"Oh, oh, oh, I saw a strong wind suddenly blow outside, and I wanted to drape a coat over Sister Mian," Li Laidu said softly. As a non-professional but qualified assistant, she had already considered the weather and brought a coat for Jiang Mian.
Fan Cheng crossed his arms and said leisurely, "Don't worry, the young madam isn't cold."
With the CEO around, how could he let the young madam get cold?
He secretly thought that the young madam's heart must be warmed to a scorching heat by the CEO.
The two returned to shore, and Xiang Long had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing them return, he immediately stepped forward and said, "CEO, Madam Ji asked you to come home."
Ji Zhi Xiu's expression remained unchanged. "Mm."
Madam Ji looking for her so late must mean something.
He sent Jiang Mian back to Xiushui Mountain Villa and then rushed to the Ji residence.
Jiang Mian remembered after returning, "Laidi, did you see Ye Yi just now?"
Li Laidu thought carefully and shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him since Mr. Ji arrived."
Jiang Mian mused, "I see. It's so late, let Xiang Long take you home."
Li Laidu said happily, "Thank you, Sister Mian."
Although Li Laidu's salary was not low now, it was still very difficult to support two people on one salary if she wanted to survive in Kyoto.
She rented a small one-bedroom apartment near the company.
Xiang Long drove her downstairs. Li Laidu mustered her courage and asked, "When will you take me home to meet my parents?"
Xiang Long suddenly smiled. "How about after this busy period, okay?"
"Okay," she said quickly.
"Do you want me to escort you up?"
"No need," Li Laidu said shyly. Her mother was still at home, which was embarrassing.
Xiang Long understood her and didn't insist. "Then you go up, I'll watch you."
Li Laidu nodded gently, quickly kissed him on the cheek, then turned and ran upstairs.
Xiang Long touched his cheek and smiled foolishly.
The elevator door opened, and Li Laidu had just reached her apartment door and was about to take out her key. Suddenly, a strong force from behind grabbed her neck, and a familiar voice like a devil's sounded in her ear again, "You little brat, you really made me look hard for you!"
This voice had startled her awake from her sleep many times, and she would never forget it in this life. Li Laidu quickly reacted, fear surging like a tide. She pretended to be calm, but her trembling hands betrayed her emotions. "How did you find this place?"
"Heh, your old man is your old man. You can never escape my palm in this life! As for your mother, that little bitch, she's quite vigilant. I said I was coming to fix the natural gas, and she still didn't open the door for me!"
Li Laidu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. It was good that her mother was fine. It was not in vain that she always reminded her mother.
Seeing her relieved, Li Father's cloudy eyes narrowed, and he pinched her chin. "You unfilial daughter, you came to the city to live a good life and abandoned your father! Just like your mother, you're both sluts!"
Li Laidu hated it the most when he insulted her mother. Her eyes turned red, and she turned her head. "You're not allowed to talk about my mother like that!"
"Alright, if you don't want to talk about it, I'm a bit short on cash recently. Give me some money to spend?" Li Father stated his intention with a rogue expression.
Li Laidu struggled to break free from him and said fiercely, "You're dreaming!"
"Damn it, you don't want to be polite, so I'll be rough." Li Father was furious and raised his hand, delivering a heavy slap to her cheek. Li Laidu's cheek quickly became red and swollen.
She silently bit her lip, daring not to cry out in pain. Her mother was inside. If her mother heard the noise and came out to meet this man, the consequences would be unimaginable.
After all, the worst outcome would be mutual destruction.
Li Laidu closed her eyes, then opened them again, her hands and feet working together with renewed ferocity as she wrestled with Li Father.
"Good heavens, you slut, you dare to lay hands on your own father!"
This girl had a surprisingly strong grip. Although Li Father had the upper hand, he was still bitten a few times, making him grit his teeth in pain.
"Damn it, I should have drowned you in the toilet when you were born. Raising you all these years has been useless!" He was enraged, his fists raining down on her.
Li Laidu gritted her teeth and remained silent until Li Father, having lost his reason, picked up an empty wine bottle he had brought and was about to swing it at Li Laidu, threatening, "Are you going to give me money or not?"
Li Laidu, accept your fate. It's your bad luck to have a father like this.
She struggled weakly, and before she closed her eyes, she saw the wine bottle that Li Father was about to smash on her head getting closer and closer.
"Hiss... Let go, let go..." Li Father's pained cry rang out, and the beer bottle clattered to the ground.
Li Laidu's eyes snapped open. She saw Xiang Long effortlessly twist Li Father's hands behind his back, his aura chilling, his brow furrowed with fierce determination. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I, I, I... I'm not doing anything! Ouch, brother, let me go... Let's talk properly." Li Father pleaded.
Xiang Long's gaze turned to Li Laidu. Li Laidu felt a mixture of shock and joy, but also a deep sadness.
"Let him go," she said wearily.
Li Father couldn't quite grasp how Xiang Long did it, only that with a twist and a turn, his hand was broken. Immediately, pig-like screams echoed at the doorway.
Xiang Long released him, having already guessed some of the situation. He said angrily, "Scram! Don't ever harass her again, or I'll beat you every time I see you!"
Li Father dragged his hand and glared fiercely at Li Laidu. He wanted to say some harsh words, but upon meeting Xiang Long's eyes, he sheepishly retreated. The pain in his hand was a real reminder that this man could indeed crush him effortlessly!
He was so scared, he didn't dare to take the elevator and climbed down the stairs instead.
Once the man was gone, Li Laidu could no longer hold back. She slowly leaned against the wall, her body sliding down until she slumped to the ground.
Xiang Long squatted down, his body parallel to hers. "I'm sorry, I'm too late."
He had estimated that Li Laidu should be home by now and sent her a message, but there was no reply.
At the same time, an inexplicable sense of unease drove him to come upstairs and check. He was, after all, a little late.
Li Laidu couldn't hold back any longer. The tears she had been holding back moments ago crumbled at his words. Large teardrops fell to the ground. "Why... why!"
Why was such a person her father!
The door was opened a crack, and when Li Mother saw Li Laidu sitting on the ground, she was shocked and quickly pulled the door open. "Laidi!"
...
The three sat on the sofa. Li Laidu's mood had calmed down considerably. Her expression was serene, and she was no longer crying.
Xiang Long had never expected to meet his girlfriend's parents under such hurried circumstances. He held the tea that Li Mother had poured for him, unsure of what to say.
Li Mother, holding back her tears, blamed herself. "It's all my fault, all my fault!"
Marrying the wrong person had not only ruined her own life but also her child's!
"Mom, it's not your fault. We can't help it... we can't help it..." Li Laidu murmured.
One's birthplace cannot be chosen. Having such a father was her misfortune.
"Auntie, if you don't mind, I'll handle him." Xiang Long spoke up.
"Also, you'd better not live here anymore. I have a small house in the city center. I'd like to invite you to move in, also for your safety." He didn't want to see Li Father come to bother them anymore, nor did he want to see her cry helplessly again.
Li Laidu shook her head. "No, thank you."
She feared most bringing trouble to others and didn't want to be a burden.
Xiang Long didn't understand her thoughts, but he had something to say. Xiang Long stood up and said solemnly, "Auntie, although this is our first meeting and it's rather rushed, I still want to say that I am serious about Laidu. I want to marry her, build a family with her, and give her a future. I want to be filial to you together. I hope Auntie won't treat me as an outsider. Her affairs are my affairs. I am serious."
His words struck Li Laidu deeply. She looked up at him, her eyes moist. She felt she was not worthy of him doing so much for her.
Li Mother nodded tearfully. "Good child. Although we are meeting for the first time today, I know you take good care of Laidu, and I can rest assured with her with you."
She looked at Li Laidu. "Little treasure, what do you say?"
Li Laidu feared her mother would be harassed again, as that man was a money-obsessed madman! She nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to him."
She paused and then said, "Mom, I want to change my name."
She had endured this patriarchal name for over twenty years and had had enough!
"Mom supports all your decisions. If you want to do it, then do it," Li Mother said without hesitation.
"You two should rest well tonight. I'll come to help you move tomorrow morning. Don't worry, he won't have a chance to pester you again," Xiang Long said.
Li Laidu forced a smile. "Okay, you should go back. I won't see you out."
"No need to see me out." Xiang Long turned and gave her a deep look before leaving the Li residence.
The next morning, Xiang Long arrived at the Li family's home, bringing breakfast.
Li Mother cautiously looked through the peephole and quickly opened the door upon confirming it was him. "Come in quickly."
"Good morning, Auntie. Has she woken up?"
Li Mother shook her head, looking worried. "She slept late last night and hasn't woken up yet."
Xiang Long understood and sat down at the table. "No rush, Auntie, have some breakfast first. We'll move after she wakes up."
As they were speaking, Li Laidu came out. "I'm awake. Let's pack and move."
...
Li Mother and Li Laidu arrived at the small house Xiang Long mentioned. Upon entering, they were stunned. Was this what he called a small house?
The living room was well-lit, with three bedrooms and one living room, and a second floor. It was as clean as if no one had lived there. It was a luxurious small villa with all the furniture.
Xiang Long smiled. "I usually live with the CEO at Xiushui Mountain Villa. This house has been vacant since I bought it. Having Auntie move in will add some life to it."
Li Laidu looked at him seriously. "I'll pay you rent."
Xiang Long knew her personality and didn't refuse. "Okay."
After tidying up the new home, Xiang Long took Li Laidu to the police station to change her name. With Xiang Long's help, all the procedures were completed quickly.
When the staff asked what Li Laidu's current name would be, she hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Xiang Long. "You choose it for me, okay?"
Meeting Sister Mian and Xiang Long was her rebirth.
Xiang Long pondered for a moment. "I'm not good at naming either, so don't mind if it's not good. How about Zhu Yi? Bamboo has a strong and resilient will, just like you. What do you think?"
Li Laidu showed her first genuine smile since yesterday. "It sounds nice, really nice. Then let's go with that." She turned to the staff and repeated it.
After completing the relevant procedures, the name change was successful. The two walked out together. Li Laidu... no, she was Li Zhu Yi now. She took Xiang Long's hand proactively. "Thank you, thank you so much."
Thank you for being willing to love me.
Xiang Long looked down at their clasped hands. "You know, I don't like it when you're polite with me."
The injuries on her body were also slowly healing. Li Zhu Yi cast away her gloom. Dimples appeared on her cheeks as she smiled. "Let's go eat lunch. Mom bought a lot of food this morning and insisted I bring you back to try her cooking."
Xiang Long asked her to open her palm and placed the key in it. "This is the only key to the house, there's no spare. Keep it safe. Even if I come, I have to knock."
Li Zhu Yi understood his meaning. She couldn't hold back anymore and hugged this man in public, nodding forcefully. "No matter when you come, I will open the door for you."