Chapter 061　Met his father

  *

  After going to work on Monday, Su Xian explained the situation to Zhao Nanfeng, took a leave of absence, and made all the necessary arrangements in advance. By Thursday, she and Li Chengshi were on a flight to Shanghai, ostensibly to "discuss a project."

  "If it’s a project, why didn't the Boss come himself?" Li Chengshi asked, somewhat puzzled.

  "It probably won't work out anyway, so he sent us to make a polite appearance and go through the motions. Baby, have you ever been to Shanghai?"

  "In my junior year, I went with my roommates for two days. We saw the Bund, Nanjing Road, and some filming locations for Tiny Times. What about you?"

  "I’ve only been twice."

  "At least once was with Zhao Nanfeng, right?"

  "Yes. I was 25 then, exactly the same age as you are now."

  "Where did you guys go for fun?"

  "Nowhere. We stayed in the hotel the whole time..."

  "Stop. Don't say any more."

  *

  They took the airport shuttle to Jing'an Temple station and then hailed a taxi to the J Hotel in the Shanghai Tower.

  Li Chengshi was stunned. "Can the Boss really afford for us to stay in such a luxurious place?" The company had, after all, only just moved out of the red this month.

  "He can’t. I paid for this out of my own pocket. I wanted to give you a taste of the high life."

  "Wasting money," he grumbled, but as he looked up at the clouds, he couldn't hide his excitement.

  The guest room, perched over 500 meters high with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, gave one the ethereal sensation of entering a celestial palace. For a kid from a humble background, it felt a bit surreal.

  Li Chengshi was settling the luggage when he turned around to see Su Xian already changed into the hotel’s premium pajamas, reclining provocatively on the large bed and beckoning him over.

  "No, right now I just want to look at the view." He sat on the sofa by the window, his back to her.

  "Okay." Su Xian moved in front of him and suddenly pulled off her pajamas.

  Li Chengshi let out a shout and jumped up to cover her. "Are you crazy?!"

  "Who's going to see us at this height? Don't block me; I'm catching some sun."

  "You crazy woman, just wait until I..." He growled playfully, scooped her up, and threw her onto the bed.

  **

  At 11:00 AM the next day, Su Xian and Li Chengshi waited in a corner of the 101st-floor hotel lobby for the client to arrive.

  Even if it’s just a polite meeting, Li Chengshi thought, not even taking out any documents seems a bit too casual. Just as he was about to remind her, Su Xian gestured with her chin toward a certain direction. "He’s here."

  Pei Qingyun—no, Tian Qingyun—looked exactly like the photos Su Xian had found online. He was refined, elegant, and possessed an extraordinary aura. Li Chengshi looked so much like him that anyone would immediately recognize them as father and son. He walked straight toward them, followed by a man in his forties.

  Li Chengshi clearly recognized him as well; that day, he had hidden in the guest room and read through every piece of information he could find online. His face instantly darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "Su Xian, you called him here?!"

  "Yes. You can settle the score with me later."

  Tian Qingyun walked up and asked directly, "You are Su Xian?"

  "I am. Please, have a seat." Su Xian made a gesture for them to sit.

  "You've got some nerve, being able to get my wife’s phone number. But threats are never a good idea." He introduced the man beside him. "This is Mr. Zhang, a lawyer. I hope you don't make any unreasonable demands today; otherwise, it would be quite easy to cross into illegal territory."

  In stark contrast to his refined appearance, Tian Qingyun’s voice carried a sinister coldness. Furthermore, he directed his words entirely at Su Xian, never casting so much as a glance at Li Chengshi.

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  "How could that be a threat? I simply implored you to come and meet us."

  Li Chengshi said coldly, "My girlfriend misunderstood my intentions. Knowing my biological father's name for the first time in my life was a shock, but I have no desire to see you. You can leave."

  "There’s no need for the dramatics. Just name your price. But let’s be clear: I will absolutely not recognize this son. I gave strict instructions back then, but Li Xiao failed to use contraception. Did she think she could use a pregnancy to morally kidnap a man? Hmph."

  Li Chengshi’s eyes blazed with fury. He stood up and swung a hand to slap Tian Qingyun, but Lawyer Zhang was quick and caught his arm. "Young man, don't be impulsive."

  Su Xian pulled him back down onto the sofa and held his hand. His hand was trembling, and tears welled up in his eyes.

  She had hoped that perhaps things wouldn't be this bad, that it wouldn't be as tragic as her own experience, but Liang Wenyua’s prediction had been spot on.

  *

  Tian Qingyun looked at Li Chengshi with disdain. "With such a short fuse, you'll never achieve great things. I hate wasting my breath. Since you won't say it, I'll name a price: 1 million. Don't bother me again, or I’ll call the police next time."

  Li Chengshi was beyond furious, but Su Xian held his hand firmly, keeping him grounded. She said to Tian Qingyun, "I told you, I only asked you here for a meeting. Now that the goal has been achieved, you may leave."

  "Do you think acting aloof makes you noble? I advise you to be pragmatic; this is your only chance."

  "I don't need your 1 million," Li Chengshi said to him, word by word. "The person I love has already given it to me."

  "Then congratulations." Tian Qingyun stood up. "It was a pleasure meeting you. Goodbye."

  **

  Leading him by the hand back to the room, Su Xian immediately pulled him into her arms. "Now you can settle the score with me, baby. Are you angry? You can hit me a couple of times."

  Li Chengshi cupped her face with both hands and looked at her. The anger and sadness in his eyes gradually faded, and he kissed her frantically.

  Su Xian responded with equal passion.

  They moved from the entryway to the hallway, to the sofa, to the window, and finally to the bed.

  *

  Late at night, the two of them sat by the window wrapped in pajamas, holding wine glasses and looking out at the bustling lights of Shanghai.

  "Wifey, thank you."

  Su Xian kissed him. "Actually, I really wanted to get some compensation for you and Sister Li. But I felt Tian Qingyun had ill intentions. I was afraid the moment we took the money, the police would be at the door."

  He thought for a moment. "True. He definitely seems like the type. Leader, thinking about it... we really are similarly pitiful."

  "You’re much luckier than me. Sister Li is such a wonderful person."

  "Yeah. I finally understand why Mom refused to tell me anything about Pei Qingyun. She really was doing her best to protect me."

  "Exactly. So, don't tell her about this. She’d be heartbroken and angry if she knew you were mistreated like this."

  "I know. Actually, it’s not really a 'mistreatment.' Did I really not know he didn't care about me all these years? I just didn't want to admit it. Now that I’ve seen it, I can finally give up on him. If it weren't for you, I’d have agonized over this for a long, long time. Wifey, thank you. From now on, I’ll be twice as good to you. I’ll be your family all by myself. I’m going to make you happy."

  "That was beautifully said, baby." Su Xian lunged over to hug him, nearly spilling the wine.

  "You scared me!" Li Chengshi quickly took her glass and put it on the side table. "If it spills on the carpet, we’d have to pay damages, right?"

  Su Xian checked—indeed, they would.

  "Wifey, let’s move to a cheaper place tomorrow. You’ve already given me a taste of the high life, and I’m satisfied. Now, I want to get back to a more grounded life."

  "Then shall we stay at a youth hostel?"

  "Sure! I want to check out the Daxue Road night market."

  "Baby, you could pass for a college student."

  "And you?"

  "The counselor. Haha!"

  *