Chapter 402 - 402 Don’t Be Too Smug

402 Don’t Be Too Smug

Li Ze’en ignored them and walked towards Madam’s room with a simple bow.

Everyone was a little surprised that Li Ze’en did not quarrel with her stepmother. It was really unusual.

Even the mistress was prepared to fight Li Ze’en. Little did she know that when Ze’en retreated, all her accumulated strength seemed to have been wasted. She was quite disappointed.

Li Tingfeng watched Ze’en’s depressed back with guilt in his eyes.

!!

Although Ze’en looked peaceful when she returned this time, she didn’t look at him or call him Dad. One could imagine how unhappy she was with him.

Ze’en went to Madam’s room and unfolded a folding bed in the corner. The overnight rush had exhausted Ze’en. She curled up in bed and quickly fell asleep.

Madam felt inexplicably sad when she saw Ze’en curled up on the bed.

The more Ze’en did not make a fuss and swallowed all her grievances alone, the more Madam was dissatisfied with Li Zefeng.

Madam tiptoed out and arrived at the lobby. She asked her servant to call Li Tingfeng over.

“Mom, why are you looking for me?” Li Tingfeng walked out and sat beside Madam.

Madam’s face darkened as she reprimanded, “Don’t you have a conscience?”

Li Tingfeng’s face darkened. “That girl has a bad temper. She didn’t even call me Dad when she came back. Since she doesn’t beg me, why should I help her?”

Madam snorted. “Hmph, beg you? Li Tingfeng, touch your conscience and say it. If Ze’en begs you, will you move Li Zefeng out and return the room to Ze’en?”

Li Tingfeng said nothing.

Of the two daughters, he loved Ze Feng more. For one thing, Ze Feng was prettier than Ze’en and had better grades. For another, Ze Feng did not have Ze’en’s bad personality.

Madam sneered. “Ze’en knows that she can’t rely on you as a father, so she won’t count on you. Tingfeng, you’re so cold to Zecheng and Ze’en. Aren’t you afraid of retribution when you’re old?”

Li Tingfeng snorted coldly. “Hmph, these siblings are not promising at all. They’re so old and only know how to rely on their elders. I chased them out to train them.”

Madam laughed weakly. “You really won’t cry until you see the coffin.”

At dinner, Ze’en came out. She sat silently beside Madam and ate quietly. Madam’s heart ached for her, so she kept putting food into her bowl.

Li Zefeng was very unhappy to see her grandmother so biased toward her sister. “Grandma is biased. She only picked up food for her sister and not me.”

Li Tingfeng and the woman were stunned. Their hearts ached for Li Zefeng, so they tactfully reminded Madam.

“Mom, you should be impartial.”

Madam sneered. “Ze Feng has the love of her parents, so why should Grandma dote on her? Don’t be so greedy. My Ze’en’s father doesn’t dote on her. Is there a problem if I care about her?”

Madam criticized Li Zefeng for being greedy, which made Li Zefeng very embarrassed. After being reprimanded by Madam, tears rolled down her face.

The woman felt that Madam was not giving her daughter respect and slammed her chopsticks on the table unhappily.

Li Tingfeng looked at his mother, at his wife, and finally at his precious daughter, Ze Feng. Then, his face darkened and he said coldly, “Mom, if you can’t figure it out, we won’t eat at the same table in the future.”

Madam said angrily, “Why? Do you want to chase your mother to her room for dinner? Li Tingfeng, don’t forget that the Li family villa is still your parents’ property. If you’re not happy here, you can move out of this old residence.”

A few years ago, Li Tingfeng’s business was in decline. He had sold many properties to pay off his debts. Now that he had earned money and bought a property, he still had to wait for renovation.

The Li family’s villa was their best place to stay at the moment. After all, the Li family’s villa was spacious, and they had a good kitchen maid at home.

Li Tingfeng had deep feelings for the Li family villa and naturally could not bear to leave. Li Tingfeng was unhappy that Madam wanted to chase them away, but he could only stop resisting.

Ze’en put down her bowl and chopsticks and said to Madam, “Grandma, I’m full. I’m going to the bathroom.” Her voice was delicate. She was a different person from her former domineering self.

Madam nodded and Ze’en left quickly.

The so-called bathroom break was just an excuse. She sneaked into Li Tingfeng’s room and quickly installed a camera in the study. Then, she walked out without anyone noticing.

After coming out, Ze’en also sat obediently on the sofa in a daze. She was not wearing makeup now and was wearing simple and cheap clothes. Her eyes were a little dull and she looked pitiful.

The more she acted so weak and helpless, the more Madam hated her stepmother and stepsister.

Madam who had always been docile also began to find trouble with her stepmother time and time again. “Since you’ve entered the Li family, you’re Ze’en’s stepmother. You should take on the responsibility of a mother. Look at Ze’en’s thin and tattered clothes. Buy her a few good outfits tomorrow.”

She ignored the way the other woman addressed her and gave her orders. This displeased the other woman.

“Mom, Ze’en isn’t young anymore. She’s completely capable of taking care of herself. She can buy her own clothes.”

Madam said angrily, “You have to give her pocket money for her to do that”

“Mom, Ze’en is an adult…”

Madam said angrily, “She’s not your biological daughter, so you’re unwilling to buy her clothes and can’t bear to give her pocket money. Aren’t you afraid of being criticized as a mean stepmother?”

The woman was furious.

Ze’en walked over timidly and held Madam’s hand. “Grandma, don’t be angry. I’ll find a job tomorrow. I’ll earn money to buy clothes myself.”

In Madam’s eyes, Ze’en’s tact made her heart ache. But her stepmother was extremely smug.

Li Ze’en, who had once been domineering and arrogant to her, was now so humble. She felt a sense of accomplishment.

Madam stormed off in anger.

Her stepmother looked at Ze’en smugly. “Li Ze’en, don’t blame me for being indifferent to you. Think about what you did to Ze Feng. No matter how ruthless I am to you, it’s all right.”

When Li Ze’en passed by her, she said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear, “Don’t be too smug. Be careful that the crown will fall.”

That voice was like a demon, filled with hostility.