Deliberately Approaching
Chapter 188: Madam Lai Was Once a Fangirl

Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Madam Lai Was Once a Fangirl

Nanjing Villa, the study room.

After school, Li Zihan didn’t go to Jinlin Garden but took a car directly back to Nanjiang Villa.

Ever since he saw the photo of Yi Xiaodan and his father, Li Zhenshan, early in the morning, his heart felt as though it were being pressed by a stone, particularly uncomfortable.

Once he was home, he pestered Madam Lai for the photo albums, saying he wanted to see how everyone looked in the past.

However, after flipping through two albums, he couldn’t find a trace of his father, as if he had never existed. On the contrary, in the album of his classmates, he saw Yi Xiaodan’s figure.

Previously unaware it was her, he might have seen her when he was little, but it was only today that he knew.

Cradling a guitar, her face full of smiles.

"Mom, so you knew Auntie Xiaodan. Is this taken in the dormitory?"

Actually, Li Zihan didn’t know how to refer to this girl who passed away 25 years ago. In the photos, she was so young, so beautiful, even more captivating than movie stars.

Madam Lai was initially startled, then nodded her head.

The word ’mistress’ suddenly barged into Li Zihan’s mind. Then he firmly fixed his gaze on the only photo of his parents together.

It hung in the most conspicuous place of the study room.

Li Zhenshan sat upright, looking straight ahead, while Madam Lai stood properly behind him to his right. They were very close to each other, but not a hint of a smile appeared on their faces, looking very solemn.

Li Zihan had always thought that this represented dignity, the demeanor of a wealthy family.

But now, it just felt chillingly cold.

"Mom, look at this photo of you when you were pregnant. Was it when you were carrying my brother and hadn’t even graduated?" Li Zihan joked.

After Madam Lai nodded, she took a sip of tea.

So, all those rumors were true!

Mom married Dad because she was pregnant with my brother.

That’s why Dad always stayed away and lived in Li Garden with my brother, avoiding Mom, not because it was more convenient for hosting parties or discussing business or anything like that.

My existence might just be an accident!

"Mom, which of you knew... Dad first?" Li Zihan ventured.

He couldn’t give up hope nor wanted to believe that his mother could be someone who sought to climb the social ladder by attaching herself to a powerful man.

"I’m not sure about that. At that time, there were many girls who liked your father. He got good grades, came from a good family, and was handsome; anyone who saw him would be moved. I knew of him from the start of school and would often sneak over to the Medical College... just to watch him."

So, Mom was also one of Dad’s groupies, not for the purpose of advancing herself into a wealthy family, but because of love, because she loved Dad.

A radiant smile instantly bloomed!

"And Auntie Xiaodan, would she also sneak off to see him?" Li Zihan probed again.

Madam Lai’s lips curled slightly into a smile as she shook her head, "She was more reserved and had a strong sense of self-respect; I doubt she would go. But your dad, in his pursuit of her, even moved dormitories, and if it weren’t for your grandfather intervening, he might have even changed his major."

Li Zihan: "?"

I am definitely not on the same level as Dad.

That era was truly crazy!

Li Zihan knew that his father had studied pharmaceutical science, so he could never understand how he had been roommates with Principal Shen; it turned out that it was all for pursuing Yi Xiaodan.

"Was Dad really afraid of Grandpa?"

"Not afraid, but your grandfather’s health was poor, and he couldn’t be angered, so some things couldn’t be forcibly pursued; we had to find a way, just like..."

As she was speaking, Madam Lai suddenly stopped, her eyes twinkling with starlight.

She remembered that afternoon from 25 years ago.

"Little Minzi, Min’er!"

Yi Xiaodan called out while looking in the mirror, gesturing with her hands as she held a pure purple pleated dress.

It was her favorite color.

"What are you giggling about? You look like a little fool!" Yuan Min walked over, teasing.

"Quick, help me look, which dress is prettier? Zhenshan... he might propose to me in the next few days, I’m so nervous!"

Yuan Min expressed surprise, "Propose? That quick, have you met the parents, did they agree?"

However, grinning from ear to ear, Yi Xiaodan was completely immersed in joy, incessantly flipping through dresses, not hearing Yuan Min’s question at all.

"How about this one?"

"Your skin is fair; it suits you quite well."

"Right, I also prepared a little gift, guess what it is. It’s a small wooden box, bet you didn’t expect that. I carved it myself, and inside, there are two little dolls."

Yi Xiaodan spoke while opening another chest, quickly finding a beautifully carved wooden box.

"Look, this is it. I made it during the summer break, it took me a whole month."

Yuan Min took the box, slowly opening it: "Little dolls? You two are so gross, don’t tell me you’re already living together?"

"No, what nonsense, we’ve only held hands. It’s a beautiful blessing."

"Another one of your local traditions?"

"Yes, yes, it symbolizes fertility and profound blessings. It’s essential for marriage. When we have kids in the future, we’ll name him Zishen, regardless of whether it’s a boy or girl. Zhenshan thinks it sounds really nice; he likes it a lot."

"Zishen? You’ve even picked out a name?"

"Zhenshan thought of it when he took me fishing, so look, I carved a twin lotus and a carp on this box, pretty, isn’t it?"

"Pretty, it’s quite nice."

The voice of Yi Xiaodan, laughing so sweetly, so beautifully, lingered in my ears.

In the blink of an eye, 25 years had passed.

Madam Lai suddenly spoke up, "Your brother’s name, Zishen, was given by Xiaodan."

At that moment, Li Zihan was flipping through the photo album and was shocked by his mother’s words.

"My brother? At that time, Aunt Xiaodan... oh, she must have chosen it for her own child, right? And then..."

Madam Lai nodded awkwardly: "Yes, your dad used it for your brother."

"My dad is quite... that."

"Quite sentimental, right? Indeed very sentimental! Alright, I’m going downstairs, to see if the meal is ready, I’ll have Nanny Wu call you in a bit."

"Mom, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have believed the rumors." Li Zihan was feeling guilty.

"No, it’s just..."

"Do you miss dad?"

Madam Lai nodded, "Let’s not bring up the past anymore. Me and your father... it’s true as the rumors say, he didn’t love me. His heart only had Xiaodan till his dying day. As long as you and your brother are alright, there’s nothing else I regret in this life."

As she said this, Madam Lai’s voice was shaky and hoarse, her back turned to Li Zihan.

Li Zihan knew his mother was crying.

After his father’s death, it was his mother who propped up the family business, covertly and overtly guarding against his uncle, Li Wanshan’s schemes, until his brother, Li Zishen, came of age, and life finally settled down.

Those years were so challenging!

"Mom, rest assured, my brother and I have grown up, we’ll take good care of you, not letting you suffer the slightest grievance, no one will."

Madam Lai didn’t speak but nodded and departed.

Watching his mother’s frail figure, Li Zihan felt a pinch at his nose and silently swore never to bring up Yi Xiaodan again in his lifetime.

As he was pondering, he suddenly heard two loud shouts.

"Madam, madam!"

"Quick, someone, the madam has fainted."