Chapter 275 Mutual Trust

In the following days, Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e became closer and closer. They often worked together in the courtyard, planted flowers and grass together, and drank tea and chatted in the pavilion in the yard. Every time they spent time together, their feelings deepened.

One autumn afternoon, Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e sat in the pavilion, looking at the flowers and plants in the yard. Lou Xiao'e said softly, "Xiangqian, have you ever thought about your future life?"

Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment, then answered seriously: "Xiao E, I hope you can accompany me in the future. We can take care of this yard together, share the little things in life together, and experience the ups and downs of life together."

After hearing this, Lou Xiao'e's eyes flashed with emotion. She nodded slightly and said, "I think so too, Xiang Qian. Thank you, I am very lucky to meet you."

Li Xiangqian felt extremely happy. He held Lou Xiao'e's hand tightly and said firmly: "Xiao'e, no matter what the future holds, I will always be by your side and face everything with you."

As the relationship between Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e deepened, their life in the courtyard became more fulfilling and beautiful. However, this peace did not last long. One weekend, Li Xiangqian's sister Li Xiaotong suddenly visited the courtyard.

Li Xiaotong is five years younger than Li Xiangqian. She is a lively and outspoken girl. As soon as she entered the door, she shouted loudly: "Brother, I'm back!"

Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e were arranging flowers and plants in the yard. When they heard Li Xiaotong's voice, Li Xiangqian was stunned for a moment, then smiled and greeted her: "Xiaotong, why did you come back so suddenly?"

Li Xiaotong pouted and said, "I missed you. Besides, my school is on vacation, so I came back to see you. Oh, is this my sister-in-law?"

When Lou Xiao'e heard this, her cheeks slightly blushed, and she quickly explained: "Hello, my name is Lou Xiao'e, and I'm Xiang Qian's friend."

Li Xiaotong looked at Lou Xiao'e, a sly light flashed in his eyes, and said, "Oh, sister-in-law is so beautiful, my brother is so lucky."

Li Xiangqian was a little embarrassed and coughed lightly: "Xiaotong, don't talk nonsense. Xiao'e is a very important friend of mine. We manage this courtyard together."

Li Xiaotong stuck out his tongue and joked, "Okay, I won't say anything nonsense. Brother, I'll go to my room and clean up first."

Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e continued to work in the yard, but Li Xiaotong's sudden visit made them feel a little upset. Li Xiangqian thought to himself that Xiaotong had always been naughty, and he wondered if she would make trouble this time. Lou Xiao'e prayed silently in her heart, hoping that Li Xiaotong could adapt to her presence as soon as possible.

At night, Li Xiaotong enthusiastically recounted her interesting experiences at school at the dinner table, observing the reactions of Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiaoe. Li Xiangqian tried to keep a relaxed expression, but he knew that Xiaotong's eyes were filled with a sense of inquiry.

"Brother, sister-in-law, when did you start being together?" Li Xiaotong suddenly asked.

Li Xiangqian was stunned, and Lou Xiao'e was also a little at a loss. She said softly: "We are not... not what you think."

Li Xiaotong shrugged and said with a smile: "It's okay, I support you. Brother, Sister Lou is so nice, you can't let her run away."

Li Xiangqian smiled gently, but he felt a little complicated. He knew that Li Xiaotong was always outspoken, but her teasing made him a little uneasy. He looked at Lou Xiaoe and found that although she looked calm on the surface, there was a hint of uneasiness in her eyes.

A few days later, Li Xiaotong gradually showed her lively side. She often ran around in the yard, and sometimes pulled Lou Xiaoe to play some interesting games together. Although her arrival broke the original tranquility, it also brought a lot of laughter to the courtyard.

However, Li Xiangqian found that Li Xiaotong sometimes deliberately mentioned some past events in front of Lou Xiaoe, as if to test Lou Xiaoe's reaction. Once, Li Xiaotong accidentally mentioned some embarrassing things that Li Xiangqian had experienced when he was a child, and Lou Xiaoe laughed so hard that she fell backwards, but Li Xiangqian could sense the uncertainty behind her smile.

One night, Li Xiangqian finally couldn't help but talk to Li Xiaotong. He walked into Li Xiaotong's room, sat beside her bed, and said softly, "Xiaotong, what do you think of Xiao'e?"

Li Xiaotong pouted, thought for a moment, and said, "Brother, Sister Lou is a very nice person, very gentle, and very virtuous. But I feel like there seems to be some distance between you two."

Li Xiangqian sighed and said, "Xiaotong, we are still in the stage of getting to know each other. In the past few days since you came back, I feel like you are deliberately testing her."

Li Xiaotong blinked and suddenly smiled: "Brother, I just want to see how serious you are. Sister Lou is really good, I hope you can treat her well."

Li Xiangqian touched Li Xiaotong's head and felt warm in his heart. He knew that although his sister was naughty, she really cared about his happiness. He nodded and said, "Don't worry, Xiaotong. I will cherish her."

In the following days, Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e worked harder to maintain their relationship. Li Xiaotong gradually gave up her temptations towards Lou Xiao'e and began to accept her sincerely. The three of them spent many wonderful times together in the courtyard, and every day was filled with laughter and warmth.

On a sunny morning, Li Xiaotong suddenly ran up to Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiaoe excitedly and said, "Brother, Sister Lou, I want to hold a small party in the yard and invite some of my good friends to come and play, is that okay?"

Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e smiled at each other and answered in unison: "Of course."

Li Xiaotong jumped up happily and began to prepare for the party, while Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiaoe were busy cleaning the yard and arranging the venue. The whole courtyard was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

On the day of the party, Li Xiaotong's friends arrived one after another, and the courtyard suddenly became lively. Everyone played games, sang, and danced together, and the laughter was endless. Li Xiangqian and Lou Xiao'e also joined in, feeling a long-lost sense of relaxation and happiness.

Li Xiaotong looked at the smiles on her brother and Lou Xiao'e's faces and felt extremely relieved. She knew that her dearest brother had finally found his own happiness, and she had also found a sister-in-law whom she could treat sincerely.

As the night went on, the excitement of the party gradually faded away, and Li Xiaotong's friends left one after another. Li Xiangqian, Lou Xiao'e and Li Xiaotong sat in the pavilion, enjoying the tranquility of the night.

"Xiaotong, today's party was great, thank you." Lou Xiao'e said with a smile.

Li Xiaotong smiled and shook her head, saying, "I should thank you, brother, sister Lou, I am really happy to see you together."

Li Xiangqian held Lou Xiao'e's hand tightly, his heart full of gratitude and happiness. He knew that no matter what challenges they would encounter in the future, they would face them together because they cherished and trusted each other.