"Sorry, Dad. I've been quite busy lately," Song Yi'an explained.
"But no matter how busy you are, you should at least have time for a meal. Xiao'an, we're still a family. With you acting like this, don't blame Dad for being a bit long - winded," Li Xiangping said, putting on the airs of an elder and about to "instruct" Song Yi'an when Li Qiyu interrupted.
"Dad, look at you," she said deliberately in a scolding tone. "Don't even mention having time for a meal. The only reason he's come back to stay for a few days is because I begged him. Otherwise, we wouldn't even get to see him."
Li Qiyu said this on purpose. It seemed like she was blaming Song Yi'an, but in fact, she was saving him from an awkward situation, indirectly proving that Song Yi'an was really busy and only came back for a few days because of her "unreasonable demands".
As for Song Yi'an not going to see Li Xiangping, it wasn't out of rudeness but simply because he was too busy.
Hearing this, Li Xiangping no longer blamed Song Yi'an. Instead, he started to persuade his daughter.
"Xiyu, it's not that I'm criticizing you. Xiao'an is so busy with work outside. As a woman, you should naturally share his burdens. Men are out there striving for their careers. If you just make him come back whenever you want, what if it delays his work?"
Li Xiangping still thought that Li Qiyu was the same as the old Li Xiyu, having another bout of madness and trying to control Song Yi'an.
The former Song Jiaye and the current Song Yi'an were two different identities. Even if Song Yi'an really had another woman outside now, his daughter couldn't get a divorce and could only swallow her anger.
Song Yi'an didn't want to see Li Qiyu being scolded, so he stepped forward and said, "Dad, Aunt Jiang, haven't you had breakfast yet?"
Song Yi'an successfully diverted the topic. Li Xiangping and Jiang Yongfeng were led inside. Sister Liu was very considerate. When she saw Li Xiangping and the others at the door, she had already prepared two more bowls of noodles. By the time they sat down, the noodles were just served.
Li Tong obediently greeted Li Xiangping and Jiang Yongfeng.
Seeing his well - behaved daughter and kind - hearted grandson, Li Xiangping smiled kindly.
He sat down at the dining table and asked, "When are you going to give Li Tong a little cousin? Old Song and I are both looking forward to it."
This topic made Li Qiyu choke on the noodle soup.
Seeing this, Song Yi'an quickly handed his cup to Li Qiyu.
Li Qiyu took a sip of water and felt better.
At this time, she heard Song Yi'an, who was sitting next to her, reply, "We're planning it."
"Huh?"
No, Song Yi'an should clarify. What did he mean by "planning"? Who planned this with him?
This answer satisfied Li Xiangping. At this time, Jiang Yongfeng also stepped in to smooth things over and said, "Oh, dear, you can't be so impatient. Having a child is like finding the right fate. When the time is right, it will happen naturally."
Even after two lifetimes, Li Qiyu wasn't very good at dealing with the topic of her parents urging them to have a child.
In the ancient times, at least this was a matter of state. It was the queen's duty to give birth to the legitimate son, so when her parents talked about it, there was a sense of solemnity and holiness, and it wasn't so embarrassing.
Now... her and Song Yi'an?
They weren't even a real couple.
Li Qiyu just buried her head in eating the noodles, as if the only thing in her world was the bowl of noodles in front of her.
At this time, Li Tong, who had an extremely slow reaction, finally asked later, "What's a little sugar cousin? Is he a very sweet cousin?"
This was beyond Li Tong's knowledge. The little guy didn't know what a cousin was.
This remark made Li Xiangping laugh and successfully caught Song Yi'an's attention. He stroked Li Tong's little head - in front of so many people, it wasn't appropriate for him to touch Li Qiyu, so he could only satisfy his urge by touching Li Tong's head.
"Yes, your cousin will be very sweet."
If it was a child of him and Li Qiyu, just thinking about it would be sweet.
The undercurrent between Li Qiyu and Song Yi'an was so obvious that Li Xiangping and Jiang Yongfeng saw it but didn't say anything.
Especially Song Yi'an. When Li Xiangping asked other questions, he answered briefly, in a business - like tone. But when it came to Li Qiyu's matters, he not only talked more but also became much gentler.
This was unexpected by Li Xiangping and unanticipated by Jiang Yongfeng.
One of them was secretly happy, and the other regretted it.
The couple had their own thoughts and finished this breakfast.
After breakfast, Li Qiyu quickly said, "Yi'an, don't you have an important meeting today? Hurry up, or you'll be late."
Li Qiyu wasn't stupid. She could feel Song Yi'an's pressure when facing the Li family.
Yes, who wouldn't feel pressured?
Moreover, since she knew that these two people were the ones who had almost ruined Song Yi'an and pushed him to the bottom of his life, she couldn't bear to let Song Yi'an face them.
Li Qiyu made an excuse for Song Yi'an to leave quickly.
Li Xiangping was of course not happy.
He didn't just come here to have breakfast with Song Yi'an and see him off to work.
He naturally had something to discuss.
"Xiao'an, could you spare me a few minutes? Let's go to your study and talk," Li Xiangping said.
This was how Li Xiangping and Song Yi'an used to talk. They would lock themselves in the study to discuss things, while Li Xiyu and Jiang Yongfeng would just stare at each other on the sofa.
Song Yi'an glanced at Li Qiyu and asked, "I wonder what Dad wants to discuss?"
"It's about your new movie, *The Spring Yu Collection*."
"This is Xiao Yu's painstaking effort. I think Xiao Yu has the right to be involved," Song Yi'an said, using a little trick when referring to Li Qiyu. He changed "Xiao Yu" to "Xiao Yu". In the dialect of City B, "Yu" and "Yu" sounded similar.
This had become a little understanding only between him and Li Qiyu, a little secret that only the other could recognize.
Li Xiangping also glanced at Jiang Yongfeng, who looked obviously very anxious.
"In that case, let's just talk in the living room. After all, we're a family, and there's no need to be so polite," Li Xiangping said.
So, Jiang Yongfeng and Li Xiangping sat on the long sofa, and Li Qiyu sat on the short sofa. She thought Song Yi'an would sit on the single short sofa opposite her, but unexpectedly, he walked straight towards her sofa and sat on the armrest of her sofa.
This guy was so strange. Wasn't there a sofa over there? Was her sofa more appealing?
But in front of Li Xiangping, she didn't dare to drive him away. Otherwise, Li Xiangping would scold her again.
"Well, Xiao'an, I've watched *The Spring Yu Collection*. It's really a good story, and Old Song attaches great importance to it. It's a big - budget and big - project movie, and we must do it well," Li Xiangping said some polite words before getting to the point of his visit. "I think you should be more careful when choosing the actress for the leading role."