Li Zixin had expected to see the other party meet a miserable end soon, so he could then gloat. He never imagined that the moment he stepped onto the street, he would encounter the person he had been thinking about. Seeing him surprised Li Zixin; he thought anyone with such a thick skin would never dare to show their face again after the last incident. Yet, here they were, utterly shameless.
Knowing why the man was looking for him, Li Zixin pretended not to notice his presence and strode away, intending to escape his sight. However, Li Zixin's uncle could not allow this. He had waited on Li Zixin's usual path from morning until afternoon to stop him.
Knowing he would be refused entry if he went to his home, he decided to intercept him on the street. With people coming and going, any commotion would attract attention. He didn't care about himself; he was penniless and at his wits' end. Though he had sent away the two people the Li family had given him, he was still considered no different from the young masters of the Li family. The servants in his household were all old and loyal, still thinking of him. They believed he possessed considerable wealth.
Knowing that the man would pester him endlessly if he didn't give up, Li Zixin crossed his arms and looked down at him from a superior position, eager to hear what shameless words he would utter.
"You are my nephew, the only descendant my brother left behind. I am your father's only elder brother. No matter what, we are the closest of kin. Now that I am in trouble, shouldn't you help?" Li Zixin's uncle looked at him with an air of entitlement. He knew he should be more humble when asking for help, but he had always been arrogant in front of Old Master Li. After all, he was his eldest brother. Old Master Li always showed him some consideration and never argued with him. As a result, even now, he couldn't adjust his status and tried to be overbearing in front of Li Zixin.
"Speaking of which, I recall something. We are about to have a new county magistrate. I hear the incoming magistrate is most fair and just. The incompetent magistrate I approached before, who destroyed the evidence of you murdering my parents, is now gone. I have recently gathered another set of evidence. Once the new magistrate takes office, I will present it to him, and then my parents' revenge will be complete." Li Zixin looked at him with meaningful eyes.
Li Zixin's uncle thought the worst outcome of his visit would be that the nephew would refuse to lend him money. He hadn't expected this. He had almost forgotten that he was the one who had murdered his brother's family. He had thought he was in the clear as long as the county magistrate didn't pursue him.
He had heard the news of the county magistrate's death a few days ago, and he knew a new one would be appointed. However, having been away from the county town for a long time, his information was outdated. Even if he knew who the next magistrate would be, he didn't have the money to bribe him.
It was different for his nephew. He was a wealthy merchant in the city, the most well-informed. Perhaps before the new magistrate even took office, they would have already sent him money and established a good relationship. Coupled with the fact that he had the county magistrate as his backing before, his actions hadn't been subtle. A little investigation would reveal that the Li couple was indeed killed by him. Murder is punishable by death. The mere thought of losing his head made him tremble.
"You mustn't do this. I am your only uncle. If I die, you will have no peace even in the afterlife, facing your father. Furthermore, it would tarnish the Li family's reputation to have an uncle who is a murderer. Have you considered how people will view our Li family and you during your future weddings and funerals?"
He knew now that Li Zixin had not forgotten the matter. He would never have come to find him today if he had known. He hadn't expected him to be so ruthless as to send him to prison. Feeling guilty, he unconsciously lowered his stance, trying to dissuade him.
"You don't need to worry about my affairs. You only need to pay for my parents' lives. Originally, I had no intention of troubling you, but since you've come to me, don't blame me for being heartless." Li Zixin looked at him with a dark gaze.
He hadn't blocked him at the entrance of the Li family's mansion but instead on a crowded street. When they were talking, his voice had become somewhat agitated, attracting the attention of passersby. If he wasn't mistaken, the reason the man chose this location was strategic; any disturbance could be exploited to create public pressure.
If it were anyone else, he would have been helpless. But Li Zixin's uncle didn't stop to think about what he had done. He probably still believed he was an elder of the Li family and that asking his nephew for money was a matter of course.
"Fine, I'll leave immediately and never appear before you again. Please, don't be impulsive. Don't ruin the Li family's reputation. Even if your father were alive, he wouldn't approve." Li Zixin's uncle tried to placate him while slowly backing away. Finally, he turned around and ran away frantically.
He wouldn't consider himself to be in the wrong. He would only blame the person who had advised him for misjudging the situation, and that person was his wife, the eldest madam of the Li family. She had always said that Li Zixin was different from his brother and wouldn't show them any leniency, but his wife hadn't believed it.
She kept urging him to try. Now look, he had completely offended the man and might even lose everything. The thought made him feel extremely stifled. He planned to go back and teach her a lesson. Women were too short-sighted.
Li Zixin watched the man's fleeing figure and couldn't help but laugh. Did he really think he could threaten him in this state? It was too naive. When his father was alive, he had considered brotherhood. Furthermore, the Li family was supposed to be inherited by him, but he was incompetent, which led to the management of the family's affairs falling into the hands of their branch. Whenever he came to feign poverty, his father knew the truth and, out of a sense of compensation, would give him some money.
From childhood, Li Zixin had seen his disdainful glances and expressions. He would often show up to extort money. He had long been extremely disgusted with him. Li Zixin didn't go looking for trouble not out of kindness, but because he felt that letting him die easily would be too merciful. He wanted him to lose everything and then struggle in pain and regret before his death. That would be more satisfying.
Li Zixin's uncle returned home dishevelled. His family had already gathered in the living room. Seeing his grim expression, they knew the matter hadn't been resolved. However, they were unwilling to give up and remained there, hoping to learn the final outcome.
"It's all your fault, you shrew, for making me lose face. I told you long ago that Li Zixin is not a good person and won't let us get away with anything. You didn't believe me. Now look, not only did he refuse to lend me money, but he also said he would report me to the authorities." Li Zixin's uncle understood their thoughts immediately and his anger flared.