By the time Kasi left the stage, the atmosphere was electric with merriment and joy. Her energy was infectious, and I found myself yearning to be a part of her life. When she hinted at singing with someone close to her earlier, my heart clenched with a sharp pang of pain and jealousy. I wanted to be that someone special to her. My gaze must have betrayed my feelings, as she looked at me with a puzzled expression. I quickly turned away, afraid that my emotions would scare her off.
As the party drew to a close, I wanted to offer Kasi a ride home, but Ci Xing swiftly shut down that idea by already ordering a car. Li and I escorted them to their ride. I couldn’t help but worry about Kasi’s safety, so I peppered the driver with questions about the roads at night. The driver grew impatient, and I knew I was overstepping, but my heart refused to settle. Seeing Kasi laugh at my overprotectiveness, however, made it all worth it. Her smile brightened my night, and I was content just to see her off safely.
I cleared the fare and watched the car disappear into the distance, reluctantly turning away.
“Sir, arrangements for a hotel have already been made,” a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was Zhōng Yǒng, my personal driver and bodyguard. Trained by my grandmother from a young age, he had been by my side since high school. Even when I went abroad, he followed me. Though he reported to me, I knew he also answered to my grandmother. It was frustrating, but there was little I could do. She had her ways of keeping tabs on the entire family.
“Tell Lina to cancel the reservation. I’ll be returning to Suzhou tonight. Arrange the private jet and give me an hour. I need to have a conversation with a friend,” I said, glancing over my shoulder. Li Qiang had just finished a phone call. I needed to speak with him—to understand his stance. I couldn’t allow him to play with Kasi’s feelings, especially given his ambitions and family situation.
“Understood,” Zhōng Yǒng replied respectfully, bowing slightly to Li before retreating.
“Can we talk?” I asked Li, who was now looking in my direction as he slipped his smartphone into his jacket.
“Sure,” Li said, walking back inside the pavilion. I followed him, and we were soon seated in a small private room with a bottle of high-grade wine between us.
“I was surprised to see you at this school. Did you take a liking to teaching?” I asked casually, swirling the wine in my glass.
“Children are easier to talk to. They’re not as crafty as adults,” Li replied, taking a sip of his wine.
“You’re right,” I chuckled, knowing full well his distrust of people. Given his family’s complicated dynamics, Li had always been wary of others’ intentions. His words hinted that he was aware I knew about his background and business dealings.
“About Kasi…” I began, cutting straight to the point.
“What about her?” Li asked, setting his glass down slowly, attentively looking at me.
“I like her. It’s obvious you do too. But given your family situation, you know the complications that could arise for her if you act on your feelings. You haven’t secured your position in the Li family yet,” I reminded him, my tone logical but firm.
Li let out a low chuckle, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Do you really think I need the Li family?” he countered.
“You tell me,” I replied, savoring the taste of the wine.
“You’re an old cow eating young grass! Why not focus on raising your son instead?” Li shot back, his frustration evident. It seemed my assumptions were correct—his father’s influence still loomed large over his decisions.
“You and I are the same age, and I’m only six years older than her. If I’m an old cow, so are you,” I replied, my tone calm but helpless as I pointed.
“I wasn’t planning to act on my feelings from the beginning. You can rest easy,” Li said, his gaze fixed on the wine glass as if lost in thought.
“Really?” I asked, surprised by his admission.
“I’ve considered everything you’ve said. That’s why I’ve held back. But Wei, you talk about my family, yet what about yours? Do you really think Madam Tang will make things easy for Kasi? You say you like her, but you don’t have to act on it either,” Li said passionately, standing up abruptly.
“I’ll take my leave now. But remember this: when you decide to follow your heart, consider Kasi’s too. She’s simple. Don’t complicate her life,” Li said before walking out of the room, leaving me to ponder his words.
His words struck a chord. It wasn’t that I hadn’t thought about my grandmother’s potential interference, but she had promised not to meddle in my life after the incident with Rong Siqi. As for my father and Jing Fu, they had never opposed my decisions. I had never asked for anything from them, but this would be my first request.
My thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. It was Lina, informing me that all travel arrangements were ready. I had to go to Suzhou first. The plan I had in mind to pursue Kasi needed to be set in motion quickly. She needed to know how I felt about her.
I was willing to do whatever it took to win her over. My heart only stirred at the sight of her, and ignoring my feelings, as Li suggested, was out of the question. As the current CEO of Tang Corporation, I held power in my hands. Decision-making had never been my weakness. From the moment I met Kasi, I knew what I wanted.
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