Fu Xiaotang felt as if she had swallowed a bottle of mixed emotions, unsure of what to feel. She couldn’t help but look up at Song Li, who didn’t even glance at her. He calmly said, “Yi and I have decided to get married by the end of this month to reassure everyone.” His last words had a subtle implication, “to reassure everyone.” Zhang Rong pondered briefly, “There’s no need to rush, my daughter’s wedding, even if not unprecedented, should be grand and lively.” Liu Yi’s face flushed with excitement, “Godfather, you’re too good to me!” She turned to look at Song Li, grasping his hand, “But Song Li and I have discussed it; we can get engaged first and plan the wedding slowly.” “Oh, that’s fine too,” Zhang Rong glanced at Song Li, “You decide for yourselves, just make sure Yi isn’t wronged.” Song Li whispered, “Of course, that’s what I owe her.”
Fu Xiaotang felt a sharp sting from those words, her mind blank. Fang Junjie squeezed her hand as if to give her strength. Then he stood up, smiling at Song Li, “Congratulations, Young Master Li, if there’s anything you need help with, just say it.” Song Li also stood, shaking Fang Junjie’s hand, “Thank you, Young Master Junjie, you don’t need to worry about my affairs. Just take care of your own people.” He then turned to Fu Xiaotang, as if looking at her properly for the first time since dinner, “I guess I’ll have to change how I address you soon.” Song Li raised an eyebrow in a half-smile, extending his hand, “Sister, won’t you congratulate your brother-in-law?”
Fu Xiaotang slowly stood, her lips trembling, the word “brother-in-law” swirling in her throat but not coming out. She bit her tongue hard, trying to control the trembling in her arms, and with great difficulty, she managed to say, “Congratulations.” Song Li gripped her hand, feeling it cold and limp. He squeezed it hard, and Fu Xiaotang shivered as if her heart had been gripped. She looked up at him, and Song Li, his gaze unwavering, said in a low voice that everyone could hear, “I’ll sign the papers as soon as I get back, rest assured!” Then he suddenly let go.
