Chapter 458: My Kid Insisted on Buying Me a Car

February 6th, the last day before Lunar New Year's Eve.

Early in the morning, Li Guohong woke up Lin Xiuhong, then quickly got out of bed to wash up, humming a tune, his spirits high and fully alert.

Lin Xiuhong glanced at the clock—it was barely five in the morning—and sighed, climbing out of bed, walking into the bathroom, and couldn't help teasing him:

"You just bought a car. Look at you, like you've accomplished something monumental."

"You wouldn't understand." Li Guohong chuckled, his anticipation for returning to the countryside growing stronger, his entire being brimming with energy, not the slightest hint of sleepiness.

After finishing his morning routine, Li Guohong waved his hand: "Let's go! Breakfast downstairs!"

"What's all the fuss for? Can't you be quieter?" Lin Xiuhong rolled her eyes, pulled on a sweater, threw on her down jacket, and followed Li Guohong out the door.

Even just to eat breakfast at the opposite stall, Li Guohong insisted on driving—spending ages searching for a parking spot on the street.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Lin Xiuhong sighed; after getting out, she muttered under her breath: "If we'd just walked, we'd already be seated with our orders placed by now."

Watching Li Guohong's adoration for this new Mercedes, Lin Xiuhong could only shake her head helplessly.

People, even when grown, still retain childlike tendencies.

Li Guohong was like a kid who'd just gotten a favorite new toy—he wanted to take it everywhere.

Lin Xiuhong had no choice but to tolerate it for now.

…

After breakfast, it was only half past six.

Li Guohong drove with Lin Xiuhong to Bihai Lanting, where they spotted Li Luo and the other two jogging together right at the gate.

Li Luo greeted his parents, telling them to go upstairs and wait.

Only after their morning run, eating breakfast downstairs, and returning to unit 1502 did they pack their luggage for the countryside trip and get into Li Guohong's car.

The SUV's advantage was clear: even after loading the luggage, the trunk still had plenty of spare space.

Li Guohong called Ying Zhicheng, and they agreed to meet at the New Year goods market.

But when they arrived at the market and met up, Li Luo and the others learned that Yuan Wanqing had already come along early that morning.

"Uncle Ying." Li Luo greeted Ying Zhicheng as he stepped out of the neighboring car, then turned to Yuan Wanqing: "Auntie Yuan, long time no see."

Ying Zhicheng nodded to him; Yuan Wanqing smiled and walked over, greeted Li Luo, then went to Yan Zhusheng's side and patted her head.

The two girls glanced between Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing, thinking nothing of it—assuming Ying Zhicheng had simply picked her up early that morning.

But Li Luo's expression turned suspicious—he seriously doubted whether Ying Zhicheng had brought Yuan Wanqing home last night.

Maybe they even brushed their teeth and washed their faces together.

Uncle Ying was just too bold.

Even if he thought Ying Chanxi wouldn't suddenly return, what if he ran into Li Guohong and Lin Xiuhong in the morning?

But then again, even if Li Guohong and Lin Xiuhong found out, it wouldn't really matter.

After all, Ying Zhicheng and Yuan Wanqing were hiding their relationship solely to avoid affecting their daughters.

From a worldly perspective, both were widowed and single, and had known each other since long ago.

Aside from the slight awkwardness of their employer-artist relationship, there was nothing truly objectionable.

The group bought some New Year goods, filling the trunk, and returned home around nine in the morning, fully loaded.

But this time, Li Luo, Ying Chanxi, and Yan Zhusheng sat together in the backseat of Ying Zhicheng's car.

Meanwhile, Li Guohong drove with Lin Xiuhong and picked up Li Xuefeng and Chen Lu along the way back to the countryside.

Ying Zhicheng followed Li Guohong's car and asked Li Luo, sitting in the center of the backseat: "I heard from your dad that the car ahead is the one you bought?"

"Yeah." Li Luo nodded with a smile. "His old car was too worn out, so I got him a new one."

"Good." Ying Zhicheng nodded, said no more, but his gaze lingered on the rearview mirror, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

To Li Luo's left sat Ying Chanxi; to his right sat Yan Zhusheng.

Both girls were slender, and Li Luo wasn't fat either; though Ying Zhicheng's car wasn't as spacious as Li Guohong's, three people in the backseat was certainly no problem.

Yet when the three of them sat, they still pressed closely together.

Even in front of their parents, they didn't go overboard—but they were still uncomfortably close, making Ying Zhicheng frown.

If it were only Xixi, he might have let it slide—but now, his view of Li Luo had changed completely from his earlier perspective.

If his own Xixi truly liked Li Luo, and their relationship deepened further, given how close their families already were, Ying Zhicheng had no real objection.

After all, Li Luo himself was accomplished—if they became in-laws, neither side would likely object.

But…

Ying Zhicheng glanced at the rearview mirror, at Yan Zhusheng on Li Luo's right, and sighed faintly, a headache forming.

If it were any other girl trying to compete with his daughter for attention, he'd be the first to refuse.

But if it was Yuan Wanqing's daughter… he truly didn't know what to say.

That kid Li Luo… just thinking about it made Ying Zhicheng click his tongue.

Fortunately, they were still young—over a year and a half remained until high school graduation; there was no need to rush.

After all, right now they might like each other, but once they entered university and met other boys, the two girls might change their minds.

Ying Zhicheng clung to this self-deceiving thought, yet deep down he knew better.

With Li Luo's current level of excellence, even at Qianjiang University, it would be nearly impossible to find a male student more outstanding.

"Oh, by the way, Auntie Yuan." In the car, Li Luo turned to Yuan Wanqing in the front passenger seat and smiled. "I almost forgot to congratulate you—you'll be performing on the Spring Festival Gala tomorrow night."

"I can accept congratulations from others," Yuan Wanqing laughed. "But you saying that? That's kind of insulting. Don't you remember whose songs I sang on the Gala?"

"Cough, still, it's your own talent that makes the songs shine," Li Luo said. "The same song, sung by you, is completely different from how it sounds when I sing it."

Yuan Wanqing smiled, clearly pleased, but she remained fully aware.

In the entertainment industry, good voices were never in short supply—it was good songs that were rare.

The album Li Luo made for her before—each song, if given to another singer with solid technique, could easily become a hit.

Good songs are hard to find.

Yuan Wanqing knew well that if not for Li Luo writing songs for her last year—including last year's "Year Rings"—her comeback journey would likely have ended in ruin.

Not only would she fail to land any endorsement deals, but she might also drag down Yin Zhicheng, who had been pouring resources into her.

After all, Huayue Film and Television had already begun internal restructuring; without Yuan Wanqing's return, their music division would have been cut or downgraded long ago.

In the worst-case scenario, if Yuan Wanqing's comeback failed and Yin Zhicheng suffered as a result, he might lose his position as general manager.

Now, not only had she been revived by Li Luo's songs, but Yin Zhicheng was also preparing to acquire the copyright to Li Luo's novel "Little Joy," which might soon be adapted into a TV series.

If the TV series achieved the same explosive success as Li Luo's songs, then Li Luo would truly be a benefactor on their career paths.

Thinking of this, Yuan Wanqing turned her head to glance at the backseat, watching her daughter clinging to Li Luo, then looked at Ying Chanxi on the other side, and sighed involuntarily.

……

About half an hour's drive.

The two cars soon arrived at the northern edge of Yinjiang District and entered Li Family Village.

After turning onto the row of linked houses where their home stood, Li Guohong opened his driver's window as soon as he drove in front.

He held the steering wheel with one hand and rested the other on the window frame, slowing the car's speed immediately.

Passing a house, he spotted an acquaintance sitting at the door and smiled to greet them.

"Uncle Jing! Long time no see!"

"Oh my, Guohong! You're back?"

"I'm back."

"What a prestigious car—is it brand new?"

"Hah~ My kid insisted on buying it; it just arrived, and the license plates aren't even on yet."

"This car doesn't look cheap at all."

"Not at all—just over a million. That kid spends recklessly; I can't stop him."

"Your son Li Luo has really come into his own—this filial gift to you is only right."

"Haha, come on, Uncle Jing, have a cigarette."

Li Guohong pulled out a pack of Zhonghua he'd already prepared beside him, handed it over, then waved and drove on.

Li Luo had initially been puzzled—why was Yin Zhicheng driving so stop-and-go? This final stretch alone had taken several minutes.

Then he looked ahead and realized Li Guohong had been chatting with acquaintances along the roadside.

Yin Zhicheng in the front seat found Li Guohong's behavior amusing, so he turned the steering wheel and veered onto another road, overtaking Li Guohong entirely.

By the time Yin Zhicheng parked in the courtyard, Li Luo and the others had already gotten out and walked outside, and when they turned to look, Li Guohong was still stopping to greet people.

Well then.

Now everyone nearby knew.

Li Guohong had raised a good son—so young, and he'd bought his father a million-yuan Mercedes, filling many with envy.

Speaking of these neighbors, could they afford this car?

Many could, if they gritted their teeth.

But to casually mention it, and have it gifted by one's own son? That was truly rare.

Especially since the son was still in high school!

He'd earned big money writing books—could anyone else compare?

Li Luo found his father's humble, unassuming way of showing off a bit baffling and amusing, but he said nothing as he watched.

He just saw his father acting like a child with a new toy, eager to show it off to everyone around.

It was genuinely amusing.

Finally, Lin Xiuhong in the front passenger seat grew impatient and urged him—only then did Li Guohong reluctantly drive back to the courtyard and park.

Yet when he stepped out of the car, Li Guohong looked refreshed and delighted, clearly satisfied by the entire drive—he'd definitely shown off.

"This car really is yours to buy for Uncle?" Chen Lu asked, leaning close to Li Luo after getting out.

"Yes." Li Luo nodded.

"You're incredible," Chen Lu said, staring at the new car in the courtyard.

She worked at a bank and had previously handled Li Guohong's loan—she knew exactly how wealthy Li Luo was.

But those numbers in a bank account were just digits—nowhere near as tangible or shocking as this car.

"Sigh… I'm almost tempted to quit the bank and become your accountant instead." Chen Lu joked.

"Having someone you trust at the bank is more reassuring," Li Luo smiled. "But if you're unhappy there, you're welcome to join me."

"I was just joking," Chen Lu laughed. Hearing Li Luo's assurance made her feel at ease, but she'd worked hard to get into the bank—she couldn't just quit.

Especially since Li Luo's family had made her promotion far easier than for other colleagues—she had even less reason to leave.

After that conversation ended.

Everyone unloaded their luggage from the cars.

Upstairs, Aunt Li Xuexian heard the commotion and, seeing Li Luo and the others had returned, called inside: "Qiqi! Li Xiang! Come down and help carry things!"

As Li Luo and the others unloaded the New Year goods, Chen Yongqi and Li Xiang came downstairs to help.

But when they saw Yan Zhusheng and Yuan Wanqing beside them, Li Xiang froze, then hurried over to Li Luo and Chen Lu and whispered: "The lady next to Yan Zhusheng—I feel like I've seen her before."

Li Luo followed his gaze and smiled: "Of course you recognize her—she's Zhusheng's mother."

"Yan Zhusheng's mother…" Li Xiang blinked, then suddenly realized, exclaiming, "That's Yuan Wanqing?!"

"Yuan Wanqing?!" Chen Lu, hearing the name, instantly remembered: "Oh right! Yan Zhusheng's mother is Yuan Wanqing… so this… this…"

"Cough, don't make such a fuss," Li Luo waved them off, urging calm. "Aunt Yuan is going to perform on the Spring Festival Gala tomorrow."

"Since Yan Zhusheng had no one to spend the New Year with, Ying Chanxi invited her here to celebrate together."

"My mom came with her today to pay a visit—it's like paying New Year respects at the door."

No sooner had Li Luo finished speaking than Chen Lu vanished from before him.

Turning his head, Li Luo saw Chen Lu rushing up to Yuan Wanqing, her face alight with excitement, saying something he couldn't hear.

Beside him, Li Xiang also grew flustered, whispering quietly to Li Luo: "Uncle, can I ask you a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Can you get me her autograph?"

"Don't you have hands and feet? Go ask her yourself," Li Luo laughed.

"I'm just embarrassed—she came over privately as a guest, wouldn't it be rude of me to ask like this?" Li Xiang asked, troubled.

"Look at Lu Lu—she's doing just fine," Li Luo pointed to Chen Lu, who had already been handed a pen by Yuan Wanqing and was signing her sleeve, sending Chen Lu into fits of excited jumping.