Li Zhiyuan had no choice but to betray the teachings of Panzi and Brother Lei, turning around to lift the curtain and enter the bathroom.
Standing still again, the curtain was lifted, and she came in again.
Li Zhiyuan had to lead her out of the bathroom and said, "I’m here to use the bathroom, it’s inconvenient for me if you come in with me, why don’t you stand here and wait for me to come out, okay?"
Qin Li did not react.
Li Zhiyuan lifted the curtain again and entered the bathroom, waited a while, and hearing no sound of the curtain being moved, he then unfastened his belt.
Next to the bathroom was a water tank; after scooping water to wash his hands, Li Zhiyuan walked out and saw Qin Li obediently standing in her original spot.
"Do you need to use the bathroom? Why don’t you use it as well?"
Qin Li walked towards the bathroom, lifted the curtain, but her hand was caught. She stopped and looked back at Li Zhiyuan with confusion in her eyes.
This confusion, similar to last night when he told her to eat but then wouldn’t let her eat at the dining table.
Li Zhiyuan was a bit worried. Wondering if she could use the bathroom by herself, considering how Grandma Liu usually took care of her...
In any case, he knew very little about Qin Li, only that... she was pretty.
Li Zhiyuan decided to go and ask Grandma Liu, but as he looked up toward the hallway, he saw Liu Yumei’s head poking out.
"Our Alii can eat on her own, use the bathroom by herself, and bathe on her own. Our Alii is just like everyone else."
"Alright." Li Zhiyuan nodded and let go of her hand.
Qin Li entered the bathroom.
Li Zhiyuan stayed where he was, feeling Liu Yumei’s intense gaze sweeping over him.
"Just keep our Alii company, play with her."
Sounds of handwashing came from the bathroom, then Qin Li came out, her hands held out in front of her.
Grandma Liu quickly reminded, "Wipe your hands, wipe your hands."
Li Zhiyuan stepped forward, took Qin Li’s hands, and wiped them on his shirt.
Qin Li withdrew her hands.
Li Zhiyuan took her by the hand and on their way back upstairs, he grabbed a clean towel and draped it over his shoulder.
Back to the northeast corner of the terrace, Li Zhiyuan sat down to read a book, and after Qin Li sat down, that pretty face also came into his view.
Finished the sixth volume.
Li Zhiyuan stretched lazily, then stood up, moved to an open area, and began doing the national middle school students’ broadcast exercises seriously.
Just as he finished, took out the seventh volume, he heard Aunt Liu downstairs calling for lunch.
Li Zhiyuan and Qin Li went downstairs.
Li Sanjiang was having his meal separately from them, this time was no exception, Qin Li was taken by Grandma Liu to their side.
Li Sanjiang settled down and took out a bottle of baijiu.
"Grandmaster, you’re injured; you can’t drink."
"Phooey, half of your Grandmaster’s body is nearly in the grave, every drink I take is a win."
Ignoring his great-grandson’s advice, Li Sanjiang poured himself a full glass, and just as he was about to take a sip, using his chopsticks to pick some food, he saw a figure suddenly approaching; it was Qin Li.
Behind her were Liu Yumei and Aunt Liu following.
"Sorry, we were just about to eat over there when Alii left the table and ran here."
"Come, Alii, let’s go back and eat with Grandma first, then you can come play with Xiao Yuan after the meal."
Qin Li was not moved; she just stood there, looking at Li Zhiyuan.
And with Liu Yumei’s tugging, her eyelashes began to tremble slightly, and her body gradually started to shake.
Liu Yumei had no choice but to let go, not daring to pull anymore.
Li Sanjiang, having had issues only with Li Weihan’s four ungrateful sons, wasn’t a petty man; he waved his hand and said, "Let the lass eat here; add a pair of chopsticks."
"Thank you then," Liu Yumei quickly expressed her gratitude, "Sorry for the trouble."
Li Sanjiang waved his hand, "No trouble at all, it’s good for the kids to have playmates, keeps them from feeling lonely."
Aunt Liu brought over bowls and chopsticks and a small stool.
Li Zhiyuan took the towel off his shoulder, wiped the stool, and said, "Come sit and eat together."
Liu Yumei: "Alii, come sit down and eat."
Qin Li still didn’t sit, but she turned sideways towards Li Sanjiang, not looking at him, but her intent was clear.
She didn’t want to eat with Li Sanjiang.
As Li Sanjiang was about to take a sip from his wine glass, seeing this situation, he said somewhat baffledly,
"So... should I leave?"
Liu Yumei said nothing, but was internally delighted that her granddaughter was actually showing emotions, not through the kind of madness.
Li Zhiyuan didn’t respond, quietly wiping the stool again.
Li Sanjiang smacked his lips, chuckled, and said, "Alright then, Ting Hou, divide the dishes for me; I’ll sit over there."
"Okay, okay, sorry for the trouble uncle."
Aunt Liu quickly divided the dishes and set up a separate table for Li Sanjiang.
Qin Li finally sat down.
Liu Yumei looked expectantly at Li Zhiyuan and said, "Xiao Yuan, let Alii eat."
Just like in the morning, she always had to plead patiently, but this boy managed to get Alii to eat just by saying a word.
"Just a minute," Li Zhiyuan stood up, running to the kitchen.
Qin Li also started to stand, but saw Li Zhiyuan returning with four small plates and a small bowl.
Li Zhiyuan divided the food, placing some into each plate, then scooping some soup into the bowl.
In Qin Li’s eyes, there seemed to be a new sparkle.
Liu Yumei observed this scene with curiosity.
Li Zhiyuan: "Alright, let’s eat."
Qin Li picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
One dish per plate, eating a mouthful of rice, following the sequence of the dishes, after finishing a row of plates, she took a sip of soup, then continued the cycle.