168: Chapter 168 First Encounter, Love at First Sight

"Rumors are, after all, just rumors."

Zhang Yiyi gently stroked her cousin's hair, her tone gentle yet firm: "Just as Father often says, to know a person, one must observe their actions and examine their words. Once we meet later, I will naturally be able to distinguish truth from falsehood."

Just then, Zhang Jinhui's gentle voice came from outside the door: "Yiyi, our distinguished guests have arrived. Come out quickly to pay your respects."

Zhang Yiyi's fingertips paused, then she calmly smoothed her lapels.

Her plain white wide-sleeved dress rippled with her movements, making her appear even more elegant and ethereal.

She cast a reassuring look at her cousin and stepped out with a dignified gait, pushing the door open.

Zhang Wanqing, unable to suppress her curiosity, lifted her skirt and followed on tiptoe.

The hall was filled with the rich aroma of tea, and the sound of conversation and laughter stopped abruptly.

Everyone's gaze fell simultaneously upon the young girl walking gracefully toward them. She wore no makeup, with only a white magnolia hairpin in her dark hair, which only served to make her skin appear whiter than snow.

Her plain-colored long dress swayed gently with her steps, like a lotus under the moonlight, untainted by a speck of dust.

Li Dakang's teacup paused slightly in his hand.

He had long heard that Zhang Yiyi was both talented and beautiful, but he had not expected her to be so ethereal and refined.

What was most captivating was the calm demeanor between her brows, which was completely different from that of ordinary noble ladies.

And when she lifted her eyes to smile faintly, those eyes, as clear as autumn water, seemed to reach the depths of one's heart.

"Yiyi, come quickly and meet your Uncle Li and Li Dakang." Zhang Jinrong beckoned with a smile, his tone tinged with pride.

Zhang Yiyi walked up to them with a smile and bowed politely: "Hello, Uncle Li. Hello, Brother Dakang."

Her voice was as crisp as a clear spring hitting stones.

Li Dakang stood up to return the greeting, his gaze gentle: "You are too polite, Sister Yiyi. I had long heard that the Zhang family had a daughter coming of age, and seeing you today, I finally understand what is meant by 'a lotus rising from clear water'."

His words were sincere, neither lacking in etiquette nor failing to express appropriate admiration.

Zhang Yiyi lifted her eyes and smiled faintly, while secretly observing the man before her.

To her surprise, Li Dakang's eyes were clear, and his demeanor was steady and reserved, a far cry from the playboy described in rumors.

"Dakang," Li Hongji spoke up at the right moment. "Why don't you take Yiyi out for a walk? It's boring for you young people to listen to us old men talk."

Li Dakang understood and said in a gentle voice: "Sister Yiyi, shall we go for a walk?"

His manners were appropriate, showing initiative without overstepping boundaries.

Zhang Yiyi looked back at her father, and seeing Zhang Jinrong nod slightly, she followed Li Dakang out.

The two strolled to a French café.

The crystal chandelier refracted a soft halo of light, wrapping the entire space in a warm amber hue.

Outside the window was a meticulously manicured French garden, and the sound of the fountain could be heard faintly.

When they sat down, Li Dakang pulled out a chair for Zhang Yiyi.

The two sat opposite each other across a small round table covered with a linen tablecloth, the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee drifting through the air.

"The Blue Mountain coffee here is quite good," Li Dakang suggested softly. "Would you like to try it, Yiyi?"

Zhang Yiyi nodded slightly, her fingertips gently stroking the rim of the bone china cup.

When their gazes met in the candlelight, a strange sense of tacit understanding flowed between them.

Li Dakang gently stirred the coffee, the silver spoon making a crisp sound against the cup wall.

"Yiyi," Li Dakang said after some deliberation. "You must have heard quite a few rumors about me."

His voice was deep and sincere.

"Those might all be true, but that was the past me."

Zhang Yiyi looked up, the candlelight dancing in her clear eyes.

She set down her teacup, her voice soft yet firm: "Brother Dakang, my father often says that to know a person, one must observe their actions rather than listen to their words."

She paused, then added: "Just like this cup of coffee, one must taste it personally to know if it suits one's taste."

Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Li Dakang's eyes, which then turned into appreciation.

He had not expected this seemingly fragile noble lady to have such insightful views.

"Yiyi, hearing you say that really makes me feel relieved."

"To tell you the truth, I did lose my way in the past."

"But since working at the grassroots level, I have gradually understood what true responsibility and commitment mean."

Outside the window, the fountain refracted a seven-colored halo in the sunlight, reflecting onto Zhang Yiyi's delicate profile.

She gazed quietly at the honest man before her, and the wall of defense in her heart quietly loosened.

"Brother Dakang." Zhang Yiyi took a small sip of coffee, her voice as soft as a spring breeze brushing over the surface of a lake.

"Actually, I was afraid too."

When she lifted her eyes, a light intertwined with vulnerability and strength shone in those autumn-water-like eyes.

"I was afraid that this arranged marriage would become a transaction, and that I would have to live the rest of my life wearing a mask."

Li Dakang was slightly taken aback, then nodded in understanding.

He had not expected this seemingly gentle young lady of a prominent family to be so insightful and brave at heart.

"But now," Zhang Yiyi traced the rim of the cup with her fingertips, her voice gradually becoming firm: "I see a different you. This makes me feel that perhaps we can write a different story together."

She looked up and met Li Dakang's gaze directly, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Not for the sake of our families, but for our own sakes."

As the conversation deepened, the light and shadows outside the window gradually tilted westward.

Li Dakang discovered that this seemingly fragile woman before him possessed extraordinary wisdom and resilience in her conversation.

When Zhang Yiyi spoke about teaching children to read at the orphanage, the light in those bright eyes was more brilliant than any jewel.