Long Yubei glanced at her, reaching instinctively for his trouser pocket.
Gu Lili gently restrained his hand and whispered, "Wait a moment before you look."
Amused, he inquired, "What is it?"
"You'll understand once you've seen it."
Curiosity piqued, Long Yubei rose deliberately and ascended the stairs.
Once upstairs, he withdrew the paper from his pocket and began to read.
Upon encountering the opening line, a smile spread across his lips.
"My beloved Beibei: When He Meiwei calls you this, I feel displeased, for I am your wife, yet I have never addressed you so until now. This, at last, is the first time I have called you thus—it is a love letter. You are remarkable and radiant; many women admire and adore you and wish to wed you—one more or less makes no difference. Yet, at this moment, you are my closest kin. I cherish the look in your eyes when you promised to marry me. I treasure the week we spent honeymooning in Xiliang Mountain, just the two of us. I adore your domineering spirit and your tender heart. Each morning, I delight in seeing you. I wish for a life of gentle, enduring companionship with you. I long to bear you a child, as outstanding, handsome, and gallant as you. Imagine us, hand in hand with our little one—a family of three, basking in happiness."
Throughout his school days, he had received countless love letters, yet none stirred his heart.
Occasionally, in a moment of whimsy, he would glance at them—but they never evoked any emotion.
This letter was different.
It lacked ornate language or grandiloquent phrases.
Yet it painted a vivid tableau that he could see with his very eyes.
He clasped the delicate sheet, allowing the words to wash over his heart, his eyes shimmering with waves of mirth.
Returning to his study, he carefully placed the letter within the pages of his favorite book before descending the stairs.
Seeing him emerge, Gu Lili knew he had read it.
Yet his composed expression left her feeling somewhat disheartened.
It was not the reaction she had hoped for.
But when Long Yubei cupped her face before the gathered company and kissed her, the world seemed to fall into hushed stillness.
A playful voice whispered in her ear, "What are you two doing? I'm still underage! Such public displays of affection are utterly excessive!"
Long Yubei broke the kiss, his eyes sparkling as they met hers—though silent, that glance spoke volumes. Gu Lili knew without doubt he treasured the letter she had penned.
"Brother, could you mind your manners? We're all here!" Long Tianjiao chided loudly.
"This is my home; I will do as I please. If you don't like it, close your eyes," he declared with casual authority.
The banquet had barely begun, yet the room buzzed with lively conversation.
Gu Lili blended effortlessly into the camaraderie.
"Lianghe, when I graduate university, can I join you?"
Lianghe shot a disapproving look at Long Tianjiao. "Why is it that you always call Old Shen 'brother,' but you address me by my given name?"
"I'm just not used to calling you that. Fine, I'll join you after graduation."
"Impossible." Lianghe saw through her immediately. "You, a pampered heiress who's never lifted a finger, working with me? Would I be your boss or your servant?"
"I'd be your manager, not your assistant."
"That's even worse—I already have a manager."
"But your manager was chosen straight from your Weibo followers after university, right?" Long Tianjiao retorted, puzzled. "Why can she do it, but I can't?"
"Too many reasons. First, like I said, you're too much trouble. Second, you don't listen to me. Third, your major isn't a good fit. Isn't that enough?" Lianghe threw up his hands. "I don't need a manager who's a drama queen. You've always been high-maintenance—I can't handle it."