Xiao Yanzhi was utterly stunned.
What earth - shattering words had he just heard?
She said she dared not accept his love?
"So, in fact, you don't want to be with me, don't want to marry me, and certainly don't want to accept my love." Xiao Yanzhi nodded, as if he'd suddenly understood something. "You still plan to abandon me."
Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat.
Her voice turned hoarse as she said stubbornly, "You've left me so many times. It's my turn now."
Finally, she almost fled in a hurry.
After getting in the car, Jiang Li's eyes and nose were red, and her eyes were filled with tears that she stubbornly refused to let fall. "Let's go," she said.
Sheng Jingxi watched her sniffling, pursed his lips, and grabbed a tissue, stuffing it into her hand. "Don't shed your little pearls in front of me. It makes me want to punch someone. I hate it when girls cry."
Jiang Li wiped her nose, looked up at him with a piteous face, and complained, "Why can't I cry? I will cry, and I'll cry out loud!"
Sheng Jingxi: "…Alright, alright, cry all you want. Cry when you see Grandma later and worry her to death."
He really had no idea what to do with her. As he was speaking, he stuffed another tissue into her palm. "If you ask me, why are you so scared of that old woman? From now on, I'll back you up. My dad will prepare your dowry. By then, it'll be them who don't deserve you. Why should you care about her nit - picking?"
Jiang Li shook her head.
She wasn't scared of Su Jialan, of course.
She just didn't want Xiao Yanzhi to fall out with his parents because of her. She didn't want him to be constantly gossiped about, and she definitely didn't want him to become a laughingstock.
He might be willing, but she wasn't.
Su Jialan's words were harsh, but on second thought, she wasn't completely wrong.
Jiang Li's bipolar disorder was getting worse. Every time she had an episode, she could feel the emotional demons about to devour her whole.
She couldn't promise anyone that she'd be able to control her emotions, that she'd never be negative again, and she couldn't even be sure whether she'd attempt suicide in the future.
If one day she was completely desperate for this world and chose to end her life, what about Xiao Yanzhi? Would he be left alone for the rest of his life?
Or, if they got married and had a child in the future, what would happen to the child? Would the child grow up without a mother?
The bonds between people could be the motivation to hold her back, but they could also be the stones that crushed her at any time.
She'd either live in pain or die in pain.
Only now did Jiang Li finally understand Qiao Jinrun's words -
It was so difficult to live for those who loved you and for those you loved.
…
The car pulled up in front of Cheng Yingchun's house.
Jiang Li had already composed herself. Her face was dry of tears, and her eyes were clear and bright, except for her slightly red nose. It was hardly noticeable that she'd been crying.
She forced a smile and blinked. "Can you tell I've been crying now?"
Sheng Jingxi looked at her for a while and gave her a thumbs - up. "Awesome. Your acting skills are top - notch."
The two got out of the car and walked into the house. Cheng Yingchun was bustling around in the kitchen, while Sheng Shuocheng was sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper.
The room was warm and filled with the atmosphere of home.
"Back?" Sheng Shuocheng looked up, pushed his glasses, and said in a calm and gentle tone, "Go wash your hands quickly. It's almost time for dinner."
This scene was so beautiful that it seemed like a hallucination.
Jiang Li stood still, and her nose inexplicably started to feel sore.
This time, it was out of gratitude.
Although Sheng Shuocheng had emphasized several times that since they had a maid at home, Cheng Yingchun didn't need to be so busy. It wasn't worth it if she tired herself out.
But Cheng Yingchun was stubborn. She said that Jiang Li liked the food she cooked, and she'd be worried if she left it to someone else.
At the dinner table, when Jiang Li heard Sheng Shuocheng scolding, she felt a bit embarrassed. "I shouldn't have said that before. I'm sorry, Grandma, for making you take my words to heart."
Cheng Yingchun gave Sheng Shuocheng a sideways look. "What are you blaming Lili for? She's only been here a few times. I'm happy that the child likes my cooking. Besides, I'm still in good health. Cooking a meal won't tire me out."
She put a piece of meat in Jiang Li's bowl. "Eat more. You've just recovered from a serious illness. You need to eat well to regain your strength."
"Thank you, Grandma," Jiang Li said. "I'm much better. You don't need to worry about me."
Sheng Jingxi immediately got unhappy. He threw his chopsticks on the table and slumped into his chair. "Grandma, I'm your real grandson. I've just recovered from a serious illness too. I want to eat too!"
"Alright, alright. Have a chicken leg to replenish your energy," Cheng Yingchun said with a wrinkled smile. "Your dad has confiscated your driver's license. Let's see if you'll still dare to drive recklessly in the future."
Mentioning this, Sheng Jingxi immediately perked up.
He frantically signaled Jiang Li with his eyes.
Jiang Li frantically lowered her head to eat, avoiding eye contact with him.
Sheng Jingxi: …
He pretended to be nonchalant, but actually kicked Jiang Li's leg under the table, hinting for her to help him get his driver's license back.
Jiang Li: …
Jiang Li quietly pulled her leg back.
So Sheng Jingxi kicked again.
Jiang Li pulled her leg back again.
Sheng Jingxi gritted his teeth and stretched his leg to kick, but accidentally kicked Sheng Shuocheng, who was sitting next to him. Sheng Shuocheng immediately frowned. "Sheng Jingxi, can't you be more well - behaved while eating?"
Sheng Jingxi immediately sat up straight.
Seeing the usually cocky Sheng Jingxi being deflated, Jiang Li couldn't help but laugh.
Sheng Jingxi didn't dare to argue with his father, so he just glared at Jiang Li and deliberately said, "I can't stand this family for a single day. I shouldn't have come back!"
Sheng Shuocheng said coldly, "If you don't want to stay, just get out."
"Dad… You're so heartless!" Sheng Jingxi immediately changed his tune and said pitifully, "Even if you want me to leave, you should return my driver's license."
Sheng Shuocheng simply ignored him.
When Cheng Yingchun heard him mention this, her face also turned serious. "Jingxi, don't play around with cars recently. It's not safe."
"Yeah, yeah, it's not safe," Jiang Li echoed.
Sheng Jingxi couldn't hold back anymore. "Hey… Whose side are you on?"
"Of course, I'm on the side," Jiang Li replied.
"…"
Cheng Yingchun watched the two bickering like a pair of love - rivals. The more she watched, the happier she became. She started to play matchmaker. "Jingxi, I think you and Lili are a good match. I like both of you kids. Why don't you two give it a try?"
"No way!"
"No way!"
The two almost said in unison, then looked at each other with disgust.
Sheng Jingxi: "I'd never be with her. She's such a softie."
Jiang Li wasn't polite either. "Then I should thank Young Master Sheng for not marrying me. Otherwise, I'd have to rack my brains to come up with decent reasons to reject you out of respect for Uncle Sheng and Grandma."
Well, it was obvious that these two had no romantic destiny.
Cheng Yingchun was just joking around. After some laughter, she didn't bring up the topic again.
Inside the room, the whole family was happy and laughing.
Outside the room, a pitch - black car had been waiting for a long time.