Chapter 050　 I have to ask for your permission first.

  *

  Su Xian hadn't told Liang Wenya or Lao Zhang about Zhao Nanfeng’s situation. After all, she had gone to Japan full of hope only for things to turn out poorly. She didn't want them to worry, nor did she want their pity. As an adult, it was only natural to face the consequences of one's choices, and she believed the low point would eventually pass.

  Liang Wenya sighed. "Anliang will always have a place for you; there's a way back whenever you want it. But to be honest, you're better off working with him for now. The construction industry in China is in bad shape—residential properties aren't selling, office buildings are vacant, and no one is investing in factories. In the months since you left, we haven't landed a single decent project. The replacements we hired for you, Xiao Zhou and Xiao Wu, both ended up leaving."

  Su Xian had heard rumors of this and knew that Xu Shuyi had been moved to Design Team 1, while her own Design Team 2 had been disbanded. "Don't worry, General Manager Liang. Although things aren't as good as expected, we’re getting by. After a few more years of tempering myself, I should be able to get my way out."

  "If Zhao Nanfeng can learn his lesson, maybe this will turn out to be a good thing."

  Su Xian smiled. She hoped so too, but it was better not to hope it too much.

  "Actually, we should have invited Xiao Li over today," Lao Zhang said to Liang Wenya. "When they went to Japan in August, those two were still bickering, but now they’re sickeningly sweet. We should have seen it for ourselves."

  "You’re overthinking it," Su Xian replied. "He would definitely act like a 'good boy' in front of you."

  "I don't think it’s an act," Liang Wenya remarked, sounding thoughtful. "Li Xiao said he never dares to cross any lines. I’ve always felt that Li Xiao passed her own hardships onto the child over the years. What looks like being 'well-behaved' is actually an external expression of fragility, sensitivity, and low self-esteem. That’s why I think you two are a good match. Sometimes you’re so cheerful you seem a bit 'crazy,' which is exactly what he needs to feel warm."

  "I feel like he’s the one who’s been warming me up."

  **

  Li Xiao took a few days off specifically to take Li Chengshi back to the countryside to visit his maternal grandparents. His grandfather had been hemiplegic for years, but his grandmother was still robust enough to care for him alone. After staying for two days, they returned to the city and invited Huang Shan and his daughter, Huang Pinghe, to dinner. Although the parents knew the two kids were just playing along with the blind date, they couldn't help but urge them to keep trying for a while longer. Hearing that Huang Pinghe was set to work in Japan next April, Li Xiao said sentimentally, "If you two were dating, you could look out for each other abroad. As parents, we could finally rest easy. Feelings can be nurtured slowly. Since neither of you has a partner, wouldn't it be nice to go out together when you're free?"

  Li Chengshi and Huang Pinghe both chuckled noncommittally, as they both knew each other’s true stories.

  "Uncle, don't worry," Li Chengshi said to Huang Shan. "Even if we aren't dating, I'll look out for Xiao Huang once she’s in Japan."

  Huang Pinghe also said to Li Xiao, "Little Bear (Li Chengshi) and Engineer Su live just across the street from each other. She can look after him in work and in life. You can rest assured, Auntie."

  "That’s his boss; it’s different."

  Huang Pinghe smiled and didn't push the subject further.

  After dinner, Huang Shan told his daughter to take Li Chengshi to a newly opened mall. The two obediently went.

  Watching them leave, Li Xiao felt a slight sense of comfort. She believed that with enough time together, feelings would grow.

  **

  "So, Engineer Su is willing to date you now?" Huang Pinghe asked with a grin.

  "Yeah, we’re dating. But I still don't know if she's willing to get married. I don't dare to ask."

  "Don't rush; take it steady. When love runs deep, people are willing to make concessions for each other."

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  "But what I want isn't for her to 'concede.' I want her to discover for herself that marriage is a good thing. I want her to want to get married first, and then choose me."

  "Little Bear, you really are so gentle. If you were a girl, I’d definitely pursue you."

  Li Chengshi felt a bit embarrassed. "How are things with you?"

  "Good. She went to Japan last month. Once I head over in April, we'll live together."

  "Aren't you going to tell your dad?"

  "Not for now. Even I don't know if we can make it work, because I’m not a brave person. What about you? Are you going to tell Auntie?"

  "Yes."

  **

  The holiday was short, so Li Chengshi decided to come clean with his mother today. To set a good mood, he took Li Xiao to the mall to buy her clothes, shoes, a bag, and even a gold necklace.

  Li Xiao said happily, "Since you can't come back for Lunar New Year, I’ll just treat today like the holiday."

  "Actually, I could take time off to come back, or you could come over there."

  "Maybe in a while. You haven't been there even half a year yet; your footing isn't stable. Focus on work first. Once your career picks up, anything is possible."

  "Mom, you’re so reasonable." He put his arm around her shoulder and continued to flatter her, "Truly a modern woman of the new era!"

  *

  Back at home, Li Chengshi had Li Xiao sit on the sofa while he gave her a shoulder massage. He said softly, "Mom, I have something to discuss with you."

  Li Xiao let out an "Ouch" and, recalling the special treatment she'd received all day, asked nervously, "What kind of 'rebellious' thing are you planning to discuss?"

  "How is that possible? I’m so well-behaved."

  "Come here." Li Xiao pulled him from behind the sofa to sit beside her. "Speak up. Mom can handle it."

  "It's really not a bad thing!" He lowered his head and steeled his resolve. "Mom, I have someone I like."

  Li Xiao’s eyes lit up. "That’s a good thing! Who is it?"

  "Someone you know. Engineer Su."

  The joy in Li Xiao’s eyes vanished instantly. "How old is she? I remember at the airport, she called me 'Sister Li'."

  "Thirty-four."

  Li Xiao breathed a slight sigh of relief. She had thought Su Xian was just very well-preserved but might actually be in her forties. Still... "That’s a ten-year difference. She’ll be thirty-five after the Lunar New Year (Chinese people get one year old from 1st January). Having a baby at that age means she’s an 'advanced maternal age' mother. Have you thought about that?"

  "Mom, Mom, let's not talk about kids yet. She might not even want to get married."

  "If she doesn't want to get married, then... well, date her if you want. You’ll only be twenty-five after the Lunar New Year anyway. It won't be too late to find someone else if you break up in a couple of years."

  "But I want to marry her. Even if she doesn't want to now, I think she will in a few years. And even if she never wants to, I’m still willing. As long as I can be with her, it’s enough."

  "Li Chengshi, you..." Li Xiao turned to face him fully. "When you were little, I used to vent my bitterness to you all the time, which made you sensitive and insecure. That was my fault. But we’ve made it through those hard times. Son, in a relationship, it should be mutual. Don't be so humble and self-sacrificing. It breaks my heart." As she spoke, her eyes welled up, and she began to cry.

  Li Chengshi placed a box of tissues on her lap.

  Li Xiao wiped her tears. "How far have things gone between you two?"

  "We haven't 'gone' anywhere yet. Didn't I have to ask for your permission first?"

  "But I can't agree to this! Even if I reluctantly accept the age gap, she has to be willing to get married and have children! If she were your age, you could date for a few years before considering these things, but if she hesitates much longer, she won't be able to have children at all!"

  *