Upon entering the living room, Lin Duo'er voiced all her worries and fears, along with her desire for a strong in-law family to protect herself.
She wanted to use the identities of Town Chief Li and Li Weihao to scare away that troublesome suitor, so she couldn't hide anything.
Moreover, Li Weihao wanted to marry and have children, and for his wife to take care of the elderly and children at home, he couldn't hide this from the woman.
After listening to Lin Duo'er's words, Grandma Li reiterated, "Duo'er, you've heard Hao Hao's views on marriage."
"All he can offer a woman is heavy family responsibilities, and his little bit of vacation time."
"Love might not be present, but Hao Hao is very responsible. Once he has a wife, he will surely respect her."
"However, this matter still needs to be discussed with Hao Hao's mother..."
"I, I understand. I'm sorry."
Lin Duo'er, her face flushed red, bowed to Li Weihao and turned to run out of the living room.
Li Weihao froze for a moment, immediately realizing Lin Duo'er had misunderstood. He quickly followed her out and intercepted her at the inner gate.
Lin Duo'er, startled, retreated into the inner courtyard.
Li Weihao stood still. "Lin Duo'er, my grandmother doesn't mean to refuse. She genuinely needs to discuss it with my mother."
"Our family doesn't speak falsely. Unless the other party is deceitful."
"You've honestly stated your thoughts, even your selfish intention of seeking my protection, so my grandmother won't give you empty words."
"You?" Lin Duo'er looked up at him. "Don't you mind turning marriage into a business deal?"
Li Weihao waved his hand. "Marriage is a gamble in itself, even marriages with love are still gambles."
"The gamble is on how long the love lasts and whether both parties are willing to hold onto this family."
"I'm already twenty-four. I don't have time to date and maintain love."
"I've clearly stated my requirements for a future wife: to take care of my family's elders until they pass."
"What I can give is only a short amount of time, along with trust and money."
Since Li Weihao was so candid, Lin Duo'er took a deep breath and also spoke frankly:
"I, I have developed a fear of unfamiliar men. While you're not a complete stranger, we're not close either."
"I might not be able to... uh, you know, that kind of thing, for a while. Please reconsider. I sense Grandma Li is eager for a great-grandchild."
After saying this, Lin Duo'er's face turned so red it looked like it would bleed.
Lin Duo'er's honesty earned Li Weihao's quiet admiration. Fang Qiuhong's two daughters were indeed well-taught by Lin Guangde:
"I have no objections. I also need to cultivate a relationship. But I have one requirement."
Lin Duo'er asked, "What requirement?"
"If my mother agrees to you, you must strive to become stronger. I am often away from home. When my parents are old, you will be the one to support this family."
"Without strength, it's hard to support a family with elders to care for and children to raise. You will have my trust and status as your backing."
If he had a choice, Li Weihao wouldn't have been drawn to Lin Duo'er's personality.
But Lin Duo'er dared to volunteer, and although timid, her determined courage moved him slightly.
Strength could be honed through experience.
This was why Li Weihao was willing to give her a chance.
"Okay!" Lin Duo'er agreed without hesitation.
He stepped aside. "You should go back first."
After Lin Duo'er quickly ran past him, he returned to the living room. "Grandma, do you think it's possible?"
Mother Li cast a glance at her eldest grandson. "Don't you already have someone in mind?"
"Me?" Li Weihao was surprised, then understood. "Grandma, I admire her sincerity, and also her identity."
"She grew up relying on Lin Hua'er. Harmonious relationships between the eldest daughters-in-law of both families will also put Aunt and Uncle's minds at ease regarding Xiao Fu and An An."
"Sigh!" Mother Li sighed. "You're just like your father, you have to pull everyone you can into your fold."
"When your mother returns, ask her. Most importantly, your wife needs to get along with her."
Tian Jing, who had returned home from inspecting the fruit tree saplings in the greenhouse at the nursery, hadn't fully recovered from the surprise of her eldest son's sudden return when she received another 'surprise'.
She looked at her eldest son in shock. "You like Lin Duo'er?"
"Not really." Li Weihao shook his head. "I saw her courage and decided to give her a chance."
"To be precise, whether she gets this chance depends on whether you give it to her."
Tian Jing shook her head. "You're mistaken. I don't mind. If we get along, we'll live together. If not, I'll have her stay in the small villa."
"But you're the one living with her. Even though you're not home much, you can't spend time with a woman you dislike when you are here, can you?"
Li Weihao scratched his head. Why had his mother pushed the choice back to him again?
He didn't want to make this choice. If he chose wrongly, not only would his parents not get a daughter-in-law they liked, but he also wouldn't get a wife he could tolerate.
Tian Jing waved her hand. "Think about it again. Tomorrow, I'll find an excuse to call her to the nursery, and you can talk to her more."
"If you really can't find common ground, then forget it. Otherwise, when you're home, how will you discuss family matters with her?"
Li Weihao felt that his mother's words were the most crucial. If he didn't even want to talk to his future wife, then communication would truly be impossible.
Li Zhengguo, who was hiding in his room writing a plan, was hit with a bombshell by his wife.
He dropped his pen. "I'll go talk to Hao Hao. Marriage is not child's play!"
Tian Jing stuck out a foot, almost tripping him. He feigned anger. "Are you trying to murder your husband?"
Tian Jing rolled her eyes at him. "Hao Hao said what he said. Dare you object?"
Li Zhengguo didn't understand. "What's wrong? Didn't you say Hao Hao doesn't like Lin Duo'er, but just has some chivalrous spirit?"
"Heh heh." Tian Jing chuckled. "You know the saying: 'meddle too much, suffer too much; meddle too little, suffer less.' Your retribution for meddling has arrived."
"Stop beating around the bush, spit it out!" Li Zhengguo sat down beside his wife. "Which of my meddlesome acts has angered you?"
Tian Jing poked his forehead with a finger. "Heh heh, it seems Town Chief Li also knows he meddles a lot?"
"Do you think Li Min wouldn't know about Lin Duo'er's situation, even if it wasn't spread around?"
"You let Xiao Fu marry Lin Hua'er, but for your own eldest son, you can't let him marry Lin Duo'er?"
"She'll make your life hell!"
Li Zhengguo was stunned and immediately explained, "Xiao Fu developed feelings for Hua'er. Hao Hao doesn't."
Tian Jing slanted him a look. "The problem is, your son isn't talking about feelings. He's discussing marriage as a transaction."
"I understand his approach. I pity his helplessness in dedicating his body and soul to the country."
"But I don't want to criticize his approach as wrong, because I don't want my son to be like Zeng Jingrong, only developing romantic feelings when he's old enough to be a grandfather."
"And then pitying that girl, unwilling to let her live a life of fear and worry."
"Once they enter the specialized training team, they are destined to never leave that post for their entire lives."
"I don't want my son to be tormented, both physically and mentally, by worrying and pitying other girls."
"Therefore, I support him treating marriage as a transaction. No matter how strong we are, we cannot resist the passage of time."
"When we grow old, not causing trouble for our children is the best thing."