Chapter 706: Return to the Southern Mountain
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Li Lei was depressed.
However, he understood her difficulties and did not insist. “Well then, I’ll visit you two frequently.”
Xia Ling nodded and added, “You should still be careful about the paparazzi.” Since she was a Diva, the paparazzi would always ambush her in areas that she often appeared at. If she interacted too much with Li Lei, there was a high chance that his photo would be taken and arouse suspicion.
Li Lei smiled. “When Shaohui’s ident.i.ty is announced, no one will say that you’re a third party.”
Xia Ling said, “Before my brother says anything, you can’t announce it.” She instructed Li Lei with what Xia Moyan told her over the phone. “A few days later, my brother will visit us. When that happens, he will tell me the full story.”
An indifferent man wearing white appeared in Li Lei’s mind.
In the past, he met Xia Moyan twice. Once when he begged for an amulet for Xia Ling and the second time when Xia Ling was pregnant and wanted to escape Pei Ziheng’s prison. On those two occasions, Li Lei did not know that this mysterious Preceptor was his potential brother-in-law. Now, after hearing that his powerful brother-in-law was about to visit, he was a little nervous.
He asked Xia Ling, “What does your brother like? It’s rare that he visits, so we should treat him well.”
Xia Ling was very unhappy. “He lied to me for years. Why should I treat him well?”
Li Lei was a little despondent. She was related to Xia Moyan by blood and they belonged to the same family, so throwing a tantrum would be harmless for her. However, this was the first time he was officially meeting his brother-in-law and could not afford to offend him.
Shaohui lifted his head and listened to their conversation. He guessed that his dad was in trouble and rushed to answer. “Uncle doesn’t really have any special hobbies. However, he likes natural things. If you can brew a nice pot of tea, he will be in a good mood.” Xia Moyan was a very distant man. Without Shaohui’s observation, no one would realize these things.
Li Lei’s eyes lit up and he stroked the child’s small head. “Ok, let’s do that.”
Xia Ling faintly glared at her child but did not really get mad.
Things were settled.
There were a few days before Xia Moyan arrived. Li Lei just acknowledged his biological child and was in high spirits. He discussed with Xia Ling about letting the child have some fun with him.
Xia Ling was reluctant to let Shaohui leave her side.
Li Lei said, “Xiao Ling, come with us. Our family of three hasn’t gone out together yet.”
Xia Ling was somewhat worried. “What about the paparazzi?”
Li Lei flashed a toothy smile. “Let’s go to the Southern Mountain Racing Horse Club. It’s a club for members only so the journalists can’t enter, and there are rarely any ordinary people there. Those who can enter are rich, so they won’t bother us.”
Beside her, Shaohui also looked at her expectantly. “Mom, let’s go together.”
The way he called her “mom” melted her heart. She finally nodded and said, “Ok.”
The next day was sunny and bright. The family of three went to Southern Mountain Racing Horse Club.
It was already the start of autumn. The leaves rustled in the forest and the branches swayed. Xia Ling looked at the greenery and flowing water and recalled that when she met Li Lei for the first time many years ago, she also came to this club with him. At that time, she would not have thought that they would have such a deep fate. Now, she was very emotional revisiting the place.
Shaohui held both of their hands and looked around curiously.
He asked Li Lei, “Dad, I heard that you have a horse in this club. Can you take me to see it?” Since a young age, he loved animals and had never seen a horse before, so he was very excited.
Li Lei said, “Of course.”
He also knew that Shaohui loved animals. Today, he specially brought him here for horseback riding. Soon, they arrived at the horses’ holding area. Li Lei held Shaohui’s hand with one hand and whistled with his other. Soon, a black horse walked elegantly towards them. Its long mane fluttered in the wind. Under the sun, it s.h.i.+ned like black satin.
“Wow. So pretty…” The child exclaimed.
The horse stopped in front of the child.
Li Lei carried Shaohui and guided the child to pet the horse’s nose. He said, “Its name is Thunder. It’s a purebred Hanoverian Horse and has a very good temperament.”
Shaohui smiled and greeted it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Shaohui. You’re really pretty.”
The st.u.r.dy Hanoverian Horse observed the child and lightly snorted.
Li Lei said, “It likes you.”
Thus, the child smiled innocently again.
Li Lei placed the child on the horse’s back. This horse was very stable and did not struggle because an unknown child was sitting on its back. In contrast, it adjusted its posture so the child could sit more comfortably.
At the side, Xia Ling was amazed. “This horse really understands humans.”
Li Lei smiled. “In that year, your horse was also very smart.” If he did not remember wrongly, he remembered that the first one who found out that Xiao Ling reincarnated was the Southern Mountain Club’s Valiant Song.
Now that the horse was mentioned, Xia Ling started to miss it.
She asked a nearby staff member, “How is Valiant Song? Is it still here?”
The staff said, “We don’t have a horse here called Valiant Song.”
Xia Ling said, “How is that possible? It’s a mix between a Ferghana and a thoroughbred horse. It’s a red female with an intense personality.”
The staff finally understood what she was talking about. “Are you referring to the late Xia Ling’s horse? A few years ago, that horse was taken away by Imperial Entertainment’s Mr. Pei and is no longer here.”
Xia Ling looked a little disappointed.
She thanked the staff, bowed her head and walked forward with Li Lei and the Hanover horse.
When Li Lei saw that she was unhappy, he said, “I will find Pei Ziheng and ask him to return your horse to you.”
Xia Ling shook her head. “He won’t listen to you. I think it’s better if I go.”
Li Lei was unwilling to let her interact with Pei Ziheng. He said, “Trust me. I have a way.”
Xia Ling tilted her head. She understood his intentions but felt dispirited. “We’ll see.” In the end, the only reason why she could calmly walk shoulder to shoulder with Li Lei was because of her child. If it weren’t for her child, she would never have the thought of reuniting with him, so she did not want to give him too much hope.
Li Lei understood what she meant and did not say anything more.
Now, he could only protect this relations.h.i.+p carefully. This relations.h.i.+p was too fragile and filled with scars, so it could not withstand the slightest setback. Holding on to Thunder, he walked forward step by step.
Shaohui sat on the horse’s back. As he looked at the scenery, he listened to his mom and dad’s conversation.
After hearing that, he couldn’t help but change the subject. “Dad, mom, I want to learn how to ride a horse.”