Chapter 103: The Only Way Was to Retreat in Order to Advance

The bowl in her hand nearly slipped free; she fumbled for it in the air a few times before finally catching it securely. She understood what he meant. He wanted to stay, and to stay was for her sake.

“Isn’t there still the older generation at home?” she said softly. “They must be hoping you can stay by their side often.”

“Is that why you’re not leaving either?” He bent down, drawing closer to her.

She drained the water from the bowl. The question had long since found its answer, though she was merely using one thing to point to another. What she truly doubted was whether his feelings were really as deep as hers for Lin Shuo.

He did not press her for an answer. Instead, he turned and left the room. She let out a long breath. Speaking of leaving or staying, how could she not want him to remain here forever? To find even one confidant was rare enough; that was what made him all the more precious. But if she kept him here simply because she feared loneliness, that would be too selfish.

Tonight, there was no moonlight. Thick clouds blanketed the sky and the earth alike, without the slightest edge in sight.

“Why don’t you come in and sit? Is my balcony really that nice?”

“Come away with me, will you?” he begged her. “Bring your parents with you. The medical care in Shanghai is better. Let me take care of your father’s illness. Let’s leave this place and start over, all right?” He held her hand and drew her down beside him, a scatter of hope glittering in his eyes like stars.

“I…”

Two disappointed souls, one desolate night. Kunming had wounded her with heartbreak; it had driven him into a trough as well. Beneath the brightest sunshine, there could still be hidden sorrow no one knew.

He waited for her anxiously, hoping she would at least nod, because he knew she was unhappy.

And she only said lightly, “I’m afraid I won’t acclimate.” Then, as if worried that she might wound him, she added, “In truth, you really are a very good man. No worse than anyone else, Lin Shuo included.”

“But you still didn’t choose me.” His face fell, grief settling over him.

She tried to find the perfect excuse, something that would make him believe it was all the fault of fate. Yet he had clearly accepted the ending in an astonishingly short time, and in turn tried to spare her further inner struggle. “Don’t force it,” he said. “I told you already, I can’t bear to see you force yourself.”

Thank heavens. He let her go.

“After I leave, the situation will be even harder to control.” Xi Mintang spoke as though settling his final affairs. Xiaoxiao could not help but pay close attention. He went on, “I didn’t tell you before because I hadn’t expected to leave. Shundu’s involvement wasn’t entirely something I orchestrated. There was an earlier government project, and the final contenders were Shundu and Maoyuan. On the day the results were announced, the situation changed completely. Shundu’s bid was the closest to the expected figure, but just before everything was finalized, a scandal broke: Shundu had bribed officials and stolen the tender price. In the end, Shundu had no choice but to produce a scapegoat, and the project fell into Maoyuan’s hands.” Xi Mintang’s expression was grave. “No matter which of the Li brothers at Shundu was the one pulling the strings, they won’t let their grudge with Maoyuan rest so easily. This is no longer just business. It’s about pride and dignity.”

“What?” Xiaoxiao panicked. “Didn’t they say Shundu only wanted to help you drive up the price?”

“The higher the bidding war climbed, the more unreasonable it became. Don’t you think?”

“So Shundu really wanted that piece of land?”

Xi Mintang nodded. “Things have already developed beyond what I expected. Lin Shuo also seems intent on throwing more fuel on the fire. If this goes on, no one will come out ahead.”

“What should we do then?” She was genuinely worried for Lin Shuo.

He must have wrestled with this for a very long time, or else he would never have stood on the other side and tried to secure benefits for him. He said, “The only way is to retreat in order to advance.”