As soon as those words were spoken, the crowd erupted!
"Why would you go to such extremes? Young one, you can't just spout nonsense! This is a matter of life and death, it's against the law!" Auntie No. 1 said.
"Exactly, if this is true, then Li Ke will have to go to jail. You better not speak carelessly," Auntie No. 2 added.
"Stop saying that," Auntie No. 3 said weakly: "We don't even know if it's true or not, don't shout recklessly!"
Xinxin listened and sneered: "True or false? The big pit at the village entrance is still there on the road. If she hadn't dug up the road, my brother might not have come back! If you don't believe it, see for yourselves."
"Oh, that big pit was dug by someone? I thought it opened up from the rain! Almost fell into it yesterday. It's too deep!" said Auntie No. 2.
"But...," Auntie No. 1 whispered: "No matter what, you can't dig a pit to harm people, the child is still young..."
"If you took it, just give it back, it's not easy to get into college!" Auntie No. 2 said: "This girl has no dad, and her family is poor. You can't leave the whole family without hope!"
"What does her having hope have to do with me? Or you?" Li Ke shouted at Auntie No. 2: "I didn't take it..."
"Why are you talking like this, speak properly!" Auntie No. 3 said: "Your aunt is speaking up for you, don't you know what's good for you!"
Li Ke saw the aunties weren't siding with her, and she turned her head and yelled: "Dad—"
Seeing she was unmoved, Xinxin reached out her hand again and said in a deep voice: "I'll give you one more chance, hand it over!"
"Can you even trust a child's words? Just because he said I took it, you believe it?" Li Ke was still being stubborn: "Dad, I really didn't take her acceptance letter."
"If you didn't take it, then take out your acceptance letter and show everyone! Does it have the name Tian Xin on it?"
"My acceptance letter is mine, if you didn't pass, how could I have taken yours?"
"You keep saying the acceptance letter is yours, yet you're unwilling to show it. Is there something hidden in your heart you're afraid for everyone to see?"
These few exchanges stirred the crowd. Seeing Xinxin's firm stance, people began to whisper among themselves, pointing at Li Ke. Li Xiangli's face was a bit embarrassed, and he turned to Li Ke and said: "Li Ke, go get your acceptance letter and show it to everyone!"
Li Ke didn't move: "Dad, why believe her, I didn't take it."
"Go quickly!" Li Xiangli shouted angrily.
"Dad!" Li Ke cried out: "Why don't you believe me, who is really your daughter?"
Li Xiangli didn't respond to her and once again, with a cold face, shouted loudly: "Go quickly!"
This shout was very loud, and everyone around was frightened, Li Ke sat crying on the chair, wiping her tears continually.
"Go get it, child, why so stubborn?" Auntie No. 2 said: "It won't hurt to take a look, will it?"
"Exactly, Li Family!" Auntie No. 3 said: "Quickly tell the child to take it out for Xinxin to see, and the matter will be settled!"
"Yeah, yeah..."
"This doesn't make sense..."
The voices of the crowd grew louder and louder, and Li Xiangli was infuriated, shouting loudly: "Go quickly—"
"I won't go—" Li Ke cried out: "How could I have such a dad, why don't you believe me..."
"Your dad told you to take it, so just go take it, why wail here, go quickly..." Li Ke's mother pulled her daughter and whispered: "Everyone is watching, save some face for your dad! Go quickly!"
Face?
Haha!
Li Ke looked at the parents in front of her and suddenly laughed through her tears: "These are my good parents... haha... am I really that lowly? You'd rather believe an outsider than me! Face? What's the worth of face?" She shouted madly: "I'm your biological daughter, not a tool for you to boast about..."
"Shut up!" Li Xiangli reached out and slapped Li Ke: "Go quickly!"
Li Ke had just been hit by Xinxin, and now half of her face quickly swelled up. She held her face sitting on the bench, and laughed weakly: "I truly am doomed, why did you give birth to me? If I'd known living was so hard, you should've snuffed me out early, why treat me like this! Why?"
"How can you talk to your parents like that, child!"
"Exactly, how much effort could it take to get the acceptance letter?"
"I didn't take it!" Li Ke shouted hysterically: "I didn't, I didn't, I didn't..."
Crazy!
This kid's gone mad!
This was the expression on everyone's face.
Xinxin turned her back, and said in a deep voice: "Since you're unwilling to take it out, then forget it! But, don't regret it later!"
Li Ke didn't say anything, powerlessly slumping onto the bench, her face hugely swollen. Her dad watched as people at the table looked at him, grabbed her, and pulled her towards the room.