Chapter 249 - 246: Conversation in the Garden

Chapter 249: Chapter 246: Conversation in the Garden

"Later, when we were being set up, I don’t know why, but it was love at first sight. The moment I saw Bao’er, I thought, ’That’s my wife. That’s the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.’ You know what happened after that. Mother-in-law, I get scared too. So I try to be even better to her—so good that she could never bear to leave me. Seeing her smile, I feel like I live for that smile, for Bao’er’s happiness. And it’s a happiness that no one but me can give her. So, Mother-in-law, you don’t need to worry that my heart will change. Just stay here in the Capital City and watch over our happiness, Bao’er’s and mine, okay? With you two here, Bao’er won’t lack for anything!"

Looking at Mr. and Mrs. Zhou, Li Xiu said earnestly, "Bao’er is filial and kind. A life where her parents are healthy, her children are well-behaved, her husband is devoted, and she has a few good friends—that would be the life she’d love most. Look, your grandchildren are here, and so are your daughter and son-in-law. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for you to stay in the Capital City and watch the children grow up?"

"She’s my own daughter, so of course I want her to be happy like she is now," Mrs. Zhou said slowly with a sigh. "It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just... it all feels a bit unreal. I’m afraid you won’t be able to spoil her forever, that you won’t be able to dote on her for a lifetime. I’m afraid she won’t be able to handle it if that day comes."

Seeing the worry in Mrs. Zhou’s eyes, Li Xiu said softly, "Mother-in-law, to be honest, I’ve thought about the same things you have. I don’t have an answer. I just can’t stand to see her unhappy. I can’t bear for her to struggle. I just want to see her smile. When she’s sad, it hurts me. I wish I could give her the whole world just to coax a smile out of her. When I see her cry, my heart aches as if it’s being pierced by needles. She’s my wife. Doting on her, coaxing her, indulging her, spoiling her... that’s all normal, isn’t it?"

At this point, Li Xiu felt he had to dispel his in-laws’ doubts completely. He continued, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I’m not afraid of you laughing at me for saying this. In my thirty-plus years of life, I’ve never been afraid of anything—except when it comes to Bao’er. When I was little, my own father and mother didn’t care for me, but I never cried or felt afraid. When I was older, the master who truly cared for me passed away, and I still wasn’t afraid. The first time I met Bao’er, I was scared. I was scared she wouldn’t choose me. Later, when she married me and gave birth to Nuonuo, I was terrified. When she had Yanyan, I was terrified again. They say childbirth is like having one foot in the grave, and back then, I was truly afraid. Even now, I’m still afraid. Not that Bao’er will leave me, but of natural disasters and unforeseen tragedies!"

"Everything I’m striving for right now is simply to give Bao’er a comfortable life. So, Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please rest assured. As for Bao’er, I will cherish her for a lifetime, keep her safe, and preserve her with care. I will shield her from fear and sorrow, from a life of hardship and wandering, from ever being helpless or alone! I..."

"If you were an emperor, you’d be the type to trade the entire kingdom for my sister’s smile!" Ping’an interrupted as he strode over, retorting irritably.

Walking up to Mr. and Mrs. Zhou, Ping’an gave a slight nod, then shot a glance at Li Xiu. "Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, you can rest easy. When it comes to my sister, Jin Chen would give his life for her. My father once said he lets romance get in the way of his ambitions, and my mother said a man as devoted as him comes along only once in a thousand years! My sister is his whole life. Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, please don’t worry! This is Li Jincheng we’re talking about—the man couldn’t live without my sister. What are you still worried about? It’s only because it’s my sister; anyone else would have been spoiled rotten by now!"

Li Xiu had briefly explained Ping’an’s identity to them before, which had quite startled Mr. and Mrs. Zhou at the time. Even now, they were still a bit stiff around him. But after hearing what he said, Mrs. Zhou understood. She realized that her son-in-law’s doting on her daughter was widely known. She nodded with a smile and said to Li Xiu, "You two go on with your business. I’ll walk around the garden a bit more and be back in a little while. Go on!"

Li Xiu thought for a moment. ’I’ve said everything that needed to be said.’ His mother-in-law should be at ease now. As for his father-in-law, he had always been a perceptive man; after hearing so much, he likely wouldn’t be worried anymore either. With a smile, Li Xiu bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Zhou and left with Ping’an.

Watching their two dashing figures retreat, Mrs. Zhou said softly, "Standing next to the young master, our son-in-law is by no means outshone. Maybe he’s right. There aren’t so many complications. It’s just that he truly cares about our daughter."

Hanshao glanced at her. ’Hardly his equal. Our son-in-law’s presence completely overwhelms the young master’s. But since our son-in-law isn’t pursuing a political career, none of that really matters. When it comes to our daughter, he’s completely devoted.’ ’Ah, well.’ Turning to Mrs. Zhou, Mr. Zhou said gently, "So be it. Let’s stay here in the Capital City. Like you said, this is the daughter you worry about and can’t let go of the most. Let’s stay and watch over her."

"What was that all about, Jin Chen?" Ping’an asked curiously once they had rounded the corner out of the garden. ’He’s too good to his wife, so his mother-in-law doesn’t believe it? What kind of situation is that!’

Li Xiu just smiled and shook his head. "It’s nothing. My mother-in-law is just used to the custom of the husband working outside and the wife managing the home. She feels that Bao’er’s current lifestyle isn’t good. To put it bluntly, she’s afraid that if I ever have a change of heart in the future, Bao’er won’t be able to handle the blow. I understand what she means. I just needed to talk it out with her and give her a calming pill."

Li Xiu’s explanation was a bit vague, but knowing it was a private matter, Ping’an didn’t press him. Instead, he frowned and changed the subject. "Jin Chen, why is my sister looking for that girl? She even had me go pick her up first thing in the morning!"

Li Xiu looked up at him as if he were an idiot. ’He can’t possibly think we don’t know, can he? It was so obvious last night. Bao’er practically came right out and said we should go to the Liu Family to propose marriage. This rascal is playing dumb with me!’

"Ping’an, when are you planning to get married? Is there someone you like?" Li Xiu asked, watching him with a deadpan expression.

Ping’an lowered his gaze, saying evasively, "No rush. I’m not that old. Why be in such a hurry to get married!"

"True. It’s normal for a man to establish his career before starting a family. By the way, that girl from the Liu Family is about your age, isn’t she? How come she’s not married yet either?" Li Xiu asked, feigning nonchalance.

Seeing that Li Xiu wasn’t pressing him on the issue, Ping’an relaxed slightly and answered reflexively, "That girl is two years younger than me. With a silly temperament like hers, who would want to marry her!"

Giving Ping’an an unreadable look, Li Xiu said softly, "I think that girl is quite nice. The key is that your sister really likes her. I was thinking of trying to set the two of you up, but since you don’t like her, I’ll just have your sister introduce her to someone else. You know I have quite a few capable, older, single young men working for me. We can definitely find one who won’t mind her ’silly temperament’!"

Ping’an stared at Li Xiu, dumbfounded. He asked uncomfortably, "Jin Chen, what kind of stunt are you pulling now? Why are you trying to play matchmaker for a girl you barely know? This isn’t like you at all!"