The Li Family's mansion was located in a prime area of Sunan City. The mansion was a traditional quadrangle dwelling, a legacy passed down through generations of the Li family. Besides Li Shishi, who held control over the economic lifeline of Sunan and contributed significantly to the government's GDP annually, Mr. Li's eldest son, who was also Song Yun's father-in-law, was a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and spent his time shuttling between various countries.
The second son was a prominent official in the Organization Department, with a promising future. Mr. Li himself had connections straight to Yanjing; in his youth, he had ties with several of the top leaders behind the red walls, making his family in Sunan virtually as influential as a landlord. No one dared to encroach on their land or suggest they leave for demolitions.
Regarding the neighbors around the Li Family, they were merely ordinary people who could hardly fathom the caliber of individuals coming and going from the household; at most, they simply acknowledged the Li family as wealthy folk best not provoked.
Following Mr. Li into the ancient courtyard, the fragrance of flowers was overwhelming. Despite the large expanse of the courtyard, few lived there apart from Mr. Li and his spouse in the rear court, leaving just two rooms for Li Shishi and Song Yun's aunt, whom he had not met. The other descendants usually just visited, dined, and left after meeting with Mr. Li.
As for the servants and housekeepers, they all resided in the front courtyard and were not authorized to enter the rear, which bore some similarity to ancient familial structures.
"Let's sit first. Shishi should be returning from the hospital shortly," Mr. Li suggested.
Mr. Li had many grandchildren, but few were ever around. For instance, his eldest son needed to fly to various countries regularly, and his second son was mostly in Yanjing, unable to return. Besides, two of Li Shishi's aunts had married into cities nearby and did not pursue careers in Sunan.
About half an hour later, as Mr. Li and Song Yun were chatting, Li Shishi returned.
"Shishi, this is Song Yun, the great benefactor who saved your life," Mr. Li said with a content smile, "And what a coincidence, Song Yun is the fiancé I mentioned to you before."
"Fiancé?" Li Shishi stopped and stared at Song Yun. She had not paid much attention to this man when she fainted, but now discovered her lifesaver was her intended husband, a bit too much of a cliché perhaps? However, after scrutinizing Song Yun's face carefully, Li Shishi was stunned into silence.
"Hello, my name is Song Yun," Song Yun stood up, feigning an innocent demeanor. "I certainly did not expect our first meeting to be so... so bloody."
"Song Yun?" Li Shishi sat dazedly opposite him, biting her thumb and pondering deeply. Mr. Li, puzzled by his granddaughter's unexpected reaction, wondered inwardly what was off.
"Your real name is Song Yun?" Li Shishi asked with an unfriendly tone, her voice harsh as resentment could be seen in her eyes, showing she was on the brink of an eruption.
"Shishi? Have you two met before?" Mr. Li asked cautiously, aware that Li Shishi was a cherished child by the family but not spoiled. Since starting middle school, she never spent any family money, relying entirely on scholarships and jobs, even studying abroad without mentioning it to her family until the day before she left. He hoped Song Yun had not left a bad impression earlier; otherwise, he'd find himself awkwardly caught in the middle.
"Perhaps not..." Song Yun racked his brain but could not recall meeting Li Shishi, especially since he had been overseas and hadn't set foot in the country until recently.
"Heh, your memory serves you well," Li Shishi stood up shaking, her anger palpable, and, slapping Song Yun, she nearly roared at him, "Remember who I am now?"
Daring to slap her own face and in such a fury... This scene seemed oddly familiar. Song Yun searched his mind briefly before exclaiming in surprise, pointing at Li Shishi, "You... you are that—"
Before he could finish, Li Shishi covered his mouth and whispered urgently near his ear, "Are you trying to let grandfather hear about my 'glorious' history abroad as well?"
Li Shishi's hair teasing the edge of Song Yun's nose made him itch. Feeling guilty, he pried her hand from his mouth, "You've changed so much; you were never like this."
"What was I like before?" Li Shishi regretted asking as soon as the words left her mouth, realizing Song Yun was leering at her chest. She twisted his ear, half irritated and half amused, "Grown up, is that a problem?"
"Okay, okay, my dear ancestor, can you let go of my ear? It hurts," Song Yun pleaded.
Mr. Li watched the two of them, slapping and ear-twisting, somewhat unable to grasp the situation but noted that Shishi didn't seem to detest Song Yun outright; otherwise, she wouldn't even engage with him.
"Let's discuss this matter later; right now, let's try to appease Grandfather," Li Shishi, who had always been the obedient girl at home, seemed a bit of a shrew today. She stood up with a deep breath justifying, "Grandfather, I do not want to marry him."
"Hmm?" Mr. Li quizzed, slightly confused, "Was there some misunderstanding between you before? You are adults now, wouldn't it be better to clear things up? Don't you agree, Song Yun?"
Song Yun, by now, did not dare to interject, praying internally that Mr. Li would refrain from meddling further, knowing full well the consequences if his precious granddaughter's past with Song Yun came to light.
"I... Mr. Li, Shishi and I,"
"Call me Li Shishi. Are we that close?" Li Shishi glared at Song Yun, correcting him sharply.
"Right, right," Song Yun, signaling surrender, continued, "Li Shishi and I are simply from different worlds. Mr. Li, you must understand that people with differing principles, even if together, would find life constantly challenging."
"I thought it was a serious matter. Song Yun, my wife and I also had different views, having never met before our wedding, yet here we are decades later, still together," Mr. Li dismissed nonchalantly. "I don't know what happened before, but meeting today must mean something, right?"