Chapter 23

As Shen Yun spoke, Li Guoxiong also put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious.

“I want to talk to you about Li Cheng’s marriage.”

Shen Yun’s voice was somewhat heavy. Ever since he agreed to the engagement with the Ye family, she had wanted to have a proper discussion with him but could never find the right opportunity.

That was until today, when Wang Guihua and Li Cuilan came over and told her what they had heard.

She couldn’t help but feel uneasy about it.

Li Guoxiong wasn’t particularly surprised, as if he had already anticipated this.

“You also think my decision was wrong?”

Although it was phrased as a question, his tone was full of certainty.

Li Cheng had already come to him three times about this matter.

Shen Yun nodded, then shook her head.

Li Guoxiong was amused by her “answer.” So, was it a yes or a no?

“Guoxiong, you’ve met that child, Ye Yao. I don’t want to judge her based on appearances, but whether it’s her family background or her level of education and manners, there’s a huge gap between her and Li Cheng.

Forcing two people like them to be tied together in marriage won’t bring happiness.”

Shen Yun calmly expressed her thoughts.

She wasn’t a conservative thinker and had never planned to interfere in her son’s marriage.

But she hadn’t expected this situation to arise so suddenly. From what she knew, her son was also resistant to this engagement.

Li Guoxiong sighed. “I admit you have a point. I’ve been thinking about this myself these past days, wondering whether keeping my promise was right or wrong.

Maybe I shouldn’t use my son’s marriage to uphold my own sense of honor, but I know that if I don’t do this, I will never be at peace for the rest of my life.”

If Ye Dongming were still here, maybe things would have turned out differently.

Shen Yun’s expression became complicated. She understood at least some of the deep bond between her husband and Ye Dongming.

The two of them had grown up together as childhood friends, comrades, and confidants. They joined the workforce together, built their lives together.

So, when Li Cheng was born, it wasn’t long before both families made a promise.

If both had sons, they would become sworn brothers. If one had a son and the other a daughter, they would arrange a marriage between them.

But later, for reasons unknown, Ye Dongming made an unforgivable mistake, abandoned his wife and daughter, and never returned. The Ye family’s status plummeted overnight, and even Ye Yao was affected by her mother, Zhang Qiufeng’s weak personality.

Now, caught between her husband and son, Shen Yun found herself in a dilemma.

“Guoxiong, I heard something today. It seems that the girl has someone she likes. If that’s true, shouldn’t we help them be together?

After all, love is the foundation of marriage. We could adopt Ye Yao as our goddaughter and then arrange a grand wedding for her.

That way, you wouldn’t be betraying your old friend, and our son wouldn’t have to go against his own wishes.”

Li Guoxiong was momentarily stunned. “Is that true? Why haven’t I heard about this?”

Ye Yao had a boy she liked? Then why had she taken the initiative to push for the engagement?

“I only heard about it, but it seems fairly credible. If you agree with my idea, I’ll find time to sit down and talk to Qiufeng and Ye Yao about it.”

Shen Yun’s voice was gentle as she sought Li Guoxiong’s opinion.

“Alright. If this is true, then we can proceed as you suggested. That would actually be a good outcome.”