"Father, don't look at Lie Feng, it was my own idea." Xiang Wan drew Li Yuanwai's gaze back to her. "Last night I had a dream, a dream about our old days. Back then, Father, you were still young, and Mother was still with us. We were a happy family. But Mother was gone in the blink of an eye, and no matter how much I cried and called, she didn't come back. When I was little, Father, you always said that Mother went to another world to enjoy life. But I don't understand, why does enjoying life mean going to another world? Wouldn't it be better to stay here with us?"

Father, you were always afraid something would happen to me, so you wouldn't let me go out or get involved in anything at home. I thought that as long as I behaved well, Mother would always come back. Until last night, I suddenly woke up with a start. Staying under your wing like this, what if one day something happened to you, Father, and I was left all alone? What would I do then?

I know my father and mother are worried about me, but I can't keep pretending that I haven't grown up. I want my mother to be proud of me, and I want to do something for my father. I don't want to take all of this for granted anymore.

Father, it's understandable that you're worried I won't survive this ordeal at sixteen. But in this life, there's no reason not to do something just because you're afraid. Everyone is destined to die sooner or later; does that mean we should live in constant anxiety and waste our lives? I've thought it through. What's coming can't be avoided. We'll face it head-on, and at least I need to be able to deal with what happens, instead of just running away from it.

"Father, I don't want to have any regrets. I don't want to be someone who only needs your protection. I want to protect you, and everyone in this manor. Please, Father, grant my request!"

A cup of tea was handed to Master Li, and Xiang Wan's resounding words once again brought tears to his eyes.

He was initially worried that Xiang Wan would only rely on the Shi siblings after getting married, but now it seems that he was overthinking it.

"Good, good, my daughter has finally grown up." Master Li took the teacup from Xiang Wan's hand, took two sips, and put it aside. "From now on, you will be in charge of managing the affairs of the manor. If there is anything you don't know, you can ask me. I will also assign you two capable people, and they will help you."

"Thank you, Dad!"

Xiang Wan happily accepted the important task from Master Li, her face beaming with a smile. Father and daughter smiled at each other, and a harmonious atmosphere filled the living room.

Shi Liefeng coughed lightly, breaking the atmosphere between the two, and handed the teacup in his hand to Master Li, saying, "Thanks to Father's care, my brother Yuanyuan and I have a place to stay and can also find jobs in the manor. Father doesn't mind and even married Wan'er to me. I am very grateful and will definitely assist Wan'er in managing the inner household and help Father with affairs in the future. Please have some tea, Father!"

Master Li's smile faded considerably. He looked at Shi Liefeng without speaking or taking the teacup. Xiang Wan thought to herself, "Shi Liefeng's words are so shrewd. She just received Master Li's promise to take over the household management, and he's already trying to seize power. His intentions are as clear as day."

If Master Li hadn't died suddenly in his previous life, someone like Shi Liefeng probably wouldn't have had the chance to take over the Li family mansion.

Xiang Wan tugged at Shi Liefeng's sleeve, took the teacup from his hand, and presented it to Master Li, trying to smooth things over for him: "Father, Liefeng means he will take good care of you with me. You just handed over the management of the Li family to me, and Liefeng is worried that I won't be able to handle it, so he wants to help me. He's been by your side for quite some time now, so it's normal for him to want to help you. If you're still worried, you can let Liefeng study for a while longer, which will lighten your burden, okay, Father?"

Master Li looked at Shi Liefeng with a half-smile, which made Shi Liefeng's forehead sweat a little.

Xiang Wan nudged him with her elbow, and he snapped out of his daze. He quickly wiped his sweat and said to Master Li, "Yes, Wan'er is right. I misspoke just now. Please forgive me, Father!"

“Young man, it’s good to be ambitious, but you must not be rash. Now that you and Wan’er are married and you are the son-in-law of the Li family, it’s not appropriate for you to continue being my follower. How about this, you first familiarize yourself with the various affairs of the mansion with Wan’er and help manage them, and then I will make arrangements for you. What do you think?”

Xiang Wan handed the teacup to Shi Liefeng, gesturing for him to offer tea.

Shi Liefeng's face was a little ugly. He took a deep breath, completely concealing his expression, lowered his head, held the tea above his head, and said, "I will follow Father's arrangements."

"Hmm." Master Li took a sip of tea and then ordered Li Quan to bring over the prepared tea offering. Xiang Wan looked up and saw a pair of mutton-fat jade pendants, carved into the shape of mandarin ducks, which were very exquisite.

"This is a couple. I hope you will live happily ever after and grow old together."

Xiang Wan and Shi Liefeng accepted the mandarin duck jade pendants, thanked them, and stood up.

Breakfast was eaten with Master Li, consisting of steamed buns, white porridge, and some side dishes. Xiang Wan ate with great relish, and Master Li also had a good appetite, drinking two large bowls of porridge. Only Shi Liefeng said he was full after eating just one steamed bun and one bowl of porridge.

The father and daughter knew that Shi Liefeng was in a bad mood, so they made some funny remarks at the table. Shi Liefeng occasionally responded with a few words, and after the meal, he and Xiang Wan returned to their own courtyard.

Xiang Wan thought about it. Although she hadn't expected Master Li to stop letting Shi Liefeng continue working for him that morning, it wouldn't be good if it provoked Shi Liefeng's strong resistance and ended Master Li's life prematurely. She still needed to persuade him, at least to make herself more capable of protecting herself before dealing with him.

"Liefeng, you know my father. He was just too worried about me, afraid I wouldn't be able to manage the Li family. That's why he made up an excuse to keep you by my side so you could help me. It's also because I didn't tell you beforehand that this happened. You won't blame me, will you?"

Shi Liefeng looked at Xiang Wan without saying a word. Xiang Wan knew he hadn't quite grasped the situation yet, so she continued, "Yuanyuan used to help me. I thought with her around, I could finally be a carefree young lady. But you saw what happened last night. Although Yuanyuan is capable, she still lacks experience in some areas. Once she's finished her studies, she can come back to my side, and then you can go help my father. For now, I'm afraid you'll have to make do for now."

Xiang Wan spoke with conviction, and the slight pleading expression on her face finally put Shi Liefeng at ease. He sighed and said, "Wan'er, it's not your fault. Your father-in-law is only doing this for your own good. After all, I'm not his biological son, so it's understandable that he's wary of me."

"Liefeng, you've misunderstood your father, he..."

“I know he’s doing this for the Li family, for this family. I understand, but I’m still a little upset. Don’t worry, since Father has made the arrangements, I will do as he says.”

He spoke so sweetly, as if he were enduring humiliation for her sake, Li Xiangwan. The original owner of this body was probably completely controlled by his tone, ultimately losing both her and her money. Xiangwan wouldn't fall for that.

"That's great! I knew Lie Feng was a real man, and he would never go back on his word."

With such high praise, even if Shi Liefeng was unwilling, he had no choice but to do as she said for the time being.