" Xiao Li..." Chi's mother pleaded, repeating, "Please, I'm begging you... Think about it carefully, this... this is actually a win-win situation, isn't it?"
If I agree, my husband and son's lives will improve significantly. Why wouldn't I agree?
"The price to pay for one 'wonderful thing' is actually another 'wonderful thing'." Chi Li wasn't sure if her mother would understand. "Mom, don't you find it strange? Wouldn't it have been easier and less effort to just talk to me about such a 'wonderful thing' directly?"
She was used to being a caged canary and enjoyed it, so she thought this would be a good thing for Chi Li.
She never considered individual differences, nor did she know that some birds, when confined in cages, would only become depressed and eventually face a slow death.
"... Perhaps, she's trying to improve relations between our families because I'm your biological mother," Mrs. Chi murmured.
Chi Li remained silent for two seconds, a wave of exhaustion washing over her.
He was prepared that explaining would be useless, but seeing his mother's naive and innocent response still left him feeling somewhat exhausted.
"In short..." He skipped the discussion and stated directly, "I will not agree to this condition."
"... I also don't think it's necessary to agree." Chi's father hesitated, but ultimately sided with Chi Li. "I'm very satisfied with my current life. If my wife becomes even richer... I can't guarantee she won't go out and find other men. I'm getting old, and I don't want to compete with anyone for my affections anymore."
Mother Chi still tried to persuade her to stay. " Xiao Li, please help me out, considering how I've always sent you money on time all these years. Your Uncle Yang can't afford to lose orders... If you agree, he won't stop me from seeing you anymore. Isn't that a good thing?"
Chi Li's hands, which were resting on her thighs, gradually clenched into fists.
His heavy breathing indicated that his mind was not at peace.
Three years after the couple divorced, a classmate boasted about the rare gadgets his parents, who worked away from home, brought back from their hometown, which made Chi Li yearn for parental love.
Working away from home means you can only see each other once in a long while.
A valuable gift equals a parent's heartfelt sentiment.
Although his parents didn't buy the gift themselves, they did give him a considerable amount of money.
Therefore, as long as he can see his parents, he can become a pampered child just like his classmates.
He contacted the two men with high hopes, hoping to meet them.
Dad's refusal was quite direct. He said someone was trying to steal his wife away, so he had to be with his wife 24 hours a day and couldn't find time to see her.
The mother said she also wanted to see him, but her husband had strictly forbidden it, otherwise he would never allow her to send money again. She said she would fight for her right to meet him once their relationship was more stable.
Later, the father chased away the mistress and posted photos of his travels to various places on social media, without even asking if he still wanted to see her.
The mother didn't mention the 'right to meet' either. It's probably because her relationship with her husband has always been precarious and never stable.
Fortunately, Chi Li did not stand still and wait for 'love' to arrive.
As he sat on the rooftop of the teaching building watching the sunset, chewing on a blade of grass, he wondered, "Does love always have to be given by someone else?"
With the money, he can buy whatever he wants.
By holding up a mirror, you can easily meet yourself.
Love is such a simple thing.
He can love himself unconditionally anytime, anywhere, so why should he ask for it from others?
"You can't see not getting something as a loss." Chi Li's clenched fist gradually loosened, ignoring her mother's emotional appeal. "This order shouldn't have fallen into your lap in the first place. As underachievers, you can't assume that first place is yours just because you have a way to cheat."
Chi's mother was speechless after hearing what he said.
"I believe you didn't mean me any harm, but just as... you didn't love me either." Chi Li picked up the tea set aside, took a slow sip, and a bitter taste spread to the back of her tongue. "... It's good to be a little selfish for yourself."
After leaving the room, Chi Li was pulled by Shen Xunye into another empty lounge.
"What did they say to you?" he asked eagerly.
"They..." Seeing the man's tense expression, Chi Li's face relaxed into a smile. "They want me to be like them, a pampered husband, completely obedient to his every word, and revolving around him all day long..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xunye's previously tense expression showed a clear change in her demeanor.
The scene described in those words is far too beautiful.
"Are you tempted?" Chi Li reached out and pinched Shen Xunye's waist.
Shen Xunye winced in pain and honestly said, "... It's hard for me not to be moved."
Putting everything else aside, just imagining Chi Li obediently following orders, wearing whatever he's told to wear, and doing whatever he's told to do, makes him feel like his nose is about to bleed.
... He was just thinking about it; it shouldn't be illegal, right?
"Alright then." Chi Li nodded.
"?" Shen Xunye's relaxed expression immediately turned serious again. "What do you mean, 'agree'? You agreed? What are you thinking? Have you been bewitched?"
He desperately wanted to possess Chi Li, but he didn't care for this method of possession.
What's the difference between this and simply extracting Chi Li's soul and leaving him with only a lifeless body?
He doesn't want it!
"What are you thinking?" Chi Li suppressed a laugh and patted Shen Xunye's cheek. "What I mean is, if you're interested... then you can be the charming husband."
His hand slowly moved down, grabbed Shen Xunye's tie, and pulled it down hard.
The distance between them suddenly closed, their breaths mingling intimately.
Chi Li asked sarcastically, "Are you willing to do it or not?"
"Ken." Shen Xunye second, "... Actually, I already am."
Although being raised by Chi Li was a bit lacking, it didn't have a significant impact.
The last two are more important.
"Alright." Chi Li nodded in satisfaction, released her grip on his tie, and straightened it again. "Be a good boy, and I won't treat you badly."
"Honey~" Shen Xunye grabbed Chi Li's hand as he straightened his tie, his tone incredibly sweet. "I really want to do something for you, honey. Is there anything you want me to do?"
Suddenly struck by her husband's triple attack, Chi Li's ears quickly turned red.
"You..." Chi Li tried to pull her wrist away, "You don't need to do anything for now, just stay put."
There's a huge problem outside waiting to be solved. He just made a couple of casual jokes to lighten his mood, and people took advantage of it...