I am just a child

Ning Yu looked at him curiously and asked, "Why do you ask?" He shrugged nonchalantly, his mind still preoccupied. "No reason," he replied. Changing the subject, he inquired about their grandfather's whereabouts. Ning Yu responded, "He went for a check-up." "Alright, I'll go check in with the doctor."

…

The distance from Chongqing Hospital to Li Na's home was considerable, and as they arrived, the sun had already set, casting an eerie darkness over the surroundings.

Inside the house, Li Jing had been anxiously awaiting an opportunity to exact her revenge on Li Na. When she spotted Li Na stepping out of a luxurious car downstairs, a sinister smile crept across her face. It seemed as though fate had presented her with the perfect chance to drive Li Na out of the Li family. The Li family's inheritance would be hers and hers alone.

Li Jing hurried downstairs, composing herself as she approached her mother with a fake façade of concern. "Mother," she said, slightly out of breath, "I think Li Na is back." She wore a worried expression, but then emphasized her words, "I saw her inside a man's car downstairs."

Zhang Mei sprung up from her seat, her anger boiling over. "That ungrateful girl!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with fury. "How dare she try to bring shame to this family! I won't tolerate this!" After the heated confrontation between the two, Zhang Mei found herself unable to even stand the sight of Li Na. With her husband still absent from home and the mocking remarks from the ladies, she felt humiliated and enraged.

She thought to herself, "I won't deserve to be called Zhang Mei if I don't deal with that shameful daughter of mine." Soon enough, Zhang Mei stormed out of the house just as Li Na was stepping out of the car. Pointing her finger at Li Na, she commanded, "Stop right there! Where do you think you're going?" Tang Zheng, who was still seated in the car, turned his attention towards the source of the commotion. His brows furrowed as he observed an elderly lady marching aggressively towards Li Na.

Zhang Mei's voice echoed with anger as she yelled, "You walked out of this house in the morning only to return home in a luxurious car! Have you no shame? Are you set on ruining this family?" Li Na shot her a stern look, equally annoyed by the situation. She retorted, "Mom, what is going on here?"

Zhang Mei's loud voice triggered the Pomeranian dog next door, causing it to shoot up from its kennel and start barking. "Mom? You still remembered that I am your mother! Why didn't you think of this when your sister was being defamed in front of outsiders?" Zhang Mei looked at Li Na with a mocking expression.

"Like I said yesterday, Li Jing's idiotic behavior has nothing to do with me. It's not like I held a gun to her head and forced her to do those things. We are two different individuals who happened to be born into the same family. The only thing I can do for her is advise her against such behaviors," Li Na retorted, her voice firm.

Zhang Mei snickered, her voice dripping with disdain. "What a sharp mouth you've got. Don't try to be such a smartass in front of me. Did you get bold from spending the night out with those men of yours?" Her words carried a malicious tone, aimed at belittling Li Na.

Li Na's eyes burned with anger as she walked up to Zhang Mei, locking her gaze with hers. "If you were such an attentive mother, Li Jing wouldn't have done such a thing, and we would not be having this conversation," she said.

Li Na's voice trembled with emotion as she continued, her eyes brimming with tears. "I am just a child, in case you have forgotten," she choked out, her voice quivering. "I grew up too fast, always working like an adult, always trying to please everyone. And in the process, I forgot to look out for myself. I sacrificed everything for this family, and all I ask for is a little understanding, a little empathy. But no one seems to listen, no one seems to care."