Chapter 31

Dinner took more than two hours, and Li Zhengxi, who was already tired, felt a bit dizzy after drinking some alcohol.

An Bingji and Gao Zuodong didn't dare to keep him any longer, especially since Kim Taehee, who had been sitting beside them the whole time, looked very unhappy and seemed ready to lose her temper at any moment.

Li Zhengxi and Kim Taehee didn't have a car, and Gao Zuodong and An Bingji, who had a fruitful day, were naturally willing to drive them home.

In the car, Li Zhengxi was really tired, and his head was throbbing. After glancing at Kim Taehee, he leaned over and rested his head on her lap, saying, "Let me lie down for a bit." After succeeding, he even pulled her slender, soft hand to his head and said, "Rub my head for me!"

"You deserve it!" Kim Taehee spat at him, but she was secretly proud. She had been sitting quietly on the side all day, watching everything that happened, seeing him command the room, making An Bingji and Gao Zuodong bow to him and be overjoyed.

His confident and knowledgeable demeanor had captivated her. Now, seeing his flushed face from the alcohol and his closed eyes from exhaustion, she felt especially heartbroken. Finally, she couldn't care less about the others and gently massaged his temples with her fingers, though she was a bit awkward at it.

Perhaps it was too comfortable, and before long, he nuzzled his head and then tilted it, like a child, hiding his head in her lap. However, the clothes in summer were very thin, and she was only wearing a light yellow T-shirt. The warm breath from his mouth easily penetrated the fabric and touched her stomach.

It was warm, as if it had seeped into her heart, making her feel flustered and as if the layer of clothing had disappeared. But strangely, she didn't mind; instead, she felt warm and sweet, and if it weren't for the others, she would have wanted to hold his head and press it closer.

She also hoped the way home would be longer, so they could spend more time together, but the more she thought about it, the faster time passed. In the blink of an eye, she could see their house not far away.

"Wow, your house is quite big!" Following Kim Taehee's directions, Gao Zuodong couldn't help but admire the elegant small courtyard, which probably covered about 200 pyeong.

Kim Taehee pouted; this was considered big? If they saw the mansion in Seobuk-dong, they would probably pop their eyes out.

At this moment, Li Zhengxi woke up due to the conversation between Gao Zuodong and An Bingji. He had really fallen asleep. When he opened his eyes and found himself lying in Kim Taehee's lap, he smiled and sat up, acting as if nothing had happened.

He rubbed his head, feeling much better. Listening to Gao Zuodong and An Bingji, he only smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for driving us back. Why don't you come in for a while?"

"No, next time!" An Bingji spoke first, a bit embarrassed, "That would be too abrupt and impolite. Next time, I'll definitely visit the elders at home!"

He said this because he thought, given his relationship with Li Zhengxi, it would be fine to go in for a bit, but Gao Zuodong was too unfamiliar. This was going to someone's home, not just drinking outside.

Whether in Korea or China, people generally don't invite strangers into their homes easily; it's a traditional custom. Moreover, looking at the courtyard, it was clear that this was not an ordinary household, and it would be impolite to show up unannounced.

Li Zhengxi understood this. With An Bingji's help, he said a few more words and then bid them farewell.

Entering the courtyard, Kim Miyeon heard the noise outside and was standing on the porch. Seeing him, she frowned, "Why are you back so late?"

"Oh, I had some unexpected business to attend to!" Li Zhengxi scratched his head sheepishly, "Sorry, Mom, I forgot to call!"

Taking off his shoes and entering the house, he smiled and took out his doctoral graduation certificate from his backpack, handing it to Kim Miyeon, "Mom, this is what you wanted!"

"Brat, is this for me?" Kim Miyeon opened the certificate and glanced at it. Hearing this, she playfully hit him, "You ungrateful guy..."

Before she could finish, Kim Taehee, equally dissatisfied, chimed in, "Yeah, he's the most ungrateful guy..." She had been so good to him in the car, and this brat hadn't said a word, which really annoyed her.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and she reached out to pinch him. However, at this moment, Kim Miyeon looked at her with a teasing smile and said, "Oh, how is he ungrateful to you?"

Kim Taehee was instantly dumbfounded, feeling as if her thoughts had been seen through, and she wanted to find a place to hide. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to go, so she could only pout, "Ah, Auntie!"

Kim Miyeon and Gao Xiuzhen laughed, but Li Zhengxi remained carefree. However, he then took out three boxes from his backpack, giving one to Kim Taehee. His tone was maddeningly casual, "Here, this is for you!"

It was nothing like when he gave the boxes to Gao Xiuzhen and Kim Miyeon, who he had smiled at and tried to please. However, when she opened the box and saw the deep blue Hermès scarf inside, she was immediately delighted, her eyes full of joy.

"What are your plans next?"

Li Zhengxi thought he could get away with just giving gifts, but he was wrong. Kim Miyeon loved him and had high expectations, so she was closely watching him.

Fortunately, Li Zhengxi had already thought of an excuse, "Uh, when I came back, Professor Morton said he originally planned to arrange for me to go to the Economic Association or CEA, but since I still have work here, he told me to finish it first."

He then added with a smile, "He also said I shouldn't lose my way..."

He didn't have to say this, but if he didn't, Kim Miyeon would have been worried. By saying it, he showed that he had it in mind, which made Kim Miyeon feel more at ease.

Of course, this didn't mean Kim Miyeon would let him off easily. Her gaze remained stern, "When will you finish here?"

Although Kim Miyeon was obedient to the family's good-natured Li Gongtang, in the hearts of the three Li children, she was a strict mother, and her word was the highest command in the family.

Therefore, Li Zhengxi didn't dare to lie to her, for fear of making her angry. After some thought, he cautiously answered, "The movie is almost over, and the TV drama hasn't started yet, but it should be around the end of the year..."

He paused, glanced at her expression, and continued, "But, I have another script that Director Guo Jingze is interested in." Seeing Kim Miyeon frown, he quickly added, "Mom, I actually want to make a movie for Grandma..."

The original Li Zhengxi wasn't a high EQ person. As he had told An Bingji and the others, he was just good at studying. But now, after coming back from last Christmas and the experiences of the past six months, he had gained more insights from his time with Grandma.

Therefore, the touching story of "Love, Home" had been on his mind. However, he didn't have the time or money to start the project yet.

But he would definitely make it, and he would make it even better. Now that he had said it, he briefly explained the plot to Kim Miyeon, who was moved, and then said, "Mom, let me try. I'm still young, maybe I can really achieve something here. Even if you think it's not good, I can change careers later!"

At this moment, Gao Xiuzhen, who usually didn't express her opinions much, suddenly said, "Then you better do a good job and not disappoint Grandma!"

Hearing this, Kim Miyeon smiled bitterly, "Mom!" and shook her head helplessly.

She was a filial daughter, and she couldn't treat Li Zhengxi like a child forever. Besides, he had already met her expectations by graduating from Harvard. After some thought, although her heart had softened, she still said sternly to Li Zhengxi, "I don't care about your achievements. After you finish here, don't mess around anymore..."

Li Zhengxi was delighted inside but obediently replied, "I understand, Mom!"

Now, he finally had permission, perhaps not completely, but it was enough. He would let his future achievements change his mother's mind.

At this moment, Kim Miyeon said to Kim Taehee again, "Taehee, you have to be stricter and keep a closer eye on this brat!"

"Auntie, don't worry!" Kim Taehee, feeling as if she had been given supreme authority, grinned at Li Zhengxi, "If he misbehaves, I'll twist his ears just like you do!" PS: Please recommend if you like it, and consider adding it to your collection!