T/N: Yi Bao (怡宝) means “Little Treasure”, “Joyful Treasure”, etc. It is used like a nickname. I translated it before as “Little Treasure”, but since they use it constantly, I will maintain “Yi Bao” from now on.
宝 (bao): treasure, jewel; precious, rare
怡 (yi): happy; joyful harmony; pleasure, joy; be glad
Chapter 26: A Foolish Answer
The dinner atmosphere at the Chu family’s wasn’t as solemn as Lu Li had imagined. As the head of the family, Chu Xiaodong maintained a warm smile throughout, chiming in on every topic. The most talkative was Chu Jingyi’s mother, who mostly asked Lu Li and Chu Jingyi about their school life, recent meals, and other such things. The seven of them sat around the round table, chatting and laughing, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere. Lu Li enjoyed this warm family atmosphere and gradually relaxed, not as restrained as he was during his first visit.
Chu Jingyi sat next to Lu Li. She was the most reserved at the dinner table, intentionally or unintentionally avoiding looking at Lu Li, whether she was picking up food or responding to conversations. Her beautiful legs were twisted together, making her extremely uncomfortable. Despite the discomfort, there was a glimmer of joy in her heart, but this joy was like a squirrel after a spring rain, disappearing into the bushes after a fleeting glimpse.
After dinner, Aunt Wang came to clear the table. The two ladies of the Chu family took their daughter to play mahjong, while Secretary Long sat by the TV alone, watching “You From The Sun.” Chu Xiaodong, displaying his leadership aura, adjusted his belt and went out for a walk with Lu Li.
The community seemed ordinary on the surface, but it held hidden wonders. After walking a few hundred meters inside and turning a corner on a gravel path, they arrived at a beautiful artificial lake. Trees rustled on both sides, and the lake surface shimmered. Chu Xiaodong looked at the lake and asked with a smile, “Xiao Lu, was dinner to your liking? My family doesn’t like to use much oil or salt in their cooking. It’s a bit bland, and I’m not used to it.”
“It was delicious.” Lu Li smiled knowingly. “Less oil and salt is good for your health.”
“You sound just like Yi Bao.” Chu Xiaodong shook his head with a smile. “She also likes to lecture me with books. Once a man gets married, his status at home drops lower and lower.”
He changed the subject. “Xiao Lu, what do you think of An Gulai?”
What did he think? From a politician’s perspective, the most valuable thing about An Gulai was his family background. Lu Li wasn’t sure of Chu Xiaodong’s intentions, so he replied tentatively, “There must be a reason why someone is pitiful. Spending the rest of his life in prison is the most fitting outcome for him.”
“What about the death penalty?” This question was very abrupt, and Lu Li’s footsteps faltered. He looked at Chu Xiaodong in surprise. The latter was still calmly gazing at the lake, as if asking about something very ordinary.
Death. It was the ultimate destination of humanity, humanity’s greatest fear, and also society’s most extreme punishment for a person. An Gulai deserved to die, but Lu Li shouldn’t be the one to advocate for it, because An Gulai was, after all, An Baili’s father, or rather, her adoptive father. So Lu Li answered carefully, “He should be judged strictly according to the law. If he meets the criteria for the death penalty, he should not be spared.”
Chu Xiaodong suddenly laughed. “Xiao Lu, where did you learn to speak like a bureaucrat? The report you gave me was the same, full of empty rhetoric. That’s not a good habit.”
Really? Those were sentences Lu Li had copied from the Shenzhou Daily.
“Then let it be life imprisonment.” With just a few words, An Gulai’s fate was decided, even though the formal trial hadn’t even begun. Cold sweat broke out on Lu Li’s back. He had always thought of Chu Xiaodong as too benevolent, subconsciously forgetting that he was an official who held absolute power in Chuanhai.
“Yi Bao is my only child.” One moment he was talking about An Gulai, the next he suddenly jumped to Chu Jingyi. Lu Li roughly guessed the Prime Minister’s intentions. “I only have two wishes in this life. One is to contribute to the construction of our country, and the other is to let Xiaomin and Yi Bao live a carefree life. But life is short, and I will eventually leave this world before them. What if my daughter is wronged then?”
“Jingyi is blessed, she won’t be wronged.” Lu Li imagined Chu Jingyi living on the streets. Well, he hoped that would never happen.
“She will eventually get married. If she marries the wrong person, who will stand up for her? Jingyi is soft-hearted. If she is bullied by her husband, she will only endure it.” Chu Xiaodong’s expression was somewhat sad. “I didn’t think much about it before, but as my daughter grows up, I worry more and more as a father. This kind of thing can’t be solved by status or power.”
He suddenly looked up, his eyes sharp as he stared at Lu Li. “Xiao Lu, do you like Yi Bao? I mean, do you like her romantically?”
Here it comes.
Lu Li’s mind sharpened. Chu Xiaodong’s question came more suddenly than he expected. If he were really a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy, he would definitely be caught off guard by this sudden question.
“Yes.” Lu Li nodded frankly, his eyes clear and innocent. “I like Chu Jingyi. I like her purity, I like her kindness.” There was nothing to be ashamed of. This was his true heart, unshakeable and unwavering.
Chu Xiaodong smiled. Lu Li’s answer didn’t surprise him. In fact, as early as when Lu Li and Chu Jingyi had a conflict in their first year of high school, the boy’s information had been placed on his desk. He already knew what kind of child Lu Li was, perhaps even better than Chu Jingyi did.
“Do you only like her?” This was the Prime Minister’s trump card. This question was asked lightly, but it weighed heavily on Lu Li’s heart.
A long silence followed. Chu Xiaodong wasn’t in a hurry, and he continued strolling with Lu Li by the artificial lake.
“Not just her.” A very foolish answer. When Lu Li said these words, he already knew how foolish and shameless he sounded. It was such a blessing to meet a girl like Chu Jingyi, yet he was greedy and wanted more. However, the wisdom he had gained from living two lives told him not to lie in front of two types of people: the innocent and the extremely intelligent.
Moreover, his own heart wouldn’t allow him to lie. He didn’t want to deny his feelings for An Baili, nor did he want to deny his lingering attachment to Wen Hupo. To make a false promise and then shamelessly enjoy the benefits brought by the Chu family, to use Chu Jingyi’s feelings for him as a bargaining chip for profit, that was the act of a villain. He was an ordinary man, but not a despicable villain.
“I also like other people. It’s a ‘like’ written carefully, stroke by stroke.” After confessing frankly, Lu Li felt much more at ease.
The expected anger didn’t come. Chu Xiaodong just shook his head.
“I’ll be transferred back to the capital after the New Year.” The Prime Minister clasped his hands behind his back. “Yi Bao said she wants to finish high school in Chuanhai, and I’ll let her. But she’ll be alone in Chuanhai without anyone to look after her, and she might feel wronged. Xiao Lu, please keep an eye on her.”
“You… aren’t angry?”
“Life is not just about romance. Look further ahead. Character is a more valuable asset.” Chu Xiaodong sighed. “Honesty is a good quality, especially honesty with oneself. Xiao Lu, promise me three things.”
“Tell me.”
“First, don’t force Yi Bao to do anything against her will. Second, don’t touch her unless you propose to her. Third, don’t tell anyone about our conversation today.” Chu Xiaodong’s tone became increasingly serious, taking on the air of the Chuanhai Prime Minister. “Of course, you can also refuse. I will arrange for you to continue your studies in another city. But, if you agree and then break any of the above conditions, I can only ask you to carefully consider An Gulai’s fate.”
It was a threat. This was why Chu Xiaodong brought up An Gulai. The Prime Minister had been setting the stage from the beginning of the conversation, creating an irresistible atmosphere. If it were a young person with weaker mental fortitude, they would have already fallen into his verbal trap and been completely controlled by him.
“I promise.” There was nothing to be afraid of, nothing to refuse. Chu Xiaodong’s threat was the attitude a father in a high position should have. The fact that he could tolerate Lu Li’s answer of “Not just her” was enough to prove his extraordinary magnanimity.
Foolishness and intelligence were only a fine line apart. The current Lu Li couldn’t know whether his answer today was foolish or intelligent, whether it had moved his future father-in-law. But there was one thing he knew for sure: he hadn’t betrayed his own heart, and that was enough.
After the two returned to the Chu residence, Lu Li chatted with Chu Jingyi for a while before taking Secretary Long’s car back to the low-rent district.
This ordinary yet extraordinary second visit was perhaps over. Lu Li didn’t know yet the profound impact his answer today would have on his future with Chu Jingyi.
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