CHAPTER 209: CHAPTER 201 AUNT 2

Juzi was the only true friend of his entire adolescence.

Precisely because of this, her sudden disappearance back then made him furious.

Perhaps no one expected that years later, when they met again, everything would have changed so drastically.

Juzi was no longer the chubby, insecure girl she once was, and he no longer had a sunny disposition.

Actually, Li Chengze had always known that Juzi had a crush on him.

But he selfishly chose to ignore it to prolong their friendship.

In Li Chengze’s mind, friendship lasts longer than love.

Going around in circles, his relationship with Juzi continued in a different way.

He smiled bitterly at himself in the mirror, Li Chengze had never felt so physically and mentally exhausted...

At this moment, Tu Haohao was kneeling before Tu Shaohong.

"Grandfather, please, can you help Chengze through this difficult time?"

Her hands were holding a teacup, trembling as if the tea might spill at any moment.

On the other hand, Tu Wanzi stood aside, looking at her daughter with distress.

She only found out when Haohao returned that she and Li Chengze had secretly pledged their lives to each other.

Although society has become more liberal regarding women’s chastity, Tu Wanzi still felt sorry for Tu Haohao.

Because she could see it clearly.

Between Li Chengze and Haohao, Haohao was definitely the one giving more.

She didn’t understand why her daughter was so infatuated with Li Chengze.

Like she was under some sort of spell.

"Tu Haohao!" Tu Shaohong had never spoken so sharply to Tu Haohao since she was a child.

"Grandfather, please!" Tu Haohao didn’t dare move an inch, but the red mark on her neck, exposed when she looked down, revealed the truth.

As an experienced man, how could Tu Shaohong not know what that was!

With a series of thuds, Tu Shaohong suddenly stood up and swung his cane heavily down on Tu Haohao.

"Dad! What are you doing!" Tu Wanzi widened her eyes and hurried to protect her.

Tu Haohao didn’t want Tu Wanzi to get hurt, so she used her body to shield her.

The cane struck her brow instead, and tiny drops of blood fell down.

Like red plums blossoming in the snow, it was a shocking sight.

Tu Haohao didn’t speak, just kept her head down, and didn’t cry as she usually would.

Tu Shaohong panted heavily, clearly very angry.

But suddenly, he seemed to age ten years, just watching Tu Haohao.

"Let that boy marry you, as long as he marries, I’ll help!"

Tu Shaohong finally relented.

Tu Haohao looked up in surprise, blood sliding down from her brow...

When Li Yanan returned home, Lin Zhenxin hadn’t come back yet.

Grandma was still asleep, while Aunt Xu sat on the sofa, continuing to knit a scarf, lost in thought.

Seeing Li Yanan come in, she beckoned him over.

Li Yanan went over, sat down beside Aunt Xu, and casually put the things he was holding on the coffee table.

"Seeing you now, I’m much more at ease."

Aunt Xu said with a smile.

Li Yanan smiled. He understood what she meant.

Meeting Xun Chen was entirely by accident.

Yet because of this accident, he got to know Xun Chen’s whole family.

And at that time, Dean Xun had not yet divorced Aunt Xu, and their relationship hadn’t become what it is now.

"I used to fear the most that you would become a cynic."

Aunt Xu sighed, after all, Li Yanan had left a deep impression on her back then.

"Actually, I’m still me." The corners of Li Yanan’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"I used to think sometimes that God was really unfair. I clearly did nothing wrong, so why did I have to bear all this suffering? I had hate in my heart, I had resentment. But if my life only included these two things, I could never have any long-term development."

Aunt Xu quietly listened with a gentle smile.

"What’s more, besides hate and resentment, there is also love in my life."

Li Yanan’s features were deep, perhaps thinking of something, his smile gradually widened.

"In the past, my world was only black and white, but... ever since I met Zhenxin, I discovered my world was also colorful. I can’t imagine what would happen if I lost her one day." Even the thought made him tense.

"Then hold on tight to her and don’t do anything that would make you lose her."

Aunt Xu softly suggested.

Li Yanan seemed to think of something and his smile faded.

Actually, there was something Li Yanan hadn’t told Aunt Xu.

Nowadays, he was walking on a tightrope, ready to plunge into an abyss at any time.

His only gamble was Zhenxin’s trust in him, with no other chips on the table.

"But I’ve already done it," he said.

"Then work hard to ensure she never finds out."

This is the minimum respect a husband owes his wife.

Aunt Xu seemed to think of something, her indifferent gaze overshadowed by a layer of gloom, evoking an unbidden ache in one’s heart.

Perhaps that sentence was also her most profound experience in this life...

"There are always people in this world who are foolish enough to think that their deeds will remain undiscovered, but is there really any wall that doesn’t let the wind through?"

Li Yanan didn’t know if he was speaking to Aunt Xu or to himself.

Aunt Xu remained silent, while the sound of a key turning the lock came from outside.

Lin Zhenxin entered, appearing surprised to see Li Yanan home, momentarily pausing.

But it was only for a brief moment; she soon closed the door and changed her shoes, walking into the living room.

Li Yanan looked up, and soon, Lin Zhenxin was in front of him.

She was looking at him, her expression...

Seemed a bit off?

"I bought from ’First-class Residence’..."

"Li Yanan, we need to talk." Before Li Yanan could finish his sentence, Lin Zhenxin interrupted.

Perhaps her expression was too serious; Li Yanan felt a weight in his heart as he looked at her.

"Okay." Li Yanan stood up.

Aunt Xu sensed something amiss and watched the two with worried eyes...

The two entered the room.

Lin Zhenxin turned her back to Li Yanan, silent for a long time.

Li Yanan didn’t rush her, even though he sensed something different about Lin Zhenxin, he still waited patiently.

In fact, Lin Zhenxin hadn’t intended to come back.

She needed some time to calm down.

After parting with Yao Lemon at Starbucks, Lin Zhenxin indeed did so.

Yet the more time she spent alone, the more prone she was to overthinking.

So, she decided to return home.

Upon seeing Li Yanan, she suddenly seemed to have a moment of clarity and asked to talk.

"Do you remember our ’three conditions’?" Lin Zhenxin finally spoke.

Li Yanan’s profile was cool and sharp; although he didn’t understand why she suddenly brought this up, he realized...

Something significant must have happened that impacted their relationship without his knowledge.

"First, maintain trust in each other. Second, if we have a conflict, don’t display it in front of grandma. Third, no acceptance of marital infidelity."

"Good, so you remember it all."

Lin Zhenxin slowly turned around, her expression calm, yet her tone was unusually solemn.

"Zhenxin, what happened?" Li Yanan asked.

"I went to the hospital today and saw He Bainian." Lin Zhenxin temporarily omitted the part about the child.

Li Yanan’s expression suddenly changed, his black eyes fixed on her expression.

"Don’t say anything yet, let me finish." Seeing him about to speak, Lin Zhenxin’s calm voice interrupted again.

Li Yanan pressed his thin lips together, silent.

"He told me not to blame or hate He Nuoxin because she once lost a child for you, which worsened her depression, and you didn’t want to take responsibility at all!" Lin Zhenxin’s voice was flat, like a recording, repeating He Bainian’s words verbatim.

"I admit these words were a shock to me; I believe no woman could remain unaffected by them."

Ever so subtly, Lin Zhenxin’s voice trembled; though she hid it well, Li Yanan caught it effortlessly.

"But we promised each other to maintain trust, so I chose to come back and face you!"

Taking a deep breath, Lin Zhenxin raised her head, finally meeting Li Yanan’s eyes.

"I don’t care what others say, only you..."

"It’s only what you say that I believe!"

Lin Zhenxin’s gaze was resolute, her eyes dark and clear.

Since she chose to confront him, she needed an accurate answer from this man.

Even though these matters were from before their marriage.

"So, Li Yanan, is what He Bainian said... true?"

Lin Zhenxin threw the question at Li Yanan; she only needed this man to give her an answer.

She had said, it was only what he said that she would believe.

Li Yanan probably never imagined that Lin Zhenxin would calmly give him a chance to explain.

As they looked into each other’s eyes, they could clearly see each other’s expressions.

After a long time, Li Yanan finally spoke...

Li Chengze booked the entire Western restaurant, decorating it romantically and attractively with roses and candles.

When He Nuoxin arrived, she furrowed her brows slightly at the scene.

But there was no denying that what Li Chengze had done satisfied a woman’s vanity.

Especially when she saw the envious looks of the female waitresses, a little emotion swelled quickly in her heart.

Li Chengze rose to pull out the wooden chair for He Nuoxin, letting her sit.

In the soft, orange light, He Nuoxin looked picture-perfect, her dark hair styled into large, wavy curls cascading down the sides of her small face, delicate and beautiful.

"Aunt Li’s matter isn’t resolved yet, what you’re doing doesn’t seem appropriate."

The waiter poured the already-decanted red wine for them.

The clash of the glasses and the wine created a tempting sound.

Li Chengze said nothing, simply looking quietly at He Nuoxin’s face.

He had admired and liked this woman since childhood, and he wanted to make an effort for her.

"Nuoxin, I invited you today because I have something to say to you."

He Nuoxin made a humming sound, lifting her wine glass elegantly for a sip.

Her gaze fell on her wrist.