Jiang Yangping walked up to Li Zhiqing.
Li Zhiqing's expression was flustered, unsure how to respond to Jiang Yangping's words.
When Yu Mengzhi and the others witnessed this scene, their thoughts were also in disarray, not knowing what to say. Sometimes reality was more magical than imagination.
Just like at this very moment.
Seeing the flustered look on Li Zhiqing's face, Jiang Yangping smiled faintly and said, "Don't misunderstand, this was just a small favor. Even without today, I would have confronted the old man sooner or later. It just happened to be a coincidence."
Coincidence?
None of the people present believed it.
After thinking for a moment, Li Zhiqing said, "Regardless, I still need to thank you. If you hadn't intervened righteously, we might have already died at Jiang Chengxi's hands."
"No need to thank me. This matter was not planned by me alone; there is someone else involved," Jiang Yangping said.
Li Zhiqing and the others were stunned.
Who was the other person Jiang Yangping was referring to?
"Allow me to keep you in suspense for now. You'll know soon enough. I need to handle the loose ends in the temple before I leave, so you don't need to be nervous," he said with a faint smile, and indeed, he didn't linger to pester Li Zhiqing any further. He turned and left through the temple gate.
The few people exchanged glances.
Yu Mengzhi's gaze shifted away from Jiang Yangping, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was evident that Jiang Yangping and his mother did not have the ambiguous relationship that Jiang Chengxi had claimed. Otherwise, she would have found it difficult to accept.
Li Tiannan then asked, "Who do you think the person Jiang Yangping mentioned could be? I somehow feel that they might be even more significant than him?"
"I have that feeling too," Li Tiance nodded.
The brothers exchanged a look, a guess already forming in their minds, waiting for the final veil to be lifted.
Not long after, commotion was heard again from outside the temple gate.
A group of burly young men in black suits poured in from outside, instantly surrounding Chen Jinzhao and the others. Seeing this, Li Tiance thought his guess was indeed correct. However, his expression became peculiar, even filled with a slight anticipation, wondering what would happen next.
Li Zhiqing's heart tightened, and she also began to connect the dots.
The next moment.
These men in suits parted to make way, leading directly to the main entrance of the temple.
Chen Jinzhao looked up towards the entrance and saw a silver-haired elder in a dark blue Zhongshan suit entering from outside. This elder walked with powerful strides, his spirit vigorous, indicating that his health was excellent. As Chen Jinzhao clearly saw the elder's appearance, he understood instantly.
Li Zhiqing's gaze became blank, leaving her speechless.
Only Yu Mengzhi looked at Chen Jinzhao with confusion; she was the only one who didn't know the elder's identity.
Chen Jinzhao's gaze shifted to Li Zhiqing, and then to Yu Mengzhi.
Yu Mengzhi suddenly understood and her heart also began to tense up.
While everyone was lost in thought, the elder had already reached Li Zhiqing. Li Zhiqing immediately lowered her head, avoiding the elder's eyes.
Because—
This elder was her father, Li Buyan, the head of the Li family in Yanjing.
Li Buyan gazed at his daughter. Li Tiance and the others standing around dared not interrupt, causing the air to gradually thicken with a solemn atmosphere.
Yu Mengzhi's breathing became cautious, fearing that Li Buyan might notice her.
After about two minutes.
Li Zhiqing could no longer withstand the pressure and slowly lifted her head to look at Li Buyan.
She knew that Li Buyan's thunderous wrath awaited her, but she was mentally prepared to face it.
Finally.
Li Buyan spoke, "Xiao Qing, you've grown old."
The last time they met was over twenty years ago, and now Li Zhiqing was nearing the age of fifty.
Li Zhiqing had expected Li Buyan to scold her, or even to berate her publicly, but she never imagined that his first words would be this.
This caused her tears to instantly break free, and she lowered her head and sobbed again.
Li Tiance glanced at Chen Jinzhao, then said to Li Buyan, "Grandpa, we'll take a look around the temple first. You two can chat."
"Let Yu Mengzhi stay," Li Buyan said.
Chen Jinzhao frowned, fearing that Li Buyan would harm Yu Mengzhi. Li Buyan sensed Chen Jinzhao's wariness and said expressionlessly, "She is my granddaughter. If I wanted to harm her, I would have done so long ago."
"I hope you keep your word," Chen Jinzhao said.
Li Buyan did not respond further.
Li Tiannan then pulled Chen Jinzhao away, saying as they walked, "Zhulong, you can rest assured. Old Master shouldn't do anything excessive. If he does, I'll join you in seeking justice from him."
Li Tiance found it quite amusing, thinking his brother was taking sides with outsiders.
On the other side.
Li Buyan's security personnel said to Li Zhiqing, "Let's take a walk. I'd like to see the place you've lived in for the past twenty years."
"Okay!"
Li Zhiqing wiped away her tears and led the way.
Yu Mengzhi appeared very flustered, as she felt the pressure from Li Buyan. This was a person at the pinnacle of power; even without saying a word, he exuded the authority of a superior, a presence akin to royalty and great generals.
"Don't be nervous. Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs," Li Buyan said.
Yu Mengzhi felt a little less pressure and weakly replied, "I'm not nervous..."
Li Buyan smiled, which surprised Li Zhiqing, as in her memory, her father was always solemn and rarely smiled, even with his family.
The three walked around a large portion of the temple. Li Zhiqing noticed that Li Buyan's steps were slowing down, so she deliberately slowed her pace. Li Buyan, however, noticed all her subtle actions. He sighed, "I am getting old too. My legs and feet are not as agile anymore."
Li Zhiqing's nose stung, and she held back her tears.
The three arrived at the Buddhist hall. Li Zhiqing asked Yu Mengzhi to help Li Buyan sit down. Li Buyan said, "You both sit down as well. Don't stand."
Yu Mengzhi saw that Li Zhiqing didn't move, so she remained standing obediently.
Li Buyan looked at Li Zhiqing in confusion. Suddenly, Li Zhiqing knelt before Li Buyan with a thud, tears streaming down her face, and said, "Dad, I was wrong. I shouldn't have left home defiantly for over twenty years, nor should I have wandered outside unwilling to yield. I was so terribly wrong."
The moment Li Buyan personally entered the temple, Li Zhiqing knew that her usually proud father had humbled himself and was apologizing to his daughter in this manner.
Li Buyan was not good at expressing his emotions, hence this approach.
Li Zhiqing lay on Li Buyan's lap, weeping and sobbing, "I shouldn't have run away from home then and caused you so much worry. I am guilty."
Li Buyan gently patted Li Zhiqing's head and said, "It's been more than twenty years. We haven't spoken like this in a long time. After you left, I was very angry. If I had taken one step back then, this tragedy wouldn't have happened. I grow older each day, and as time passes, I miss my daughter more and more. I was an unqualified father."
"The fault is mine, not yours."