I glanced at Ye Zhi sitting next to me and knew very well that I had feelings for her. Moreover, she was the kind of woman that men with strong vanity would like more, because she could almost fulfill all of a man's fantasies about women.
However, to call it love wouldn't be quite it. I'm even more certain that I haven't moved on from my relationship with Lu Jia yet. Although I know Ye Zhi is a much better woman, this feeling has little to do with her level of excellence; it's more of a dependence that develops over time.
Even today, I still take out Lu Jia's old number and look at it. When I'm in a daze, I want to call her and ask her what she wants to eat or if she wants to see a movie. Then I come to my senses and remember that she's gone, and I feel incredibly lost and lonely.
I finally replied to Old Mi, "There's no need to dig too deep into feelings. I was initially attracted to her looks; she's such a beautiful girl!"
Old Mi asked bluntly, "Did you fall for his looks, or his good financial situation?"
"Do I look like someone who lives off a woman? I've always relied on my own hard work!"
Old Mi ignored me and turned to Ye Zhi, asking, "And you, what's it about Michael that you've taken a fancy to?"
Ye Zhi glanced at me, but I wasn't alarmed. We had already discussed this issue beforehand, and I thought it was best to keep things simple. After all, we had only just started dating, and to say we had a foundation of affection was simply absurd. It was more like we were attracted to each other. I think she's pretty, and she thinks I'm handsome. When two people get together, they start by appreciating each other's appearance, which aligns with the initial motivations of most people when they get together.
Unexpectedly, Ye Zhi calmly replied to Old Mi, "Uncle, your son is actually very outstanding, at least a very righteous man... You may not know, but just a few days ago, someone accidentally drove their car into Erhai Lake. There were so many onlookers, but only he dared to jump in to save them. He saved two precious lives!... You know, there are so many men in this world, many who are my equals, but few have his qualities. Now that I've met one, of course I want to hold on... He's truly excellent, he just hasn't met the right environment, the right people... If everyone is willing to give him some time and encouragement, instead of oppressing him, he will grow!"
I looked at Ye Zhi with surprise, because what she was saying now was different from what we had agreed on before, but it seemed that she was more sincere in saying it this way.
Old Mi looked at me, also surprised... But I think he's the least likely person to be surprised, because half of my education came from him. The only reason he's surprised by what I've done is that our father-son relationship has become distant, and he doesn't understand me well enough.
Or rather, his attention was no longer on my character; he only cared about when I could find a woman who was suitable in every way, and then get married and have children in Shanghai. When I couldn't meet his strongest need, he started to pressure me, forgetting that mutual understanding and respect are the foundation for maintaining a good father-son relationship.
Old Mi then asked Ye Zhi, "Do your family know you're together?"
"I don't know yet, but my family is a very open-minded family, and our views on love are more Westernized, so my parents will only give me advice and won't make decisions for me."
I chimed in, "Yes, yes, her maternal grandmother was British."
Old Mi remained silent, then picked up the cup and drank the water inside.
Ye Zhi continued, "If Michael were an unambitious man, it would be understandable for you to urge and educate him. But he is a very hardworking person. Even after coming to Dali, he hasn't given up striving. So I think you and Auntie should give him some understanding and time. Otherwise, he will really live a very repressed life... Have you ever thought that some things that happen to him are actually more painful for him than for you, but he silently endures them to avoid upsetting you?"
Ye Zhi's words brought tears to my eyes, because I desperately need to be understood and recognized. Take coming to Dali, for example; I faced immense pressure. I feared it was a wrong choice, and I desperately wanted someone to tell me: "Your choice is right." But in reality, countless people opposed me, believing that staying here was a waste of my time.
Just as Ye Zhi was about to say something on my behalf, her phone rang. She apologized to Lao Mi, then took her phone and left the private room…
In an instant, only Lao Mi and I, two people who were like oil and water, were left in the private room.
We each lit a cigarette, but neither of us was willing to speak first. At that moment, we desperately needed Ye Zhi as a mediator to resolve some long-standing conflicts.
As I was finishing my cigarette, I finally spoke up: "Let's eat quickly, and get some rest later. We can talk about anything else tomorrow when we're well-rested."
Old Mi still looked preoccupied, but this time he chose to give me face. He didn't criticize me for my emotional issues. However, the more silent he was, the more uncertain I felt, because I wasn't sure if he really believed the charade that Ye Zhi and I had put on.
...
Although the food looked delicious, Lao Mi didn't have much of an appetite. After eating a little, he said he wanted to go back to his room to rest. He asked me to take him back to his room alone, so Ye Zhi had her assistant give me the room key while she waited for me in the car before taking me back to Longkan.
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