Leng Xuan had been told by Zhou Li before that her father was a very conservative man, so he was mentally prepared. Hearing Zhou Guohua’s words, he simply gave a faint smile and said, "Uncle, was your initial approval of this marriage just for money? If that’s the case, then I think you might be mistaken. Zhou Li is a human being with blood, flesh, and thoughts, not an ignorant commodity."
Zhou Guohua was struck by Leng Xuan’s words, feeling both embarrassed and furious, and said, "This is our family business, and there’s no need for an outsider like you to butt in. Go away, don’t stand here and be an eyesore!"
When Feng Gui first heard that Leng Xuan was Zhou Li’s boyfriend, he was already so angry he was about to explode. Hearing Zhou Guohua now, he immediately joined in with a sneer and said, "Look here, buddy, since my dad has said so, you better leave quickly. You really have nothing to do with this. As for Little Li’s and my wedding, it has been agreed upon by both parents. Even if you really are Little Li’s boyfriend, you’re just a boyfriend, aren’t you? Now you can break up!"
"Zhou Li, aren’t you going to say something?" Leng Xuan was speechless. Zhou Li had been keeping her head down without speaking, making him feel rather helpless as her supposed boyfriend.
"Huh?" Zhou Li then looked up at Leng Xuan, her eyes brimming with tears, and turned her head to Zhou Guohua, saying, "Dad, I have obeyed you in everything since I was little, but this time... this time I cannot agree."
"Lili, you..." Zhou Guohua was so angry he was at a loss for words, then followed with a self-deprecating laugh, and said, "What a good daughter I’ve raised, what a good daughter indeed!"
Zhou Li’s lips puckered slightly, and she could no longer hold back her tears; she truly looked pitiful.
Zhou Jingpeng also felt some distress and said, "Dad, I think my sister’s lifelong happiness should be her own decision. After all, she has a long life ahead. Don’t you want her to live happily?"
Zhou Guohua paused, his eyes seemingly welling with tears. He tilted his head back and suddenly fell silent.
Li Xiufang frowned slightly, her displeasure evident as she glanced at Zhou Li, clearly not very satisfied with her future daughter-in-law. But seeing how her precious son seemed to like Zhou Li so much, she sighed inwardly in resignation and, with a face full of disdain, coldly said, "Zhou Li, you know your family’s situation. Don’t set your sights too high. And what’s so bad about my son? In what ways is he unfit for you?"
Zhou Li remained silent, but these words did not sit well with Zhou Jingpeng. He stated indifferently, "Aunt Li, right? Sorry I didn’t have the chance to greet you just now. However, regarding my family’s situation, I believe it has nothing to do with my sister. If we have to sacrifice my sister’s happiness for a bit more comfort, I think, our parents probably aren’t those kinds of people. Right, Dad?"
Zhou Jingpeng cleverly posed a rhetorical question to his father, which made Zhou Guohua even more embarrassed and ashamed. After all, it was his own daughter, and it would be absurd for him not to love her. But still... he sighed and said, "Jingpeng, be quiet." Then, looking at Zhou Li, he said, "Lili, come over here with Dad; I have something to talk to you about."
Zhou Li hesitated for a moment, but saw her father had already walked to one side, so she followed. The father and daughter conversed privately, and Zhou Jingpeng could only see his sister glance at him, then continue to bow her head and cry, listening to their father without speaking a word.