After standing in the living room for a while, Fangyuan went back to the kitchen to continue his busy work. Mica sat with Yanyan in the living room, watching TV and chatting casually. With nothing better to do, I opened the toys Mica had bought and started fiddling with them. I thought I could use these intelligence-developing toys to test my IQ first, so I would have enough confidence to play with these puzzles with our future child. After all, if the child inherited Mica’s intelligence, I might actually risk being outsmarted by him or her.
After fiddling for quite some time, I still couldn’t rotate the complicated Rubik’s cube into the correct positions. But in order to maintain a towering fatherly image, I continued to think hard without giving up…
At some point, I didn’t know when, Mica came to stand in front of me, witnessing my awkward situation. She looked at me with a very complicated expression, as if she was afraid our child might inherit my IQ in the future.
Feeling defeated, I handed the Rubik’s cube to her and said, “Since you’re so capable, why don’t you try playing with it?”
Mica took it from my hands and started fiddling with it while saying, “Playing with a Rubik’s cube definitely requires techniques. First, you need to understand some basic concepts of the cube, such as face, layer, corner piece, edge piece, center piece, face position, in place, and positioning. Then you find the corresponding formula to adjust it, and soon you can rotate it into the correct position…” She paused and added, “Actually, it’s not that difficult.”
I was nearly driven to spitting blood from her provocation. After a long silence, I asked, “You’re actually using formulas now, and you still say it’s not difficult??”
“It’s not that complicated of a formula… See, I’ve already solved it!” As she spoke, Mica handed the completed Rubik’s cube back to me.
I felt deeply humiliated, but Yanyan added more fuel to the fire by saying, “Zhaoyang, if you and Mica have a child in the future, I hope it doesn’t take after you. It would be best if the child inherited Mica’s looks and intelligence. That’s what real superior genes are!”
I tried to defend myself, “I’m really not that bad. Back in high school, I actually got first place in math for the entire grade… At that time, standing on the stage receiving recognition from the principal, you really should have seen how proud and arrogant I was looking down on those who couldn’t beat me!”
Yanyan gave me a look and said, “If even you could get first place, then your school must really be something!”
I really didn’t have the confidence to respond to Yanyan anymore, so I pretended to be silent and picked up another intelligence toy, trying to regain some dignity. At that moment, Fangyuan finally finished all the dishes and called us to eat. I hurriedly threw the toys aside, sat down at the table first, picked up my chopsticks, and started eating my favorite dishes.
Indeed, in front of Fangyuan and his wife, I acted a bit too freely, but they never really minded. Because we had nearly ten years of friendship, this bond had made us like family, supporting each other while striving together in this city through many seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter!
After all these years, what made me feel most relieved was that we were all living quite well now, at least materially secure!
…
During the meal, we sat one on each side of the square table. Everyone seemed to have a tacit understanding; no one mentioned the burdens of work. Surprisingly, even Mica and Yanyan made an exception by letting Fangyuan and me have some white wine.
Halfway through the meal, Mica unexpectedly asked Fangyuan, “Fangyuan Ge, you’ve known Zhaoyang for so many years. I’m curious to hear your honest opinion about him. I really want to hear the real Zhaoyang from you!”
Fangyuan looked at me, then smiled and said, “He’s a man who would do anything for his brothers… He seems unscrupulous on the surface, but deep down, he’s so kind-hearted that he’s almost naive. Because of this, he often fails to grasp the essence of interpersonal relationships. I’ve always believed this is both his blessing and his curse… But I consider him my brother, and we are brothers who have gone through storms together!”
Mica nodded as she looked at me and said, “That’s a very fair assessment… I also hope Fangyuan Ge will continue to regard Zhaoyang as your brother, reminding him often to stay alert and see clearly the treachery around him, so he can avoid the misfortunes caused by his kindness…” She paused and then sincerely added, “I’ve never experienced much family love since childhood, and Zhaoyang also lacks much support in this city. In many ways, we often feel quite helpless. So, for Zhaoyang to meet you all is his luck and mine. We really hope to find in this utilitarian society a bond that isn’t blood-related but feels like family… If I personally have ever done anything wrong, I hope you can forgive me, your younger sister…”
Fangyuan’s expression was somewhat solemn, but I knew that Mica had already lowered her stance as much as possible, hoping to resolve the past unpleasantness through this gathering. I also knew that she had always been a very proud woman, and for her to do this meant she had truly accepted our relationship, including the friends around me.
This was a touching moment. Yanyan took Mica’s hand and softly said, “Since you’ve called yourself the younger sister, what can’t we let go of anymore… Our relationship with Zhaoyang, built over so many years, has been hard-won. Now that Fangyuan is working for your company, it’s an invaluable connection. From now on, we are family, so please don’t mention the past anymore!”
I chimed in, “Meeting this couple was the smartest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I believe we have a tacit understanding between us; sometimes just a knowing look is enough… Right, Fangyuan?”
Fangyuan nodded, visibly moved. He raised his glass and drank all the white wine in one gulp… I followed suit, drinking mine in one go as well, feeling a long-forgotten sense of exhilaration. It seemed I had regained the familiar feeling of being with the couple. I’ve always believed: Fangyuan will forever be my most important brother, even surpassing Luoben to some extent—for instance, the time we’ve spent together…
…
On the way back home, Mica was driving. I had drunk quite a bit, but my mind was clear, so I kept chatting casually with her. However, as we were almost home, she suddenly stopped chatting and asked me seriously, “Zhaoyang, are you free next Monday?”
“Why?”
“If you’re free, could you please pick up Ms. An from Tianyang Group at Pudong Airport in Shanghai? She recently went abroad and will return next Monday. Then she will complete the investment matters of Tianyang Group into Zhuomei together with me in Suzhou.”
No wonder Mica was so serious. This was obviously a very important matter, so I naturally didn’t dare to be careless. I nodded immediately and said, “Okay, I’ll go to the airport myself next Monday to pick her up… I also wish Tianyang Group and Zhuomei a successful cooperation in advance!”
Mica nodded, then didn’t say anything else, her expression still serious. I knew her nerves had already become tense…
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