Chapter 57 Enemies Should Be Kept Close

: "This Li An, even with an injured leg like that, he can't just sit idle!"Sima Junhe forced a smile at Ming Zixi, but his eyes did not light up. At this moment, the pain in his heart was unbearable—p...Chapter 57: It's Better to Make Enemies

Liyi smiled bitterly at Lian’s indignant face, "Doesn’t it also depend on whether you have something that people like about you"

Lian knew his brother was speaking the truth and didn't argue.

Ever since Lian had started to understand things, he had been an incorrigible little troublemaker, a small bully who would tease cats and dogs and create mischief. Whatever adults told him not to do, he would do just that. It led Gu Xiaobei to take him to the hospital several times for examination, wondering if it was severe hyperactivity or some kind of mental illness.

Lian wasn't sick; his intellect was exceptionally sound, and his prank ideas were surprisingly avant-garde. He led their group of kids in various ways to do everything that annoyed everyone around them.

However, Li Haonan’s status was too high, and Lian himself had an innate appearance that was too good—beautiful like a little angel. Even if he was mischievous, the adults around him still liked him half-heartedly, always patting his head when they saw him and saying things like "This kid is so cute" or "This child is very clever."

Although he had a cool exterior, inside, he grew increasingly proud, feeling justified in enjoying his father's strictness, his mother’s affectionate care, his brother’s protection, and everyone’s flattery.

Judging from the happiness of most children in well-off families, Lian was overly spoiled. At this moment, his emotions were clearly written on his face. He looked up and down at Yan Luoxi with his eyes; she seemed very obedient, almost to the point of being a bit foolish. Her timid appearance made him look down on her, even afraid to look directly at him.

At that time, Li An, who was eleven years old, had no interest in this frail little girl and found Yan Luoxi's bitter expression utterly off-putting. He pursed his lips and turned his head away.

Yan Luoxi felt completely out of place under Li An's intense gaze, her whole body feeling uneasy and tense, not knowing where to put her hands and feet.

From the very beginning, Yan Luoxi was afraid of Li An; it was an instinctive fear with no reason behind it. Li An’s eyes seemed like penetrating X-rays, seeing right through to her bones.

After looking at Yan Luoxi, Li An felt even more disappointed and spoke in a tone two octaves higher, his words incomprehensible to his brother: "Dad and Mom don't fancy me; I understand their desire for a daughter. But if they want one so badly, why not have one themselves Why would they just go out and adopt such a…"

"What nonsense are you talking" Li Haonan's authoritative voice came from the stairway.

Upon seeing his father’s cold yet imposing gaze, Li An involuntarily scooted closer to his brother.

Li Haonan walked over with a gloomy expression. His little son’s brazen words hit him where it hurt; they weren't able to have a daughter themselves because of what happened in the past years.

He and Gu Xiaobei had been wanting a daughter for these many years, but those previous years when he had persecuted Gu Xiaobei so harshly led to several miscarriages. After giving birth to Li An, no matter how persistently they tried, her body simply refused to bear any more children.

Failing to give Gu Xiaobei a daughter has always been Li Haonan's regret. Even though he considers himself capable of anything, when it comes to having a daughter, he feels utterly helpless.

Adopting Yan Luoxi also carries some reluctance on his part.

He can provide financial support and manpower to raise the daughter left behind by Yan Yongsheng, but he's not particularly eager to bring an unfamiliar little girl into their home, no matter how good or pitiful she might be.

People like Li Haonan, who come from a background in the criminal underworld and have held high positions for so long, tend to have cold and proud personalities, with strong guard up against strangers. Even if they're innocent little girls.

But he's accustomed to pampering his obedient wife; anything she says, he'll agree to without hesitation. Knowing how impulsive and careless Gu Xiaobei is, he still doesn't want to go against her wishes, preferring instead to clean up the mess she makes when she acts on a whim.

Since even Li Haonan himself isn't eager for this change, it's naturally more difficult for his troublesome child, Li An, who was already anticipating resistance from his younger brother within expectations.

Seeing that Dad wasn’t coming to hit him and had no intention of punishing him, Li An straightened up and tried to voice his opposition.

The moment he saw Li An about to open his mouth, Li Haonan knew he wouldn't say anything constructive. Since adopting Yan Luoxi was now a fait accompli, it would only hurt the child's tender heart to argue over it further. He coldly stopped Li An with a reprimand: "You don’t have the right to comment on this matter. The current head of this household is not you; shut your mouth."

Lian's little mouth snapped shut as his father gave him a stern look. He was furious and frustrated, but無奈Li Hao Nan had been so firm about the matter, taking away his right to speak without hesitation. Thus, he couldn't help but take out all of his resentment on Yan Luoxi.

Yan Luoxi wasn’t stupid; she knew that Lian didn’t like her. She regretted leaving Aunt Liu and Brother Zhou and coming here to see their cold faces.

Gu Xiaobei walked down the stairs and immediately understood where the problem was when she saw what was happening downstairs. She hugged Yan Luoxi, who was tugging at her dress corners with teary eyes. First, she addressed her mischievous little son. "Little sister has arrived; have you spoken to her"

Lian knew better than anyone else in the house that his mother was the boss. He could get away with making his father angry, but if he made his mother unhappy, Li Lao Da would definitely beat him up.

He quickly put aside his sullen thoughts and flashed a toothy grin at Yan Luoxi. His white teeth shone innocently. "Sis Luoxi, welcome to our home. From now on, this is your home too. If anyone bullies you, tell me, Second Brother, and I’ll teach them a lesson!"

His sincere and enthusiastic words were completely innocent and friendly in appearance, with no trace of malice; it would be hard to associate him with the domineering gaze that had just been shooting icy glares.

The word “Second Brother” from this boy made Yan Luoxi shiver. How terrifying!

Gu Xiaobei shot Lian a glare and said, "As long as you don’t bully her, no one else will dare to!" She patted Yan Luoxi’s head gently and said kindly, "Your Second Brother is usually very spoiled and does all kinds of crazy things. Just ignore him. If he bullies you, come tell me or your Uncle Li, and we’ll give him a good beating."ding to his own logic. He suddenly remembered an important matter and looked at Yan Luoxi seriously: "Did you sleep with the man surnamed Zhou when you were together"Yan Luoxiel was taken aback and di...