Chapter 691 - 395: A Toast to Our Dad (3)

Li Qiyuan slowly put down his chopsticks, raised his glass, and downed the beer in one go.

Old Li felt bitter!

"It’s pretty unlucky for Uncle to have a son like you."

As soon as he finished drinking, Huang Tianxuan next to him refilled his glass and laughed, "Having one son but becoming in-laws with four families, how much more needless worry does that cause... Uncle, Auntie, if you have the time, you should visit Hangzhou; I’ll take you out to have fun and relax."

Are you taking us out to relax? Isn’t it also to meet your parents?!

Even Yu Huizhi on the video call heard the implication in Huang Tianxuan’s words and was at a loss, so she sought help: "Husband... you, Wenyue, Tianxuan... and Manning... all of you?"

Li Qiyuan sighed, "They all want to be your daughter-in-law, I can’t persuade them otherwise, you give it a try."

Wu Wenyue, failed. Xu Manning, failed, Huang Tianxuan, failed... a complete failure!

Li Qiyuan initially planned to persuade at least one to back off, but seeing the determined attitudes from all three, it was clear he had no chance, and he was utterly disheartened at this moment.

Li Peifeng, concerned about Yu Huizhi’s emotional state, took the phone from Wu Wenyue and comforted his mom before getting up and heading to the bedroom for a private talk between mother and son.

After about two or three minutes, Li Peifeng returned, handed the phone back to Wu Wenyue, and said to Li Qiyuan, troubled, "Mom’s having a hard time accepting this... Dad, you should go home and talk to her."

Li Qiyuan didn’t respond; he merely downed another beer.

The dinner continued in an oddly subtle silence, with Li Peifeng occasionally trying to toast Li Qiyuan, but the latter didn’t respond and ended up drinking five bottles alone.

Seeing the dinner halfway through, Li Qiyuan scanned the crowd and suddenly said, "I don’t know why you are willing to endure such grievances and still want to be with Fengfeng... So, can you tell me your reasons? Why do you love him?"

"..."

The room was silent for two seconds before Li Peifeng frowned, "Dad, how can they speak about such things in front of you?"

"Yes, yes, I’ve had too much to drink."

Li Qiyuan waved his hand, no longer probing, and continued, "But regardless, I hope you don’t love him for superficial reasons like age, appearance, body, talent, or money."

"Love is a tricky thing; no one truly loves someone else for those reasons... You all are outstanding, and I believe it’s not for those reasons that you won’t let him go. But then why? Is it because being with him makes you happy and joyful?"

"That’s enough, but it’s also not enough."

Li Qiyuan didn’t say a word when he spoke, and when he finally did, it was with some earnest but nagging tone, "These feelings are fleeting; he might satisfy you for a day, a month, a year, but not necessarily a lifetime... And as needs get met, people tend to want more, so eventually, there’s going to be a day he can’t fulfill them."

Huang Tianxuan nodded slightly, "So Uncle, in your opinion, what should genuine love be based upon? I see you and Auntie are always so loving... Do you have any insights?"

Li Qiyuan was silent for two seconds, took another sip of beer before slowly saying, "On the basis of both being mature individuals, finding confidence, security, belonging, self-recognition, being respected, and being accepted in the relationship... that’s the truest and most perfect love. Seeking it is essentially about seeking oneself."

Saying this, Li Qiyuan paused his tone, sighing lightly, "If you all feel these things from him, then I have no objections to your feelings. If not, I urge you to consider carefully!"

Xu Manning glanced at Li Peifeng, thoughtfully discussing with Wu Wenyue in a low voice, "We read in a book somewhere about similar ideas."

Wu Wenyue reminded, "A qualified partner should have three roles; a mirror, a teacher, a playmate."

"Really?"

Having not read that book, Huang Tianxuan seemed to half-understand, so Li Peifeng explained to her in detail, "A mirror means I can make you see your weaknesses, prompting discomfort in you; a teacher means I can motivate and inspire you in your quest for your true self; a playmate means I can happily, joyfully, sadly, painfully accompany you through life’s journey... If both partners can achieve these three points for each other, you are the best and most suitable."

After speaking, Li Peifeng looked at Li Qiyuan, laughing, "Didn’t I explain the theory more clearly? And I’ve had Wenyue and Manning read related books, even made them write reviews... By the way, you two haven’t turned in that fifty-thousand-word PPT to me, have you?"

Xu Manning and Wu Wenyue both gave Li with very dangerous eyes, vividly recalling a physical altercation over this matter because Xu Manning secretly wrote the PPT, and Wu Wenyue snatched the other’s computer and deleted the content, making Miss Xu so mad she scratched Grand General Wu all over with claw marks...

Don’t mention it!

Li Peifeng wisely decided to drop the subject, looked at Huang Tianxuan, and criticized, "You still need to learn; I’ll buy you a book one day to avoid being unable to answer this kind of question next time."

The dog actually thinks he’s my teacher now?!

Huang Tianxuan’s eyes were playful, letting out a soft snort without responding, instead looking at Li Qiyuan, "Uncle, what were you saying earlier? Are you okay with me and Peifeng?"

Li Qiyuan’s eyes were suspicious, his face fluctuating as he pondered on what to say.

Li Peifeng stuffed a glass into his hand, speaking up first, "Of course, raise your glasses, whether it’s a drink or alcohol, let’s toast to my dad... to our dad!!"