As for Xiao Li not coming back for two years, it was naturally because she couldn't face the fact of returning home without her mother being there.
Of course, she also harbored some resentment towards Xiao Zhennan, believing that her father hadn't taken good care of her mother, which led to her mother's illness taking her.
But that was her childish thinking in her previous life; now, she no longer blames Xiao Zhennan.
These days, she's full of regret for not coming back to accompany her father these past two years. Her mother is gone, which should have made her and her father closer, but she didn't...
Because she didn't, her father fell ill, and she wasn't aware. If she had come back earlier, perhaps she could have discovered his illness sooner.
The car slowly stopped in front of the Xiao Family's small building, and Xiao Li softly called out, "Dad, we're home."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhennan opened his eyes, took a moment to gather himself, and then planned to get out of the car.
Qin Xiao had already gotten off and stood by the door of the backseat. Seeing that Xiao Zhennan was about to get out, he quickly opened the car door and helped him out.
Xiao Li also got out from the car door on the other side; as soon as she stepped out, she went over to hold onto Xiao Zhennan's other arm.
The couple supported Xiao Zhennan as they headed towards the small building. A scene that was supposed to be extremely warm was suddenly shattered by a discordant voice.
Chang Fang got out of a car and immediately shouted, "Xiao Zhennan, you've sued your brother and Teng, what do you mean by that?
Is this what happens when people get money—they turn heartless?
Tell me, if it weren't for your big brother bringing you up, hand-in-hand pulling you to adulthood, would you, Xiao Zhennan, have what you have today?
Your brother and Teng only moved some company money—did you really have to sue them?
The money is all the Xiao Family's, right? Your brother used family money, what crime is it? What's wrong with that?
How can you sue them?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li coldly responded, "Since you think Xiao Zhengfang didn't do anything wrong, why are you here yelling?
After all, they're both inside now, whether they did anything wrong will be publicly determined..."
Chang Fang responded angrily, "Xiao Li, is this how you disrespect your elders?
He's your uncle, and you let your husband call the police to arrest them, and now you directly call him by name...
Xiao Zhennan, is this how you allow your daughter to disregard her elders?"
Without even glancing at Chang Fang, Xiao Zhennan coolly replied, "With kindness from above comes filial piety from below.
With elders like you, I haven't demanded that Nini respect you.
I can't say those words."
As soon as Xiao Zhennan finished speaking, another voice sounded, "Well said, Old Xiao!"
Everyone looked towards the voice's direction, and the person arriving was none other than Director Chen, who hastened to the Xiao Family.
Director Chen walked over in a few steps and said to Chang Fang, "I find that you have a thick skin. What do you mean by 'it's all Xiao Family money anyway'?
Get it straight—that's Xiao Zhennan's money, does it have half a cent's worth of relation to your Xiao Zhengfang?
Does he have even a tiny share in the company?
Don't speak about tiny—he doesn't have a bit...
Old Xiao considered brotherly affection and let Xiao Zhengfang into the company to earn some money, but that doesn't mean he can treat the company as his own.
Also, remember this: the Xiao Corporation isn't solely yours, old man owns shares too.
Did Xiao Zhengfang move company money with my consent?
If he didn't get my permission, it's theft...
Just wait and see! I'll make sure he stays inside for a few years..."
After finishing, Director Chen addressed Xiao Zhennan, "Don't waste your breath on people like this...
Your complexion doesn't look great; come on, let's go inside..."
Xiao Zhennan nodded, and the group headed inside. Chang Fang wanted to continue arguing, but as soon as she took two steps forward, she was stopped and driven away.
Inside the living room, Xiao Zhennan sat there, feeling somewhat down...
Earlier at the company, when he saw Xiao Zhengfang and his son being taken away, he felt quite reluctant as they were his close kin...
But Chang Fang's words just now wiped out any remaining reluctance.
Their greed was overwhelming, as if the entire Xiao Corporation belonged to them.
Director Chen and Xiao Zhennan sat facing each other, "Old Xiao, you really don't look well...
What's exactly wrong with your health?"
Xiao Zhennan smiled, "Stomach cancer, end stage."
Director Chen gasped, "Then quickly get hospitalized! Get the surgery if needed; why stay at home?"
Xiao Zhennan shook his head with a slight smile, "It's too late; it's already metastasized, surgery isn't possible."
Director Chen sighed deeply upon hearing this...
Seeing this, Xiao Zhennan smiled, "What's with that expression? Now that I'm sick, why do you seem more dejected than me?
Though I'm sick and dying, my heart is at peace.
Xiao Li is married now, Ah Xiao is a good person. With him taking care of Xiao Li, my heart is at ease.
The company's bad apples are gone, and the future leader is capable, so there's no worry about the company's future.
Ah Lan's been gone for two years, waited for me for two years; it's time I accompany her."
Sitting on the side, Xiao Li stood up silently and went to the kitchen...
The moment she entered, tears slipped down...
Qin Xiao followed closely behind, extending his fingers to wipe the tears from her face...
Xiao Li looked up and seriously asked Qin Xiao, "Do you think that kind of feeling, wanting to live and die with someone, truly exists?
Dad's clearly very sick right now, but every time he talks about going to be with Mom, he speaks as if he's not about to die, but really just going to reunite with Mom.
Can love between two people really run that deep?"
After asking, Xiao Li stared at Qin Xiao intently; she was actually indirectly asking Qin Xiao.
Apart from being profoundly shocked, Xiao Li was puzzled about how Qin Xiao chose to perish with her in the inferno in their previous life. How could his feelings be so deep to die with her...
Having never experienced romance in her previous or current life, Xiao Li had trouble understanding such emotions.
This life, after returning, she quickly married Qin Xiao, not because she loved him deeply, but simply because she felt it was the right time.
Hearing her question, Qin Xiao placed the hand that had been roaming across her face onto her shoulder, lifted her chin with his other hand, allowing her to meet his gaze.
There was a surge of all his emotions over the years deep within Qin Xiao's eyes; he opened his mouth and solemnly said, "It exists!"
With that word, his kiss fell.
It was a mere peck, just lightly touching the lips and parting.
But from that kiss, Xiao Li felt Qin Xiao's cherished regard, felt the depth of his affection...
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed. Xiao Zhengfang and his son had already received due punishment, and both would remain inside for some time.
As for how Xiao Yan and the others were faring now, Xiao Li didn't concern herself, only knowing that Chang Fang had sold off houses among other things to cover Xiao Zhengfang and his son's debts...