Chapter 47 Arguing
Wu Jinxiu's gaze swept across Xie Ling's face before landing on Lian Yi's face. She smiled and said, "Next Wednesday is Grandpa's birthday. Your father, uncle, and aunt are preparing to throw a birthday banquet for him."
"Okay, I'll be there."
"...Your father and I both hope that you and Yiyu can keep each other company. This is also what your Uncle Gu wants. Yiyu doesn't have many female friends. After all, you've been friends since childhood, so it would be good for you to keep each other company."
Lian Yi smiled and said, "Gu Yiyu doesn't have any female friends? What does that have to do with me? Who does he think he is? He just asks me to keep him company when he needs someone."
What kind of attitude is this?
Lian Decheng put down his teacup with a slightly heavy motion and said in a deep voice, "I've always let you do whatever you want before, but this is your grandfather's birthday banquet. Are you going to make a scene and embarrass him?!"
"Dad, don't use Grandpa to pressure me. If it really comes down to it, I'll call Grandpa right now and ask him if this is really his idea, or if you matchmakers are just too obsessed to resist and insist on playing matchmaker."
Lian Yi had a sweet smile on her face, and her slightly round eyes were curved.
"My boyfriend is sitting right here. Why would I bring that idiot Gu Yiyu when I could bring such a presentable male companion?"
All eyes swept over them, and a moment of silence followed.
They couldn't deny that, regardless of anything else, just comparing their appearances, Xie Ling was indeed superior to Gu Yiyu in every way.
He naturally possessed an upright character that made him more favored by his elders. Although his expression was always cold and indifferent, from another perspective, this could also be described as calm and composed.
To be able to do this much in front of them is quite impressive for an eighteen-year-old.
But this isn't simply about looking at a young junior. Perhaps in a different setting or from a different perspective, they would be more willing to give this outstanding young person a chance and forge a positive connection.
“It’s normal for young people to think like that when they’re in love.” Wu Jinxiu paused, her smile remaining perfectly balanced. “But you also need to know what kind of occasion it is that day.”
"Mom doesn't object to your desire to be with him and to prove that you are truly in love, but you should think carefully before making some decisions."
Lian Yi tapped the tea table impatiently with her fingers. "Of course I've thought it through. In short, as long as you don't mind, I can bring two male companions with me."
"Anyway, he lets me do whatever I want, he won't mind, right?" She turned her head to look at Xie Ling and smiled.
Xie Ling nodded slightly, her expression showing no change, but a hint of helplessness still lingered in her eyes at Lian Yi's bold remarks.
Seeing Lian Yi arbitrarily contradict her parents and show no manners whatsoever, he felt no resentment whatsoever.
He came from a poor family, but his parents were always loving and supported each other through thick and thin.
Although they were not very educated, they never beat or scolded him. They used their understanding of principles to teach Xie Ling how to be a person in a rough but genuine way.
Xie Ling suddenly understood why Lian Yi had this kind of personality, and he also realized how ridiculous his previous thoughts were.
Do not advise others to do good if you have never experienced their suffering.
Even growing up in a family that didn't care about her personal wishes at all, she still managed to express kindness in an awkward way.
Xie Ling found it hard to imagine whether she could do the same if she were in Lian Yi's situation.
Having said that, Lian Decheng looked at Lian Yi with a stern gaze, "It seems... I've spoiled you too much, which is why you're so disrespectful to your parents today, ignoring even what we say."
Lian Yi looked at him with a smile, "What's wrong, Dad? Do you want to cancel my card again? I don't care, but I'm afraid I won't be able to come up with a gift for Grandpa's birthday banquet. I'll have to explain to him in public that it's because I don't have money."
"You showed no sense of the bigger picture this time."
Lian Decheng ignored her words and said in a low voice, "You are young and arrogant, and you think you can act lawlessly just because of the resources your mother and I have given you."
"Do you know how many calls I've received since this morning?"
“Wanghai Middle School holds a pivotal position in Yunhai. Since its establishment, it has produced countless outstanding individuals. Didn’t you consider the impact your decision would have before you made it?”
"Regarding the lawsuit, I have already sent someone to contact Shengyuan to discuss withdrawing the lawsuit. I believe they will cooperate well, considering the Lian family's legal needs this year."
"As for you, reflect on your actions. Even if you feel wronged in this matter, you should calmly consider how to maximize your benefits, instead of just bullying others and embarrassing me if word gets out!"
In the tea room, the only sound for a moment was the bubbling of water in the kettle on the charcoal stove.
“Decheng, the child still needs more discipline. You and your sister-in-law spoil him too much.” Lian Xuhan shook his head and smiled. “But Zhongming is learning things from you quite well.”
Lian Zhongming smiled slightly, "Uncle, you flatter me. I've only learned a little bit, and I still need to practice more."
He then looked at Lian Yi and sighed softly, "Little sister, your second uncle is actually very concerned about you. He has been bothered by many phone calls for a long time because of this matter."
“Sigh… But no matter what, Lianyi has been wronged. Decheng, are you just going to let the child suffer and then let it go?” Wu Jinxiu looked at her husband at the right moment and frowned slightly.
"If we don't control her, she's already become so outrageous that she won't even listen to you. What will she become if she continues to run rampant?"
Lian Decheng snorted coldly, "It's good that she suffered a loss; it'll teach her a lesson. Acting recklessly outside and then talking back to her parents at home—what kind of behavior is that?"
"Lian Yi, soften your stance with your father and listen to their arrangements." Lian Xuhan said kindly, "What parent doesn't care about their child? If you behave well, they'll be even more upset than you are about you being wronged, won't they?"
These words sound perfectly reasonable; they are indeed words of concern from an elder.
But in the current situation, as Lian Yi's elder, how could he not know what kind of temper Lian Yi had?
Even Xie Ling frowned slightly upon hearing this, vaguely sensing that Lian Yi's uncle was implying that if she agreed to appear at the birthday banquet with Gu Yiyu, her father would naturally retract his previous statement.
But... when did it become a situation where children seeking justice for themselves after being wronged become something that requires an exchange?
He subconsciously tightened his grip on Lian Yi's hand, at that moment, simply wanting to affirm her.
Lian Yi noticed the change in intensity, and smiled indifferently. In her view, even Xu Han's expression and words had an additional layer of meaning.
Lian Yi gained a new understanding of her uncle's "petty-mindedness".
Because she recklessly ruined Lian Suning's marriage, he had to watch her make a decision.
Should she seek redress for her grievances and accept the elders' arrangement for a marriage of convenience, or should she stand firm in her own opinion, preferring to break rather than surrender, and fight to the end even if she has to grit her teeth and suffer this injustice?
Lian Yi's slightly rounded eyes swept over their faces, each with a different expression, before slowly curving into a half-bow.
But she just wouldn't do anything that required a choice between two options.
"Lian San'er, this is my private matter, our family matter. You are an outsider and a junior. Who gave you the right to interrupt?"
Lian Yi released Xie Ling's hand, casually flicking it away to dispel the warmth.
"When did it become your place to criticize me? You work for my father and have earned his favor. Do you really think you can act as my elder and lecture me about being a child?"
"Since you're so good at this, why don't you just adopt him? Anyway, I think your mom and my parents would be happy to have you as their dutiful grandson."
She watched as Lian Zhongming's expression shifted slightly before quickly returning to its previous forced state, and chuckled.
Before Lian's parents could speak, Lian Yi looked at Lian Xuhan.
He found it amusing that Lian Yi had suddenly turned on Lian Zhongming, but he still maintained a slightly displeased frown on his face.
"Uncle, although you are my father's older brother and we are related by blood, this is still a family matter. I have never spent a penny of your money or eaten a single grain of rice from your family since I was a child. Isn't it a bit presumptuous of you to talk to me like this, relying on your status?"
Lian Yi leaned back slightly, casually resting on the chair back.
"So, according to what you're saying, you think of my parents as people who sell their daughter for personal gain?"
"Or is it that when the Gu family grows to a level that the Lian family can look up to, and Gu Yiyu wants a female companion, you elders will have to eagerly act as matchmakers for him?"
Lian Yi paused for a moment, then said, "Oh, I'm sorry, what I meant was that I was concerned about the younger generation's relationship status."
“I know my father better than you do. If he really wants to sell his daughter for personal gain, as you say, he will let me be bullied and ridiculed by outsiders without allowing me to fight back if I don’t accept the marriage with Gu Yiyu.”
"Then I suppose I don't know my father well enough, and I'm not clear about his shrewdness and deep thinking."
"That makes sense, doesn't it, Uncle?"
Lian Xuhan's expression darkened slightly, and for a moment he really couldn't think of how to respond to her words.
"Oh, I forgot."
Lian Yi smiled and said, "I heard that after your marriage alliance with the Huang family fell through, you were still contacting other young talents from the Huang family? Yes, given your character, it's normal for you to have such thoughts."
"My eldest sister is so lucky to be put up for sale like this, with a price tag clearly marked. Sigh—"
"I'm not saying you want to sell your daughter for personal gain, Uncle. You know I still respect you, as long as you don't talk to me for no reason."
"Lian Yi!"
Even as Xu Han's face turned slightly pale, before he could speak, Wu Jinxiu had already lightly called out Lian Yi's name, looking at her disapprovingly.
As for Lian Decheng, he also looked at her with a frown, but did not say anything.
Since he hadn't said anything in the first place, there was no need for him to speak up now and 'take the blame' for Lian Yi.
"Mom and Dad, as for you..."
Lian Yi's attack was indiscriminate; none of those present could escape it. She smiled as she looked at the two of them.
"You're right, I am indeed a spoiled brat, but you didn't care before, and now you want to discipline me? Isn't it a bit too late?"
"Whether you agree with what I want to do or not is not important to me."
Lian Yi placed one hand on the curved back of Xie Ling's chair behind her, her chin slightly raised. "Why do I have to suffer to learn a lesson? Suffering will only make me realize that I was too amiable in the past, which is why those good-for-nothings dared to yell at me behind my back."
"Just keep pressuring Sheng Yuan. If you can give his grandparents a satisfactory explanation when they come back."
"I'd like to see who in this family still wants to bow down to me."
"Bang—"
Even with Lian Decheng's excellent self-control and his indifference to her arrogance, he was still furious at Lian Yi's words.
The force with which he slammed the table caused ripples to spread across the clear Longjing tea in his cup.
"Look at you, with no respect for your elders!"
Lian Decheng's face was ashen, and when he glared at people, his eyes seemed to be those of a fierce Vajra, making people afraid to look directly at him.
Lian Yi, however, remained unmoved by the smile on her lips. She slightly raised her chin, leaned back in her chair with an air of superiority, and met his gaze with the same expression as a boss.
“If you walked out of this house today, and if outsiders didn’t know that your surname is Lian and that you are my daughter, Lian Decheng, do you think anyone would give you face! Suing others… Without me, where would you get the capital to do this and make such big talk!”
Wu Jinxiu quickly stood up, her delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly. While comforting her husband, she looked at Lian Yi and said, "Lian Yi, hurry up and apologize to your father."
Lian Xuhan, who originally wanted to lash out but was restrained by his status and reputation, smiled faintly and looked at the father and daughter.
Only Lian Zhongming subtly glanced at Xie Ling, calmly assessing the young man.
"Dad, why get so angry?"
Lian Yi smiled casually, her eyes innocent, "If you weren't surnamed Lian, and your uncle wasn't surnamed Lian either, how could you have had such smooth sailing in business back then? How come you were able to seize every opportunity?"
"We're all living off our parents, so why should you look down on me and I look down on you?"
“If you’re really that angry, you can just remove me from the Lian family.” She sneered. “Otherwise, as long as Grandpa and Grandma are alive, you won’t have to pretend to be a strict father and try to control me.”
"I might as well tell you both directly, so that you won't have to waste your time later."
“You…” Lian Decheng’s anger deepened.
"As for me, I'll say it again: it's not impossible for you to arrange a marriage between me and Gu Yiyu, as long as the Gu family doesn't mind him being on equal footing with Xie Ling. Anyway, we're all just having fun, so it doesn't matter."
"I want both fish and bear's paw, Dad. You really don't need to push me so hard."
"Alright! Lian Yi, say less." Wu Jinxiu frowned and gently scolded.
"Alright."
Feeling bored, Lian Yi stood up and gave them a sweet and obedient smile.
"You can try to stop the lawsuit if you want. But if we lose even one case, I won't mind holding a press conference and talking to the media about some secrets of the wealthy family."
As if she had thought of something, she pointed at Lian Zhongming and said, "For example, the biological daughter is not involved in the family business, but the focus is on cultivating the nephew. How attractive is that?"
The expressions on their faces changed slightly.
Lian Decheng's expression darkened as he scrutinized Lian Yi.
“Little sister…you must have misunderstood something.” Lian Zhongming looked at her helplessly, as if she were a child making a fuss, and advised, “I’m just following my uncle’s lead. If you have any complaints…I will be more careful in the future.”
He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lian Decheng, "Second Uncle..."
“Zhongming, you don’t need to listen to her nonsense,” Lian Decheng interrupted in a deep voice.
"Lian San'er, I've told you many times, when will you learn to shut up? Why don't you save your energy for after I'm gone? Try to appease your sugar daddy. Maybe they'll be pleased and reward you with a position."
"As for you, before you try to restrict me with rules and regulations, you should first think about whether I will accept them."
Lian Yi admired their different expressions and smiled. "Have you chatted enough? Then let's meet again next Wednesday at Grandpa's birthday banquet."
She patted Xie Ling's shoulder with her hand, and he stood up knowingly.
“Oh, right.” Lian Yi leaned forward slightly, peering out from Xie Ling’s body, and smiled at Lian Xuhan, “Uncle, has anyone ever said that you’ve abandoned your huge family business in Hong Kong just to come and watch a show?”
"It's really a great place to move a stool to the village entrance and chat with people about gossip."
"..."
Lian Yi put her hands in her pockets, pushed the chair aside with her knee, glanced around, and then left with a flourish.
"Goodbye, Uncle and Aunt, and the two of you." Xie Ling said goodbye to them politely, nodded slightly, and then, regardless of their feelings or responses, turned to follow Lian Yi.
The tea room was filled with a faint aroma of smoke, and the warmth was accompanied by the fragrance of burning incense.
What should have been a pleasant environment for self-cultivation turned into a situation where one of the four people present looked somewhat embarrassed and the other was visibly angry with nowhere to vent his frustration.
Lian Decheng and his wife remained silent, their anger and shock clearly visible on their faces.
"Hehe, Decheng, you and your sister-in-law really have a good daughter." Lian Xuhan said with a forced smile.
He had clearly rushed back to discuss the birthday banquet with Lian Decheng and finalize the list of invited guests, but Lian Yi's sarcastic remark made it seem as if he had only come back to see her, a junior.
However, Lian Xuhan, considering himself an elder, left Lian Yi without saying a word, leaving him with a belly full of anger and nowhere to vent it.
unlucky!
If I had known, I wouldn't have bothered sitting here.
After a long pause, Lian Decheng sighed softly, "I really don't know how she developed such an unruly personality. On the contrary, her parents spoil her rotten. I want to discipline her... listen to her, she's not afraid at all."
"Second Uncle..."
When Lian Zhongming called him, he hesitated for a moment, his eyes subconsciously glancing towards the entrance of the tea room, as if afraid that another Lian Yi would jump out.
"There are some things I don't know whether I should say or not."
“Zhongming, don’t take Lianyi’s words to heart. You know she’s always been outspoken.” Wu Jinxiu calmed herself down and smiled at him. “Just say whatever you want in front of your second uncle and me.”
"...I think that although my younger sister was free-spirited in the past, she was not as bad as she is today."
Lian Zhongming disagreed with the term "straightforward," but he didn't show it on his face. He pondered and said, "I'm just worried that my younger sister is too naive and that she might be taken advantage of by someone with ulterior motives."
“Yes.” Wu Jinxiu frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with her husband.
They didn't believe that Lian Yi was truly being used or even "corrupted" by Xie Ling. They had raised their daughter from childhood, and even though they rarely saw each other, they still knew Lian Yi very well.
Information about Xie Ling had actually been presented to the two of them long ago.
It's really hard to say who the malicious person is.
However, as parents, we tend to blame external factors for our mistakes.
"Lianyi has always been like this since she was little. The more you tell her not to do something, the more she will do it. Don't be angry. After all these years of ups and downs, you still can't hold your temper with your own child?"
Wu Jinxiu said reproachfully, "She just doesn't know the good intentions behind our arrangement."
“That Xie Ling…” Lian Decheng frowned.
"Kids are naturally attracted to good-looking and outstanding peers. If all else fails, we can introduce her to some excellent young men in the future."
"I don't think this boy has any bad intentions. If Lianyi wants to play with him for a while, let her be."
Wu Jinxiu said softly, "They're only in high school now, and the children's horizons are limited. Once they've spent more time together, they'll naturally know what the better option is for them."
"...Alright, keep an eye on these things." Lian Decheng waved his hand, then paused slightly, "Also, keep an eye on her lawsuit."
Everyone properly showed their chips, but Lian Yi, breaking the rules, swept them all onto the ground.
Unfortunately, they still have to reluctantly clean up this mess.
Seeing that the two of them had so easily dismissed the matter with just a few words, Lian Zhongming couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Suddenly, his brow twitched slightly, and when he looked up, he met Lian Decheng's unfathomable gaze.
"Second Uncle..." He suppressed his thoughts, a faint look of doubt on his face, and asked with slight confusion.
"It's alright." Lian Decheng looked at his elder brother and said, "Brother, don't take what Lian Yi said earlier to heart. After all... the child is still young and doesn't understand much."
"..." Lian Xuhan's expression darkened slightly, but he still gave a noncommittal "hmm," "Look at what you're saying, would I hold such a grudge against her?"
...
After stepping out of the main courtyard, one is greeted by magnificent landscapes.
Xie Ling felt no appreciation whatsoever. Looking at Lian Yi's light and carefree back, which seemed completely unaffected, he lowered his eyes and fell into deep thought.
"You heard everything just now, didn't you?" Lian Yi suddenly said out of the blue.
"What?"
In that courtyard, where perhaps a single brick or tile cost more than half a month's salary for an average person, Xie Ling heard a lot, but he didn't know which matter Lian Yi was referring to.
"Next Wednesday!" Lian Yi turned her face and smiled at him. "You still have to cooperate with me, okay? How about it? Do you feel like you're on a pirate ship and can't get off?"
"..."
Her smile was radiant, as if she were never saddened by anything.
Xie Ling shook her head. "As long as I can help... but won't that cause others to misunderstand, since it's your grandfather's birthday banquet?"
"So what? As long as you and I know it's fake, that's enough. What other people think doesn't matter." Lian Yi put her hands behind her back, stepped onto the familiar road, and led him through a path.
“…Hmm.” Xie Ling responded softly.
The rest of the way was a quiet journey through the garden. Apart from the occasional encounter with some staff members from the Lianjia family, the place was quiet and peaceful.
Xie Ling suddenly couldn't help but ask, "Have they always been like this?"
"Huh?" Lian Yi turned to look at him, puzzled, and blinked.
Seeing her look at her like that, Xie Ling was momentarily speechless. She frowned slightly, paused, and said, "Like how I treated you today."
As an outsider, he felt he had little right to comment.
But precisely because they were outsiders, Xie Ling even wondered if it was just his imagination. He always felt that Lian Yi's parents' attitude towards her was a bit strange.
He seemed helpless against her, yet there was an inexplicable barrier between them.
Their attitude was not how ordinary parents should treat their children.
For them, Lianyi was like a less-than-successful exhibit; they would only clean it up and try to put it on display when they needed it.
Xie Ling felt that her thoughts were too bizarre, so she quickly interrupted, looked at Lian Yi and gently shook her head, "I shouldn't have asked, it's okay."
"It's okay. Anyway, I'm not the kind of person that normal people would like. In the end, they can't do anything about me, can they?" Lian Yi smiled and said nonchalantly.
Even so, Xie Ling couldn't see this feeling as lightly as she did in her tone.
"Lian Yi, have you thought about the future?" He didn't know why, but the question suddenly popped into his mind. He didn't realize he had said it until he heard his own voice.
Xie Ling inexplicably felt that Lian Yi in front of her was like a bird trapped in a net.
It seemed to be constantly struggling, trying to break free from the constraints of this net.
But then he chuckled to himself, realizing that he had become increasingly prone to overthinking.
"……future."
Lian Yi didn't know Xie Ling's motive for asking that question. When her gaze met his cold and calm eyes, she couldn't see anything unusual about him.
"Of course, it's about traveling freely across mountains and rivers, eating all the food in the world, and enjoying every day to the fullest."
She smiled slightly, "I want to go to the most beautiful beach, collect the prettiest seashells, and then smash them all to prove that I have been here."
Whether in her past life or this one, Lian Yi has never experienced such a truly authentic moment, constrained by too many things. Thinking about the day that will eventually come, she felt great.
The boy behind her was silent for a moment, then his slightly cold voice suddenly rang out.
"There are many seashells on the beach. Before you've collected them all, you can't convince yourself that the seashell in your hand is the most beautiful."
Seeing Lian Yi looking at him with slight annoyance, Xie Ling's expression softened slightly. Before she could speak, he said in a low voice, "Why don't you string them together? That way, among all the seashells you own, there will always be one that is the prettiest."
"?"
Lian Yi looked surprised and scanned him up and down.
"Xie Ling, have you scared my parents half to death? How could you say something like that?"
"..."
"Never mind what I said."
"I was just kidding. Why are you really angry? You get angry so easily. Isn't it better to be like you were just now? Why don't you smile for me? I can give you money, or whatever you want."
“…Lian Yi, I don’t sell smiles.”
"Oh, that's a bit of a pity. Maybe we won't be able to afford it in the future."
"Even now."
Lian Yi led him to a waterside pavilion, where the servants quickly notified the kitchen to serve the dishes.
She leaned almost against the railing with practiced ease, and sighed, "Xie Ling, you're really difficult to deal with."
"Could you please watch your words when you speak?" Xie Ling stood beside her, his tall figure neither wicked nor seductive, looking down at her with a hint of helplessness.
"Xie Ling, if... I mean if."
Lian Yi's gaze fell on the pond in front of her, where the koi carp were still the same ones from before, swimming over as if they hadn't learned their lesson and wanting to beg for food.
Her voice was calm as she asked, "If one day I wanted to turn this into a real relationship, what would you think?"
"..."
There was a long silence beside me.
Lian Yi didn't look at him, so she missed the boy's reddened ears, only hearing his cold voice.
"Don't joke with me like that again."
Xie Ling rested his hand on the railing, his eyes lowered. There were many real problems between him and Lian Yi, a chasm that even with all his self-confidence, he dared not be sure he could overcome.
Besides... he and Lian Yi were just friends.
"Then I'm relieved."
Upon hearing this answer, Lian Yi chuckled with satisfaction, "You're right, we're not on the same wavelength. We can be friends, but if we were to actually start a relationship, it would probably be a disaster."
She did admire Xie Ling, and if he wouldn't affect her retirement plans, perhaps her feelings for him would be purer, and she would genuinely treat him as a friend.
"I'll try to earn more money in the future, so that you won't be left without a word when you meet Xie Xueshen."
Xie Ling paused slightly, the burning sensation in his ears quickly subsided, and he looked at Lian Yi's profile, falling silent for a moment.
The thought of trying to explain something had just arisen, but then dissipated somewhat helplessly.
"Is it what you and Xu Qingyao were doing?" He pursed his lips and changed the subject, saying, "Actually... you can make good use of the resources you have. Grades don't determine everything. I believe you can achieve success in other places as well."
"A glass conservatory?"
Lian Yi smiled and did not deny it.
"By the way, since you've agreed to accompany me to the birthday banquet next Wednesday, I'll prepare your outfit for the occasion."
"Um."
"I will definitely make you look so handsome that you'll dazzle everyone. You know Gu Yiyu, right? He's the red-haired guy at school who's always strutting around like a rooster."
Hearing her describe that person like that, Xie Ling suppressed the corners of her mouth that wanted to turn up and corrected her, "The phrase 'utterly tragic' shouldn't be used like that."
"...Teacher Xie, this isn't your class time." Lian Yi snorted and squinted her eyes, saying, "I'll take you to meet some of my other friends in the next few days. Some of them I don't really know, but I'll make an impression."
"So that they won't make things difficult for you later."
"Um."
Xie Ling paused, then hesitated, "You used to..."
"Hmm?" Lian Yi plucked a few leaves and threw them into the pond to tease the fish, responding casually.
“If I appear as your boyfriend, even if you and I both know it’s not true, I’m worried it will affect your future reputation.”
"Come on, Xie Ling, we're just showing off our hands together, maybe even putting our arms around each other's waists. What are you worried about?"
Lian Yi scoffed, "Or are you worried it will affect your future luck in finding a partner?"
“That’s not what I meant.” Xie Ling pursed her thin lips slightly.
"Don't worry, I won't use this opportunity to bother you. After it's done, we'll be even." Lian Yi turned her head and glanced at him, her eyes crinkling as she said, "So there's no need for you to feel burdened."
"As for me, you don't need to worry about me at all. Just remember to act convincingly when the time comes."
Xie Ling pursed his lips slightly, his hand hanging at his side clenched loosely, and he heard his own voice ring out, giving a low "hmm".
Lian Yi stood up straight, leaning on the railing with a happy smile, and stretched slightly.
She's been running wild in Yunhai for so many years, where did she get all this romantic luck?
Xie Ling is really meddling in other people's business.
...
Was it my pronunciation just now... awkward?
The aroma of coffee and cake mingled with the bittersweet scents in the small private room.
Xu Yitong's posture was no longer as upright as before. His broad shoulders under his hoodie were leaning forward, one hand was on his forehead, and his hair, which was being pulled, was a little messy, revealing his handsome and dashing eyebrows and eyes.
Beneath the furrowed brows and folded eyelids, warm, deep blue eyes, illuminated by the soft lamplight, were set in slightly deep-set sockets, glancing furtively at the person opposite them.
Seeing the slight upturn of her lips as she lowered her eyes to read, Xu Yitong felt a little shy and embarrassed.
Learning spoken English was a decision he made on his own, encouraged by Meng Er.
Whenever she made progress in her French studies, she would always offer concise words of encouragement, in a calm yet sincere tone.
Xu Yitong didn't know when it started, but he became more accustomed to talking to her.
But at this moment, after trying to repeat a French sentence, he uttered the longest sentence he had spoken in recent days because of the smile on Meng Er's face.
"Hmm?" Meng Er snapped out of her reverie, a faint smile playing on her lips, her tone calm. "I just suddenly remembered some happy things."
I don't know what strange filter Xie Ling has on the main account that makes him have such doubts and even worry about her. He should worry more about himself.
"oh……"
Xu Yitong lowered his face, pursed his lips, and stared silently at the tablet in front of him.
In Meng Er's eyes, the man's face, with its sculpted features, appeared to be a handsome and unrestrained man with a rich romantic history, yet his eyes were clean and pure. Just like now, a faint sense of melancholy and embarrassment were written on his face and in his eyes.
And he was completely unaware of this.
"...Regarding your previous investment with me, I will settle the account with you based on a 20% return rate." Meng Er tapped the table lightly. "As for management fees and the like, I won't charge you any fees."
She spoke frankly, saying that with a gain of over a billion yuan, there was indeed no need to haggle with Xu Yitong over that small amount of money.
Although Xu Yitong might not have much cash flow left, and they would have no further connection after the French class ended, Meng Er was happy to give him this kind 'gift'.
When Xu Yitong heard her speak, her eyes brightened slightly, but they gradually returned to normal after she finished speaking.
He has no concept of money. In winter, he wears a black hooded sweatshirt and long pants, and in summer, he wears a short-sleeved T-shirt and long pants. He eats either at home or at school. Apart from occasionally buying some computer games and peripherals, he doesn't spend money on anything else.
After a slightly disappointed "Oh," Xu Yitong lowered her eyes and said, "Okay."
"To celebrate our achievement, and also to praise your progress in learning French, what kind of cake would you like?" Meng Er looked at his face, where even the corners of his eyes were drooping, and found it somewhat amusing.
"It's my treat."
"Strawberry dark chocolate cherry mousse with mango filling." Xu Yitong quickly raised his face, his eyes, so deep they seemed to shimmer with light, fixed on her, finally becoming a little more lively.
Meng Er frowned slightly and hesitated before asking, "Do you have this kind of cake?"
"Yes." He said seriously, "Yes, at the counter."
"Okay, I'll go order one for you. You can continue studying."
Meng Er picked up the phone from the table and nodded at him.
This wasn't the first time she'd discovered Xu Yitong's fondness for sweets, but rather than satisfying him from the start, it was better to let him get used to it being a reward.
Although she didn't know why Xu Yitong didn't order it herself, since it was effective, she naturally wouldn't say anything to remind her.
Upon arriving on the first floor, Meng Er stood behind two people in line. Soon it was her turn, and she told the coffee shop staff the name of the cake with too many elements.
"Ah, you want the Berry Meets Black Forest Soft Mousse Cake, right? Okay~"
"..."
Meng Er paid the money and carried the small cakes that the other party had quickly packed up back upstairs.
Just a few steps away, she heard the sound of a door opening on the second floor, and then she heard several students discussing in hushed tones.
It was probably a self-organized study group, reviewing the questions from the final exams of the previous two days, debating which approach was clearer and better for some of the question types.
Meng Er walked at a leisurely pace. After climbing the stairs, he was about to step aside slightly to make way for the group of students when he heard a slightly familiar voice sound with surprise.
"Meng Er?!"
Only then did she look at the other person, and then calmly nodded slightly.
It was a familiar face, but we weren't very close.
"What a coincidence! Um... could you wait for me?" Zhen Qiuyue's expression, which had been seriously pondering, suddenly turned to surprise. She hurriedly whispered something to a few classmates beside her, and then quickly walked up to Meng Er.
"Meng Er, I'm sorry to bother you!" Zhen Qiuyue was a little embarrassed, but quickly composed herself and said, "I just wanted to tell you that although many people were making a fuss at the school party, I... and everyone else, we will all support you!"
She knew she had only met Meng Er once, so after saying that, she shuffled her toes and added quietly, "Then I'll be going now!"
"……etc."
Meng Er frowned slightly, her gaze shifting, and she asked in confusion, "What's all the fuss about?"
"Huh?" Zhen Qiuyue adjusted her glasses, surprised by her confusion. "Don't you know? Some people just inexplicably said that you replaced Senior Tang and squeezed out her program."
"...Oh, Senior Sister Tang is Tang Anru, a very, very amazing girl, so everyone is used to calling her Senior Sister."
"So recently, many people have been saying that they want to boycott your show. If you go on stage to perform, they will refuse to watch the show."
Zhen Qiuyue explained in a rambling manner, and then she mustered up her courage to say, "But we, the special admissions students in the school, all support you."
She actually understood better than Meng Er herself why those specially admitted students had a natural affinity for and support of Meng Er.
But as the girl never appeared in Wanghai again, Zhen Qiuyue chose to keep this secret in her heart, making it her most precious memory.
"Okay, I understand." Meng Er paused, looking at the girl who was gradually making a deeper impression on her. "Thank you for letting me know."
Although this matter was of no concern to Meng Er.
She was willing to go up and play only for the reward. The reasons given by those people for their clamor and resistance were childish and ridiculous. It would be even better if the student council could take the initiative to talk to her and cancel the performance.
Meng Er was delighted to receive a reward for free without wasting any time.
Just as she was about to walk past Zhen Qiuyue toward the private room, the door was suddenly opened. When everyone present subconsciously looked over, what came into view was Xu Yitong's deceptively handsome face with no expression.
He looked at the people in the corridor with some confusion, and finally his gaze settled on the small cake that Meng Er was carrying.
Meng Er clearly sensed that those students, including Zhen Qiuyue, were among them—
Their gazes suddenly became very subtle and intriguing.
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