Chapter 1047: Chapter 1047

"Ah, it turns out it’s our sister," Yang Fei grinned and jumped to one side, smiling awkwardly, "Sorry, little sister, it’s all my brother’s fault for not watching his mouth. I deserve to die, I deserve to die."

Yang Fei, naturally a broadcaster, had a decent knack for acting. Knowing he had embarrassed Li Xiaoya, he hastily slapped himself twice.

Of course, the slaps weren’t serious—it was all just for show to mask his emotions.

Seeing this, Li Xiaoya couldn’t help but giggle, "Brother, who is he? He acts as if he knows me well when I don’t even recognize him."

Though both were from the Capital, and technically from the same circle, Yang Fei was just a fringe character while Li Xiaoya was notably famous. However, her fame came from her inability to practice Ancient Martial Arts, often making her the subject of ridicule. Yang Fei had heard of her but never met her, so it was normal that they didn’t recognize each other.

"My name is Yang Fei, Brother Changlin’s brother. What’s your name, little sister?" Seeing Li Changlin as a close brother, Yang Fei didn’t wait for an introduction and gave his name directly.

Upon hearing this, Xiaoya seemed to remember something and curiously looked up at Yang Fei, "You are Yang Fei? I have heard of you."

"Ah, Brother Changlin must have mentioned me," Yang Fei didn’t pay much attention, assuming Li Changlin had told her about him and couldn’t hide his pleased expression.

But to his surprise, Xiaoya shook her head, "No, my brother didn’t mention you to me. I arrived in Shanghai today. Your story is widely known in the Capital; we even heard about it at Jinghua University."

Immediately, the smile on Yang Fei’s face froze and he became visibly embarrassed.

What Li Xiaoya referred to was the embarrassing incident when Gao Sichun betrayed him, running off with Sun Ji’an.

Yang Fei had come to Shanghai partly to avoid the gossip back home, but never anticipated that even Li Xiaoya would know of his predicament—it was truly humiliating.

"Yang Fei, don’t overthink it. It’s just a woman. When the time comes, just prove your strength and put her in her place," Li Changlin comforted, patting Yang Fei’s shoulder, and then lightly added with a laugh, "This is my sister Xiaoya. We’re going to have dinner with our parents, so we can’t take you with us."

"Oh, I see," Yang Fei nodded sullenly, slightly disheartened by Xiaoya’s words, so he didn’t dwell on her name.

Otherwise, he would certainly have connected her with the rumored ’useless’ member of the Capital Li Family, but even if he guessed it, he wouldn’t have dared mock her.

Li Changlin’s sister was his sister too—Yang Fei was principled in his dealings.

It was because of this that Li Changlin accepted him as a brother.

The three said their farewells; Yang Fei went his way while Li Changlin and Xiaoya hurried to Huarui. Uncle Ming had been waiting there awhile, and upon seeing them, he quickly came forward, "Young master, Miss, the old master and madam have already reserved a table."

"Thank you for your efforts, Uncle Ming," Li Xiaoya smiled sweetly, and Li Changlin nodded appreciatively.

Uncle Ming said it was no trouble, then turned to lead them upstairs.

Li Chengde had reserved a private room and was quietly speaking with Fu Mandie, both wearing slight smiles and seeming in good spirits.

Upon seeing the trio enter, Li Chengde glanced back but didn’t move, whereas Fu Mandie stood up with a smile and said, "Changlin, you’ve worked hard, come sit by mom."

"It wasn’t hard, Mom," Li Changlin approached with a smile, gently calling out to his father, and Li Chengde nodded with a laugh.

"Mom, I’m jealous," Li Xiaoya pouted without moving, which made everyone inevitably smile.

Fu Mandie quickly stepped forward, laughing as she pulled Xiaoya to sit next to Changlin, and the girl happily smiled.

"Xiaoya, did you have fun today?" Li Chengde clearly doted on his daughter.

They say a daughter is her father’s past life lover; Li Chengde maintained a level of sternness in front of Li Changlin, but he was noticeably more gentle towards Xiaoya.

Li Changlin, of course, wasn’t jealous. For one, he was no child to fuss over such a matter; and secondly, he didn’t have that deep a bond with his parents compared to the relatively relaxed relationship with Xiaoya.

"Happy, brother said I could train in martial arts too, he has a friend who has the same physique as me," Xiaoya openly shared the secret Li Changlin advised her to keep in front of their parents.

But it was a minor issue, and Li Changlin wasn’t bothered, as he wasn’t the one who taught Xiaoya, and he trusted their father wouldn’t think too much of it.

"Changlin, is what Xiaoya said true?" Unexpectedly, Li Changlin underestimated the impact of this matter. Li Xiaoya had been living under the stigma of being useless from a young age, and if not for the Family Head’s particular fondness for his granddaughter, she might have been married off by the Family’s seniors long ago.

Three years prior, the Li Family faced numerous troubles following the unfortunate incident involving the eldest grandson, Li Changning. Notably, a few second-rate families dependent on the Li Family contemplated switching alliances.

Sensing the crisis, some within the Family suggested using Xiaoya for a political marriage with a legitimate son of the Xia Clan, but they were scolded by Li Guorui, which put a stop to the matter.

This incident illustrated that many senior members of the Li Family indeed didn’t regard Xiaoya highly. Although she was the Family’s treasured pearl, her end might still be that of a tool for others’ use.

Thus, when Fu Mandie heard her daughter might have the chance to practice Ancient Martial Arts, it was impossible for her to remain indifferent.

Not just Fu Mandie—even Li Chengde was moved.

If Xiaoya could train in Ancient Martial Arts, it meant she had the means to control her own destiny.

Although Xiaoya had been dismissed within the Family since childhood, she was ultimately the Family’s direct daughter; the seniors might have their intentions, but it ultimately depended on how the Family Head, Li Guorui, saw these matters.

If the Family Head chose to protect Xiaoya, then no one could harm her.

But if one day the Li Family truly faced a dire situation, whether the Family Head would maintain his stance was something neither Fu Mandie nor Li Chengde could be sure of.