Volume One, Chapter 19: Taking Office

No matter how long a journey is, it must eventually come to an end.

The gate to the Baiwang Mountain Residence community was now right before them, and the father and son’s conversation was drawing to a close. Throughout the walk, Cheng Xu’s thoughts had followed a predetermined path, with memories of his time with Xiang Zheng playing in his mind like a slideshow.

"Dad, I understand. The society we live in is like a giant dyeing vat; it’s not easy to remain untainted. But you know, when Xiang Zheng and I first met, she truly just saw me as a friend. The meticulous care she showed, the unreserved kindness she gave—it was as quiet and nourishing as spring rain, and every bit of it touched my heart. How could I not recognize that sincerity?"

Cheng Xu tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with nostalgia. He spoke at a measured pace, as if afraid of missing any precious detail.

"Perhaps you think that in this world, human interactions are inevitably tangled with interests, and that her actions might just be a performance. It’s easy to say you treat every client like a dear friend, but to practice it day after day is incredibly difficult. Dad, if she relied solely on underhanded tactics, she could never have persisted in this industry for five years. Such a long road cannot be walked without genuine heart as the foundation."

Cheng Xu turned to look at his father, his words earnest, his face glowing with a radiance of happiness.

Cheng Jianshe watched him, noting that this smile was entirely different from the ones his son wore when gorging on a feast, scoring 700 on his college entrance exams, or holding an admission letter from a top-tier company.

In an instant, his thoughts drifted back to his own youth, when he had brawled with street thugs for the sake of the girl he loved, not caring even when his face was bruised and swollen. Back then, wasn't his heart and soul entirely focused on the boy’s mother, willing to give everything for her?

"To use the trendy term you young people use, this is truly a case of..." Cheng Jianshe paused, struggling for the word.

"Love-addled brain," Cheng Xu replied quickly, laughing.

"Exactly! Cheng Xu, I just want you to understand that when a person is young, the heart is at its most uncontrollable; it’s possible to fall for anyone. But once you mature, you must understand how to make trade-offs, and it shouldn't be a surprise to give things up. You must weigh your actions carefully from now on and take full responsibility for your words and deeds so that your life can move forward properly."

"First, firmly grasp the means to make a living, and then ponder providing a harbor for the woman you love. If a man’s pockets are empty, the road ahead will truly be disastrous," Cheng Jianshe said, patting his son on the shoulder with deep concern.

Cheng Xu nodded slightly, agreeing with his father's perspective, but a hint of stubbornness flashed across his face: "Well, Dad, I still plan to try being a full-time househusband. If I mess it up, I can always return to the workplace and start over. I'm young; how will I know if I can do it if I don't try?"

The two men kept walking until they reached the unit entrance. Xiang Zheng was standing there alone, her figure slender yet possessing a certain resilience. The traditional lacquer fan in her hand had been reduced to a mosquito swatter, waving back and forth in a somewhat humorous manner.

"You're back," Xiang Zheng said, her eyes curving into a smile the moment she saw them.

Cheng Xu stepped forward, naturally draping an arm around her slender waist and teasing with a smirk, "Hey, how many mosquitoes have you swatted?"

Xiang Zheng gave him a look of mock annoyance; any ladylike reserve had long been shattered by the mosquitoes. But then, thinking that they were already married and this man was now "stuck" to her, she knew there was no returning the goods. A sudden surge of boldness rose in her heart: "About a hundred or so. Look, they say opposites attract, but in my case, my charm is just too great. The mosquitoes, male and female alike, are all swarming me—I’ve got them all!"

Cheng Xu knew perfectly well that she must have been waiting for a long time. Two lines of a song flashed through his mind: *May you have an umbrella when it rains, a light when it’s dark, someone to welcome you at dusk, and eyes like stars under the moon.* The scene before him perfectly embodied that poetic sentiment, beautiful enough to intoxicate. "Don't come out to meet us next time. I’ll put some calamine lotion on you when we get back so you don't get covered in bites."

Cheng Jianshe stood to the side, clicking his tongue as he watched his son’s "wife-doted" demeanor. He could only shake his head and smile bitterly, filled with emotion. *Oh well, children and grandchildren have their own destiny. If I can't control it, I might as well let go and let them be.*

Cheng Jianshe and Bai Lan stayed for a week, and it was finally time to return. Cheng Xu drove the couple to the high-speed rail station. Even though Xiang Zheng was busy with company affairs, she had specifically asked for time off to come and see them off.

"Zhengzheng, you must take care of your health. If this brat Cheng Xu acts like a fool and upsets you, call us immediately. His father and I will definitely stand by you and back you up!" Bai Lan held Xiang Zheng’s hand, her face full of concern. She had long since accepted this sensible daughter-in-law as family and unhesitatingly formed a "united front" with her.

Xiang Zheng hugged her mother-in-law obediently and whispered, "Thank you, Mom. You raised Xu so well; he cares for me too much to ever bully me."

She knew perfectly well that as long as there was a bit of distance, she would remain the perfect daughter-in-law in the eyes of her parents-in-law. She had mastered the balance of this relationship perfectly.

Cheng Xu watched the warm interaction between the two women, feeling like an outsider. He felt a bit sour, secretly grumbling that his status in the family was clearly in jeopardy.

On the drive back, Cheng Xu drove while Xiang Zheng skillfully opened the passenger door and slipped in. As the car started slowly, she spoke.

"Regarding the position of Marketing Director, the time has come to make a decision."

Cheng Xu kept one hand on the steering wheel, occasionally glancing at her. "Isn't that a good thing? The path for advancement is clearer, which is good for your long-term career development."

"You don't know the company's scheme. It's quite calculated. If I become Marketing Director, my previous client base will be reassigned to other sales staff. If I develop new clients later, I’ll only get commissions based on the company’s internal referral policy, which is half of what I make as a salesperson. The title goes up, but in the short term, my salary goes down. And the pressure won't be any less than in sales, since I’ll be responsible for the entire project."

Having seen big money, one would inevitably feel a sense of loss when receiving only a fixed salary every month.

"A-Zheng, one must look to the future when climbing higher. I support you in taking the position of Marketing Director."