178 — Li Lianmo Causes Trouble

Zhang Heying explained, "It's a call we've been expecting. We need to go and answer it quickly. We'll be back shortly. Enjoy yourselves and stay out of trouble." She added, directing a glance at the twins for extra measure.

"What do you take us for Mom? Don't worry, I'll make sure to watch Lianmo. She'll be a good girl." Li Junmo said in his usual playful tone.

"What do you mean? Do your bones need resetting?" Li Lianmo questioned in anger.

"Even if they do, it won't be from some quack doctor like you!" Li Junmo fired back.

"Will you two quiet down this instant! We haven't left yet, but you are already like this." Zhang Heying said, beginning to feel a headache.

"Sorry Mom." Both of them chorused, sounding like little schoolchildren that were caught fighting.

Zhang Heying ignored them and said to Pei Yueran, "I'm sorry Ran'er, we will be back in a jiffy."

Pei Yueran smiled, "Please take your time."

The Li couple left after giving the twins stern looks.

Since the conversation stalled a bit, Li Junmo grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV. "Sister-in-law, what would you like to watch?"

"I'm fine with anything, thank you."

"Really? I'll change it to the sports channel then."

"It's fine."

"Sister-in-law, do you know Big brother's favorite thing to watch?" This was from Li Lianmo. Pei Yueran noticed the way her teeth grinded on the words "Sister-in-law," but she didn't comment on it, only saying, "Financial news?"

"Right." Li Junmo gave her a thumbs up. Li Chuanmo was about to speak when his phone rang. "It's from Gaoyi Group. I'll answer and be back shortly."

After Pei Yueran nodded, he stood up and walked to the balcony. Through the glass paneling, she could see him talking calmly, one hand in the pocket of his suit trousers.

Although his expression hadn't changed, Pei Yueran could sense that he was having a tense conversation with whoever was on the other end. She was wondering if something was wrong when Li Junmo's voice cut into her reprieve.

"Earth to Sister-in-law. Are you missing Big brother already? He's not that far away." Li Junmo teased.

In spite of her best efforts to stop it, Pei Yueran still blushed. Li Junmo became slightly serious, "I'm sorry, did I embarrass you?"

"No it's fine. I just have thin skin. And yes, I'm missing him already." Pei Yueran replied after getting over her initial shyness.

"Ooohhhh. Serves me right for requesting dog food.' Li Junmo said with humor.

Both of them laughed.

Then a voice started, "So Sister-in-law, pardon me if it sounds rude, but I'm just curious: how did your former husband die?"

As if someone pressed the mute button, the laughter vanished without a trace.

"Li Lianmo!" Her twin brother shouted. Because he was no longer smiling, his face looked frighteningly similar to Li Qianye's.

"What? I'm just asking."

Pei Yueran waited for that familiar rush of emotions, the tightening pain and difficulty in breathing, but it didn't come. It made her find her calm very quickly.

"It's fine. It's not a secret actually. He died some years ago due to an accident after being in a coma for some time."

"Ah, I see. Sorry for your loss. I'm sure it must have hurt terribly because you loved him right?"

Pei Yueran only said, "Thank you, but it's all in the past now."

Li Junmo wished he could sew his sister's mouth shut for a few moments. "Lianmo," he called, shaking his head in an attempt to tell her to stop talking.

Li Lianmo was not ready to take the hint, "Oh, but I'm sure you love him, that's why you stayed unmarried for so long, right? Does my Big brother know this? Which makes me wonder, are you sure you love my Big brother now? Because he has a fragile heart—"

"Li Lianmo, what are you even saying? Can you just stop talking?"

"Leave me alone. I wasn't even talking to you." She retorted. Facing Pei Yueran once again, she was happy to see her turn pale.

"As I was saying, I don't think Big brother told you, but he has had the bad luck to meet with similar women multiple times, so I hope you make sure you love him for him. Don't pine after another man or his money and —"

"And what business of yours is it if she's after my money or in love with someone else?" Li Lianmo was so engrossed in her speech that she failed to notice Li Chuanmo's return.

The extremely cold voice made her freeze up for a moment. Then slowly turning, she came face to face with Li Chuanmo's frigid eyes.

They were so frosty that she shuddered. She knew him well enough to know it was mainly ice-cold rage that could turn his hazel eyes completely brown.

"Bi-Big br-brother, when d-did you return?"

Instead of responding, Li Chuanmo turned to Pei Yueran, "Please get up, let's go. I'll call Mother and Father to inform them."

"No, don't go. I can explain, I didn't mean—"

"Stop it." He said, making an effort to keep his anger in check. No matter what, he considered her a dear sister, and he didn't want to do or say something irreversible.

Li Chuanmo didn't speak in a harsh tone, but Li Lianmo still wanted to cry. Why did she even say those things without making sure her Big brother was out of earshot first?

"Ran, I said let's go."

Pei Yueran wanted to mediate at first, but looking at the rage in his eyes, she eventually stood up. When Li Chuanmo grabbed her hand tightly and turned to the door, She patted his hand lightly.

She waited for him to look at her before saying gently, "We'll go, but I need to say something first."

Li Chuanmo looked at her for a moment, noting that she had squared her shoulders and color was slowly returning to her cheeks before nodding.

Turning to Li Lianmo, Pei Yueran said in a soft but firm tone, "Thank you for your concern sister-in-law, but it's unnecessary. I know for a fact that I love Chuanmo deeply, and I don't have plans to pine after another man after being with him. It's not something I'll ever do."

"By the way, yes, he told me, and I've also told him everything he needs to know about me. We don't keep secrets from each other, we tell each other everything."