Chapter 15: An Unexpected Visit

Old Li was taken aback and instinctively wanted to stand up, but Li Qi swiftly rose instead.

“What are you yelling about? Who do you think you’re talking to, using that tone? We’re criminals, for God’s sake, is it necessary for you to bark orders like that? People use their mouths to eat, but you must use yours just to spew nonsense. Listen to yourself—does that sound like human speech? The daughter of Uncle Manjiang has to call my father ‘uncle,’ yet she doesn’t even come inside the house and demands my father step outside to talk. After all these years of schooling, you still act like this? Shut your filthy mouth before you attract the neighbor’s big yellow dog. That yellow-haired, black-mouthed beast is vicious—it’ll gobble up shit like no other and soon enough, it’ll be feasting down your throat.”

Hearing Li Qi’s words, Old Li sat back down. That made sense: no matter how wealthy or prestigious the Manjiang family was, their daughter was still a junior relative. There was no reason for juniors to summon elders outside to speak.

Li Peng, seeing his father and third brother refuse to answer the door, grew restless like ants on a hot pan, pacing anxiously. Since Li Qi had taken his bankbook, he felt like countless little insects were gnawing at his nerves. But today was his public lecture, and Principal Teng was personally attending, so he dared not leave.

Just as everything was settled and he planned to ask for leave to go home, a luxurious sedan pulled into the school. Such cars were rare, and even those unfamiliar with automobiles could immediately tell how high-end it was.

Teachers and students craned their necks to look, resembling a flock of ducks with their necks caught. When they learned that the passenger was Li Tianzhen, Uncle Manjiang’s daughter, who had come specifically to see them, Li Peng, amid all eyes, climbed into the car. At that moment, his whole body trembled with excitement. The feeling of being watched was intoxicating.

Li Tianzhen impatiently demanded to know why Li Qi had not gone to their house yet, stressing that time was running out and her younger brother’s health was deteriorating daily. Li Qi had to prepare swiftly for the kidney transplant.

When she discovered that Li Qi refused to donate a kidney, Li Tianzhen was first incredulous, then furious. This was shameless ingratitude! Her father had personally come, offering twenty thousand yuan and a job, showing great respect to this impoverished family. How could they be so shameless and greedy?

She knew well that while twenty thousand might be trivial for her family, it was a fortune saved over years of struggle for Li Qi’s family. She thought her father was too kind; personally, she would have capped the offer at five thousand.

She resolved to come in person to teach Li Qi’s family a lesson and make them understand their place.

Li Peng led the way, trembling with fear. For him, Uncle Manjiang’s family was someone he had to cling to like a dog, since they funded his diploma and would be instrumental in his promotion prospects. So seeing his father and third brother refuse to obey him and instead grovel to Manjiang’s daughter made him furious.

“Li Qi, don’t mess up at this crucial moment. Uncle Manjiang’s family is a big name in the city government. His daughter coming personally to us is a huge honor. Why are you so stubborn? Get up and go now!”

Turning to Li Mantang, he lowered his voice helplessly. “Dad, the third brother is clueless and can’t say a proper word. At your age, why learn from him? Tianzhen cousin’s been standing at the door for half a day in the cold. What kind of treatment is this?”

Old Li leaned back. “I’ve lived all these years and never heard of juniors summoning elders outside to answer questions. You’ve read a lot—tell me, what kind of etiquette is this?”

Li Qi gave Old Li a thumbs-up. “Old Li, you speak with force. I’ll buy you two bottles of fine wine later, we’ll drink together.”

“You can’t drink now. Before the transplant, you must strictly follow the diet. I’ll arrange for you to stay in the hospital where someone will prepare your meals three times a day,” Li Tianzhen said.

After waiting a while with no one coming out, she reluctantly donned gloves, lifted the curtain, and entered. These gloves were no longer sterile—she couldn’t keep them anymore.

Li Qi glanced at Li Tianzhen. In his past life, she never appeared; only years later did he vaguely hear she had gone abroad early on.

Today, finally seeing her in person, Li Qi seized the chance to ask the question that had long plagued him.

“Are you Li Tianyi’s sister?”

“Third brother, speak politely to your cousin. Use respectful language,” Li Peng quickly positioned himself behind Li Tianzhen, assuming the role of sycophant.

He had to seize every opportunity—Uncle Manjiang’s family would be his great backing in the future, and he aimed to perfect every detail. Opportunities favored the prepared, like him, Li Peng!

Li Qi shot a glance at his eldest brother and rolled his eyes.

“Are you some monkey’s fool sent to annoy me? Whatever you say or do—stop it and shut up.”

Li Peng was about to lose his temper, but Li Tianzhen waved him off and addressed Li Qi from a lofty position.

“Yes, I am Li Tianyi’s sister. If you have any other requests, tell me. But I warn you, don’t be too unreasonable. We’ve already offered you very generous terms. If it weren’t for the doctors saying that a kidney from a relative may have fewer rejection reactions and last longer, you people wouldn’t even deserve such a boon. I’ll tell you, I’ve loved my brother most all my life. You better hurry. If you delay my brother’s treatment because of you, I’ll make your whole family pay dearly.”

Li Qi smiled. “If anyone’s close, it’s you and Li Tianyi—you share the same parents and blood. The best donor is obviously you. Why don’t you donate? You say you love your brother most, but it’s all talk. When it comes to action, you can’t bear it. Some people are so hypocritical it makes one sick—always claiming to love their brother most, yet refusing to make the slightest sacrifice when they’re the most suitable donor. They want to play both the prostitute and the shrine keeper.”

In his last days in the previous life, Li Qi was incredibly weak. He truly regretted having donated a kidney when he was young. Then he unexpectedly learned that Li Tianyi had an elder sister. Uncle Manjiang had tearfully explained that he was old and had chronic illnesses, making him ineligible to donate, so he shamelessly came to their home to beg.

Honestly, that sense of kinship was a major reason Li Qi agreed to donate.

But it turned out that Uncle Manjiang was unwilling to let his own daughter donate and instead targeted relatives. Truly hypocritical and painfully ironic!