Chapter 1703: Festival (6)
Dongfang Gan only spoke after careful consideration.
“Then, please leave on the 21st. The 20th is an auspicious day, I plan to come to the house to betroth her. Although Liuyun plans to postpone the wedding, she won’t be wronged by these matters.” Qi Lei said in a low voice.
Dongfang Gan smiled, “It’s fine. We’re not those old fogeys. As long as you can make Liuyun’s life a little happier and easier, that would be better than anything else.”
…
When Lan Xiu drove over, dinner was almost ready. However, Dongfang Gan and Qi Lei were still talking in the study, Song Siting was still preparing dinner and Dongfang Liuyun was alone in the living room.
“Why are you alone? Where’s Uncle Dongfang?”
Standing by the sofa and looking down at Dongfang Liuyun for a long time, Lan Xiu finally broke the silence.
“Discussing something with Qi Lei in the study. Have a seat, it’s about time for dinner.”
Dongfang Liuyun said calmly as he poured him a glass of water.
Lan Xiu sat down obediently.
“You just came from work?”
“Yes,” Lan Xiu replied.
“I hope that the relationship between us, between you and our family, won’t change. It will still be the same as before, unless you no longer need it.”
Dongfang Liuyun bent her body slightly and crossed her hands on her knees. She looked sideways at Lan Xiu without blinking. Her cold eyes were sharp.
“Do you know the biggest difference between you and Lan Qi?”
Dongfang Liuyun rarely took the initiative to tell Lan Xiu about Lan Qi. Now that he heard Dongfang Liuyun say this, he was stunned. He could not help but look at Dongfang Liuyun with a dazed expression.
“Both of you brothers value friendship and loyalty, but Lan Qi has more courage and boldness than you. Sometimes, being timid and thinking too much will only increase your own worries. Back then, you rejected me because you wanted to maintain the current situation, right? Now, everything is going according to your own wishes, but you’re holding back. Lan Xiu, this isn’t the you that I know.”
Dongfang Liuyun’s brows furrowed as she spoke.
However, a smile appeared on the corner of Lan Xiu’s lips. That smile seemed a little lonely as he spoke in a low voice—
“Liuyun, you know very well that I’ve never been able to remain calm as usual when it comes to you. There are some things that I don’t want to say anymore. You’re married to Qi Lei. As long as you’re happy, I’ll definitely respect your choice, just like how I silently supported you and Fujiwara back then. I just want to return to the safest position. That way, there won’t be any problems between us and Qi Lei.”
“We can’t control our feelings. Naturally, I don’t want to destroy this peace.”
“However, based on your previous considerations, you’ve already destroyed the peace. You didn’t see the disappointment on my father’s face just now. He has always treated you like a son. What you’re doing is actually making us all feel even more unhappy. Also, you don’t feel good about it either, let alone Qi Lei. You should know that my parents didn’t agree with his attitude to begin with.”
Dongfang Liuyun naturally protected Qi Lei in her heart. In fact, she could not describe what she felt. All this while, whenever she saw Qi Lei, she could not help but feel protective over him, whether it was before or now.
Perhaps it was because she could see her past self in Qi Lei. When she thought of the similar pressure and depression in their hearts, and how he could still be as pure despite having struggled in such an environment, she could not deny that she did feel a faint sense of pity.
“You care about him a lot, Liuyun…” Lan Xiu looked at Dongfang Liuyun and said.
“He is now my husband, the son-in-law of the Dongfang family. How can I not care about him?”
Dongfang Liuyun looked at Lan Xiu, “I’ve decided on this matter. You must become friends with him, and you can only be friends. Unless you are determined to go against me. Otherwise, you can continue to remain calm and not interfere in the Dongfang family’s matters anymore. We are still friends, clearly friends.”
“Liuyun…”
“Tell me your answer, Lan Xiu.”
“You clearly know that I cannot ignore you or Uncle Dongfang.”
“You have chosen the first answer, then?”
Dongfang Liuyun narrowed her eyes and asked indifferently.
Lan Xiu was silent.
“In the future, come home often and sit down. Just treat it as filial piety on my behalf. I know that I am not a good daughter, but you are a good son. Lan Xiu, will you always treat us as your family?”
Hearing this, Lan Xiu’s grip on the cup tightened. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded, “Of course.”
“That’s good. Remember what you said. We’ll be family. You’re not alone. Love isn’t everything. To me, some things are more important. In my heart, you’re as important as Qi Lei. It’s just that the roles you play are different. He’s my husband, and you’re my brother.”
Dongfang Liuyun had also made things clear.
“In the future, will you go against me or Qi Lei?”
“No.”
He could hurt himself and not her, so how could he go against her?
Thinking of this, Lan Xiu took a deep breath and closed his eyes. After calming down for a while, he said, “I’ll be fine. Alright, Liuyun, I know what you’re trying to say, and I know what you’re thinking. Don’t worry, we’ll be good again. We’ll be as united and friendly as family. I personally admire Qi Lei very much. We’ll definitely become good friends in the future. I’m not the kind of person who’s narrow-minded and unconventional. I know what I should do. There won’t be any conflict between us.”
As soon as Lan Xiu finished speaking, a round of applause suddenly sounded. Lan Xiu was stunned for a moment. He hurriedly raised his head and looked in the direction of the sound. Only then did he realize that Dongfang Gan was walking down the stairs, followed by the profound-looking Qi Lei.
“Well said, Lan Xiu!”
Dongfang Gan looked at Lan Xiu approvingly. There was a kind smile on his gentle face.
“It’s good that you can think like that. I was worried about you too, but now it seems that you didn’t disappoint me. From now on, Liuyun is your biological sister, Qi Lei is your brother-in-law, and you are the Elder Brother. You have to protect the two of them.”
“Uncle Dongfang!”
Lan Xiu stood up subconsciously.
“Sit down.”
Dongfang Gan sat down. “I wanted you guys to meet each other. I didn’t expect for you two to meet already. That’s good.”
“Dinner’s ready!”
At this moment, Song Siting’s voice came from the side.
When he turned around, the table was indeed filled with a sumptuous table of dishes.
The whole family sat down around the table…