Chapter 158: Chapter 158

"Tianyao, you’re marrying a bride. What does marrying mean? Marrying naturally means bringing her into our own family. What’s this nonsense about living in Luocheng?"

"You’re the president of the Li Consortium, the head of the Li Family. Could it be that you want to be ’married into’ someone else’s family?"

"What does ’married into’ even mean these days..."

An Zhongbo and Li Shaofu each stuck to their points, neither giving way.

An Yan hadn’t expected her father to cling so stubbornly to this point. This rationale is brilliant! she thought. After all, the president of the Li Consortium definitely can’t be ’married into’ another family. Moreover, we’re discussing wedding arrangements now; surely Tianyao wouldn’t start a fight with his future father-in-law, right? So, the inevitable outcome is that the discussion will get nowhere today! We’ll each return to our own homes and talk another day. It’s best to drag it out until Gu Shifang is caught, then the wedding won’t have to happen at all.

"Who says living in Luocheng equates to being ’married into’ another family? Is the Li Consortium immovable? Can’t it be relocated from Shangjing City to Luocheng?"

The man’s voice was chilly, laced with a hint of impatience.

This time, not only was Li Shaofu startled, but An Yan was too. "You want to move the entire Li Consortium to Luocheng?"

What kind of joke is this? Is your Li Consortium a toy? One you can move wherever you wish? Fine, even if the Li Consortium could move, have you forgotten that you’re also the head of the Li Family? Does a family head not reside at his own home and run off elsewhere instead?

"Tianyao, shouldn’t we hold a meeting to discuss this matter?" Li Shaokang said.

"Yes, yes, this is a major issue! It can’t be taken lightly!" Li Shaofu added.

Li Tianyao’s gaze darkened, his voice completely devoid of warmth. "Discuss with whom?"

Li Shaofu and Li Shaokang simultaneously fell silent.

Indeed, whatever Li Tianyao wanted to do, he only needed to decide for himself. Their opinions, even though they were his elders, essentially held no weight. This was because the Li Family’s current standing was entirely due to the efforts of past Li family heads. These people, to put it bluntly, were merely leeching off the family.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to contribute, but it had been the tradition in the Li Family for generations—the family head’s word was law. They would rather be supported with a substantial allowance than be permitted to work in the Li Consortium. Of course, if they wished to start their own businesses, the family head wouldn’t object. However, those who failed before even reaching the midway point of their ventures were not few.

Gradually, everyone had become accustomed to this arrangement, living contentedly under the family head’s provision with a generous share, pursuing their own interests and hobbies. So, although members of the Li Family had achieved outstanding success in various fields, it was, in reality, a one-man show led by the family head, Li Tianyao.

Seeing that the Li Family elders had backed down so easily, An Yan took hold of Li Tianyao’s hand. "Stop it. A consortium that huge isn’t something you can just move on a whim, right?"

Since I’ve made up my mind to leave Li Tianyao, I don’t want him to sacrifice anything more for me! I’m afraid I won’t be able to repay him in the future.

"Besides, you’re still the head of the Li Family. Where does a family head go running off to?"

"So, are you coming with me to Shangjing?"

The man’s voice was deep, carrying a seductive undertone.

An Yan was speechless. Of course not! I don’t even want to marry him! But how can I say no without upsetting this man?

"No way!" An Zhongbo interjected, taking over from Li Tianyao. "I don’t agree to Yanyan marrying so far away!"

"Tianyao, think about it. What kind of family are the Lis? If Yanyan went to Shangjing alone, and if something happened to her, she wouldn’t have any relatives to turn to for discussion. What if you get too busy and neglect her? What if she gets lonely and sad?"

An Yaoluo chimed in, "Head of the Li Family, have you forgotten that Yanyan is still a student at Luocheng University?"

An Zhongbo quickly added, "Right, right, right! Yanyan still has to study at Luocheng University. Unless you agree to wait until after Yanyan graduates from college to get married!"

An Yan’s eyes also lit up. "I also think it would be better to wait until after I graduate from college to get married..."

"Wishful thinking!" The man reached out and pinched her earlobe. "We’ll get married in Luocheng! We can use the current house; it’s close to your home, and it won’t affect your schooling!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelFɪre.net

"Ah?" An Yan hadn’t expected Li Tianyao to compromise so easily. "Aren’t you afraid people will say you’re ’marrying into the wife’s family’?"

The man chuckled lightly. "Even if I am ’marrying into the wife’s family’, who would dare to have an opinion?"

An Yan was silent. Alright, I get it, you’re the boss!

Now that the wedding location was settled, the next topic was the wedding date. Li Shaokang and Li Shaofu strictly followed Li Tianyao’s wishes, pushing to bring the wedding date forward. They were so eager they seemed to want to hold the young couple’s ceremony the very next day.

But An Zhongbo disagreed. Oh no, he insisted on following the old customs: proposal, inquiry of names, determination of auspiciousness, sending of betrothal gifts, setting the date, and the groom personally welcoming the bride. He said these were the Six Rites, and not one could be omitted. But to carry out this entire set of procedures, a wedding wouldn’t be possible for at least half a year.

Li Shaofu seized the opportunity to retort, "In-law, you just said that the old custom of ’marrying into the wife’s family’ is undesirable. How come you’re now so insistent on following these ancient rites?"

"Can they be compared? I only have this one daughter. She will only marry once in her lifetime..."

In the end, Li Shaokang and Li Shaofu once again turned their gazes to Li Tianyao, letting him make the decision.

Li Tianyao lowered his gaze to An Yan. "You’re right, you’ll only marry once in your life. So, what do you want?"

"Of course, I’ll listen to my dad!" An Yan said, looking like a perfectly obedient daughter, clearly endorsing the sentiment that she would marry only once.

Li Tianyao was very satisfied. "Good. However, I’m agreeing not because I find your reasoning sound, but because I believe my wife deserves the grandest ceremony in the world!"

An Yan’s face warmed slightly, and she averted her gaze.

The man’s eyes deepened, and his fingers, wrapped around her waist, tightened a fraction. "Hiding from what?"

An Yan paused for a moment, then said, "I’m thin-skinned! I’m shy!"

"Heh!" The man chuckled softly. I probably know what this little girl is thinking, but I won’t give her the chance. The marriage certificate is already registered; she’s mine now.

He picked up a shrimp for her. "I thought you didn’t want a wedding and were ready to start married life directly."

"How could that be possible?" An Yan quickly tried to dispel his notion. "Which girl doesn’t yearn for her own wedding?"

"Then be happier!" The shrimp was already in her bowl, but he picked it out again, peeled off the shell, and then handed it back to her.

Li Shaokang, Li Shaofu, and Li Qingqing stared at this scene, their faces etched with shock.

Under everyone’s gaze, An Yan felt her cheeks flush. I’m so scared one of them will suddenly pipe up: ’Our Ninth Master has never peeled shrimp for anyone before! Miss, you’re the first person he’s ever cared so much about!’

To deflect the awkwardness, she decisively and swiftly picked up a piece of beef for Li Tianyao with her chopsticks. "You eat too!"

"Mm." Li Tianyao’s lips curved slightly. The food this little girl gives me seems to taste different from anything else!

Across the table, Li Qingqing snapped her chopsticks in half.