Chapter 26: Number One in the World [26] Part 1

Not rejecting it outright meant there was room for discussion. In the best-case scenario, Mom just needed a little time to process it.

After reassuring herself like this, Shu Heng mustered her spirits again and tried to act like nothing had happened as she ate lunch with Li Jianwei.

No matter how hard Shu Heng tried to hide her emotions, how could she fool Li Jianwei, who had already seen through her thoughts?

“Did something happen while you were practicing driving?” Li Jianwei asked, her tone full of concern. “If it doesn’t feel easy to handle, take it slow. No need to rush.”

Shu Heng mumbled an agreement, shoved a chopstick of white rice into her mouth, but still couldn’t hold back her true feelings. “Sis, I called Mom today and told her about our relationship.”

Li Jianwei paused in mid-motion as she picked up some food. “Did Auntie say anything?”

“Mom said she needs to think about it. She probably just needs some time to prepare herself.” Shu Heng poked at her white rice with her chopsticks and couldn’t help but start reflecting on herself. “Maybe I should have given her some advance warning first. No need to tell her so abruptly.”

Li Jianwei set down her chopsticks and pulled out her phone to check her recent schedule. “I can clear a few days in early April. How about we go back together to see Auntie?”

Shu Heng pursed her lips, feeling a bit guilty. “Won’t that affect your work, Sis? Maybe I should just go back and explain things to Mom myself.”

“Romance is a matter for both of us. How can I let you go alone? Besides, if we go back, I can take care of some work along the way.” Li Jianwei smiled as she reminded her.

“Don’t forget our company’s cooperation with the Spring Source County government. As the boss, it’s perfectly normal for me to inspect the branch office.”

“My personal visit will only make the county leaders feel that I take this project seriously, deepening our cooperation further. When we meet, just like last time, you can handle the detailed system introduction.”

Li Jianwei’s explanation greatly eased the guilt in Shu Heng’s heart. “Then I’ll hurry up and finish my exams so we can go back and explain things to Mom in person.”

“Mm. No need to worry too much. Auntie doesn’t seem like the type to split up loving couples. As long as she understands our feelings are genuine, she should come around.”

Deep down, Shu Heng thought the same, but even so, she still reflexively examined whether her actions had been improper or if she could have done better.

If she had stayed calmer at the time, discussed it with Sis first before deciding, maybe they could have come up with gentler words to help Mom accept it.

Seeing that Shu Heng was still a bit distracted, Li Jianwei didn’t say anything more. Some things needed to be nurtured over time. As the older one, all she could do was offer tolerance and room to grow.

Of course, this kind of tolerance wasn’t for just anyone. The only Little Cabbage in Li Jianwei’s heart was Shu Heng.

–

Li Jianwei didn’t press Shu Heng on why she had suddenly told Shu’s Mother about their relationship, but afterward, she called Xiao Wu into her office and carefully asked what had happened that day.

Xiao Wu didn’t hide anything and described the whole incident with Shu Heng’s chance encounter with the online friend from an extremely objective perspective.

After learning that it was Shu Heng’s nominal cousin who had upset her, Li Jianwei’s expression grew even more neutral, all her emotions well concealed.

Li Jianwei: “Over the next while, please help me keep an extra eye on Shu Heng. If there’s anything off with her mood, make sure to let me know.”

Xiao Wu: “Got it, President Li. I’ll pay extra attention.”

After Xiao Wu left, Li Jianwei opened her contacts and scrolled up and down before stopping on a number she had called not long ago.

The call connected within ten seconds. “Help me handle something. Keep the operation low-key—no one should trace it back to me.”

“Move fast and get it done by the end of the month.”

–

Shu Heng had a great sense of direction, so passing the road test and field test in just ten days was no challenge at all. If not for the exam dates already being set, she could have gotten her brand-new driver’s license in under fifteen days.

Their flight home was scheduled for April 5th, but the day before, Li Jianwei took Shu Heng to the cemetery to pay respects to her own mother.

They arrived neither too early nor too late, but the flowers in front of the tombstone were already piled high.

“Mom loved doing charity. She started sponsoring students very early on, and now quite a few professionals in the company were people she once helped.” Li Jianwei explained as she placed fresh flowers in front of the tombstone with Shu Heng.

“Mom, this is my girlfriend Shu Heng. I brought her to meet you today.” Li Jianwei bowed her head, her eyes inevitably tinged with sadness.

Counting the time, it had been over six years—nearly seven—since Mom passed, but some sorrows didn’t fade with time. Instead, they were like a rich, aged wine.

The longer it fermented, the more intense the aroma when the lid was lifted—just a whiff at the mouth of the jar could intoxicate someone into oblivion.

Shu Heng didn’t know how to comfort her and could only hold her sister’s hand tightly, introducing herself earnestly as if there was no tombstone before them, but rather a respected elder.

Shu Heng had also experienced the loss of a family member, but she didn’t have much impression of her father—just vague fragments of memories.

When she was little, both her father and mother were very busy. The family only had time to chat about light topics during meals.

In Shu Heng’s sparse memories, her father was a quiet, pragmatic man.

He wouldn’t tutor her in studies but would silently stand by while she did homework at her desk. Occasionally, he’d take the warmed milk from Mom’s hands and place it on the table, reminding her to finish it before bed.

Beyond these everyday memories, Shu Heng couldn’t recall anything else.

–

After that hasty confession last time, Shu Heng had contacted her own mom again to share the good news of getting her driver’s license.

Shu’s Mother was thrilled that her daughter had passed, but when asked if she could accept her being with Li Jianwei, she inevitably fell silent again.

“I can’t bless you two just yet. Let’s see.” That was Shu’s Mother’s response after the silence—her attitude softer than before.

Unlike last time when they drove themselves, Li Jianwei and Shu Heng had someone pick them up right after landing, then took a special car straight to Spring Source County.

With a mix of nervousness and anticipation, Shu Heng held her sister’s hand as they arrived at the doorstep.

After hesitating for three seconds, Shu Heng pocketed her key and chose to knock instead. She hadn’t told her mom the exact date this time—a little surprise.

“Coming.” Shu’s Mother’s voice came from inside. The solid wooden door opened quickly, and seeing Shu Heng and Li Jianwei through the security door, she couldn’t help but freeze.

Once she snapped out of it, Shu’s Mother’s gaze landed on Li Jianwei, and she habitually smiled. “Little Heng brought President Li back. Come in, come in and sit.”

The security door opened, and Shu’s Mother’s enthusiastic attitude was on par with New Year’s. When she saw the gifts in Li Jianwei’s hands, she tried to refuse them.

“Mom, Sis picked these nutritional supplements especially for your health. Taking them consistently will help regulate your body.” Shu Heng joined in. “If you don’t take them, we’ll just have to take them back, and they’re useless to us.”

“You child, how do you talk like that?” Shu’s Mother grumbled softly.

How could her daughter side with outsiders just because she was in love? Shouldn’t she be helping her own mom at a time like this? Who advises their mom to accept gifts?

Seeing her mom’s slightly reproachful little look, Shu Heng felt reassured. “Mom, we came straight from the airport by car. We haven’t had lunch yet. Is there anything ready to eat at home? I’m starving.”

“How could you not eat? It’s almost one o’clock now.” Shu’s Mother’s attention shifted smoothly. “Do you want noodle soup or stir-fried noodles? I’ll make it for you—ready in ten minutes.”

“Either is fine for me.” Li Jianwei chimed in.

“Stir-fried noodles! I want to eat your stir-fried noodles, Mom!” Shu Heng grinned.

Though her mom hadn’t said it outright, Shu Heng could read plenty from her subconscious actions.

If Mom opposed it, she wouldn’t react like this—she’d shut the door to make her disapproval clear.

Once the door was open, it meant Mom’s resistance wasn’t strong.

Asking between noodle soup and stir-fried noodles while cooking showed that Mom had already accepted Sis coming home as her girlfriend, not just as a boss.

If Mom still saw Sis as a boss, she’d say there was nothing good at home, suggest buying ingredients, or take them out to eat.

The curve of Shu Heng’s smile grew wider. While sitting on the sofa waiting for the noodles, she even started humming a tune.

“Why are you suddenly so happy?” Li Jianwei held Shu Heng’s wrist, rubbing her palm with her thumb.

“I think Mom has already tacitly agreed to us being together, but she’s a bit twisted up inside, so she can’t say it out loud.” Unable to contain her good mood, Shu Heng shared her guess, and her smile grew even more obvious.

Li Jianwei couldn’t resist pinching her little girlfriend’s cheek. “Can I take that as mother-daughter telepathy?”

“You could put it that way. I know Mom well, just like she knows me.” Shu Heng burrowed into Li Jianwei’s arms. “Sis is so outstanding—I knew Mom would agree to us ages ago.”

Li Jianwei smiled and wrapped her arms around her little girlfriend. She didn’t puncture the nervousness that had been bubbling over the whole way but softly agreed. “You’re right. I think so too.”

While the little couple cuddled lovey-dovey on the sofa, Shu’s Mother in the kitchen turned off the gas, pushed open the kitchen partition door, and prepared to call them for lunch.

But before she could speak, the sight of the little couple snuggling hit her eyes first, causing her to hesitate for a moment.

To be honest, President Li really was a great person. She just wondered how long her daughter could stay with her. Girls with girls—no marriage certificate for security.

–

“Mom, has anyone from Great-Grandma’s side contacted you lately?” After eating half a bowl of stir-fried noodles, Shu Heng brought up another matter she’d been thinking about for a while.

“Nope. They haven’t reached out since after New Year’s, and I haven’t contacted them either.” Shu’s Mother said. “It’s about time. Everyone gets some peace, no need to force it.”

Shu Heng nodded. “If they do contact you, just ignore them.”