Chapter 143 There Are Still Sixty-Nine More

After a long pause, Leng Qinghua spoke: “Jingmo, during this time, I’ve noticed how well you’ve taken care of me. Auntie remembers everything.”

“But one thing must be kept separate. No matter what, I cannot agree to anything between you and Xiao Er.”

Song Jingmo felt his heart sink.

Leng Qinghua’s tone carried a hint of self-mockery and bitterness: “How did you two even end up together?”

“When you went abroad, Xiao Er suddenly decided with iron will to enter the entertainment industry—it probably had something to do with you, right?”

“I don’t blame you for this, nor do I blame Xiao Er. Ultimately, it was all my doing. I was the one who put you two together, so the responsibility is mine.”

“Jingmo,” Leng Qinghua’s voice now bore the authority and earnestness of an elder, “you’re a good child. Auntie really likes you.”

“Even if you two throw caution to the wind, have you thought about the people around you? About the two families? This isn’t just your matter alone.”

“Auntie, I’m sorry.”

Song Jingmo’s voice was low but resolute. “I understand your concerns. But I cannot—and will not—break up with Er’er.”

“He isn’t someone fleeting in my life; he’s been etched into it long ago. Please, don’t put me in an impossible position.”

Leng Qinghua gave a wry smile. “Jingmo, it’s not that I’m trying to make things hard for you—reality is making it hard for everyone.”

“I’ll make him break up with you and get engaged to Lu Yanyan immediately. If you still consider me your aunt and value the ties between our families, don’t interfere with him again.”

“All right,” Song Jingmo slightly bowed, his voice a little hoarse. “Take care of yourself, rest well.”

In the office:

“Teacher Song…” a timid voice called at the door.

Leng Keyan peeked in, his face full of guilt and unease. His eyes were red and swollen—obviously from crying.

“Teacher Song, I’m sorry…” His voice choked. “It’s all my fault… I’ve dragged you and Uncle… into this…”

Song Jingmo sighed, trying to soothe him. “Even if tonight hadn’t happened, your grandmother would have found out about me and Er’er sooner or later.”

Hospitals are crowded; walls have ears.

He had already prepared himself for this day.

The next day, Lu Er had just finished filming and was about to return to the RV to rest when his phone rang.

“Hey, Mom? Have you eaten?”

On the other end, Leng Qinghua got straight to the point: “Xiao Er, how’s it going with Lu Yanyan? Things feeling okay?”

Er’er muttered, “It’s fine, just… ordinary friends.”

“Mom has thought it through. During the New Year, we’ll finalize your marriage with Yanyan and hold the engagement banquet first.”

“What?”

Er’er’s voice changed tone. “Mom, are you joking? We’ve only known each other a short time—getting engaged already is way too soon.”

“Too soon? Feelings can grow slowly; we just need to finalize the marriage first.”

Leng Qinghua’s tone brooked no argument. “I’ve already spoken with your Uncle and Aunt Lu—they agree as well.”

Er’er panicked. “Mom, it’s not the modern age for forcing people into marriage! Besides, I—”

“Besides what?” Leng Qinghua interrupted, her voice suddenly cold. “Besides still entangling with Song Jingmo, right?”

Er’er’s fingers tightened around the phone.

“I’ve already spoken to Jingmo. He agreed not to bother you anymore. You’d better put that thought to rest and focus on the engagement banquet.”

“No way.” Er’er’s chest hurt so badly he could barely breathe. “Jingmo wouldn’t agree.”

“Why would I lie to you?” Leng Qinghua’s voice was cruelly calm. “If you insist on being with Jingmo, then leave the Lu family immediately.”

“All your shares, dividends, properties, and cars under your name—you’ll have nothing. Everything in the Lu family—you won’t get a single thing.”

“Mom, I never wanted to fight over family assets. Take back the shares and dividends if you want. Take the cars and houses if you want. But please don’t make things hard for Jingmo. From the start, it was me who pursued him.”

Without waiting for a response, he hung up.

Er’er immediately dialed the number she knew so well.

On the other end, Song Jingmo’s tired voice answered: “Er’er?”

“Song Jingmo,” Er’er demanded, “is what my mom said true? Are you really going to break up with me? Stop bothering me?”

“Er’er, calm down.” Song Jingmo’s voice remained steady. “I didn’t agree to a breakup.”

“I only promised that if you ultimately choose to get engaged to the Lu Yanyan, I won’t interfere with your life or make things difficult for you.”

He paused, his voice lowering. “I didn’t agree to break up. I won’t let go—unless you tell me yourself, ‘I don’t want you.’”

“This is the last bit of dignity I can offer you, and the minimum respect I can show your mother.”

Song Jingmo wasn’t giving up on him—he was leaving the final choice to Er’er.

He was giving up the possibility of forcing him after he had chosen to compromise.

The sharp pain in Er’er’s heart eased slightly, but anger and frustration still surged.

“Song Jingmo, you bastard.”

His voice carried both tears and stubbornness. “Do you also think we can’t go on? That I’ll choose family wealth, a normal life?”

Song Jingmo was silent for a few seconds before speaking again, his voice almost coaxing: “Er’er, don’t be angry, okay?”

“No, I’m angry—the kind you can’t soothe.”

Er’er was like a fluffed-up cat.

Song Jingmo’s voice took on a teasing warmth: “I have seventy ways to make you feel better.”

Er’er asked, exasperated: “Seventy ways?”

Song Jingmo’s voice was low, clear, and gentle in a special way: “The first way—kisses.”

“From your forehead, to your eyes, to the tip of your nose, to your cheeks… and finally… keep kissing until you’re no longer angry.”

“Cut it out.” Er’er protested stubbornly, but his voice softened without him noticing. “And the other sixty-nine?”

Song Jingmo chuckled softly over the phone, warmth tingling through his voice: “The rest… are sixty-nine.”

“You… you pervert!”

Er’er spent a while holding back, finally shouting at the phone, red-faced, yet without any real force.

On the other end, Song Jingmo’s laughter deepened.