Episode 102: Xu Junheng and Wen Haijing are separated by an ocean.

However, as an elder, Professor Chen gently asked, "What do Jingjing's parents do for a living?" At that moment, the air at the dining table seemed to freeze for a moment.

Wen Haijing tightened her grip on the chopsticks slightly and remained silent for a few seconds.

"Mom, Jingjing hasn't agreed to be my girlfriend yet, why are you asking so many questions?" Chen Ran replied.

A hint of apology appeared on Professor Chen's refined face: "Look at me, why am I asking these questions? Here, try this fish, it's very delicious." He quickly steered the conversation towards the dishes.

Professor Li immediately understood and said gently, "We were being presumptuous. Jingjing, don't take it to heart. Sometimes we, this generation, just tend to worry unnecessarily. Actually, Lao Chen and I are both very open-minded. The most important thing for young people these days is to have their own pursuits. We especially admire a young person like you, who is independent and ambitious. Moreover, I am very interested in your academic insights today."

Her words were sincere, an effort to defuse the awkwardness of the moment, and also a clear expression of her approval of Wen Haijing.

Wen Haijing looked up and said, "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt."

As the dinner drew to a close, the atmosphere warmed up again. Professor Li even began discussing with Wen Haijing the research directions of several professors she knew in the UBC Chemical Engineering Department. Just then, a slightly abrupt female voice rang out.

"Oh my! Isn't this Jingjing? What a coincidence!"

An Asian woman, dressed in a brightly colored suit and around fifty years old, walked over.

Wen Haijing responded: "Auntie?"

The person who came was her aunt, Wang Suping, whom she hadn't contacted for many years.

Wang Suping had had enough of poverty and the preference for sons over daughters among her elders. She was determined to marry and move abroad. She eventually married a white man who was more than 40 years older than her and applied for permanent residency.

Wang Suping clearly remembers the sarcastic tone of her older sister, Wang Suying, on the phone years ago when she decided to marry this old man: "Suping, are you so desperate to go abroad? Looking for a father figure? For his meager savings for his funeral? I'd be ashamed to even tell anyone! There's no precedent for this in our family!"

And today, she actually saw Wang Suying's daughter here. That unremarkable Wen Haijing from back then not only went abroad, but studied at a prestigious university like UBC, and even got involved with a professor's son!

Judging from the demeanor and speech of the groom's parents, they were a respectable and cultured family, completely different from the life that Wang Suping had traded her youth and dignity for.

Why is it that someone as mean and materialistic as Wang Suying can have such a "promising" daughter who might marry into a truly high-class family in the future? While Wang Suping is forever seen by her own family as a "joke of marrying an old man."

A mixture of jealousy, resentment, and malice born from the sting of old wounds grew wildly in her heart.

"You've really changed a lot since you grew up; I almost didn't recognize you. I was at the next table just now, and I looked at you for over ten minutes before I was sure." Wang Suping sized Wen Haijing up and down. "Looks like you're doing well, huh? When are you going to bring your parents over to enjoy their retirement?"

Wen Haijing did not answer.

Wang Suping changed the subject, her gaze drifting to Chen Ran's family. "I think I just heard that these two are your boyfriend's parents? Professors from Jiangzhou University? Oh my, what a scholarly family, such good manners. Jingjing, you're so lucky." The jealousy in her tone was almost undisguised.

Wen Haijing then realized that her aunt might have overheard a lot of their conversation.

Chen Ran's parents also nodded politely to Wang Suping without saying anything more.

Wang Suping wasn't idle either. As soon as she left the restaurant, she opened WeChat and made a voice call to her sister Wang Suying, whom she hadn't contacted in a long time.

*

After dinner, on the way back to the hotel, Li Ningchu recalled the bright light in Wen Haijing's eyes when she talked about her profession at the dinner table, as well as her calmness and keenness.

She turned to her husband and said, "Wen Haijing, this child is indeed very good."

Chen Guimo looked at his wife: "You mean your studies?"

“Not just that,” Li Ningchu said gently, “it’s the whole person. Did you notice that her clothes tonight were very ordinary, probably from a very affordable brand? And her bag was just a regular student backpack.”

Professor Chen nodded slightly. "Her family background is probably not that great, which is why she seemed a little hesitant when we asked about her parents. She was probably worried that we would mind."

Li Ningchu responded, "I don't mind at all. On the contrary, I think this child is quite good. Think about it, how much effort does a girl from an ordinary family, or even one that is not well-off, have to put in to stand in a UBC classroom and demonstrate such insights on the issues we just discussed? It requires not only talent, but also extremely strong intrinsic motivation and perseverance."

She paused for a moment: "I even suspect that she probably took all those language exams and academic preparations before going abroad by herself, bit by bit. Without a comfortable background, she had to take every step on her own."

Chen Guimo listened quietly and expressed his agreement. Many scholars of his generation had also struggled through difficult times and had an instinctive respect for hard work and talent.

“Moreover,” Li Ningchu said with even greater seriousness, “her exploration of professional knowledge has even touched the boundaries that some of my master’s students are still exploring. This is not something that an ordinary undergraduate could talk about in a general way; she must have spent a lot of time reading literature in depth. This kind of academic potential is very rare.”

“If Xiao Ran can win over this girl, even if her family background is just average, we will support her, what do you say?” Chen Guimo said.

Li Ningchu nodded and sent Chen Ran a message: "Son, your parents support you in pursuing Jingjing. She's a nice girl. We can tell that her family may not be as well-off as ours, but we don't mind. However, you should be careful to protect her self-esteem."

Their words were full of care and concern.

*

The children's restaurant was brightly colored and filled with the laughter of children and the clinking of cutlery. Xu Junheng sat back in a booth covered with a cartoon tablecloth, his high-quality gray suit creating a subtle contrast with the dreamy decor around him.

My daughter, Xu Yao, was wearing a light blue sweater and was seriously studying the children's meal options on the menu, her little face looking very serious.

Sitting next to her, eight-year-old Cheng Ximeng quietly played with the crayons and coloring paper provided by the restaurant. After Xu Junxian passed away, Cheng Ximeng continued to study in Singapore during the week, but this time she was visiting China for a short weekend with Grandma Xu.

Because Grandma Xu was still deeply saddened by the death of her daughter, Xu Junxian, she was unwilling to let the Gu family take the child away, even though the child's biological father was Gu Mengzhou. Grandma Xu and the nanny usually took care of Cheng Ximeng. On holidays, Cheng Ximeng sometimes wanted to have dinner with Cheng Boyan and Wen Xueyan. Last time, she even made a special trip back to China to attend her younger brother Cheng Jing's birthday banquet.

After ordering, Xu Yao sighed like a little adult, "Dad, Mom promised to take me to the science museum on the phone last weekend, but Aunt Wu said she went to play mahjong with her friends again. I haven't seen her for many days." Aunt Wu is the family's housekeeper, who has taken care of her for many years.

Upon hearing this, Xu Junheng simply gave a faint "hmm".

He had nothing more to say to Lin Wanru, nor any expectations. That marriage, which began with mutual benefit, had been dead in name only for many years. However, this "tacit understanding" among adults had ultimately left a mark of estrangement on the sensitive heart of their child.

“But Dad, you’re different now!” Xu Yao’s tone suddenly became cheerful, and she looked at him with her clear black and white eyes. “You smell so good now, you don’t have that awful smell of smoke anymore! And you even have time to take us out on weekends now. Aunt Wu said that you’re spending time with us now, you’re like a really good dad.”

Her tone was filled with undisguised joy and a touch of boastfulness.

Cheng Ximeng also looked up and added softly, "Uncle, you taught me and Yaoyao how to put together that difficult starry sky puzzle last time. That was so kind of you."

The child's words were pure and direct. This simple evaluation of a "good father" reminded Xu Junheng of her again.

If... Xu Yao is Wen Haijing's child, what would that be like?

The thought arose uncontrollably, carrying with it an indescribable longing and a deeper sense of melancholy.

He could almost immediately conjure up a completely different picture in his mind. Wen Haijing would patiently listen to Xu Yao recount the interesting things that happened at school, and would meticulously guide her through the difficulties in her studies, gently guiding the child with her unique wisdom that was calm yet resilient.

She is intelligent but not ostentatious, pragmatic and resilient. Even in the most difficult times, she can manage her life in an orderly manner and maintain her dignity. Even during those unsettling days, she still scored high on the IELTS and worked hard to apply to schools.

Growing up with such a mother, Xu Yao would surely be nurtured to be more cheerful and confident, with a solid sense of security in her heart, instead of learning to accept her mother's frequent absences with a bland tone too early, as she is now.

And what about him? Perhaps after finishing a day's work, when he pushes open the door to his home, he is no longer greeted by a luxurious but cold emptiness, but by the warm aroma of food, the children running to hug him, and the cozy warmth of "home" reflected in her calm eyes when she looks up at him.

It was a simple kind of happiness, a solid haven he had never truly touched in the extravagant and decadent life of the first half of his life.

This imagined, simple yet solid sense of everyday life held a fatal attraction for him.

Is it because he never truly possessed it, or because the person who gave this imagination a concrete form was Wen Haijing?

His thoughts wandered uncontrollably to deeper corners, and a detail that he had long sealed away but had never truly forgotten suddenly surfaced.

The child, who never even entered the world, lost his tiny life forever in an accidental fall down the stairs. He even clearly remembered that Wen Haijing had given the baby a name.

Nian An.

These two words were like a rusty yet still sharp blunt knife, digging deep into his heart, bringing a long-overdue, intense pain and overwhelming regret.

Why didn't he protect her back then?

Nian'an is his baby.

A tear fell unexpectedly, and he quickly wiped it away.

After Wen Haijing left, he gradually realized that he had been subtly changed by the girl who was far away in a foreign country. It wasn't just that she quit smoking.

Several months ago, the person in charge of a major project in the group, in order to ensure the progress, privately suggested to "smooth things over" with the supervisors in key links, and planned to arrange for prostitutes, and even suggested arranging one for Xu Junheng as well, saying that she would be guaranteed to be extremely beautiful.

When the report, which hinted at shady dealings, was presented to Xu Junheng, his face immediately darkened: "Do I, Xu Junheng, need to pave the way with such underhanded methods? Get out! This project is better off delayed according to the proper procedures than allowed to cross this red line!"

At that moment, the arrogance and fierceness that burst forth from his brows was long gone, yet it was wrapped in an even colder, more hardened principle.

Later, a safety accident occurred at the project site, causing a public outcry. Competitors took the opportunity to exert pressure, and morale within the group also wavered.

But he remained unmoved. All bidding, construction, and quality inspection records were complete and standardized, able to withstand the most rigorous scrutiny.

The final investigation revealed that Party A, Boyang Group, had illegally used substandard materials to cut costs, and its project manager has been criminally detained. Xu's Group, as the compliant contractor, not only escaped unscathed but also gained a higher reputation in the industry due to its professionalism and integrity demonstrated during the crisis.

Following this incident, his prestige within the group soared to new heights. Employees discovered that this once-renowned second-generation rich kid, known for his unruly methods, seemed to be leading the way with a more composed and grounded approach.

He dedicates more time to his work, makes more prudent decisions, and maintains near-obsessive control over project details. In the first half of the year, the group's core business segment bucked the trend and achieved significant growth.

Only he himself knows the source of this renewed focus on his career and the almost obsessive pursuit of the "right path".

Xu Junheng was subconsciously imitating Wen Haijing's way of dealing with fate.

Her perseverance in pursuing her studies despite the hardships served as an invisible spur to him to uphold his principles amidst the turbulent waters of the business world.

Longing, like a deep sea current, echoed silently yet turbulently in his heart.

Xu Yao interrupted Xu Junheng's thoughts.

Xu Yao poked at the broccoli on her plate with her fork, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xu Junheng: "Dad, do you remember Sister Wen? She was my tutor who used to teach me math."

Xu Junheng paused as he picked up his water glass, causing a ripple to spread across the surface of the water. "I remember."

"Sister Wen is so wonderful!" Xu Yao put down her fork, her tone becoming excited. "She's incredibly patient when she teaches me math. If I don't understand a problem, she'll explain it to me in several ways until I do. She also tells me stories about mathematicians and the secrets behind those numbers and figures... Dad, do you know, it's because of her that I later developed a real love for math and even went to an Olympiad math class!"

Xu Yao's little face was filled with pure admiration and love. "It's a pity that Sister Wen stopped coming later. None of the new tutors are as smart or as resourceful as her. Dad..." She leaned closer, with the expectation unique to children, "Can you ask Sister Wen to come and teach me again? I miss her so much."

These words made Xu Junheng miss her even more.

Xu Junheng put down his water glass: "Yaoyao, Sister Wen has more important things to do right now. She's studying at a very good university and is very outstanding. She's even published research papers in very prestigious international academic journals."

He tried to describe, in a way that a child could understand, the world Wen Haijing might be in right now—a world he was proud of yet felt was unattainable: "She has the potential to become a scientist someday. Let her come back now to be a tutor..."

He paused, suppressing a sigh, "It's such a waste of talent."

Xu Yao didn't understand the meaning of "international publication" after listening, but she understood that it was "very important" and "a waste of talent".

She pouted, a little disappointed, "But she's really nice, so kind. Even more so than Mom..." She didn't finish her sentence, but her unspoken meaning was clear.

Xu Junheng recalled that Sun Ting had told him yesterday that he saw Chen Ran's parents drive to the school and pick up Wen Haijing for dinner. He told Sun Ting not to go with them, and then silently hung up the phone. He was trapped in place by his past debts and his obsession with wanting her to "go it alone."

At this moment, because Xu Yao brought it up again, he missed even more the warmth of being held in his arms, a warmth that was now separated from him by oceans.

Welcome all readers and fans to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.

Thank you so much to reader "Gossipmonger" for sending flowers—it's so heartwarming! And thank you to every reader who voted, read, and left a comment.

Mr. Xu, hurry up and pursue her actively! I've been invisible for days.

Okay, thank you for your message.

Keep it up, Mr. Xu!

Okay, thank you for your message.

I have a feeling my aunt is up to something; Jingjing really needs President Xu.

Yes, thank you for your message and careful reading. My aunt is indeed unwilling to accept this.