When Yan Qiu heard these words, the chopsticks in his hands almost dropped.

But thinking of the scene of Mr. Li's birthday last time, it seems understandable that Li Zhi, as the head of the Li family, also celebrated his birthday at his ancestral home.

only……

As soon as the ancestral house was mentioned, Yan Qiu remembered that he did not dare to admit his relationship with Li Zhi in front of his master last time, and according to Lin Jin later, the master had actually agreed, so Yan Qiu was even more afraid to go there.

Master must have been very disappointed with himself that day.

Thinking of this, Yan Qiu felt that he could no longer face his master, and wished he could bury his head in the bowl.

Seeing that he hadn't answered for a long time, Li Zhi asked clearly, "Don't you want to go?"

Yan Qiu raised his head when he heard the words, and when he saw Li Zhi, all hesitation was instantly swallowed back by him.

In fact, the situation Li Zhi is facing is even more difficult than his. After all, it must be even more difficult to obtain the consent of his grandfather to make this decision in his current capacity.

Li Zhi can risk everything for him, why can't he be brave for Li Zhi?

Thinking of this, Yan Qiu shook his head, looked at him and replied: "No, what happened last time was my fault, and I will apologize to Master."

As Yan Qiu said, meeting Shang Li Zhi's eyes, there was unprecedented firmness in his eyes, "I also want... to be brave for you once."

Something flashed in Li Zhi's eyes when he heard this, it seemed to be a faint smile, but before Yan Qiu could see it clearly, he had already lowered his eyelids to cover the expression in them.

Then he pretended to be calm and said, "Let's eat."

In the afternoon, Li Zhi had something to deal with, so Yan Qiu waited in his office until he was done before rushing to the ancestral house with him.

As soon as the two arrived at the underground parking lot, they saw Lin Ye was already waiting in the car.

Seeing them coming down, he got out of the car and opened the door for them.

The Bentley that Li Zhi used to drive was sent for repairs because of the last car accident. Since then, Yan Qiu has never seen him drive it again, but replaced it with the current Maybach.

Although it is not the same car anymore, every time Yan Qiu sees it, he still thinks of the scene where Li Zhi crashed the car to save him that night, and a series of things after that.

Every time he thought of this, Yan Qiu began to feel uncontrollably uncomfortable.

After getting into the car, Yan Qiu unconsciously touched the ring on his middle finger, while thinking about how he could pay off his debt to Li Zhi.

However, after thinking about it all the way, he realized that what he owed Mr. Li may not be cleared in this lifetime.

While thinking wildly, Yan Qiu suddenly felt a burst of eyes on him.

He raised his head, and saw Mr. Li looking at the ring on his finger.

"Are you wearing it again?"

The last time Yan Qiu took the ring off his finger after he came out of the Li family's ancestral house, he felt that he didn't deserve to wear it.

But it has always been on the body and never left the body.

He didn't put it back on until today when Li Zhi said he was going back to his ancestral home.

Last time he covered the ring in front of Mr. Li, but not this time.

"En." Yan Qiu said, looking at Li Zhi's right hand, which also wore a couple ring.

Even if he hurt him so deeply last time, he never took it off.

Thinking of this, Yan Qiu felt sore, and couldn't help saying again: "I'm sorry."

He knew how powerless these three words were compared to the harm he caused Li Zhi, but other than that, there were no other words that could carry his apology.

"I'll never take it off again."

Mr. Li and his son are loving couples, father Li has only one child in his life, and father Li also only gave birth to Li Zhi.

Therefore, except for Li Zhi, the rest of the Li family are side branches.

Although they are not close, they have always been dependent on the Li family to survive. Over the years, the forces have been intertwined and there are many people. In addition to family friends and business partners, the people in the ancestral house today are much more special.

On the one hand, such an occasion is for celebrating birthdays, and on the other hand, it is also a good place to establish contacts.

Therefore, even before the main house arrived, everyone had already gathered in twos and threes to chat.

But as soon as Li Zhi came in, he immediately dispersed, surrounded him one after another, and congratulated him, "Mr. Li, happy birthday!"

"Did you come back now because you were stumped by the company's affairs?"

"The old man is already waiting."

Li Zhi was already very familiar with such occasions, and with a polite smile on his face, he responded kindly.

Those people saw that Li Zhi was not alone, and there was a strange young man beside him.

They all became curious, but Li Zhi didn't take the initiative to introduce, and they didn't dare to ask more, they could only speculate secretly in their hearts.

Li Zhi said a few words of courtesy, and then led Yan Qiu to continue walking in.

However, before he reached the front hall, he saw a retro-dressed woman in a dark green cheongsam and a cardigan over her shoulders standing on the corridor of the garden, looking like she was waiting for someone.

The woman looked less than thirty years old, with curly black hair, black eyes and red lips, a glass of champagne in each of her left and right hands, her walking posture was swaying, and when she saw Li Zhi, she overtook them in a charming waycome over.

"Li Zhi." The woman said reproachfully, "It's really a great honor for you to come so late for your birthday."

As he spoke, he handed him the champagne in his left hand, and he seemed to be very familiar with him.

"Happy birthday!"

Li Zhi took it and touched her, but he didn't drink the wine in the glass, he just replied, "Thank you."

The woman didn't care either, her eyes fell on Yan Qiu who was beside him.

The woman in front of her is very beautiful, her posture is noble, and her whole body is full of leisure and ease that was piled up with money. Just standing here, she knows that she and Li Zhi are the same kind of people.

Under her gaze, Yan Qiu suddenly felt ashamed.

"This one?" The woman seemed to know him, looked him up and down presumptuously, and suddenly smiled, "Could it be your little lover?"

Hearing this, Li Zhi's complexion changed slightly.

Shui Yingyi didn't seem to see his expression, she lowered her head and took a sip of champagne, with a subtle disdain in her tone, "I thought it was some kind of holiness that would make you lose your life, it seems like that's all."

Yan Qiu didn't understand why this person was so hostile towards him when they met for the first time?

But I don't even know who she is, and I can't refute it.

However, at this time, Li Zhi suddenly opened his mouth and introduced to Yan Qiu: "Xiao Qiu, this is Shui Yingyi, Miss Shui."

Only then did Yan Qiu realize that she was Mr. Li's engagement object that was mentioned in the magazine last time.

But Li Zhi had explained to him before that he didn't know what was written in that magazine, probably Shui Yingyi deliberately misled something during the interview.

As for the baby kiss, it was just a joke between the two parents, and Li Zhi never took it seriously.

But Shui Yingyi seems to have taken it seriously, and has always hoped that the Li and Shui families can get married.

Thinking of this, Yan Qiu instantly understood where Shui Yingyi's hostility towards him came from.

So he smiled and replied: "So it's Miss Shui, I've heard of your name a long time ago, and I've seen interviews in your magazines."

Shui Yingyi seemed to be used to such compliments, with a cold and perfunctory smile on her face.

Unexpectedly, Yan Qiu continued to say in the next second: "But that magazine seems unreliable. It actually said that you and Mr. Li are getting engaged, and you are not married yet. Isn't this ruining your reputation? But youDon't worry, Mr. Li has already sued this magazine, and sooner or later you will be cleared."

When Shui Yingyi heard this, her complexion immediately changed, from red to white.

Among the aristocratic families in City A, she is the only one who matches Li Zhi in terms of appearance and family background, but she has been waiting for Li Zhi for so many years, but Li Zhi has never responded to her.

The interview with her last time was intentional. It was nothing more than to put some pressure on the Li family, hoping that Li Zhi would take some action. After all, she would be 30 if she waited.

However, what he didn't expect was the news that he had risked his life for a man.

How could she not be angry, so she waited here on purpose today.

She admitted that Yan Qiu's face was indeed pretty, but in their circle, face was the least valuable thing.

Therefore, she always believed that Li Zhi was just a whim.

Seeing that Li Zhi was not particularly protective today, Shui Yingyi also became more determined in her mind.

So he sneered even more at Yan Qiu's overreaching, "Mr. Yan, what is your identity? What is your relationship with Li Zhi? Is there anything for you to talk about here?"

"I..." Before Yan Qiu could answer, Li Zhi was also curious, turned his head, lowered his voice, and asked in agreement, "What is our relationship?"

Yan Qiu didn't expect Li Zhi to ask this suddenly, and was taken aback by the question.

Subconsciously began to think about the answer, in fact, he didn't know what kind of relationship they had now?They were supposed to be lovers at first, but they separated later, and Li Zhi still hasn't forgiven him.

So Yan Qiu thought for a long time, and gave a conservative answer, "Friend?"

Hearing this, Li Zhi seemed to be laughed out of anger, turned around and lowered his head to take a sip of champagne.

Yan Qiu looked at his expression, and immediately realized that he had answered wrong. Just as he was about to make amends, Li Zhi suddenly took his hand, and then replied to Shui Yingyi: "What is his identity? He is my lover.”

As soon as these words came out, not only Shui Yingyi, but also Yan Qiu was taken aback.

The smile on Shui Yingyi's face fell instantly, and changed into an unbelievable expression.

"Li Zhi, are you kidding me?"

"I never joke." Li Zhi replied.

"You're crazy!"

"Crazy or not has anything to do with you? What does it have to do with me?"

The words she asked Yan Qiu just now were returned intact by Li Zhi, and Shui Yingyi was angry and embarrassed.

After Li Zhi finished speaking, he threw the empty champagne glass into the nearby lake, and then took Yan Qiu's hand and passed her.

When passing by Shui Yingyi, Li Zhi paused, "Now that you know his identity, show some respect next time."

After finishing speaking, he and Yan Qiu continued to walk forward.

Yan Qiu followed Li Zhi for a long time, only to realize that they didn't go to the front hall, but walked left and right, passed an arched door, and entered a slightly dilapidated courtyard.

The courtyard is small, with white walls and black tiles, and a row of bamboos are planted in the corner of the courtyard. The bamboos reflect the moonlight, leaving afterimages on the wall, with a bit of the ancient charm of Jiangnan.

Yan Qiu didn't understand why Li Zhi brought him here, just about to ask him, but when he looked up, he saw a bit of danger in Li Zhi's eyes.

"Friend?" Li Zhi looked at him with a half-smile, repeating what he said just now.

When Yan Qiu heard it, he knew that he seemed to be angry with his answer just now, so he quickly wanted to explain, "No, I thought you still..."

However, before he finished speaking, he saw Li Zhi suddenly leaning over, a light cold pine smell suddenly hit, and his cool lips brushed against his ears.

Li Zhi's low voice came to his ears, "Will this happen to you and your friends?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a thin and long hand suddenly covered his eyes, blocking all his vision.

Immediately afterwards, the rest of the senses suddenly magnified. Yan Qiu heard the crisp insects, smelled the fragrance of cold pine, and felt a piece of softness on his lips.

He seemed to taste the sweetness of champagne.

However, before he could react, the palm covering his eyes left suddenly. Everything just now was like a sudden dream, only the lips still remembered the slight touch.

Yan Qiu pursed his lips subconsciously, then raised his head to look at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi turned his head to avoid his gaze, with a bit of embarrassment on his usually calm face.

Yan Qiu also quickly lowered his head, and both subconsciously avoided each other's gaze.

Li Zhi looked at the reflection on the wall not far away, while Yan Qiu looked up at the moon in the sky.

Tonight's moon is bright and round, reflecting the perfection of everything in the world.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Zhi spoke first, "It's getting late, we should go in."

After speaking, he stepped up and walked out.

Yan Qiu also followed as if waking up from a dream.

Li Zhi walked very slowly, so Yan Qiu quickly chased after him, and then the two walked out together side by side.

They came all the way to the front hall. At this time, the guests had almost gathered and were chatting with Mr. Li.

Although he knew it was unavoidable, Yan Qiu couldn't help feeling embarrassed when he saw Mr. Li.

Mr. Li's expression was normal, and he greeted the guests together with Li Zhi.

When the banquet started, there was only one table in the main hall, and the rest of the people were outside the hall.

Therefore, the only ones who could sit at this table were Mr. Li, Li Zhi, several elders from the collateral lineage and a few important guests.

Although Yan Qiu didn't know where they were arranged, but seeing the people at this table, they subconsciously felt that they shouldn't be sitting here.

But as soon as he remembered it, Li Zhi pushed him back.

"It's okay." Li Zhi whispered to him.

Although the others didn't know Yan Qiu, they could guess something by looking at his position, and their eyes couldn't help showing some meaning.

It was already late at night when the birthday banquet ended.

The guests dispersed one after another, and when the ancestral house returned to its usual tranquility, Mr. Li turned his head and glanced at them.

Yan Qiu and Li Zhi naturally understood what he meant, and followed him up.

They followed Mr. Li to the study.

Mr. Li seemed a little tired, and as soon as he entered the door, he sat down on the red rosewood scholar's chair behind the desk, and then raised his hand to signal for them to sit too.

Yan Qiu sat in the same seat as last time.

As soon as he sat down, he saw Mr. Li straight to the point and asked him: "Where is today? Isn't it all right?"

As soon as Yan Qiu heard it, he knew he was talking about himself, and for a moment he wished he could bury his head in the ground.

But he also knew that he couldn't escape again.

Therefore, although it was still difficult to face Mr. Li, Yan Qiu mustered up the courage to stand up, and said to Mr. Li, "I'm sorry."

"Why?" Mr. Li asked in confusion.

Probably knowing that Li was by his side, Yan Qiu felt that he seemed to have a lot more courage than last time.

He took a deep breath, and finally said all he wanted to say, "I'm sorry, Master, I lied last time. I lied to you because of my low self-esteem. In fact, I care about Mr. Li very much. I don't want Yu Sheng to have nothing to do with him."relationship, I want to be with him, Master, I like him, I really like him."

After Yan Qiu said these words in one breath, he realized that it was actually not as difficult as he imagined.

He turned his head to look at Li Zhi, and then saw that Li Zhi was also looking at him.

Yan Qiu's eyes turned red at some point, but he still smiled at him.

Old Master Li looked at them, didn't speak for a long time, just sighed.

"I won't bless you." Old Master Li said to them.

After Yan Qiu heard it, his heart sank.

I don't know if it's because the bad impression I left on him last time made him feel that he is not worthy of Li Zhi, so he wants to try to redeem it.

"Master, I..."

However, I didn't expect that Mr. Li's next sentence would be, "But...it's up to you."

After speaking, he stood up and walked out.

Yan Qiu didn't expect such a development in the end. Seeing the back of Mr. Li leaving, he looked back at Li Zhi in surprise, and asked uncertainly, "Master agrees?"

Li Zhi got up and walked towards him, looking at Mr. Li's back together with him, he remembered something, his eyes were full of complexity, "It seems...it should be."

Seeing that today was almost over, Yan Qiu didn't care about the right timing, and was about to take out a birthday present.

However, Li Zhi took him to the ancestral hall of the Li family first.

Inside are densely packed the ranks of the Li family from generation to generation, solemn and quiet.

Yan Qiu had only seen such scenes on TV, so he couldn't help being shocked.

Li Zhi walked over and took three sticks of incense and handed them to him, and then took three sticks of incense himself, lit them respectfully, and inserted them into the incense burner.

Yan Qiu followed his example and did it again, before asking: "Why did you bring me here?"

Li Zhi's eyes fell on the last tablet, and he slowly replied: "This is the rule of the Li family, if you meet someone who wants to stay with you forever..."

Having said that, Li Zhi turned his head to look at him, with a promise in his eyes, "Bring him here and meet the elders in the family."

Although Li Zhi's words were a little creepy, Yan Qiu understood what he meant and couldn't help being moved for a moment.

Thinking of the early death of Li Zhi's parents, he asked, "Are your parents here too?"

He wanted to offer a stick of incense to the two elders alone.

Li Zhi replied, "My father is here."

Yan Qiu followed his gaze, and then saw the word Li Zhou written on the last tablet.

Yan Qiu walked over to burn a stick of incense alone, actually he wanted to ask about Li Zhi's mother?

But it must be sad, so in the end endured it.

When he walked out of the ancestral hall, Yan Qiu was already a little sleepy, and was thinking about whether he could go home.

Suddenly Li Zhi asked, "Where's my gift?"

Only then did Yan Qiu realize that the gift hadn't been given to Li Zhi yet, and he woke up instantly.

He quickly looked down at his watch. Fortunately, there were still five minutes before 12 o'clock.

So he quickly took out the gift box that had been in his pocket for a day.

"What is this?" Li Zhi asked.

Yan Qiu didn't answer, but just motioned him to open it.

Li Zhi opened it as he said, and saw a pair of wooden cufflinks in the shape of concentric locks.

"I made this out of yew." Yan Qiu looked at him expectantly and said, "Do you like it?"

"I like it." Li Zhi said, took the cufflinks out of the box, and wanted to change them on the spot.

Seeing this, Yan Qiu volunteered to help him put it on.

Li Zhi naturally had no objection, and then saw Yan Qiu take off the original sapphire cufflinks on his shirt, and replace them with the concentric lock cufflinks he engraved.

Li Zhi looked down at him, the young man probably just studied how to wear it in advance, but he hadn't practiced it after all, so he put it on slowly and clumsily.

But for some reason, Li Zhi felt soft-hearted for a while.

"Okay." After Yan Qiu put it on, he looked down at the cuff of Li Zhi's shirt. Although it was not as luxurious as the sapphire just now, the unique color of yew and his own carvings were not bad.

"It's beautiful." Li Zhi also said.

"Do you know why I use yew?" Yan Qiu looked at him and asked.

"I know." Li Zhi looked at him with deep eyes, almost taking him in.

Red beans grow in the southern country, and a few branches will come out in spring. May you pick more, this thing is the most lovesick.①

Yew, concentric lock.

Yan Qiu couldn't say anything too nasty, this was the most explicit way he could think of to express his love.

After putting on the cufflinks, the two walked out slowly under the moonlight.

The night is dark and cold, people are always looking for warmth unconsciously, and the two of them are walking very close, so as they walk, their fingers will accidentally touch each other.

The first reaction of both of them was to subconsciously want to avoid, but after all, neither of them avoided, just touching from time to time.

Li Zhi suppressed the smile at the corner of his mouth, thinking that he would hold him the next time they meet, but unexpectedly, Yan Qiu had the same idea, and held him first.

Li Zhi thought, he is really going back as he lives, he is obviously no longer a brat, but he will be moved by holding hands once.

The two just walked to the door holding hands, the door opened, and Lin Ye was already waiting outside.

Seeing an outsider, Yan Qiu subconsciously let go of Li Zhi's hand.

Li Zhi knew that he was not used to it yet, so he just wanted to take his hand away, but he didn't expect Yan Qiu to hold his hand again after only leaving for a moment.

Hold it tighter than before.

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①"Lovesickness" Wang Wei