Before Father Li and Mother Li could react, Zhang Jingchan stood up and walked toward the bathroom, saying as he went: “However, the key still depends on Sister and you two. If Sister likes him, and you still want this son-in-law, even if his family has no money and he’s unfaithful, as long as he treats Sister well and is willing to change, I have no objections. Also, this person doesn’t seem to have any real ability—he relies entirely on his family’s storefront income. Once the Zhou family falls into decline, will Sister have to support him in the future? Forget it, I should still study hard and get into a good university so I can subsidize Sister and Brother-in-law with my salary every month. In any case, your opinions are the most important.”

Father Li’s face had turned green, Mother Li was dumbstruck, and Zhang Jingchan slammed the bathroom door shut with a “bang.”

——

When Li Weiyi returned to the Zhang family home, it was quite lively. Wu Xinhui was playing mahjong again, and even Li Yunmo was at the mahjong table, saying he was playing in his mother’s place.

However, after seeing Li Weiyi return, before long, Li Yunmo slipped upstairs. Li Weiyi had already bathed and was wearing a large T-shirt and loose pants, sitting on the bed carefully drying her hair.

Li Yunmo stared blankly at her for a while, then said: “Chan-ge, you look like a woman sitting like that.”

Li Weiyi rolled her eyes at him and threw the towel at his face. Li Yunmo caught it in one grab and subconsciously actually sniffed it. Damn, he was being perverted—he actually thought the towel Chan-ge used to dry his hair smelled good. Li Yunmo threw the towel away as if electrocuted.

“What have you been doing these two days taking leave?” Li Yunmo asked curiously.

Li Weiyi answered vaguely: “Matters on my dad’s side.”

Li Yunmo stopped asking. After a while, he said again: “I heard Cheng Ruiyan broke up with you—and she was the one who dumped you?”

Li Weiyi answered righteously: “That’s right!” This was what she and Cheng Ruiyan had agreed upon—between Zhang Jingchan and the school beauty’s reputation, she chose the school beauty.

Li Yunmo was quite surprised. He hadn’t expected Chan-ge to be dumped by someone, and hadn’t expected him to admit it with such a glorious expression… Of course, these things weren’t important. Li Yunmo’s eyes rolled around as he said resentfully: “Chan-ge, one must be magnanimous.”

Li Weiyi: “Where am I not magnanimous? I’m magnanimous everywhere.”

Miraculously, the two of them could still communicate on the same wavelength. Li Yunmo plopped down beside her, grinning as he said: “Then this time I can finally pursue Cheng Ruiyan, right? I think she’s somewhat interested in me too.”

Li Weiyi was astonished: Little Mozi, you’re the first one to poach from under my nose!

However, she thought that Cheng Ruiyan’s boyfriend later definitely wasn’t Li Yunmo. Moreover, she had heard Zhang Jingchan mention that the Li family later ended up destitute because they lent all their assets to Zhang Moyun… So Cheng Ruiyan’s new boyfriend was even less likely to be the penniless Li Yunmo.

Li Weiyi thought for a moment and said: “Let me tell you something.”

“Mm?”

Li Weiyi pressed both hands on his shoulders: “You absolutely cannot tell anyone about this matter, including your parents. Can you do that?”

Li Yunmo froze, his expression turning serious as he nodded.

“By the end of this year, in November or December, your Chan-ge will face a major crisis. As for what crisis, you’ll know when the time comes. If Chan-ge can get through this crisis, whether or not you want to pursue Cheng Ruiyan is up to you; if he can’t get through it… that’s also your own decision to make. Wait until that time, okay?”

Li Yunmo blinked in confusion and nodded: “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Li Weiyi was delighted. What a heavenly best friend! No wonder when Zhang Jingchan went through great rises and falls, he remained by his side throughout. He must be the person Zhang Jingchan trusted most, and also the person who trusted Zhang Jingchan the most.

Moved in her heart, Li Weiyi said: “Thank you! Thank you! You’re truly my Zhang Jingchan’s best brother in this world! In the future, there may be very difficult times, extremely difficult. At that time, if Chan-ge drags you down, don’t hold it against him. You just need to remember—no matter how great the hardship, brothers united in purpose can definitely endure through it. In this lifetime, if you follow Chan-ge steadfastly, there will definitely be a day when you’re rewarded. Ah, I know these are just words, but even without this reminder, you would still never leave, sharing both joy and hardship, because that’s just the kind of sincere and kind person you are! In any case, I just want to say to you: thank you, good brother.”

When Li Yunmo walked out of the Zhang family home, his steps were floating. What Cheng Ruiyan, what romantic thoughts—all thrown beyond the ninth heaven. In his mind only echoed repeatedly those heartfelt words from his Chan-ge.

By the time he reached his own front door, he wiped away tears, whimpered twice, and opened the door.

His mother was still at the Zhang family playing mahjong and hadn’t returned. His father, Li Jinxiong, was sitting on the sofa exhausted, smoking. Although he held the position of Construction Department Director at Fuming Group, he often wore dirty work clothes, going out in wind and rain every day, taking root at every construction site.

Li Jinxiong, like Finance Department Director Cheng Chuan, was also a brother who had played with Zhang Moyun since childhood.

Li Yunmo sat down beside his father with drooping head. Father and son both sat in gloomy silence for a while. Li Yunmo asked: “Dad, if one day Uncle Zhang faces trouble, what would you do?” Uncle Zhang naturally referred to Zhang Moyun.

Li Jinxiong answered without thinking: “What kind of relationship do he and I have? A life-and-death friendship! His matters are my matters.”

Li Yunmo’s emotions surged as he nodded: “That’s right, Chan-ge and I are the same! A friendship transcending life and death—everything goes without saying!”

These words actually amused Li Jinxiong. The two boys had played together since childhood, and his son liked following Zhang Jingchan around—he was happy to see it happen. Li Jinxiong nodded and said: “A person must know how to repay kindness and must be loyal. Your dad was just a construction worker back then. If it weren’t for your Uncle Zhang, there wouldn’t be today. That kid Achan has a solitary temperament, but his heart is upright, and his abilities are not inferior to his father’s. Since childhood, he’s been the one protecting you. Follow him well, and your future won’t be bad.”