Chapter Twenty-Seven: Going Home

Stepping out of the room, Li Chuxi met the gazes cast upon her by those present, her expression unchanged, calm and composed as she walked away. No one could read anything from her face, and eventually, they withdrew their eyes. In truth, they hadn’t taken Li Chuxi seriously to begin with. When she came for the audition, many had regarded her with a sense of amusement, expecting a spectacle.

After leaving the audition site, Li Chuxi didn’t go anywhere else; she headed straight back to her apartment.

Once home, she received a call from Li Kunjie, summoning her to return home.

“Host, are you really going back?” came the voice of Ling Ling Yao. “If he’s calling you back, it certainly isn’t with good intentions.”

“I know that!” Li Chuxi raised an eyebrow, smiling as she replied, “But I left some things over at the villa. I was in such a hurry before that I couldn’t bring them along.”

“I had planned to find an opportunity to go back and retrieve them anyway. Now’s a perfect chance.”

With Li Chuxi saying this, Ling Ling Yao had little room to object and could only caution, “Then, host, please be careful!”

“Oh, and one more thing,” Ling Ling Yao suddenly remembered and excitedly added, “Host, you’ve completed your task and earned five points!”

This was her first task since returning to this world—and the first time she earned points here. Ling Ling Yao was thrilled.

“Oh,” Li Chuxi responded somewhat indifferently, then asked, “Are there more tasks coming up?”

“Host, aren’t you even a little happy?” Ling Ling Yao was enthusiastic. “Though it’s only five points, many small gains add up! I believe one day, I’ll definitely be able to materialize.”

Li Chuxi nodded. “I just think the points are too few. There’s no sense of achievement.”

“Oh, these are just beginner tasks,” Ling Ling Yao’s excitement didn’t wane. “There will definitely be higher-point tasks later. Host, you have to work hard. Don’t forget—you promised to save enough points so I can become real.”

“All right, all right. I won’t forget something like that.”

Though she sounded a bit impatient, a flicker of fondness shone in Li Chuxi’s eyes.

Ling Ling Yao paid no mind to her tone. As long as Li Chuxi agreed, she was delighted.

Back at the villa, Li Chuxi went straight inside.

Upon entering, she saw Li Kunjie and Li Fengmei sitting solemnly, with Li Xingjue and Li Xuehui quietly beside them.

However, when Li Xuehui noticed Li Chuxi’s arrival, a brief spark of excitement flashed in her eyes.

Li Chuxi raised an eyebrow and settled lazily onto the sofa. “Well, this feels like a grand tribunal!”

Her casual demeanor caused Li Kunjie and Li Fengmei to frown.

“Li Chuxi, look at yourself,” Li Fengmei’s voice dripped with disdain. “You can’t even stand or sit properly. Do you still have the grace of a wealthy heiress? Ever since you entered the entertainment industry, it seems you’ve forgotten all the etiquette you once learned.”

“So, you called me back just to criticize my manners?” Li Chuxi leaned back on the sofa, utterly unconcerned. “If that’s the case, you must have a lot of free time. But unlike you, I have my own matters to attend to. I don’t have time to waste on meaningless talk.”

“You—” Li Kunjie was so angry he was about to burst out cursing.

But before he could speak, Li Fengmei stopped him. “Husband, don’t waste words on her. Let’s get to the point, or who knows how long she’ll keep dodging.”

Li Kunjie regained some composure and glared coldly at Li Chuxi. “Did you go to the old family residence to complain?”

“Oh, how could that be called complaining?” Li Chuxi shrugged, feigning innocence. “I just said a few more words when Grandpa brought up the allowance. What? Is telling the truth such a problem for you?”

“Li Chuxi, why are you so irresponsible?” Li Fengmei’s face was filled with displeasure as she lectured, “This is a private family matter. How can you say whatever you want in front of Grandpa? Don’t you realize how much trouble you’ve caused me and your father?”

“When have I ever caused you trouble?” Li Chuxi blinked. “You can’t blame me unfairly! Besides, isn’t Grandpa part of our family? If you really think otherwise, then next time, I’ll have to have a serious talk with him.”

“Are you trying to drive me crazy?” Li Fengmei clutched her chest, her face full of disdain and disgust. “How could I have given birth to such a rebellious daughter?”

“Well, you should really ask yourself that.” Li Chuxi spread her hands. “You probably didn’t ask for my opinion when you brought me into this world either!”

“You... you...” Li Fengmei was so angry she was speechless.

“Mom, please don’t get worked up,” Li Xuehui quickly rose and sat beside her mother, gently patting her back and speaking softly. “Your health isn’t good, and the doctor warned you to avoid emotional upheavals.”

Then she turned to Li Chuxi, urging, “Sister, don’t upset Mom anymore. Apologize to her; she won’t blame you.”

Li Fengmei, seeing Li Xuehui’s caring expression, felt somewhat relieved. She held Li Xuehui’s hand and said, “Luckily I have you, my good daughter, by my side. Otherwise, I would have been driven mad by this rebellious girl today.”

“Mom, Sister didn’t mean to be difficult,” Li Xuehui lowered her head, full of regret. “If we’re honest, this is all my fault. If I hadn’t taken Sister’s allowance, she wouldn’t have gone to Grandpa to complain, and you and Dad wouldn’t have been scolded.”

“That has nothing to do with you,” Li Kunjie interjected harshly. “This was our decision. This rebellious girl runs to complain over the smallest things—so petty.”

“You’re quite amusing,” Li Chuxi sneered. “So, defending my own rights is wrong now?”