TSWPF -Chapter 164 Twisted

The atmosphere at Li Qingling’s home was completely opposite from that at the Tong residence. After talking with Zhao Yichen, she was about to head back home.

But to her surprise, Zhao Yichen had prepared three large trunks of dowry gifts for her.

At first, she thought the gifts were far too extravagant and didn’t want to accept them.

However, Zhao Yichen used his silver tongue to persuade her, and in the end, she had no choice but to reluctantly take the three trunks of gifts home.

When she arrived, she happened to see Liu Zhimou standing at the door. She quickly waved at him, asking him to help carry the trunks.

Liu Zhimou looked and, surprised, asked, “What did you buy?”

As he carried one of the trunks down with effort, Li Qingling waved her hand and smiled bitterly. “I didn’t buy anything. These are dowry gifts from Young Master Zhao.”

She hadn’t expected Zhao Yichen to be so generous, gathering so many fine things for her.

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou’s gaze flickered, and he pressed his lips together. As he moved the trunks, he asked cautiously, “When did Young Master Zhao come back?” He was well aware of Zhao Yichen’s feelings toward Li Qingling, but fortunately, she would be marrying him in a few days.

“He came back today.” Mentioning this reminded Li Qingling of the incident in town. She shot Liu Zhimou a glance. “I’ll tell you about it later.” Saying that, she picked up a trunk and strode inside.

Not knowing what she wanted to say, Liu Zhimou quickly picked up the trunks and hurried after her.

After placing the trunks in the main hall, he quickly ran back out to fetch another one.

“What did you girls buy while shopping?” the old man asked, peeking at the trunks.

Li Qingling poured herself a cup of tea, drank it, then poured one for Liu Zhimou and pushed it toward him before speaking. “I didn’t buy anything. These are dowry gifts from Young Master Zhao.”

The old man, curious, went to open the trunks. Seeing the contents, he clicked his tongue twice. “These are really fine things! That boy isn’t bad—very generous.” He picked up a hairpin and examined it.

He had met Zhao Yichen and could tell he liked Li Qingling, but unfortunately, she already had someone.

Liu Zhimou was about to lift his tea cup when he heard the old man’s words. His gaze fell on the hairpin in the old man’s hand, and his eyes darkened.

That hairpin… really an eyesore.

From now on, he would buy even better things for Li Qingling.

“Qingling, what did you want to tell me earlier?” Liu Zhimou finally withdrew his gaze and looked at her, not wanting to see anything that would annoy him.

As for Zhao Yichen… he would never have another chance in this lifetime, not even the next, nor the one after that. Li Qingling could only belong to him.

Li Qingling met Liu Zhimou’s deep, penetrating gaze and told him about what had happened in town.

“Do you think this will affect you?”

She was genuinely worried.

“What?” Hearing this, Liu Zhimou’s body tensed. He pulled Li Qingling up from her chair and anxiously scanned her from head to toe, worried that she might have been hurt.

Seeing his worry, Li Qingling smiled and reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. I didn’t fall.” If it hadn’t been for Zhao Yichen appearing at just the right moment, she really would have been in trouble.

Seeing that she was truly unharmed, Liu Zhimou finally relaxed a little, though his expression remained grim. Tong Wanrong had come to trouble Li Qingling repeatedly, and he would not tolerate her anymore.

Even if she was a gentleman’s daughter, how dare she harm the woman he loved? He could never allow it.

“Don’t go out to town alone next time,” he couldn’t help but admonish her. He also felt a twinge of regret—if he had gone with her today, none of this would have happened.

“This was just an accident. It won’t happen again. Don’t worry too much—I can protect myself,” she said firmly. She wasn’t a delicate flower that couldn’t withstand wind or rain.

If she let fear stop her, how could she expand her business in the future?

Liu Zhimou, serious and tender, said, “Qing’er, promise me—if you go out, take someone with you. Don’t make me worry, okay?”

Facing his worried eyes, Li Qingling couldn’t help but nod.

After nodding, she realized with a little annoyance and pouted. “All these handsome-man schemes… so annoying.”

“Good girl…” Liu Zhimou gently ruffled her hair.

“Will this incident affect you?”

“No, I’ll handle it,” he replied.

The old man, having been silent for a while, chimed in after hearing Liu Zhimou. “Yes, this was caused by him, so he should be the one to resolve it. You, girl, just focus on being a good bride!”

Having spoken, the old man glanced at Liu Zhimou, scolding him silently for attracting all these troublesome affairs that nearly caused Li Qingling to suffer.

Liu Zhimou understood perfectly what the old man meant. He rubbed his nose awkwardly, feeling even more annoyed at Tong Wanrong.

He had only met her two or three times—how could she have taken a liking to him already?

He truly felt wronged.

Li Qingling glanced at him. Seeing his worry-free expression, she smiled and nodded.

Originally, Liu Zhimou had requested a few days off from the academy to fully prepare for his wedding with Li Qingling.

But his wife had been mistreated, and as her husband, he naturally had to stand up for her.

So, he left the academy he had taken leave from and hurried there.

He intended to go find Tong Xiansheng after school to discuss the matter.

But before he could act, Tong Xiansheng summoned him.

Tong Xiansheng’s expression was slightly reserved as he looked at his proud student, yet inside, he felt sorry for him, thinking he had married a wife with a difficult personality.

“Student is here. What is required of me?” Liu Zhimou’s thoughts spun. He guessed Tong Xiansheng had called him about Li Qingling and Tong Wanrong, but he pretended not to know, curious to hear what Tong Xiansheng had to say.

“Sit,” Tong Xiansheng gestured to a chair. Once Liu Zhimou sat, he spoke again. “Ziqian, you are getting married in a few days, correct?”

“Yes. If you have time, sir, come drink a cup of celebration wine with us.”

Tong Xiansheng didn’t say whether he would come or not. He sighed softly. “Ziqian, are you really sure you want to marry your fiancée?”

If his prized student married his daughter, he would wake up laughing in his dreams.

Unfortunately, Liu Zhimou had already set a fiancée, and her temperament wasn’t good—this was a real hardship.

Liu Zhimou looked Tong Xiansheng in the eye and nodded firmly. “Sir, do you have an issue with my fiancée?”

He could hear the disapproval in Tong Xiansheng’s tone.

Tong Xiansheng, unconsciously tapping his knee, looked at Liu Zhimou. “Ziqian, your fiancée has a bad temper, is arrogant and overbearing, and easily offends others. That won’t benefit your career.”

If Liu Zhimou broke off the engagement, Tong Xiansheng would not hesitate to introduce his daughter to him.

Such a perfect son-in-law opportunity—anyone would want to seize it.

Arrogant and overbearing?

Li Qingling could never be considered arrogant and overbearing!

What could Tong Xiansheng’s daughter have said to make her father misunderstand like this?

“Hmm? Sir, have you met my fiancée? How could you think this?” Liu Zhimou tilted his head, puzzled.

Tong Xiansheng also looked at Liu Zhimou, puzzled. Had Li Qingling not told him what happened in town?

Thinking of what Madame Tong had told him, Tong Xiansheng cleared his throat. “Yesterday, my younger daughter met your fiancée. Your fiancée spoke harshly to her, and my daughter fainted from anger.” Seeing his daughter’s pale face, he was heartbroken and disliked Li Qingling even more. “Ziqian, if you marry that fiancée, your household may not be peaceful!”

Liu Zhimou raised an eyebrow, surprised that Tong Wanrong had reported the events to her father in such a twisted way. People really shouldn’t be judged by appearances…

“Sir, there seems to be some misunderstanding. What I heard is not like that.”

“Oh? Ziqian, what did you hear? Did your fiancée tell you?”

Liu Zhimou explained, “Yesterday, after my fiancée returned home, she looked worried and didn’t eat. I asked her many times, and she reluctantly told me.” He sighed deeply, just like Tong Xiansheng had. “It’s important. I didn’t just listen to her. Before school, I made inquiries myself…”

He glanced at Tong Xiansheng, hesitant. Tong Xiansheng’s heart skipped a beat, sensing something might be wrong.

Could it be that the events were different from what his daughter described?

“Ziqian, speak freely.”

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou recounted the situation in detail.

“If you don’t believe me, you can check for yourself…” He looked embarrassed, stammering, “Sir, this matter… it concerns me…”

Tong Xiansheng never expected it to turn out this way. How could his daughter be so bold as to push someone? This was completely unlike her.

Who was lying?

He looked at Liu Zhimou seriously. His prized student could never fabricate such a thing.

His heart already inclined to believe Liu Zhimou.

“I will investigate this matter. If it truly was my daughter’s fault, we will come apologize.” Thinking back to earlier, he had advised Liu Zhimou not to marry his fiancée. Now the matter had shifted to his daughter’s fault—it was utterly humiliating.

No matter what, Tong Xiansheng was still his teacher, so he could not easily accept it. Liu Zhimou politely declined, saying it wasn’t necessary.

Tong Xiansheng waved his hand. “It is necessary.”

At that, Liu Zhimou said no more. After discussing his studies with Tong Xiansheng, he left.