"Things aren't what you think."
Tang Lei turned around, a slight smile playing on his lips. Li Youran's nervousness and worry made Tang Lei feel valued by her once again.
"I trust you."
After Tang Lei finished speaking, he disappeared into the night, leaving Li Youran alone, as if he had never appeared at all.
“Mother, if you force your way in, it will be trespassing.”
Before Li Youran could process Tang Lei's words, she heard Liu Zhiyuan shouting.
She was in a real bind. Although Liu Zhiyuan was her good friend, it wouldn't be right to keep him at her house indefinitely, since he had run away from home.
"You little rascal, let me tell you, your mother is so worried about you she can't eat or sleep. She never expected you to be having such a good time here. Today I'm going to break your legs, then where do you think you're going to run to!"
As he spoke, Old Master Liu disregarded his image and took off his shoes, grabbing the soles as he went to hit Liu Zhiyuan.
This stunned the Li family members standing nearby. They hadn't expected that the patriarch of a wealthy family would educate his children in the same way, with no difference in methods from those of ordinary families.
"Dad, I'm already so old, can't you give me some face? If you want to beat me, do it at home!"
Liu Zhiyuan's face was full of embarrassment. He had lost so much face in front of Li Youran, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
"Father, this is Miss Li," Liu Zhiyuan said, winking at Master Liu.
As expected of a father and son, Master Liu instantly understood Liu Zhiyuan's meaning, hurriedly put his shoes back on, and resumed his usual serious demeanor.
"So it's Miss Li. My son often mentions you, saying you're a heroine among women."
As he spoke, Mr. Liu stroked his gray beard.
Li Youran was almost stunned by the sudden change in style.
"Hello, Uncle Liu," Li Youran greeted.
"Miss Li, there's no need for such formalities. I am so grateful to you for taking my son in."
When Mr. Liu saw that Li Youran spoke with grace, poise, and humility, he took a liking to him and felt that his son had indeed made a good choice.
Liu Niangzi, who was standing to the side, was so overjoyed at the return of her son that she kept wiping away her tears with her handkerchief.
"They are all friends, and our two families will have many interactions in the future. If there is anything wrong with them, please forgive us."
"Mr. Liu, you flatter me."
Li Dazhu had never dealt with officials before, and seeing how polite Master Liu was, he felt somewhat apprehensive.
"Brother Li, you are mistaken. From now on, we shall address each other as brothers, and there is no need for such formalities."
After saying his piece, Master Liu exchanged a few more pleasantries and, before leaving, bowed to Li Dazhu.
Even after the Liu family had gone far away, Li Dazhu still felt like he was dreaming.
"I never expected that Young Master Liu's father would be so polite. He is an official, yet he treated me, a pancake seller, like a brother and even bowed to me."
Li Dazhu seemed to be in a daze, speaking in a daze.
Li Niangzi, standing to the side, glanced at Li Dazhu with a look of disdain and laughed.
"You old man, do you really not understand, or are you just pretending?"
"This Mr. Liu clearly has his eye on our You Ran and agrees to his son being with her."
Seeing that her parents had misunderstood, Li Youran hurriedly tried to explain. But no matter how she explained, it was no use.
Immediately afterwards, the family got into a heated discussion, and even started talking about the dowry.
Helpless, Li Youran went out alone to clear her head, deciding to ignore all their advice.
Just as I reached the entrance of the alley, I ran into Tian Alang.
When Tian Alang saw Li Youran walking towards him, he tried to dodge, but it was too late.
"Leisurely..."
"Oh, it's Ah Lang! What brings you here?"
Li Youran did not expect to run into Tian Alang here; it was obvious that Tian Alang was looking for her.
Li Youran's first thought was that Tian Alang was facing financial difficulties.
"But you're short on cash?" Li Youran said, reaching for her purse.
Although she had broken up with Tian Niangzi, Tian Alang was indeed a good person. Li Youran never thought that she would dislike Tian Alang because of Tian Niangzi.
"I have money."
Seeing that Li Youran was looking at him with disbelief, Tian Alang continued.
"Someone took a liking to my calligraphy and bought it at a high price."
After saying that, Tian Alang took out a letter from his pocket and stuffed it haphazardly into Li Youran's hand.
"This is for you."
Immediately afterwards, Tian Alang ran away and disappeared at the end of the alley.
"This child..."
Li Youran shook his head and smiled bitterly.
He opened the envelope in his hand; inside was a letter and a silver note.
Under the moonlight, Li Youran looked at the letter.
This is a poem written by Tian Alang, in which he expresses his love for Li Youran and his willingness to work hard for her.
A fifty-tael silver note—Li Youran had no idea how Tian Alang had earned that much money.
Li Youran put the letter away and back into the envelope. She didn't know how to refuse Tian Alang; she couldn't bear to hurt this beautiful and pure feeling.
"You mean that fair-skinned girl is the one our son likes?"
Back at the Liu residence, while Liu Zhiyuan was away, Master Liu began to talk about Li Youran.
"Keep your voice down, don't let our son know that I told you about this."
"I'm his mother, why should I tell you and not me?"
Liu Niangzi looked at Liu Laoye with dissatisfaction. Why didn't her son tell her about this first, but instead told that old geezer?
"With you forcing him to go to Zhao Lanshan every day, how could he possibly tell you about this?" Master Liu said with a sneer.
This time, Master Liu really turned the tables. Usually, his son would side with Madam Liu, but this time his son told him the secret first. This is something he can brag about for years to come.
"I mistakenly thought our son was disabled..."
Lady Liu stopped speaking halfway through, feeling it was an unlucky omen.
"Sir, what do you think? Do we agree to this marriage or not?"
Madam Liu had no problem with Li Youran, but she felt that his social status was a bit too low.
"With our son's temper, he's as stubborn as a mule. Even if you and I have disagreements, what's the use?"
Old Master Liu pursed his lips.
"Fortunately, our son has good taste. That girl is intelligent and her behavior doesn't seem like that of someone from a poor family."
Master Liu also liked Li Youran very much, but if the marriage went according to his son's wishes, the Liu family's future would not be so easy.
"Fine, a son is beyond his mother's control when he grows up, let him be."
Lady Liu closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said.
"Please calm down, Miss. Why debase yourself for that little slut?"
Despite the maid's attempts to dissuade her, Zhao Lanshan smashed another cup.
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