Old Master Li felt an even stronger sense of his fist punching cotton.
He glared at Chi Enen for a moment. Seeing that she was genuinely calm, not just pretending to be, he grimly extended his hand and took the water cup.
He took a quick sip.
The honey water soothed his throat, alleviating the burning sensation caused by his cough. He felt much more comfortable, and his furrowed eyebrows relaxed slightly.
"How is it? Is it too sweet? If itâs too sweet, let me know so I can use less next time." Seeing the sickly color on his face look slightly better, Chi Enen felt relieved and asked him.
The Old Master tightened the corners of his mouth as he looked at her. Faced with her unhurried, unflustered, and composed demeanor, he felt a bit at a loss and had no idea how to deal with her.
Using a tough approach?
You canât strike a smiling face.
Using a gentler approach?
She acted like she didnât understand.
He prided himself on not holding back earlier, even ruthlessly making it clear to her that he didnât like her and didnât approve of her. Yet, she behaved as if nothing had happened, casually chatting with him as usual.
He genuinely didnât know what to do anymore.
Chi Enen appeared not to notice his internal struggle. She brought over the bowl of white porridge, blew on it gently, and said, "I heard from the Old Butler that you havenât eaten much in the past two days. I made some porridge; please have a little."
"The porridge is very light. I added just a bit of salt to give it some flavor, so it wonât taste too plain."
For the Old Masterâs portion, she intentionally added a few grains of salt. People with colds usually lost their sense of taste. Although they could only eat mild foods, they often had no appetite for them.
Salted white porridge was the most suitable food for them.
Facing the bowl presented to him again, the Old Master felt a headache coming on. His attitude wasnât as harsh as it had been initially, but he still remained resolute. "Miss Chi, I think you still donât understand what I mean. Let me be straightforwardâIâm not testing you, nor am I trying to assess you. What I said earlier is my stance. I wonât approve of you being with Beijue. Do you understand my point?"
Chi Enen had sprinkled some green onion on the porridge, making it look vibrant and appetizing. While using a spoon to cool the porridge, she replied without even lifting her head, "I understand."
"You understand, so why..."
Before he could finish speaking, the caregiver sitting beside his sickbed had already calmly raised her head to meet his gaze. "Because Iâm already with Li Beijue."
The Old Master stared at her eyes, unable to fully grasp her meaning.
Chi Enen continued, "Didnât you disapprove of us being together from the very beginning? A year ago at the hotel, you said the same thing. But until now, weâve always been together. And weâll continue to be together in the future."
"Yes, Iâve always hoped to gain your approval because you are an elder, and not just any elderâyouâre Li Beijueâs family, the grandfather who raised him. So if itâs possible, Iâm willing to do everything I can to change your view of me and earn your acceptance."
Then, Chi Enenâs tone subtly shifted.
"However, if itâs truly impossible for you to approve of me, I wonât force it. Iâll still follow my heart and do what I need to do."
She spoke tactfully, but the Old Master understood her meaning loud and clear.
What she said boiled down to one thingâwhether he approved or not, she would stay with Beijue! His disapproval would change nothing!