Chapter 148

　Struggle?

　　What can we use to fight for it?

　　Ouyang Yingliang is a man of some talent and artistic sensibility. You can tell just by looking at the various traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings, and calligraphy hanging in his room, and the bookshelves that are overflowing with books.

　　While he was out of favor in the Ouyang family, Ouyang Yingliang was a well-known young talent in the art world.

　　His erudition, his refinement, and his paintings are all widely recognized in the art world.

　　Many people are overjoyed to acquire a piece of Ouyang Yingliang’s calligraphy.

　　This is Ouyang Wudi’s eldest son, a seemingly weak and incompetent artistic man who has no desire for power or money.

　　However, without the support of the Ouyang family’s substantial wealth, Ouyang Yingliang would not have achieved what he has today.

　　His wife, Li Shishi, fell in love with this talented man with a refined air at a poetry reading.

　　Before her marriage, Li Shishi was a well-known socialite in Linhai. It wasn’t that she was promiscuous, but no one dared to actually have a sexual relationship with her.

　　Instead, it was the young talents and high-ranking officials she knew who frequented her high-end parties and dances.

　　Moreover, Li Shishi also holds a place in the music industry. She is a pianist with the Linhai City Music and Drama Troupe and the last disciple of Lang Kong, a nationally renowned musical prodigy.

　　An artistic youth and a musical prodigy, they were a perfect match, a match made in heaven.

　　The two went from meeting to falling in love to sleeping together in just one night.

　　Then, they got married under the auspices of Ouyang Wudi.

　　That night, another person was conceived, and he was later named Ouyang Yu.

　　From then on, Li Shishi completely withdrew from the music and social circles, devoting herself to being a wife and mother. Rumors about Li Shishi still circulated, but she was never seen in person again.

　　At this moment, Li Shishi held Ouyang Yingliang tightly, but felt a sharp pain in her heart.

　　She is already in her fifties and well past the age of childbearing.

　　She was heartbroken and regretted not having left more children for her husband.

　　She still felt a strong sense of resentment.

　　The husband had never desired any power within the family, yet those people still pressured him.

　　She even mocked and teased her husband.

　　If it weren’t for the fact that Ouyang Wudi was still around, they probably would have kicked them out of the house long ago.

　　Therefore, she wanted to give it a shot.

　　How can she fight for it?

　　Because her name is Li Shishi.

　　Ouyang Yingliang turned around and pulled Li Shishi into his arms.

　　He gently patted her back, choking back tears, and said, “Shishi, you know I have no desire for power. Now that Yu’er is gone, what’s the point of us fighting for a position? Besides, what do we have to fight for it with?”

　　Yes, as the most incompetent member of the Ouyang family, what makes him think he can compete with those cunning old foxes?

　　He only wished to create a few paintings that would be remembered for generations to come, and to live a peaceful life with Li Shishi. That would be enough for him.

　　”Yingliang, have you forgotten? My name is Li Shishi.” Li Shishi said, her voice choked with emotion.

　　Ouyang Yingliang’s face suddenly turned very pale, and he also had a kind of inexplicable fear.

　　He reached out and wiped away Li Shishi’s tears, saying painfully, “Shishi, you’ve already done so much for me. I don’t want you to suffer anymore. It breaks my heart to see you like this.”

　　Li Shishi buried her head deeply in Ouyang Yingliang’s arms. Over the years, they had loved each other dearly and had never even quarreled.

　　She also understood that her husband loved her deeply, and so did she.

　　That’s why she wanted to fight for what rightfully belonged to her husband.

　　“Yingliang, these originally belonged to Yu’er; we’re just taking them back.”

　　Li Shishi bit her lip, and her tone gradually calmed down: “If we don’t fight back, what if the second brother and his gang gain power and kick us out of the house?”

　　Ouyang Yingliang trembled slightly, but said somewhat hesitantly, “Impossible, impossible… I was so good to Yingke when we were little, he wouldn’t kick us out…”

　　But as he spoke, his voice grew softer and softer. What Ouyang Yingke had done to him when he grew up had deeply hurt him, and now he was just seeking some psychological comfort.

　　”wild ambition.”

　　Li Shishi’s tone had turned icy cold.

　　In many ways, Li Shishi was much more assertive and opinionated than Ouyang Yingliang.

　　If it weren’t for Li Shishi, Ouyang Yingliang’s life would probably be even more difficult.

　　“I’ve already called my brother,” Li Shishi continued.

　　Ouyang Yingliang’s expression changed slightly; he wanted to speak, but ultimately remained silent.

　　Thirty years ago, when Li Shishi married Ouyang Yingliang, her older brother Li Bing was just a young man in his early twenties. Who would have thought that twenty years later, he would become the current head of the Li family?

　　Among the seven major families in Linhai City, the Li family ranks fourth, second only to the Ouyang family.

　　However, the way Ouyang Yingliang and Li Shishi slept together back then was a bit incongruous, and their families hastily arranged the marriage, which led to a subtle conflict between the Ouyang and Li families.

　　Li Shishi’s father was unwilling to acknowledge Ouyang Yingliang as his son-in-law. Therefore, Li Shishi’s contact with her family gradually decreased. Over the years, many people have forgotten Li Shishi’s identity.

　　But no matter what, Li Shishi is a member of the Li family. Her eldest brother has become the current head of the family.

　　”But… even with my brother’s support, we still can’t fight them.”

　　Ouyang Yingliang shook his head helplessly.

　　He knew in his heart how much effort Li Shishi had put into this matter.

　　She did not acknowledge her family for twenty years until her closest brother became the head of the family, at which point they gradually reconnected.

　　But so many years have passed. Would Li Bing be willing to help his brother-in-law?

　　Moreover, this involves the future interests and development of the two families. Li Bing is now the head of the Li family, not just Li Shishi’s older brother.

　　“Have you forgotten that we also have a daughter-in-law named Lin Meixin?” Li Shishi continued.

　　Ouyang Yingliang sighed silently. This daughter-in-law, in name only, Ouyang Yu had never treated her seriously. Now that his son was gone, was she still his daughter-in-law?

　　The Lin family, though just an ordinary family, couldn’t even be considered one of the seven great families.

　　However, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; the Lin family used to be quite powerful.

　　If the Lin family also stands up to support Ouyang Yingliang, wouldn’t their strength be even greater?

　　Seeing her husband remain silent, Li Shishi sighed softly. She knew that was just his personality—indifferent to everything, content with whatever came her way. But sometimes, you have to fight for what you deserve.

　　So, she steeled herself and said, “Let’s go see our daughter-in-law.”

　　Ouyang Yingliang sighed deeply. Since Li Shishi had made her decision, could he possibly object?

　　As the two prepared to meet Lin Meixin, the Ouyang family welcomed another guest: Yun Hongsheng. However, he arrived at the Ouyang family quietly and was led into Ouyang Wudi’s bedroom by the butler.

　　Just then, Ye Fan, who was about to finish class, suddenly received a text message on his phone: I’ll pick you up after school this afternoon. I want to… eat you.

　　The text message was sent by Lin Meixin.