Qiao Lian observed what was going on downstairs mosily.
Tianyu’s father had the surname Li, and his name was Mao. He had the looks of a typical Southern Chinese—rather fair and quite slim. One could tell from his features that he had been a very good-looking man in his youth, and even now he was an attractive uncle.
He was looking at Xia Yehua, grinning as he said, “Yehua, you said years ago that I should not look for you for six years, but now it’s past that. Don’t you think we should consider it?”
Xia Yehua had turned a bright scarlet and jumped right to her feet. “You- you- you old man, how old do you think you are and yet you are saying these shameless words?!”
She pointed a finger at him and continued, “What are you talking about? Six years?”
Looking hurt, Li Mao said, “Yehua, how can you deny it? Look, my hair has greyed and we’ve both grown old! What will I do if you don’t marry me?”
Xia Yehua was speechless.
Meanwhile upstairs, Qiao Lian was on the verge of bursting out in laughter as she listened to the handsome old man.
This handsome old man was too adorable.
Who proposes like this?
He spoke as if he didn’t have enough time.
Qiao Lian laughed uncontrollably as she looked at Shen Liangchuan, who had a frown on his face. He turned suddenly to look at Shen Zihao and said, “Did you know that six years ago, which was three years after Mom and I left the Shen family, Uncle Li proposed to Mom?”
At that remark, Shen Zihao’s pupils shrank as he snapped his head around to look at his brother.
If by now one said that he still didn’t believe Xia Yehua, it would be a lie.
But he still felt uncomfortable whenever he thought of those rumors about his mother divorcing his father because of this man.
He furrowed his brow and stared at what was going on downstairs. He looked terribly displeased as he said, “Why didn’t Mom agree then?”
Shen Liangchuan was silent for a moment and then he said, “At the time, after we left the Shen Family, life was hard. It was with Uncle Li’s help that we were able to get past the difficult times. Eventually, their frequent contact did result in mutual liking.”
Shen Zihao was stunned and asked further, “In that case, Mom and Uncle Li did not have any relationship before that?”
Shen Liangchuan nodded and continued after a pause, “They had great affection for each other, but were restrained by conventions. Even after so many years, they never overstepped their boundaries.”
Shen Zihao was once again stunned upon hearing this.
He looked at the living room downstairs.
Shen Liangchuan said impassively, “But Mom did not agree six years ago, and do you know why?”
Curious, Shen Zihao asked, “Why?”
“Because Mom knew that you had misunderstood her. She wanted to explain it to you but you wouldn’t listen. She knew that if she were to marry Uncle Li, you’d be sad all your life, hence she would rather remain single than to upset you.”
Shen Zihao was stunned into silence now.
Shen Liangchuan continued with his gaze fixed on the two people in the living room, “Six years ago, Uncle Li proposed to Mom for the first time in this very same place.”
At that time, Li Mao had been a little younger.
Even in his late 40s, he looked ten years younger.
He was gentlemanly, cultured and refined.
Shen Liangchuan had been at home when he proposed. The boy had just been about to go out and as he had walked out of his bedroom, he had heard the conversation.
Uncle Li had said, “Yehua, let’s get married.”
Shocked, the woman had replied, “What nonsense are you speaking?”
“Yehua, I know that we have feelings for each other.”
