfounded; she hadn't guessed this was Li Junsheng's true intention. Furious, she scolded him in front of the neighbors, "Li Junsheng, you wastrel! Spending money to rent a place for a useless daughter who can't even bear a son after marrying out—are you insane? Do you think money grows on trees? If they're letting her stay for free, just accept it and stop throwing money away! How are we supposed to live like this?"

Wang Xiuhua, standing by, was inwardly jealous, wondering why no one would rent a big house for her family of four.

But before Li Junsheng could reply, the neighbors—sisters-in-law and young wives—began to point fingers and criticize Ma Yulian.

"Yulian, don't go too far. Junsheng has compromised enough. Must you push your daughter to the brink?"

"Exactly! Calling her a burden with every breath—aren't you a woman, too? How would you feel if your own family treated you this way?"

"What kind of person are you? Not only do you despise your own daughter, you act like you can never get enough. Poor Brother Li for having married you!"

Ma Yulian couldn't tolerate such criticism and immediately argued back with her neighbors. "This is my family's business—none of your concern! I think you're all just after Junsheng's money. He may be foolish, but I'm not!"

At that, the neighbors grew angry. None had ever seen someone as unreasonable as Ma Yulian. They all condemned her for her malice and her tendency to always think the worst of people.

Seeing that his aim had been achieved with the neighbors' support, Li Junsheng prepared to leave. He helped the elderly woman away from the fray and said, "Auntie, I'll go to your place now and tidy up the spare room for Chun Ya. Tomorrow, I'll bring her home!"

"I'll also pay you the rent in advance. We may trouble you for a while—children cry when they're hungry or need changing."

The old woman was extremely kind and didn't mind the noise at all. In fact, she found it lively and enjoyable.

Once everything was ready at her home, the next day Li Junsheng went to the hospital to bring back Li Chun Ya and his little granddaughter.

There he discovered that Sun Gui hadn't paid a single cent for Chun Ya's emergency treatment or hospital stay—it was Li Junsheng who settled the bill before taking Chun Ya home.

"Come, Chun Ya, take it slow."

In the corridor, Li Junsheng carefully supported Chun Ya, making sure she was bundled up to protect her from the wind.

Behind them, Li Xiaoyu carried her young niece.

At their own front door, Ma Yulian and Wang Xiuhua glared fiercely at Chun Ya, as if she were a sworn enemy, paying not even a glance to the child.

Under their watchful eyes, Li Chun Ya moved into the apartment across from her parents' home.

The elderly woman was delighted with the child, taking the little girl in her arms to play, and she said to Chun Ya, "Now that you're here, Chun Ya, rest easy and make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Li Xiaoyu was also pleased with the room her father had rented for her sister. She linked her arm with Chun Ya's and said to Li Junsheng, "Dad, work at the factory is slow. I've already taken leave and can look after my sister for a while. By the time my leave ends, she'll probably be done with her confinement."

Li Junsheng nodded, deeply gratified by the sisters' affection for each other. He pulled some cash from his pocket and handed it to Li Xiaoyu. "Since you'll be staying here with your sister, take this and buy some toiletries, and get your sister some good meat and eggs to help her recover."

Li Xiaoyu shook her head and replied playfully, "Dad, I have money. I didn't give all my wages to Mom—I've kept a bit for myself, just for my sister!"

Without Sun Gui around, Li Xiaoyu no longer had to worry that her money wouldn't reach her sister.

Li Junsheng smiled and indulged her, "You've always been quick-witted. It's good you kept some money—otherwise, you'd have to ask your mother for everything and put up with her face."

Li Xiaoyu smiled with her lips pressed together, her eyes curving like crescent moons, charming and sweet.

Their warmth finally brought a rare smile to Li Chun Ya's face as well.

Seeing her smile, Li Junsheng felt a weight lift from his heart. The more she smiled, the less likely she'd fall into dark thoughts.

Just as he finished settling his daughter and granddaughter, the owner of the downstairs shop came running up.

"Brother Li, there's a phone call for you. Someone's looking for you."

Li Junsheng was puzzled, wondering who would call him specifically.

"Xiaoyu, keep an eye on your sister. I'll go see who it is."

Li Xiaoyu nodded in agreement.

Li Junsheng followed the shop owner downstairs, picked up the phone, and answered, "Hello? Who is this?"

"It's me, old Li. Is this a good time to talk?"