On Friday noon, Li Yifei arrived at the entrance of Su Yiyi’s school. It wasn’t long before Su Yiyi ran out from inside, her forehead adorned with a layer of fine sweat beads.
Dressed in a flowing white dress, she approached Li Yifei like a drifting white cloud.
Li Yifei took out a tissue to wipe the sweat from Su Yiyi’s forehead, and with a hint of distress he said, "Silly girl, what’s the rush for?"
Receiving such affection from Li Yifei, Su Yiyi’s face was filled with a sweet smile. She tilted her face upward to let Li Yifei wipe her sweat, saying, "I was afraid Brother Li might be anxious, so I hurried out."
Li Yifei casually pinched Su Yiyi’s cheek and said, "Silly girl, why would I be anxious? Waiting for my Little Yiyi is a pleasure. Remember to come out later next time. Girls should be reserved, making their boyfriends wait a bit longer."
Su Yiyi chuckled and replied, "I got it, next time I’ll make you wait... one more minute."
"Haha..." Li Yifei burst into a joyful laugh, put his arm around Su Yiyi’s shoulder, and said, "Let’s go, didn’t you say you wanted to visit your father today?"
There were quite a few people at the school gate. Seeing Su Yiyi being embraced by Li Yifei and getting into a Mercedes car broke many male students’ hearts. Had Su Yiyi found a boyfriend at school, they would feel slightly better. But with someone from outside the school picking her up, it seemed to them as if Su Yiyi had been swept away by a wealthy man, which was devastating.
Su Yiyi had long heard the gossip within the school about how she was being kept by someone, but she never took it seriously. On the contrary, her heart felt even sweeter because she knew, even if she were to be kept by Li Yifei, she would be the happiest one. Because Brother Li liked her with all his heart, and she, deep in her bones, liked Li Yifei just as much.
The two arrived at Su Yiyi’s home. It was Li Yifei’s first visit, and he had brought some gifts. Although Su Yiyi’s father was irresponsible, after all, he was Su Yiyi’s father, and Li Yifei couldn’t disrespect him as it would embarrass Su Yiyi.
Su Yiyi lived in Stream County, which was developing quite well. The streets on both sides were lined with many buildings under construction. However, behind the tall buildings, there were still many single-storey houses, and Su Yiyi lived near the edge of the county in one of these areas.
The alleys in this area were too narrow for cars, so Li Yifei and Su Yiyi parked at a spot not too far away and walked in with their gifts.
"Brother Li, it’s so dirty here, but you still insisted on coming with me," Su Yiyi said with a slight complaint in her voice, but her heart felt even more delighted.
Li Yifei smiled and said, "My Little Yiyi is walking with me. How could I not come and see for myself? What would the neighbors think? I have to come and show my face."
Su Yiyi’s smile grew sweeter when a woman in her forties came along, greeting her upon seeing her.
"Oh my, Yiyi, you’re a grown lady now. You’ve become so beautiful in such a short time," Auntie Wang said, heaping praise on Su Yiyi as soon as she approached.
Feeling a bit shy, Su Yiyi responded, "Hello, Auntie Wang."
"Hehe, all good here. Oh, Yiyi, who’s this?" Auntie Wang then turned her attention to Li Yifei.
Su Yiyi turned to look at Li Yifei, not knowing quite how to introduce him at that moment.
Li Yifei smiled and said, "Hello, Auntie Wang. I’m Yiyi’s boyfriend."
"Ah!" Auntie Wang’s eyes lit up, sizing up Li Yifei, and said, "Yiyi actually has a boyfriend now, not bad at all. You’re a fine-looking young man, very impressive."
Hearing the neighbors compliment Li Yifei, Su Yiyi felt like her heart was blooming with joy, her small face unable to conceal it. Most importantly, Li Yifei, in front of others, claimed her as his girlfriend, which pleased her more than anything else.
Along the way, many neighbors greeted Su Yiyi, and she responded to each one. Everyone was also paying attention to Li Yifei, and now Su Yiyi could confidently introduce him as her boyfriend.
They returned home happily, but before they even opened the door, she heard the rattling sound of mahjong tiles from inside, making her smile disappear instantly.
"Brother Li..." Su Yiyi suddenly clung weakly to Li Yifei’s arm. She rarely went home these days, happy each time her father claimed he would stop gambling. But before coming home today, she did not call her father, hoping to surprise him, only to be doused in cold water without even entering: her father was gambling at home.
Li Yifei also frowned slightly. He had given Su Yiyi’s father a lesson last time, hoping the man would remember the beating, yet he turned out to be incorrigible. However, he still managed a slight smile, took Su Yiyi’s hand, and said, "Let’s go inside."
"Brother Li... let’s go, I don’t want to go home," Su Yiyi’s eyes reddened. With a father like hers, she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority. Her father was, after all, the man who brought her into this world, and as his daughter, she would have to look after him in the future no matter how irresponsible he was. But she did not want him to become a burden to Li Yifei.