In his previous life, Tang Xue had asked him the very same question.
But back then, Li Yi's answer was a resolute "No." He'd been infatuated with Wang Xuemei, the beauty from the neighboring village, and focused only on marrying her, hardly giving Tang Xue a second thought.
Despite Tang Xue's charms that far outshone those of the so-called village flower—be it her looks, her grace, or her intelligence—Li Yi, blind to all of it, had only seen Wang Xuemei.
And because of his cold-hearted response, he had broken Tang Xue's heart. She left Nianzi Mountain Village with all her sorrow and anger, returning to her family in a neighboring province.
No one could have expected the terrible news that followed three months later: Tang Xue was dead.
Suicide, and with a child.
Only after returning home did she discover she was pregnant. In that era, having a child out of wedlock was taboo, and the scorn of her neighbors and her family's disappointment eventually crushed her spirit.
One cold night, she ended her life at just nineteen, with a pair of scissors in her hand.
When the news reached the Li family, they were plunged into grief and regret.
Li Yi's third sister, Li Na, left home out of shame and resentment toward her brother. She never returned in the following forty years, sending only money each year to the old couple back home.
Their father, Li Shan-kui, never forgave himself for failing to guide his son and indirectly causing the death of such a good girl. After three years, the heartbreak finally took him.
As for Li Yi, unable to bear the shame in his hometown, he left and made his way in the world. With China's economic reforms, he eventually became a billionaire, but he was haunted by his past, forever wary of love and marriage. Alone and childless, he lived each day tormented by his regret.
One thought had gnawed at him his entire life: his heartless decision had led to Tang Xue's tragic death and shattered his family, leaving them broken and scattered.
Countless times, he'd thought back to the question Tang Xue had asked him, and each time, he was wracked with unbearable remorse.
If he could just turn back time, he'd give a different answer.
In the present, Tang Xue waited, hopeful yet already feeling a deep despair as she noticed Li Yi's long silence.
She gritted her teeth, suppressing her pain, and staggered toward the door. She couldn't bear to see this heartless man for another second.
Just then, Li Yi snapped out of his daze. He pulled Tang Xue close, holding her tightly, and declared firmly, "I'll marry you!"
Tang Xue froze, her body trembling. "You really mean it?"
"I do!"
With his resolute response, Tang Xue finally broke down, sinking to the floor in tears.
Even though Li Yi had agreed to marry her, she still struggled to accept the chaotic turn her life had taken.
Besides, she'd already received notice to return to the city. If she married Li Yi now, she'd lose her chance to go back forever.
The thought of spending her whole life in this remote mountain village filled Tang Xue with grief.
Hearing her sobs, Li Na burst into the room, storming up to Li Yi and unleashing a flurry of punches. "You little rascal! Have you made Little Xue cry again? What, are you still pining for that girl from the Wang family and refusing to marry her?"
"I'm telling you, if you don't marry Little Xue today, I'm done being your sister!"
Her words ignited the crowd outside. The villagers and youths watching the scene erupted in outrage:
"That boy's got no decency! Little Xue willing to marry him is a blessing on their family, and he's still hesitating?"
"Right? I feel sorry for Little Xue—why should such a good girl be wasted on this little punk!"
"He's nothing but trouble…"
Li Yi couldn't help but laugh wryly, quickly turning to his third sister. "I'm marrying Tang Xue!"
...
Even though the onlookers had left, a heavy atmosphere lingered in the Li household. With a situation like this, not only had Tang Xue's reputation suffered, but the family's honor had taken a hit as well.
And with so many mouths to feed, their family was already struggling to get enough grain, let alone afford a wedding. Where would they find the money?
Once everyone had dispersed, Li Shankui gathered the entire family inside to discuss the wedding arrangements for Li Yi.
In the dim, low-ceilinged room, Li Shankui crouched by the stove, Zhang Yuehong sat beside Tang Xue, her eyes red from crying, with Li Na on the other side, while Li Yi sat on the edge of the kang.
"Alright, tell me, how do you plan to go through with this wedding?" Li Shankui asked his son.
Li Yi looked at Tang Xue, visibly worn out, then said, "Let's hear what Xiaoxue thinks first."
Li Na agreed, "Yes, let's hear Xiaoxue's thoughts first."
Tang Xue opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.
Seeing her hesitation, Zhang Yuehong urged, "Xiaoxue, whatever requests you have, just say them. Auntie will do her best to meet them!"
After a slight pause, Tang Xue bit her lip and said, "I... don't want to inform my parents about the wedding…"
"What? A wedding without informing your parents?" Zhang Yuehong said in surprise.
"I... I don't want them to see me married off in this way."
"But… but how long can you keep this a secret? And didn't you already get the notice about returning to the city? Your parents must have heard too, so it's only a matter of time before they know," Zhang Yuehong pointed out.
"Auntie, I'll write them and say there was a change, that my return to the city was delayed until next year. I'll hide it as long as I can."
Just as Zhang Yuehong was about to continue, Li Yi cut her off, saying, "Let's respect Xiaoxue's wishes on this."
Then he turned to Tang Xue. "Do you have any requests for the dowry?"
"I know how things are with your family. There's no need for a dowry. Just fix up the room where you stay, and that'll be enough…"
Before she could finish, both Li Shankui and Li Yi cut in, saying, "No way!"
Li Shankui took a deep drag from his tobacco pipe and said, "Girl, this situation may be our Xiaoyi's fault, but you agreeing to marry into our family is a blessing we're grateful for. No way are we letting you come here empty-handed!"
"I'll make the decision on this: 88 yuan for the dowry, a wristwatch, three new outfits, and all-new bedding."
Li Yi added, "And more than that, you'll have everything that any bride should have, and more if I can help it. Bottom line, I'm going to make sure you're married here with all due honor, so no one has a chance to talk behind your back."
Hearing this, Tang Xue felt a subtle warmth in her heart.
The only reason she was asking Li Yi to marry her was that she'd already lost her purity to him, and there was no other choice.
But she knew all too well what kind of person Li Yi was—idle, irresponsible, always out drinking, gambling, and tricking people. Though he wasn't evil, his life was full of bad habits.
Even his own sister, Li Na, often spoke of him with open disdain.
She never expected Li Yi to say such decisive words, and her feelings became a complex mixture of emotions.