Only the touch in his hand felt real; only then could the floating feeling in his heart be subdued.
It was as if she might vanish at any mont.
The girl before him grew more beautiful with each passing day. Now in college, attending the largely male-populated computer science departnt, surely many boys liked her.
Zhao Pan always teased him for being prematurely mature, saying, "If you like her, why not show it more passionately?"
But Cheng Lie could learn how to truly connect with her, how to show more emotional intelligence.
These were things he could work on, yet expressing his feelings outright...
Those words remained caught between his lips, unable to be spoken aloud.
Thinking of this, Cheng Lie couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
He could only rely on actions to show her his feelings. He thought, perhaps it was ti to talk to Yun Tiancheng about formally arranging their marriage.
After all, now he was no longer as panicked and overwheld as before, and the sense of security had gradually returned.
Yun Shifei, however, didn’t know about the thoughts swirling in Cheng Lie’s mind. As soon as she got into the car, she leaned against him and began to recount funny happenings from her dormitory.
She also ntioned that Yu Liantao and the others were eager to have dinner with him.
Cheng Lie realized that, despite dating Yun Shifei for so long, he’d never actually invited her dormmates out for a al, so he readily agreed.
Yun Shifei was thrilled.
Her boyfriend—of course, she wanted the whole world to know he was the best.
Now they were heading to the ng Family, and she had prepared a small gift for the elders.
When Cheng Lie and Yun Shifei entered the ng residence, Mr. ng and Old Mrs. ng were delighted.
They felt deeply indebted to Cheng Lie, as though they had shifted all the guilt they had once carried for ng Zhao onto him.
If not for their misguided decisions back then, ng Zhao wouldn’t have endured such hardship, nor been branded a howrecker for so long.
And Cheng Lie, as their grandson, had suffered greatly too.
He had even nearly been killed by soone around them.
Now, while Xia Yuezhen had faced her punishnt, Mr. and Mrs. ng still found it insufficient.
So this ti, they had called Cheng Lie over not only to apologize to him sincerely but also to give him sothing.
After dinner, Cheng Lie went upstairs with Grandpa ng, while Yun Shifei stayed downstairs chatting with Grandma ng.
Old Mrs. ng first asked Yun Shifei about her daily life, and upon learning that Yun Shifei’s work was similar to Cheng Lie’s, Grandma ng felt greatly relieved.
She then asked, "By the way, what was Xiao Lie like when he was in high school? I heard he had autism back then..."
Yun Shifei naturally wouldn’t reveal to anyone that Cheng Lie’s autism had been an act—not even to Yun Tiancheng.
Upon hearing Old Mrs. ng’s question, Yun Shifei replied, "Yes, but it was cured later."
"And... Shifei, could you tell Grandma about how Xiao Lie used to live?"
Yun Shifei then honestly recounted her daily interactions with Cheng Lie and described his life in the Cheng Family, stories that deeply pained Grandma ng.
Yet, Grandma ng felt imnse relief too, knowing that the girl before her had brought so much warmth into Xiao Lie’s life. If it weren’t for her, Grandma ng thought, Xiao Lie wouldn’t be who he was today.
Though he remained reserved, the way he looked at Yun Shifei brimd with tenderness.
The years they’d walked through together were unmatched by anyone else.
Thinking this, Old Mrs. ng found herself even more accepting of Yun Shifei.
The notion of "matching backgrounds" was nonsense—she had witnessed firsthand how her Ah Zhao had suffered due to it. Now, regardless of the disparity between the Yun Family and theirs, Grandma ng had decided to wholeheartedly support Cheng Lie and Yun Shifei’s relationship, even planning to find an opportunity to ask Cheng Lie whether he’d like to finalize the engagent soon.
This girl was so beautiful, with such a kind personality—diligent, humble. Surely there were many people who adored her.
And that grandson of hers—who knew what he was thinking? He always seed unfazed.
After a while, Cheng Lie ca downstairs and said to Yun Shifei, "Feifei, let’s go."
Yun Shifei stood up and grabbed Cheng Lie’s hand.
The two of them walked out of the ng residence, the evening breeze gentle and refreshing.
Yun Shifei looked at Cheng Lie. "What did Grandpa ng call you upstairs for?"
She was curious, itching to know.
Seeing her wide, sparkling eyes, Cheng Lie couldn’t help but laugh. "Curious?"
Yun Shifei nodded.
"I don’t want to tell you," Cheng Lie said, heading for the car.
Yun Shifei followed him. "Tell ."
"Only if you kiss ."
She hadn’t expected him to play this kind of trick! Yun Shifei was surprised but obliging, standing on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. Then, gazing at him eagerly, she asked, "Can you tell now?"
Cheng Lie made a sound of agreent.
Once in the car, he pulled out an item from his pocket and handed it to Yun Shifei.
Yun Shifei unfolded it, initially thinking it was a letter. But as she opened it further, she grew increasingly shocked, staring at Cheng Lie in utter disbelief.
Grandpa ng had written a docunt transferring the majority of his assets to Cheng Lie.
Judging by the sheer volu of the contents, Yun Shifei couldn’t be sure if it was everything, but considering the ng Family’s vast empire, it might not even be the full extent.
Seeing Yun Shifei’s stunned expression, Cheng Lie said quietly, "This is Grandpa ng’s entire fortune."
At his age, he now spent his days enjoying simpler pleasures like gardening and fishing. The ng Group was run by his eldest son, while smaller companies under its umbrella had been handed to his second son.
What Grandpa ng had given Cheng Lie was all that remained personally under his na.
Hearing this, Yun Shifei felt uneasy. "You’ve investigated him thoroughly?"
Cheng Lie nodded.
The car sped through the night, and flickering lights cast shadows across his cold yet striking features, making him seem even more enigmatic.
In that mont, Yun Shifei couldn’t quite grasp the thoughts forming in her heart.
She felt odd.
"Do you have any feelings for Grandpa ng and Grandma ng at all?"
Once the question left her lips, Yun Shifei realized it had been foolish.
Cheng Lie’s mother had been disowned by Grandpa ng. If not for that decision, perhaps his parents wouldn’t have been killed by Cheng Guomin, and he wouldn’t have endured all that trauma.
It made sense for him not to care for Grandpa ng and Grandma ng.
The silence dragged on, and Yun Shifei quickly added, "I didn’t an anything by it—just wanted to ask. But you’re right; it’s normal for you not to have feelings for them."
Blood ties don’t always an close bonds.
Just like her relationship with Xu Ya, which remained lukewarm to this day.
Hearing her words, the response Cheng Lie had planned to craft dissolved entirely.
She was so understanding and kind. She even approved of his coldhearted behavior?
What could he say now?
Cheng Lie reached out and playfully pinched Yun Shifei’s cheek. "I was worried you’d call heartless."
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