Yun Yongchang remained silent. After Yun Li closed the door, he came to his senses and muttered to Yun Ye, “As parents, we’re just looking out for your sister. We want to find her a good family that won’t look down on her, so she won’t suffer after she marries.”
“Dad, you should apologize to Sis. How could anyone tolerate what you said?” Yun Ye’s tone was disapproving. Usually, Yun Li and Yun Yongchang’s bickering was trivial, but it had been a long time since such harsh words were exchanged.
With both his children opposing him, Yun Yongchang’s expression darkened. He moved his lips, “I raised you both…”
Tired of hearing this, Yun Ye went straight back to his room.
…
Yun Li ran downstairs. Yin Yucheng had just reached the community entrance.
She quickly caught up to him. Hearing her footsteps, he seemed to have been waiting for a while and turned around.
He appeared relieved and smiled at Yun Li.
Without hesitation, Yun Li said, “I’m still dating Fu Shize. I haven’t told my father.”
Yin Yucheng’s smile froze, his expression becoming complicated.
Yin Yucheng had thought Yun Li chasing after him meant she was interested. After all, he was quite a catch, and they had known each other for two years.
Approaching thirty, why was his journey to find a partner so difficult?
This time, it was his parents’ introduction. When Yin Yucheng saw Yun Li’s information, he was interested both because he had feelings for her before and because her good personality made her suitable for living together. That’s why he especially came to Xifu.
Yun Yongchang had been very frank, believing the union of their two families would be a good outcome.
“I told my dad very clearly before, but he just won’t listen to me,” Yun Li looked troubled. She gazed at him apologetically, “I hope this won’t affect Yun Ye and Yun Yi. I’ll transfer you the money for your flight and hotel.”
Even at this moment, Yun Li was considering her brother, not the feelings of the man who had traveled so far.
Every word felt like a knife to Yin Yucheng’s heart. He was popular elsewhere, but he disliked people approaching him solely for his material conditions.
Wanting a simple campus romance, he kept getting rebuffed by Yun Li.
Come to think of it, whenever he participated in competitions with Fu Shize present, he never won first place.
Perhaps used to losing, with Fu Shize as the opponent again, he found it somewhat easier to accept.
Yin Yucheng quickly adjusted his expression, preserving some dignity and feigning indifference, “It’s alright. I’ve been on over twenty blind dates. I’ll just consider this a visit to see my little sister.”
Yun Yongchang’s extreme move had put Yun Li in an incredibly awkward position. She looked apologetic.
“I’ll go see Yun Yi now. Don’t take it to heart,” he said meaningfully, “We’ll still be family in the future.”
After seeing Yin Yucheng off, Yun Li felt relieved of her burden.
Recalling what had just happened, Yun Li felt suffocated, experiencing a sense of déjà vu that Yun Yongchang wanted to arrange her entire life.
Expecting to face Yun Yongchang’s sour expression if she went home, and having already left, Yun Li decided to go all in and took a taxi to Xike University.
By the time she reached the bottom of the academic building, Fu Shize had already parked his scooter by the roadside, waiting for her.
Yun Li skillfully sat behind him on the scooter, hugging his waist, “Shall we go to the side? There’s a game store.”
Fu Shize glanced at her. Going out late at night to play games wasn’t Yun Li’s style, but he didn’t ask further and rode directly to the store.
They opened a small private room with just a two-seater sofa and a screen.
She handed him a controller and randomly started a game. Her button presses were rapid and forceful as if venting her emotions.
After a few rounds, Fu Shize put down the controller and asked, turning his head, “Why did you come out so late?”
Yun Li mumbled, fiddling with the controller, “I missed you.”
“Oh.” He didn’t believe this reason. Fu Shize wasn’t in a hurry; he patiently started a new game for her and played a couple more rounds.
Fu Shize’s question seemed to open a floodgate. Yun Li recalled her father’s recent actions: constantly introducing blind dates since she returned to China, arranging meetings at restaurants despite her clear refusals, and even criticizing her for not showing up.
This time was even more ridiculous, inviting someone directly to their home.
What would be next? What more outrageous things might happen?
The more Yun Li thought about it, the more depressed she became. Lowering her head, she confided in Fu Shize, “My dad’s being a bit unreasonable. He invited Yun Ye’s older cousin to our house for a blind date with me.”
“…”
“We argued before I left.” Remembering Yun Yongchang’s words, Yun Li’s tone dropped, “Actually, I understand why he’s so anxious.”
Yun Li spoke hesitantly, “My dad always thought I was quite introverted and stubborn. When I was little, I was often bullied, but I would always talk back. However, my dad always felt this was a sign of immaturity.”
When Yun Li was young, no matter what happened, Yun Yongchang would break his usually taciturn nature and argue with others for her sake.
Because of this, when relatives criticized Yun Yongchang, Yun Li would also stand up for him without hesitation.
She wasn’t sure when this relationship began to change.
Yun Li hadn’t forgotten Yun Yongchang’s kindness to her, which made her feel even more upset now.
” I’ve been trying all these years to show him that although I’m a bit introverted, it doesn’t mean I can’t get along with others, take care of myself, or make my own decisions.”
Yun Li had grown up under Yun Yongchang’s constant criticism. She had struggled against it all, whether by pursuing her master’s at Nanli University or studying abroad in England. These experiences had broadened her horizons.
She felt she had done well enough and regained long-lost confidence in herself.
But deep down, she was still insecure.
The confidence the outside world gave her would be completely shattered once she returned home.
Her efforts could never earn Yun Yongchang’s trust. It was as if someone was always following her, saying, “No matter how much you do, it’s useless.”
“I don’t know how to make my dad acknowledge me,” Yun Li hung her head. “Today he told me that Yin Yucheng doesn’t mind that I can’t hear in one ear.”
“It’s as if in his eyes, that’s my only value.”
Every time something like this happened, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was that inadequate, to make her father look down on her so consistently.
Yun Li almost gritted her teeth as she spoke the last few words. Remembering Yun Yongchang from her childhood, an immense sense of grievance welled up in her heart.
She believed Yun Yongchang loved her.
That’s why she wanted his approval even more.
“Li Li,” Fu Shize lifted her face, looking at her earnestly, “Don’t doubt yourself because of what others say.”
He paused for a moment, “Never doubt your abilities, at any time.”
“You’re very independent and strong-willed. You’ve achieved everything you set out to do,” Fu Shize stroked her hair. His words, usually devoid of strong emotion, were now filled with undeniable conviction.
She was his shining treasure.
She shouldn’t lose her luster because of anyone’s doubts.
“There are all kinds of people in this world, each with their perspectives. Parents have their ideas, and these ideas aren’t always perfect. They’re often hard to accept,” he spoke softly, whispering in her ear.
“But parents are parents, and we are ourselves.”
“Besides, Uncle does acknowledge you. That’s why he strongly opposed our relationship initially.” Even though this incident spoke poorly of him, Fu Shize mentioned it without any resentment.
He believed his daughter was good enough, and therefore, wanted to find someone equally worthy.
“That’s because he doesn’t understand you. He’s being stubborn,” Yun Li tugged at his collar. “Don’t mind his reaction back then.”
“I don’t mind,” Fu Shize pulled her closer. “I only care about now.”
In the private room, only the screen’s light illuminated his thin lower lip. Yun Li looked up and gave him a light kiss.
This time, Fu Shize’s response wasn’t passionate, but intimate and comforting.
As if telling her he would always be by her side.
Yun Li’s mood improved considerably, but thinking about Fu Shize having to meet Yun Yongchang in the future, she asked nervously, “Are you afraid of my dad? Do you think he’s too controlling?”
“I wouldn’t dare speak ill of my future father-in-law,” Fu Shize picked up the game controller again, starting a new game and playing for a while.
The game on the screen was exciting and engaging; this time, Yun Li played with full concentration. Beside her, Fu Shize shifted slightly and suddenly put down the game controller.
After a moment of silence, Fu Shize spoke, “You went on a blind date today.”
Yun Li: “…”
Fu Shize: “There might be a next time?”
Yun Li felt nervous, “Today was an accident, it probably…” Thinking about her father’s temperament, she paused.
She couldn’t be sure there wouldn’t be a next time.
Fu Shize looked up at her, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen your father.”
Yun Li froze upon hearing this, still traumatized by the last incident, “You don’t mind that last time my dad…”
“My condition was indeed very poor at that time,” Fu Shize admitted frankly. “I don’t blame your father. He was protecting his daughter within his capabilities.”
He spoke calmly, showing no signs of resentment or other emotions.
Even Yun Li herself harbored resentment about the incident.
“But if his protection hurts you,” Fu Shize paused, his voice suddenly lowering as he brushed his lips against her right ear, “I want to bring you home sooner.”
He did not attempt to hide his intentions.
“That depends on whether I agree,” Yun Li laughed. “Even if my dad agrees in the future, I might not.”
As they were engrossed in conversation, the game screen had already entered standby mode.
Seeing that Yun Li wasn’t interested in playing anymore, Fu Shize stood up, gently pulling her up. Before Yun Li could steady herself, she heard his voice from above, “Let’s go, we’ll sit at my place for a while.”
It wasn’t until they reached the dormitory building that Yun Li realized what Fu Shize meant by “home.”
She glanced at the dorm supervisor, “Can I go in?”
Fu Shize simply pulled her along, “Yes, I have a single room.”
As soon as he finished speaking, two couples entered the building, cuddling each other. The supervisor didn’t even look up, as if this was perfectly normal.
Yun Li was a bit worried about what might happen once they went up.
Seeing her hesitant expression, Fu Shize chuckled, “We’re just going to sit for a while. Where is your mind wandering?”
“You already know what I’m thinking,” Yun Li felt somewhat embarrassed by his comment, but didn’t want to back down. “It means you’re thinking the same thing.”
Fu Shize wasn’t one to be easily embarrassed. He hummed in agreement and teasingly asked, “Is that not okay?”
“…”
They first went to the convenience store next to the dormitory. Fu Shize took two bags of milk and put them in the microwave to heat.
Meanwhile, Yun Li caught sight of colorful boxes on the shelf near the cashier and quickly averted her gaze.
After opening the milk for her, Fu Shize led her upstairs. The dormitory was quite old and had no elevator. Yun Li followed him up five flights of stairs.
Like his room in Jiangnan Garden before, Fu Shize’s dormitory was meticulously tidy. Apart from a few books on the desk, there was nothing else.
He took out a slice of mango mille-feuille from the mini-fridge and placed it on the table, “My junior went to the mall today, and I asked him to bring one back.”
Fu Shize remembered that before Lin Jinran and the others left, they mentioned going to Xifu’s most popular dessert shop. After they left, he messaged Lin Jinran to bring one back.
Lin Jinran had asked knowingly: [Senior, don’t you usually not want these?]
There didn’t seem to be any special reason.
He just wanted to see Yun Li obediently eating what he had specially brought for her like she was doing now.
Noticing his gaze, Yun Li wiped her cheek with the back of her hand, “Did I get some on my face?”
“No,” Fu Shize sat down beside her.
Yun Li scooped up a spoonful and offered it to him, “Do you want some?”
“You eat it. My stomach isn’t good,” Fu Shize pushed the spoon back. Yun Li made a sound of acknowledgment, thinking about what he said, when she suddenly noticed him staring at her.
Fu Shize: “Maybe I’ll have a little.”
Yun Li made another sound of acknowledgment and was about to raise the spoon when Fu Shize gently pushed her hand away.
He leaned forward and bit her lips twice, neither too hard nor too soft, lingering affectionately for a moment. His tongue tip slowly glided across her lips.
He didn’t deepen the kiss, retreating to his original position. Yun Li was in a daze as she put the spoon back into the cake box.
The few square meters of space felt cramped. Yun Li looked at the old incandescent light and asked him, “Don’t you feel depressed living alone in this small single room?”
Fu Shize considered the motivation behind her question and slowly asked in return, “Do you want to move in with me?”
“…”
In this small space with just the two of them, probably nothing they said would sound normal.
Yun Li pointed at his narrow bed, which was a standard dormitory issue, “This bed is only one meter wide!”
Fu Shize turned his head, “I didn’t say we’d sleep in the same bed.”