Chapter 53: Yuexi's Tears

"What a 'I am a Liu Family member' indeed!" Li Nianlong sneered, now understanding many things that had puzzled him before. Why did Li Ying never go to the Liu Family Castle? Why did she never mention the Liu Family? Now, it all made sense.

"When the Liu Family was at its peak, did they ever think of me and Mother? Did the Old Patriarch ever have a shred of gratitude for raising my mother? Did he even know he had a grandson like me? No! Never!" As Li Nianlong spoke, his emotions grew more intense, culminating in a punch on the coffee table. With a crash, the tempered glass top shattered, teapot and cups overturned, spilling green tea across the floor.

"Big Brother…" Yuexi was startled, and Nalan Ruyue shared her concern.

Li Nianlong stared coldly at Shao Meiyun. "Now that the Liu Family is in trouble, they remember me. The Liu Family really calculates well, treating me like a pawn they can summon and dismiss at will!"

Shao Meiyun met his gaze calmly. "The imperial family is the most ruthless, followed by prominent clans, and then large families. There's only so much cake to go around, but many hands want a piece. Leaders must make choices. If it were you, you'd have to allocate according to the rules, or else you'd bring endless troubles to the family."

Standing up quietly, Shao Meiyun spoke with a tinge of understanding. "I know it's hard for you to accept all this suddenly. I can give you time to consider. If you decide…" She placed a business card on the sofa. "Call me anytime."

With that, Shao Meiyun turned and walked towards the door. Li Nianlong, Nalan Ruyue, and Yuexi didn't move. They had no intention of seeing her off; the information overload required digestion.

Shao Meiyun paid no heed to these details. Reaching the door, she paused silently before turning back to say, "Meng Long, in terms of kinship, you should call me Cousin. I'm also the Old Patriarch's granddaughter, an outsider to the Liu Family, but for the safety of the Liu Family, I haven't rested properly for fifty days and nights. I sleep less than two hours a day. I'm a woman, already in my thirties, and I'm struggling to keep up."

Seeing Li Nianlong remain silent, Shao Meiyun pleaded, "You're a man. Even if you don't consider the Liu Family, consider my situation. Can you really bear to see me suffer? Moreover, the Old Patriarch has lost his son and grandsons in his old age,suffering successive blows, and his health has deteriorated. Doctors said if he rests well, he could live a few more years, but now, during this tumultuous period for the Liu Family, everything requires the Old Patriarch's attention. This can't continue for long; I fear he won't hold on much longer.

Meng Long, blood is thicker than water. Whether you admit it or not, the fact that you're a Liu won't change. If you can watch the Liu Family perish indifferently, then pretend I was never here, and no one will disturb your life again."

Tears trickled down Shao Meiyun's cheeks as she choked up, wiping them away. "Meng Long, think carefully. Don't disappoint me, or the Old Patriarch. After all... the Liu Family has reached a dead end."

With those words, Shao Meiyun left.

The Liu Family had reached a dead end.

Li Nianlong clenched his fists, his eyes reflecting intense struggle.

Silence lingered in the living room. Even the lively and cheerful Yuexi clung to Li Nianlong's arm, her body trembling slightly.

Yuexi was afraid, truly afraid.

She had been scared since learning Li Nianlong was of Liu Family blood.

"I killed Big Brother's uncle and cousin... How could this be? Why?"

Both Li Nianlong and Yuexi were lost in their thoughts, unable to extricate themselves. Nalan Ruyue, though worried, didn't know what to say.

After a prolonged silence, Nalan Ruyue got up, collected the broken teapot and cups amidst the debris, washed them in the kitchen, discarded the shattered coffee table, cleaned the floor, closed the doors and windows, and fetched two cans of chilled tea from the fridge.

Feeling a cool sensation on his face, Li Nianlong instinctively leaned back, recognizing the chilled tea and Nalan Ruyue's caring gaze. His heart warmed as he accepted the drink, softly saying, "Thanks."

Nalan Ruyue shook her head gently, pressing the other can against Yuexi's face.

"Hey! Who plotted against me?" Yuexi reacted dramatically, nearly jumping off the sofa.

Yuexi smiled, pushing the chilled tea closer.

"For me?" Seeing Nalan Ruyue nod, Yuexi quickly took it, chuckling. "Thanks, Sister Ruyue."

Nalan Ruyue smiled faintly, turning to face Li Nianlong and signing, Brother, actually, you don't need to think so much. There are countless dynasties in this world that rise and fall, and those families, like dynasties, fluctuate in the tides of time, experiencing glory or ruin. The Liu Family isn't the first, nor will it be the last.

And brother, you've never been connected to the Liu Family since childhood. Even if they have problems, it shouldn't be your burden. The position of Patriarch seems lofty, but only when standing there do you understand the loneliness at the top.

Even if the Liu Family loses all its power, its people can still survive. As long as they live, the Liu Family remains. What the Liu Family fights for now is merely 'power'. Brother doesn't need to do anything for the Liu Family for these things. You should embrace each day with happiness. In life, regardless of wealth or poverty, happiness is paramount. Aren't we happy now?

"Is happiness the most important thing…" Li Nianlong froze, pondering Nalan Ruyue's words. His heavy heart eased, his face softening with gratitude as he looked at Nalan Ruyue. "Ruyue, I'm fine now. Thank you."

Nalan Ruyue smiled, signing, No need to thank me. We're a family.

A family...

Li Nianlong was nearly moved to tears. No matter where or when, or how great the hardship, those who stay by your side through it all are always your family.

Two months ago, Li Nianlong had lost his family, but now, he had gained a new one.

Having a family felt truly wonderful.

"I'm alright now." Li Nianlong almost instantly let go of all his psychological burdens, taking Nalan Ruyue's delicate hand in his and breaking into a radiant smile. "Ruyue, perhaps the best decision I've made in my life was bringing you home."

Nalan Ruyue's cheeks flushed as Li Nianlong held her hand, but her heart swelled with indescribable joy. Those words were the sweetest she had heard in recent times, and with them, she didn't regret coming to Tianfu at all.

"Hey! What about me?" Yuexi wasn't pleased with being left out and started vigorously shaking Li Nianlong's arm. "Big Brother, wasn't bringing me home the right decision too?"

"You little rascal..." Li Nianlong chuckled, releasing Nalan Ruyue's hand to tousle Yuexi's hair. "Always causing mischief. I should have never taken you in, left you wandering the streets, sleeping under bridges, fighting stray dogs for scraps."

"Waaah!" Yuexi pretended to wail, covering her face. "Big Brother is mean! I can't go on! Let me die, let me die..."

"Jumping or hanging?" Li Nianlong offered seriously. "Jumping's not good; you might end up dismembered. Hanging's bad too; eyes pop out, tongue swells, and you lose control of your bladder. Better take sleeping pills. Painless, keeps your body intact, and you'll pass away peacefully, ascending the stairs to heaven. But considering your mischievous ways, I guess you're destined for hell. Ah! Hell is terrifying! Impalement and boiling oil..."

"Drop dead!" Yuexi couldn't listen any further and rammed her head into Li Nianlong's chest. "I hate you! I'll take you down with me!"

Li Nianlong pulled Yuexi into a hug, letting her squirm as he smiled. "Just teasing. How could I let such a cute sister die? I want you to live well, find a wonderful man, fall in love, marry, have children... I won't let you die until I've seen you live a happy life."

Yuexi stopped struggling, her face red and heart warm, yet pretending to be haughty. "Well... that's better. Hmph! I, the magnanimous lady, shall forgive you this once."

"Thank you, mighty heroine, for not holding a grudge against a petty person like me," Li Nianlong chuckled, patting Yuexi's back. "It's late. Go to bed!" He paused. "Xixi, when are you and Chang'e leaving?"

Summer break was ending in three days, and Yuexi and Yue Chang would have to depart. They should have left earlier, but after staying at the villa, their bond deepened with each passing day, making the sisters reluctant to part, thus prolonging their stay.

Thinking about the impending separation, Li Nianlong felt a pang of sadness, but all good things must come to an end. Besides, they could visit during future holidays and stay in touch regularly, so there was no need for excessive melancholy.

"I'll check flight tickets on my phone later," Yuexi said, her eyes turning slightly red as she clung to Li Nianlong, burying her face in his neck. "Brother, I don't want to leave you."

"I don't want you to leave either," Li Nianlong whispered, stroking Yuexi's hair. "Travel and communication are easy these days. I'll call you, and when you're on break, you and Chang'e can come over. I'll make sure to spend time showing you around Tianfu."

"Mm."

"Alright, off to bed."

"Mm."

"Why are you still crying? Such a child."

"Mind your own business."

"Fine, I will. But please, don't wipe your nose on my shirt."

"I can do whatever i want."