Father looked calm, but Mom wore an odd expression as she stared at me. I gestured for them to wait a moment, took out my phone from my pocket, and immediately dialed Mi Cai’s number.
The ringing tone sounded only twice before Mi Cai answered the call.
I asked, “Have you come back yet?”
“I’m on my way already.”
“Where are you now?”
“Let me check.” After a brief pause, she continued, “I’m about to reach the Lingtang Bay Bridge.”
“Then you’re almost here!”
“Yeah. You called urgently—did something happen?”
“My parents are here.”
Her voice carried a hint of surprise, “When did they arrive?”
“At noon. We’re waiting for you to have dinner together.”
“I’ll be right there.”
As soon as Mi Cai hung up, I could almost hear the engine’s roar growing louder. I quickly reminded her, “Drive slowly. It doesn’t matter if you’re a bit late!”
The line was already disconnected.
…
Moments later, a white Audi R8 sped up and came to an immediate stop in front of the inn. I knew this was the car Mi Cai had borrowed from Mi Lan.
As soon as the car stopped, Mi Cai stepped out and walked quickly toward us. Despite her fast pace, I could sense her nervousness.
When she reached us, she greeted Father and Mother respectfully.
I exhaled deeply, then held Mi Cai’s hand and, with the most serious expression I had ever worn in my life, said to my parents, “Even though you’ve met before, let me formally introduce her. This is my girlfriend, Mi Cai—a girl from Suzhou!”
Father, who was already very familiar with Mi Cai, smiled at her, while Mother looked surprised. Despite having met Mi Cai before, she scrutinized her from head to toe.
Mi Cai tightened her grip on my hand and lowered her head shyly.
Finally, Mother asked her, “You’re really our Zhaoyang’s girlfriend?”
“Yes,” Mi Cai nodded.
Before Mother could say more, Father waved at us, indicating we should go eat first. Whatever Mother had wanted to say remained unspoken.
…
Inside the restaurant, Mi Cai and I sat on one side while Father and Mother sat opposite us.
Father ordered the food while I took the teapot from the waiter and poured a cup of water for both Mother and Father. Mi Cai, however, appeared rather uneasy, perhaps because Mother hadn’t shown much warmth.
I poured a glass of water for Mi Cai as well and gave her a reassuring look, signaling her not to be so nervous.
Mi Cai nodded.
After Father finished ordering, as expected, Mother should have started inquiring about Mi Cai’s family background. Surprisingly, she didn’t, which puzzled me.
Thinking about it, I realized Father might have already discussed Mi Cai with her privately.
At that moment, Father—who rarely initiated conversation—unexpectedly broke the silence and asked Mi Cai, “Xiao Mi, have you been busy with work lately?”
Mi Cai glanced at me before replying, “Not too busy. I usually have time to visit Zhaoyang every week.”
I naturally understood Mi Cai’s intention. She said this to lay the groundwork for her support of my staying in Xitang to run the inn. However, I felt a bit sad that she, who always insisted on principles, had told a white lie for me. I hated to see her keep sacrificing for me.
Finally, Mother chimed in, “So you support him staying here running this inn?”
Mi Cai nodded and said, “I support him.”
Mother’s expression turned cold as she asked, “Then tell me why you support this foolish behavior of his.”
“Auntie, do you really think Zhaoyang is being foolish?”
As she asked this, Mi Cai’s aura as a corporate CEO emerged, momentarily catching Mother off guard before she replied, “Tradition says one should marry first before building a career. Going against this is foolishness.”
Mi Cai didn’t rush to argue with Mother. Instead, she turned to me and asked, “Zhaoyang, do you believe you can manage both family and career properly?”
“I’m confident I can, but I need your cooperation…”
Before I could finish, Mi Cai nodded and said, “I’m willing to cooperate with you and wait for you.”
Mother smiled and said, “Willingness to cooperate and wait is good, but in an age where people can marry today and divorce tomorrow, can you guarantee you’ll marry no one else but our Zhaoyang?”
Mother’s words were like a heavy bomb dropped into deep water. I didn’t want Mi Cai to make any promises on the spot, because it was unnecessary—after all, no one could predict what might happen in the future.
As I prepared to help Mi Cai out of the awkward situation, she calmly replied to Mother, “Auntie, I’m not a casual woman. Zhaoyang is my first and will be my last boyfriend. Unless some unavoidable accident occurs, I’m willing to stay by his side until I marry him.”
Mother looked doubtful, but her doubt was understandable. At 27, for such an outstanding woman to claim she had never had a boyfriend before was hard for anyone to believe—even though it was true.
At this moment, Father finally spoke up, “Zhaoyang’s mother, the kids have said enough. If we parents continue to make things difficult, we’d be unreasonable.”
Mother clearly had more to say, but ultimately chose to remain silent. I was relieved she stayed quiet, because Mi Cai had already said everything she needed to say. If Mother remained dissatisfied, there would be little else Mi Cai could do.
Even so, Father and Mother didn’t explicitly express their approval of my decision to stay in Xitang.
Perhaps, we still needed a deeper, heart-to-heart conversation to completely dispel their concerns.
…
After leaving the restaurant, Mi Cai and I accompanied Father and Mother back to the inn to rest. Then, the two of us walked along the cobblestone path, strolling alongside the river.
I asked Mi Cai, “Why did you suddenly go back to Suzhou today?”
Mi Cai was silent for a moment before replying, “To do something unpleasant.”
Although I was curious about what it was, I didn’t ask further, because if Mi Cai wanted to tell me, she would.
After walking a bit further, Mi Cai said she was tired. I found a spot by the riverside with some steps and sat down with her.
She leaned on my shoulder and softly said after a while, “Zhaoyang, I’m going back to the US the day after tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, the IPO requires utmost attention, and I must be involved throughout.”
Although reluctant, I tried to sound nonchalant, “Then I wish you and Zhuomei an early successful listing on NASDAQ!”
“Thank you, I’ll do my best.”
I hugged her tightly but said nothing else. Silence could stretch time, and by applying the principle of relativity, I could gain a little more time with her.
…
Spring breeze gently blew past us. Mi Cai closed her eyes in contentment. I also felt drowsy, but just as I was about to close my eyes, I spotted the woman in red sitting on the opposite bank. My intuition was right—she had indeed returned to Xitang once again.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage