Chapter 065　 You’re just jealous.

  *

  Li Chengshi went back to the master bedroom to remove his makeup and change. Li Xiao asked with a smile, "Is it because of those clothes and props that Little Bear was so insistent about me not entering your bedroom?"

  "Yes. This one is okay to be seen, but there are many others that aren't, so..."

  "Oh, you two certainly know how to have fun! Don't worry, I wouldn't go in even if you didn't say anything." She turned more serious and said to Su Xian, "Engineer Su, thank you. I never imagined Little Bear could become this cheerful. He must be so happy every day! It’s all thanks to you."

  "Sister Li, you’re being too polite."

  Recalling the past, Li Xiao couldn't help but feel self-reproach. "He was infected by my bad mood ever since he was born; he hardly ever smiled as a child. In kindergarten and elementary school, kids always called him a wild child without a father and bullied him. It made him silent and insecure—he used to cry at the drop of a hat. We finally made it to middle and high school where people stopped mentioning it as much, but he was a late bloomer. He was only 158 cm in middle school and 162 cm in high school, so the insecurity persisted. In his freshman year of college, he suddenly shot up to 183 cm, but that’s also when the acne came. While the other boys were starting to date, he spent his days hiding from girls behind a large mask. I took him to dermatologists, he took herbal medicine, practiced skincare... the acne didn't fully clear up until his senior year, and his skin was finally well-maintained. I thought things would finally get better, but cowardice and insecurity were already etched into his personality. He didn't dare to strive for anything. Though he worked hard, his grades weren't great. Finding a job was a nightmare. Our factory was doing poorly and hadn't hired in years, so I finally swallowed my pride and begged Liang Wenyua. She was quite honorable and arranged a spot. Later, he said he wanted to learn Japanese, pass the Level 1 exam, and go to Japan. Heavens, I had never seen the child so proactive! I thought Liang’s company must be quite impressive, but I didn't realize it was all because of you. Engineer Su, you are our family’s lucky star."

  "Oh, Sister Li, you’re overpraising me." Su Xian was modest, but she had a clear conscience—she really was good at motivating him. Furthermore, she had previously suspected Li Chengshi was lying about being a virgin, but now she believed it.

  Hey, I saved a poor little soul!

  *

  Late that night, as they chatted with the lights out, Su Xian stroked Li Chengshi’s cheek. "Sister Li described you as someone with very low self-esteem. Maybe that’s just her being a worried mother, but that’s not the impression I had of you. After that night on Youlu Island, when we started talking outside of work, you practically roasted me every day. You had quite a fiery little temper. And since coming to Japan, you’ve never held back when talking back to Zhao Nanfeng. He’s your boss, after all, and I’ve never seen you shrink away. That’s not the behavior of someone with low self-esteem."

  He smiled triumphantly. "Guess why that is?"

  "Young man, you’d best not test my patience, or I’ll punish you with 200 squats next time."

  "You win." He leaned closer. "In the past, I really was insecure. For many years—insecure and suppressed. But one day, a stunning beauty slept with me. Even though it was an accident, a fact is a fact. Suddenly, I gained infinite confidence."

  Su Xian frowned. "Men are so superficial. But calling me a stunning beauty? You’ve got good taste."

  He leaned closer still and whispered in her ear, "I don’t know if you remember, but that night, you praised me for being 'very good'—and you said it twice."

  Yikes. Su Xian felt a bit embarrassed. Fortunately, it was dark, so he couldn't see. In truth, you have to praise every boyfriend for being "good"—it’s a basic requirement. But if they all took it literally, then she was simply being a saint. "Baby, you are very good. Even through the haze of the poisonous mushrooms that day, I could feel it. Also, let me tell you, you’re even better now. Practice makes perfect..."

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  **

  Work continued in full swing, and soon it was late May.

  Su Xian finished a document and had Li Chengshi print it out for Zhao Nanfeng’s confirmation. When he returned, he said awkwardly, "Yoshida Wakaba was practically glued to the Boss. I couldn't even look. Can you talk to him? After all, his office area isn't enclosed; anyone walking by can see."

  Su Xian felt that, from her position, it was best not to interfere, but she agreed noncommittally.

  After a video conference with a client that afternoon, Su Xian looked up at Zhao Nanfeng while packing up. She hesitated.

  "If you have something to say, say it."

  "How about... we get you an independent office?"

  Zhao Nanfeng gave a disdainful laugh. "Why the sudden politeness? If you can't stand the sight, just say so."

  "I can stand it perfectly fine; I support you. It’s only been a month and your hair is turning black again, and your weight is recovering. This is the nourishment brought by physical pleasure. Everyone has their own path to redemption, and you deserve yours. It’s just... we are a professional company after all. Don't be too blatant."

  Faced with her verbal artistry, Zhao Nanfeng only said four words: "You’re just jealous."

  See? This was why she didn't want to bring it up. Forget it. She gathered her materials and stood up to leave.

  "I hit the mark, so now you’re angry."

  Su Xian sat back down, folded her arms, and looked at him coldly.

  Zhao Nanfeng laughed. "Don't be mad. I'll remind Yoshida later. Actually, I don’t like it much either, but her attraction to me is purely physiological. It’s truly hard for a man to refuse that kind of approach."

  Ugh. 'Physiological attraction.' Enjoy yourself, then.

  **

  Ding Haiyan had two wedding dresses custom-made and asked her photographer friend to help her and Huang Pinghe take a photo album. Huang Pinghe messaged Li Chengshi asking for recommended spots.

  Su Xian said casually, "Why don't they hold an informal wedding at the Youth Plaza I designed? They’ll get blessings from strangers."

  Li Chengshi’s eyes lit up. He immediately made the suggestion and sent over related YouTube videos. A moment later, he said happily, "Wifey, they said yes!"

  "Heh, another daily good deed."

  "Wifey, you're the best! Xiao Huang said Ding Haiyan has two close friends who want to attend as witnesses, and she wants to invite us as witnesses too. Is that okay?"

  "Of course! What date?"

  "June 7th. It's the anniversary of the day they met."

  "That’s not a day off. We’ll have to take leave in advance."

  "Thank you, wifey." He leaned over and gave Su Xian a kiss on the cheek.

  "You're welcome."

  "Wifey, do you remember our anniversary?"

  "You mean the night on Youlu Island? Of course. June 19th, around 2:30 AM."

  "It doesn't have to be that specific. It’s coming up—how should we celebrate?"

  "Mushroom soup."

  The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

  "Then do you remember the anniversary of our first meeting?"

  "The day you joined the company?"

  "No."

  "Then when was it?"

  "The day of my interview. Secretary Xiao Wei brought me to the small meeting room to wait for General Manager Liang. You suddenly opened the door, came in, and said to me, 'Hey, buddy, pass me that pen.' I gave it to you, you said 'thanks,' and left."

  "I must have mistaken you for the guy from the electronics market who delivers ink cartridges; they send someone once a month. Baby, you remember so clearly. Do you want that day to be our anniversary?"

  "No. You don't even remember it. Hmph."

  "Then let's stick with June 19th. That night, I’ll go to our terrace to drink, and you come out with the mushroom soup. We'll reenact the whole thing, okay?"

  "Twice."

  **