We Couldn't Take It

Today was the coming-of-age banquet for the Li Family's youngest son, who had turned eighteen. The Li Family had spent ages preparing for it and invited almost everyone in their social circle.

The banquet was exceptionally grand. Lights glittered brilliantly, and the tables were laden with all kinds of delicacies, a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. The rich aroma of food filled the air, making the hosts' thoughtfulness plain to see.

Mr. and Mrs. Li wore radiant, happy smiles. Every guest could see and feel their joy.

When the Ye Family arrived, the members of the Li Family hurried over to greet them. Although they had sent the Ye Family an invitation, they had never expected them to actually attend.

Not only had the Ye Family come today, but the entire family had come together. It inevitably made people wonder whether they intended to lend the Li Family a hand.

The Li Family could hardly have looked happier. Even some of the guests were secretly watching them, wondering whether they had already secured the Ye Family's backing.

After Mr. and Mrs. Li greeted each member of the Ye Family, they introduced their youngest son.

"This is my son, Li Lian."

Li Lian greeted them with easy confidence. "Hello, Uncle Ye, Auntie Ye."

Then he turned to Ye Ci and Ye Chen, his voice cloyingly sweet. "Hello, Eldest Young Master Ye, Second Young Master Ye."

Only then did he greet Ye Qing.

Wait, why the preferential treatment? Which of my brothers is Li Lian interested in?

Ye Qing watched a little longer and realized that Li Lian looked at both of them the same way.

Oh my god, don't tell me Li Lian has his eye on both my brothers.

Ye Qing studied Li Lian carefully again. Although his looks weren't stunning at first glance, he was actually quite pleasing to the eye.

The closer you looked, the more attractive he seemed. There was a delicate, vulnerable air about him that made it hard not to feel protective.

Especially with that soft, gentle voice of his.

The question is whether my eldest and second brothers want to protect him. Hahaha.

Ye Ci and Ye Qing looked displeased. Li Lian's gaze was simply too blatant.

They hadn't expected to become part of the drama they had come to watch!

Everyone present could see what Li Lian was after. Ye Father and Ye Mother said nothing because they wanted to enjoy the show, while Mr. and Mrs. Li could not have been more pleased.

Mr. Li laughed heartily and offered a compliment. "The young masters of the Ye Family are all such outstanding young men. I wonder which family will be fortunate enough to become your in-laws."

"We won't interfere in our children's relationships. It's up to them who they like," Ye Father said.

"Of course, of course. These days, what matters is that both people are willing."

"The youngsters don't have much to talk about with us. Why don't we let Lian show them around?" Mr. Li suggested.

"Hahaha, let's leave that up to the children."

Before the other two could speak, Ye Qing jumped in. "I'd love to! I'd love to!"

Afraid the two behind him would refuse, he grabbed them and headed off. "Come on, come on! I'm so bored."

Li Lian thought Ye Qing was helping him and even shot him a grateful look.

Oh, I just want to watch the drama.

Now that he's looking at me like that, I almost feel bad.

The members of the Ye Family thought, You certainly don't look like you feel bad.

There was still some time before the banquet officially began, so Li Lian led them toward the garden.

Along the way, Ye Qing tactfully stayed behind, while Li Lian latched onto Ye Ci and Ye Chen up ahead.

It had to be said that Li Lian was genuinely skilled at this. He didn't neglect either of them, and even when Ye Ci refused to respond, he could keep the conversation going all by himself.

"Ci, Chen." Before they knew it, he had switched to addressing them more intimately.

Li Lian pointed to a flowering plant ahead and said gently to them, "I've been tending that flower very carefully. I'd really love to have someone care for it with me."

Ye Ci said nothing, while Ye Chen politely replied that he would find someone.

Ye Qing snarked inwardly, If watching someone else water it every morning counts as tending it.

After receiving that answer, Li Lian lowered his head shyly. "The person I want might seem far away, but he's right here before my eyes."

Ye Chen absolutely hated his own politeness at that moment. That's what you get for being so polite! What good does politeness do you?

Li Lian received no answer for a long while, until Ye Qing spoke. "Oh, so your sweetheart is a tree."

While Li Lian had his head lowered, Ye Chen had quietly slipped away. There was now a tree standing right in front of him.

Li Lian looked up toward Ye Chen, on the verge of tears. "Chen, look!"

"What's wrong?" Ye Chen played dumb. "My little brother wasn't wrong, was he?"

What could Li Lian say? He finally understood that Ye Qing wasn't helping him at all. He was here to laugh at him.

But who wouldn't want to marry into a family like the Ye Family? He just had to endure it. As long as he could win over either of the two, he would truly become part of a wealthy family.

For the rest of the walk, Li Lian kept making little gestures to attract their attention. Those very gestures made Ye Chen stop engaging with him as well, leaving Li Lian to perform his one-man show.

If they hadn't wanted to see the big drama to come, who would have put up with all this?

Finally, with the banquet about to begin, they headed back. As the host, Li Lian walked in front to lead the way.

Who knew what he had bumped into, but Li Lian let out a cry and pitched backward, his hand tugging at his shirt collar.

In the instant Li Lian fell, the three behind him each took a step away—one to the left, one to the right, and one backward. As a result, not one of them caught him.

Perhaps he wanted it to look convincing, or perhaps he couldn't believe that no one would catch him. Either way, Li Lian had left himself no fallback, and he hit the ground with a loud crash.

The thud sounded painful even to Ye Qing. Most baffling of all, something happened to his shirt: it ripped as he fell, exposing his entire shoulder.

Li Lian had fallen so hard that he was still dazed when Mr. and Mrs. Li rushed over from the other side. They quickly helped him up and draped a jacket over him.

No longer caring about Ye Ci and the others' status, they opened their mouths to speak. "You..."

Just then, Ye Qing suddenly stepped forward, his face full of concern. "Li Lian! Li Lian, are you all right?"

"It happened so suddenly. I thought something was falling on us. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to catch it and would get hurt, so I stepped back."

"If I'd known it was you, I would have caught you even if I got hurt."

Li Lian gritted his back teeth. Wasn't he basically calling him fat?

He might have been a little heavier than Ye Qing, but he wasn't heavy enough to crush someone.

"We should check whether the floor wasn't swept properly. Why else would you suddenly fall? We know it was an accident, but anyone who didn't might think you were trying to stage a fall and pin the blame on us."

Ye Qing spoke with utter seriousness. "I'm still in the flower of my youth, and my two brothers still need to find themselves wives. We couldn't take your weight, Li Lian."