A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 222 The Aftermath of the Hot Pot: The Turmoil at the Door and the Secrets at Home

As Xiao Liu, Li Yuan, and Xiao Xuan emerged from the "Spicy Jump" hot pot restaurant, their warm bodies were instantly chilled by the cold wind, causing them to shiver involuntarily.

"Oh dear, it's so cold outside. It's much more comfortable inside the hot pot restaurant." Xiao Liu said, wrapping her scarf tighter around herself, as if trying to keep out all the chill.

Li Yuan shrank back slightly and replied with a smile, "That's right, this hot pot is really satisfying, it's just that the scene earlier was a bit of a downer." As she spoke, her eyes glanced at a figure not far away, which was Wang Qiang.

Wang Qiang stood under the streetlight, the dim light casting a long shadow. His hands were in his pockets, his face bearing an indescribable complex expression, his eyes fixed on Xiao Liu and the others, a hint of disdain in his gaze.

"Look, Wang Qiang is over there." Li Yuan nudged Xiao Liu with her elbow and gestured with her lips.

Following the direction Li Yuan pointed, Xiao Liu saw Wang Qiang's appearance and felt angry. "Hmph, let him do whatever he wants, let's ignore him." After saying that, she grabbed Xiao Xuan's hand and quickened her pace.

Xiao Xuan looked completely bewildered. She turned to look at her father and asked softly, "Mom, why is Dad looking at us like that?"

Xiao Liu put his hands on Xiao Xuan's shoulders and said seriously, "Baby, don't worry about him. Although he's your father, he hasn't fulfilled his duty to take care of you. From now on, let's pretend we don't see him and don't call him 'Dad' anymore, okay?"

Xiao Xuan nodded as if she understood, but her mother's serious expression made her swallow her questions.

As Xiao Liu and Li Yuan quickly left with Xiao Xuan, Li Yuan's daughter, Li Shiqing, and son-in-law, Zhang Chen, happened to pass by. They were planning to buy some daily necessities at a nearby supermarket when they spotted Xiao Liu and her family from afar.

“Mom, isn’t that Aunt Liu and Xiaoxuan?” Li Shiqing recognized them immediately.

Zhang Chen looked in the direction Li Shiqing was pointing, nodded, and said, "It really is. But judging from their hurried appearance, it seems like something happened."

The two quickened their pace to meet her, just in time to overhear what Xiao Liu was saying to Xiao Xuan. Li Shiqing's heart skipped a beat. Although she and Xiao Xuan were half-sisters, they had always had a good relationship. Hearing that her mother and Aunt Liu seemed to have encountered something, her curiosity was immediately piqued.

"Mom, Aunt Liu, what's wrong?" Li Shiqing stepped forward and asked with concern.

Xiao Liu and Li Yuan were slightly taken aback when they saw Li Shiqing and Zhang Chen. Li Yuan sighed and said, "Sigh, it's all because of that guy Wang Qiang. He caused a scene at the hot pot restaurant, and now he's giving me attitude here."

Upon hearing that it was Wang Qiang, Li Shiqing immediately showed a disdainful expression. "How could he be like this? As a father, he has no responsibility at all. I really despise him."

Zhang Chen chimed in, "Exactly, this kind of person is so irresponsible."

Xiao Liu shook his head helplessly and recounted everything that had happened at the hot pot restaurant to Li Shiqing and Zhang Chen. Li Shiqing grew angrier as she listened. She clenched her fists and said, "Wang Qiang has gone too far. I have to find him and give him a good talking to." With that, she turned to go find Wang Qiang.

Li Yuan quickly stopped her, saying, "Forget it, don't go. There's no point in arguing with him; you'll only make a fool of yourself."

Li Shiqing was still furious. "Mom, how could he treat you like this? And Xiaoxuan, how could he treat his own daughter like this?" As she spoke, she looked at Xiaoxuan and patted her head. "Xiaoxuan, don't be sad. Your sister will take care of you from now on."

Xiao Xuan looked at Li Shiqing, her eyes a little red, and whispered, "Thank you, sister."

Seeing that everyone was a bit down, Zhang Chen smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, don't get angry over this kind of person. Let's go home first, and we can talk about it when we get home."

After Zhang Chen's persuasion, everyone's emotions calmed down a bit. So, Xiao Liu, Li Yuan, and Xiao Xuan followed Li Shiqing and Zhang Chen home. Along the way, no one spoke much, each lost in their own thoughts.

Back home, Li Yuan turned on the lights and poured everyone a glass of water. Li Shiqing pulled Xiao Xuan to sit on the sofa and gently comforted her. Xiao Liu sat to the side, his brow furrowed, seemingly still troubled by what had just happened.

Zhang Chen walked into the kitchen and soon brought out several plates of fruit. "Here, have some fruit to calm your temper," he said with a smile.

Li Yuan took the fruit platter, placed it on the coffee table, and looked at everyone, saying, "Today's events have really upset everyone. However, let's not let Wang Qiang spoil our mood."

Li Shiqing nodded and said, "Mom, I know. It's just that the thought of Wang Qiang treating Xiaoxuan like this makes my heart ache." Then she looked at Xiaoxuan and said, "Xiaoxuan, don't worry, if anything happens in the future, just tell your sister, and your sister will help you."

Xiao Xuan nodded obediently, "Yes, thank you, sister."

Seeing how kind Li Shiqing was to Xiaoxuan, Xiao Liu was deeply moved. "Shiqing, thank you for taking such good care of Xiaoxuan."

Li Shiqing quickly waved her hand, "Aunt Liu, please don't say that. Xiaoxuan is my sister, it's only right that I take care of her."

At this moment, Zhang Chen suddenly had a bright idea and said, "How about we play a game and forget about all the unpleasant things that happened today?"

Everyone thought it was a good idea and responded enthusiastically. Zhang Chen took out a deck of cards and suggested playing "Dou Dizhu" (a popular Chinese card game).

"I don't know how to play," Xiao Liu said somewhat embarrassedly.

Li Yuan smiled and said, "It's okay, I'll teach you, it's very simple."

So everyone sat around the coffee table and started playing cards. At first, Xiao Liu wasn't very skilled and kept making mistakes, which made everyone laugh.

"Oops, I made a mistake again," Xiao Liu said, blushing and embarrassed.

Li Yuan smiled and patted her on the shoulder, "It's okay, you'll get the hang of it after playing a few more times. Look, like this..." With Li Yuan's patient guidance, Xiao Liu gradually mastered the skills and became more and more adept at playing.

Xiao Xuan and Li Shiqing acted as "strategists" on the sidelines, offering advice to their respective supporters from time to time.

"Mom, play that card, that big one!" Xiao Xuan excitedly pointed to the card in Xiao Liu's hand.

Li Shiqing retorted, "Mom, don't listen to her, give us this one."

Everyone chatted and laughed, filling the room with cheerful conversation. The unpleasantness from before seemed to gradually dissipate with the laughter.

After playing a few rounds, Li Yuan checked the time and said, "Oh dear, it's so late. Xiao Liu, why don't you and Xiao Xuan stay here tonight?"

Xiao Liu initially wanted to refuse, but seeing that it was getting late and considering that Xiao Xuan was also a bit tired, he nodded and said, "Alright then, I'll take my leave."

Li Shiqing quickly said, "Aunt Liu, don't be so formal. Xiaoxuan, you can sleep with me tonight, and we can whisper to each other."

Xiaoxuan's eyes lit up with joy when she heard this, "Okay, okay!"

So, everyone finished washing up and prepared to rest. Xiaoxuan and Li Shiqing lay on the same bed, too excited to sleep, chattering away.

"Sister, what do you usually like to do?" Xiaoxuan asked curiously.

Li Shiqing thought for a moment and said, "I like reading, listening to music, and going out with your brother-in-law. What about you?"

Xiaoxuan tilted her head and said, "I like drawing, and I also like playing games with my mom."

After chatting for a while, Li Shiqing suddenly remembered something and said, "Xiaoxuan, don't be unhappy because of Dad. From now on, I'm your family, and I'll always be there for you."

Xiao Xuan's eyes welled up with tears as she listened, and she hugged Li Shiqing tightly. "Thank you, sister."

Before long, the two drifted off to sleep in the warm atmosphere. Meanwhile, Xiao Liu and Li Yuan were also lying in bed, chatting softly.

"I really owe you a lot today. I don't know what I would have done without you," Xiao Liu said gratefully.

Li Yuan smiled and said, "We're friends, why talk about these things? Besides, Wang Qiang's situation isn't entirely your fault. Don't worry, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell me."

The two chatted for a while longer before gradually falling asleep.

That night, despite the many twists and turns, everyone felt the power of family and friendship in this warm home. Life is like a grand drama full of surprises, with arguments and troubles, but also warmth and laughter. And it is these different experiences that make life rich and colorful.