Chapter 060　 Well... want to film one then?

  *

  The Gongendo Sakura Tsutsumi was as beautiful as a dream. In addition to the rows of tall cherry trees, there were vast fields of yellow rapeseed flowers. They found a small clearing under a blossoming tree, spread out a mat, and enjoyed the flowers, the breeze, and the birdsong. They soaked in the fragrant sunlight filtering through the petals, ate snacks, and chatted loudly amidst the happy crowd—whispering secrets and stealing quick kisses when no one was looking. During the warmest part of the afternoon, Li Chengshi fell asleep with his head resting on Su Xian's lap.

  Su Xian took the opportunity to reply to Huang Xiao Huang's message, arranging to visit her in Kawasaki the next day.

  *

  The traffic was heavy on the way back, so they pulled into a roadside fast-food restaurant halfway to wait out the rush.

  Li Chengshi poured her a glass of water. "Leader, I know you have a 10km run on Sunday and your study plan to finish. You don't have to come with me tomorrow."

  "No, she’s your most important friend. Of course I’m going with you."

  "Tell me the truth."

  "I’ve never met a lesbian couple before. I’m curious, and I admire them. I want to express my support in person."

  "Hmph, I knew it. Don't get too excited tomorrow."

  "Don't worry about it."

  **

  Huang Xiao Huang’s girlfriend, Ding Haiyan, was a handsome girl with long hair, three years older than her, and possessed a somewhat boyish charm. After dating for only three months, they were already prepared to spend their lives together. However, neither had the courage to come out to their parents, so they had moved abroad one after the other, hoping to work and live in a place where they could enjoy a private world without interference.

  They rented a two-bedroom apartment, and Huang Xiao Huang showed them their respective rooms.

  "You sleep in separate rooms?" Li Chengshi found it hard to believe.

  "When we want to sleep together, we do; when we need space, we separate. Little Bear, I bet you definitely sleep with Engineer Su, right?"

  "Yeah." He didn't quite understand. Why would anyone need "space"? All he needed was to be as close as possible.

  *

  Ding Haiyan had arrived in November of the previous year and had basically adjusted, so there wasn't much they needed help with. Instead, Huang Xiao Huang dropped a bombshell on Li Chengshi.

  "My dad and your mom are together."

  "What?!" Li Chengshi was shocked.

  "No wonder I felt Sister Li had become more cheerful lately," Su Xian recalled Li Xiao's appearance in the video calls. "Right, her eyebrow shape even changed."

  Seeing Li Chengshi’s look of disbelief, Huang Xiao Huang smiled. "Little Bear, are you worried my dad will scam Auntie Li?"

  He was indeed a bit worried. "Your dad surely knows my mom was badly scammed by a man back then. To this day, I don't even know who my father is."

  "I know."

  Huang Xiao Huang’s two words were like a clap of thunder. Li Chengshi nervously grabbed Su Xian’s hand.

  *

  The story was actually quite simple. Li Chengshi’s father, Pei Qingyun, was their classmate. Back in school, he had first dated Liang Wenyua, then dumped her for Li Xiao. By the time they graduated university, Li Xiao was pregnant. However, shortly after starting work, he quickly hooked up with his company leader’s daughter and dumped Li Xiao.

  Su Xian squeezed Li Chengshi’s hand tightly, trying to comfort him. On the other hand, she was startled to realize that Liang Wenyua was part of this story and felt a strong urge to contact her immediately to find out the truth.

  "You said his name is Pei Qingyun?" Li Chengshi finally calmed down.

  "Yeah, but now he’s called Tian Qingyun because he married into his wife's family. You can search for him; there are introductions online. He's a successful entrepreneur and a representative of the Provincial People’s Congress."

  He opened his phone, but his hand was shaking. "Forget it. I don't care about that person."

  Ding Haiyan brought over a plate of beef to put into the hotpot. "Xiao Huang, you really can't keep a secret. Didn't your dad tell you not to say anything? Look, Little Bear has lost his appetite."

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  "I know Auntie Li is trying to protect Little Bear, but I don't think he’s that fragile. Besides, he has the right to know the truth."

  Li Chengshi added, "Sister Ding, it's okay. Xiao Huang was right to tell me."

  "But Little Bear, don't go questioning Auntie Li, or else my dad will scold me to death."

  "Don't worry, I won't sell you out. Thanks for telling me."

  **

  Su Xian took the wheel for the drive home.

  "Baby, look up that Tian Qingyun. See if he looks like you."

  "I don't want to look like him."

  "Okay. Do you want to stay quiet for a bit?"

  "Yeah."

  "I'll put on some light music then. You can drowse for a while."

  *

  They were silent the whole way. Once home, he said, "Leader, I need some space. Just for a little bit."

  "Then go stay in the guest room. I won't disturb you."

  Watching him close the guest room door, Su Xian returned to the bedroom and immediately contacted Liang Wenyua.

  "Why on earth did Huang Shan tell the kid that!" Liang Wenyua was clearly reluctant to bring up the past, but she couldn't withstand Su Xian’s persistent questioning and finally admitted it.

  "Back in school, Pei Qingyun’s excellence in all areas was very prominent. Many female students chased him. He chose me because my family was well-off; coming from a rural background, his goals were very clear. But I had a real spoiled rich-girl attitude back then, while Li Xiao was both gentle and beautiful. He couldn't stand me, so he turned to her. I knew even then they wouldn't last, because Li Xiao had no resources to help his career. Sure enough, he realized this soon after. Right after graduation, he dumped her for the boss’s daughter. Later, he changed wives a few more times—each one richer than the last. Now he’s successful and famous. You tell me, where is the karma in this world?"

  "At least you weren't the most miserable one."

  "True. When I first heard Li Xiao was dumped, I even laughed and thought she deserved it. But a few years later, I ran into her at the hospital taking Li Chengshi for treatment. She looked miserable, haggard beyond recognition. Li Chengshi had a high fever and was on an IV; the child was crying, and she was crying too. The resentment in my heart vanished instantly. I wanted to give her money, but she refused. I told her to come to me if she had trouble, but she never did. Not until before Li Chengshi graduated—she said the kid had sent out hundreds of resumes with no luck. She was worried he’d get frustrated, or worse, scammed—you know those stories about graduates being tricked into working in Northern Myanmar? That’s when she came to me, hoping I’d help the kid for the sake of 'old times' with Pei Qingyun. Why bother with that scumbag's sentiment? Arranging a job for a kid isn't hard. I didn't expect it would end up helping you too—killing two birds with one stone."

  "But what do we do now? Li Chengshi is quite emotional. Do you think he’ll want to see his father?"

  "Better not. Once a 'Phoenix Man'（a man who married into wealth and climbed the social ladder） climbs to the top, what he hates most is someone bringing up his past. It’s certain Li Chengshi feels hurt, but if he contacts him, he’ll probably only feel worse. Comfort him well; he’ll probably let it go in a few days."

  *

  But how to comfort him? And can one really let go for no reason?

  Su Xian thought that if she hadn't burned bridges with her own parents back then, she would have inevitably harbored a sliver of expectation. Perhaps it's better to personally shatter the illusion.

  *

  Around 5:00 PM, Li Chengshi came out of the guest room, looking as if nothing had happened.

  Su Xian was busy in the kitchen. He quickly went over, put on an apron, and said, "Let me do it. If you cook, it’s a struggle for me to clean up the mess afterward."

  "You have to give me a chance to practice, or will you have to cook for me for the rest of your life?"

  "Isn't that my dream?"

  "Baby, you’re so good at flirting." Su Xian, holding a pot lid in one hand and a spatula in the other, squeezed him with her arms to give him a hug.

  Li Chengshi looked up and sighed. "Can't we just say something warm and romantic without it sounding like the script of an adult film coming from your mouth?"

  "Well... want to film one then?"

  He took the lid and spatula from her hands and pushed her out of the kitchen. "Go do your studying. If you don't pass the exam in July, it’s a one-month celibacy ban."

  **