Yun Yongchang remained silent. Only after Yun Li closed the door behind her did he snap out of it, muttering to Yun Ye, "Parents just want what's best for their children. We just wanted to find a good family for your sister, one that wouldn’t look down on her or make her suffer in the future."
"Dad, you should apologize to her. No one could take what you said just now," Yun Ye retorted irritably. While minor arguments between Yun Li and Yun Yongchang were common, it had been a long time since such harsh words had been exchanged.
With neither of his children supporting him, Yun Yongchang’s expression darkened. His lips trembled as he said, "After raising you both all these years..."
Yun Ye, fed up, simply turned and went back to his room.
...
Yun Li hurried downstairs just as Yin Yucheng reached the entrance of the neighborhood.
She quickened her pace to catch up. Hearing her footsteps, he turned around—as if he had been waiting for her all along.
He seemed relieved and smiled at her.
Without hesitation, Yun Li said, "Fu Shize and I are still together. I just didn’t tell my dad."
Yin Yucheng’s smile froze, his expression unreadable.
He had assumed Yun Li chased after him because she was interested. After all, his qualifications weren’t lacking, and they had known each other for two years.
Approaching thirty, why was his matchmaking journey so fraught with difficulties?
This time, his parents had made the introduction. Seeing her profile, Yin Yucheng had been drawn—partly because he had once harbored feelings for her, and partly because Yun Li’s gentle temperament seemed ideal for a shared life. That was why he had made the trip to West Fuling.
Yun Yongchang had also been straightforward, believing the union of their two families would be a favorable outcome.
"I made it very clear to my dad before, but he just wouldn’t listen," Yun Li said, looking equally troubled. She met his gaze apologetically. "I hope this won’t affect Yun Ye and Yun Yi. I’ll reimburse you for the flight and hotel."
Even now, Yun Li was only thinking of her younger siblings—not the feelings of the man who had traveled all this way for her.
Each word felt like a knife to Yin Yucheng’s heart. He was usually well-liked elsewhere, but he disliked those who pursued him solely for his material advantages.
He had wanted a simple, campus-style romance, yet he kept hitting walls with Yun Li.
Come to think of it, back when he competed in tournaments, if Fu Shize was present, he never took first place either.
Perhaps he was just used to losing. And since it was Fu Shize again this time, it didn’t feel as hard to accept.
Yin Yucheng quickly adjusted his expression, preserving some dignity as he feigned indifference. "It’s fine. I’ve been on over twenty blind dates already. Think of this as me just visiting my little sister."
Yun Yongchang’s extreme maneuver had left Yun Li in an unbearably awkward position. Guilt was written all over her face.
"I’ll go find Yun Yi now. Don’t take it to heart," he said meaningfully. "We’ll still be family in the future."
After seeing Yin Yucheng off, Yun Li finally released the weight on her chest.
Recalling what had just happened, she felt suffocated—as if Yun Yongchang was trying to dictate her entire life.
Going home would mean facing his foul mood again. Since she was already out, she decided to go all the way and took a cab to West Science and Technology University.
By the time she reached the college building, Fu Shize was already waiting by the roadside with Little Turtle parked nearby.
Yun Li smoothly climbed onto the back of the scooter and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Should we go somewhere nearby? There’s a gaming store."Fu Shize glanced at her. It wasn't like Yun Li to come out gaming so late at night, but he didn't ask further, riding straight to the shop.
They booked a small private booth with just a two-seater sofa and a screen.
Handing him a controller, Yun Li randomly started a game. Her button presses were rapid and forceful, as if venting her emotions.
After just a few rounds, Fu Shize set down his controller and turned to ask, "Why did you come out so late?"
Yun Li fiddled with her controller sullenly, mumbling, "I missed you."
"Hmm." He clearly didn't buy that excuse. Unhurried, Fu Shize patiently started a new game and played a couple more rounds with her.
His question seemed to open the floodgates. Yun Li thought of Yun Yongchang's recent behavior—constantly setting her up on blind dates since her return to China, even arranging meetings at restaurants despite her clear refusals, then blaming her when she didn't show up.
This time was even more absurd—he'd actually invited someone to their home.
What would come next? How much further would he go?
The more Yun Li thought about it, the more depressed she felt. Head bowed, she confided in Fu Shize: "My dad's gone too far this time. He invited Yun Ye's brother-in-law to our house as a blind date for me."
"..."
"We had a fight before I left." Remembering Yun Yongchang's words, her voice grew quieter. "Actually, I understand why he's so anxious."
Yun Li continued haltingly, "My dad's always thought I'm too introverted and stubborn. When I was little and got bullied, I'd always fight back verbally. But Dad always saw that as immaturity."
In Yun Li's childhood, no matter what happened to her, Yun Yongchang would shed his normally reticent nature to argue on her behalf.
Likewise, whenever relatives criticized Yun Yongchang, Yun Li would fearlessly stand up for him.
She didn't know when this dynamic had changed.
Yun Li hadn't forgotten her father's kindness—which made her current pain even sharper.
"All these years, I've been trying to show him that yes, I'm introverted, but that doesn't mean I can't interact with people, can't take care of myself, or make my own decisions."
Growing up under Yun Yongchang's constant disapproval, Yun Li had fought hard against it all—whether studying at South Science and Technology University or going on exchange to England. These experiences had broadened her horizons.
She felt she'd done well enough, regaining long-lost confidence in herself.
Yet at her core, she remained insecure.
Any confidence gained from the outside world would crumble the moment she returned home.
Her efforts never earned Yun Yongchang's trust, as if someone constantly followed her whispering, "Nothing you do will ever be enough."
"I don't know how to make my dad approve of me." Yun Li hung her head. "Today he told me Yin Yucheng doesn't mind that I'm deaf in one ear."
"As if that's my only worth in his eyes."
Each incident like this made her wonder—was she truly so inadequate that her own father would always look down on her like this?
Yun Li nearly spat out her last words. Remembering the Yun Yongchang of her childhood, overwhelming bitterness welled up inside.
She knew Yun Yongchang loved her.
Which made his approval all the more important to her."Lili." Fu Shize lifted her face, gazing at her earnestly. "Don't doubt yourself because of what others say."
He paused for a moment. "Never question your own abilities."
"You're independent and strong-willed. Everything you set your mind to, you've achieved." Fu Shize gently stroked her hair. His usual tone lacked strong emotion, but now it carried undeniable conviction.
She was the shining treasure in his life.
She shouldn't lose her brilliance because of anyone's doubts.
"There are all kinds of people in this world, each with different values. Parents have their own ideas, and these ideas aren't always perfect—often they're even hard to accept," he said calmly, whispering in her ear.
"But parents are parents, and we are we."
"Besides, your uncle approved of you. That's why he was so strongly against us being together back then." Even though this matter reflected poorly on him, Fu Shize spoke without any resentment.
He believed his daughter was good enough, so he wanted someone worthy of her.
"That's because he didn't understand you, being stubborn and inflexible." Yun Li tugged at his collar. "Don't mind his reaction back then."
"I don't mind." Fu Shize pulled her closer. "I only care about now."
In the dim light from the screen illuminating his thin lower lip, Yun Li looked up and gave him a light kiss.
This time, Fu Shize responded without any amorous intent, just a tender, comforting kiss.
As if telling her he would always be by her side.
Yun Li's mood improved considerably, but thinking about Fu Shize meeting Yun Yongchang again in the future, she asked nervously, "Aren't you afraid of my dad? Don't you think he's too controlling?"
"Wouldn't dare speak ill of my future father-in-law." Fu Shize picked up the game controller again, starting a new game and playing for a while.
The thrilling game on screen captivated Yun Li this time. Beside her, Fu Shize shifted slightly before suddenly setting down the controller.
After a moment of silence, Fu Shize spoke. "You went on a blind date today."
Yun Li: "..."
Fu Shize: "There might be a next time?"
Yun Li tensed up. "Today was an accident. Probably..." Thinking of her father's temperament, she hesitated.
She couldn't be sure there wouldn't be a next time.
Fu Shize raised his eyes to look at her. "It's been a while since I last saw your father."
Hearing this, Yun Li froze. She still had psychological scars from the last incident. "You don't mind how my dad last time..."
"My condition back then really wasn't good," Fu Shize admitted frankly. "I don't blame your father. He was protecting his daughter within his means."
He said this with such ease, showing no trace of resentment or any other emotion.
Even Yun Li herself still harbored some resentment about it.
"But if his protection hurts you," Fu Shize paused, his voice suddenly lowering as his lips brushed her right ear, "then I'd want to take you home sooner."
He didn't hide his intentions at all.
"Well, that depends on whether I agree or not." Yun Li laughed. "Even if my dad agrees in the future, I might not necessarily agree."
They had been so engrossed in their conversation that the game screen had already gone into standby mode.Seeing that Yun Li wasn't particularly interested in playing around, Fu Shize stood up and gently pulled her to her feet. Before she could steady herself, she heard his voice above her: "Let's go, come sit at my place for a while."
It wasn't until they reached the dormitory building that Yun Li understood what Fu Shize meant by "home."
She glanced at the dorm supervisor: "Can I go in?"
Fu Shize simply pulled her along: "Mhm, I have a single room."
No sooner had he spoken than two couples walked in arm in arm. The supervisor didn't even look up, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.
Yun Li was slightly worried about what might happen upstairs.
Noticing her hesitation, Fu Shize chuckled: "Really just sitting for a while. What are you thinking about?"
"You already know what I'm thinking," Yun Li retorted, somewhat embarrassed by his remark but unwilling to back down. "Which means you're thinking the same thing."
Never one to be shy, Fu Shize simply hummed in agreement before teasingly asking, "Is that not allowed?"
"......"
They stopped by the convenience store next to the dormitory first. Fu Shize grabbed two bags of milk and heated them in the microwave.
While waiting, Yun Li caught sight of the colorful boxes on the shelf near the cash register and quickly averted her gaze.
After opening the milk for her, Fu Shize led her upstairs. The dormitory was quite old, without an elevator, so Yun Li followed him up five flights of stairs.
Just like his place at South River Garden, Fu Shize's dorm room was impeccably tidy. Aside from a few books on the desk, there was nothing else.
He took a slice of mango mille crepe from the mini fridge and placed it on the table: "My junior went to the mall today, so I asked him to bring this back."
Fu Shize remembered Lin Jingran and the others mentioning they were going to West Fuling's most popular dessert shop before heading out. After they left, he texted Lin Jingran to bring back a slice.
Lin Jingran feigned ignorance: [Senior, don't you usually refuse these?]
There wasn't any particular reason.
He just wanted to see Yun Li obediently eating something he'd specifically gotten for her, bite by bite, like she was doing now.
Noticing his gaze, Yun Li rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand: "Did I get something on my face?"
"No." Fu Shize sat down beside her.
Yun Li scooped up a spoonful and offered it to him: "Do you want some?"
"You eat it. My stomach isn't great," Fu Shize pushed the spoon back. Yun Li nodded, pondering his words, when she suddenly realized he was staring straight at her.
Fu Shize: "Actually, maybe just a little."
Yun Li nodded again and raised the spoon, only for Fu Shize to gently push her hand aside.
He leaned in, nipping at her lips twice—not too hard, not too soft—lingering for a moment before his tongue traced a slow path across her lips.
He didn't deepen the kiss, retreating to his original position. Yun Li, dazed, set the spoon back in the cake box.
The cramped few square meters felt oppressive. Yun Li glanced at the old fluorescent light and asked, "Don't you feel suffocated living alone in this tiny room?"
Fu Shize considered the motive behind her question before slowly countering, "Are you offering to move in with me?"
"......"
In this confined space with just the two of them, anything they said would probably sound suggestive.
Yun Li pointed at his impossibly narrow bed—standard dormitory issue: "This bed is only one meter wide!"
Fu Shize tilted his head: "I didn't say we'd share it."
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