mtl008 Chapter 420 Subtle Change
Chapter 420 Subtle Change
Just as dawn was breaking, Li Xiangyang heard a knock on the door outside the courtyard.
He threw off the covers and got out of bed quietly, afraid of waking Li Xiaoyun, who was fast asleep beside him.
Pushing open the door, he was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Minghui standing outside the courtyard, dragging a suitcase in his hand, looking a little tired, but his expression was much more composed than yesterday.
"Brother Zhao, up so early?" Li Xiangyang yawned and greeted him, "Want to come in and have some water?"
Zhao Minghui shook his head slightly, his eyes resolute: "No, I've come to say goodbye."
Li Xiangyang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised: "So eager to leave? Not with Chu Qingxuan?"
Upon hearing Chu Qingxuan's name, a complex expression flashed across Zhao Minghui's face, but he quickly regained his composure.
“I can’t wait any longer.” He took a deep breath. “I thought a lot last night. I understand why Chu Qingxuan said she admired you. A man should indeed have the ability to protect the one he loves.”
Li Xiangyang looked at the young man in front of him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
In just one day, Zhao Minghui seemed to have undergone some kind of miraculous transformation.
"Ultimately, we weren't really that familiar with each other," Zhao Minghui continued, his voice a mix of regret and relief. "I originally thought I liked her, but now I think it was probably just that I was attracted to her appearance. Of course, whatever the reason, liking someone is liking them, but there's no need to dwell on it."
Li Xiangyang couldn't help but laugh: "You see things very clearly."
"Thank you again, Brother Li." Zhao Minghui extended his hand. "If it weren't for you, I might never have realized this. Next time we have the chance, let's go hunting together again. I promise I won't cause you any more trouble then."
Li Xiangyang grasped his hand and shook it forcefully: "It's a deal."
Zhao Minghui gave Li Xiangyang a deep look, then turned and strode away, his back straight and resolute.
Li Xiangyang stood in the courtyard, watching Zhao Minghui's figure disappear into the morning mist, and nodded to himself.
This young man is more resilient than he imagined.
Just as he was about to go back into the house, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open again.
"Brother Xiangyang!" Chu Qingxuan's face peeked out from under the door, her eyes sparkling. "Did I just see Zhao Minghui coming out of your house?"
Li Xiangyang shook his head helplessly: "You silly girl, why aren't you resting at home this early in the morning? What are you doing out here?"
Chu Qingxuan pushed open the door and skipped into the yard, her face beaming with undisguised joy: "I saw Zhao Minghui packing his luggage! Is he leaving? I'm finally rid of his pestering!"
Li Xiangyang neither confirmed nor denied it, only saying, "He came to say goodbye."
"Great!" Chu Qingxuan clapped her hands and cheered. "I was worried he'd stay and not leave. Where's Sister Li? I'd like to ask her to go sightseeing in town with me."
"She's still asleep, don't disturb her," Li Xiangyang said, both amused and exasperated. "She's pregnant, let her rest a bit more."
"Oh, then let's wait until she wakes up." Chu Qingxuan was a little disappointed, but quickly cheered up again. "Brother Xiangyang, do you think Zhao Minghui was scared away by the wild boar yesterday?"
Li Xiangyang shook his head: "Of course not. Although he grew up in the city, he's a good person at heart."
Chu Qingxuan blinked, seemingly puzzled: "Why is Brother Xiangyang speaking up for him? He was even afraid of wild boars yesterday, how useless is he?"
“Being afraid and being useless are two different things.” Li Xiangyang said as he walked into the house, gesturing for Chu Qingxuan to follow. “Don’t be fooled by how scared he was; at least he stood there and didn’t abandon you and run away. That’s already quite commendable.”
Chu Qingxuan nodded thoughtfully and followed him into the house. Li Xiangyang picked up the kettle and poured her a cup of hot water.
At this moment, the door to the inner room was pushed open, and Li Xiaoyun came out rubbing her eyes, her hair still a little messy.
"Qingxuan, you're here so early?" she asked with a yawn and a smile.
"Good morning, Sister Li!" Chu Qingxuan hopped to Li Xiaoyun's side like a lively little bird. "I was thinking of asking you to go to town with me today to shop for some New Year's goods."
Li Xiaoyun nodded and turned to wash up: "Let me get ready."
Chu Qingxuan sat on the chair, her feet dangling in the air, swinging back and forth like a child. Seeing this, Li Xiangyang couldn't help but laugh, "You little rascal, you seem to be in a good mood."
"Of course!" Chu Qingxuan proudly raised her chin. "Finally, I'm rid of that nasty Zhao Minghui."
"Is he really that annoying?" Li Xiaoyun asked as she came out of the bathroom, wiping her face.
Chu Qingxuan thought for a moment, then said hesitantly, "Of course, you wouldn't believe it, he's like a piece of chewing gum, always clinging to me. But it seems that besides clinging to me, he's not actually that bad, is he?"
Li Xiaoyun and Li Xiangyang exchanged a glance, and the corners of their mouths turned up slightly.
“However…” Chu Qingxuan suddenly spoke again, her tone tinged with confusion, “He seemed a little different when he left today.”
"How come it's different?" Li Xiaoyun asked curiously.
"It's like... he suddenly seems to have grown up." Chu Qingxuan frowned, trying to find the right words. "He used to be so self-important, always showing off how knowledgeable he was. But today he left without even saying goodbye... he seems to have matured."
Li Xiangyang smiled without saying a word, but he already understood that yesterday's experience had indeed had a significant impact on Zhao Minghui.
"Looks like someone's come to their senses." Li Xiaoyun gave Chu Qingxuan a meaningful look. "And you? Still don't have any feelings for him at all?"
Chu Qingxuan's face suddenly turned red: "I...of course I don't have feelings for him! Although he did seem quite different today..."
Her voice became quieter and quieter, until she almost started talking to herself.
A knowing glint flashed in Li Xiaoyun's eyes. She glanced at her husband, and the two smiled knowingly at each other.
Young people's minds can be so unpredictable sometimes. Yesterday they were disgusted by it, but today their opinions have subtly changed.
"Alright, let's eat breakfast quickly, then we'll go for a walk in town." Li Xiaoyun patted Chu Qingxuan's shoulder, changing the subject, "I also want to buy some New Year's decorations for the house."
Chu Qingxuan nodded quickly, the blush on her face not yet completely gone.
At this moment, Li's mother and Li Xiaohua came out of the inner room one after the other, with Li's mother carrying a freshly cooked bowl of corn porridge in her hands.
"Sister Chu is here too?" Li Xiaohua's face lit up with joy upon seeing Chu Qingxuan. "Are you going to town today?"
Chu Qingxuan nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, I was thinking of asking Sister Li to go shopping for New Year's goods together. Why don't you come along?"
Li Xiaohua's eyes lit up, and she turned to her mother, "Mom, can I go?"
Li's mother nodded with a smile: "Go ahead, it's time to buy you some new clothes."