"If you had told her in advance, you'd start to wonder if she really likes you or just accepts you because of your identity as the head of the Sheng Group."
Su Jialan used to reject Jiang Li simply because of her humble family background. If she had known in advance that Jiang Li was Sheng Shuocheng's daughter, it would be unclear whether she was accepting Jiang Li as a person or just her current background.
Although in essence it might not make much difference, Jiang Li would still feel bothered, thinking that Su Jialan was accepting the Sheng family rather than her.
The result might seem the same, but the order of disclosure mattered a great deal.
Xiao Yanzhi knew her so well.
Jiang Li finally realized the intention behind his arrangement, and her heart fluttered inexplicably.
It was for his thoughtfulness and his meticulousness.
Jiang Li opened her arms, wrapped them around his waist, and pressed her face against his chest.
"You're so good to me. I feel carefree, and I don't seem independent at all."
Her voice was soft and lazy. "I feel like I'm going to be like those gossip tabloids describe: Some future movie queen is idle all day, has no ambition, and only relies on the wealthy and noble to get ahead. It's like..."
Xiao Yanzhi smiled casually, with a glint in his eyes. "Like what?"
Jiang Li answered honestly. "Like a canary in the hands of a benefactor, or like dodder that needs to cling to something to grow."
Her hair was black and thick, softly hanging down her back. He ran his big hand through her long hair and gently patted her head.
He let out a laugh. "Silly girl."
Jiang Li was taken aback. "Why are you scolding me all of a sudden?"
Xiao Yanzhi picked her up and held her tightly in his arms, making her look up at him.
"Have you forgotten that you're now Sheng Shuocheng's own daughter and the young mistress of the Sheng family?" Xiao Yanzhi asked her seriously.
Her eyes were bright, and like a child, she suddenly realized something. "It seems so."
She now had family members to back her up.
Xiao Yanzhi said nonchalantly, "Now, I have to do everything I can to make you happy."
Jiang Li straightened her back proudly and bossed him around. "You have to hold me in your hands, cherish me like a precious pearl."
Xiao Yanzhi watched her acting spoiled and covered his lips with his index finger, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
He liked her like this.
It was as if they had gone back to the past when she was always fearless and as proud as if her tail could reach the sky.
His rose should be like this.
Xiao Yanzhi's eyes were lazy. He moved his hand from the top of her head, pushed up her sweater, and gently grasped her fullness. "How do I hold you in my hands? Like this?"
Before Jiang Li could let out a scream, he captured her lips. "How do I cherish you? Like this?"
He asked so seriously, but there wasn't a single proper word in his question.
Jiang Li blushed slightly, her body trembled, and she buried her face in his neck, laughing crisply. "You have such dirty thoughts!"
—
These days, Sheng Shuocheng was in a very complicated mood.
He was long past menopause, but he always felt irritable involuntarily. This feeling was comparable to when Sheng Jingxi used to keep shouting that he wanted to go abroad to participate in extreme sports.
Sheng Jingxi had been forwarding the gossip about Jiang Li and Xiao Yanzhi on the Internet to him recently. He also sent a message earnestly, saying, "Dad, girls grow up and will leave home."
This made Sheng Shuocheng so angry that he didn't even have the mood to drink tea.
The Maybach stopped in front of the villa. Xiao Yanzhi got out of the car first, with a suit on his arm. He opened the car door for Jiang Li.
He took her hand and smiled at her. "To be honest, I'm a bit nervous."
Wasn't Jiang Li nervous too?
It was the first time she had such an experience of bringing the boy she liked home to meet her father.
"What if the head of the Sheng Group doesn't allow you to be with me?"
"I don't think so." Jiang Li thought for a while and said seriously. "At most, he'll make things difficult for you and ask you to promise that you'll always be good to me."
Xiao Yanzhi laughed. "Where did you learn this?"
Jiang Li answered straightforwardly. "From TV dramas."
Xiao Yanzhi had prepared a gift in advance, a very exquisite leaf sandalwood walking stick, which he and Jiang Li had chosen together.
The walking stick was quite heavy in the hand. It was carved with the pattern of a pigeon, and there were also micro - carvings in the details. It was very noble and beautiful.
Although Sheng Shuocheng was still in good spirits and in good health, his back had started to bend in recent years. A walking stick would surely please him.
When they entered the house, the villa was very quiet.
Sheng Shuocheng pretended to be reading the newspaper in the study. He heard the sound of the door but remained still, sitting in the chair waiting.
He looked calm and as majestic as usual.
"Dad." Jiang Li found the door of the study, knocked twice, and then entered. She called out to him.
Sheng Shuocheng responded and put the teacup back on the table. His eyes swept over her and he said unhurriedly, "You're here."
Jiang Li nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. "Yes, he's here. He's waiting for you downstairs."
"Got it." The old man seemed uninterested. He folded the newspaper in half and threw it on the table before getting up and slowly walking out of the study.
When he reached the living room, Sheng Shuocheng sat on the sofa and then looked at Xiao Yanzhi across from him.
When Xiao Yanzhi saw the father - daughter pair coming down, he nodded slightly, immediately stood up, and greeted, "Mr. Sheng."
His manners were polite, his tone calm and steady, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. He was in a very standard posture of a junior, respectful and modest.
Sheng Shuocheng spoke, equally calmly. "Sit."
Jiang Li followed Sheng Shuocheng and sat beside him. She straightened her legs and didn't dare to relax her back.
Although the two men on the living - room sofa were sitting some distance apart, Jiang Li could still feel the strong aura between them.
One was noble and solemn, the other calm and composed.
Sheng Shuocheng pursed his lips and looked at Xiao Yanzhi indifferently. "Have you taken care of all the family matters?"
Xiao Yanzhi remained calm. "I've taken care of them all. Thank you for your concern."
Jiang Li didn't understand what they were talking about at all. On the surface, she looked calm, but inside, she was extremely anxious.
Sure enough, as she had thought at first, it wouldn't go smoothly.
"You're being too polite, Yanzhi." Sheng Shuocheng's voice was flat. "In the early years, Lili caused you a lot of trouble. Thank you for taking care of her."
These words were neither too heavy nor too light. Jiang Li couldn't help swallowing, and her palms were sweating for Xiao Yanzhi.
This "taking care of" could have many meanings, either good or bad.