Chapter 149 - Weak People Can't Survive Here

Chen Yi pulled up the girl, making her stand over her feet. Looking back at Zhao Hua, she scoffed. "You should be ashamed, bullying a minor. At least find someone your age."

Zhao Hua scowled at Chen Yi thinking, weren't they the same? Both of them had pretty faces. Wagging her tail before Qin Chanpu, Su Xiuying had once taken all the opportunities for herself, making progress by leaps and bounds.

Just at the age of sixteen, she was more accomplished than Zhao Hua.

While Zhao Hua looked from the shadows, unable to move Qin Chanpu into helping her career.

Su Xiuying was a thorn stuck in her throat until, thankfully, Shen Yue took it away.

Now, Zhao Hua was unwilling to see Chen Yi become the thorn, the same as Su Xiuying. 

"What are you? Her knight in shining armor?"

"Somone who has a basic human decency." Chen Yi swept her glance through the girls behind Zhao Hua. Some of them, ashamed put their heads down at Chen Yi's cold stare, some were shameless and unaffected, kept their heads up.

Chen Yi led the girl away from everyone. Taking out a tissue, she helped the girl wipe her face. After Su Xiuying had finally stabilized somewhat, Chen Yi asked curiously. "What's your name?"

The girl, startled at the question, bowed deeply to express her gratitude. "My name is Su Xiuying. Miss thank you for helping me." 

"No need to be so formal." Chen Yi helped her up.

She didn't know why she helped this girl. Usually, she wasn't the one who liked to pose as a hero. It's just the girl had been crying very badly and Chen Yi could not bear the sight of it.

Su Xiuying didn't meet her eyes. Perhaps, it was her habit. Or she lacked confidence. Either way, this was not a good sign.

"Su Xiuying, if you want to survive in the Entertainment industry, you can't be this weak."

Su Xiuying winced before nodding. "I know." This industry was not for her. 

"Good that you know. The weaker you are, the more the people like Zhao Hua would pick up on you. You should better change yourself or leave the industry for good."

Hearing such straightforward words. Su Xiuying could not help but look up. Her eyes were full of complicated emotions. Distrust, confusion, cautiousness.

"Alright, I need to be somewhere else. I'll leave you at that." Chen Yi bid her farewell.

As Chen Yi walked away, Su Xiuying looked in her direction, dazed for a second. Then, she looked down at the tissue paper Chen Yi left in her hands.

'Ever since that incident, there hasn't been anyone other than Shen Yue who was nice to her.'

...

"Who again?"

"It's Li Luxian Aunt." Li Shanguaan explained then sighed. "They have pressurized your father-in-law all the while, insisting they wanted to meet you. Especially after Li Luxian took you to that ball, they won't take ur excuses."

"Is that a bad thing?" Li Shanguaan sounded as if she was concerned about something. 

"I just... I just don't want you to feel pressured." Li Shanguaan placed her finger at her temples, gently massaging them. The gesture indicated that there was more to it than she let on. "They have used to excuse of family gathering, even inviting Li Luxian grandmother. We can't throw in any excuse now. Yi'er..." Li Shanguaan looked at Chen Yi with an expression of request. "You'll have to attend."

"Mother's wish, my command. Would I dare disagree?" Chen Yi laughed before seriously asking. "But Li Luxian grandmother, I have not met her before."

"Yes. Yi'er you have only met Li Luxian's grandfather. Although he is severe on the surface, he is very soft inside. But you haven't met grandmother." Li Shanguaan sighed. "Grandmother is... let's just say she holds don't tightly to her conventional ideals. Even after so many years, she still shows some alienations towards me. And now, there's you." Li Shanguaan worriedly looked at Chen Yi, not wanting her to face the same bitterness she did. As a mother hen would protect her chicks. Li Shanguaan had the same feelings towards Chen Yi.

Chen Yi's forehead creased into a slight frown. Mulling over Li Shanguaan's words, she cautiously asked. "Mother is so beautiful and gentle. Why would someone not accept her?"

"I won't blame Li Luxian grandmother. It's just how she had always been, holding onto conventional beliefs. She visits some monks and consults them when it comes to big life decisions like marriages and matchmaking." Li Shanguaan's smile faded. She fell silent for a moment, perhaps tormenting herself with the memories of the past.

"Mother..." Chen Yi didn't like the look Li Shanguaan had on her face.

Tearing away from the painful reverie, Li Shanguaan resumed back to smiling genially at Chen Yi. 

"Don't worry, I won't let anyone make it difficult for you."

Li Shanguaan's promise only tightened Chen Yi's heart. Since Mother was unwilling to share, Chen Yi could not force her. But Chen Yi was more than certain that something painful happened to Mother in the past.

"Mother doesn't need to." Chen Yi gave a powerful smile, brightening Li Shanguaan's heart. "I'll definitely make grandmother love me!"

"Silly child." Li Shanguaan laughed. 

Later back at the room, Chen Yi thought this matter should better be discussed with Li Luxian. "So what is your family relationship with your Uncle's side?"

It wasn't she was concerned for him or his family. She just didn't want to get in trouble, alright!

Li Luxian shifted his gaze away from the laptop. "For someone who has decided to ignore me, your curiosity is surprising."

Chen Yi's lips twitched. He wouldn't ever stop, would he? 

Li Luxian laughed at her reaction before putting away his work papers.

  "My Uncle's family doesn't have an amicable history with us. Why do you ask?"

"Haven't mother told you? Your Uncle's side has invited us to a family gathering."

Li Luxain looked surprised. It seemed he didn't know. 

"We can refuse to attend."

"Mother had same thoughts. But she said they have invited grandmother." Chen Yi explained. "So it appears, we can't refuse."

At this, Li Luxian's face didn't look good at all.