Chapter 29

For the first time, Cheng Li felt a deep urge to escape—escape this home that had always been her psychological safe haven.

The place where she had lived for over a decade now felt suffocating, as if even the air was stagnant.

The three people in the living room were all silent, each to varying degrees.

Finally, Ling Shuanghua, seated upright on the sofa, lifted her eyes and calmly asked, “Have you thought of a reason yet?”

Cheng Li remained silent.

Ling Shuanghua pressed further, “Have you come up with an excuse?”

Still, no response.

Ling Shuanghua’s patience was thinning. “Have you figured out how to lie to me?”

Standing next to Cheng Li, Cheng Dingbo’s expression was complicated.

For the first time, he didn’t speak up for her. He was still reeling from disbelief, unable to accept what he had seen with his own eyes.

An hour ago, he had been at work.

As a government employee, Cheng Dingbo had spent his life diligently performing his duties, rising to a modest leadership position. Though he had no grand achievements, he was well-respected among his colleagues.

That day, just before lunchtime, this respectable elder was daydreaming about whether to order sweet-and-sour ribs or braised chicken legs from the cafeteria.

While he was still undecided, a call came from none other than Ling Shuanghua.

Unlike him, who still had years to retirement, Ling Shuanghua had already embraced the joys of a retired life.

Cheerfully, Cheng Dingbo answered, “What are you having for lunch, Ms. Ling?”

Ling Shuanghua’s voice was icily calm. “Lunch? Forget it.”

“…”

Her uncharacteristic tone surprised him. Ling Shuanghua, a lifelong educator with an air of refinement, rarely uttered such brusque words.

Before he could ask what was wrong, she simply said, “Come home now.”

“I’m at work!” he protested.

“Come home.”

That was when a sense of unease settled in. “What’s going on? At least tell me first!”

But she hung up without another word.

Driving as fast as he could, he rushed home, fearing the worst.

To his relief, there was no fire, no flood. Everything was calm.

Changing his shoes, he joked, “From your tone on the phone, I thought the sky was falling.”

Still in a lighthearted mood, he was caught completely off guard when Ling Shuanghua slid a red booklet across the coffee table and said evenly, “Take a look at this.”

A marriage certificate?

“Whose marriage certificate is this?” he asked, flipping it open.

The moment he saw the two faces in the photograph, he froze as if struck by lightning.

He flipped through it again, his hands trembling. “This has to be fake. Isn’t there a market for counterfeit props online?”

“Forgery of government documents is illegal. As a civil servant, shouldn’t you know that?” Ling Shuanghua reminded him.

Cheng Dingbo was utterly stunned.

He stared at the photograph, then at Cheng Li’s name and identification number—all accurate.

“When… did she get married?” he asked, voice shaking as he held the certificate.

“Good question,” Ling Shuanghua replied coldly. “I’d like to know that myself.”

She reached for her phone to call Cheng Li, but Cheng Dingbo quickly stopped her. “Ms. Ling, calm down!”

Ling Shuanghua looked up at him. “Do I look like I’m not calm?”

Her unnerving composure left him speechless.

Her cold, measured demeanor was so unsettling it sparked both fear and worry in him.

Now, with Cheng Li back home, the family of three sat facing this explosive revelation—a marriage certificate that had dropped on them like a bomb.

Cheng Li thought for a long time before finally asking, “How did you find it?”

Good question.

Even Cheng Dingbo couldn’t help but wonder. She wouldn’t have hidden something like this carelessly.

Ling Shuanghua smirked. “I must say, your hiding skills have improved. You tucked it under your mattress. If I hadn’t thought to rearrange your bed today, I might never have found it.”

Previously, Cheng Li had kept the certificate under her pillow.

Later, she grew uneasy and slipped it inside the pillowcase.

But then she remembered that, while Ms. Ling rarely cooked, she was diligent with housework.

The bed linens were changed every two weeks. If she wasn’t home one day and Ms. Ling changed the sheets, the certificate would be exposed.

Though Ms. Ling generally respected her privacy, she occasionally tidied up Cheng Li’s room, including her wardrobe.

After much deliberation, Cheng Li had finally hidden it under the mattress. Surely no one would lift a mattress just to tidy up.

But the universe loves irony. What Cheng Li thought was a secure hiding spot turned into the trigger for this familial explosion.

She had hoped to break the news to her parents gradually, finding the right moment to come clean.

She never expected things to unfold like this.

“I’m sorry,” Cheng Li said quietly. “It’s my fault for not telling you sooner.”

“Ha… ha…” Ling Shuanghua let out a sharp laugh, making Cheng Dingbo’s heart ache with every beat.

As her father, he was naturally furious. Cheng Li not only dared to elope but had kept such a major event as marriage a secret.

Looking at Cheng Li, Ling Shuanghua asked, “Do you still think your only mistake was not telling us in advance?”

Having been a teacher all her life, Ling Shuanghua exuded the same authoritative presence that made Cheng Li feel like a high school student again.

It was as if a teacher stood before her, asking her to reflect on her errors.

Cheng Li said nothing.

She refused to label her marriage a mistake.

Such a declaration would be unfair to Rong Qi.

From the moment they registered their marriage, she had sensed his earnestness in treating their relationship seriously.

While their impulsive decision to marry might have been rash, the way they had treated each other since was nothing but genuine.

Ling Shuanghua, seeing her remain silent, took it as stubborn refusal to admit fault. The last trace of composure vanished from her face as she erupted emotionally, “Cheng Li, when did you become like this? You were never like this before. What on earth possessed you to do such a thing?”

“Wait a second,” Cheng Li interrupted, unable to hold back, “Are you about to say that I’ve been led astray by someone else?”

Perhaps all parents are like this.

When faced with mistakes they find unbearable from their children, they instinctively blame external influences, looking for excuses to shield their child.

Cheng Li wasn’t sure if Ling Shuanghua thought the same, but she felt it wouldn’t be fair to let Rong Qi bear the brunt of this on his own.

Cheng Li said, “I’m 28 years old, a full-fledged adult. When I decided to get married, it might have been impulsive, but no one coerced me. It was entirely my own decision, made with full awareness.”

Cheng Dingbo couldn’t hold back anymore and asked, “You call that a clear-headed decision? Rushing into marriage like that? How does that make sense?”

Cheng Li paused briefly before turning to Ling Shuanghua and speaking softly, “Mom, I know this is hard for you to accept right now, but look on the bright side—didn’t you always like Rong Qi?”

At this moment, Ling Shuanghua seemed to recall something. Picking up the marriage certificate, she scrutinized the date on it.

She let out a sudden, mocking laugh. “So when Rong Qi visited our house last time, you were already married then?”

Cheng Li was speechless.

She realized it was nearly impossible to divert the logical train of thought of a lifelong teacher, even one as angry as Ling Shuanghua was now.

Despite the throbbing headache from her fury, her reasoning remained sharp, and she honed in unerringly on the key issue.

“I used to like Rong Qi, yes—but only when he was just my former student,” Ling Shuanghua said, her face growing darker by the second, her words brimming with frustration. “Not as someone sneaking around to get a marriage license with my daughter.”

Cheng Dingbo leaned over for a closer look and, for the first time, noticed something he had overlooked earlier in his shock—he hadn’t even checked the date.

After a good look, he exclaimed, “You’ve had this certificate for over two months?”

Ling Shuanghua let out a cold laugh. “So this is what it’s like to be played by your own children.”

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she asked, “Did you break up with Xu Jiheng first, or did you meet Rong Qi first?”

Wait.

Cheng Li immediately grasped her mother’s implication—she suspected Rong Qi was the reason for her breakup with Xu Jiheng.

Cheng Li responded without hesitation, “I broke up with Xu Jiheng the day after discovering him having dinner with another woman during the Qixi Festival. As for when I reconnected with Rong Qi, you were there that day yourself—when he moved into the building.”

Ling Shuanghua reflected for a moment, seemingly confirming the timeline. Her expression softened slightly but remained stern.

“So why the sudden rush to marry Rong Qi? Because he’s rich? Because he’s successful?”

Watching her mother’s questions spiral further off course, Cheng Li closed her eyes and took a deep breath before replying, “Because I like him. I’ve liked him since high school.”

Both Ling Shuanghua and Cheng Dingbo stared at her in shock.

Cheng Li sighed inwardly.

Great. She’d dug herself into an even bigger hole.

Seeing her mother latch onto this revelation and refuse to let go, Cheng Li reluctantly gave herself a way out.

“Is it so strange for me to like him? Rong Qi was universally acknowledged as outstanding back in high school. I’ll admit, before we reconnected, he was just a memory in my heart. But after seeing him again, I realized he hasn’t changed. He’s still the same person he was back then.”

As she spoke, she almost convinced herself she truly was the high school girl quietly harboring a crush on Rong Qi.

But when she glanced at her parents and noticed their expressions softening ever so slightly, she pressed on.

“Mom, Dad, didn’t you always say I should find someone dependable, someone we know well? Who could be more suitable than Rong Qi? We’ve known each other since high school. Even after all these years, he’s still the same.”

“What’s wrong with holding onto someone I truly like?”

Cheng Li’s words were sincere and heartfelt.

Noticing her mother’s demeanor loosening further, Cheng Li seized the opportunity to add, “And didn’t you both always say you wanted a son-in-law who’d make even Grandma stop criticizing? Rong Qi is exactly that kind of person.”

“I may have quarreled with your grandmother my whole life, but I’ve never once thought of using your marriage to settle the score,” Ling Shuanghua retorted with a cold laugh.

Cheng Li quickly replied, “It’s not about settling scores. I’m just saying I’ve brought you a son-in-law you can be proud of.”

Before she could continue, her phone suddenly rang.

Seizing the chance to change the subject, she said, “Let me take this—it might be work.”

She pulled her phone from her bag and froze when she saw the name flashing on the screen: Rong Qi.

Cheng Li’s heart sank.

“Answer it,” Ling Shuanghua said, her tone sharp. “What if it’s something urgent?”

Left with no choice, Cheng Li answered the call, steeling herself to talk to Rong Qi in front of her parents.

“Have you eaten?” Rong Qi asked.

Cheng Li sighed inwardly. Was now the time to talk about meals?

She was certain this felt more like a last supper.

“Since you’re both involved, he should come over too,” Ling Shuanghua interjected, her voice icy and authoritative.

On the other end, Rong Qi caught the stern and frosty tone of a middle-aged woman.

“Is that Teacher Ling?” he asked.

Cheng Li sighed. “When are you back from your trip?”

She deliberately asked this to imply that Rong Qi was out of town, sparing him from being perceived as unwilling to show up.

“I just arrived in Shanghai. I’ll head over right away,” Rong Qi replied.

Wait.

Cheng Li’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Wait for me,” Rong Qi said softly.

Those two words somehow erased her fears and worries about facing her parents’ judgment alone.

The hum of car engines in the background grew louder.

“Drive safely,” Cheng Li murmured.

“Hmm.” His voice was steady, reassuring. “Don’t be afraid.”

After hanging up the phone, Cheng Dingbo glanced at the mother and daughter and asked, “Neither of you has eaten yet, right? How about I make some wontons?”

Ling Shuanghua replied, “I’m not eating.”

Cheng Li added, “I’m not hungry.”

Ling Shuanghua turned to Cheng Dingbo, her expression sharp. “How can you not be angry at all?”

“I am angry. Who said I’m not?” Cheng Dingbo sighed helplessly. “You’ve already said everything I wanted to.”

Besides, if he were to get angry, it would be when Rong Qi arrived.

With Cheng Li, however, it seemed he had never truly gotten upset with her from the time she was a child. After all, Cheng Li had never given her parents a reason to worry.

Cheng Dingbo looked at Cheng Li, helplessly sighed, and said, “Just a couple of days ago, I was bragging at the office about how my daughter has never once caused me any trouble. And now, in just two days, you’ve slapped me in the face twice.”

His words left Cheng Li filled with guilt. She pouted and looked at him with a trace of a sob in her voice, “I’m sorry, Dad.”

“Alright, alright,” Cheng Dingbo said quickly, seeing her eyes welling with tears. He grabbed some tissues and gently wiped her face as he continued, “I used to think you were my cozy little padded jacket, but suddenly you’ve torn a big hole in it. My heart really hurts.”

Cheng Li, who had been on the verge of tears, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this comment.

Rong Qi arrived faster than Cheng Li had expected—barely half an hour later. Her small bowl of wontons wasn’t even finished yet, as Cheng Dingbo had ended up making wontons for all three of them.

When the doorbell rang, the family of three exchanged glances. Finally, Cheng Li stood up and went to open the door.

Standing there was Rong Qi, dressed in a long black trench coat with the buttons undone. The belt hung loosely at his sides, and a gust of wind blew through the corridor, gently lifting the hem of his coat. Even with his travel-worn appearance, he carried an air of effortless elegance.

His slightly overgrown hair fell messily across his forehead. The two stood silently for a moment before Rong Qi couldn’t resist raising his hand to ruffle her long hair gently.

“It’s okay,” he said softly.

Cheng Li turned and retrieved a pair of guest slippers for him.

When he stepped inside, Ling Shuanghua and Cheng Dingbo were already seated on the couch.

“Teacher Ling, Uncle Cheng,” Rong Qi greeted them, carefully choosing his words.

Ling Shuanghua’s feelings were complicated as she looked at Rong Qi.

Was Rong Qi outstanding? Without question. But as a son-in-law? That was a different matter entirely.

Someone like Rong Qi was almost too perfect. His excellence carried an unspoken pressure that could weigh on those around him. Could Cheng Li truly be a good match for him? Their rushed marriage—would they come to regret it?

Parents always had a way of overthinking such things.

“Rong Qi,” Ling Shuanghua said directly, “If I were someone who only cared about money, I’d happily welcome you as my son-in-law today. But because I’m not, I can’t easily accept such impulsive, thoughtless behavior from the two of you.”

“Teacher Ling, I understand,” Rong Qi replied. “I know you’re not that kind of person. And my relationship with Cheng Li has nothing to do with money.”

He spoke earnestly, “I admit our marriage was rushed. But please believe me—this decision wasn’t made on a whim.”

“Then why did you marry Cheng Li?” Ling Shuanghua pressed.

Rong Qi fell silent. After a pause, he turned to Cheng Li and said softly, “Because I like her. I’ve liked her since high school.”

Cheng Li blinked, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

But Ling Shuanghua exploded, “Enough! Did you two plan this? To come up with such a flimsy excuse to deceive us? And to think I once thought you were at least more mature than Cheng Li! Clearly, I was wrong.”

Seeing her mother’s growing fury, Cheng Dingbo quickly stepped in to steady her. “Alright, let’s stop here for today. Cheng Li, take him and go. Your mother needs to rest; she’s been upset all morning.”

Rong Qi was left stunned, unsure of what he had said wrong. In the end, Cheng Li could only pull him out of the apartment.

Downstairs, Rong Qi seemed lost in thought. Cheng Li sighed and said, “That excuse of yours didn’t work.”

“What?” Rong Qi looked at her in shock.

She explained, “Saying you’ve liked me since high school. My mom asked me earlier why I married you, and I said the same thing. We ended up using the exact same excuse.”

She shrugged helplessly. “Now she probably thinks we planned this together to lie to her. Just like when you first came to my house, and we pretended not to know each other, only for her to later find out we’d already gotten married.”

“She probably thinks everything we say now is a lie,” Cheng Li added.

It felt as though fate was playing a cruel joke on Rong Qi.

As the wind brushed past, he stood there silently. At that moment, only the breeze could hear his thoughts.

Your reason may have been an excuse.

But mine was real.

I truly like you.