Chapter 17: Conflict

  For the friends who came to play at home in their childhood, Wan Chao Hui's mother prepared a lot of food. On one side, she asked the chef from the restaurant to cook braised fish balls, steamed pork ribs, dried tofu catfish, braised shrimp balls, fish-flavored meat shreds, and twice-cooked beef, etc. She also stir-fried some home-style dishes at home. Because it was hot outside, her mother specially stewed longan, silver ear, and lotus seed soup.

  Wan Zhaohui is a sensitive and meticulous girl who knows how to grasp the measure of her words, always being vigilant about her self-esteem. This trait is very similar to her mother's. So before those childhood friends arrived, she specially reminded her father: "Dad, among the people coming, there's your classmate Zuo Qingsheng's son. Don't be overly enthusiastic and courteous just because his dad has a lot of money. If he asks you anything, just pretend you don't remember too clearly!"

  "Alright, I know!" Wan Jiancheng obediently listened to his daughter's words. Ever since his daughter caught him and the woman from outside messing around at home, Wan Jiancheng always felt like he owed her something in front of her, trying his best to please Wan Zhaohui with a warm face against her cold one, satisfying her demands. After all, she was his precious daughter, born beautiful, and would rely on her to support him in his old age!

  Just as Wan Zhaohui had expected, when Zuo Quan and his entourage arrived at her home, Zuo Quan, who was exuding an air of superiority, unconsciously revealed his true thoughts. "Uncle, you probably know me, I am the son of Zuo Qing Sheng!"

  Wan Jiancheng smiled and said, "We've been out for a long time, our memories aren't as good as they used to be, we don't remember some people in the village very well!" Wan Zhaohui listened quietly beside him, his mouth slightly raised, revealing a faint smile.

  Wan Chao Hui's mother enthusiastically served a warm, sweet lotus seed and silver ear soup to help everyone soothe their throats. Everyone was delighted to drink it except for Zuo Quan. Wan Chao Hui quietly encouraged Zuo Quan to take a sip, but he bluntly replied, "I don't like drinking it!" Wan Chao Hui felt a bit uncomfortable upon hearing this. Can't you just give my mom some face? She spent two hours cooking this over the stove! Can't you just pretend to drink a little for her sake? How can you be so inconsiderate of human feelings? And yet, he still wants to pursue her? Doesn't he know how to flatter his future mother-in-law? However, from her personal perspective, she didn't want to force anyone either. Instead, she found Zuo Quan's honesty refreshing and therefore didn't take it to heart.

  The day before, Wan Chao Hui had specially selected many snacks at the supermarket. Everyone was savoring them with relish, except for Zuo Quan who sat silently on the sofa, seemingly lost in thought. Wan Chao Hui, eager to play the host, enthusiastically went over to him and said with a smile: "Zuo Quan, have some snacks! How about a Xi Zhi Lang fruit jelly?"

  "A big man like you eating snacks! How unbecoming!" Zuo Quan said calmly.

  Wan Chao Hui suddenly opened her eyes wide, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say. In her heart, she thought: You're really quite chauvinistic. However, in all fairness, Wan Chao Hui usually observed the behavior of boys with a discerning eye, and she wasn't fond of how they loved to eat snacks. What she disliked most was when boys ate like some greedy girls, walking while eating ice cream or sunflower seeds. She also didn't like it when boys talked with their mouths full of food, spraying rice onto others' faces or clothes without feeling embarrassed. Not to mention those boys who didn't pay attention to hygiene, speaking like machine guns, spitting and spraying food onto others' faces, leaving a faint smell of stench. Wan Chao Hui was repelled by these small details, not because she was a cleanliness freak, but because she believed men should have the demeanor of men. Even if they were wild and untamed, it was mostly a matter of personality, a proud and aloof nature deep down, but still with good habits.

  Gao proposed to play mahjong, Wan Chao Hui immediately unfolded the four wooden boards under the dining table, and a square mahjong table appeared before their eyes. She poured out a box of " **" from her father's, and everyone started playing mahjong to kill time.

  Zuo Quan felt that the mahjong sounds in the living room were a bit disturbing, so he came alone to the balcony to watch the scenery around. Wan Zhaohui handed him a cup of clear tea with empathy and stood on the balcony chatting with him. She felt that Zuo Quan was not in a good mood today, as if something unpleasant had happened. Zuo Quan, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, unintentionally made Wan Zhaohui also feel a bit awkward, and for a while, she didn't know what topic to use as an opening line, so she just accompanied Zuo Quan in silence.

  "There are people in the village who have been looking for trouble with my dad, and last night they cut off the power to our food processing plant! I think it's because they're not satisfied with the gifts my dad gave them, so they're using this method to extort more from us! Those scoundrels!" Zuo Quan frowned, looking mature beyond his years. Ah, so that's what happened, Wan Chao Hui finally understood. She was used to seeing such schemes and thought Zuo Quan's insult was too mild, but she couldn't think of a stronger word to replace it since she wasn't good at using profanity. However, she was delighted in her heart because Zuo Quan had taken the initiative to tell her his troubles, which meant he didn't consider her an outsider.

  "Things have happened, and there will always be a way to solve them. You're here with a gloomy face, but that won't solve the problem for now. Today, everyone came to my house to play, and you were too serious and stern, which made them feel uncomfortable and oppressed when they were with you. If I didn't understand you, I would also feel oppressed. Why don't you try to relax a bit, temporarily forget about what's going on at home, and when your mood is lifted and your thinking is clear, maybe you'll naturally come up with a good solution to help your father solve the problem? Friends will be willing to spend time with you too, so isn't that better for everyone?

  What Wan Chao Hui said was all from her heart. She thought that whether she was happy or not, she had to get through each day, so why not just live happily every day? This wisdom of living, Wan Chao Hui inherited from her father. She didn't like it when her mother always looked worried and troubled, which not only affected her own mood and body but also indirectly influenced Wan Chao Hui. Every day, she watched her mother's expressions to control her emotions, feeling particularly oppressed and uncomfortable. It was just that in her subconscious, she repeatedly reminded herself to be careful of her mother's heart disease and not make her angry, so she forced herself to endure the repressed feelings that she wanted to vent out."

  "I'm going to Beijing's Zhongguancun to develop my computer career, I want to start my own business! What do you think?" Zuo Quan asked, leaving Wan Chao Hui somewhat at a loss. She hadn't expected him to make such a drastic turn. Looking into Zuo Quan's fervent and sparkling eyes, Wan Chao Hui couldn't help but ponder the meaning behind his words. Was he seeking her opinion? Why did he care about her thoughts? Wan Chao Hui read a hint of affection in Zuo Quan's eyes. If she could fight alongside him, Wan Chao Hui still had a passionate and eager heart.

  After a while, Wan Chao Hui finally raised her voice to show her approval: "Good! Young people should have ideals and ambitions!" As soon as the topic of ideals was mentioned, Wan Chao Hui's spirit lifted, thinking that Zuo Quan would ask her what her ideal was. But to her disappointment, after getting Wan Chao Hui's recognition, Zuo Quan only showed a face full of joy and deep gaze, without any other reaction. Wan Chao Hui suddenly realized: I forgot, he is like his father, a big man with serious thoughts, he must also hope that his woman will prioritize family in the future, just like his mother, wisely managing the household, taking care of children, what struggle, ideals, making a living, are all men's affairs. Wan Chao Hui thought about these things and felt a bit discouraged, but she still didn't want to give up, hoping to hear the voice she wanted from Zuo Quan's mouth, so she plucked up the courage to ask: "Do you think your future wife will have any help in achieving your ideals?" As soon as the words were spoken, Wan Chao Hui felt her cheeks slightly burning, she was shy, such a direct question, wouldn't Zuo Quan immediately understand her thoughts? But very quickly, Wan Chao Hui comforted herself: What's to be afraid of, asking clearly is better for making decisions!

  "The woman will get married, take care of the old and young at home, and do a good job in logistics. I won't let her worry about career matters!" Zuo Quan answered without hesitation, revealing his true thoughts. On principle issues, he wouldn't compromise or cater to Wan Chao Hui, as he already considered her his future lifelong partner. In these major matters, he wouldn't budge. His mother had also participated in his father's entrepreneurial venture in the early stages, but after having him and his sister, she stayed at home doing domestic work. His mother was beautiful too - a beautiful woman should stay at home for her man to appreciate alone; taking her out to social events would easily lead to trouble, and who knows, maybe even infidelity? Which man could tolerate being called "cuckold"?

  Wan Chao Hui looked at Zuo Quan with disappointment, she had always expected to be the virtuous assistant of the man she liked, making her husband not ignore her existence, appreciating her invaluable worth. Such dedication would make her husband cherish her even when she grew old and her beauty faded. This was Wan Chao Hui's simple thought, her mind had a main theme: finding a path that could gain love without suffering the tragic consequences of betrayal when people grew old.

  Zuo Quan saw that Wan Chao Hui didn't say anything, nor did she ask him if he was satisfied with his answer. He thought that since Wan Chao Hui had already asked directly about their future married life, it meant that he already had enough weight in her heart. Zuo Quan was confident that he could change Wan Chao Hui's naive idea that women can achieve great things. Deep down, he still had a chauvinistic mindset, but at this moment, he didn't want to pour cold water on her, so he let her continue with her own beautiful dream. When she woke up from the dream, it would be natural for him to become her husband.