Chapter 203: Chapter 203

""Yaoyao, you've been getting more and more unruly lately.""

""Mm, Grandpa, I understand.""

""Of course, it's good to make friends with capable people, but if it doesn't work out, then forget it."" Old Master Li believed it was beneficial to build relationships with good people—more connections meant more opportunities in the future. But he didn't want Li Tingxuan to humble himself for it. The Li family didn't need Li Tingxuan to make such sacrifices.

""Grandpa, I understand.""

Just then, Li Shuyao, who had overheard their conversation, came in holding a cat.

After sitting down, she grumbled discontentedly, ""What's so great about that Gu Jianing anyway? For all we know, this breakthrough in treating tuberculosis might be stolen from someone else. Isn't Elder Chen her mentor? Maybe it was Elder Chen who made the discovery and just gave it to Gu Jianing so she could take the credit.""

""Li Shuyao!"" No sooner had she finished muttering than a stern voice snapped at her from the side.

Li Shuyao was startled.

Even the cat in her arms was frightened.

Its sharp claws scratched the back of Li Shuyao’s hand before it leapt away.

""Ah!"" Li Shuyao let out a sharp cry.

Li Tingxuan looked up and saw the bloody scratch on the back of her hand, feeling a pang of guilt.

But when he recalled what Li Shuyao had just said, his brow furrowed again.

""My hand, it hurts!""

""Brother, why did you have to scare me?""

Li Tingxuan’s face was stern. ""Yaoyao, I know you’re only saying this because of Sheng Zexi, but a woman’s reputation is extremely important, and so is a doctor’s. How can you slander someone like that?""

""Dr. Gu is truly capable—she’s officially recognized. By saying things like that, are you questioning the authorities? Or are you doubting Elder Chen? Do you realize if you said this outside, what kind of impact it could have on the Li family?""

Hearing his grandson’s analysis, Old Master Li’s expression darkened as well.

""Yaoyao, you’ve been getting more and more out of line lately.""

In truth, Old Master Li knew this granddaughter wasn’t particularly talented—otherwise, she wouldn’t just be in the arts troupe.

But he never had high expectations for her anyway.

Since she had no real abilities, she could at least be used for a marriage alliance, bringing benefits to the Li family.

After all, as a member of the Li family, Li Shuyao had enjoyed all the privileges the family provided over the years; it was only right that she contribute in return.

Old Master Li did have some feelings—he’d raised Li Tingxuan himself, so naturally, he cared about him.

But when it came to Li Shuyao, his feelings were minimal.

To be honest, the interests of the Li family were what mattered most to Old Master Li.

Previously, he had high hopes for Sheng Zexi from the Sheng family—after all, Sheng Zexi was a very capable young man.

Even with Sheng Xinhao suppressing him, Sheng Zexi had still managed to rise to the position of deputy regiment commander at a young age, and had been the “King of Soldiers” for several consecutive years, earning numerous honors. That alone showed he was extraordinary.

At the time, Old Master Li thought that if Li Shuyao could marry Sheng Zexi, her life would be set.

That was the last bit of affection and planning he had for this granddaughter.

In fact, he felt that Li Shuyao wasn’t worthy of someone as outstanding as Sheng Zexi.

But unexpectedly, Sheng Zexi married someone else. At first, Old Master Li was displeased—he thought Sheng Zexi was being irrational and not thinking of his own future.

But now, knowing that Sheng Zexi’s wife was the famous Dr. Gu of Beijing, he realized Sheng Zexi was actually very smart.

After all, anyone with eyes would choose Gu Jianing over Li Shuyao.

At the hospital, Sheng Xinhao: Good thing I’m at the hospital and didn’t hear what you just said, or I’d suspect you were calling me blind and brainless!

At this moment, hearing his granddaughter slander Gu Jianing, Old Master Li was even more convinced that this granddaughter was truly foolish.

Thank goodness, at least there was still Li Tingxuan in the family.

And what Li Shuyao had just said—if she’d said it outside, it really would be, as Li Tingxuan said, questioning the authorities and Elder Chen.

After all, Gu Jianing was well-known even among officials, and Elder Chen had a strong reputation and background in Beijing.

If they heard this, Li Shuyao would be in serious trouble, and even the Li family could be affected.

Old Master Li disliked anything or anyone that could harm the Li family.

So this time, he criticized his granddaughter as well.

Li Shuyao hadn’t expected that even after getting hurt, her grandfather and brother would still side with Gu Jianing.

Is that vixen Gu Jianing really that great?!

Li Shuyao was so upset she burst into tears and ran out.

Li Tingxuan watched her back, feeling conflicted.

When it came to this little sister, he never really knew what to say. It seemed like they’d never been able to connect since they were kids, with nothing in common.

But, she was still his sister, so he would try to guide her.

Yet he could clearly sense that Yaoyao didn’t feel close to him as a brother—maybe even…

Li Tingxuan lowered his gaze, hiding his emotions.

Hearing Yaoyao slander Gu Jianing just now had made him so angry he’d scolded her without thinking.

When it came to Gu Jianing, he seemed to lose control of his emotions.

But…

Li Tingxuan glanced at his grandfather, who didn’t seem to notice.

Old Master Li really hadn’t noticed, and even comforted Li Tingxuan, telling him not to spoil Li Shuyao too much. She needed to be disciplined when necessary; if they didn’t teach her at home and she caused trouble outside, it could bring disaster to the Li family.

""Grandpa, I understand.""

But…

Li Tingxuan thought, he’d be leaving for the Northwest Military District soon, so he wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on Li Shuyao for much longer.

In fact, he could have gone to the Northwest Military District long ago.

He hadn’t gone yet because of a certain mission.

In his dreams, in his previous two lifetimes, he’d participated in this mission, and he and his comrades had all met tragic ends.

That was also how he developed his PTSD.

Now, although he’d requested a transfer to the Northwest Military District, this mission hadn’t been assigned to him.

But Li Tingxuan couldn’t just ignore it.

If he did, wouldn’t his comrades end up with the same fate as in his dreams?

He didn’t want that.

Those were his closest brothers-in-arms—they all had families, loved ones, children.

So, if possible, Li Tingxuan wanted to do everything he could to keep them alive.

Lately, he’d been analyzing the reasons for the mission’s failure in his dreams.

He’d concluded: there was a traitor.

A spy had infiltrated and leaked secrets.

He’d been investigating recently, but hadn’t found any concrete leads yet.

Li Tingxuan knew he had to hurry—he had to catch this hidden rat before he left for the Northwest Military District.

Otherwise, even if he went, he wouldn’t have a moment’s peace."