169: Chapter 169 A Marriage Between Noble Families, Love Arises from the Heart

"Do you know?"

Zhang Yiyi gently stirred the latte art in her cup, the aroma of coffee swirling around her delicate nose: "I like that line from Dream of the Red Chamber spoken by Tanchun the most: 'As long as one is a sensible person, how could they not love themselves?'"

She lifted her gaze and smiled faintly, the tear mole at the corner of her eye appearing and disappearing in the light.

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

He spoke about leading the villagers to build roads in Guantian Township, and when he reached the emotional parts, his eyes beneath his sword-like brows shone brightly.

Zhang Yiyi noticed that when Li Dakang spoke of those simple villagers, there was no condescending pity in his tone, only respect from the bottom of his heart.

The twilight deepened, and the crystal chandeliers in the cafe lit up one by one.

In the soft light, two originally estranged hearts developed a wonderful resonance due to their passion for life and their sense of responsibility.

They discovered that even while carrying the expectations of their families, deep down, both of them longed for a sincere relationship and a soulmate to walk forward with.

Twilight closed in, and the city lights began to twinkle.

Li Dakang and Zhang Yiyi walked side by side on a path covered in ginkgo leaves, their shadows merging and separating under the streetlights.

Occasionally their gazes met, both pairs of eyes filled with faint smiles, as if there were a thousand words to say, yet no need to speak.

This meeting was like a key, gently unlocking the doors to each other's hearts.

From the initial strangeness and distance to their current mutual appreciation, the two hearts unknowingly drew closer and closer.

The evening breeze blew, causing the hair by Zhang Yiyi's ear to flutter. Li Dakang instinctively raised his hand to brush it away, but stopped in mid-air, ultimately just looking at her tenderly.

When they returned to the Zhang residence, Zhang Jinrong was standing under the veranda waiting.

Seeing the irrepressible joy in his daughter's eyes and brows, a trace of relief flashed in the eyes of this tycoon who had experienced many ups and downs.

Perhaps this marriage began with interests, but at this moment, he seemed to see his daughter's true happiness sprouting.

At the same time, Li Hongji sat in the car on the way back, watching his son's thoughtful profile, the corners of his mouth curling up unconsciously.

Li Dakang's performance today neither lost the demeanor of a scion of a noble family nor failed to show maturity and responsibility beyond his years.

This convinced Li Hongji that the Li family's enterprise would eventually be carried forward by this generation of young people.

Just like that, with the nod of the heads of both families, the marriage between Li Dakang and Zhang Yiyi was settled.

Because Zhang Yiyi was still studying, the engagement ceremony was temporarily put on hold, but this marriage was still like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves in the circle of Beijing's prominent families.

The news quickly spread throughout the entire circle of Beijing's powerful and elite.

Some speculated that this was a brilliant move laid by the Li family, hiding mysteries; others suspected that the two families must have had secret deals that could not be told to outsiders.

What was most puzzling was that, with the Li family's current status in its prime, why would they choose to marry into the declining Zhang family?

This question hung over everyone's hearts like a fog; some guessed that the Li family wanted to win over the Zhang family's old forces, while others rumored that the Zhang family held unknown bargaining chips.

But beyond this clamor, the two parties involved were exceptionally calm.

To them, this marriage, which had been over-interpreted by the outside world, was merely an unexpected encounter between two souls under the arrangement of fate.

Regardless of the gossip from the outside world, it did not shake the two hearts that were drawing closer day by day.

Li Dakang and Zhang Yiyi were like a pure land amidst the noise, using their unique tacit understanding and rhythm to carefully trace the contours of each other's lives.

Over the next few days, Li Dakang would take Zhang Yiyi out every day.

In their plain yet precious time together, their hearts gradually drew closer.

Li Dakang discovered that beneath Zhang Yiyi's seemingly fragile exterior lay a resilient and clear heart.

Zhang Yiyi also saw that this rumored playboy actually possessed unimaginable sensitivity and a sense of responsibility.

...

On the last day of the National Day holiday, the twilight deepened, and the city lights began to twinkle.

Li Dakang invited his close friends Third Young Master and Sun Xin, as well as his cousin Zhou Mingyuan, for a small gathering in an elegant private room at the Forbidden City Club.

In the private room, the crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, reflecting the relaxed faces of the group.

"Third Young Master."

Third Young Master gently swirled his red wine glass, a teasing smile flashing in his eyes: "I heard your marriage to that talented woman from the Zhang family is settled?"

Li Dakang raised the corners of his mouth slightly, picked up his wine glass and took a sip, then nodded calmly: "Mm, that is indeed the case."

"Good heavens!"

Sun Xin slammed the table and stood up exaggeratedly, causing the wine in his glass to slosh.

"Congratulations to Third Young Master for winning the beauty! I heard the Zhang family's daughter is talented and beautiful, and her suitors could line up from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace!"

Zhou Mingyuan leaned back on the leather sofa and teased: "Brother Kang hasn't been seen since he returned to the capital."

"I thought you were busy with official business, but it turns out you were busy enjoying 'playing the zither and the lute, and all is peaceful and good'!"

After saying this, he shook his head in a pretentious manner, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Li Dakang chuckled at this, a flash of depth appearing in his eyes.

He shook his head slightly, his tone gentle but with a touch of seriousness: "You guys, stop teasing me."

The light in the private room shone on his well-defined profile, adding a touch of composure.

Li Dakang paused, his voice low and clear: "This marriage, in the final analysis, is still a consideration of interests and a long-term layout for the two families."

Speaking of this, Li Dakang's eyes softened a bit, and the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile unconsciously: "However, Yiyi is indeed... very special."