"That's not what I meant!" Yurong blurted out.

"What?" Li Yan glanced at her in confusion, not knowing why she suddenly said that.

"I just mean that I don't think this place is bad. As long as Dad and Mom are warm to me, I'm satisfied and won't mind what the home environment is like. But as their juniors, buying them a house to improve their living conditions is necessary once we have earned enough." Zhang Yurong said earnestly.

Li Yan was still puzzled. Why had she suddenly become so enthusiastic?

Seeing his confused expression, Yurong didn't realize he hadn't understood. She thought he was troubled by his male pride, so she straightforwardly said, "Let me put it this way! We are married, although my money isn't automatically yours, buying a house for the family falls entirely within my personal capacity, and won't affect the company at all. As a... daughter-in-law, it's something I should do. Besides, you helped me a lot under pressure back then; they have relied on you for years but forced you back because of my dad's illness; over the past year, you've always made my parents happy whenever you returned home... So even if it's compensating you a bit, buying the house is perfectly justified."

This time, Li Yan understood. He couldn't help but frown. So she thought I wanted to ask her for money to buy the house! Was she assuming my previous words were a roundabout way of asking for money?

Seeing Li Yan's frown, if his previous expression was confused, now there was a hint of displeasure. Yurong smiled bitterly, "I understand, as a man, spending my money makes you uncomfortable. But... hasn't my dad always wanted to groom you? Someday... he'll certainly transfer some shares to you, and then you'll be able to afford it. You're now seriously investing in movies and running an investment company for venture capital... Don't you have faith you'll earn big money in the future? If it's uncomfortable, just consider it a loan from me for now."

After listening, Li Yan's brow relaxed, feeling relieved. Yurong's thoughts were understandable given she didn't know his situation. And she was trying to persuade him to accept, which was quite rare.

He had mentioned buying a house unintentionally but now felt it necessary to gradually let Yurong know more about his circumstances.

However, seeing her so serious now, he wanted to tease her a bit.

"Oh, I see—" Li Yan dragged his voice, taking out a pack of cigarettes.

"What does it matter?" Yurong felt guilty too. They were still married, after all, making her the daughter-in-law of the Li Family. Li Yan was very filial as a son-in-law to the Zhang Family; as a daughter-in-law of the Li Family, she was far from qualified. Spending a lot of time caring for them was difficult; this was the only way to make up for it.

"Borrowing your money is no problem, but would you really want me to repay it?" Li Yan lit a cigarette, squinting at her.

Yurong breathed a sigh of relief, "Of course, if you're able to repay, I'd be very willing to accept!"

"But what if I'm not able to repay?"

"..." Yurong froze, suddenly realized although not as expensive as in S City, even buying a better house here and doing renovations would cost tens of thousands, maybe close to a million. Would it not be a huge pressure on Li Yan? Originally laid-back, his ambition lasted only a few months; such pressure might quickly crush him, and he'd likely yield and revert back to his lazy ways!

"I do have a solution, though I'm afraid you won't accept it." Li Yan smiled mysteriously.

"What solution?"

"If I'm able to repay, I'll repay; if not, I'll offer myself to you, how about that?"

Seeing Li Yan's smiling face, Yurong glared at him and said testily, "Are you teasing me on purpose?"

"How dare I, how dare I! I just suddenly realized a problem; if we want to please the elders, perhaps having a child would make them all happier. It'd be more meaningful than buying a house or earning billions." As he spoke, Li Yan moved closer to her.

"Get lost! Go smoke somewhere else."

Feeling embarrassed, Yurong stepped back a bit.

Having a child! That's a huge pressure. Li Yan had managed to appease her parents, so they weren't nagging for now, but what about his parents? It's rare to come back, won't they bring up the subject? They've been married for a year without a sign of pregnancy; they may at least hint around it.

Watching Yurong bustling to pack the luggage, Li Yan smiled contentedly; he could pretty much tell her reaction now was not resistance or aversion but more of shyness!

This is a good omen.

...

Li Tang had been molded by time until none of his past was visible anymore. Zhang Tianyi had evolved into a businessman, while Li Tang had reverted to being an ordinary man, often helping with chores and cooking at home.

While Li Tang and Wang Suzhen were busy in the kitchen, they speculated about their daughter-in-law's impression of the home, considering if they could settle here comfortably; if not, would they leave early? However, their cooking speed was fast, and some dishes were prepared at noon, so by the time Li Yan and Yurong had tidied up and came out, they didn't wait long for a relatively bountiful dinner for four.

The place was small, dining in the living room; the family television was no longer the one of Li Yan's memory. It was still a domestic CRT TV, and compared to a sleek widescreen LCD, it was a bit unfamiliar. The lighting, the chairs—everything felt foreign, even his parents' enthusiasm felt strange and unfamiliar.

But the natural bond between father and son, even with psychological barriers and years of absence, didn't take long; without needing many words, Li Yan slowly relaxed, starting to feel a distant and familiar warmth.

During his time at home, due to his studies, dining together rarely happened; he often ate alone, and memories of family meals were limited to occasions like holidays.

This pained Li Yan's heart!

If he felt regret, how much more did his parents regret?

Though he didn't live an exciting life, various things preoccupied him, and numbed, sealed away memories of the past. But for his parents, the memory of their only son likely played out every year, every day.

Wang Suzhen was very enthusiastic, constantly putting food on her son and daughter-in-law's plates, encouraging them to eat more. Li Tang was a quieter person, but today he was more talkative than usual, even started by pouring himself a glass of distilled spirits to calm his excitement.

Observing all this, Li Yan saw Yurong's nervousness decline, though she still seemed slightly awkward, while he had already shed his anxious feelings entirely, now filled only with guilt towards his parents.

"Dad, Mom! Let me toast you. These past years... I have been so unfilial!" Li Yan poured a glass of distilled spirits, emotionally speaking to the elders before drinking it in one go.

This was local liquor, not very high-class; the taste couldn't compare to what Li Yan had drunk before, but the fiery burn was just what he needed, helping ease his congested chest.

"Silly child, what are you saying; a true man seeks to make his mark in the world. You've grown and have to leave home." Wang Suzhen was quite emotional.

Li Tang's hand trembled a bit, he also sipped his spirits, muttering, "Coming back is good, coming back is good..."

Yurong perceptively noticed her mother-in-law's tearful eyes, and both her father-in-law and Li Yan's eyes were moist! (To be continued; for more, please visit www.qidian.com, support the author, support original reading!)