"Classmate, we didn't say anything to you. You're from North City, right?"
The girl's mother thought, judging from her accent, she must be a local. Her attire was stylish and high-end, and her looks weren't bad either. Who knows, maybe she's some rich family's little princess. Better not offend her too much.
"Yeah, so what? If I'm from North City, then you won't bully me, is that it?"
Li Si mocked as she looked at the mother and her family of three.
"Alright, alright, classmate. It's our fault. We won't switch dorm beds anymore, and later, our baby will probably need your help in the dormitory. How about we go out for a meal together, as a way to make it up to you? Auntie will treat you!"
Li Si glanced at Kong Dan, who subtly shook her head. "No need for a dinner. It's fine if this classmate can just tone down her temper. We have some things to attend to, so we'll step out for now. You can take your time settling in."
The two of them exited the dormitory building. Kong Dan, with her head lowered, looked at Li Si with gratitude. "Li Si, thank you so much just now. I come from a small town, but I got in through my own hard work. How could she say something like that..."
Li Si gently patted her shoulder. "Kong Dan, don't take it to heart. It's really not worth getting upset or hurt by people like that. Worst case scenario, just interact less with her and talk less."
"You're right. From now on, I'll treat her as if she's thin air."
She nodded and finally smiled a little.
Li Si saw the corners of her mouth lift. "Haha, exactly. We'll treat her like thin air!"
"Li Si, what's up with Zhou Na suddenly switching dorm rooms? I didn't hear anything about it last semester. And now this one who's arrived—she seems like someone who won't be easy to deal with. Looks like our dormitory is about to face some turbulence!"
Li Si curled her lips disdainfully. "Who knows? Maybe it'll be different this time." This might be one of the unexpected ripples caused by her rebirth.
Li Guofu and Zhang Meihua finished helping Li Fei settle into the dorm and picked a supposedly upscale restaurant near the school to eat in.
Stepping into the lobby, it was packed with people. Li Guofu, speaking to the overworked server, asked for a private room, but none were available, so they had to sit in the hall.
At this time, parents sending off students were all here having lunch. Thus, the hall was fully occupied, with no available tables. Li Fei's sharp eyes quickly spotted Li Si and Kong Dan sitting by the window.
"Dad, Mom, look! Isn't that Li Si? She's seriously rich. Look at her, all dressed in branded clothing, and she's eating at such an expensive place."
Li Guofu and Zhang Meihua turned to look. The girl chatting and eating with another girl—wasn't that Li Si!
Li Guofu felt his anger surge. This wasteful girl, squandering her older brother's inheritance recklessly!
"Li Si, why are you eating here? Do you know how expensive this place is? Such a young age, and already acting poorly. Can't eat at the school cafeteria, huh? Do you think your father's money grew on trees?"
Li Si looked up upon hearing the voice. Uncle? That twisted facial expression, wearing a white tank top, blue shorts, and sandals—wasn't that him? This was nothing like the previous life's version of him, adorned head-to-toe in luxury brands, exuding the air of a nouveau riche.
Li Guofu stared at the girl in front of him, dressed in a simple light gray short-sleeved outfit, white sandals, her hair pulled into a high ponytail, bangs sitting neatly above her glasses. Her eyes carried an icy glint. She looked nothing like the person she used to be. Was this really Li Si?
Instinctively coughing to adjust his tone, he softened his manner. "Li Si, how have you been lately? Second Uncle just came back from out of town and thought to check on you. Why not come live at Second Uncle's house? When you come, you can have Second Aunt cook you whatever you want. From now on, treat Second Uncle's home as your own! Your parents aren't here anymore, so rely on us."
Li Si kept her head down, listening to him finish his words. Then she raised her head naturally and replied, "Second Uncle, I'm doing just fine here. It's very convenient for school. My classmates are great, too."
Calmly, she picked up a piece of pork rib and placed it in Kong Dan's bowl.
Li Guofu and Li Fei were seething with anger, but Zhang Meihua quickly adjusted. "Li Si, is this your classmate? Hello, classmate! We are Li Si's Second Uncle and Second Aunt, and this here is her younger sister. You don't mind us sitting here, do you?"
Kong Dan felt a bit bewildered. Back in freshman year, everyone shared some details about their family backgrounds. She had heard that Li Si's father was a design engineer and that her family conditions were quite good—indulgent parents kind of good. Who would've thought that within the span of one meal, she'd learn about her father's passing? The thought made her feel a little sad for Li Si. Judging from the demeanor of this so-called "Second Uncle and Aunt" duo, they didn't seem like pleasant company.
"We're already done. If you want to sit, go ahead," Kong Dan said as she stood up, waiting for Li Si to head out.
Li Si picked up a napkin and wiped the corner of her mouth. What a buzzkill. Thankfully, she was almost done eating, or else this might have ruined a perfectly good meal.
"Take your time eating, my dear Second Uncle, Second Aunt, and Sister. I'm heading back to the dorm with my classmate. Goodbye!" Hmph, let's hope it's goodbye forever.
Holding back his rage, the fire burning within him, Li Guofu felt like he couldn't contain it anymore after seeing Li Si walk off. No wonder Meihua told him Li Si had undergone such drastic changes.
This development couldn't be allowed to continue. Panting angrily, Li Guofu stopped Li Si just as she was walking out the door.
"Li Si, hold on a minute before you go. Did you even listen to Second Uncle when he talked to you? Huh? Even though your dad isn't here anymore, I'm still your Second Uncle, your elder. Don't I have the right and duty to discipline you? What kind of attitude is this? Let me tell you, don't think that just because you've grown up and your wings are sturdy, I won't dare to teach you a lesson!"
"Oh, come on now, you big brute, what are you doing? She's just a child. If there's anything she's done wrong, we can teach her gently, can't we? Li Si, listen, Second Aunt isn't criticizing you, but you're really out of line today. How can you not show a little respect? Sure, you don't have a dad or mom now, but you have to respect your elders, don't you?"
Grabbing onto Li Guofu's sleeve to make a show of it, Zhang Meihua directed her words toward Li Si.
Li Si couldn't help but burst into laughter. So what if she didn't have a mom or dad anymore? What did she owe anyone? Why did she have to listen to them, stomach their insults, and then be stuck doing all the thankless tasks? For what?
"What's wrong with me not having a mom or dad? I'm already nineteen years old. I'm an adult; I can make my own decisions. What's wrong with that? Don't think you can use the excuse of 'it's for my own good' to manipulate me! You think I'm an idiot, don't you? Isn't all this just about seizing control over me and taking the little bit of money my dad left behind? You—my good Second Uncle, my good Second Aunt."
She extended her finger, pointing at them. "I dare you to swear on your lives, claim you truly want to care for me and not because of my dad's money. If you're lying, may you be hit by a car upon leaving this door! Do you dare?"
Her heart surged hot and cold, conflicted. She hadn't planned on tearing into them now. She thought she could hold it in, wait till after graduation, and move to Beijing. But who could have guessed that her decision not to retaliate would only embolden others to keep scheming against her? They always said to leave some margin in interactions, for the sake of future encounters. But when it came to these people, what need was there to leave any margin? What future encounters were there to look forward to?
Li Guofu and Zhang Meihua's expressions froze, looking at each other awkwardly. They each had their own calculations and knew perfectly well there was no way they were acting out of purely selfless intentions to care for Li Si.
The doorway began to gather a crowd, onlookers eager for drama.
Listening to Li Si's harsh words, seeing her fiery gaze, and witnessing the couple's increasingly awkward demeanor, the crowd could already infer the real story. Most concluded that this family was bullying the young girl far too much. An orphan with some leftover inheritance, and yet they wanted to con it out of her—shameful.
Though there were also uninformed passersby who thought the young girl was too arrogant, giving college students a bad reputation.