Huayan was in the basement inspecting jadeite rough stones, preparing to process a new batch for Mu Yun Pavilion's jade jewelry collection. Aunt Chang came downstairs to inform her that a young Mr. Hu was here to see her.

"Let him come down here. Aunt Chang, please bring some milk tea and snacks later."

"Sure, I'll pick the best ones to bring down," Aunt Chang replied cheerfully, patting her chest in assurance. Huayan felt that Aunt Chang was as excited as an elder welcoming a son-in-law.

By the time Hu Li slowly walked downstairs, there was already steaming milk tea and delicate snacks on the table. He looked at the pieces of jadeite rough stones repeatedly, turning them over and touching them.

After a while, Hu Li finally spoke, "Every piece of your rough stones is a gem."

"The milk tea and snacks on the table are also gems. Would you like to try them?" Huayan asked, sitting on a small stool and pointing to the low table.

"They don't look great, but they taste wonderful," Hu Li said after taking a sip of the milk tea. This milk tea wasn't sweet but had a faint salty taste. The aroma of the tea wasn't fresh but had the well-preserved scent of aged tea.

"Of course, the milk was delivered fresh today, and the tea is a special brick tea from the north. The tea is boiled first, then fresh milk is added, along with a little salt, and it's ready to drink once it boils. The longer you boil it, the better it tastes."

"Oh? Isn’t tea usually not boiled for long? This milk tea seems to be an exception."

"The aroma of brick tea only comes out with prolonged boiling." The autumn weather was cool, and drinking the warm milk tea filled the mouth with the rich taste of milk and tea. It warmed the stomach, making it a rare and delightful drink.

Hu Li nodded while drinking, showing an expression of enjoyment. At this moment, he shed his cold demeanor, revealing the emotions of an ordinary person. Seeing him like this, Huayan gained more confidence in their future together. Despite their different backgrounds, they shared the same life goals and could certainly grow old together.

"Xiaoyan, if you want to buy more rough stones, I can help."

"Oh? You are indeed resourceful. But there's no need for now; I have enough rough stones. I haven't thought about expanding Mu Yun Pavilion."

"You, your pursuits are different from most people. It seems that money doesn’t hold much allure for you?" If Huayan wanted high-quality rough stones, Hu Li could easily have the best ones reserved for her by Burmese suppliers. Sometimes he felt that despite his wealth and power, he couldn't win her smile. Instead, cooking a delicious meal for her made her especially happy.

"Wrong! Money is very tempting to me!" Having worked hard for money before, how could she not like it? Even now, the thought of being penniless still woke her from nightmares, as money was part of her sense of security.

In fact, she understood that even if she became penniless now, she could earn money much more easily than before. This reliance on money was something she might not be able to let go of for a while.

"I hope you live your own way, but remember, I am always behind you, your solid support."

Huayan turned around and hugged Hu Li tightly, burying her face in his solid chest, feeling his heartbeat and the broad love he had for her. There was always a free bird living in her heart. Hu Li never interfered with her life; his love was not a net, but a wind that lifted her higher and higher.

Such love became something she couldn’t let go of. Over time, she worried that if his love ever disappeared, her heart would be shattered. But Hu Li's love was like a strong addiction, impossible to break free from.

"Xiaoyan, what's wrong?" Hu Li asked quickly, unable to understand Huayan’s sudden silence.

"Nothing, it's just that your goodness to me is almost overwhelming," Huayan said with a smile, playfully hitting Hu Li.

Suddenly enlightened, Hu Li understood what Huayan meant. He pulled her onto his lap and said seriously, "Don’t worry about things that may never happen. In matters of the heart, I won’t make excessive promises. As long as you like and feel my love every moment now, that’s enough. Let me tell you a story."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"Okay," Huayan said, playing with Hu Li's fingers.

"A couple went on a trip. Upon arrival, the woman realized her wallet was missing. They searched the bus, asked fellow travelers, and checked their bags, but couldn’t find it. Finally, the man advised his wife to forget about it and enjoy the trip. She followed his advice and had a wonderful time.

"When they returned home, they found the wallet had been left at home all along. Her husband joked, ‘If you had worried about it the whole trip, you would have missed all the beautiful scenery for nothing.’"

"I understand," Huayan replied.

"That’s good." He increasingly couldn’t stand seeing her unhappy.

"Did you see my father when you came in?"

"Yes, and the old man gave me quite a glare," Hu Li said with a smile.

"My dad wants me to marry someone from an ordinary family."

"I understand the old man's thinking," said Hu Si, still at work.

"You handle things with my dad. I won't get involved in men's affairs," Huayan said, happily offloading this difficult task to Hu Li.

"No problem, I'll get it done... Huayan, do you feel cold being this close to me?" Since that bout of illness, Hu Li had not recklessly increased his body temperature and had been gradually helping Huayan adapt to his unusual temperature. Otherwise, holding her would be too painful.

Huayan suddenly remembered Hu Li's temperature issue when he mentioned it, but from the moment she had been so close to him, she didn't feel any discomfort from his cold body; it felt as natural as holding an ordinary object. "Your body is still cold, but being this close to you doesn't cause any discomfort."

They then looked into each other’s eyes and laughed together. Hu Li took the opportunity to kiss Huayan’s soft, moist lips.

"Ahem... ahem..." A sudden cough interrupted the absorbed lovers. Aunt Chang, having witnessed the scene, quickly turned around and said, "The old master wants Mr. Hu to come to the study." With that, she quickly fled.

"Go quickly, my dad's going to give you a lecture," Huayan said, standing in a spot where Hu Li couldn’t sneak an attack.

"Don’t you have any advice for me? Why do I suddenly feel my heart racing and my palms sweating?"

Huayan laughed heartily, rarely seeing Hu Li so nervous. Mischievously, she didn’t give him any advice and let him head to the study.

As Hu Li reached the door, he gave Huayan a resentful look, making her witness a particularly cute side of him. She wondered if Hu Li might have a split personality. Lying in the living room watching TV, she didn’t worry about Hu Li and indulged in her thoughts.

In the study, as soon as Hu Li entered, he was given the cold shoulder. Father Hua, unlike his usual easygoing self, sat solemnly in his chair, quietly observing Hu Li’s every move without speaking.

Hu Li felt like a “bride meeting her in-laws” for the first time, unsure where to place his hands and standing stiffly without daring to move.

After a few minutes, Father Hua politely said, “Mr. Hu, please sit down.”

“Thank you.”

“Mr. Hu, you’re thirty years old, right?”

“Exactly thirty.”

“Xiaoyan is several years younger than you, but you should know she has been divorced and she’s not particularly beautiful… Can you tell me why you chose her?”

“I knew all this long ago, and I still resolutely chose Xiaoyan because my heart is always thinking of her, yearning for her.” Gradually relaxing, Hu Li remained highly attentive, not wanting Old Master Hua’s displeasure to make Huayan uncomfortable.

“Do you play chess?” Father Hua suddenly asked.

Hu Li was taken aback but immediately replied, “I know a little.”

“Then let’s have a game.”

Half an hour later, Father Hua took longer and longer to make his moves because Hu Li’s seemingly simple and flawed strategies were actually full of hidden intentions, with many seemingly useless pieces potentially becoming key attackers at critical moments.

Hu Li realized Father Hua’s chess skills were excellent. However, chess was a primary tool in the Hu family to train someone’s strategic thinking, overall perspective, and control. He could play chess without pieces with his father and engage in fierce battles without making a single mistake. If he played seriously, Father Hua would have lost his general long ago.

Many opportunities had to be missed; he couldn’t play too aggressively and make Father Hua lose face, nor play too poorly and make him think he was a fool. This delicate balance taxed Hu Li’s mental strength.

An hour later, after Father Hua captured Hu Li’s general, he gave him a deep look and said meaningfully, “I hope you won’t use such strategies on Xiaoyan.”

“I won’t.” Hu Li suddenly realized that Father Hua had seen through his perfect, tactical concessions.

“Let’s go, stay for dinner tonight and try my cooking.”

“May I help in the kitchen?” This invitation signaled Father Hua’s initial approval, and Hu Li’s eyes filled with joy. He couldn’t miss the chance to learn from Father Hua.

Father Hua looked puzzled. Hu Li quickly explained, “Xiaoyan always praises your cooking. I’d like to learn a bit.”

“You cook?” Father Hua was very surprised. He had thought Hu Li, like other successful men, never touched cooking.

“Just started learning Chinese cuisine, and my skills are average.”

“Good, good. Do you cook often?” Father Hua’s expression softened further, and there was a hint of joy in his eyes.

“I only have the urge to cook when she’s around,” Hu Li said helplessly. He couldn’t explain why he always wanted to cook for Huayan; it had almost become a natural reaction.

“That girl is quite lucky. What dishes can you make? I’ll teach you some of Xiaoyan’s favorites later…”

When Hu Li emerged from the study, he and Father Hua were discussing something harmoniously, leaving Huayan dumbfounded. She couldn’t understand when the two had become so familiar.

Hu Li gave Huayan a reassuring look, happily following Father Hua into the kitchen. Soon after, Father Hua announced that he and Hu Li would go grocery shopping and insisted Huayan not join them. Watching Hu Li’s complete lack of complaints, Huayan wondered if Father Hua had brainwashed him, making him as diligent and compliant as a traditional wife.