Chapter 252 - 249: Zhou Lian’s Admonition

Chapter 252: Chapter 249: Zhou Lian’s Admonition

Setting aside Ping’an’s confusion, the two women in Zhou Lian’s study were having a delightful conversation. Zhou Lian had always liked Liu Shengnan’s valiant and spirited air, and Liu Shengnan, in turn, was surprised to discover that Zhou Lian was nothing like the rumors suggested. She was magnanimous, gentle, reasonable, and empathetic. There wasn’t much of an age gap between them, and in this life, having been doted on by Li Xiu, Zhou Lian had become even more carefree and uninhibited. The two of them hit it off right away and quickly became good friends.

Li Xiu and Sister Fang made lunch together. Looking at the sumptuous feast on the table, Liu Shengnan secretly gave Zhou Lian a thumbs-up. ’Her skill at training her man is truly on another level!’

Never mind Li Xiu’s successful career; his powerful aura alone was not something an ordinary person possessed. No matter how you looked at him, he didn’t seem like the type of man to be in the kitchen cooking. And yet, there he was, and his cooking was exceptionally good. This made Liu Shengnan admire Zhou Lian’s husband-taming skills all the more.

After a lively meal, the four children all went to their rooms to rest. Mr. Zhou, Mrs. Zhou, and Sister Fang went along to look after them.

The four of them—Li Xiu, Zhou Lian, Ping’an, and Liu Shengnan—went to Li Xiu’s study and took their seats. Unable to hold back any longer, Ping’an blurted out, "Jin Chen, Sis, I want to go to the Liu Family tomorrow to formally ask for her hand in marriage."

Li Xiu shut his eyes, as if he couldn’t bear to look, then regarded him with exasperation. "Ping’an, you don’t need to tell me this. Once you and Miss Liu have it figured out, just go home and have Elder Ping and his wife go to the Liu Family to make the proposal. Got it?"

Scratching his head, Ping’an realized his mistake. ’This is something I need to talk to my parents about. Telling Li Xiu is useless; he can’t go propose on my behalf, after all.’ He gave a sheepish laugh and said, "I just wanted to share my excitement with you all!"

"It’s good to get it settled quickly. You don’t have much time left," Li Xiu said irritably. "Push for it. Get married by next year. You two aren’t kids anymore!" ’This simpleton!’

"Oh, I only have five days of leave left. That’s really not enough time!" Ping’an said, a bit dejected as he thought about his vacation, paying no mind to Li Xiu’s tone.

Ignoring him, Li Xiu looked at Liu Shengnan and asked quietly, "You’re doing well in the military. But how will you two manage your lives after you get married? Ping’an won’t be able to return to the Capital City for the next few years, and you’re busy in the military as well. It’s not good to be in a long-distance relationship indefinitely."

Liu Shengnan was startled when Li Xiu suddenly addressed her. Hearing his words, she looked at him in confusion, not understanding why he would ask such a question or what he was implying.

"Jin Chen! I..." ℴ

"You be quiet. I wasn’t asking you," Li Xiu said, cutting Ping’an off. He looked at Liu Shengnan, his tone somewhat demanding. "Miss Liu, you and Ping’an grew up together as childhood sweethearts. You know his personality and temperament better than anyone. He’s smart, yes, but he’s too decent. You grew up in a family of officials; you should understand that a disposition like his isn’t suited for a political career. But he’s already on this path. You two love each other, so tell me, what’s the plan for the future?"

Liu Shengnan glanced at Ping’an, who was anxious but didn’t dare to speak, and then at Zhou Lian, who was watching her with a smile. She paused, then turned to Li Xiu and said softly, "I know Ping’an’s disposition. I understand him. Um, Brother-in-law, I’d like to ask... are you all preparing to aim for the very top? Is it Ping’an who wants this, or...?"

"Is there a difference?" Li Xiu asked, his expression unreadable.

"There is!"

Looking at Liu Shengnan, who had answered so decisively, Li Xiu said without batting an eye, "It’s Ping’an’s idea."

Glancing at Ping’an, Liu Shengnan muttered to herself, "I knew it. That guy’s competitive streak is too strong. He wants to win at everything he does."

Looking up at Li Xiu, Liu Shengnan said with determination, "We won’t live apart. After we get married, I’ll be with him. As for my job, I’ll retire from the military. Wherever he goes, I’ll go!"

"Shengnan, you don’t have to do that. I..."

Zhou Lian cut Ping’an off and asked Liu Shengnan, "Retire? You’re doing this for Ping’an, but have you thought about what you’ll do afterward? You can’t just become a housewife, can you? This boy here is going to become more and more successful, and the gap between you two will only grow larger. What happens if he starts to look down on you then? You can’t just believe what he says. Don’t trust a man’s promises. You’d have an easier time believing pigs can fly!"

"Bao’er, that’s a pretty broad generalization," Li Xiu muttered, looking at Zhou Lian unhappily.

Amused by Li Xiu’s slightly hurt and disgruntled expression, Zhou Lian smiled and said, "Not you, Jin Chen. You’re the best, of course!"

Seeing his brow instantly relax at her words, Zhou Lian couldn’t help but break into a faint smile. ’This man,’ she thought. ’As if our relationship could be defined by mere promises!’

"Sis, you’re going too far! What kind of older sister undermines her own brother like that?" Ping’an protested, looking at Zhou Lian unhappily. ’Am I that kind of person?’

Ignoring Ping’an’s protest, Zhou Lian looked at Liu Shengnan and said gently, "I’m not trying to undermine your relationship. It’s just that the human heart is the hardest thing to predict. Of course, I want you both to be happy, but life is uncertain and people’s feelings can change. I know you love Ping’an deeply, and that’s precisely why I’m giving you this reminder—don’t let yourself get backed into a corner."

Looking at Zhou Lian and the tenderness in her eyes, Liu Shengnan felt her own eyes well up. ’She’s truly saying this for my own good, and for Ping’an’s.’ Closing her eyes briefly, Liu Shengnan asked softly, "Then what do you think I should do, Sis? You know he’s too good-natured. It’s fine for now, but as he climbs higher and higher, it’ll be impossible to fend off all the overt attacks and covert plots. I have to help him!"

Looking at Liu Shengnan, Zhou Lian knew she understood everything yet was still determined to forge ahead without hesitation. She said softly, "You know I teach at Beijing University, right? The university has started offering correspondence courses. You should study. In the future, as you said, Ping’an will be surrounded by open attacks and hidden schemes that are impossible to defend against. You are the person closest to him, the one who will never betray him. So start learning everything that could possibly be useful, now. That way, even if he turns out to be a scoundrel in the future, the skills you’ve learned will still be your own. No one can ever take that away from you!"

Everyone in the room was sharp. The moment Zhou Lian finished speaking, they all instantly understood her point. For one, this would allow Liu Shengnan to help Ping’an guard against all sorts of threats. For another, Liu Shengnan wouldn’t lose herself in the trivialities of domestic life like a typical housewife. And finally, their relationship would grow stronger and become inseparable. Ping’an would be grateful for Liu Shengnan’s sacrifices, and she, in turn, would understand his struggles and pressures. This would make their relationship less likely to change for the worse.

"Sis, thank you. I know what to do now!" Liu Shengnan stood up and gave a deep bow to Li Xiu and Zhou Lian, thanking them for their sincere kindness toward both her and Ping’an. "It was Ping’an’s good fortune to know you and Brother-in-law, and it’s my good fortune as well!"

Ping’an also rose and bowed with Liu Shengnan toward Li Xiu and Zhou Lian. ’How fortunate he was to be born into the Ping Family,’ he thought, ’how fortunate to know Li Xiu and Zhou Lian, and how incredibly lucky to have found the most precious love in the world!’