Chapter 31: Will You Not Be a Daughter-in-Law
Chapter 31
"Exchange Lives" has finally resumed its live broadcast.
The executive producer sat in front of the camera, facing a large tablet that displayed real-time comments from viewers.
The screen was filled with messages:
[What's the situation?]
[Has the person been found?]
The executive producer sighed and said, "We've found her. For specific details, please wait for the police report."
[What? Wait for the police report?]
[That's terrifying. Is Li Xiaoya dead?]
"No, no, no! She's not dead!" the executive producer hurriedly explained, afraid that Sheng Yuxiao might see. "She's just been poisoned and is recovering in the hospital. Would you like to see? We can switch the camera over there."
[Poisoned! My God, what on earth happened?]
[Poor, poor Li Xiaoya]
[This is the first time I've watched a reality show that turned into a crime drama...]
At that moment, the camera switched to the hospital room.
Sheng Yuxiao was sitting by the bed. Seeing the crew members carrying cameras into the room, he frowned, "Don't disturb her sleep."
A crew member lowered his voice, "But everyone is so concerned..."
Sheng Yuxiao's furrowed brow finally relaxed. "Fine, set it up quickly and leave it alone."
The crew member nodded and efficiently set up the camera.
Sheng Yuxiao lowered his eyes and said nothing more.
It was a good thing that the viewers cared about Li Xiaoya.
He didn't want to hear them cursing her anymore.
With the camera set up, the viewers could finally see clearly—
The young girl in the hospital bed was enveloped in snow-white blankets, making her look even smaller and more fragile.
[Oh God, as a mother, I can't bear to see this. I'm out.]
[Wait, what do I see? Qin Sui just came in with a big metal basin!]
Qin Sui entered carrying a basin of hot water, with a towel hanging on the edge.
Sheng Yuxiao glanced at him and said, "I'll do it."
He then took the towel, dampened it, and began wiping Li Xiaoya's face.
As Qin Sui watched, his brow furrowed, "Have you ever actually taken care of anyone?"
Sheng Yuxiao paused, "Do you have any suggestions, Young Master Qin?"
"At least I wouldn't let water drip onto her neck," Qin Sui said as he put down the basin and snatched the towel away.
Sheng Yuxiao was a bit displeased, "Have you ever taken care of anyone?"
[Indeed, they're both young masters. Neither should criticize the other. They used to rely on Li Xiaoya to take care of them.]
[This suddenly got interesting. I could watch these two fight over who gets to care for Li Xiaoya for a year.]
The commenters were already enjoying the show.
Meanwhile, Qin Sui used a tissue to absorb the water on Li Xiaoya's neck, saying without turning around, "At least I've taken care of my mother's dog."
"You're comparing Li Xiaoya to a dog?"
"You haven't even taken care of a dog."
"..." Sheng Yuxiao thought for a moment. His mother had kept a turtle. He decided to let it go, unable to compete with Qin Sui.
Sheng Yuxiao could only retreat, disgruntled.
Li Xiaoya wasn't sleeping peacefully. Just as Qin Sui finished wiping her face, her body began to shake uncontrollably.
Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes, and her lips moved, squeezing out a hoarse sound, "Mom... Mom..."
Sheng Yuxiao felt as if his heart had been heavily pounded, a bit painful.
He looked at Qin Sui, "Quick, comfort her."
Qin Sui turned back, puzzled. Given Sheng Yuxiao's personality, he would never give up such an opportunity.
Half-believing, Qin Sui lifted Li Xiaoya slightly, letting her lean against his chest.
Then Sheng Yuxiao continued, "Just comfort her by saying, 'Mom is here.'"
Qin Sui: "..."
[Qin Sui's expression just cracked, haha]
[We want a male mom, we want a male mom!]
At that moment, someone called softly from outside the door, "Sheng Yuxiao."
Seeing the uniformed person outside, Sheng Yuxiao immediately stood up and walked out, making the viewers extremely curious about who was calling him.
Outside, a middle-aged police officer spoke gravely, "We detected toxic substances on the rim of Li Xiuzhen's thermos."
"Li Xiuzhen? Who's that?"
"Li Xiaoya's aunt."
Sheng Yuxiao's face darkened, "They're still trying to kill her?"
The middle-aged officer shook his head, "This doesn't fit the crime motive. Li Xiuzhen also vehemently denies poisoning her."
However, for the Li Hongguang couple, just being suspected of attempted murder was torture enough.
"Additionally, Li Xiaoya's grandfather has confessed to something. He says the village chief of Li Family Village hinted at him to do this. They agreed on a payment of 5,000 yuan as compensation."
"5,000 yuan? They'd sell Li Xiaoya for 5,000 yuan?! Is he insane?" Sheng Yuxiao couldn't control his volume, and his words carried into the room where the camera was.
[Who is he talking to?]
[Selling Li Xiaoya for 5,000 yuan? My God. Human trafficking? Who did this?]
[Damn, Li Xiaoya's life is truly miserable]
[Reasonable suspicion falls on her grandfather]
The police officer outside lowered his voice to calm him, "We've also sent people to summon the village chief. I believe the person who administered the poison must also be in this chain of relationships. We just need to investigate carefully to find them."
Sheng Yuxiao's expression eased slightly, "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's our duty," the officer paused, then added, "There's one thing I should mention... Even if the trafficking is confirmed, because Li Xiaoya's only guardian is her grandfather, the law will consider leniency in sentencing."
Sheng Yuxiao's fist clenched tightly as he said coldly, "I'll find a way to deal with this matter."
Sheng Yuxiao turned back into the hospital room, the fury in his heart not dissipating despite finding Li Xiaoya. On the contrary, it grew stronger.
Blood relations.
For people with happy families, these words are the most beautiful.
But for someone like Li Xiaoya, they are a deadly poison, a lifelong shackle.
Qin Sui noticed him enter and suddenly said, "Actually, we could adopt her."
"Her grandfather is a direct relative. As long as there's a direct relative, adoption is not possible," Sheng Yuxiao said with a grim face.
Qin Sui thought for a moment and said, "What about a relative from her mother's side? A young, strong, wealthy relative with social status and an excellent reputation?"
Sheng Yuxiao's eyes flickered.
The two young masters exchanged a glance, both thinking of some underhanded tricks.
If there were no relatives, that was fine.
They could create one.
Their conversation also provoked strong reactions from the viewers.
[So this accident was caused by Li Xiaoya's grandfather?]
[How could he do this to his own granddaughter?]
Meanwhile,
Li Qingqing received a phone call behind Sheng Jun's back. Only then did she learn that her grandfather had also been taken away by the police.
Idiots! These useless, burdensome idiots!
Li Qingqing cursed a million times in her heart.
But she still tried to reassure her father verbally: "Don't worry, I'm about to go back with Uncle Sheng Jun. I'll ask him to find a way to help."
Li Song's hesitant voice came from the other end.
He said, "Don't try to find a way... don't save your grandfather."
Li Qingqing was taken aback, but still said, "How can that be? He's my grandfather after all."
"The old man has never left the village his entire life. His perspective is narrow, and he's prone to making mistakes. Don't let him drag you down, Qingqing. You'll become the pride of your mom and dad, right?"
Li Qingqing's breath caught, never imagining that her own father could be as ruthless as she was.
She let out a soft sob and said, "Alright."
At this moment, Sheng Jun walked over. Noticing her reaction, he couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Li Qingqing pretended not to know what had transpired and cried, "Grandfather was taken away by the police. They said he did something bad."
Sheng Jun's expression changed slightly, quickly associating this with Li Xiaoya's disappearance.
Sheng Jun stared at Li Qingqing and deliberately asked, "Do you want uncle to help you?"
Li Qingqing shook her head, sobbing, "If grandfather really is a bad person, then I can't let uncle help me. If grandfather isn't a bad person, the police uncles will surely let him come home."
"Mm, let's go then."
"Are we leaving? Aren't we going to see brother for a moment?"
"No need. He's probably by Li Xiaoya's side right now."
Li Qingqing was consumed with jealousy.
A thought suddenly occurred to her — could it be that Sheng Yuxiao was raising Li Xiaoya as a child bride?
The moment this idea crossed her mind, Li Qingqing became even more jealous.