Chapter Sixty-Two: Ren Fa

“My dear nephew, you’re here—please, have a seat. Tingting is always troubling you, I feel quite embarrassed.”

Master Ren, who was sipping tea in the parlor, caught sight of Li Yang and Ren Tingting from afar and immediately rose to greet them with warmth.

“You’re too polite, Uncle. Tingting is well-behaved and sensible. When she visits my residence, she keeps my wife company; she could never be considered a bother.”

After the incident with Old Master Ren, Ren Fa had begun to pay much greater attention to the mysterious side of the world. With the Ren family business flourishing, he naturally wished to draw closer to someone as skilled in the mystical arts as Li Yang, hoping to rely on him. Moreover, after several months of acquaintance, he found this young man wise beyond his years and knowledgeable, his abilities extraordinary. He had already begun to treat Li Yang as a prospective son-in-law, and his words carried a tone of intimacy.

As for Madam He, in Ren Fa’s eyes, a capable young man having several wives was no great matter. After all, he himself had lived much the same way in his youth.

“Uncle, did you invite me here today because of your cousin’s illness? Tingting has mentioned it to me. I wonder if you know the particulars of his condition—after all, to cure an illness, one must first understand what it is.” Li Yang asked, his expression attentive.

“Ah… you don’t know, my dear nephew. That’s only part of it. My third uncle is the youngest son of my grandfather. He’s always loved wandering about. On his latest trip out of town for business, he suddenly fell ill. He only managed to send a letter home before becoming unreachable. We don’t know how he fares now.”

On this subject, Ren Fa raised his hand to massage his forehead, worry etched deeply into his features.

“The second matter is this: since you wish to do business, I thought it a good opportunity to take you to visit my cousin, introduce you to the Ren family enterprises. Our family has many branches. My own branch and my third uncle’s are particularly close, often collaborating in business. Many ventures are joint efforts between our families. So I thought, while you’re free, you could take this chance to learn more.”

Ren Fa stood, patting Li Yang’s shoulder with significance. “I am getting old, and have only Tingting as my daughter. Whoever can make her happy, all the assets of this branch will eventually be his. You are a clever man, so I believe you understand my meaning.”

“Father! What are you saying...”

Ren Tingting, hearing this, blushed deeply, clinging to her father’s arm in a coquettish manner, stealing shy glances at Li Yang.

“Well... haha... Tingting is indeed gentle and virtuous, beautiful and gracious. Whoever wins her hand must have accumulated great fortune in his past life.”

Faced with Ren Fa’s pressing tone, Li Yang could only smile awkwardly, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Brother Li, don’t listen to my father’s nonsense.”

Seeing Li Yang’s lack of response, a hint of disappointment flickered in Ren Tingting’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself, suppressing her feelings to comfort him.

“I’m getting old, not much use anymore. You young people chat, I’ll go lie down for a bit!”

Receiving no direct answer from Li Yang, Ren Fa was not discouraged. In his mind, his daughter was adorable, gentle, and skilled—blessed with both beauty and intellect, plus the family’s wealth. She was the very image of a privileged young lady. He could not believe that any man in the world could resist such temptation.

After Ren Fa departed, Li Yang and Ren Tingting were left alone. The earlier conversation hung between them, and they sat in the parlor, staring at each other, the atmosphere suddenly stifling.

Ren Tingting was flushed with embarrassment and indignation, while Li Yang felt the weight of her resentful glances as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

“Hey! Cousin, what’s going on here…”

Just then, a chic and lively young woman burst into the parlor, eyeing the two with curiosity.

“Ah, Zhu Zhu! Let me introduce you. This is Brother Li.” She took Ren Zhu Zhu’s hand, turning to Li Yang. “This is my cousin, Ren Zhu Zhu, just returned from studying in France.”

“Hello, Miss Ren!”

Ren Zhu Zhu’s arrival eased the awkward tension in the room. Li Yang quickly stood and politely extended his hand.

“So you’re the Brother Li my cousin always mentions? Hmm, you are quite handsome. I suppose I should call you ‘brother-in-law’ then!”

Ren Zhu Zhu looked Li Yang up and down, appraising him with a mischievous smile.

“Zhu Zhu… you…”

Ren Tingting blushed fiercely at her cousin’s brazen remarks, shooting her an indignant glare.

“Cousin, what are you so shy about? We’re both educated in the new era—if you like someone, you should admit it. If you keep hesitating, someone else might snatch Brother Li away.”

She winked playfully at Ren Tingting.

Li Yang merely smiled at Ren Zhu Zhu’s teasing, unaffected, but Ren Tingting was less composed, chasing after her cousin in protest.

“Brother Li, please don’t mind her. My cousin always speaks without thinking.”

After some time, Ren Tingting remembered Li Yang was still present. She smoothed her slightly messy hair and spoke shyly.

“It’s fine. You two sisters can chat. I’ll head back and get ready. Please tell Uncle Ren that we’ll meet at the town gate tomorrow morning.” Li Yang smiled, showing he didn’t mind.

“Then, Brother Li, see you tomorrow!”

“Brother-in-law, see you tomorrow!”

They escorted Li Yang to the door. Ren Tingting watched until his figure faded from sight, reluctant to look away.

“Alright, he’s gone, you can stop staring. But, cousin, I must say, you have excellent taste. Li Yang isn’t just handsome, he’s refined too. Even I feel a bit tempted!”

“You wouldn’t dare!!”

Ren Tingting’s face turned scarlet, and she lunged at her cousin like a protective hen, the two immediately scuffling playfully.

......

“How did your talk with Master Ren go?”

Back at the villa, Madam He sat in the pavilion on the hillside, pouring Li Yang a cup of tea and asking softly.

“It went well. I plan to invest some money in the Ren family business and have Sister Jin Ling oversee it. What do you think, Madam?”

Li Yang took the tea, looking to Madam He for her opinion.

“If you ask me, Tingting is devoted to you. Why not accept her? Then you’d never have to worry about wealth again.”

Seeing Li Yang’s hesitation, Madam He continued, “I know you’re concerned about my feelings, but there’s no need. I’m a widow; I can never be your principal wife. As long as I can stay by your side, I’m content. Tingting is good-natured, kind-hearted, from a respectable family, and most importantly, learned. She can assist you. Why keep her at a distance?”

“Madam…”

Li Yang gazed at her radiant face, unable to restrain himself from embracing her soft, gentle form. A tide of emotion welled up in his heart—touched, warm, and yet tinged with an inexplicable melancholy.