Chapter 081　 Fine, I'll just make you so busy you can't stop.

  *

  Lawyer Yamauchi explained the seriousness of the matter to Huang Shan and relayed Huang Pinghe’s ultimatum about "cutting ties." Huang Shan became frightened; to be honest, he didn't want to ruin a young girl’s future either, even if he disapproved of his daughter’s relationship with her.

  *

  Through Lawyer Yamauchi’s mediation, the incident was characterized as a minor conflict. Huang Shan’s visa was not immediately revoked, allowing him to continue his family visit, but a negative record would remain in the immigration system, making the likelihood of future visa rejections extremely high.

  Although Ding Haiyan had engaged in some shoving, it was deemed justifiable self-defense as a victim and would not affect her visa.

  *

  Huang Shan paid the legal fees. Lawyer Yamauchi bid everyone farewell and left first, while Zhao Nanfeng drove them back to their residence.

  In the living room, Huang Pinghe and Ding Haiyan sat on the left side of the dining table, with Huang Shan on the right. The atmosphere was awkward, and no one knew how to start talking.

  Zhao Nanfeng stepped forward and said, "The reason this was resolved properly is that everyone was able to understand each other. Uncle Huang, between respecting your child and losing your child, I think you’ve already made your choice. Now, think seriously about how to convince yourself to accept this. Ding Haiyan, work visas are very fragile. If you’re that impulsive, how can you protect yourself and the person you love? If Uncle Huang had insisted at the police station that it was a mutual fight, you’d be finished. Shouldn't you say thank you to him? Then, talk this out properly as a family." Finally, he looked at Huang Pinghe. "It’s good that you knew to ask for help when things went wrong. But both sides are your family; don't just cry. You should learn to take control of the situation."

  All three nodded in agreement.

  "Then we’ll leave you to talk. There are important matters at the company; Su Xian and I must head back as soon as possible."

  *

  Once in the car and buckled in, Su Xian smiled at Zhao Nanfeng. "Thanks."

  "You're welcome. I only did it so I could swoop in while you're vulnerable."

  Su Xian rolled her eyes in disgust. "You really are something. Why do you have to say things like that to ruin the good image?"

  "So you’re saying you do have good image of me?"

  "Certainly. This was a tough situation for me to handle; you're much more capable than I am."

  "Why are you still thinking about who’s capable or not? Actually, I just knew you didn't want to touch these 'family and children' issues, so I had to settle it for you."

  "You weren't this considerate back then. Zhao Nanfeng, you’ve grown up!" She didn't hold back her praise.

  He accepted it unceremoniously. "Actually, aside from the cheating, I’m perfect in every other way."

  "Yeah, yeah, sure," she said dismissively.

  "I swear I won't be like that anymore. Why don't you come back to me?"

  "First of all, a 'vow' has no legal standing. Second, once this busy period is over, I’m going to go find Li Chengshi and bring him back."

  "Bring him back for what? To have his baby? The company is gaining momentum right now, and we’re both at the perfect age to strive. Don't waste time on that useless stuff."

  "Stop trying to PUA (gaslighting) me."

  Fine, I'll just make you so busy you can't stop.

  **

  Around noon, Li Xiao finally received a voice call from Huang Shan, and the two talked for a long time. Putting down her phone, Li Xiao sighed and called Li Chengshi over to sit on the sofa.

  "What did Uncle Huang say?"

  "At least nothing major happened."

  "That’s good then."

  "Good? Huang Shan has run out of options; he’s afraid that if he pushes more, someone might die. But he’s hurting inside. He’s a teacher—how will his colleagues look at him?"

  "Is Xiao Huang’s happiness more important, or the opinions of others?"

  "Is the path you choose yourself guaranteed to be happy? You’re a living example of a cautionary tale right now."

  "Mom, why are you rubbing salt in my wounds!"

  "Alright, alright, I'll stop. So what do you plan to do?"

  "Can I just stay home and live off you?"

  "Why not? We have no mortgage or car loans now. I’ll support you with my salary, and when I retire, I’ll support you with my pension. I’ll strive to live to 100. By then you’ll be 77, and I’ll take you with me when I go."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "Mom, you're the best." He leaned into Li Xiao’s arms, but it was hard not to remember that their house mortgage had been paid off with Su Xian’s money.

  His phone lit up with a WeChat message from Huang Pinghe, telling him that Engineer Su had asked President Zhao to help settle today’s mess and that she was very grateful.

  President Zhao... ha. Even after breaking up, I’m forced to hear news about him.

  "But Little Bear, I feel like there's something... between Engineer Su and President Zhao," Huang Pinghe sent another message.

  *

  Li Chengshi’s vision went dark, and a sharp pain tugged at his chest. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  "What's wrong, Little Bear?" Li Xiao noticed his change in mood.

  "Nothing. Mom, weren't you going to get a haircut?"

  "Oh, right, I almost forgot." Li Xiao stood up to leave.

  Only then did he message Huang Pinghe back: "What do you mean by 'something'?"

  "It's not that they did anything specific, it's just that the way they are together feels a bit too... naturally close. Not like colleagues or ordinary friends. And I'm not the only one who thinks so; Xiao Ding feels the same."

  Li Chengshi explained: "They used to date, so it's a bit out of the ordinary."

  Huang Pinghe sent a "shocked" emoji. "They used to date and you still let Engineer Su work there? Little Bear, you've got a big heart!"

  "When they were together, President Zhao cheated many times. Su Xian saw through him long ago. It’s just that they work well together and the business is developing nicely now. I had no reason to object."

  "So that's how it is. I originally thought President Zhao was tall, handsome, and efficient, and that Engineer Su was a good match for him, but cheating is definitely a no-go. You have to remind Engineer Su not to fall for his tricks."

  Li Chengshi tossed the phone aside, feeling extremely incensed. She’s already fallen for it—hook, line, and sinker! How crazy must it have been to not even use protection to the point of getting pregnant!

  His mind was filled with dirty images, and the more he thought, the angrier he got.

  Su Xian, you big dummy!

  **

  To attend the Sendai municipal project launch on Thursday morning, Zhao Nanfeng and Su Xian took the Shinkansen there on Wednesday afternoon. Getting off the train after 6:00 PM, they checked into their hotel and dropped off their luggage. For dinner, Zhao Nanfeng had booked a table at the city's top-rated yakiniku restaurant.

  The autumn air was crisp—the perfect season for grilled meat.

  Besides the famous Sendai beef tongue, the general cuts of meat were impressive; not only was the quality high and the portions generous, but the prices were much more affordable than in Tokyo.

  "Are you really not drinking?"

  "No!" she said firmly. Drinking led to pregnancy, which led to the abortion, which led to the breakup. The consequences were too disastrous.

  Zhao Nanfeng ordered her a non-alcoholic beer. It lacked a bit of punch, but it was better than nothing.

  With such delicious beef tongue, she wished she could have brought Li Chengshi here. Sigh.

  But... how could the issue of children be solved?

  *

  After dinner, they strolled back to the hotel.

  There were only the two of them in the elevator. Zhao Nanfeng moved a step closer to Su Xian. She looked up at him coldly. He paused for a few seconds and then stepped back.

  "You weren't this fierce before." He seemed a bit regretful. "Look, such a good atmosphere, a night with no interruptions—what a waste."

  Su Xian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why don't you go out and find someone else? That shouldn't be hard for you."

  "I'm really not playing around anymore. I'm just waiting for you."

  Su Xian said in disgust, "Zhao Nanfeng, maybe I should take you to the hospital. You're acting like you're on aphrodisiacs every single day!" Seeing him about to retort, she glared and said, "Shut up."

  Zhao Nanfeng closed his mouth but began to whistle a song.

  Wind of Change, an old song. It wasn't about love, but the melody easily evoked romantic thoughts for those who didn't understand the lyrics. When they were deeply in love, they used to play it on loop as background music and would hold each other for a slow dance to the rhythm before bed.

  **