Chapter 1508 - 1471: The Home of Cannon Fodder 79
Chapter 1508: Chapter 1471: The Home of Cannon Fodder 79
Xiao Yuan and Anning hurried out of the house upon hearing the shout.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw Xiao Lu supporting Yin Peiran, whose body was leaning against Xiao Lu and appeared to have fainted.
Xiao Yuan walked over and grasped Yin Peiran’s wrist with his right hand. After a moment, he said, "Help him inside."
"Okay, sure."
Xiao Lu was very worried, supporting Yin Peiran as she walked into the house, "Dad, is he going to be okay?"
Du Heng followed them inside as well.
Once inside, Xiao Yuan told Anning, "Go to the study and bring my silver needle."
Anning went to the study to fetch the silver needle, while Xiao Yuan attentively checked Yin Peiran’s pulse, "He’s not seriously ill, just extremely weak."
Xiao Yilin, who had returned to her room earlier, also came down upon hearing the commotion.
She walked over to take a look, "He’s so thin, obviously not in good health."
Anning brought the silver needle over, and Xiao Yuan started performing acupuncture on Yin Peiran.
Anning stood by, trying hard not to laugh.
This Yin Peiran sure can endure, Xiao Yuan jabbed him with the silver needle like that, yet he didn’t even flinch.
Xiao Lu became even more worried.
She turned to Du Heng and said, "I’m really sorry, I can’t go to the movies with you today, let’s reschedule, we’ll go another day."
What could Du Heng say? Despite being extremely annoyed inside, he still kept a smile on his face and appeared magnanimous, "No problem, the guest is important; I’ll head out first, let’s meet again soon."
Xiao Lu escorted Du Heng to the door and hurried back inside.
It was only then that Yin Peiran slowly opened his eyes.
"You’re awake?"
Xiao Lu inquired happily.
"What happened to me?"
Yin Peiran struggled to sit up.
Xiao Lu quickly settled beside him, "You’re not well, better lie down for a bit."
Yin Peiran smiled and then looked at Xiao Yuan, "Uncle, I’m really sorry for causing you concern."
Xiao Yuan nodded towards Yin Peiran, "Since you’re not well, you should be more careful in the future. It’s not good for you to go back alone; we have a guest room, so stay here for now."
After speaking, Xiao Yuan called Anning to go back to their room together.
Xiao Lu helped Yin Peiran into the guest room, tidied up a bit, and changed the bed sheets before letting Yin Peiran lie down.
Then, Xiao Lu brought over a new set of pajamas belonging to Xiao Yuan for Yin Peiran, "These are my dad’s, he hasn’t worn them yet. Wear them tonight. Also, there’s a bathroom over there with everything you might need. If you want to shower, go ahead, and let me know if you need anything."
Xiao Lu took care of Yin Peiran meticulously and returned to her room once she was sure he was okay.
As soon as Xiao Yuan and Anning returned to their room, Xiao Yuan looked a bit gloomy.
"Well now, daring to deceive my daughter right in front of me."
Anning held back laughter, "Indeed, this person is really something, acting like Lin Mei from the start, always appearing weak. Plus, his character isn’t great either, deceiving people like this while we were present. What will he do in the future, being even more reckless?"
Knowing Xiao Yuan was angry, Anning went over and held his hand, "But you didn’t come out on the losing end; you did jab him with the needle, and I know your jabs, they must have hurt him."
"Hmph, those few needles I jabbed aren’t something that an ordinary person could endure; the fact that he stayed still shows how deep his thoughts run." The more Xiao Yuan thought about Yin Peiran, the angrier he got. He’s always been the one pulling pranks, even on his sons-in-law, whom he had seen many times over the years; which son-in-law doesn’t greet him respectfully? But this Yin Peiran arrogantly dares to deceive right in front of him.
"Okay, okay, don’t be mad."
Anning quickly comforted Xiao Yuan, "We can’t control others, but we can keep an eye on our daughter; from now on, focus on watching over her."
Xiao Yuan got even angrier, "She’s an adult; how can I tie her down? Look at how Xiao Lu doesn’t have any sense; even after seeing so much of life’s complexities with me and knowing the dangers of this world, she’s still completely wrapped around Yin Peiran’s finger. It makes me furious. I must teach her thoroughly."
"Alright, we will teach her thoroughly."
When Xiao Yuan was angry, Anning had no choice but to go along, otherwise he could be quite the handful. "Our daughter is still young; talking about romance at this age is premature. Tomorrow, I’ll sit down with her and talk about focusing on her studies; she shouldn’t be consumed by thoughts of romance. It won’t be too late to fall in love and marry at twenty-eight or nine. Even if she doesn’t marry, we can still support her."
Xiao Yuan’s mood slightly improved.
He sat down angrily, "How could I feel at ease entrusting my daughter to someone who essentially defies his own father?"
"It’s understandable." Anning also sat down beside Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan glanced at Anning: "Whose side are you on anyway?"
This guy really acts like a child when he’s upset. Anning quickly smiled and appeased him: "I’m on your side, of course. Who else would I side with? You are my destined one; we’re bound to be intertwined for lifetimes. No matter what happens, I’m always with you. How could I be with anyone else?"
Seeing Xiao Yuan’s expression relax, Anning continued, "But that kid’s situation is truly tough. Anyone would find it unbearable to have a father like his. If it were me, he’d have died even earlier."
Seeing Xiao Yuan was receptive, Anning softly said, "For someone like him, if he could receive some love and fulfill his heart’s desire, he’d be a great asset, and that would be a great blessing for this world. But if he truly turns cold-hearted, I’m afraid..."
Xiao Yuan seemed lost in thought.
"Moreover, it’s not easy for us to interfere too much in the children’s affairs. No matter what, he won’t harm LuLu. So, let’s watch and see. Look, whether LuLu ends up with Du Heng or him, she won’t lose out. We don’t have to worry so much. How far they go depends on LuLu’s choice."
Anning leaned against Xiao Yuan, speaking to him tenderly.
After a long while, Xiao Yuan finally nodded: "You have a point. Let’s just wait and see."
Anning waited a bit before going out.
When she reached the living room, she happened to see Xiao Lu pouring water.
"LuLu, come take a walk with me," Anning called out to Xiao Lu.
Xiao Lu placed the glass of water aside: "Mom, is there something you want to talk about?"
Anning headed outside: "Just some things."
Xiao Lu smiled as she followed Anning out of the house.
Both of them wrapped in thick coats, Anning adjusted her sleeves as they walked: "LuLu, how are things with Du Heng now?"
Xiao Lu hesitated for a moment: "It’s just the same as usual. We often go out for a meal or watch a movie. He’s busy, and I don’t have much free time either. Besides, I’m still young, so I won’t think too much about it for now. Just taking it as it comes."
Anning put an arm around Xiao Lu’s shoulder: "What do you think? Have you decided on Du Heng?"
Xiao Lu was silent for a long time: "I don’t really know."
"If you think Du Heng is okay and you like him, then... keep some distance from that Professor Yin. No matter how close you were before, things are different now. You have a boyfriend, so you shouldn’t be too close to other men outside of your family. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair to Du Heng, and it would easily hurt others and yourself."
Anning’s words made Xiao Lu lower her head, her face tinged with guilt: "Mom, I understand. I’ll be careful."
Yin Peiran stood by the window, looking outside, and saw Anning and Xiao Lu standing in the yard, seeming to talk about something.
His heart tightened, and worry surged within him.
After watching for a while, Yin Peiran finally lay down on the bed.
He pulled up the covers, trying to clear his thoughts, but his mind gradually became chaotic, as memories flooded over him.
He hadn’t thought about his father for a long time, but today he couldn’t help but recall many childhood memories.
Back then, Xiao Lu saved him, and Xiao Lu always took care of him. His once cold heart was slowly warmed by Xiao Lu.
His favorite thing to do then was to quietly follow behind Xiao Lu after school, watching her learn piano and dance.
Xiao Lu’s dancing was really beautiful when she was young; he had even secretly watched in fascination from outside the dance studio.
Later, his father became increasingly brutal, even threatening his life, forcing him to use every means to fight back, pushing him to plan his father’s demise by drowning. From that point on, he was no longer burdened.
He originally thought he could be carefree and follow Xiao Lu.
But unexpectedly, a beast resided in his heart. He helplessly fell in love with the young Xiao Lu, a love so heavy he could hardly bear it himself.
He was afraid.
Afraid of hurting Xiao Lu, he had no choice but to sell the house and move away, cutting off all contact with Xiao Lu.
However, he would still secretly watch Xiao Lu dance, and every day when she finished her practice and went home, he would follow until she was safely back before leaving.
Xiao Lu was beautiful, kind, gentle, and noble, so outstanding that it made him feel even more inadequate.
Yin Peiran had seen several boys quietly following Xiao Lu, silently liking her. He also knew that Xiao Lu had many admirers at school and heard many people discussing Xiao Lu, calling her the school beauty, the dream girl in many hearts.
Yin Peiran couldn’t stand it. He knew that if things continued this way, he’d lose control. His heart was already dark, shadowed by demons, and if he ever let them out, he feared he’d do something he’d regret.
He had no choice but to distance himself from Xiao Lu.
He thought that once he improved himself, once he controlled his own fate, and once he was qualified to stand by Xiao Lu’s side, he would return for her, and from then on, they would always be together, never separating again.