Sean Hayes's Lifelong Happiness

Li Yanhao heard Lingdang say that and immediately put on a hurt expression, saying, "Lingdang, when you say that, it really hurts me. Am I that kind of person?!"

Lingdang stuck out her tongue, took the box, and opened it. Inside was an exquisitely crafted and very beautiful little wooden doll. The doll was carved to look just like Lingdang, with lifelike clothes and hair, painted in vibrant colors—extremely delicate and pretty. Compared to the one Zhang Zhaocai gave, it was like heaven and earth.

"Why are you giving me this? Don't think you can bribe me—I’m not going to be your family’s cook." Lingdang closed the box.

"Tch!" Li Yanhao snorted, "It's because I know you like these little things. I was bored, so I had someone make it. Just happened to see you in a bad mood, so I brought it to cheer you up. Why are you so ungrateful?"

"Oh wow, the heir is so thoughtful!" Lingdang laughed, eyeing Li Yanhao up and down, thinking to herself, "Did this guy take the wrong medicine? He actually made a doll to cheer me up, does he think I’m a three-year-old?"

"Hmph! Here, just keep it. It's not worth much anyway." Li Yanhao looked a bit embarrassed, quickly jumped up, scratched his head, and said, "Alright, I’m going back to sleep. Lingdang, you should sleep early too, or you’ll have big dark circles under your eyes tomorrow, and that wouldn’t look good."

After saying that, Li Yanhao slipped away immediately.

Lingdang held the doll in her hand, looked at it, and indeed it was quite beautiful. After Li Yanhao’s teasing, her mood improved a lot. She took the doll back to her room and placed it side by side with the doll Zhang Zhaocai gave her.

The contrast between the two dolls was obvious: one was rough and ugly, the other delicate and beautiful.

"Sigh, why do people nowadays all like giving dolls?" Lingdang lay on the bed, suddenly a bit puzzled by the mentalities of these two people. She turned over and fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Xiao Zetian was combing Su Li's hair, and the two talked about the granary.

"The granary matters are very important. I’ll entrust Xiao Yun to handle them personally," Xiao Zetian said.

Su Li responded, "No wonder Xiao Yun has been missing. How long will he be gone this time?"

Xiao Zetian thought for a moment and said, "He has to travel all over the country and handle affairs in various places. I estimate this trip will take three to four months."

"Three to four months, that’s quite long," Su Li turned to Xiao Zetian and said, "With Xiao Yun gone so long, we have to help keep an eye on the heir. We can’t have Xiao Yun come back and find the heir with a new love, that would break his heart."

Su Li spoke with a serious expression, as if she was genuinely concerned about Xiao Yun's lifelong happiness.

Xiao Zetian saw her serious look and held back laughter, thinking to himself that Xiao Yun’s acting was really good. Now Su Li was completely convinced that Li Yanhao was a '断袖' (a euphemism for a homosexual relationship)!

"Alright, just perfect. Li Yanhao is so shameless, stubbornly refusing to leave our house. Now that he’s right under our noses, we can keep a close watch on him!" Xiao Zetian said aloud, but inside he was pondering who could be tasked to keep Li Yanhao occupied and stop him from bothering Su Li while Xiao Yun was away.

Outside, Bailu knocked on the door: "Madam, the village chief is here. He says it’s about the school affairs and wants to see you."

Su Li said, "Alright, I’m coming right now."

Then she turned to Xiao Zetian and said, "You must pay close attention to Xiao Yun’s matters. Don’t let anyone take advantage of the situation."

Xiao Zetian smiled slyly, "Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll find someone to keep a tight watch on Li Yanhao!"

"I guarantee he won’t have a chance to flirt with you!"