Chapter 052　 I just need a little more time to... 'heal' her.

  *

  Su Xian wanted nothing to do with them, but they had harassed her all the way to her company. In the end, it was Liang Wenya who lent Su Xian the money, promising to pay each of them 200,000 RMB. In the presence of a lawyer, they signed an agreement to sever all familial ties. In truth, such agreements are rarely protected by law in China; if the parents were to sue for maintenance later, the courts would likely rule in their favor. Fortunately, they were from a small town, lacked experience, and were easily intimidated. Liang Wenya brought in a dozen men from a demolition crew to "escort" them all the way back, only handing over the money once they arrived. In the years since, they hadn't dared to cause trouble again.

  However, from that point on, Su Xian never posted any personal updates on social media again.

  "In short, because of her family, she feels that marriage is something harmful to both parties, the previous generation, and the next. That's why she's so resistant to it," Li Chengshi said. He didn't mention the part about Zhao Nanfeng, as he didn't want his mother to know they were currently working at Su Xian's ex-boyfriend's firm.

  He figured that in his mother’s heart, Su Xian was already full of "bugs."

  *

  "Mom, she fought so hard to make it on her own and live comfortably. Now, just because she likes me, she suddenly has an extra 'mother' she has to worry about pleasing. I don't want her to feel that dating is a chore. If she leaves me, I won’t live anymore."

  "Are you crazy, saying things like that!" Li Xiao was so angry she pinched his cheek.

  "Ow, ow, ow!"

  Li Xiao let go, completely out of options. She figured that a young man's first love is often intense and reckless; maybe if she just let him be, he’d tire of it faster. Either way, she decided she was done trying to control it.

  "Mom, I just need a little more time to... 'heal' her. But believe me, I can do it."

  **

  The next day was a meeting day, and Li Xiao had to leave Li Chengshi and head back to the factory.

  The meeting was long and tedious, leaving her head spinning. Just as it was almost time to finish, she received a call from an unknown number. Her manager was still speaking, so she couldn't answer. A moment later, the call ended, and she received a text.

  *

  Su Xian was waiting at the factory gate. Seeing Li Xiao, she hurried forward to greet her, offering gifts. "Sister Li," she said awkwardly, "this is top-grade cubilose. It’s great for the skin."

  Li Xiao was just as embarrassed. "You're calling me 'Sister'?"

  Su Xian gave a sheepish smile. If she were meeting Li Chengshi’s mother as a colleague, she would be perfectly poised. But meeting her as a girlfriend was a major breach of her usual principles; she truly didn't know how to handle the atmosphere and was already flushing red.

  "Let’s find somewhere further away to sit," Li Xiao suggested. "In an old factory like this, people love to gossip."

  *

  Su Xian took Li Xiao to a café she had visited before.

  "Engineer Su, why did you come to see me?"

  "I stayed at General Manager Liang’s house last night. She mentioned you called her and said you didn't think Chengshi and I were a good match... I really like him, Sister Li. Please agree to let us be together."

  "Do you think it's a good match?"

  "I think it's a perfect match."

  "Then stay together. I won't interfere."

  Eh? That easy? Su Xian was a bit puzzled.

  "Actually, I already agreed yesterday."

  Su Xian’s face lit up. "Li Chengshi is quite capable, isn't he?"

  Li Xiao suppressed a sigh. Capable? He knelt, he cried, he threatened that he "won't live" if she left him. That embarrassing, useless son of hers!

  "He told me a bit about your family. He made it sound like you were extremely sensitive—that you’d be miserable at the mere mention of parents or family. He was even afraid you’d be upset if I invited you over. But seeing you come here on your own today, I don't think you're like that at all. Little Bear might be overprotecting you a bit."

  "I used to be like that. I’m... slowly getting better."

  Li Xiao nodded. "He told me to give him some time, that he wanted to 'heal' you."

  Su Xian’s eyes grew misty.

  Li Xiao handed her a tissue. "Then let's go at your pace. I won't meddle; as long as you two are happy, that’s enough."

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  "Thank you, Sister Li." Su Xian stood up and gave a deep bow.

  "But if Little Bear went to such lengths to get my permission, why didn't he tell you immediately?"

  "He probably thought if he told me right away, I’d be torn over whether I should come and meet you formally during this holiday. He didn't want to put me in a difficult position."

  "He really is devoted to you." Li Xiao had heard that many mothers feel a sense of jealousy or loss when their sons start dating; she hoped she wasn't being too much.

  "Hehe. Sister Li, how about we give him a surprise?"

  **

  Early the next morning, Li Xiao made a list and took Li Chengshi to the supermarket to buy a lot of ingredients.

  "Is someone coming over today, Mom?"

  "No, I’m just in a good mood and felt like cooking. You don't need to help; go tidy up the house."

  "Okay, Mom!" He turned on some upbeat music and hummed along, mopping the floor to the rhythm. Every time Li Xiao looked at him, he gave her a brilliant smile.

  She had never seen her son so cheerful and lively. In her memory, he had always been a quiet, somber, and somewhat unhappy child. Perhaps Su Xian really was the right person for him.

  *

  "The dumplings are boiled, everything’s ready!"

  "Mom, you’re amazing!"

  The doorbell rang.

  "Probably a delivery. Little Bear, go get it."

  "Okay."

  Li Chengshi opened the door, only to have a massive bouquet of flowers thrust into his face. He took a step back to catch it. "This is... ah, Team Leader!" He was both panicked and overjoyed. "Why are you here?!"

  "I missed you."

  *

  Seeing Li Xiao serve soup to Su Xian, Li Chengshi still found it hard to believe. The atmosphere at the table was wonderful. Li Xiao didn't pry, and Su Xian was quite proactive. It was clear they weren't well-acquainted yet, but they respected each other.

  He had been so afraid that Su Xian wouldn't want anything to do with his family, yet she had taken the initiative to come and fight for him.

  Heaven was being too kind to him!

  *

  After dinner, they sat around the sofa chatting. Su Xian pushed a handbag toward Li Xiao.

  "You already brought cubilose yesterday. Didn't I tell you to just come empty-handed?"

  "That would be rude. Besides, this isn't a gift. It’s 'betrothal money'."

  Li Chengshi was shocked. "Isn't the man supposed to give the betrothal money?! Mom, you didn't ask Su Xian for this, did you?"

  "How could I!" Li Xiao hurried to clear her name—otherwise, what if he threatened her with his life again? "Engineer Su, I said yesterday: as long as you two are happy, that's all that matters. What is this for?"

  "Li Chengshi mentioned this house was bought in 2019. That means it was bought near the peak of the market. The monthly mortgage must be several thousand RMB. This is 1 million. Sister Li, please take it and pay off some of the mortgage early."

  "This won't do. People don't do things this way." Li Xiao couldn't say she wasn't tempted, but she didn't dare take it.

  Li Chengshi looked back and forth and pushed the money toward his mother. "Mom, just take it. I’m worth much more than this; she’s getting a bargain."

  "No, no. Engineer Su is all alone in the world; it’s not easy to earn this much. Keep it for your future life together."

  "I won't be 'all alone' anymore. Sister Li, please take it."

  "Yeah, Mom, she has plenty more. Just take it."

  Li Xiao was still hesitating.

  "Mom, being too polite starts to look fake." He stuffed the bag into Li Xiao’s arms.

  "Then... then I’ll take it?"

  "Sister Li, the bank asks for a reason when you withdraw this much cash now. I told them it was for 'betrothal money,' but they didn't believe me. They interrogated me for ages and almost called the police thinking I was being scammed. Please keep it; I really don't want to take it back."

  "Then... I’ll take the money, and Little Bear belongs to you."

  "Mom, you’re giving me away?!"

  "I don't want you anymore. You useless child, your heart is completely full of your girlfriend."

  **