Returning to the Li Family

Father Qiao rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “In-law, listening to you is better than studying for ten years. Actually, I understand your logic. It’s just that my way of interacting with my daughter has always been so noisy, so I haven’t changed it for a while. I’m really sorry to have made you worry.”

Falcon laughed heartily. “I don’t mind. It’s just that Xiaoran’s heart aches for Qiao An.”

Father Qiao was a little helpless. “Xiaoran will spoil Qiao An like this. He’ll have his hard days in the future.”

Falcon said, “That’s Xiaoran’s choice. No matter how hard it is, he’ll be happy.”

When the two fathers came out of the backyard, they saw Qiao An lying on the coffee table writing.

Father Qiao leaned over to take a look, and Qiao An quickly praised herself. “Dad, I’m holding a grand banquet. Time is short, so I’ve been a little busy for the past two days. Please bear with the family.”

Father Qiao rolled his eyes at her. “If you want to slack off, just say so.”

Qiao An couldn’t stop smiling. “You know your daughter best.”

Xiaoran was also at the side, quietly writing the list of guests. Father Qiao looked at Xiaoran’s handwriting. It was powerful and elegant, and his strokes were fluid like dragons and snakes. He simply had the demeanor of a big shot.

Qiao An kept stuffing fruits into her mouth as she wrote the list.

Father Qiao couldn’t help but criticize, “Look at your handwriting. It’s like an earthworm moving in the sand.”

Qiao An was so shocked that her eyes almost fell to the ground. “You’re the first person to call my handwriting ugly.”

Father Qiao had clearly admired her handwriting in the past.

When Qiao An saw Huo Xiaoran’s handwriting, she immediately understood where her father’s disdain came from.

She had not practiced writing for a long time and had written casually, so the difference between her and Xiaoran was not small.

Qiao An swallowed and pushed all the invitations in front of him to Xiaoran. “Brother Xiaoran, you can write them all.”

Xiao Ran did not know what she was thinking. He turned his head and looked at her in shock. “Why aren’t you writing anymore? Didn’t you say valiantly that invitations written with calligraphy are more charming?”

Qiao An smiled sweetly.

Father Qiao explained on her behalf, “She knows that her handwriting is too ugly to be seen. That’s why she doesn’t dare show off in front of an expert.”

Huo Xiaoran glanced at the invitation Qiao An had written. The handwriting was neat and charming. Xiao Ran praised, “My An’an’s handwriting is the most beautiful.”

Father Qiao was dumbfounded.

Qiao An was encouraged. “Really?”

“Of course. No girl I’ve ever met can write better than you.”

Qiao An ambitiously picked up a brush and wrote again.

Father Qiao suddenly asked him, “Xiaoran, when you were studying, were there very few girls in your class?”

Huo Xiaoran nodded. “They’re rare.”

Qiao An almost spat out blood.

At this moment, Falcon walked over with his hands behind his back. He looked at Qiao An’s handwriting and praised, “In-law, An’an’s handwriting is rare. You’re asking too much of her.”

Qiao An said smugly, “Exactly.”

Father Qiao stopped being stubborn and just urged, “Hurry up and write. Don’t be lazy.”

Qiao An swallowed the fruit in her mouth and began to write seriously.

After writing the invitations, Qiao An moved all her invitations to Huo Xiaoran and moved the invitations written by Huo Xiaoran to her area. She smiled and said, “Brother Xiaoran, I’ll send these invitations.”

Huo Xiaoran was stunned, not understanding why she had to exchange invitations.

Father Qiao tried to undermine her again. “Sigh, you even despise your own handwriting. An’an, you should practice your handwriting when you have time.”

Huo Xiaoran was enlightened. He picked up the invitation An’an had written and kissed it. “It’s clearly written very well.”

Qiao An suggested, “I’ll go to the Xiao family to deliver the invitation. Brother Xiaoran, go to the Li family to deliver the invitation.”

Huo Xiaoran did not want to be separated from An’an. “I’ll go with you.”

An’an said, “But time is short.”

Huo Xiaoran looked at Qiao An innocently. Qiao An fell into his deep love. “Alright, let’s go together.”

At this moment, Falcon suddenly said, “Xiaoran, I want to go to the Li family.”

Huo Xiaoran said, “Then let’s go.”

At the Li family.

After experiencing a decline in prosperity, the current Li family could no longer return to its former heyday. However, the ordinary days seemed even more peaceful.

The first and second branches still lived in the old Li family villa. The old man was almost 80 years old. Because he was terminally ill, he was hardly hale and hearty.

He’d been in bed for years, his mind alternated between being clear and confused. Some he didn’t even remember or recognize anyone. The doctor said he had Alzheimer’s.

Li Tingye, from the first branch, pursued fame and fortune when he was young and ordered his wife about. Now that he was old, he had not established his own career at all. When he was old, because he was not familiar with housework, he lived a life of being clothed and provided for. Gradually, no matter how good-tempered his wife was, she started complaining about him.

When Xiaoran and the others arrived at the Li family, they had just reached the door when they heard their sister-in-law roar, “Li Tingye, I’ve served you for my entire life. You don’t have money in your life, so you’re either shouting at me or being cold and violent. Now I understand. I can still live well without you. Why should I serve you? You can manage your own matters in the future. Don’t think that I’ll serve all the meals to you.”

Li Tingye was not as high-spirited as a few years ago and actually remained silent.

Qiao An looked at Xiaoran in shock and said, “Your brother had it coming. Our sister-in-law has finally turned over a new leaf. Hehe.”

Qiao An didn’t pity Li Tingye at all.

When the butler heard the doorbell, he hurriedly came out to welcome the guest. When he saw Huo Xiaoran, he was stunned for a long time.

Then, he choked with tears in his eyes and said, “Young Master Xiaoran, you… you… you’re still alive?”

Xiao Ran walked up to the butler and saw that he had a lot of white hair. His eyes were filled with heartache.

“Yes. I’m back.”

The butler secretly wiped his tears. “It’s good that you’re back. Four years ago, Old Master heard that something happened to you and almost didn’t survive. Old Master still misses you.”

Xiaoran was a little confused. He actually did not know how important he was to the old man.

After all, when he was young, the old man really ignored him. Xiaoran had never felt fatherly love from him. Later, when he found out that he was his adoptive father, Xiaoran was relieved.

It was only natural that he didn’t love him.

Now that the old man was old and Xiaoran had found a father who loved him, Xiaoran’s mentality was even more peaceful.

“How’s Old Master?” Xiao Ran asked the butler.

“Sometimes sober, sometimes confused. But the old man says your name every day,” the butler said.