Free Web NovelChapter 273: Chapter 273: Li Wan Can Speak
Li Wan’s condition improved rapidly over the course of a week, giving Li Fenghuo enough time to dig up some information.
The easiest part to investigate was the life of Li Wan’s family of three in the Northeast over the past years. Since Li Huan and Su Qing knew each other, Li Fenghuo sent people to Su Qing’s address to investigate discreetly. One by one, the facts emerged, and many of them starkly contradicted Li Aiguo’s claims. Li Fenghuo’s eyes turned red with fury, especially when he learned of the grievances and torment Su Qing had suffered under the Old Su Family all these years, without any parental protection.
The investigation in Jia City, on the other hand, was not as smooth, thanks to Li Aiguo’s deliberate concealment. Still, it wasn’t entirely fruitless. For one thing, when they secretly showed a photo of a young Mrs. Li to people who knew the Li family, someone recognized that the person in the photo looked a lot like Li Wan.
Even though they hadn’t uncovered everything yet, the truth was all but laid bare. The Jiacheng Li Family had likely been scheming from the very start, swapping Li Wan’s and Li Yuan’s names so they could one day pull off this ’switched-at-birth’ plot.
And worse, they had actually succeeded. The deception had lasted for nearly twenty years.
Mrs. Li slapped her thigh in anger. "My poor daughter, bullied by them like this! Have those people no conscience? We left them plenty of things and money back then."
Li Fenghuo said in a heavy tone, "In the end, they planned to steal my sister’s life from the very beginning."
"Exactly," Shang Yuqi fumed. "They swapped our sister’s name with their own biological daughter’s back then. If we hadn’t gone looking, they wouldn’t have lost much. But if we did, they could take full advantage and naturally steal her life away."
"That’s not all, they also wanted to ruin Auntie!" Since Li Huan knew the whole story, they didn’t hide the findings from her. At this moment, Li Huan was filled with righteous anger. "And my cousin, too! They’re so ruthless! Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, we can’t let them off easy. Think of how much Auntie and my cousin have suffered all these years."
Although they hadn’t formally acknowledged their relationship with Su Qing yet, in Li Huan’s heart, Su Qing was already her cousin.
"We absolutely will not let this go," Mr. Li said, seething. He rapped his cane on the floor. "We’ve found out most of it now. Even if they refuse to admit it, we can’t let them off easy."
After speaking, Mr. Li looked at Mrs. Li. "So... shall we go to the hospital to see our daughter today?"
For the past few days, Mr. Li had been wanting to visit Li Wan and Su Qing at the hospital, but Mrs. Li had stopped him, afraid of tipping their hand. Now that the investigation was mostly complete, Mr. Li couldn’t hold back any longer. That was his only daughter, after all.
Mrs. Li glared at Mr. Li. "Hmph. You’re the one who spent all this time treating a fake as your real daughter."
Mr. Li gave a sheepish smile. ’It’s not like I could have known.’
Li Fenghuo and his family also looked awkward. Come to think of it, throughout the entire Li family, only Mrs. Li had ever been cold and distant toward Li Yuan.
Li Fenghuo asked curiously, "Mom, you know, none of us suspected Li Yuan was a fake all these years. I always thought you were distant with her because our sister hadn’t grown up with you, and that’s why you never really warmed up to her."
Mrs. Li said, "I don’t know why. I just could never bring myself to like her all these years."
Shang Yuqi added, "They say a mother’s heart is connected to her child’s. Mom was so emotional when she saw her real daughter that day."
Hearing Shang Yuqi mention Li Wan, Mr. Li couldn’t sit still any longer. "Quickly, quickly, let’s go to the hospital now."
"Okay." With no objections, the group immediately hurried to the hospital.
Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Gu Xinsheng was excitedly talking to Li Wan. Nearby, Su Qing smiled as she peeled an apple. Gu Xinsheng had arranged for the apples; fruit was a rarity in this day and age, but for someone of his status, it was relatively easy to obtain.
"Uncle Gu, have an apple." Su Qing handed Gu Xinsheng a peeled apple before picking up a plate from the table and slowly feeding the sliced pieces to Li Wan.
Li Wan’s condition was much better now. Though she still didn’t recognize people well, she was very affectionate with Gu Xinsheng and Su Qing. She even smiled at Su Qing while eating the apple she was being fed.
Gu Xinsheng was ecstatic. "Xiao Qing, your mother smiled!"
"She did!" Su Qing was also overjoyed. She spoke gently to Li Wan, "Mom, I’m your daughter, Su Qing."
"Su... Qing..." Li Wan suddenly spoke Su Qing’s name, her voice strained.
Gu Xinsheng and Su Qing were both pleasantly surprised. Gu Xinsheng quickly pointed to himself and said to Li Wan, "Xiao Wan, I’m Gu Xinsheng."
"Xin... sheng..." It seemed Li Wan could only manage two syllables, forcing them out one at a time, but it was more than enough to make Gu Xinsheng and Su Qing ecstatic.
Gu Xinsheng said happily to Su Qing, "Xiao Qing, your mother’s talking! She’s finally talking!"
Su Qing nodded happily.
Yes!
Li Wan had finally spoken. Previously, even when awake, she hadn’t recognized anyone, much less said a word. When startled, she would only let out cries of "Ah... ah... ah..."
"I’ll get the doctor. I’ll get Doctor Huo," Gu Xinsheng said, standing up in his excitement and rushing out of the room.
Su Qing smiled at Li Wan and secretly sent another stream of green mist into her. She whispered, "Mom, you’re going to be all better soon."
Li Wan smiled back at Su Qing. "Su... Qing..."
"Yes," Su Qing replied with a smiling nod.
And it was this exact scene—the mother and daughter smiling at each other—that Mrs. Li and the others happened to see when they arrived outside the hospital room.
Mrs. Li immediately covered her mouth and burst into tears.
"Mom." Shang Yuqi, knowing her mother-in-law was overcome with emotion, quickly supported her and tried to comfort her gently.
Hearing the sound, Su Qing turned and, seeing the Li family, invited them into the room.
Mrs. Li and Mr. Li couldn’t be bothered with anything else, their eyes fixed hungrily on Li Wan.
But Li Wan didn’t know these members of the Li family. Her smile vanished, and she shrank back in fear, reaching out a hand toward Su Qing.
Su Qing quickly went to her side. Li Wan immediately leaned against her, her face a mask of caution as she watched the Li family.
Seeing how much of a stranger she was to Li Wan, Mrs. Li felt her heart ache as if pierced by a knife, and her tears began to fall again. "Xiao Wan, it’s me, your mother."
"I... I’m your father," Mr. Li added quickly in a hushed voice, as if afraid of startling Li Wan.
Li Fenghuo and his family also watched Li Wan with earnest, hopeful eyes.
Li Wan still seemed frightened. She glanced at the Li family, then pressed her lips together and buried her face in Su Qing’s embrace without a sound.
This gesture made the members of the Li family grind their teeth in even deeper hatred for the Jiacheng Li Family.
