Classmate Li Zhuangsheng doesn’t want to be reborn

"Here, have a piece of pork rib." Mother Hu put some food on Li Zhuangsheng's plate.

"Thank you, Auntie, thank you, Auntie." Li Zhuangsheng nodded obsequiously.

"My skills are just average, definitely not as good as yours..." Mrs. Hu smiled.

"It tastes better than my mom's, it tastes better than my mom's!" Li Zhuangsheng shook his head and nodded at the same time.

Seeing this, Mrs. Hu laughed even more heartily, and Mr. Hu chuckled twice as well: "You came here once before, and you said the same thing, even the same actions. Haha, don't stand on ceremony, this is your own home!"

Li Zhuangsheng nodded haphazardly again, then lowered his head and ate his meal.

He felt only guilt and self-reproach towards his parents-in-law. They were truly kind to him, so kind that Li Zhuangsheng couldn't bear to refuse their kindness.

"Mengdie, eat too." Seeing that Hu Mengdie kept her head down and didn't touch her chopsticks, Hu's father couldn't help but urge her softly.

Hu Mengdie lowered her head and gripped her chopsticks tightly.

Must we always submit?
She absolutely mustn't give in! If she gives in now, her life will be over!
An unprecedented sense of injustice surged within me like a thousand horses galloping and roaring!

Hu Mengdie slowly closed her eyes, her voice soft and restrained: "I don't want to..."

Hu's mother paused for a moment, then, seeing Hu Mengdie's current state, feigned a smile and said, "If you're not hungry, you should go back to your room first."

Mr. Hu's eyelids twitched, and his expression turned slightly cold.

"I don't want to!" Hu Mengdie's voice suddenly rose, she raised her head fiercely, her voice filled with determination, and glared at Li Zhuangsheng. "I have someone I like, I won't like you, and I won't be with you, so give up!"

Li Zhuangsheng scratched his head, and before he could react, Hu's father had already slapped Hu Mengdie across the face.

The crisp sound of a slap, accompanied by Hu Mengdie's scream, finally brought Li Zhuangsheng back to his senses.

"I haven't lectured you in a long time, have I!"

Hu's father was so angry that his lips were trembling. He could no longer contain his anger, grabbed Hu Mengdie's clothes, and dragged her aside!
Li Zhuangsheng quickly got up, and Hu's mother tried to pull him up by his clothes, but she couldn't stop him.

Hu's father pushed Hu Mengdie into the living room and slapped her again in anger. Hu Mengdie, who was crying, shuddered and watched in fear as her father's slap got closer and closer. At this moment, her fear reached its peak!
No... Someone save me...

However, with a muffled thud, the expected slap didn't land on her face. Hu Mengdie only felt someone grab her head, and her vision went dark as her father's furious slap was blocked by that somewhat warm embrace.

Hu Mengdie opened her eyes shivering; the warmth had vanished.

Li Zhuangsheng straightened up, enduring the pain in his back, and forced out a fawning, dry laugh, his face flushed: "Uncle, hehe...you, you calm down...you, you shouldn't hurt yourself with anger."

"Get out of my way! If I don't teach her a lesson today, she'll never know her place!" Hu's father shoved Li Zhuangsheng aside, glaring hatefully at Hu Mengdie!
"No, no, no!" Although Li Zhuangsheng was intimidated, he still stood in front of Hu Mengdie with a fawning smile, but his actions were firm. "She's still young. Whatever the problem is, we can talk it out and solve it! Haha, please calm down first!"

"Zhuang Sheng, get out of the way! This brat needs to be disciplined!" Hu's mother, her face contorted with anger, stepped forward to pull Li Zhuang Sheng away. Her anger was no less than Hu's father's. During their time in Nanjing, she had already spoken to Hu Mengdie several times, but it seemed to have been completely useless! Not only that, but she had now become so audacious!
What is she trying to do? She's gone mad! How dare she tell Li Zhuangsheng that she has someone she likes? That guy surnamed Qi? That jinx, isn't he satisfied with how badly he's ruined our family?
"Hey, no..."

The scene instantly descended into chaos. Hu's father, while pulling at Li Zhuangsheng, also tried to attack Hu Mengdie, while Hu's mother, cursing at Hu Mengdie, attempted to pull Li Zhuangsheng away. Li Zhuangsheng, caught between his father-in-law and mother-in-law, was struggling to defend himself. He desperately tried to shield Hu's father from harming Hu Mengdie, while also carefully shielding Hu's mother, worried he might accidentally knock her over.

Hu Mengdie hid behind Li Zhuangsheng and cried incessantly. At this moment, she felt utterly despondent and could only weep.

Hu's father was getting on in years, and his physical strength was indeed not as good as Li Zhuangsheng's, who rode a bicycle all day. He got tired in no time while pulling him along.

"Uncle and Aunt, please calm down..." Li Zhuangsheng continued to patiently try to mediate the argument. "Let's communicate properly. We're still high school students, and sometimes we can't understand your good intentions. You need to be a little more understanding. The more you talk to us now, the more rebellious we'll become..."

Mr. Hu plopped down on the sofa, panting heavily.

"Look how sensible Zhuang Sheng is, and look at you!" He gritted his teeth and pointed at Hu Mengdie, cursing, "How could I have given birth to such a beast like you!"

Seeing that the situation had finally calmed down, Li Zhuangsheng breathed a sigh of relief. Ignoring Hu's father's scolding, he grabbed Hu Mengdie's arm, turned around, and gave the two of them a forced smile.
"Well, we've almost finished eating, so we'll head back now! Uncle and Aunt, I'll come see you again tomorrow!"

He was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and just wanted to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

In truth, he really didn't want to get involved. At times like this, the instinct is to escape. He had already done his utmost in terms of appearances, and he truly didn't have the energy for anything else. But he knew very well that if he didn't intervene, Hu Mengdie might face serious trouble tonight.

It really has nothing to do with him; it's a family matter... He's nobody to her, so what right does he have to make decisions for her parents?
It's completely untenable!

"Zhuang Sheng, you should go home first tonight. Let her stay; I need to have a good talk with her!"

Li Zhuangsheng turned his head and saw the other person pursing his lips and sobbing continuously, looking extremely exhausted.

“Uncle, well… let’s just forget about it,” Li Zhuangsheng took a deep breath. “I’ll go home tonight and have a good talk with her. We’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

“It’s no use talking to her, don’t worry, Zhuang Sheng, she’s just arguing with us.” Father Hu shook his head and comforted Li Zhuang Sheng, “It’s not directed at you. She was just talking nonsense. Don’t take it to heart. You should go home tonight, or you can sleep here too.”

Li Zhuangsheng looked to Li Xiuyu for help, but Li Xiuyu simply smiled and shrugged. The implication was clear: whatever.

I need your advice! Don't just give me whatever you want!

Li Zhuangsheng grew increasingly frustrated and distressed. He squinted his eyes, then turned to look at Hu Mengdie behind him, deciding to sleep here tonight as well.

……

"Honestly, when I need you, you're completely useless!" Li Zhuangsheng complained softly.

"Is it my fault? I just thought you could handle it yourself." Li Xiuyu smiled, glancing at Hu Mengdie's tightly closed door, but there was no smile in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)