Chapter 133

  "What's wrong?" He hastily put down the kitchen knife, worried that he might accidentally hurt him.

  Li Jing shook his head and said: "Nothing, Old Deng asked me to come and urge you, saying that it's been so long and still not well, don't be lazy."

  Li Yiheng furrowed his brow, unsure what his uncle was up to this time.

  "How was your conversation?" Li Yiheng asked.

  "Not bad." Li Jin shrugged his shoulders, "We can still talk."

  So why am I looking at you... with not much interest.

  Li Yiheng swallowed the words, picked up the kitchen knife again, propped his elbow on the counter and pushed him a little further away: "Stay with me for a while."

  Li Jin replied, "What can I help you with?"

  Li Jin, this kitchen idiot, where can he help? It's already good if he doesn't mess things up. But Li Yi Heng looked at his expression and knew that if he didn't find something for him to do, he would be uncomfortable all over, so he said: "You help me check if the meat is cooked yet."

  Li Jin nodded, turned on the faucet to wash his hands, and then picked out the pieces of meat from the bowl one by one, savoring each piece. Although he looked serious, Li Yihe always felt that he seemed to be hiding something in his heart, with a hint of melancholy.

  "Sorry," he said.

  Li Jing was taken aback for a moment, then lifted her head and revealed a comforting smile: "What are you apologizing for? I'm fine."

  Li Yiheng didn't answer, he just looked at him.

  Li Jincheng smiled wryly, "I understand, at your position, you can like whoever you want, as long as they have a clean background and are presentable, no one would dare say anything. But as Deng Lao is your elder, he can't help but consider more factors. My background, Deng Lao will naturally investigate, whether I am presentable or not, he'll have to see for himself." He paused, "It's better this way, at least it's better than him secretly plotting something that would put me in an awkward position."

  Li Yiheng narrowed his eyes: "What kind of test would make you unable to cope?"

  "Who knows." Li Jin deliberately provoked him, "Maybe if you write me a check for 10 million, I'll agree to call it off with you right away, without even blinking an eye."

  Li Yi Heng let out a long sigh: "I'm worth 10 million."

  "A little less is also okay." Lei Jin reminded, "But you have to pay in cash."

  Li Yiheng was completely defeated.

  Li Jin laughed so hard that her shoulders shook violently, and she casually tossed the meat in her hand back into the glass bowl, saying: "I won't help you anymore, I'm not good at it."

  Li Yi Heng let out a sigh of relief: "Mm, just watch."

  Li Jing gave him a sideways glance, washed his hands clean, turned around and leaned on the cooking counter, saying slowly: "I'm not angry, neither you nor Old Deng. I just... didn't quite expect it."

  Li Yiheng concentrated on putting the cut vegetables aside, without lifting his head: "What's there to think about?"

  Half a day passed without waiting for the next chapter.

  He straightened up in confusion, and beside him, Li Jin's eyes were fixed on his toes, lost in thought.

  What's wrong?

  Li Jinxiang, I didn't expect that you would have such deep feelings for Ke Yuan, and actually consider him as your only partner in this life, and solemnly mention it to your relatives.

  Deng Lao isn't forgetful, he just knows how deeply you care for Ke Yuan and is afraid that I'll be holding a grudge in my heart, making things awkward between us later on, so he's testing the waters.

  But how can I tell you that I don't care about your past with Ke Yuan because Ke Yuan is me, I am Ke Yuan.

  The more I understand how you love him, the more I feel guilty towards you, the more I want to hide it no longer, and immediately confess to you, so that you will no longer have regrets in your heart.

  But how can I tell you?

  Such a thing is probably unbelievable no matter who you tell it to.

  Li Jin pursed her lips and looked up at him: "Li Yiheng, I..."

  Suddenly, Li Yiheng turned around and hugged him.

  His hands were not very clean, and he didn't dare to hold him tightly, making this hug less powerful than before, but the warmth and tenderness would never change. Li Jin Ai wrapped his left arm around Li Yi Heng's waist, gently encircling it.

  "Li Yi Heng," after a long, long time, Li Jin finally spoke up in a soft voice, "I was just teasing you earlier. No matter how much money you give me, I won't leave you, really."

  Li Yiheng raised the corner of his lips and chuckled softly.

  "I know, idiot."

  After the afternoon nap, Old Deng invited them to the sunroom on the third floor for afternoon tea. Having chatted for a long time in the morning, Old Deng was already very at ease with Li Jin, no longer probing her with his words, but instead becoming more and more affectionate. The three of them sat on rattan chairs, basking in the warm sunlight that made one feel comfortable all over. Old Deng called for someone to bring out a photo album, and as he flipped through the old photos, he told Li Jin stories about when he was young. These were stories that Li Yi Heng had heard many times before, but Li Jin was hearing them for the first time, and she listened with great interest.

  By chance, I flipped through a yellowed old photo. In the photo, vaguely visible was young Deng Lao, who had in his arms a two or three year old boy wearing a suit and tie, with an impatient look on his face, his eyebrows not yet open, looking delicate like a little girl. Old Deng shook his hand as he pulled out the photo and handed it to Li Jin, laughing and asking: "Guess who this child is?"

  Li Jin pinched the photo and looked at Li Yi Heng, smiling as she looked: "I didn't expect you to be so handsome when you were young. How did you grow up like this?"

  It's not that surprising, it's just that as Li Yiheng grows older, the genes from his father's side become more apparent, and his masculine features stand out.

  Still looks good - Lijin's comment - This flustered look is even more attractive.

  Deng Lao also clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "When he was young, he was a mischievous and brave child, climbing trees and diving into the sea, there's nothing he didn't dare to do. At that time, I often told his father, this kid is so naughty, when he grows up, it will be hard to control him. Tell me, how did he become like this now?"

  Li Yiheng didn't have the talent to entertain with colorful clothes, but sacrificing his own face to make an old man smile was no big deal. He let Deng Lao joke about himself and took the photo from Li Jin's hand, saying helplessly: "How old was I at that time? I've even forgotten."

  Deng Lao began to tell the story behind this photo. Li Yiheng listened with interest, and when he got halfway through, he naturally put one hand on Li Yiheng's. Li Yiheng was not surprised, and smoothly pulled him over to hold his hand. This action seemed like it had been performed thousands of times, as natural as breathing in air. Deng Lao's expression didn't change, but in his heart, he gradually understood.

  Dinner was a sumptuous feast carefully prepared by the chef at Deng's residence. Old Master Deng was in high spirits, chatting with Li Jin for a whole day without showing any signs of fatigue, and instead seemed even more energetic. He mentioned that tomorrow was New Year's Eve and invited Li Jin to stay and celebrate the new year with them, asking him what kind of filling he liked in his dumplings and instructing the kitchen to prepare some. Li Jin was deeply moved and touched by this gesture, hastily agreeing to accept their hospitality. This trip to Hong Kong had initially made him think that he would have to spend a lonely New Year's, but now with loved ones by his side and caring elders to look after him, he felt that things couldn't get any warmer or more comforting than this.

  After dinner, the three of them watched TV together in the living room. Deng Lao liked to watch the evening programs on Jade Channel, and the noise made it seem lively. However, Li Jin didn't find it very interesting, Cantonese was not his native language after all, especially when they spoke quickly, it sounded like a lullaby. He hadn't slept well for two consecutive nights, staring at the TV screen, before long, drowsiness crept in, and he gradually leaned against Li Yi Heng's shoulder and fell asleep.

  Li Yi Heng's shoulders immediately didn't dare move anymore.

  He asked the housekeeper to bring over a blanket, carefully covering Li Jin with it, and then slightly adjusted his body position to make Li Jin sleep more comfortably. After completing this set of actions, he raised his head and met Deng Lao's scrutinizing gaze squarely.

  Those eyes were sharper than any blade, as if they had a physical form that could cut open Li Yi Heng's chest and see directly into his heart.

  Li Yiheng curled up his lips and thought to himself, "Fourth Uncle has been pretending to be a Maitreya Buddha for a whole day, he's finally exhausted from all the acting."

  "Isn't it Ke Yuan?" Old Deng said with a sneer, lowering his voice in front of the small TV.

  Li Yi Heng responded with a "no".

  "What's going on?" Deng asked, "I didn't understand it over the phone, tell me now, what's going on?"

  Ke Yuan died unexpectedly, and Deng Lao knew about it. He was once very worried about Li Yi Heng's mental state and even asked him to come to Hong Kong for a while to clear his mind. Who would have thought that in just half a year, Li Yi Heng would find a new love, and...and with such a deep and affectionate attitude.

  Deng Lao thought that either the child he had raised from a young age had changed sex, or Li Jin was actually a male fox spirit who had taken advantage of an opportunity.

  Li Yiheng's temperament he was aware of, but Li Jin - after being in contact with him for a whole day, couldn't help but admit that this was indeed a good kid.

  What's going on?

  Deng was completely bewildered and felt that the emotions of this young person were truly confusing, making the older generation anxious and flustered with no solution.

  Li Yi Heng however still didn't show any understanding for the elder's hard work, with an expression of not wanting to talk more, lightly said: "I really like Li Jin, so we're together."

  "What about Ke Yuan?" Deng Lao really wanted to give him a good scolding, "You've liked her for ten years, haven't you? Now that she's gone, you've forgotten?"

  "I haven't forgotten." Li Yiheng lowered his head, his expression somewhat tired. In the shadow of the lamp light, his gaze at Li Jin was as gentle and moving as ever, "Ke Yuan...Li Jin...are actually the same."

  "What does it mean?" Deng didn't understand.

  Li Yiheng smiled slightly, gently picked up Li Jin's hand and held it in his palm. The person in front of him blinked twice, seemingly startled by the action, but only for a moment, then quickly found a more comfortable position on his shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

  Li Yiheng gazed quietly at him, with a small void in his heart, and was filled with sweet honey under such gaze.

  "Ke Yuan, or Li Jin?" His voice was very soft, as if he were only speaking to himself. "It doesn't matter, as long as he can stay by my side like this."

  Deng furrowed his brow, wanting to speak but unsure where to begin.

  "Shu Shu," Li Yi Heng suddenly lifted his head, his tone very serious. "No matter what you think of him, good or bad, I've already decided to be with him forever. So, I hope you won't take it upon yourself to test him again and make him feel uncomfortable. We're going to become a family in the future, starting like this isn't good."

  Li Yiheng's temperament was warm and gentle, and in daily interactions, he always yielded to this uncle. He rarely spoke seriously or solemnly with him, so when Li Yiheng put on this expression, it shocked Deng Lao. He vaguely remembered that the last time Li Yiheng had such an attitude was for Ke Yuan.

  Something has been accumulating in his mind, but it's just a vague lump that can't be clearly stated. Old Deng thought and thought, couldn't think it through, and had to say: "Alright, alright, I admit defeat. You child, I've gone to great lengths for you. Your parents passed away early, leaving you to me, and as your uncle, isn't it all about taking good care of you..."

  Next is a 30-minute review of past events, focusing on the present and looking forward.

  Li Yiheng wrapped his arms around Li Jin and began to enter the old monk's meditation mode, where he was oblivious to all external sounds.