From Broken Family to Life Winner: A Reborn Mother's Journey

”Miao Zhi.” Tang Yuanxiao’s voice was deep and low, a clear warning.

Mr. Miao, who had been making a toast at the next table, sensed something was wrong. He immediately returned and also called out a warning, ”Miao Zhi.”

Miao Zhi saw that they were all taking Su Li’s side, and her eyes instantly reddened. ”Why are you all ganging up on me? This is her fault in the first place. If you did poorly on the exam, just say so. Why pretend and say you did ’pretty good’!”

”’I did pretty good?’ Pfft. What do you even mean, ’pretty good’? I guess the standards are different for different people? Is scoring two hundred points considered ’pretty good’ now? You’re killing me.”

Miao Zhi launched into a torrent of mockery.

After her tirade, the entire table immediately fell silent.

Mr. Miao was so angry he could barely breathe. ”Miao Zhi, shut your mouth!”

”I won’t! Why should I? Today is my special day! I came here happy, but just look at her! I can’t stand the sight of her!”

’Shameless hussy, getting all lovey-dovey with Captain Tang. She doesn’t even realize she’s breaking someone else’s heart!’

Everything about Su Li rubbed Miao Zhi the wrong way. ”If you say you did ’pretty good,’ then just tell us your score! You don’t even dare to say what you got, but you’re looking at me like I’m overreacting!”

”Hypocrite! Show-off! Phony! If you’ve got the guts, tell us how ’pretty good’ you actually did!”

Su Li’s expression turned completely cold.

”First of all, I didn’t come here just to freeload. I came because you invited me. If you can’t stand me, you didn’t have to invite me. Is this any way to treat a guest—forcing me to come just so you can glare at me and mock me?”

”Second, my college entrance exam score, whatever it may be, is my private information. I have no obligation to report it to you.”

”Miao Zhi, I don’t know how I offended you, but I hope you can stop this baseless tantrum. I don’t want to ruin this banquet...”

Su Li’s words were perfectly reasonable, and Mr. Miao’s face was filled with shame. He felt too embarrassed to face anyone. But his daughter, Miao Zhi, was still undermining him.

”Who’s throwing a tantrum? If you don’t dare to say it, just admit it. Stop trying to lecture me with all this high-and-mighty reasoning...”

”Miao Zhi!” Mr. Miao’s whole body trembled. He cut her off, stepped forward, and raised his hand as if to strike her, but in the end, he forced himself to hold back.

”Su Li, I’m so sorry...” Mr. Miao apologized to Su Li again.

Su Li looked at the defiant Miao Zhi, took a deep breath, met Mr. Miao’s eyes, and finally shook her head before sitting back down in an act of forbearance.

’She could have mocked Miao Zhi right back. She could have even thrown her acceptance letter in her face to shut her up.’

’But if she really did that, this banquet would be completely ruined.’

’The gray at Mr. Miao’s temples and his earlier words made her unable to bear it.’

Su Li simultaneously pulled back Tang Yuanxiao and Little Tang Mo, who were about to speak, and sat down in silent forbearance.

’For the sake of Mr. Miao’s profound love for his daughter, she would endure it and let everyone save some face!’

Seeing Su Li sit down, Mr. Miao’s eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and relief.

He gave Miao Zhi a sharp tug, shooting a warning glance at his impulsive daughter who was prone to exploding at the slightest provocation.

No one knows a daughter better than her father. Mr. Miao knew Miao Zhi must have a reason for acting this way. Besides, the girl had gotten arrogant and conceited lately.

Because she got into college, because he was so happy that he insisted on throwing this banquet for her, she had grown proud and complacent.

At Miao Zhi’s age, and after being so suppressed before, it was normal for her to be a bit full of herself. But mocking people like this was wrong.

Mr. Miao tried his best to smooth things over.

Tang Yuanxiao whispered to Su Li, ”I’m sorry you had to endure that.”

He had been on the verge of losing his temper, but Su Li had pulled him back and made him endure it.

When he saw the look Su Li gave Mr. Miao before she held back—a look that showed she was doing it for his sake—Tang Yuanxiao’s heart filled with a mix of anger and pride, before melting completely.

’Su Li... she’s so kind.’

Tang Yuanxiao watched Little Tang Mo gently patting Su Li’s hand and back, quietly comforting her, and his eyes softened into a pool of tenderness.

But when he looked up at Miao Zhi, his eyes turned ice-cold.

A profound, meaningful glint appeared in the depths of his dark eyes.

’His girl had been bullied so brazenly. There was no way he could just let it go.’

Tang Yuanxiao’s gaze was heavy as he scanned the faces at the table.

’He took mental note of everyone who had spoken ill of Su Li. Tonight, he would pay them each a visit.’

’The Miao Family would be first.’

’Here at the banquet, Su Li had endured it, so he had endured it with her. But once the banquet was over, he had no intention of holding back.’

’He would go door-to-door to inform them, to invite them to Su Li’s own celebration banquet for getting into college!’

’He’d hold the banquet tomorrow and shove Su Li’s acceptance letter right in their faces!’

’Let’s see them eat their own words!’

’He had to show them that Su Li was not someone to be trifled with.’

Having made up his mind, Tang Yuanxiao was about to suggest to Su Li that they leave the unpleasant banquet and go get something good to eat themselves. But just as he turned to her, before he could even speak, he heard Miao Zhi let out a low, cold laugh.

”So embarrassing...”

Tang Yuanxiao’s gaze sharpened, and Miao Zhi followed up with another sneer.

Miao Zhi’s voice wasn’t loud, only audible to their table, but as soon as she spoke, everyone looked at Su Li.

Tang Yuanxiao couldn’t take it anymore. ”Su Li, let’s go.”

At the same time, Su Li, who had also reached her limit, said in unison, ”Tang Yuanxiao, I’m leaving.”

After they spoke, both of them paused in surprise.

”Let’s go.” Tang Yuanxiao stood up, ready to leave with Su Li.

”Finally realized how embarrassing this is and decided to leave...” Miao Zhi continued her taunts in a low voice.

Su Li’s gaze hardened. She had been halfway up but sat back down again.

A sneer appeared on Miao Zhi’s face, and just as she was about to say something more, a surprised and happy voice called out.

”Su Li? Junior Su?”

Su Li’s expression changed, the icy look on her face instantly replaced by surprise. She turned her head and saw Yu Zhengqing not far away.

”Yu... Senior?”

’Why would Yu Zhengqing be here?’

Yu Zhengqing had initially thought he was mistaken, but it turned out he wasn’t.

His face lit up with pleasant surprise as he walked a few steps closer. He glanced at the tables of food and asked, ”Junior, is this... a celebration banquet for you?”

Before Su Li could answer, Miao Zhi cut in, looking at Yu Zhengqing unhappily.

”Who are you? What’s this ’Junior Su’ nonsense? Is ’Junior’ a name you can just throw around?”

Yu Zhengqing looked at her and explained earnestly.

”I’m Yu Zhengqing. I’ll be Junior Su’s senior when the new semester starts. I’m about to be a fourth-year, so I can call her ’Junior’.”

When Yu Zhengqing finished his explanation, the entire room fell silent, completely stunned. Especially Miao Zhi.

”What did you say? A fourth-year? You’re a university student?”

Yu Zhengqing looked utterly bewildered. ”Yes, I am. What’s wrong?”

He glanced at Su Li in confusion, suddenly unable to understand the situation.

”Liar!” Miao Zhi shouted. ”What university do you go to?”

The good-natured smile finally vanished from Yu Zhengqing’s face. He frowned at Miao Zhi and said in a low, serious voice,

”I’m not lying. My name is Yu Zhengqing, a student in the journalism program at Huaguo Communication University. You can verify my identity anytime you want.”

He pointed at Su Li. ”Su Li got into our university. She’s also in the journalism program, which makes me her senior. Everything I’ve said is the truth.”

Everyone at the table, except for Su Li and Tang Yuanxiao, was stunned. Especially Miao Zhi.

She was completely frozen, muttering to herself, ”Huaguo Communication University... Huaguo Communication University...”

’The university she had dreamed of but never dared to hope for? Su Li got in there? How is that possible?’

Miao Zhi froze as if she were in a trance.

And next to her, Yang Xiangyun, who had been keeping a low profile, also had a drastic change in expression. Her face was full of shock, and her eyes flickered with uncertainty.