Yun Li, experiencing this for the first time, asked breathlessly, “Will someone come?”
Fu Shize replied, “No.”
Their current position gave Yun Li a sense of control. Nearly losing her senses, she peppered kisses on the corner of his lips. With her last bit of rationality, she asked, “Did you bring protection?”
Fu Shize chuckled, “No.”
“…”
Yun Li felt the air freeze.
She met his gaze, let out a disappointed “Oh,” and then realized why he was so calm.
Feeling he had deliberately avoided mentioning this, Yun Li’s body flushed with heat, kindling a strong desire for revenge.
After his response, instead of retreating, she advanced, lifting his shirt halfway and gently biting his Adam’s apple. Fu Shize’s breath hitched, though his voice still carried amusement: “You’re going too far.”
Yet he allowed her actions.
This made Yun Li increasingly enjoy the process of ‘challenging’ him in this non-threatening situation.
She deliberately unbuttoned his shirt at an excruciatingly slow pace, one button at a time, listening to his breathing grow heavier. Yun Li smiled mischievously, “This is what you get for seducing me.”
“You’ll have to take responsibility,” Fu Shize drawled, still leaning against the edge of the sofa.
“I’m willing to take responsibility,” Yun Li said seriously.
Her attitude seemed sincere but was somewhat mischievous—knowing full well he couldn’t do anything to her, she deliberately said such words.
Fu Shize chuckled deeply. Having indulged her enough, he gripped her waist, his expression perfectly composed.
“I lied earlier.”
“…”
After showering, they took their clothes to the laundry room in the basement. Yun Li followed him down the stairs. The house was heated, so Fu Shize wore only a short-sleeved shirt, revealing his strong, slender arms.
It was this hand that had just been supporting her…
While whispering in her ear, “You said you’d take responsibility” and “Sit still.”
Yun Li felt weak in the knees.
Fu Shize turned on the light, catching the allure in the corner of her eye, and gently ruffled her hair. He opened the washer-dryer combo, tossed in their clothes, and put the socks in a separate small washer-dryer.
The laundry room filled with the sound of spinning drums, not loud enough to be bothersome, much better quality than the one at her home. The wash and dry cycle would take two hours. Fu Shize led her around to look at other areas.
Yun Li said quietly, “Your house is quite big…”
Fu Shize responded, “If you like it here, you can come stay whenever you want. I’ll have my parents set up a room just for you.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Yun Li thought for a while before saying directly, “I probably can’t afford such a big house.”
Yun Li seriously doubted if his standard of living would plummet because of her arrival.
Fu Shize turned to her, reminding her, “I can’t afford it either.”
“…”
Fu Shize continued, “Don’t look down on it.”
Yun Li was sometimes left speechless by his words. He should see that she was looking down on herself, yet he teased her instead.
Broaching the topic, Yun Li asked conventionally, “Do you plan to stay in Xifu in the future?” As if afraid he might change his mind, she added a condition: “Together with me.”
Fu Shize didn’t respond. Yun Li realized she had stated the obvious. Clearing her throat, she said seriously, “Then I want to buy a house in Xifu soon. My current savings should be enough for a down payment. If you’re willing, we could buy one together.”
Suddenly uncertain, she told Fu Shize “Wait a moment” and lowered her head to recalculate on her phone.
Finally, she nodded confidently to Fu Shize, “Yes, it’s enough.”
Fu Shize pondered for a while before saying directly, “I have some savings. Shall I buy one for you?”
His tone was the same as when he had given Yun Ye a drone.
Yun Li was stunned. She could understand if she had income, but Fu Shize…
“…Where did you get the money from?”
“Prize money from competitions, about a million or so.”
“…”
“?”
Fu Shize: “Scholarships from undergraduate and doctoral studies, over a hundred thousand.”
“…”
“New Year’s money and red envelopes since childhood, also a few hundred thousand. If that’s not enough, my grandparents on both sides have left me houses and money.”
“…”
Fu Shize didn’t avoid discussing these matters with Yun Li. He said nonchalantly, “I can pay for the house. I’ll have income after I start working. Keep your savings for yourself.”
Yun Li firmly stated, “Money doesn’t grow on trees, no matter whose it is. I can earn money too. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
Due to the disparity in their family backgrounds, she was even more unwilling to let people think she was interested in Fu Shize’s family wealth, or that she needed to rely on Fu Shize to buy her own house and car.
Fu Shize smiled, “Didn’t you just take advantage?”
“…”
“Besides, you’re wrong.” Fu Shize pulled her closer, “What’s mine is yours.”
Before bed, Yun Li once again asked Fu Shize to read to her. There were some note cards he had made inserted in the book. Yun Li remembered to ask him, “Why is the handwriting on those postcards different from yours?”
Fu Shize: “I wrote them with my left hand.”
“Oh.” Yun Li’s eyes curved in a smile, “I knew your handwriting was so beautiful.” She didn’t hold back her praise, kissing his cheek, “You’re beautiful too.”
Fu Shize’s lips curled into a slight smile as he continued turning pages.
“Didn’t you ever think about telling me during that time?” Yun Li hugged him, murmuring, “I feel so sorry for you. For that year and a half, only you were there for me.”
Fu Shize countered, “You were there for me too.”
He was a fragile person. Whenever he wanted to give up, seeing her again always made him feel strong inside.
Yun Li felt he was comforting her and continued asking, “Did you ever come to England to find me during that time?”
Yun Li hoped his answer would be no.
Fu Shize didn’t respond immediately. Seeing her eyes reddening, he stroked the corner of her eye and gently pinched her nose, “No, I was very busy that year and a half. I didn’t have time.”
Yun Li sighed in relief. Seeing this, Fu Shize held her tighter and took her hand to continue reading.
After returning to Xifu, Yun Li and Yun Ye got back the drone, which had a small dent. She wasn’t good at repairing such damages and looked up many tutorials online. Due to her studies, she had to put it aside temporarily.
Apart from going to the company, Yun Li spent her days writing her graduation thesis with Fu Shize. She secretly contacted Fu Zhengchu to form a small team to participate in EAW’s VR game development competition, wanting to give Fu Shize a gift for his birthday.
Under Fu Shize’s supervision, Yun Li caught up with the first batch of thesis submissions.
If all goes well, she will graduate in March.
Fu Shize had long completed his doctoral thesis. When they studied together, he was usually writing or revising English papers for submission.
Afterward, Yun Li started looking at houses in Xifu.
She had already discussed this with Fu Shize. He wanted to pay the full amount, but Yun Li refused, insisting they each pay half.
With this plan, Yun Li informed Yun Yongchang at the dinner table: “Ah Ze and I plan to buy a house in Xifu. We’ll go look soon.”
Over the past few months, Yun Li regularly brought Fu Shize home for meals. Both sets of parents had met. When it came to buying a house, Yun Yongchang wasn’t surprised, but asked, “Where are you looking?”
Yun Li mentioned the names of several new residential complexes.
Seeing his brow gradually furrow, Yun Li tried to persuade him gently, “I’ve already contacted an agent. These complexes have good locations and prices. We’ll go look at the show homes soon.”
Yun Yongchang ate a couple of mouthfuls of rice before making a decision, “Just buy in the building next door, close to home.”
“…”
His adamant attitude made Yun Li even more certain that living in the same community as him, just in the next building, would be worse than death.
“This community is quite old now, and it’s a bit far from my company…” Yun Li tried to make him understand, but Yun Yongchang’s eyebrow twitched at her words: “Didn’t you grow up here? Now you’re looking down on it? If you live in the next building, your mom and I can help if anything happens.”
Yun Li found this absurd. She and Fu Shize were paying for it themselves, yet Yun Yongchang’s attitude was so forceful.
She didn’t back down, saying directly, “Don’t interfere. I’m buying it with my own money.”
“What do you mean by that?” Yun Yongchang felt anger rising, “Now that you can earn money, you completely disregard my opinions? Who raised you before?”
The once harmonious dinner became tense due to their argument.
Yun Ye irritably interrupted Yun Yongchang’s words: “Dad, stop. It’s Sis’s house, she should decide.”
“Why are you butting in!” Yun Yongchang glared at him, “Your sister doesn’t know how to deal with people. We should look at houses for her. What good house can she pick?”
“…”
Yun Li could hear the disdain in his words. She put her chopsticks down on the table and went straight to her room.
Yun Ye lowered his gaze, silently wiping his lips with a napkin.
In the room, Yun Li sat on the bed, hugging her knees. Seeing Yun Ye follow her in, her eyes a bit red, she complained, “Why does he have to be like this?”
For so many years, Yun Yongchang had never affirmed her.
She had been excited about being able to buy a house, but Yun Yongchang always poured cold water on her enthusiasm.
Both siblings knew Yun Yongchang’s personality well.
Yun Ye didn’t know how to comfort Yun Li, so he just sat beside her, silently playing with the rabbit plush toy on her bed. After hesitating for a while, Yun Ye still decided to tell Fu Shize about this.
Since Fu Shize started coming to Yun Li’s house, almost every week when Yun Li picked up Yun Ye to come home, she would bring Fu Shize along.
Yun Ye could see that Yun Yongchang quite liked and approved of Fu Shize.
After Yun Li and Yun Yongchang had another argument at the dinner table, they remained at an impasse at home for a long time. Yun Li left early every day, either to study or work.
Yun Yongchang felt she was giving him the cold shoulder and his attitude towards her was extremely unfriendly every day. But this didn’t make Yun Li soften. She simply stopped talking to him.
Yang Fang, with her gentle nature, was caught between father and daughter, not knowing how to mediate.
Just as Yun Yongchang was feeling very troubled about this, Fu Shize called him, wanting to have a meal with him alone.
The meal was set in a private room outside.
After the meeting, they didn’t discuss Yun Li’s matter. Yun Yongchang asked about his studies and work as usual, and Fu Shize answered truthfully.
As they chatted, Yun Yongchang noticed Fu Shize’s phone was playing a video of Yun Li.
Yun Li had been a content creator for six or seven years.
Yun Yongchang had tried to understand but didn’t know how to operate the software.
Previously, he thought Yun Li being a content creator was unproductive and had mocked her coldly. He couldn’t bring himself to ask his children, so he had never really watched.
He was silent for a moment before asking Fu Shize, “Where is this?”
Fu Shize switched back to Yun Li’s main page and handed the phone to Yun Yongchang.
Scrolling up and down on the phone screen, Yun Li’s series of videos after returning to Xifu were about car structure science and emergency fault measures. She had borrowed cars from the driving school before and sometimes asked him strange questions.
Yun Yongchang thought she wasn’t doing anything serious and after answering, didn’t ask what she was doing.
“This Xian Yun Di Da Jiang is Lili.” Yun Yongchang looked as Fu Shize pointed to the numbers, “This is the view count.”
“How much is this?”
“This symbol means ten thousand, so it’s 3 million views.”
“…So 3 million people watched it?”
Fu Shize explained as simply as possible, “You can think of it that way.”
Based on his memory, he clicked on the last video of Yun Li’s series and opened the comments page, “These are comments from others.”
There were tens of thousands of comments, most expressing appreciation and recognition for the content creator.
One of them read: [Wife, how are you so amazing!]
Xian Yun Di Da Jiang replied: [When I was little, my dad would often tell me about inheriting the family business, haha ^^]
Seeing this, Yun Yongchang fell silent. After a long while, he muttered, “How can this person call my daughter like that…”
Yun Yongchang’s softening was evident. Fu Shize showed him more of Yun Li’s data, including her fan count. Yun Yongchang asked, “What does this mean?”
Fu Shize patiently explained, “These million-plus people follow Li Li. Whenever she posts a new video, they all see it.”
He played a video for Yun Yongchang. In it, Yun Li spoke confidently, laughing off any mistakes in her lines.
His daughter had shed her youthful shyness and naivety.
After a long silence, Yun Yongchang asked, “Whose idea was it to buy a house? Yours or Li Li’s?”
“Li Li’s. She’s more decisive than me,” Fu Shize answered honestly. “My parents suggested we pay in full and put the house in Li Li’s name, but she insisted on paying half.”
Yun Yongchang could imagine Yun Li’s defiant expression, not wanting to be looked down upon.
“My daughter has always been like this,” Yun Yongchang finally said.
Getting to the point, Fu Shize continued solemnly, “Li Li has mentioned you many times. She respects and cares for you deeply.”
He paused before adding, “But she feels her opinions are often ignored and not respected by you, leading to frequent arguments.”
Earlier, Yun Yongchang might have retorted that his daughter was just introverted, and he was only trying to protect her from being bullied.
But they had just had another argument a few days ago.
They seemed to argue every time they spoke, never truly getting along.
Yun Yongchang remembered how Yun Li used to hug him affectionately as a child, calling him “Papa.”
Since her left ear problem was discovered, since the school called multiple times about classmates writing hurtful things on her belongings, and since learning she was isolated and becoming introverted, Yun Yongchang had unconsciously come to see Yun Li as incapable and stubborn while trying to protect her.
Yun Yongchang was stubborn himself, rarely reflecting on his actions and assuming everything he did was for his daughter’s benefit.
Strangely, he found himself listening to this third-party perspective when he usually dismissed Yun Li’s words.
Back home, Yun Yongchang awkwardly opened the app Fu Shize had shown him and started watching Yun Li’s videos.
Hours later, his face was beaming with smiles. He forwarded the videos to friends and relatives, proudly announcing that his daughter had over a million fans.
After sharing, he heard the front door open. Yun Li had just brought Yun Ye home. She ignored Yun Yongchang and went straight to her room.
Yun Yongchang felt a chill run through him.
He stood there for a long while before knocking on Yun Li’s door.
“Yun Li!”
Hearing his booming voice, Yun Li felt irritated. She covered her ears with her blanket, ignoring him completely.
Yun Ye sensed trouble and tried to intervene, “Dad, stop knocking…”
Yun Yongchang ignored him and kept pounding on Yun Li’s door. They heard her jump out of bed and rush to the door.
Yun Li yanked it open.
Faced with his grim expression, Yun Li instinctively braced for another lecture. Exasperated, she asked, “Dad, haven’t you had enough?”
Taken aback by her tone, Yun Yongchang habitually retorted, “How dare you speak to me like that?”
After days of tension, Yun Li snapped back, “Why can’t I speak to you this way?”
Yun Yongchang fell silent.
“I feel so hurt. For years—” Yun Li choked up, “I’ve always tried my best. Since childhood, I’ve wanted to prove to you that I’m not so bad, that the gap between Yun Ye and me isn’t so large.”
“I may not be as good at studying as Yun Ye, but I can live and study independently. I haven’t taken a penny from you, and I’ve gained over a million followers as a content creator.”
“But in your eyes, your daughter seems to have nothing but flaws and defects. You think you’re caring for me, loving me, but have you considered that what you’re doing—”
“Has always been destroying my confidence and dignity.”
“Dad, sometimes I don’t know what to do,” Yun Li couldn’t hold back her tears. “I know you’re afraid I’ll be mistreated. I know you’ve always wanted to protect me because of my ear. That’s exactly why I’m in so much pain. You love me the wrong way, but precisely because you love me…”
“I don’t know how to handle our relationship.”
She couldn’t bring herself to cut ties with Yun Yongchang completely. She couldn’t disregard his feelings.
But she was in pain.
Yun Yongchang remained silent, his face tense.
Yun Ye, watching from the corner, could hear Yun Li’s sobs even through his headphones. He approached Yun Yongchang, pulling his shoulder, “Dad, stop fighting.”
Yun Yongchang didn’t move. Yun Li continued brokenly, “I’ll show you the house I choose. Just support me and approve of my decision this once, can you?”
Seeing her tears and remembering the videos he’d watched, Yun Yongchang sighed and returned to his room.
Yun Li felt desperate. It seemed no approach or emotion could reach Yun Yongchang. She was about to turn away when she noticed him silently return to the living room.
Yun Yongchang, still old-fashioned in his banking habits, placed an old passbook on the table. He said flatly, “All the money in here is for you.”
Yun Li caught off guard, sniffled and refused, “No need. Save it for Yun Ye.”
Yun Yongchang insisted firmly, “Yun Ye has his share. This is yours. Besides, that boy knows how to earn money. He doesn’t need yours.” After a long pause, he added with great difficulty, “…If he doesn’t know, he should learn from you.”
Stunned, Yun Li took the passbook and returned to her room.
Soon after, Yun Ye entered, wearing headphones. He asked incredulously, “Is something wrong with my ears? Or my headphones?”
Yun Yongchang had rarely praised Yun Li, let alone admitted she was better than Yun Ye in any way.
Feeling her efforts had paid off, Yun Li was torn between laughing and crying. She opened the passbook and was shocked by the amount.
Not intending to use the money, she tucked the passbook into a drawer.
Reflecting on what had just happened, Yun Li’s emotions settled quickly. She felt a bit smug and boasted to Yun Ye, “Did you hear that? Dad said you should learn from me.”
Yun Li continued, “Look, I can even persuade Dad now!”
Yun Ye suddenly realized Fu Shize must have spoken to Yun Yongchang. Seeing her content expression, he didn’t reveal the truth, only smiling along with her.
Yun Yongchang stopped interfering with Yun Li’s house-hunting, only repeatedly emphasizing details like lighting and layout. Though Yun Li found him naggy, she noticed his attitude was less forceful than before and usually just responded with a couple of “mm-hmms.”
They arranged a time with the real estate agent. Yun Li and Fu Shize viewed apartments near the company, with Yun Ye tagging along on his day off.
Noticing Yun Li repeatedly looking at 80-90 square meter apartments, Yun Ye asked, “Sis, are you planning to buy a three-bedroom?”
Yun Li, inexperienced in house-buying, looked up and asked Fu Shize, “How many rooms do we need?”
Fu Shize glanced up from the brochure and considered for a moment before asking, “How many do you want?”
Yun Li thought briefly, “Three?”
Fu Shize replied, “Then let’s look at five-bedrooms.”
Yun Li was stunned.
Belatedly realizing Fu Shize had asked how many children she wanted, she blushed and stammered, “Well, two should be enough.”
Overhearing their conversation, Yun Ye felt a two-bedroom was too small. He frowned, “Two isn’t enough, is it?”
“Kids shouldn’t worry about such things,” Yun Li glared at Yun Ye.
Unfazed by her sudden scolding, Yun Ye feigned nonchalance, “Hey, sis…”
He hesitated for a while until Yun Li prodded, “Spit it out already.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Yun Li froze, noticing Fu Shize glance at her.
Damn, could she take back her crude remark?
Yun Ye snickered gleefully. Yun Li, trying to salvage her image, said softly, “I mean, if you have something to say, tell me. Your sister will listen.”
Yun Ye smiled, revealing his canines and dimples, his tone negotiating, “Can you leave a room for me?”
Yun Li was exasperated, “What for?”
Yun Ye persisted, “Just leave me one room!”
Yun Li glanced at him impatiently, “Fine, fine.” She looked more closely at the larger floor plans in the brochure. Spotting a bubble tea shop nearby, she casually said, “Yun Ye, go buy some bubble tea.”
Yun Ye asked, “Oh, what do you want to drink?”
Yun Li and Fu Shize often ordered bubble tea while studying. Without hesitation, Fu Shize said, “Hot matcha latte, no sugar. Hot Ovaltine, no sugar, with ice cream.”
Yun Ye blanked for a moment, mentally repeating the order before heading to the nearby shop.
Watching his tall figure, Yun Li realized the once-shorter boy now towered over her by a head. He had shed his former restlessness, calmly waiting in line with his hands in his pockets. After a while, he took out his phone and tapped it a few times.
Yun Li’s phone vibrated.
Yun Ye: [WTF, hot Ovaltine, no sugar, with ice cream? Hot? With ice cream? Did I get it wrong?]
Seeing Yun Ye’s typical message, Yun Li suddenly understood why he wanted a room.
Emotions welled up inside her.
She looked up at Fu Shize and asked, “Can we leave a room for Yun Ye?”
Yun Li had only just realized the sadness of the situation.
It was only now, with house-buying becoming a reality, that Yun Li clearly understood she was entering a new phase of life. In this phase, she would gain a life partner.
But at the same time, what saddened her most was the inevitable distance that would grow between her and Yun Ye, who had grown up alongside her.
Previously, although Yun Li had been away at school for years, both she and Yun Ye knew that once the holidays came, she would return home. Yun Ye would see her, and she would see Yun Ye, even if they didn’t speak all day. Images flashed through her mind: since her freshman year, Yun Ye’s boyish smile as he frequently asked, “When are you coming home?”
Fu Shize understood and reassured her, “We’ll see your brother often.”
Her phone vibrated again. Yun Ye: [42 yuan.]
Yun Li sent him 0.1 yuan.
Her momentary melancholy dissipated.
…
Following this train of thought, she considered their marriage plans.
Earlier, Fu Shize had mentioned wanting to get engaged after graduation, but Yun Li had refused. Fu Shize hadn’t brought it up since.
But now, their graduation theses had already been submitted.
Yun Li pondered how to subtly remind him. She now regretted her impulsive refusal when she had confidently said she wanted to date for two or three years before marrying.
She looked at Fu Shize, who occasionally glanced up at her, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
Yun Li carefully chose her words.
—When are you going to propose to me?
No, too direct.
—Would this house work as our marital home?
Not much different from the previous question.
—Remember when you said we’d get engaged after graduation? Is that still on the table?
This would be an embarrassing backtrack.
After much deliberation, Yun Li asked in an extremely roundabout way, “This house, we’re buying it together, right?”