Chapter 65: Ma Yulian's Change of Heart? Chen Dazhu's Admiration!

Li Xiaoyu found it hard to believe—chicken soup stewed for her sister? Was this really her sister-in-law and mother? She edged closer to Li Junsheng and whispered, “Dad, I don’t think it’s possible. How could Sister-in-law and Mom suddenly grow a conscience?”

From his youngest daughter’s words, Li Junsheng could tell she didn’t trust Ma Yulian or Wang Xiuhua in the slightest.

He sighed. Chunya was going through a rough patch, and having more people care for her could only be good. Even if Ma Yulian’s concern wasn’t genuine, it was still better than indifference.

“Maybe they really have changed. I’ll open the door. After all, she’s your sister’s mother. If she wants to look after her, I can’t stand in the way!”

As soon as Ma Yulian entered, she began her performance. She strode straight into Li Chunya’s room and feigned concern, “How are you feeling today? Any discomfort? Is the baby getting enough milk? Hurry and drink this chicken soup while it’s hot.”

“Thank you, Mom,” Li Chunya replied. She was full, but dared not oppose Ma Yulian, so she took the watery chicken soup and sipped it quietly.

Seeing Li Junsheng watching from the doorway, Ma Yulian seized the chance to scold him, “What are you standing there for? Leave this to me; you go out. Didn’t you skip breakfast? Go home and eat—I saved some for you!”

Li Junsheng almost laughed at that. Since when had she ever saved food for him? She lied without even bothering to make it plausible.

He ignored her, pretending not to hear a word.

When Li Junsheng didn’t budge, Ma Yulian pressed on, “Why are you standing there like a stick? Chunya needs rest—go on, you’re not needed here.”

He saw right through her game. So much for her newfound conscience—her real purpose was abundantly clear. She was here at the behest of Chen Dazhu, brought in as backup. Her only intent was to get him out of the house so Chen Dazhu could seize the chance to ask about last night.

It seemed Wang Xiuhua’s chicken soup was nothing but a ruse.

Li Junsheng would have ignored Ma Yulian, but suddenly, Little Sweet, lying beside Li Chunya, started to cry. No wet diapers, no mess—it must be hunger.

Seeing his daughter about to feed her own daughter, Li Junsheng finally turned to leave.

Ma Yulian followed him into the living room, her eyes darting covetously at the pile of items Li Junsheng had bought for Li Chunya. She couldn’t resist—regardless of whom they were for, she reached out to take them, intent on scolding Li Junsheng for wasting money.

But he was watching her closely; seeing her reach for the supplements, he pulled her aside.

Ma Yulian protested, “Why are you pulling me? Let me see what nonsense you’ve been buying. You know nothing and just throw money around—don’t let yourself get swindled.”

“No one’s swindling me. If you’ve nothing else, head home,” Li Junsheng replied, not even bothering to feign politeness.

Ma Yulian, determined to drag him home, grabbed his arm. “Come on, go home for lunch. You’re never around—what were you doing so early this morning?”

She was fishing for information, but he ignored her. Frustrated, she glared at him, “Dare to fool around outside, and see what I’ll do to you!”

Li Junsheng thought to himself that it was time to get rid of Chen Dazhu, so he headed home of his own accord. Ma Yulian followed close behind, and as soon as he opened the door—

He saw Chen Zhiyuan sitting impatiently on the sofa, speaking bluntly to Chen Dazhu: “Dad, let’s just go. Maybe you’re overthinking it. Maybe Li Junsheng was just helping unload the truck.”

“He sold his job, split the money among his children—if he isn’t looking for work, how’s he going to spend the rest of his life?”

Chen Dazhu’s face was grave as he shook his head at Chen Zhiyuan. He trusted his own judgment—he was sure he hadn’t misread things. Li Junsheng was absolutely not just unloading cargo. The way those men treated him last night was unusual: respectful and polite. No truck driver would treat a helper that way.

“There’s something off about this. Trust your father—it’s not so simple,” Chen Dazhu insisted.

Just then, Ma Yulian coughed loudly as she entered, warning the father and son that Li Junsheng had returned. Otherwise, who knew what Li Junsheng might overhear?

“Old Chen, sorry to keep you waiting. Old Li is back,” Ma Yulian said with a smile to Chen Dazhu.

Seeing Li Junsheng, Chen Dazhu hurried over, flattering him, “Ah, Old Li, sorry to intrude. You helped Zhiyuan get his work transfer—I've yet to thank you properly!”

“We had some free time today, so we came right over to thank you. Let’s have a drink together—without you, Zhiyuan wouldn’t have gotten the job at the machinery plant,” said Chen Dazhu, though he wasn’t entirely confident. He’d been clinging to Li Junsheng since last night, and now this talk of gratitude was clearly superficial.

He expected Li Junsheng to refuse to drink with him and send him and his son away as soon as possible. In truth, Li Junsheng didn’t want to bother with Chen Dazhu’s false courtesy. He sneered, ready to expose his lies, but suddenly a thought struck him. He promptly agreed to Chen Dazhu’s proposal.

“All right, let Yulian cook up a good meal. We’ll have a drink together,” he said.

Chen Dazhu beamed and immediately gave Chen Zhiyuan a few bills. “Quick, go downstairs and buy two good bottles of wine. I’ll have a drink with your Uncle Li.”

Chen Zhiyuan was reluctant—last night he’d bought roast chicken and good tea for Old Zhao, and now he had to buy for Li Junsheng. How much was this going to cost?

But Chen Dazhu kept signaling him desperately, and despite his reluctance, Chen Zhiyuan had no choice but to go out for the wine.

“This is ridiculous—good wine for him, what a waste,” he muttered, every word reaching Li Junsheng’s ears.

Li Junsheng paid him no mind, settling onto the sofa without a glance at Chen Dazhu.

Ma Yulian handled the pleasantries, inviting Chen Dazhu to sit and make himself comfortable. “Have a seat, I’ll go prepare the meal,” she said, forcing a smile. She didn’t want to cook for Li Junsheng, but she had to help Chen Dazhu.

Left with no choice, she rolled up her sleeves. Ma Yulian was seething inside—neither her daughter-in-law nor her own daughter could be relied upon.