166: Chapter 166 A Deep Talk Between Father and Daughter

The reason this young woman of illustrious background chose to pursue her studies in the Southwest was inseparable from her father Zhang Jinrong's experience of having governed the region.

Although Zhang Jinrong was later transferred back to the capital to take up a nominal position, Zhang Yiyi, cherishing her deep affection for her alma mater and having grown accustomed to the local environment, insisted on completing her studies at Southwest University.

In the prime of her youth, Zhang Yiyi was not only a top student but also gained a small reputation for her outstanding appearance and temperament.

Having grown up in the capital since childhood, she was long recognized in their social circles as a refined young lady of noble upbringing; her elegant manners and exceptional talent and beauty had captured the hearts of many young scions of the capital's elite families.

After Zhang Yiyi returned home, Zhang Jinrong walked alone to his daughter's bedroom door, his footsteps heavy.

This father, who had navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for many years, knew clearly in his heart that the coming conversation would not only concern the future of the family but would also seal the lifelong happiness of his beloved daughter.

Zhang Jinrong paused before the door, took a deep breath, and waited for his slightly hurried breathing to steady before gently knocking on the door.

At this moment, Zhang Yiyi was leaning on a soft couch by the window reading, the warm yellow light illuminating her focused profile.

The sudden knock interrupted her reading; she put down her book, slipped into her soft slippers, and walked toward the door.

When the door opened and she saw her father, Zhang Yiyi was slightly taken aback. Zhang Jinrong rarely came to her boudoir at this hour, let alone with such gravity hidden between his brows.

"Dad?"

Zhang Yiyi instinctively tucked away some loose strands of hair, a flash of confusion crossing her clear eyes: "How come you…"

Zhang Jinrong did not answer immediately, only walking into the room with his usual gentle smile.

He stopped before the rattan chair his daughter often sat in, his fingertips gently stroking the carvings on the back of the chair, his movements revealing a hint of hesitation.

Finally, Zhang Jinrong slowly sat down opposite his daughter, his gaze a mixture of affection and an indescribable complexity.

"Yiyi."

Zhang Jinrong's voice remained steady as he spoke, but it carried more solemnity than usual.

"There are some things Daddy would like to have a proper talk with you about."

Zhang Yiyi keenly sensed that something was wrong with her father's expression. She gently placed the book in her hand on the table, straightened her posture, and looked at Zhang Jinrong with focused eyes—eyes that were clear as crystal and filled with trust and respect for her father.

"Dad, please go ahead." Zhang Yiyi's voice was soft but firm.

Zhang Jinrong looked deeply at his daughter, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He weighed his words carefully as he slowly explained the current predicament of the Zhang family.

The crisis brought about by the volatile political climate, the considerations for an alliance with the Li family, and why this heavy burden had ultimately fallen upon the shoulders of his most cherished daughter.

His words contained the prudence of a statesman, yet could not hide the reluctance of a father.

"Yiyi…"

Zhang Jinrong paused, his voice dropping a few notches: "Daddy knows better than anyone what this decision means for you."

"But right now, this is perhaps the best choice to preserve the Zhang family. The Li family has deep roots; if we can gain their assistance…"

His gaze drifted past his daughter's shoulder into the distance, as if he could already see the hope for the family's revival.

Zhang Yiyi's slender fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her skirt.

She lowered her eyelashes, casting a shadow across her face, hiding the fleeting shock and melancholy.

When she looked up again, her bright eyes had regained their clarity, though the corners were slightly red.

"Dad, I understand."

Zhang Yiyi's voice was very soft, yet as clear as a mountain spring.

Her fingertips slowly released the hem of her skirt, leaving a few shallow wrinkles on the fabric.

"The blood of the Zhang family flows in my veins; the honor and disgrace of the family have always been tied to me."

Zhang Yiyi stood up and walked to the window. The afterglow of the setting sun gilded her profile with a halo of gold, making her straight figure appear all the more fragile yet resilient.

After a moment of silence, she turned around, a faint but firm smile playing on her lips: "I will take on this matter."

Every word was resonant and forceful.

At this moment, the little girl who had been held in the palm of everyone's hand since childhood had truly become a daughter of the Zhang family capable of holding up the sky for her clan.

Zhang Jinrong's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and those eyes, accustomed to the storms of politics, now shimmered with moisture.

His large hand tightly gripped his daughter's slender fingers, and the warmth from her palm made his voice tremble slightly: "Yiyi… my good daughter…"

This father, usually so composed, was wiping the corners of his eyes clumsily like a child, but upon meeting his daughter's resolute gaze, he regained his former dignity.

Zhang Jinrong straightened his back, his voice deep and powerful: "Daddy promises you that even if I have to risk this old life of mine, I will never let you suffer the slightest grievance in the Li family."

Every word was like an oath carved in stone, resonant and forceful.

Zhang Yiyi felt the warmth of her father's palm and nodded gently.

The last ray of the setting sun outside the window filtered through the gauze curtains, casting tiny specks of gold upon her eyelashes.

She suddenly understood that this marriage alliance was not merely an exchange of interests, but a guardianship connected by blood.

She would safeguard the future of the Zhang family, and her father would always safeguard her.

…

On the Li family's side, preparations were also being made in full swing for a crucial meeting: the first encounter between Li Dakang and the Zhang family's young lady, Zhang Yiyi.