Chapter 610 - 369: Love (Normal Updates Resumed)

Five days before the start of the semester, Li Xin stumbled upon Li Peifeng and Zhao Qingge living together when she came to deliver dumplings, and Li Peifeng was planning to leave with his suitcase.

This time it wasn’t Zhao Qingge who was driving him out; rather, it was due to an unavoidable reason — Li Xin had spoken.

The future mother-in-law’s opinion had to be respected, especially since what she said made sense.

"Auntie is not against you continuing your relationship. It’s just that your situation is very special now. To avoid unnecessary trouble, you should keep a low profile and stay as discreet as possible. In a few days, the semester will begin. Many teachers from Beihua University live in this community. If someone sees you living with Qingge, it could have a bad impact, especially since you haven’t graduated yet."

"And even setting that aside, Auntie doesn’t support you living together now because you’re not even engaged, and the parents from both sides haven’t met yet. I don’t even know your parents’ phone numbers... Why not wait until you’re close to graduation and have your parents come over so our families can have a talk? What happens after is up to you; I won’t interfere anymore."

Her reasoning was logical, and throughout, Zhao Qingge remained silent. She didn’t try to persuade him to stay, and Li Peifeng had no grounds to argue. After a moment’s hesitation, he responded, "You’re right. I’ll pack my things after dinner."

"No rush, you can move tomorrow... By the way, you’re renting now, right?"

The implication in her words was clear, and Li Peifeng immediately understood and nodded, "Yes, I’m renting, but if I wanted to buy a house, I could soon. My new book is doing quite well, and with just two months’ royalties, I could buy a house the same size and in the same area as Qingge’s."

"That’s good then."

Li Xin raised an eyebrow slightly, nodding slightly, "The day before yesterday, Qingge talked to me about your novel. She was really happy for you. I don’t understand web novels, and she explained for a long time what your success meant..."

"Oh?"

Li Peifeng looked at Zhao Qingge in surprise. He couldn’t imagine Zhao Duoduo, who usually doesn’t show him any favor, boasting about how outstanding he was to Li Xin.

"Mom!"

Feeling embarrassed, Zhao Qingge tried to interrupt, but Li Xin waved her hand and continued, "When I first found out you two were together, Auntie was a bit biased against you because your relationship goes against societal norms... But since you love each other, as parents, we can’t separate you. However, your status as a student is still hard for your uncle and me to accept."

"What can’t you accept? To be realistic, most of the people introduced to Qingge for blind dates before were people with a certain status in politics or academia, even at least outstanding in the business world. Their family conditions were about the same as ours. Looking at you, Peifeng..."

Me? What’s wrong with me? At my age, you’re still trying to PUA me, huh?

Li Peifeng interrupted with a laugh, "But I’m young and handsome, Auntie. Surely I have other qualities?"

"Let me finish!"

Li Xin couldn’t help but smile, changing her tone, "Age and looks are secondary. Mainly, after getting to know you more through Qingge, I’ve changed my mind. Peifeng, you’re indeed an excellent young man, and my daughter has good taste. You’re young, talented, and have a certain financial capacity, the most important is that Qingge likes you... In short, Auntie has no objections to your relationship now."

Li Xin’s mental journey was complex, from initial disgust and resistance to their teacher-student romance, to ignoring, reluctantly accepting, and now truly acknowledging it.

It’s been very intricate, very changeable!

But Li Peifeng could guess most of the reasons. On one hand, it was practical — now that he was more popular and earning more, Li Xin’s attitude naturally became more lenient, unlike before.

This is inevitable, and it’s not about being snobbish. The identities of Li Xin and Zhao Haiqi are right there, and the gap between the Zhao family and the Li family truly exists. It’s just the common concern all parents share — no parent wants their daughter to marry a poor and powerless young man.

On the other hand, perhaps Li Xin was a bit flustered after discovering his cohabitation with Old Zhao.

"After moving in together, did you... sleep together?"

While in the kitchen, Li softly overheard Li Xin ask Zhao Qingge this serious question. Today, after having some intimate moments with Li Peifeng in the morning, Zhao Qingge hesitated in her reply, "No."

The lack of confidence in her "no" made Li Xin’s heart skip a beat.

Is the rice cooked into porridge? Has the cabbage from my garden been uprooted by a pig?

Well, just accept it with a pinch of the nose.

The sunk cost is too high now; opposing it would not be worth the risk. It might easily scare this little rascal away.

Once he graduates, the two of you should get married quickly. Otherwise, after a long time, what if Li Peifeng goes back on his words and doesn’t want to take responsibility? After all, there’s quite an age gap between the two of you!

Perhaps this is Li Xin’s true thought process. As she continued to discuss Li Peifeng’s future plans, covering topics like housing, cars, when to have children, and his parents’ current situation, it further confirmed Li Peifeng’s suspicions.

This was a veiled form of urging marriage, and Li Peifeng felt that, among the parents of the four girls, Li Xin was definitely the most anxious one.

If not for Peifeng not having graduated yet, she might have wanted the two to get their marriage certificate right away.