Volume One, Chapter 16: The First Encounter of Cheng and Xiang's Relationship

Over the next few days, Cheng accompanied his parents to visit the famous sights of the imperial capital, and things went relatively smoothly during this time.

Xiang Zheng and her team usually worked nonstop on weekends because that’s when their clients were free.

So she took a day off on Monday and went with Bai Lan to the nearby Rainbow City to buy some clothes and jewelry.

She opened the gift Bai Lan had given her; the elderly couple had been quite generous, presenting her with gold bars.

There were ten in total, solid currency.

Xiang Zheng was always generous with money, and Cheng’s parents were no exception—she bought only quality items.

Although Bai Lan was reluctant to spend so lavishly, compared to the wives of neighbors back home who wouldn’t even provide a few hundred yuan a month for support without excuses, Xiang Zheng was truly exceptional.

After shopping, they dined at a restaurant atop Rainbow City, where the meal cost more than a thousand yuan.

Afterwards, Cheng Jianshe suggested that Cheng take a stroll to help digest the meal since it wasn’t far from home.

It was a conversation between men; Xiang Zheng said nothing and took Liu Chunrong and Bai Lan home first.

“How’s your consideration going? Your mother and I won’t be staying much longer. If you don’t need us, we’re ready to leave so we won’t be a bother.”

Under the streetlights, the father and son’s shadows stretched long.

Though it was already around eight or nine in the evening, the streets remained bustling with countless workers whose days hadn’t ended yet.

Cheng felt a pang of sadness.

Putting himself in his father’s shoes, he realized there was some truth in his words.

“Dad, I’ve never really told you how I met Xiang Zheng. Would you like to hear it?”

Since they were already walking together, it was a chance to share some heartfelt words, and Cheng Jianshe was happy to listen.

“It was a day back in 2016 when I received a call from a saleswoman. Her voice was very pleasant.”

“Hello, this is the Silicon Valley of China, the backyard of Zhongguancun, an intelligent home designed for urban elites. Would you like to visit our sales office?”

Normally, Cheng would have hung up immediately and cursed “shit.”

In this all-pervasive internet age, everyone lost their privacy, practically ‘running naked.’ Who was it that kept selling phone numbers over and over?

But he didn’t hang up.

“Because I didn’t hang up, Dad, you see—that’s fate. At that time, I was forced by my sales department colleagues, who were chasing their targets, to take on a project that should have taken two months but was only given two weeks. Colleagues often joked that when you first enter the industry, you have side-swept bangs, but in less than three years, you get a balding crown. Oh, the balding crown refers to... hair loss, baldness.”

Cheng chuckled as he spoke.

Cheng Jianshe didn’t laugh; this was reality. Young people might seem glamorous in big cities, but they all carried heavy burdens beneath the surface.

“This might sound exaggerated, but I felt immense pressure every day. I checked my phone; the workday was officially over. But frontline workers rarely clock out on time. Somehow, I agreed to meet her, but not at their sales office—instead, I invited her to my side.”

Used to being the contractor, today he wanted to experience the treatment of the client.

The customer is always king.

“There was still an hour before the evening overtime punch-out. If you can make it to the ‘Carved Time’ café near Beiqing Road and Daoxiang Road, maybe we can talk about a beautiful... home plan.”

Cheng’s words were casual; perhaps she would decline. But no matter what, he had given her the chance.

The evening rush hour in the imperial capital had begun.

Although this was beyond the North Fifth Ring Road, the many internet giants gathered here meant traffic jams were no better than Guomao CBD or Financial Street. It took at least half an hour to get anywhere.

Cheng Jianshe snorted, exhaling through his nostrils. “You’re quite good at making things difficult!”

“Your daughter-in-law is no ordinary person. Nothing can stump her. She took the opportunity to add me on WeChat and asked me to share my exact location with her,” Cheng said proudly. His wife was a clever girl.

“I knew it was a trick. Once I added her, I’d be bombarded with endless messages. But who told me to agree to meet? As soon as I accepted the friend request, she sent her info: ‘Shi’an Real Estate, Seven Oak Garden Property Consultant, Xiang Zheng. See you in forty minutes.’”

No unnecessary words.

“Did she show up on time?”

The listener began interacting with the storyteller.

“Women are never punctual!” Cheng said grumpily, though if one listened carefully, there was a hint of fondness in his tone.

“As the appointed time approached, she called me, saying she was parking and asked me to order first—she was treating me. She even recommended some specialties.”

Now, whenever Cheng went to Carved Time, he couldn’t help but order the garlic tuna pasta and black truffle mushroom beef pizza—these had become their signature dishes.

“From what she said, I gathered some information. Her voice was young but she already had her own car, while I was still going low-carbon every day. She took twenty minutes to park, and I realized her treating me was just a ploy to buy more time. You can’t hit a smiling face. I still remember how she looked that first time.”

Xiang Zheng was dressed in a professional suit that perfectly outlined her graceful figure. She looked just in her twenties with a fair, oval face. Her almond-shaped eyes seemed to hold a pool of autumn water, or perhaps a spring breeze flowing within. Wearing light makeup, her skin was flawless—proving the old saying that fairness overcomes all imperfections.

But then again, how could someone ugly succeed in sales?

Lost in thought, a slap came from behind. Cheng Jianshe cursed, “You useless thing—just admit it, you were attracted by her looks.”

Cheng wore a serious face, calm and steady. “You were fifteen minutes late...”

“Oh, I know, I’m sorry. But I promise, I rushed here right after hanging up the phone. I almost scratched someone’s car while parking...”

Xiang Zheng sounded both wronged and sincere, every cell in her body seeming to plead, “Please forgive me.”