When Sheng Shuocheng spoke, his expression was calm. "You didn't seem to treat Lili very well before?"
Although his tone was flat, the scrutiny in his eyes and the veiled warning in his words made one feel inexplicably nervous.
Xiao Yanzhi's expression faltered slightly, then he responded frankly, "I did hurt her feelings before. It was my fault."
Although Sheng Shuocheng kept a low - key life, he had heard about what had happened outside. Moreover, as Jiang Li was his daughter, he had naturally investigated a bit in advance. There was no way to hide it.
"I've also been at your age. I understand your helplessness," Sheng Shuocheng said slowly. "Sometimes, love alone is not enough to overcome all difficulties."
"Back then, when I was with her mother, we faced a lot of opposition. Among them were many prominent families and business partners. But I never let her suffer a single bit of grievance."
Sheng Shuocheng continued slowly, "Yanzhi, if you used such methods in business, I would praise you for your shrewdness. But in matters of the heart, it makes me feel disappointed and heart - broken, especially when the one involved is my daughter."
Xiao Yanzhi's Adam's apple rolled. All his negotiation skills in the business field seemed to disappear at that moment.
At this point, he could hardly fail to understand what Sheng Shuocheng meant. Clearly, the old man was not only dissatisfied with him but also quite critical.
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
After a while, Xiao Yanzhi said calmly, "I'm sorry, Director Sheng. I will try to make up for my past mistakes. In the future, I will do my best to treat her well."
His voice was deep. "I won't let her be wronged again. Otherwise, I'll never forgive myself."
Sheng Shuocheng asked him, "How can you guarantee it?"
Xiao Yanzhi pondered for a moment. "I'm willing to give her everything I own, including all my property, funds, and stocks."
If he had said this to Jiang Li before, it could have been regarded as sweet nothings. But now, in front of Sheng Shuocheng, it was definitely not a joke. It meant that he had made all the preparations.
Sheng Shuocheng smiled inexplicably. "Think it through. You'll be left with nothing."
Xiao Yanzhi also smiled. "Without her, it's no different from having nothing."
He said it casually, as if nothing else mattered. As long as he had her.
Seeing his calmness, Sheng Shuocheng curled his lips. Then he changed the subject. "I'm her father. All I care about is whether she can be happy."
Sheng Shuocheng poured himself another cup of tea. "We'll put other things aside for now. The most important thing is to get her illness cured quickly and avoid any more accidents. We can talk about the rest later."
This was a sign of his softening.
Finally, Xiao Yanzhi said seriously, "No matter what, I'll stay with her."
...
When Sheng Jingxi and Jiang Li returned, the two men in the room had finished their conversation. It seemed that the atmosphere was the same as before, but there was an indescribable feeling.
Before leaving, Jiang Li reported her future schedule to Sheng Shuocheng. The old man nodded and told her to be safe.
"I've transferred some money to your card. Remember to use it," he glanced at Xiao Yanzhi. "Be generous. Our family is not short of money."
This humorous teasing made Jiang Li's ears turn red. "I know."
...
After leaving the teahouse, Jiang Li and Xiao Yanzhi got into the car waiting by the roadside. They sat in the back seat.
As if it had become a habit, Xiao Yanzhi motioned for her to sit closer. She nestled in his arms and leaned comfortably.
Xue An was about to turn around and ask about the itinerary. Seeing this, he silently told the driver to put up the sound - proof partition.
After holding it in for so long, Jiang Li finally asked what she had been wanting to know. "What did my dad talk to you about?"
Seeing her eager eyes, Xiao Yanzhi couldn't help pinching her face. "Nothing much. He just told me to take good care of you."
Jiang Li didn't think much and just said casually, "I thought he would tell you to stay away from me in the future."
Although it wasn't exactly that, it was not far off. It was a kind of warning.
Xiao Yanzhi said gently, "Why would you think so?"
Jiang Li didn't realize what she was saying at all. "Because fathers - in - law are always very strict with their daughters' boyfriends. I thought he would make things difficult for you..."
"Lili, what did you just say?" Xiao Yanzhi asked her with a smile.
Jiang Li realized what she had said later and quickly corrected herself. "I said it wrong. They are more vigilant towards the men around their daughters."
He thought she was cute, so he pinched her earlobe with his finger. "It's very hot. Are you lying?"
Jiang Li: "..."
She was both angry and annoyed. She raised her head and tried to kiss his lips, but he deliberately dodged. She couldn't kiss him for a long time.
Her competitive spirit flared up. She knelt on his left leg with her left leg and reached out to tug on his tie, forcing him to get closer to her.
The sudden closeness. Looking at that delicate and beautiful face so close, Xiao Yanzhi's breathing remained steady, as if he was completely unaffected by her.
After staring into his eyes for half a minute, Jiang Li pouted dejectedly. "It seems you're tired of me."
After saying this aggrievedly, she got up and was about to get off his lap. But what she didn't know was that the man's self - control had reached its limit.
Before her buttocks could leave, she was grabbed around the waist and pressed back onto his lap.
"Weren't you saying no just now..." Facing the overwhelming kisses, Jiang Li could hardly resist. Her body began to go limp.
Tired of her?
He lowered his head and blew hot air fiercely into her ear. "You should be glad we're in the car."
If it weren't for the driver and Xue An in the front, he would definitely drag her and have his way with her right here. Literally.
His tone was so fierce that Jiang Li blinked in fear. She put her hands on his chest and quickly glanced out of the window. "We'll be home soon. Stop messing around."
Xiao Yanzhi let her go. He watched her obediently get off his lap and then lazily lean back into his arms. She started to play with his tie out of boredom. She was never quiet.
Looking at the top of her head, he suddenly remembered something. He leaned over and asked her in a very low voice, "Are you fully recovered?"
Jiang Li: "..."
---
A few days later.
According to the original agreement, the two of them boarded the plane and were ready to go to Lyon.
Sister Chen called in advance and said that the weather here was a bit colder than in China, so they should bring some thick clothes.
Jiang Li was afraid of the cold. Xiao Yanzhi directly asked Xue An to buy several sets of clothes. Some were in the suitcase, and some were prepared in Lyon in advance.
Looking at the thick coats that almost covered her calves, Jiang Li couldn't help complaining, "These clothes don't look good at all when I wear them."