Chapter 139 - 132: As Long as You Walk Fast Enough
The next morning, Shui Sulan finished practicing her Tai Chi Sword in the courtyard. When she came back inside, she saw her son by the window, running a hand through his hair.
Shui Sulan set down her sword, picked up a fluffy white towel to wipe away her sweat, and began to scold her son as she did.
"What are you preening for so early in the morning? If you wanted to look in a mirror, you should have done it to your heart’s content upstairs before coming down! It’s already the third of the month, and you’re still not at the office? The year has just begun and you’re already slacking off. What kind of behavior is that? You can’t accomplish anything by working in fits and starts. Talent will only get you so far. It takes enough sweat to water the flower of success, you know?"
Sang Mu had a laid-back personality; her goal in life was to be a good wife and loving mother. While she was excellent at managing a household, she couldn’t handle major responsibilities. The old couple didn’t force the issue, instead choosing to groom their son as the heir, which was why their standards for him were so strict.
Sang Yuan was gazing gleefully at the path outside the window. Before he had a chance to speak, his father followed his mother in, holding a Tai Chi Fan.
"He’s busy all year round. Taking a couple of days off is no big deal. The boy knows what he’s doing, so leave him be."
"What could he possibly know? It’s only a father like you who thinks everything he does is perfect!"
Shui Sulan irritably tossed the towel into Sang Jingwen’s arms and headed upstairs, muttering under her breath as she went to change.
Though she kept her voice low, both father and son heard her clearly.
"Day after day, he’s useless at everything but great at talking big. How long has it been? Still no sign of a daughter-in-law! He’s pushing forty and doesn’t even seem to care."
It was the same old song and dance. Sang Yuan was left speechless.
"Don’t be upset with your mother. This whole situation with you is a constant source of anxiety for her. Once you’re happily married with children, she’ll stop bringing it up."
Sang Yuan’s strange illness had left a deep scar on Shui Sulan. Mr. Sang felt for his wife, but he also couldn’t bear to see his son get blamed, so all he could do was play the mediator.
"I know Mom only worries about me because she loves me. Dad, don’t worry. I’m not some clueless kid."
’Many young people hate listening to their parents nag, and they especially despise being pressured to get married. Hearing "pushing forty" all the time would make anyone flip out.’
’But he had been a father of two before his rebirth. He understood the hardships of being a parent, so naturally, he wouldn’t get upset over something so trivial.’
’Parents eventually grow old. One day, just wanting to hear them nag would become an impossible wish.’
"As long as you have a plan. So, who are you waiting for this early in the morning?"
Shui Sulan was impetuous and often overlooked details, but Mr. Sang was a researcher. Not the slightest anomaly could escape his notice.
"I’m not waiting for anyone. I’m heading to the office as soon as I finish breakfast. Dad, if you’re busy, you can go ahead!"
Sang Jingwen gave him a knowing look but didn’t call him out on it, simply heading upstairs.
The Sang Family didn’t lead an extravagant life. For breakfast, the chef had prepared fresh shrimp wontons, a favorite of the father and son, and coarse corn porridge with pickled cucumbers, which the mistress of the house preferred. There was also a salted duck egg, boiled and cut in half, set on a small saucer.
Sang Yuan ate his wontons distractedly, glancing at his watch from time to time.
Finally, at ten past eight, he heard the housekeeper announce, "Miss Ni is here."
Sang Yuan immediately shot up from his seat, grabbing his briefcase and feigning that he was just about to leave for work.
But when he reached the main entrance, he saw that Ni Bingyan hadn’t come in yet, so he walked back to the foyer to wait.
Seeing his son sneak a peek out the window, Sang Jingwen glanced at the half-finished bowl of wontons on the table and shook his head with an amused smile.
’He really is still just a youngster. He’ll grow out of it!’
Sighing to himself, he picked up his own unfinished wontons and made himself scarce.
’Young people are so easily embarrassed. This old man had better give them some space.’
A few moments later, Ni Bingyan came in behind the housekeeper, carrying a fruit basket.
Sang Yuan quickly resumed his act of heading to work, walking out to run right into her.
"Oh? Miss Ni, what brings you here?"
Ni Bingyan had an interview with the movie channel later, so she figured it would be better to come apologize in the morning rather than the afternoon.
She had considered bringing a more expensive gift but decided that might make things awkward, so she had prepared this basket of fruit the night before.
"Oh, it’s nothing. I just came to chat with Aunt Shui."
The romance rumors with Sang Yuan were still fresh, so Ni Bingyan felt incredibly awkward seeing him and didn’t want to say much.
Sang Yuan feigned ignorance and naturally reached out to take the basket from her. "You shouldn’t have. This looks heavy, let me take it for you!"
The basket was woven from wicker. The fruit inside was fresh, its colors so beautifully coordinated that it looked ready to be the subject of an oil painting.