After dinner, Li Weixin insisted on escorting Zhang Qiongyu, who couldn't refuse and was reluctantly accompanied.
The Li family discussed Zhang Qiongyu amongst themselves.
Ouyang Meihua's assessment was: "She has no ulterior motives, she's truly suitable for the Li family."
Li Wanzhen agreed: "She looks pleasant, and her speech is gentle."
Tian Jing smiled, her eyes crinkling: "Then let's create more opportunities for Ranran."
"Mm."
Ouyang Meihua nodded: "Sikun and Sixuan will be taken care of by Ranran."
Li Sikun and Li Sixuan, who had no rights, slumped over the table sighing. Their grandmother slapped them: "Go do your homework."
Li Sikun and Li Sixuan hurried away from the dining table: "There's no homework at noon."
"Then go review."
Ouyang Meihua pointed to the two schoolbags on the sofa: "You can't embarrass your uncle."
Why?
The two children shot accusing glances.
Ouyang Meihua raised her hand.
Tian Jing waved to stop her sister-in-law's violent tendencies: "Sikun, Sixuan, your uncle is the captain. If your grades aren't top-notch, won't you feel ashamed?"
Top-notch?
Was their aunt trying to kill them?
They didn't dare to argue with their aunt and could only pick up their schoolbags.
...
At the school entrance.
Zhang Qiongyu stopped: "Captain Li, I'm here. You may return."
Li Weixin smiled and nodded: "Alright. I hope Teacher Zhang will call me by my name soon. I'm not used to being addressed so respectfully by a teacher."
"Goodbye."
Zhang Qiongyu did not reply, bidding him farewell and entering the school gate.
"Goodbye!"
Li Weixin emphasized the two words as he watched Zhang Qiongyu's retreating back.
Zhang Qiongyu's body paused slightly before she continued into the school.
When Li Weixin returned home, he was surrounded by his family asking: "How was it? How was your chat with Teacher Zhang on the way?"
"Good."
Li Weixin nodded: "Sikun, Sixuan, you two need to keep a close eye on your Teacher Zhang. Don't let other men take an interest in her."
Li Sikun and Li Sixuan: "..." It was too hard to be a single dog nephew.
...
Li Weixin began a life of four points and one line, sending his nephews to school every morning, then going to work.
He picked up his nephews at noon, had lunch, sent them back to school, then went to work, and picked them up again after work.
Yet, he was still late every time.
"Sorry, I'm late."
His usual apology made Zhang Qiongyu helpless: "You haven't found a girlfriend yet, is it because you're always late?"
"No."
Li Weixin smiled and shook his head: "I've tried to pursue love before, but many girls are too materialistic."
"Moreover, my mother has a special status, so finding partners for us brothers is even more stringent. Didn't you mention that your sister and her two sisters all married into our Li family that day?"
"Our Li family is willing to form marriage alliances like this because good girls are hard to find. My cousins' sisters' families are all well-off, and they were willing to marry into our Li family, seeing the relaxed atmosphere of our Li family."
Zhang Qiongyu lost her temper with his smile: "I'm just a little bit curious. You don't need to explain so much to me. Hurry and take them back; their stomachs are growling."
Li Weixin took the two nephews' schoolbags: "Why don't Teacher Zhang come to our house for dinner?"
Zhang Qiongyu shook her head: "I've made plans with colleagues to get some stir-fried dishes at the cafeteria."
If the teacher was willing to pay, the cafeteria could also order dishes to be stir-fried separately.
Li Weixin did not give up: "Then how about tomorrow? Tomorrow is Sixuan's birthday, and his parents aren't here."
Li Sixuan: "..." His birthday had changed?
Zhang Qiongyu looked at Li Sixuan, seeing his confused expression, and softened: "Li Sixuan, Teacher will come to celebrate your birthday tomorrow."
Li Sixuan was nudged by Li Sikun before he snapped back: "Thank you, teacher."
Back at his aunt's house, Li Sixuan complained: "Aunt, Uncle lied. Teacher has our birthdates, and I, I was forced to lie too."
"What's going on?"
Tian Jing looked at her younger son.
Li Weixin explained his excuse for inviting Teacher Zhang to dinner to his mother:
"In a while, I'll use Sikun's birthday to invite her. Sixuan's birthday isn't far off either."
"You,"
Tian Jing lightly pointed at her son: "Teacher Zhang will be here tomorrow, apologize to her. Sixuan is right, the teacher has their files. Women fear men lying the most; it makes them feel insecure."
"Alright."
Li Weixin agreed.
...
Her colleagues found the cafeteria's stir-fried dishes delicious and invited Zhang Qiongyu to order them again tomorrow. Zhang Qiongyu refused; her lunch break tomorrow was already booked.
After refusing her colleagues, Zhang Qiongyu suddenly remembered something. When she returned to the office, she opened her drawer to search. After finding a notebook and looking through it, she was furious.
So, when Li Weixin came to pick up his two nephews the next day, she refused to visit the Li family:
"Captain Li, I don't care why you lied, but you can't make Li Sixuan lie."
The two students were already a bit mischievous...
"Teacher Zhang."
Li Weixin scratched his head uncomfortably: "I, I lied just to invite you to my house for dinner."
Zhang Qiongyu became even more annoyed: "If you didn't invite me to dinner, I would still treat every student seriously."
"I, I..."
Li Weixin stammered, unable to speak.
Li Sikun and Li Sixuan genuinely worried for their uncle: "Teacher Zhang, our uncle wants to pursue you, but he's worried you'll look down on him for being too old, so he used us as an excuse."
"Sikun! Sixuan!"
Li Weixin shouted his nephews' names in embarrassment and anger.
After her surprise, Zhang Qiongyu blushed. So Captain Li wanted to pursue her?
Not knowing what to do, Zhang Qiongyu turned and entered the classroom.
Li Sikun and Li Sixuan kicked their stunned uncle: "Hurry and confess! Oh, you really make us worry!"
Li Weixin didn't have time to bicker with his nephews. He hurried into the classroom:
"Qiongyu, am I very stupid? I've tried to confess several times, but I'm worried my conditions are too poor."
"If Sikun and Sixuan hadn't said it, I, I would still only be inviting you to my house for dinner."
Zhang Qiongyu, blushing shyly, saw his flushed face and couldn't help but laugh:
"If you don't say it, how will I know? I really thought you just wanted to bribe me."
"You?"
Li Weixin asked nervously: "Do you agree or refuse?"
Zhang Qiongyu shook her head: "I don't plan to date anyone right now. I just want to lead this class well."
Li Weixin did not give up: "Qiongyu, I know we haven't known each other for long. Let's start by being friends. You can test me. When you've led this class successfully, then consider me."
Zhang Qiongyu's eyes widened in surprise: "When I lead this class successfully, it will be three and a half years later. You, you..."
"Time doesn't represent anything."
Li Weixin said sincerely: "If I were to just settle for anyone because of my age, I would have been married and had children long ago."
Zhang Qiongyu pondered for a long time before saying: "Then let's be friends. My attitude towards relationships is also 'better to have none than to settle.' If I don't fall for you, don't..."
"I won't."
Li Weixin's smile was brilliant: "Qiongyu has given me a chance. If I still can't make you like me, it's definitely because I haven't done enough."
Zhang Qiongyu was blinded again by his smile. Didn't Captain Li know his smile was too bright and dazzling?
"Let's go."
Li Weixin gestured to her: "I lied, but my parents have prepared a sumptuous meal waiting for your arrival."
Zhang Qiongyu warned: "Don't let this happen again. I hate being deceived."
Li Weixin nodded repeatedly: "I really didn't know what excuse to use to invite you to dinner before. In the future, you should visit my home more often, and I definitely won't lie."
Zhang Qiongyu recalled what her cousin's wife had said and asked: "Does your family know you want to pursue me?"
"Yes!"
Li Weixin nodded vigorously: "There are almost no secrets in my family."
Zhang Qiongyu hesitated: "I..."
"Let's go."
Li Weixin turned and walked ahead: "My family won't force you. If I can't win you over, they'll definitely blame me for not doing well enough."