The King of Siam did not want to give power to the Li Family, so he chose her as the object of compensation.

Perhaps he also wanted to use this as leverage to make the Li Family let go of old issues.

"Isa’s matter, are we not investigating anymore?"

Upon hearing this, Li Hao looked at her: "Do you wish to continue the investigation?"

Tang Li slowly nodded.

In the eyes of most insiders, using her identity as a direct descendant of the Li Family to cover up her relationship with Tang Shen was already the best outcome for her.

However, she seemed a bit greedier.

No matter how glorious the title, it could not bring back her deceased close relatives.

As long as Isa remained at large, her grandfather, her uncle, and Li Chengyu, who went on a mission with the team back then, would forever carry a stigma, true or false.

These were not things the King of Siam cared about.

What he needed was to continue consolidating his position.

And the title of Paweng Zhao was never something she wanted.

Tang Li returned to the hall and gazed at the two urns beside the old monk, joining her hands and closing her eyes once more, wishing that all past affairs would be concluded, allowing her heart to be as serene as Zen, regardless of worldly chaos and human noise.

On the fourth day of the rebirth ritual, a continuous drizzle began in the Chiang Mai Prefecture.

Also because of the rain, Song Jingtian was left at the Li Residence that day.

Originally, it was thought the little one would clamor to go along, but when Tang Li mentioned the arrangement, the little one not only didn’t fuss but also thoughtfully saw her out.

When something is out of the ordinary, it must be suspect.

Tang Li just opened her mouth to ask, and the little one confessed on his own.

—And even taught her a lesson.

"The best way for lovers to get along is to maintain an appropriate distance."

Tang Li: "..."

The little one also asked her to convey a message: "If Little Button asks about me, just say I am studying sutras and will meet her tomorrow."

Saying this, he had already opened the car door for her.

Only when the sedan drove out of the gate did Tang Li remember something.

She hadn’t told Song Jingtian that Little Button’s father is Li Ruan.

However, it didn’t seem to matter that much.

After all, the little one’s affections changed so quickly they could rival the speed of light.

Currently liking Little Button was probably because Little Button was the first young person he encountered in a foreign land.

Upon arriving at Phra Singh Temple, Tang Li got out of the car and faintly sensed the difference from previous days.

The market nearby had significantly fewer people.

Upon first glance, there were only a handful of vendors.

Siam, being a tropical climate, had people long used to the rainfall, so this amount of rain shouldn’t affect their travel plans. Yet this morning, the whole street seemed overly quiet.

Stepping into the temple, the visual incongruity became even more apparent.

The Li Family was holding a ritual at Phra Singh Temple, but they hadn’t restricted other worshippers from entering.

However, today, as Tang Li walked along the path, aside from one or two monks, she didn’t see the usual crowds of tourists.

Ordinarily, it shouldn’t be so deserted at this time.

Approaching the main hall, she heard the familiar sound of chanting, which somewhat dispelled her doubts.

As in previous days, she took off her shoes outside the hall before stepping up, but just before crossing the threshold, Tang Li halted.

The reason being there was now an additional person in the main hall.

At this moment, the imposing presence of the grand gilded Phra Singh Statue was not even a tenth as resonant as that individual’s presence.

The familiar white shirt she knew so well stood among the painted beams and carved pillars, a solitary existence seemingly left behind by the world, reflecting in the golden lights above, like a mirage, so near yet untouchable.

Tang Li remained rooted to the spot as Song Baiyan paused his conversation with Li Hao.

As if sensing something, he cast his gaze toward the doorway.

In that instant when their eyes met, Tang Li was enveloped by the emotions rising from her chest, and beyond her initial surprise, she felt a subtle joy.

Seeing her, a faint smile also appeared on Song Baiyan’s face.

Even if it was fleeting, she caught it nonetheless.

Observing Song Baiyan continuing his conversation with Li Ruan, Tang Li did not interrupt and chose a corner to quietly play her invisible role.

"Why not go over?" someone whispered beside her.

Only when turning did Tang Li realize it was Aunt Ling.

"Here is quite alright," Tang Li responded.

"Douban says you are favored, turns out it’s true."

Li Ling’s words carried an undisguised envy.

Tang Li looked at her, "You still browse Douban?"

Faced with Tang Li’s skepticism, Li Ling was displeased, "Douban is not owned by you. What’s wrong if I surf there. If you don’t want your news to reach the international web, then have your man build a cyber wall. I see it’s not really beyond you."

Tang Li: "..."

Less than five minutes later, her elbow was nudged.

—It was still Li Ling.

"Is your man leaving today?"

Tang Li couldn’t answer.

Song Baiyan had not informed her of his visit to Chiang Mai beforehand.

Therefore, she was unaware of how many days Song Baiyan would stay in Chiang Mai.

As if worried about being overheard, Li Ling lowered her voice: "If he’s not in a hurry to leave, come over to the Xie Family for a simple dinner tonight?"

Tang Li didn’t immediately agree: "Didn’t Aunt Ling say cousin is in closed training?"

Li Ling disagreed with this questioning.

She felt Tang Li had mixed up priorities: "There are competitions every year, but his brother-in-law won’t come to Chiang Mai annually. Let Ah Zhun meet his brother-in-law, so when Ah Zhun does business in Country S, he won’t be so unfamiliar when visiting."

At this time, Li Ruan’s mother, Zheng Shu, turned her head.

—She was kneeling right in front of Li Ling.

Apparently, Zheng Shu also heard what Li Ling said.

She cast a cold eye at Li Ling, curled her lips, "If you have money to treat people to a meal, then when are you planning to settle the compensation bill for the smashed window at my home, which was sent to the Xie Family over half a month ago?"

Tang Li: "....."

Tang Li did not involve herself in the compensation issue between the two families, opting instead to close her eyes, ignoring the affairs outside.

As the chanting session concluded, she reopened her eyes to see Song Baiyan still present.

The monks left the main hall first.

Shortly after, Li Hao got up to go to the side hall.

The Li Family members followed closely behind.

In an instant, the entire hall was vacated.

Tang Li naturally realized it was an intentional avoidance of suspicion.

So, she pushed herself up from the carpet and walked to the front of the Phra Singh Statue.

She knelt back on the meditation cushion and also asked: "Aren’t you visiting Siam on the 6th? And how did you end up in Chiang Mai?"

Song Baiyan replied, "Came to Chiang Mai to handle some matters."

Saying this, he gazed at Tang Li’s face with undisguised affection: "And to pay respects to the ancestors."

Tang Li lightly pressed her lips.

After a brief moment, she spoke again: "You should have given me a heads-up."

Though uttered as a ’complaint’, it revealed a hint of joy.

Song Baiyan chuckled softly, following her lead: "I originally thought to just light some incense and leave, so as not to interrupt the ritual, but was unexpectedly caught by you."

This sort of sigh did not convince Tang Li.

Because she knew clearly—

If Song Baiyan truly wished to avoid her, he had countless ways to do so. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Yet, her path to the main hall had been unobstructed.

Realizing that Song Baiyan was teasing her, Tang Li did not expose him. She glanced at the statue above and then turned to Song Baiyan: "Perhaps Phra Singh heard my heart’s voice, allowing me to have my wish fulfilled."

—

Off to acupuncture tonight, second Chapter probably around midnight, mwah!