Yun Que'er listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
"I understand your feelings, but I heard from Li Lan that you told her my father wouldn't do such a thing."
"Yes." Father Li nodded. "To be honest, I inquired everywhere before Xiao Lan went to school."
He looked into the distance. "I haven't had much talent in my life. When I worked for the commune before, I only knew to work hard. Later, when I had my own land, all I could think about was how to get a better yield this year so that the whole family could have enough to eat."
He sighed. "I couldn't help my kids much. Since she was going to school away from home, I knew I couldn't keep an eye on her all the time. So I wanted to find a good teacher for her. That's why I inquired everywhere about which school was good and which teacher was good. I knew Teacher Yun. He was very upright. He was willing to teach every student whole - heartedly. I believed such a teacher would take good care of my daughter. But I didn't expect that Teacher Yun was no longer the head teacher. So I inquired and found out that Teacher Xue had always had a good relationship with Teacher Yun. A person who could be on good terms with Teacher Yun couldn't be a bad one."
Yun Que'er didn't expect Father Li to speak so highly of Yun Mo Tan. She was deeply touched.
"Indeed, parents' love for their children knows no bounds. So you think my father wouldn't do such a thing."
"My first reaction was worry. After all, nothing is absolute. Maybe I misjudged."
Father Li said.
"But I asked Xiao Lan carefully. It seemed that no one took advantage of Teacher Yun's misfortune after his accident. None of the teachers in the school even wanted to step on him. Then I thought there might be some misunderstanding. I didn't want to wrong anyone, so I asked Xiao Lan to recall carefully. But I don't know which word I said wrong. It made my daughter cry at home for a while. She hasn't been willing to talk to me for several days."
Father Li smiled bitterly, as if he felt he was really an unqualified father.
Yun Que'er understood.
It seemed that it wasn't like what Li Lan said, that her family didn't understand or support her. It was just that Father Li's way of expressing himself was wrong, which made Li Lan misunderstand.
"I think your consideration is right. As a daughter, I'm very grateful that you can think so highly of my father."
Yun Que'er bowed deeply to Father Li.
Father Li felt embarrassed and quickly helped Yun Que'er up.
"Why thank me? I haven't helped much."
Yun Que'er smiled at Father Li. "Li Lan may have really misunderstood you. I think you should talk to her clearly and tell her everything on your mind. Only then will she know that you care about her, and the misunderstanding will be resolved."
Father Li thought for a while. "You're right... Alas, I'm just an uneducated man and not very good at talking. Girl, you're right. I really should explain it to my daughter."
Yun Que'er nodded. "But I think there's another reason why she's so sensitive to what you said."
"Another reason?" Father Li frowned.
"Yes." Yun Que'er nodded slightly. "When she was excited, did she ever tell you that as a girl, life was already hard, and after this incident, although she was the victim, her family might look down on her because she was a girl and think she was also guilty?"
Father Li thought carefully. "You know what, she really did. I didn't think much of it at that time. Maybe she just heard some nonsense from others. Kids are young and take things seriously. Anyway, our family never had such thoughts. She'll understand later."
Yun Que'er immediately grasped the key point. "Exactly. The family never said such things to her. Where did her ideas come from? As you said, it must be the nonsense of others."
Father Li was instantly indignant. "This is just nonsense! Those are all feudal dregs from ages ago. How dare they bring them up? Aren't they afraid of being struck by lightning? They're just deliberately trying to sow discord in our family!"
Yun Que'er shook her head. "Actually, it may not be intentional. I don't think that person had such malicious intentions. And sowing discord wouldn't bring any benefits to that person. But if Li Lan's ideas become deeply rooted, it would be like nailing my father to the pillar of shame. He'd be in big trouble even if he survived."
Father Li looked at Yun Que'er's serious expression and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
Why did it seem that Li Lan was being used as a pawn?
Who was trying to use his precious daughter!
When Yun Que'er returned, Ji Cheng Xuan was talking to Li Lan, who had her head down. But it seemed that Li Lan's mood had improved a lot. The two Li brothers beside them didn't look so unfriendly either.
Yun Que'er stepped forward, nodded to Ji Cheng Xuan, and then looked at Li Lan.
"Then we'll leave first."
Yun Que'er didn't say anything more.
Li Lan was afraid of her now. Excessive enthusiasm would only make Li Lan more vigilant. It was better to act normally.
Moreover, Yun Que'er had said everything she needed to say. The rest was up to the Li family.
Yun Que'er and Ji Cheng Xuan started their journey back. Ji Cheng Xuan didn't ask many questions. He only asked Yun Que'er how much confidence she had now.
"About six or seven out of ten." Yun Que'er smiled cunningly. "All foxes will show their tails. We just need to wait for Li Lan to retract her statement, and then things will be easier."
Ji Cheng Xuan looked at Yun Que'er with satisfaction. This was the little girl he knew.
When they got home, they were starving. So they both went straight into the main house of the Yun family to eat.
Yun Fu Jin made them a big pot of hot noodle soup with well - cooked spare ribs.
Looking at the way they gobbled up their food, Yun Fu Jin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"I told you to eat before going out. You were so impatient. Now you're starving, aren't you?"
Yun Que'er buried her head in her food and drank up all the soup in the bowl before she had time to answer Yun Fu Jin.
"I was in a hurry to handle important matters. Big brother, don't worry. Father will probably be okay. You just need to unite those teachers as soon as possible so that we can get Father out earlier."
Yun Fu Jin lovingly stroked Yun Que'er's head. "You've really worked hard. These things should have been done by us older brothers."
"It doesn't matter." Yun Que'er waved her hand boldly. "The capable should do more."
"Don't be so conceited." Ji Cheng Xuan murmured.
Yun Que'er glared at him. "Why are you so talkative? Since food can't shut your mouth, give it back to me. Don't eat anymore!"
Yun Que'er pretended to grab the bowl from Ji Cheng Xuan's hand. Ji Cheng Xuan quickly protected it.
Yun Fu Jin watched them bickering and smiled softly.
Their family had been too depressed these days. Such a relaxing moment was really rare.
"By the way, why haven't I seen Second Brother? Hasn't he come back yet?" Only then did Yun Que'er remember Yun Jian Zhou.