121 A Snowy Night’s Passion

Li Feng’er rested her head beside my bed, and a strong, fragrant scent enveloped me immediately.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Feng’er, are you cold? Do you want to come under the covers?”

Li Feng’er smiled gently and said, “I’m not cold, there’s air conditioning! Besides, Aunt Shen will soon call us downstairs for dinner.”

I was taken aback and said, “Feng’er, didn’t you drink at lunch? If you lied about being pregnant, how could you still drink?”

She sighed softly, “Ah! That’s the flaw that lies reveal.” Then she smiled brightly, “I didn’t expect you, A-Feng, to even know that pregnant women can’t drink. Looks like you’ve grown up—you’re ready to be a father.”

Embarrassed, I replied, “I just happened to come across that knowledge.”

Li Feng’er leaned closer and sighed quietly, “You’re a boy, yet you already know how to ensure a child’s health. Looks like I have to make up my mind.”

I was startled, “Feng’er, what decision are you planning to make?”

She bit her lip gently and said, “A woman who doesn’t want to be a mother is not a good woman. If a woman has no children, her life is full of regrets and sorrow.”

I asked, “Feng’er, do you really want a child now?”

She nodded earnestly, “Ah! I’m already thirty-seven this year. There’s no more time to waste.”

I couldn’t help but recall a famous saying: “Youth is like toilet paper—you don’t cherish it at first, and by the time you realize, it’s been used up without you noticing.”

Seeing my dazed expression, Li Feng’er lightly caressed my forehead and said, “Feng, I hope you can fulfill my wish to become a mother.”

I thought to myself that I wasn’t sure either. I had heard that women over thirty often have difficulty conceiving. Still, I was too embarrassed to say much and awkwardly replied, “Feng’er, some things can’t be forced. We’ll have to leave it to fate.”

She nodded, “Man plans, God decides. That’s all we can do.”

Just then, Aunt Shen’s voice came from downstairs: “Feng’er, dinner is ready. You can come down now.”

Li Feng’er stood up and said, “I’m going down. You come by yourself.”

I nodded, watching her leave, then looked down at my phone. While chatting with Li Feng’er earlier, Ling Xue had sent many messages: “What do you mean? Why did you suddenly turn off the video?”

“What are you doing? Did you read my messages?”

“How could you? You little scoundrel, ignoring me like that!”

I thought to myself, good—it’s over between Ling Xue and me anyway. With her angry, she wouldn’t contact me anymore, and I could finally let go of this unrealistic infatuation.

Fate does love its jokes. From Jin Yulian, A-Yun, Ling Xue, cycling through all these women, in the end, I chose Li Feng’er, the biological daughter of Li Po Po. Perhaps fate had arranged it this way. When Li Po Po adopted me, she could never have imagined that I would find her real daughter, and that we would develop such a relationship.

Lost in thought, I dressed and went downstairs.

The villa was air-conditioned, so the living room wasn’t cold. I saw Li Feng’er’s adoptive mother sitting on the sofa, preparing to get up. I hurried over to help her.

Li Feng’er came to assist as well. Together, we helped her walk into the dining room.

Once she was seated, she took our hands, locking our fingers tightly, then said meaningfully, “Xiao Feng, I entrust Feng’er to you. I hope you will protect her and care for her for a lifetime.”

I nodded, “Mom, rest assured. I will take good care of Feng’er and will never betray her feelings.”

She sighed deeply, “Then I can rest easy.” Turning to Li Feng’er, she said, “Feng’er, forget the past. Cherish him well! He’s a good boy.” It was clear she had noticed that Li Feng’er was much older than me.

Li Feng’er replied, “Mom, don’t worry. I will remember what you said.” Her eyes glistened with tears.

Fortunately, Aunt Shen smiled and said, “Alright, the food is ready. Let’s eat and chat.”

That evening, Li Feng’er didn’t drink anymore. I drank only a little, just to be polite, and then we ate together.

On a snowy night, the freezing cold kept everyone indoors. After dinner, we sat in the living room, chatting briefly.

Only then did I realize how knowledgeable Li Feng’er’s adoptive mother was. With just a few words, she gauged my educational background and surely saw that I wasn’t a suitable match for Li Feng’er.

Though she thought Li Feng’er and I were mismatched in age and education, the genuine affection in our eyes made her bless us nonetheless. Indeed, if Li Feng’er hadn’t lied about being pregnant, she wouldn’t have been able to fool her.

Knowing when to speak and when to stay silent, Li Feng’er worried that if her adoptive mother and I talked too much, my past prison record might be revealed. She quickly signaled me, so I made an excuse of being tired and went upstairs to rest.

Back in my room, I checked my phone and saw messages from Tietou and Fat Wang.

Tietou’s message read, “A-Feng, where are you? Happy New Year! Come see us when you have time.”

Fat Wang’s message said, “You bastard, where are you messing around with women again? Not even a word on New Year’s to us.”

I could only reply, “Happy New Year! I’m out of town on business. I’ll come find you to chat and drink when I have time.”

I checked the messages from Jin Yulian and A-Yun but saw no new messages and didn’t bother them.

Unexpectedly, A-Yun’s friend Mina had sent me a “Happy New Year” greeting. I simply responded, “Happy New Year.”

Then I saw a message from Sister Yang: “Feng, Happy New Year! I miss you. Can you come see me?”

I thought to myself, I’ve already chosen Li Feng’er, whether it’s a fake marriage or true feelings, I shouldn’t stir trouble with Sister Yang. It would only bring pain to both sides. So I deleted her message without replying.

Just then, Li Feng’er pushed open the door and came in. Judging by her expression, tonight we would sleep together.