Chapter Forty-Three: The Unspoken Understanding Between Father and Daughter

"If you don't come soon, I'll be leaving."

"I often visit your estate, but it's rare to find you at home."

"I originally didn't dare to disturb you, lest I interrupt your studies. I was merely passing by."

……

"In order to make you love me, I can do anything that brings you joy. In my eyes, you are that bunch of white lilies; I must let you bloom in warmth, sheltered from any wind and rain. I once thought you would love me as much as I love you. But I was wrong. However, I have learned one truth: love cannot be forced. Because no matter what I do, you will never love me."

……

Liu Yifei recited Bai Xiuzhu's lines over and over, immersing herself completely in Bai Xiuzhu's life.

Every smile, every frown, every gesture—she seemed like Bai Xiuzhu who had stepped right out of the pages of a book.

At her age, Liu Yifei did not yet understand the complexities of romance. But as a student of Nicole Kidman, she knew how to handle such emotions. For instance, there was a ready-made example right before her eyes: the love between her mother and father.

Liu Yifei even coaxed Liu Xiaoli and Chen Siyuan into acting out a scene from the story of Bai Xiuzhu and Jin Yanxi.

"Mom, come help me, please. I just can't get that feeling right."

Liu Yifei hugged Liu Xiaoli's arm, acting spoiled.

"Xiaoli, why don't we give it a try?" Chen Siyuan felt a sudden stir in his heart.

"We aren't actors; how could we possibly act?" Liu Xiaoli waved her hands repeatedly in refusal.

Liu Yifei immediately cast a pleading look at Chen Siyuan.

"It's not that hard. Actually, acting must be quite interesting. Let's just try it first!"

Receiving Liu Yifei's signal, Chen Siyuan began to lobby Liu Xiaoli with all his might.

Unable to resist the persistent nagging of both father and daughter, Liu Xiaoli finally gave in and agreed to participate in their little performance.

The family read *The Story of a Noble Family* together, discussing how to act in order to fit the mood and context of the book. From her initial passive cooperation, Liu Xiaoli gradually grew to actively participate.

After going back and forth like this, Liu Xiaoli actually began to develop a fondness for the feeling of acting. It was an experience entirely different from dancing—stepping into another person's life and feeling another person's emotions.

Ever since giving birth to Chen Zehan, Liu Xiaoli had felt somewhat content with a quiet, desireless life. Yet today, quite remarkably, a faint flutter of excitement stirred within her heart.

"Mom, you acted so well! If you hadn't chosen dancing back then and had gone into acting instead, you probably would have won a Best Actress award!" Liu Yifei continued to offer enthusiastic emotional support from the sidelines.

"Xiaoli, if there's ever a chance, you really should give it a try. You're quite talented at it," Chen Siyuan chimed in.

"Really or not? You two father and daughter better not be pulling my leg!"

Despite her words, the smile on Liu Xiaoli's face was impossible to hide.

"All right, you two go on with your play. I'm going to make dinner."

Happily, Liu Xiaoli went off to prepare the meal. As she turned and walked away, Chen Siyuan and Liu Yifei shared a tacit, silent high-five.

Who knew when it had started, but the rapport between father and daughter had grown stronger and stronger.

"Xixi, you look over your book for a bit. I'm going to go help your mom!" Chen Siyuan followed her out.

In the kitchen, just as Liu Xiaoli was getting ready to prep the vegetables, she was caught in an embrace from behind by Chen Siyuan.

"I'm cooking here, let go!" Liu Xiaoli's face flushed red. Even though they already had children together, she still grew shy.

"Xiaoli, actually, I'm feeling quite conflicted," Chen Siyuan murmured, resting his chin on Liu Xiaoli's shoulder.

"Hm? What's so conflicting?" Liu Xiaoli turned her head, meeting Chen Siyuan's flawlessly handsome face.

"I support Xixi's dream, and I hope she can become a globally renowned movie star like Audrey Hepburn. But the moment I think about her romancing other men on a film set in the future, a knot forms in my chest!"

Hearing this, Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but laugh. "Nicole always says you're a daughter-con, and looking at you now, she's completely right! Since she's made up her mind to be an actress, how could things like that possibly be avoided?"

Though she teased him for being obsessed with his daughter, her heart was filled with warmth and tenderness.

Liu Yifei was not Chen Siyuan's biological daughter, yet he treated her even better than a biological father would.

"No way, from now on whenever Xixi joins a crew, I'm going to station myself there for a few days to keep a close eye on those ill-intentioned fellows. I won't let anyone harbor any inappropriate thoughts about Xixi!"

Between laughter and tears, Liu Xiaoli looked at him and said, "You won't need to do that. I'll just go accompany Xixi myself when the time comes."

"Aren't you planning to keep dancing?"

"I'm done! My own dream has already been fulfilled through you all." Liu Xiaoli gazed affectionately at Chen Siyuan.

Chen Siyuan turned her around and leaned down to kiss her.

"Dad, Dad......"

At that moment, Chen Zehan suddenly burst into the kitchen.

Liu Xiaoli hurriedly pushed Chen Siyuan away and turned back to chopping vegetables.

Chen Siyuan glared at Chen Zehan. "What is it? So rash and clumsy."

"Dad, I'm hungry! Make me something delicious!" Chen Zehan said eagerly, completely unaware that he had interrupted a romantic moment between his parents.

"What? Do you think your mom's cooking isn't good anymore?" Liu Xiaoli turned around and shot him a fierce glare.

Chen Zehan shrank his neck back. "Aha, Mom's cooking is delicious too... Dad, I'm going to go play with my older sister!" With a scurry, Chen Zehan bolted out of the room.

"Little brat!" Chen Siyuan scolded with a smile.

"The children are both home, be more mindful from now on," Liu Xiaoli said, her face still slightly flushed as she pinched Chen Siyuan playfully.

Chen Siyuan chuckled and lowered his voice near her ear. "Then let's wait until tonight..."

"Go on with you, I don't need your help here!" Rebuking him with a playful glare, Liu Xiaoli pushed him out of the kitchen.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Siyuan went to find the brother and sister.

As soon as he reached the doorway, he heard Chen Zehan enthusiastically telling Liu Yifei about his grandfather.

Liu Yifei listened while continuing to read her book. It was an open secret that their grandfather doted on this younger brother of hers. Chen Zehan spent more time with his grandfather than he did at home.

"Zehan, didn't your grandfather say he was going to stay at Baiyun Taoist Temple? Is he still staying at a hotel?" Chen Siyuan asked as he stepped into the room.

Chen Zehan slapped his forehead. "Dad, Mom startled me just now, and I completely forgot to tell you!"

"Grandfather checked out of the hotel today. He's already made arrangements with the temple, and he's moving into Baiyun Temple this afternoon. If you have time, you should take me there to visit him." Chen Zehan scratched his head with an embarrassed smile.

"That old trickster actually went to Baiyun Temple?" Chen Siyuan muttered to himself, then looked at Chen Zehan and said, "Alright, then Dad will take you to see him tomorrow."

"Thank you, Dad!" Chen Zehan said happily.

"Dad, if you're not busy, practice martial arts with me for a little longer."

"Alright!"

"I'll practice with you too!"

……