âI feel guilty towards Xiling; sheâs a very good daughter-in-law, and itâs the Li family that let her down. Because of my guilt towards Xiling, Iâve allowed you to remain unmarried for so many years, and this time Iâve given you a choice! If it werenât for Xiling, do you think Iâd compromise for so many years just because of the bloodline between you and Beijue?â
If it werenât for Mu Xilingâs jump back then, merely for Qiyunâs inappropriate feelings for Beijue, he wouldnât have bothered to give any notice, and would have just sent the person to Country S to be watched over!
The Old Master Li wasnât planning on wasting more words with him and spoke with authority, âEnough, you donât need to say more. My stance wonât change. If you really donât want her to suffer, then help her find someone suitable around her.â
Li Nantian moved his lips.
The Old Master Li squinted his eyes, staring at him sternly, and said, âIâm not demanding she chooses someone who will benefit the family, as long as itâs not too outrageous, I can consider it. However, the condition of marrying within a year will not change! You know my character, if I say it, Iâll do it! If Qiyun doesnât marry within a year, then as I said before, sheâll be sent to Country S!â
Li Nantian certainly knew his character and understood that allowing Li Qiyun more freedom regarding marriage choice was already his greatest compromise.
If they continued to argue about this, it was very possible that heâd directly find someone suitable and demand Qiyun to marry them.
Rather than that, having a year was much better than not having even a year to choose and rushing to find someone to marry.
Even so, Li Nantian still felt uncomfortable, especially as the long-buried pain from many years ago resurfaced; the discomfort was something ordinary people could not comprehend.
A trace of fatigue appeared on his ruggedly handsome face, and he said to the hale and hearty old man, âI understand, I will arrange it.â
âSince youâre physically well, I wonât stay much longer. I still have unfinished work to deal with.â
The Old Master Li was used to him avoiding him in this manner, aware that he hadnât moved on from the incident more than twenty years ago. His brows showed a hint of loneliness, but very few could see it. He simply waved his hand, seemingly indifferent, âGo on.â
Li Nantian opened the room door and left without looking back.
When he reached the corridor, he discovered Li Qiyun outside the door. First, he froze, then his eyes showed a moment of panic, âQiyun, why are you here?â
Li Qiyunâs mind was in turmoil, yet she had to conceal her true emotions and pretended like she had just arrived, raising the cane in her hand and saying, âI came to bring the cane to Grandfather. The old butler realized Grandfather didnât bring his cane, and I happened to have something related to the company to discuss with Grandfather, so I brought it along. I just got here, Dad, are you done talking?â
Seeing her expression, Li Nantian felt like she didnât know but still wasnât at ease and hummed in acknowledgment before saying, âDid you really just get here?â
Li Qiyunâs beautiful eyes looked at him as if surprised, responding without understanding, âYeah, just got here. Whatâs wrong? Is something off?â
Li Nantian didnât see any clues and could only say, âNothing.â
His mood wasnât good at the moment, and he didnât have the mind to delve any deeper. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and said, âIâll wait for you here, go ahead.â
âOkay.â Li Qiyun suppressed the complicated emotions in her eyes and went in.