Mister Li, the Heart Bandit

“Shaoling had always been lonely. No one was willing to play with him since he was a child, which made him a little paranoid. Her mother’s early death also kept him stoic, and he would rather keep things in his heart than talk too much. Still, you don’t have to worry: he loves you, and he would love you for the rest of his life because he is so single-minded.”

Ji Weixi was astonished by what she had heard.

Li Shaoling had actually told Li Wanyun about her from the very start.

She also understood why Li Wanyun wanted to talk to her alone: an aunt that loved her nephew probably hoped that he could obtain happiness.

“So… Xixi…” There was a plea in Li Wanyun’s eyes. “Stay with Shaoling if you love him, try not to hurt him if you don’t. He looks strong, but he is most vulnerable.”

Most vulnerable.

Indeed.

The feverish nonsense he mumbled back at Ocean City would always hit the most tender part of her heart whenever she remembered it.

Hence, Ji Weixi took a deep breath to muster all her courage as she leveled her gaze with Li Wanyun and promised. “It’s alright, I will never leave him.”

“Wonderful!” Li Wanyun hugged her happily, and pounced about like a child.

“I’m telling you, Xixi, don’t break your promise! Shaoling is such a sweetheart!” Li Wanyun sighed as she abruptly soaked in her recollection. “I could still remember how he didn’t eat, and only drank a little water when his mother died. He didn’t even say word for a year, and everyone thought that he was mute…”

“Eventually…” Li Wanyun suddenly trailed off with a flash of pain in her eyes, and struggled to smile. “Well, forget it. Let’s go. Remember, don’t break your promise!”

Even so, Ji Weixi felt as if her heart was stabbed.

Not eating for three days, and saying nothing for a year…

Li Shaoling’s mother’s passing must have been a huge blow to him.

Ji Weixi remembered how she cried herself hoarse when her own mother died, unwilling to eat and spoke with an ugly voice resembling a crow for a long time.

She was made Ji Jianing and Zhou Huijie’s laughing stock for quite some time over it.

***

As Ji Weixi followed Li Wanyun out of the kitchen, the sight that welcomed her left her eyes wet and her heart warmed sweetly.

The little one was sitting barefooted on the carpet and playing a jigsaw puzzle, looking up at Li Shaoling whenever he was stumped. “Daddy, I don’t know this one.”

Li Shaoling frowned in disdain. “Stupid.”

Despite what he said, he lowered himself and patiently instructed the little one, who would look blankly at him but also listen carefully.

It was a sight of bliss.

Like how Li Wanyun had put it: Li Shaoling was strong and fierce, but that was only skin-deep.

Actually… uh, he just might be gentle.

“Wow. I didn’t finish it after so long. You finished it already, Daddy!” The little one happily clapped his hands.

Then, he suddenly saw Ji Weixi watching them nearby.

“Mommy! You’re back!”

Li Shaoling turned towards them as well.

Ji Weixi had been standing for some time behind him.

Her cheeks were a porcelain paleness beneath the light, just as her eyes were bright, her teeth and skin ever white. The bruise over her forehead make her appear dainty and meek too.

Smiling, he waved. “Come.”

When Ji Weixi reached him, he pulled her into his arms and she dropped on his lap.

He handily wrapped his arms around her, burying his chin on her shoulder as if there were no one around them. “I missed you.”

She flushed, and quickly turned to glance at Li Wanyun—who was discreetly gesturing ‘do your best!’

She bit her lip. “I wasn’t gone for long. Why would you miss me…” she replied.

Li Shaoling rubbed his cheek on hers. “I miss you each second you’re not around me.”

Ji Weixi felt jolted by an unknown voltage throughout her body at his touch, and was left limp and meek.

“Clingy.” She muttered.

“Only when it’s you.”

Meanwhile, unable to keep watching, Li Wanyun stood up and stroked the little one’s head. “I’m off, kiddo.”

“Huh?” The little one’s eyes widened blankly. “Where are you going? Will you visit again?”

“I will, in a few days.”

Ji Weixi quickly pulled Li Shaoling and stood up, but Li Shaoling did not try to get her to stay. “Where are you going? Need a ride?”

Li Wanyun’s departure was a good thing for him anyway.

If she was here, he could not go beast mode with Ji Weixi later—

Either way, she was surplus.

“It’s alright!” Li Wanyun waved her off. “I’ll stay at the old place for a few days and visit your dad. I just contacted him and he’s sending a driver.

“Aunt Wanyun, shouldn’t you stay a few nights since you rarely come by?” Ji Weixi asked courteously.

Li Wanyun sighed regretfully and deliberately. “Ah, it’s my niece-in-law who is nice to me in the end. Unlike some who wouldn’t even ask me to stay.”

“You wouldn’t stay here even if I asked you.” Li Shaoling said flatly.

Ji Weixi elbowed him. “…What are you saying?!”

Li Shaoling stayed silent.

***

Soon, the car sent by Li Nanhai arrived for Li Wanyun.

Li Wanyun smiled mildly as she left. “Express your love! Have another child as early as you can!”

Watching as the car drove off, Li Shaoling wrapped his arms around Ji Weixi again. “What did my aunt tell you?” He asked.

She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s not important.”

There was no way she would tell him that she had promised Li Wanyun that she wouldn’t leave him.

If he knew, he might just get too excited and, uh, do that to her.

Li Shaoling did not press either, and merely bit her ear and quietly coaxed. “I’m sleepy. Should we go to bed?”

His hot, wet breath was refreshing and invasive, leaving her body soft as she leaned into his arms.

“Our son is still here!”

Indeed, the little one’s eyes were bulging at the parents’ every move, as if trying to tell when his little sister would come out.

Li Shaoling walked up to him, carried him into his bedroom, helped him changed his clothes and turned off the light.

“Are you asleep?” He asked coldly.

“…Yes.”

Li Shoaling briskly closed the door and told Ji Weixi behind him. “He’s asleep. Let’s go to sleep too.”

“…”

Enough with that self-deception!

As Ji Weixi headed towards the bathroom, Li Shaoling snuggled up and asked shamelessly. “Should I help you bathe?”

“Dream on! Thug!”

Red faced, Ji Weixi gave him a small punch and fled into the bathroom.

But even as she leaned on the bathroom door after closing it, she could still feel Li Shaoling’s gaze.

She pressed her hand over her wildly beating heart, trying her best to calm her breathing.

When she came out of the bathroom, Ji Weixi was immediately wrapped in a searing embrace the moment she entered the bedroom.