Rebirth of the Scumbag and the Retribution of the White Lotus

Since helping Zhao Shufang tidy up her room, Li Ting has noticed a slight softening in her family's attitude towards her, with her stepmother in particular seeming less wary. However, she knows full well that this softening is only temporary, and she still needs to be cautious.

Li Ting knew that true independence would require financial support and better social connections. After a few days of searching the town's labor market, she finally found a seemingly unremarkable but remarkably stable temporary job at a food factory, seeking temporary workers on a piecework basis. The more work she did, the more she earned. To avoid her family's suspicions, she kept her work details to herself, explaining that she was doing odd jobs to earn a small income.

One evening, Li Ting returned home from the factory. As soon as she entered the door, her stepmother saw that she looked tired and couldn't help frowning.

"Li Ting, what kind of work do you do? You come back so late every day." The stepmother put down the needle and thread in her hand and asked.

Li Ting smiled and explained simply, "Mom, it's just a part-time job. I do odd jobs for others and earn some pocket money. The family expenses are high now, and I want to share more of the burden."

After hearing this, the stepmother said with some concern: "I know you are sensible, but don't exhaust yourself. If there are some unreliable jobs, don't go. After all, you are a girl."

Li Ting nodded and replied softly, "Mom, I know. I will be careful."

The stepmother's expression relaxed a little, but she couldn't help but remind her, "That's good. In fact, we all see that you can help share the burden of the family. Shufang is still young and doesn't understand many things, so you should bear more responsibility for her."

Li Ting nodded and smiled gently, "Don't worry, Mom. I will treat Shufang well. She has a lively personality, so it's inevitable that she may have a quick temper sometimes."

The stepmother nodded and sighed: "That's right, she has such a temper...you have worked so hard."

Li Ting smiled faintly and said nothing more. She knew very well that her stepmother might appear to care about the family, but deep down, she still cared most about Zhao Shufang. Li Ting was well aware of her position in the family and had a plan in mind.

After dinner, Zhao Shufang looked at Li Ting and suddenly said provocatively, "Sister, you're leaving early and coming back late every day now. What on earth are you doing out there?"

Li Ting put down her chopsticks and smiled slightly: "It's just an ordinary job, doing odd jobs for others. I earn a little money and use it for myself."

Zhao Shufang curled her lips in disdain when she heard this: "I thought you were so great, but you're just a part-time worker."

Li Ting smiled faintly: "Yes, I just earn some pocket money. Compared to your leisure time, I am indeed more tired."

Zhao Shufang sneered, "I'm free? Sister, you really know how to talk. If you really have the ability, why would you do that kind of menial job?"

Li Ting was not angered by her words and continued calmly: "No matter what kind of work it is, as long as you work hard, there will always be rewards."

Zhao Shufang snorted, stood up and left the table, muttering, "You really take yourself too seriously..."

Li Ting looked at her back and sighed softly. She knew that Zhao Shufang's dissatisfaction was because she saw her hard work and could not accept that her long-held sense of superiority had been shattered. Li Ting was not in a hurry to argue, she believed that time would prove everything.

Life at the food factory wasn't easy, but Li Ting didn't mind. She gradually became familiar with her fellow workers, especially a young woman named Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen had a lively personality and came from a modest family, having started working early.

"Sister Li, how come you are so awesome? You do more than twice as much as we do every day." Xiao Chen said enviously.

Li Ting smiled and said gently, "I'm used to it. After all, the more I do, the more I earn."

Xiao Chen nodded, then suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Sister Li, why do you do this job? You seem to have a good temperament, and your family doesn't seem to be short of money."

Li Ting smiled faintly and said casually: "My family's conditions are average, so I have to work harder."

Xiao Chen nodded and said admiringly, "Sister Li, you are really ambitious. What do you plan to do when you make money in the future?"

Li Ting thought for a moment and replied with a faint smile, "Maybe I'll learn some skills and try to find a better job."

As the two chatted, Li Ting gradually relaxed. She felt that she could plan her future more clearly here, and the daily hard work seemed to become part of her experience.

As the months passed, Li Ting became more and more adept at her job at the factory, and her income began to slowly increase. She saved the money and secretly planned how to make better use of it.

One day, the factory supervisor approached her and said with a hint of praise, "Xiao Li, you've been doing very well lately. You're diligent and hardworking. The factory is looking to recruit a group of outstanding employees for long-term employment. Are you interested?"

Li Ting hesitated for a moment, then smiled and replied, "Thank you, Boss. But I don't have any plans to work here long-term for the time being."

The supervisor nodded and said understandingly, "Okay, come and see me anytime if you're interested."

Although brief, these words filled Li Ting with a sense of pride. This was the first time she had received external recognition since becoming independent, and it instilled in her even greater confidence.

That night, Li Ting returned home with a small sense of joy. As she was about to put down her bag, her stepmother looked at her and asked with concern, "Li Ting, have you been okay out there lately? Is there anything wrong?"

Li Ting nodded and replied with a smile: "Mom, everything is fine. Work has been going smoothly recently."

The stepmother nodded and smiled: "That's good, thank you for your hard work."

Li Ting sat down, took a sip of water, and said softly, "Mom, although I'm working hard outside, I always feel at ease when I can do something within my ability. When I save enough money, I will also contribute to the family."

The stepmother's expression showed a little relief: "I am very satisfied that you have this heart."

Zhao Shufang sat beside them, listening to their conversation, and snorted coldly: "Sister, you sound so nice, as if you can really make a lot of money."

Li Ting smiled slightly and did not refute: "Yes, it may not be much, but at least I earned it through my own hard work."

Zhao Shufang curled her lips and sneered, "If you really have the ability, why don't you make a lot of money?"

Li Ting remained calm and replied, "Take your time. Everyone's path is different. As long as you keep your feet on the ground, you will always reap rewards."

Zhao Shufang had nothing to say. She stood up and walked out angrily.

The stepmother patted Li Ting's hand gently and whispered comfortingly: "Shufang is young and hasn't seen much of the world. Don't bother with her."

Li Ting smiled and nodded: "I understand, Mom. She is my sister, it's okay."

In the dead of night, Li Ting sat alone in her room, gazing at the starry sky outside the window, her heart filled with determination. She knew that although she was moving slowly now, every step was moving her towards her goal.

She picked up a pen and wrote a line: "I want to leave this home and create a better future for myself." She took a deep breath and secretly vowed that no matter how difficult the future would be, she would not give up.