Chapter 65 - Man's Fickleness

Meng Yaozu was the name of Meng Renshu's father and also Li Caiyi's former father-in-law.

He was a man with fiery ambition, like Li Jirong. However, unlike her father, who did not care about family, Meng Yaozu was better in that area. Even towards the daughter-in-law, whom everyone thought as useless, Meng Yaozu never treated her discriminately. On the contrary, he defended Li Caiyi a lot in front of his wife and his biological daughter.

Li Caiyi had always felt thankful for this man and long considered him as her second father. She always heeded his advice to be more patient with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. She also never doubted his intention. 

Among many figures in high-class society, Meng Yaozu and Meng Renshu were the only ones she could depend on. However, since Meng Renshu often went away on business trips, Li Caiyi became more reliant on Meng Yaozu.

However, she did not know that his kindness was not for free. If trusting Meng Renshu was her first mistake in her years of marriage, then relying on Meng Yaozu was her second mistake. 

Meng Renshu turned his head to her, and their gazes met. His face was that of genuine confusion. "No, my father never said anything about it. Why would you think that?"

Li Caiyi was skeptical, but there was no way to discover the truth for now, so she did not probe further. If Meng Renshu became suspicious and went to ask his father, then Meng Yaozu would know that Li Caiyi was being cautious of him. Facing a shrewd businessman like him would not be as easy as dealing with her father.

"If not, then forget it. I just thought it's because of our great-grandfather's promise again."

Li Caiyi's Great Grandfather was a reputable doctor with high skills. People respected him greatly during his era, and some even praised him as the 'Modern Divine Doctor'. The Li Family's reputation became more well-known after their great-grandfather's generation. He once saved a dying wealthy man, and that man was Meng Renshu's great-grandfather.

Because of that, both men became closer to each other, and that was when the talk about a marriage between the two families surfaced. Unfortunately, for the next two generations, both families were only blessed with sons, and Li Caiyi and Li Chunhua were the first daughters in the Li family after a long time. 

Li Jirong and Meng Yaozu occasionally brought the matter up, so it would not sound strange even if Li Caiyi used this as an excuse.

"If it's because of that old promise, then I don't think Brother Renshu has to mind it that much. It was decided by older generations and had nothing to do with us. Li Chunhua and I didn't think much of it, so you shouldn't either."

"Actually, that's not the reason I showed up this morning. I just genuinely want to meet and talk with you." Meng Renshu hesitated a bit before he continued. "I want to get closer to you, Xiaoyi."

Li Caiyi stopped on her track. Her gaze seemed like it could penetrate Meng Renshu. It made the teenage boy squirm around nervously.

However, what came after that was only stern admonition from Li Caiyi.

"Are you joking with me?" Li Caiyi's voice was calm, but anyone could feel the raging emotion beneath it. 

"Huh?"

"Brother Renshu, what exactly are you trying to pull here? I clearly saw you kissing my sister the other day, and then you suddenly said you wanted to get closer to me instead. Are you taking us for a fool?"

Meng Renshu was startled when he heard that. He did not expect Li Caiyi to know about that fortunate accident back then. He said 'fortunate', because he was genuinely happy back then and wanted to pursue Li Chunhua. 

However, after he had that nightmare, he felt like that feeling was fading away slowly. He was unsure if he had a complete change of heart because he was confident that his feeling for Li Chunhua was true love. It was just his fear of losing Li Caiyi was currently greater than that. 

His emotions were so complicated that even he felt confused by his actions. Meng Renshu wanted to avoid thinking about this until he got a better grasp of his feeling, but the more Li Caiyi avoided him, the more anxious he became. 

He thought that if he spent more time with Li Caiyi, this anxiety would vanish, then he could finally put his mind at ease and organize his feelings towards the twins again. 

That should be the plan… However, when Li Caiyi put it like that, he realized that his way of doing things made it seem like he was toying with the twins. 

"Xiaoyi, wait! This is a misunderstanding! I didn't mean it like that!" Meng Renshu exclaimed in panic.

Li Caiyi's frown deepened. "Then, explain. I'm listening."

Meng Renshu wanted to explain about his dream, but he did not know if Li Caiyi would believe it or not. He was flustered and confused about how to start. Meng Renshu tried to make some explanation in his head, but everything sounded like excuses. 

His tongue stiffened, and he eventually could not utter a word.

Li Caiyi knew it would be like this. This side of Meng Renshu was precisely the one that misled Li Caiyi into thinking that she was pretty important to him. Unfortunately for him, Li Caiyi would not be fooled twice. Like those wise men said, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

"Enough. Your silence had already confirmed it. Brother Renshu, if you intend to play with us, sisters, then you'd better think again. Do you really think you can have both of us by your side all the time? I don't appreciate how you show your affection to my sister at one minute, and then you chase me in front of her at another. What do you take us for? Your concubines? Your fickleness may cause unwanted misunderstandings, so I wish you stop doing that."

Li Caiyi's every word felt like a sharp blade that sliced through his heart. However, as unhappy as he was being accused as a 'fickle man', he could not deny that his action might look like that to the outsider. 

No, anyone who saw him would feel that he was the biggest jerk trying to juggle the twins in his palms. Maybe that was why Li Caiyi's words felt even more unbearable to hear.

"You want me to become your partner in your coming-of-age party? Fine, I'll accept it. Because you are my childhood friend, and I cherished the memories we had together, that's all. If I see you trying anything funny again or doing anything that could possibly hurt Xiaohua, I won't just let it slide. Understand?"

Meng Renshu stayed rooted in his place with his head lowered. He did not dare raise his head and face Li Caiyi's scornful look. 

Li Caiyi stared at his pitiful figure and thought she had made herself clear. Considering that Meng Renshu kept quiet throughout her lecture like a sinner, she knew he had already received her meaning loud and clear. There was no need to continue admonishing him. Hopefully, he would snap out of his daydreaming with this harsh reminder.

"I think there's nothing to talk about anymore, so I'll leave first. See you at the party, Brother Renshu."

Meng Renshu watched Li Caiyi's retreating back with a melancholic expression. She said, 'see you at the party', which was like an indirect request for him to not meet her anymore except for that time. 

Meng Renshu let out a peal of self-mocking laughter.. Li Caiyi had grown up. She was not a kitten anymore, but a fierce tiger!