Rebirth: I Became Mr.President’s Beloved

Chapter 1285: The First Lady’s Path to Education [4]

Since she knew Song Jingtian wanted to go to Chiang Mai Prefecture to "fall in love," Tang Li naturally wouldn’t collude with him. "You’re still too young. Studying abroad can wait a few more years."

"How many years is ’a few years’?" The little guy refused to give up.

Tang Li thought for a moment and set a condition. "Let’s wait till you grow to one eighty-five."

Song Jingtian: "......"

As smart as he was, Song Jingtian instantly saw through Tang Li’s sneaky little scheme.

She basically didn’t want him going to Chiang Mai Prefecture at all.

The path of young love was bound to be anything but smooth sailing.

But for Little Button, never mind all these obstacles—even if it were a volcano, as long as Little Button said the word, he’d jump right in.

Besides, he’d already thought it all through.

If his family refused to accept his marriage with Little Button in the future, he’d just take Little Button and immigrate to the Vatican.

The Vatican was the only country in all of Europe that hadn’t established diplomatic relations with Country S.

The territory was tiny, sure—maybe one step on the gas and he’d be outside the border—but if he and Little Button lived there, they wouldn’t have to worry about being deported back to Country S.

Although short‑video platforms no longer allowed minors to do livestream sales, the fortune he’d amassed these past two years would definitely be enough for Little Button to use Lamer on a daily basis. Plus, the savings he’d put in his mother’s account were being invested; you could say the money had been making money nonstop.

With Tang Li unwilling to help with the study‑abroad matter, the little guy wasn’t anxious either.

He tucked his little notebook back into his pocket and was about to leave the master bedroom when Tang Li called him back.

Song Jingtian turned around. "What?"

Tang Li was worried this kid would go stir something up in private—like finding someone to buy a boat ticket so he could be smuggled into Chiang Mai Prefecture—so she had no choice but to sell him a big dream. "You study hard in Country S first. After you finish the college entrance exam, then apply to study in Chiang Mai Prefecture. When the time comes, I’ll talk to Little Button’s family and have you live with them."

If he lived right in their house, he’d be the one "closest to the water and first to get the moon."

The little guy immediately doubled back.

He took out his little notebook again, plus a pen. "Then we need to draw up a contract."

Tang Li: "......"

Three minutes later, Tang Li had signed her name on the notebook.

As she wrote the last dot of the character "Li," what Tang Li was thinking was—

Kids fall in and out of love quickly. In seven or eight years when Song Jingtian grows up and matures, he’ll probably think this contract is ridiculous himself.

As he stared at Tang Li finishing her signature, what Song Jingtian was thinking was—

Now that he had it in writing, if his big brother objected to him dating Little Button in the future, he could say it was all Tang Li’s doing, playing matchmaker.

His big brother might make him pay for it, but wouldn’t necessarily bear to get mad at Tang Li.

This one sheet of contract was his amulet.

Even more effective than an imperial pardon.

Even the Li Family wouldn’t dare do anything to him after this.

Tang Li never expected that it would only take Song Jingtian five years to finish all his primary and secondary school courses. When he handed that little notebook over to Song Baiyan, she felt downright unwell.

To preserve her "good sister‑in‑law" persona, Song Baiyan still sent the little guy to Chiang Mai Prefecture.

Of course, that was all later.

Within two days of Tang Li signing that promise, she got a video call from Li Ling.

Li Ling was getting her hair done, dishing out passive‑aggressive snark as she went. "Didn’t I say? No one fawns over you for nothing unless they’re up to no good! Back when Supa sent her son to the old man’s side, I knew she had big ambitions. Facts have proven it’s not that I was overthinking!"

From Li Ling’s mouth, Tang Li learned that Li Hao had released a signal—

Barring any accidents, Li Ruan was his chosen successor as Family Head.

"Li Ruan has already returned to the 2nd Division of the 5th Army." Just thinking of the old man’s arrangements made Li Ling feel stifled and short of breath. Her father‑in‑law had said the old man was paving the way for Li Ruan’s future in politics.

The Li Family had so many descendants, yet the old man chose only Li Ruan. What did that mean? Wasn’t it obvious?

"You’re the legitimate bloodline here. If Li Ruan becomes Family Head, how could he possibly be satisfied just being a corporate drone? When the time comes, the one whose fortune gets encroached on will be you."

Tang Li didn’t let Li Ling rile her up, only said, "Cousin Ruan is capable. It’s understandable the old man chose him."

Li Ling: "..."

She refused to believe Tang Li was really willing to hand over such a huge family business.

But before she could say more, Tang Li spoke first. "Is Aunt Ling dissatisfied with His Excellency?"

Li Ling: "..."

This was a hat that could be as big or as small as you made it.

Once it was put on her, she might never get into Tan Palace again.

She had to correct Tang Li’s misconception. "What are you saying? A President Song with such drive is a once‑in‑a‑century son‑in‑law for our Li Family. Even if I’m unhappy with the King, I would never say a bad word about our President Song."

"If that’s the case, then why has Aunt Ling been egging me on to get a divorce and go back to Siamese?"

Li Ling: "???"

Tang Li said, "If I go to Siamese to fight Cousin Ruan for the family fortune, my husband and I would have to live apart. Aunt Ling must feel His Excellency isn’t good enough, so much so that you’d bad‑mouth Cousin Ruan behind his back just to persuade me to go back to Chiang Mai Prefecture."

"......"

Tang Li lifted her head and looked at Li Ling, whose hair was being permed into an ion straight on the other side of the video. "Aunt Ling, I’ve decided. I can’t keep being a love‑brained fool. You’re right. With such a deep family fortune, I should be taking the biggest share. I’ll go back to Chiang Mai Prefecture tomorrow. As for His Excellency, I’ll be honest with you—he’ll definitely understand."

Li Ling had a bad premonition.

Sure enough, Tang Li didn’t disappoint her. "It’s just... His Excellency will definitely ask me who told me about the Li Family’s situation. When that happens, I’ll inevitably have to borrow Aunt Ling’s name."

She was planning to push her out to take the hit.

If Tang Li stayed in Chiang Mai Prefecture and didn’t return to Country S for a long time, wouldn’t this entire mess be pinned on her?

She’d approached Tang Li to form an alliance, not to make an enemy.

"...When you two are talking as husband and wife, just don’t cue me." Li Ling had forgotten Tang Li was already married, and married to someone even more formidable than the King of Siam at that.

If Song Baiyan decided she’d been the one sabotaging their marriage, how could there be any good days left for her?

Even if he didn’t say anything on the surface, he’d still hold it against her.

The Xie Family had plenty of business in Country S...

"That won’t do." Tang Li acted as if she didn’t understand human language. "Only if I mention Aunt Ling will His Excellency believe what I say."

Li Ling: "..."

The call ended with Li Ling’s side "losing connection."

Whether it was really a bad signal or she hung up on purpose, Tang Li didn’t bother to investigate.

Thanks to Tang Li’s scare tactics, Li Ling didn’t call her once over the next month and even avoided chatting with Tang Li in the family group.

Still, Li Ling’s intel wasn’t one hundred percent accurate.

At the end of August, Li Ruan contacted Tang Li.

For the past two years, Li Ruan had always been the go‑between passing messages between Tang Li and Li Hao. This time was no exception. "The old man asked me to check when you’re planning to have a second child."

Tang Li: "?"

She didn’t get it.

On her cellphone came Li Ruan’s explanation—

"Two years ago, when His Excellency came to Chiang Mai Prefecture, he promised the old man that your second child would take your surname."

——

——

Good night!