The Little Brat's Sweet And Sassy Chapter 1

Lincheng.

Late summer had arrived, bringing with it dark, brooding clouds that hung heavily over the terrain. A thick, humid stillness clung to the air.

Because the coffee house was entirely vacant, business was suffering.

A slender, pallid figure stood stationed behind the counter.

Pale yellow light bathed her in a glow that mimicked moonlight, casting soft shadows across her form.

Her head remained bowed, with strands of hair veiling her face. Beneath them, one could just barely discern the silhouette of her straight nose and eyelashes, which were as dark as a crow’s plumage.

Though her skin possessed a alabaster, silky quality that looked slightly pale, it was miraculously smooth, radiating a faint luminescence.

As soon as she finished tidying the tableware, a person with a round, baby-like face approached her.

“Little Li, is it true you’re heading out tomorrow?”

Ning Li offered a soft, affirmative nod.

“Yeah.”

“I suppose it’ll be tough for us to cross paths again then…”

The companion sighed, struggling to find the right words.

Everyone in their circle understood that Ning Li had been raised by her grandmother since infancy.

Tragically, her grandmother had passed away from a sudden heart attack just two weeks prior.

Consequently, custody had been transferred to her mother.

It was a secret to most that her mother remained alive, let alone that she had married into a wealthy family. Furthermore, her mother resided in Yunzhou, a city only an hour removed from Lincheng.

“Your mother must have missed you terribly after all those years apart,” the companion commented softly.

Suddenly, Ning Li checked her movements and glanced up.

She possessed a pair of striking, almond-shaped eyes; their inner corners were sharp, while the outer corners possessed a subtle upward tilt. Her gaze appeared pure and lucid. The pupils were deep, dark, and reminiscent of the night, imbuing her expression with a faint chill.

Ning Li curled her lips, light shimmering within the depths of her eyes. She answered in a gentle tone, “Perhaps.”

If her mother had genuinely cared, even a fraction, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to avoid her all those years.

Her father, Ning Haizhou, had been an ordinary man from an unremarkable background. Using little more than his handsome face, he had managed to persuade Su Yuan into a marriage.

The union, however, offered no longevity. After they wed, Ning Haizhou proved to be jobless and lacked any shred of ambition. Unable to tolerate such a dismal existence, Su Yuan filed for divorce and abandoned the household when Ning Li was only six.

Within a month of Su Yuan’s departure, Ning Haizhou was sentenced to life in prison following a drunk-driving hit-and-run accident that claimed a life.

From that day forward, it was just Ning Li and her grandmother.

Had her grandmother not passed away so abruptly, Ning Li suspected she never would have crossed paths with Su Yuan again.

Certainly, no one would desire the burden that was Ning Li.

Every soul knew the reason why. Yet, in her former existence, Ning Li had foolishly craved the warmth and love of her family. Being naive had cost her everything; she was disfigured, shamed, and her reputation dragged through the mud. Ultimately, she spent a year confined in a sanatorium, where she finally met her end.

However, upon waking, Ning Li discovered she had been returned to her seventeen-year-old self.

Fortunately, the story was only just beginning.

…

The companion looked taken aback.

In the past, Ning Li would have been ecstatic discussing such matters, but…

For some inexplicable reason, Ning Li had undergone a subtle transformation ever since she suffered that high fever three days ago.

Suddenly, Ning Li’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

She withdrew the device to find a string of numbers originating from Yunzhou.

Her gaze lingered briefly. Ning Li then rejected the call and shifted her phone to silent mode.

The companion asked with curiosity, “Who was that?”

Ning Li dismissed the query casually, “No idea. Probably a spam call.”

The companion nodded before heading to the locker room to change clothes.

Though scheduled for the night shift, the coworker had encountered family troubles. Ning Li had volunteered for the shift, much to the colleague’s relief.

“I’m heading out now, Ning Li! Take care on your way home later.”

Ning Li smiled and offered a small wave in farewell.

…

The sky grew progressively inkier.

Rumbles of thunder echoed as the rain began to fall.

Ning Li had already pulled two additional hours at the shop, the clock now signaling 10:00 p.m.

Perched on a stool, she busied herself tearing off sticky notes and scribbling messages.

Abruptly, the sharp sound of a car horn pierced the atmosphere outside.

Lifting her head, Ning Li glanced out to see a black Cayenne parked in front of the establishment.

She sat upright with measured grace.

The driver stepped out, opened an umbrella, and strode toward the rear passenger door.

A well-dressed woman emerged from the vehicle and made her way into the café.

Even in the play of light and shadow, it was evident that the lady maintained her complexion with meticulous care.

Yet, her current expression was sour.

The woman offered a scowl as she regarded Ning Li. While she had inspected photographs of her daughter before, this marked their first official reunion after a decade and one.

The young woman before her was clad in a simple black T-shirt, which occasionally showcased her elegant collarbone. Smoke-gray skinny jeans hugged her long, straight legs.

She was breathtaking, radiating a languid, carefree aura from her eyes.

The driver, Zhou Hua, remained to the side, casting a look of disdain at Ning Li.

Ning Li had made no move to rise or extend a welcome, even after the arrival of her guest. Her entire demeanor emanated a striking indifference.

Was this any way to address one’s own mother?

What an ungrateful brat!

Su Yuan perceived the slight, her face darkening in response.

After a brief hesitation, Su Yuan attempted to speak in a softer voice, “Ning Li, I stopped by your school today. Mr. Zhang mentioned you haven't been attending classes. You aren't going to school? Why are you wasting your time here?”

Su Yuan had only tracked this location down after significant questioning; it had been a tiresome search.

Ning Li recapped her pen and replied with calm composure, “I’ve been battling a fever for the last three days; I only felt better today. Moreover, I’ve taken on debt due to my grandmother’s funeral expenses. I came here to work so I could pay it off.”

Su Yuan felt the words catch in her throat.

“I attempted to call you several times just now. Why didn’t you answer?”

Ning Li furrowed her brows slightly, checking her screen. Indeed, several missed calls sat in the notification log, and she murmured in surprise, “Ah. I assumed it was a scam call.”

She had, of course, never saved Su Yuan’s number.

Su Yuan closed her eyes for a moment.

In the past, she never dreamed she would return to Lincheng after severing all ties to the place.

Her previous marriage and the daughter born of it—these were components of a life she wished to bury.

The Ye family was a prominent, distinguished house in Yunzhou. Su Yuan had expended immense energy securing her footing within their ranks.

She had finally succeeded in having Ye Ming’s daughter, Ye Ci, acknowledge her, and she had given birth to a son, Ye Cheng. Just as Su Yuan believed she could finally savor her life, the unexpected emergence of Ning Li threatened to ruin it.

Truthfully, Su Yuan wanted nothing to do with this situation, but she was trapped.

Seeing Ning Li only unearthed painful memories she wished to keep suppressed. Consequently, she found it impossible to bridge the distance between them.

“None of that matters anymore. Pack your belongings and prepare to return with me to Yunzhou tonight.”

Su Yuan’s tone was absolute. She turned to leave immediately after delivering her mandate.

“I can’t finish packing tonight,” Ning Li countered, “so I cannot depart yet.”

Su Yuan swung around, her tone laced with impatience, “What could you possibly need to pack from this hovel? Everything is provided for you in Yunzhou, you—”

“I’ve never had the habit of using other people’s things,” Ning Li interrupted.

Su Yuan felt a tremor of frustration.

She had promised Ye Ming her return by the evening. Were it not for Ning Li, she never would have allowed this situation to drag on.

Splash!

The rain poured down with greater intensity.

Zhou Hua’s expression shifted after a quick glance at his phone.

“Madam, the highway toward Yunzhou has been closed due to the severity of the rainfall.”

“What?” Su Yuan froze in disbelief.

They might be effectively stranded for the evening.

Ning Li rested her cheek on her palm.

Her packing was largely complete anyway; she simply had no desire to travel in the dead of night.

On this exact night in her previous existence, Yunzhou had suffered a torrential downpour. Dozens of vehicles had been involved in a massive pile-up on the highway, resulting in three deaths and seven grave injuries.

Ning Li had been among those victims.

While Zhou Hua and Su Yuan managed to escape with relatively minor injuries, Ning Li’s right arm had been shattered, requiring a three-month recovery period.

Crucially, her right arm had sustained permanent partial loss of function following that collision.

Back then, Ning Li had suspected a mechanical issue with the car and intended to investigate it. However, she was told the carcass of the vehicle had already been junked, leaving her no way to uncover the truth.

With a second chance, Ning Li was not about to repeat the same error.

Given the change in circumstances, Su Yuan adjusted her plans: “Then, I will call home and inform them of our delay. Zhou Hua, arrange for us to stay at a hotel.”

“Understood.”

Ning Li spoke up, “I’ll be staying here in my own home.”

Su Yuan glowered as she glanced at Ning Li while placing her call.

There was little more she could say since the girl was adamant. Regardless, she had no intention of setting foot in this wretched place a second time.

Su Yuan rearranged her scarf and commanded, “Zhou Hua, drop her off.”

…

Half an hour later, the black Cayenne navigated into a section of the old town.

In the intervening years, the eastern side of Lincheng had flourished due to its proximity to Yunzhou.

Conversely, the western side remained neglected and dilapidated.

The car finally groaned to a halt before a narrow alleyway.

The precipitation had eased to a light drizzle. Within the dim orange glow of the streetlights, potholes scarred the narrow road, and the surrounding structures appeared patchy and crumbling.

Su Yuan diverted her gaze, unable to hide her look of utter distaste.

She remained seated inside the vehicle.

“I’ll be here tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. sharp.”

Ning Li picked up her black backpack, exited the vehicle with fluid ease, and departed.

Cloaked by the darkness, Ning Li clutched her umbrella in one hand. Her frame was slender and slight, yet she walked with a gait that was upright and imbued with pride.

…

A white vehicle glided past them.

Cheng Xiyue was at the wheel, asking idly, “I truly can’t fathom what is so alluring about this pathetic Lincheng to merit your monthly visits? You come all this way just to drift through these streets aimlessly. It’s been nearly a year. Do you genuinely view me as your personal chauffeur?”

In the passenger seat, a man turned his head to scan the window.

His complexion was fair, and dark hair fell over his brow. The transition from his brow ridge to his nose possessed a flawless curve. Even his jawline appeared sharp and cleanly defined.

The man donned a black suit, two buttons left undone at the collar to reveal a striking, masculine throat.

The monochrome interplay of black and white was vivid yet blended with seamless elegance.

Though his posture remained slouching and idle, his eyes held a cold, detached indifference.

He finally spoke, his voice registers deeper and hoarse from a lack of rest the night before.

“It’s fine.”

Cheng Xiyue muttered, “…”

The man was undoubtedly handsome, yet it remained a mystery who could possibly tolerate his eccentricity.

Cheng Xiyue cleared his throat, recalling Elder Master Lu’s directives, and said, “Hear me out. This is not the appropriate way to handle things. It has been an entire year. You really ought to consult a professional…”

Before he finished his lecture, Cheng Xiyue realized the man had sat perfectly still, his eyes fixed on something outside.

Switching his gaze, he spotted a familiar license plate.

“Oh? Isn't that the Ye family’s vehicle? Look at that, it seems they really did trek out here to retrieve their young lady.”

Lu Huaiyu rested his sight on the figure within the dark alley. It took him a brief moment before he reacted.

“The Ye family?”

Cheng Xiyue offered a shrug.

“Ye Ming’s current wife has a daughter from a previous marriage. The girl was left on her own, and the Ye family decided to bring her into the fold. Not that I expect her life to become any more blissful.”

Lu Huaiyu pondered this for a long moment before posing a sudden question, “Old Master Cheng is celebrating his seventieth birthday in a few days. Has the Ye family been invited?”

Cheng Xiyue shook his head. “Negative.”

“Then, I shall extend an invitation to them alongside you tomorrow.”

Cheng Xiyue jerked the steering wheel, turning to gaze at Lu Huaiyu with utter disbelief.

“It’s just the Ye family. Wait a heartbeat—don’t tell me you’ve taken an interest in that young lady?”

Half his face was swallowed by shadow as they passed a streetlamp, catching a flicker of intense light in the depths of his eyes.

Lu Huaiyu chuckled, a low, soft sound.

“Didn’t you mention that she has no one looking after her?”