Chapter 6: Distant Relatives, Utterly Overbearing

Li Chao’s expression instantly darkened, as if a storm cloud had settled over his face.

Liu Hongju? That woman turned out to be his mother’s distant cousin!

The two families barely interacted, living as if strangers. He had been bedridden for half a year, and she had not visited him even once. Yet now, she shamelessly occupied their clinic!

This was lawless, outrageous behavior!

Rage blazed in Li Chao’s chest. He spun around, his footsteps echoing like thunder as he strode toward the village clinic.

Behind him, Yu Xin stomped her foot anxiously and shouted, “Li Chao, don’t be impulsive!”

“Calm down, talk things through!”

When he reached the entrance of the village, a spacious courtyard came into view. It wasn’t a grand mansion, but in this village, it was sizable and impressive.

This was Li Chao’s family clinic, the fruit of his parents’ years of labor and dreams. They had neglected even the maintenance of their own house just to pour money and care into the clinic, hoping to pass on their medical skills.

Now, the clinic’s doors stood wide open. Noisy voices drifted out, making it sound more like a lively marketplace than a place of healing.

Li Chao paused at the entrance, gazing inside. He could faintly hear two women talking.

“Mom, I heard this morning that Li Chao’s recovered. Do you think he’ll come ask for the house back?” came the disgruntled, resentful voice of a young girl.

“So annoying! Didn’t the county doctor say he’d never get out of bed again? How could he recover this quickly?” The other voice was harsh and domineering, completely unreasonable.

Li Chao didn’t need to guess—it was Liu Hongju and her spoiled daughter, Xiao Yali.

Liu Hongju was notorious for her laziness and idleness, and her husband had died young. Their own house had long since fallen into disrepair, making it unlivable. When she’d heard that Li Chao was gravely ill, she had seized the opportunity, bringing her daughter to forcibly move into the clinic, treating it as her own home.

Now, enjoying the comfort of the place, how could they be willing to leave?

Li Chao couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, his anger blazing so fiercely it threatened to burst from his chest. He shoved the door open and strode into the courtyard that was rightfully his, each step landing like a hammer.

In the yard, sunlight dappled over two figures eating breakfast—a middle-aged woman with short hair, her face marked by time but unable to hide her shrewdness, and a girl of seventeen or eighteen, whose childish face belied the cunning glint in her eyes.

These were Liu Hongju and Xiao Yali, the two who had intruded upon his absence.

Li Chao’s gaze swept across the courtyard, finally settling on the medical equipment discarded in a corner. Once his treasured possessions, the instruments now lay neglected, covered in dust, abandoned like orphans.

A sharp pain stabbed his heart.

Liu Hongju and Xiao Yali froze when they saw him. Panic flashed across Liu Hongju’s face, quickly masked by a forced smile. She set down her bowl, stood, and tried to hand Li Chao a stool, her voice syrupy, “Li Chao, come, have a seat.”

Li Chao ignored her false warmth. He stood his ground, eyes blazing, locking onto Liu Hongju.

“Aunt, what are you doing here?” His voice was quiet but brooked no argument.

Caught off guard, Liu Hongju quickly regained her composure. She curled her lip, dismissive. “What’s with that tone? We’re family—what’s yours is everyone’s.”

Xiao Yali chimed in, “Yeah, it’s just a few old rooms. Why be so stingy? It’s not like you have nowhere else to stay. What’s the harm in us living here a while? We’ll give it back to you in a few decades.”

Li Chao let out a cold laugh. “Now you remember we’re family? I was sick for a year and never saw you visit once.”

His words dripped with sarcasm and fury.

“I won’t mince words—move out now, and we can still greet each other as family. If you don’t, don’t blame me for what happens next.”

Liu Hongju’s face turned dark. She planted her hands on her hips, craning her neck as she screeched, “So your wings have hardened, have they? A youngster dares to talk to me this way?”

Her voice was as shrill and grating as a broken gong.

Li Chao’s anger flared at her arrogance, but he took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. He knew he couldn’t act impulsively now; he needed to find a way to drive the mother and daughter out.

He turned and left the courtyard, already formulating a plan.

“I’m not moving! What are you going to do about it?” Liu Hongju shouted after him, spittle flying, every inch the village shrew.

Li Chao watched coldly, his emotions churning. He knew dealing with such a woman required more than brute force.

He took a deep breath, quelling his rage, and decided on another method.

He walked to the wall and casually picked up a thick wooden stick, as big around as his arm.

To Liu Hongju and Xiao Yali, this simple gesture was like a blow to the heart. Liu Hongju shuddered, as if glimpsing her grim fate. Xiao Yali took several steps back, face pale with fear.

Li Chao set the stick upright before them and smashed his fist down. With a sharp crack, the stick split in two, the sound echoing through the courtyard.

His voice was icy: “First comes courtesy, then force. I’ll be back this afternoon. If you’re still here, my fist won’t fall on the stick next time.”

With that, he turned and left, leaving only the broken stick and the two ashen-faced women behind.

Liu Hongju and Xiao Yali exchanged terrified glances, the broken stick a chilling omen of Li Chao’s resolve.

“Mom, what do we do now?” Xiao Yali asked, her voice trembling.

Liu Hongju had no answer. She was cowed, afraid. She knew Li Chao wasn’t bluffing; he would act.

She swallowed hard, feigning composure. “Maybe we should move back for now… Not that I’m afraid of him!” she added with a quavering voice, “It’s just… the beds here are uncomfortable. I’ve been aching all over these last few nights!”

With that, she hurried to pack their things, desperate to leave before Li Chao returned.

Xiao Yali quickly followed. The mother and daughter fled in disarray from the courtyard that had never truly belonged to them.

From a distance, Li Chao watched them go, the hint of a cold smile on his lips. He knew his show of force had worked.

He was no brute by nature, but sometimes, a little intimidation was the most effective answer.

He returned to his clinic and gazed at the abandoned medical equipment, a wave of sorrow washing over him.

But he quickly gathered himself and began to restore the instruments, preparing to reopen.

He knew the road ahead would be long, and he would have to walk it with unyielding strength.