After the separation, I took my whole family to eat delicious food and drink spicy

Ever since Li Xiaoxiao resolutely rejected the Zhao family's marriage proposal in front of everyone, the Li family's tranquility had been shattered, like a stone dropped, sending ripples through the family that lingered for a long time. The rift between Li Xiaoxiao and the Su and Li Fang families had become increasingly pronounced, and the atmosphere in the family had become oppressive and heavy.

The first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the window lattice, barely illuminating Li Xiaoxiao's humble boudoir. She opened her eyes, staring at the mottled walls, a mixture of emotions welling up in her. Last night, she'd overheard Su complaining about Li Fangshi next door again. Every word was directed at her, accusing her of being ignorant and unfilial, even asserting that she would be a burden to the Li family. These words, like sharp knives, sliced at her heart again and again, leaving her feeling an unprecedented loneliness and helplessness.

"Mom, are you awake?" Li Xiaoxiao called softly to Mrs. Bai, seeking a glimmer of warmth and comfort from her mother. Mrs. Bai rushed over, her eyes filled with heartache and helplessness. "Xiaoxiao, you're awake. I'll heat up some porridge for you. Lie down first." Mrs. Bai's voice was gentle and weary, knowing her daughter had endured a lot recently.

However, this peace didn't last long. At breakfast, Su walked into the kitchen with a look of displeasure on her face, her eyes flicking back and forth between Li Xiaoxiao and Bai, as if searching for a flaw. "Oh, you're still here? I thought you'd already run off with your daughter, to avoid being an eyesore in our Li family." Su's words were sharp and caustic, instantly bringing the atmosphere to a freezing point.

Bai's face paled at this, but she managed to hold back her anger. "Mother, what are you talking about? Why would we leave the Li family?" She tried to defuse the awkwardness with a calm tone, but Su clearly didn't appreciate it.

"Hmph, don't think I don't know the little tricks in your mind. Your daughter has grown so powerful that she even dares to reject the Zhao family's proposal of marriage. Who knows how much trouble she will cause in the future. Our Li family can't tolerate such a big Buddha!" Su's words became more and more unpleasant, and every sentence was full of thorns that pierced people's hearts.

Li Xiaoxiao couldn't bear to listen any longer. She stood up suddenly, looked directly into Su's eyes, and said in a soft but firm voice, "Grandma, I rejected the Zhao family's proposal because I don't want to be a tool for them to get married, and I don't want to sacrifice my own happiness in exchange for your interests. Is that wrong?"

"You!" Su was momentarily speechless at Li Xiaoxiao's words. She hadn't expected her previously dim-witted granddaughter to become so sharp-tongued and dare to contradict her so directly. "What do you know, little girl? Marriage is a matter of parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. How can you decide? Who do you think you are? How can you refuse the Zhao family's kindness?"

"Grandma, if the Zhao family is really that good, why don't you let Li Baoer marry into their family? Even though my father is gone, our third branch still works hard. Fang'er and Lin'er were out picking grass for pigs every day when they were young, and my mother also helps with housework day and night. But look at Li Zhiyi and Li Dachun, they are teenagers, but they still play all day long. Li Baoer is also being raised without any work. Grandma, you are too biased."

Su was so angry that she was shaking all over. She pointed at Li Xiaoxiao, her finger almost poking her nose: "You...you are simply lawless! I think you have been spoiled and don't even listen to the words of your elders!"

"Mother, please don't be angry." Li Fang saw this and hurried forward to persuade her, "Xiao Xiao is still young and doesn't understand things. Please don't argue with her."

"Little? She's already this old, how can she still be little? I think she's just deliberately going against me!" Su was furious. She looked at Bai, her eyes full of dissatisfaction. "You've raised such a good daughter! You usually seem so honest, how could you raise such a rebellious girl?"

Bai's eyes welled with tears as she heard this. She knew Su was taking her anger out on her. But she also knew she couldn't give up at this moment and had to hold her daughter up. "Mother, Xiaoxiao just had her own ideas. She didn't do anything wrong. Please don't blame her."

"Hmph, I know whether I have done anything wrong or not. From today on, you two, mother and daughter, better be careful and don't cause any trouble!" After saying this, Su left the kitchen angrily, leaving the room in silence.

In the days that followed, Li Xiaoxiao's life at the Li family became increasingly difficult. Mrs. Su would often find various excuses to make things difficult for the third wife's family, accusing them of not working hard enough or complaining about the food. Whenever this happened, Li Xiaoxiao would stand up and argue for her mother. However, such actions only infuriated Mrs. Su, and her dislike for her deepened.