Chapter 113: A Lifelong Regret

It was supposed to be this summer when Old Gu’s third son would go on blind dates and remarry. In truth, he initially just wanted a wife to help take care of the children. After all, Gu Nan was growing older and increasingly mischievous, needing someone to discipline him.

However, the third son’s work outside the home was overwhelming; he was too busy to manage it all and felt guilty constantly leaving the child at the Li family’s house. Perhaps because his own conditions were fairly decent, standing out among many widowers, he soon found a stepmother for Gu Nan.

Unfortunately, this stepmother was duplicitous—she would act perfectly kind in front of Gu Nan and the third son, treating Gu Nan as if he were her own flesh and blood. Yet behind their backs, she was harsh and cruel to him. Later, when she had her own child, her true nature fully revealed itself. She fussed endlessly over her own baby while neglecting Gu Nan completely, leaving him to fend for himself.

Thankfully, Gu Nan was determined and studious, working hard to take the college entrance exam. But the acceptance letter was intercepted by the stepmother, who secretly burned it. Everyone assumed Gu Nan had failed to get in. Had it not been for Li Kai taking Gu Nan with him to venture into business, where they prospered together and uncovered the truth of what had happened, Gu Nan would have believed he simply didn’t pass. Though he never attended university, it remained a lifelong regret in his heart.

The timeline matched up. So indeed, Old Gu’s third son was genuinely preparing to remarry?

The twin brothers, upon hearing this, felt a chill. Though Gu Nan’s father wasn’t as good as their own parents, he had always treated his son fairly well. If a stepmother came along and turned their father into someone who hit Gu Nan, that would be truly pitiful.

Li Jiang’s eyes flickered as he devised a plan. “When Third Uncle goes to meet potential matches, we can quietly follow along and sabotage his matchmaking, right?”

Actually, Old Gu’s third son was about the same age as Li Sheng, but since he was sworn brothers with Li Zhirong, the children all called him Third Uncle. However, Li Sheng and Li Kai, being older, refused to use that term and simply called him Third Uncle.

It all sounded confusing, but luckily the Li family’s rules were not strict, allowing each to call whom they pleased without issue.

Listening to the children’s nonsense, Tang Xin remained silent but watched carefully. One day soon, she decided to have a chat with her mother-in-law. Indeed, as the two younger brothers suggested, it might be possible to disrupt this impending marriage.

Gu Nan was a good child—intelligent and sensible. It was such a pity that someone had ruined his chance to attend university.

That night, Tang Xin had even more important matters on her mind.

Thinking of how Li Sheng was leaving early the next morning, she felt a deep reluctance to part, even though she knew he had to work. The family understood as well; after dinner, everyone quietly returned to their own rooms or went out to play. It was peaceful and calm.

Knowing the young couple’s strong bond and that their farewell would be difficult, the family gave them space and time to express their feelings.

Well, the phrase “express their feelings” was actually coined by Li Kai. It seemed that knowing more words with age did have its advantages. He would speak in such elaborate ways, almost teasing others for not understanding.

In truth, the couple didn’t do much beyond normal conjugal activities and barely spoke. They simply held each other silently. Perhaps, at that moment, silence was more eloquent than words.

Later, both fell asleep, but in the middle of the night, Li Sheng was awakened by soft sobbing.

He found his young wife crying quietly in her sleep, her sobs pitiful and broken.

He hurriedly turned on the light but saw she was still asleep, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. Her eyes were bloodshot, her small face drowned in sorrow, looking utterly helpless.

Li Sheng was stunned. Normally, he only saw her smile; seeing her so sorrowful pierced his heart deeply.

He gently called her awake. When Tang Xin opened her eyes, she was momentarily dazed. Then, regaining herself, she threw herself into Li Sheng’s arms, sobbing, “I had a nightmare—I dreamed something bad happened to you.”

Since he was about to leave, she refrained from saying the harshest word.

Previously, she had used the nightmare as an excuse, a way to remind him to be cautious on the road and avoid danger.

But just now, somehow, the dream had unfolded exactly like the story’s plot—the entire process of Li Sheng’s fatal car accident, vivid images, and the people involved appeared alive in her dream.

It was as if she had been right by his side, experiencing the hardships he endured, including the agony of his downfall.

After Li Sheng’s death, the original Tang Xin also met with disaster. Her soul hovered above, witnessing the subsequent misfortunes that befell the Li family.

It turned out not only the eldest sister would suffer in her in-laws’ home, but the vain youngest sister would be deceived by a man, leading to a loss of innocence and an unexpected pregnancy, dragging their parents into ruin.

Li Kai’s drive to succeed in business stemmed from this family upheaval, pushing him relentlessly forward.

The profound changes and the agonizing pain they endured were indescribable.

Previously, it was just reading a book for entertainment, but now, over these days, she had truly become part of the Li family—living with them day and night, feeling the warmth of family and love.

Dreaming again of those tragic scenes, Tang Xin found it unbearable, trembling uncontrollably.

After all, Tang’s father had always been a scoundrel in her heart. Though the original Tang Xin had strong affection for her mother, since coming here, she truly bonded with people like Li Zhirong and Fang Shi.

With the Li family, she experienced the beauty of familial love.

Suddenly, Tang Xin felt a sacred sense of mission. Since she had arrived here, could she not briefly act as a savior, altering the Li family’s fate?

Seeing his wife cry so freely without restraint, Li Sheng felt as if his heart were breaking, and once again resolved not to take another trip.

After all, it wasn’t necessary to go far for work; he could just drive nearby, studying with his close brothers how to “serve the people” properly.

(Note: This was what Chen Liguo said. Actually, at first, Tang Xin had taught him that one shouldn’t openly engage in business. Being a merchant is about providing services and meeting others’ needs—that’s why it’s called serving the people.)

Reason told them that Li Sheng would be gone at most a month or two before returning home.

Emotionally, they wished to be inseparable every moment.

So Li Sheng stopped trying to persuade her, holding his wife tightly, letting her cry her heart out.

When Tang Xin finally finished crying and calmed down, she felt much lighter, as if the gloom that had gathered in her heart over these days had dissipated.

Though she felt somewhat sentimental—after all, she was a wife now and yet cried like a young girl—it was a release she desperately needed.