Su Yang had a rather complicated meal with He Rou.
And this weekend night seemed destined to be anything but peaceful, for Xu Lize also had a dinner that didn't quite suit his taste.
The date was set by Zhang Ruyin. Xu Lize tried to decline once but couldn't. So he arrived at the old mansion right on time.
As Chinese New Year was approaching, Zhang Ruyin had decorated the old mansion inside and out to give it a bit of a festive atmosphere. When Xu Lize arrived, he couldn't help but compliment the new Spring Festival couplets on the door.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruyin laughed at him for his stilted compliment and asked how he couldn't even recognize his grandfather's handwriting.
Xu Lize glanced at her but didn't respond. He simply took his seat.
At the huge round table, only the mother and son were seated. The nanny had cooked six dishes and a soup, but they couldn't fill the table with the warmth of a family meal. The clinking of chopsticks against bowls was sparse and sounded rather desolate.
Even so, Xu Lize seemed determined to follow the principle of "no talking during meals and no talking during sleep". Throughout the meal, he didn't say a single word.
Surprisingly, Zhang Ruyin was also patient today and didn't talk much. During the meal, she simply complimented the aunt on her cooking and said she would give her a raise next year.
The forty - minute dinner passed with almost no communication between the mother and son. When they put down their chopsticks and bowls, Xu Lize checked his watch. It was only seven o'clock.
At the table, the aunt was already clearing the dishes.
Seeing this, Xu Lize stood up. Just as he was about to tell Zhang Ruyin that he had something to do and needed to leave first, Zhang Ruyin called out to him.
Today, Zhang Ruyin was still dressed in a noble manner. Her permed black hair was neatly tucked behind her ears. She was wearing a sapphire blue modified cheongsam embroidered with silver patterns, a white fur stole, a heavy gold bracelet with twisted patterns on her left wrist, and a glass - like jade pendant around her neck. She still looked charming and imposing.
"Yesterday I went to your grandfather's place. He wrote a Spring Festival couplet for you. You can take it back and put it up later," Zhang Ruyin said.
Xu Lize nodded. "I'll take you to visit them on the second day of the Lunar New Year."
During festivals, such customs couldn't be ignored.
"Just the two of us?" Zhang Ruyin asked tentatively.
Xu Lize glanced at her without exposing her deeper intention. He spoke in a proper tone, "I'll be the driver that day. You can invite whoever you like. I'll follow your arrangements."
The corner of Zhang Ruyin's mouth twitched slightly. She finally couldn't hold back her thoughts any longer.
"Since you don't want to chat, let's talk about something serious," Zhang Ruyin said as she sat down on the sofa.
"Go ahead," Xu Lize still stood, propping one hand on the back of the three - seat sofa.
"Your grandfather asked me to ask you if you're not going to cooperate with your uncle anymore?" Zhang Ruyin was, of course, referring to the Zhang family's business.
"Mom, don't interfere in this matter. Tell grandfather not to worry. Uncle's company won't go under. As long as he behaves himself, the company can support him for this lifetime and the next," Xu Lize said.
"What do you mean it won't go under!" Zhang Ruyin frowned. "You've canceled all the orders from your uncle. What will the peers think of him? Mingkai isn't short of this one order. If you just allocate a little from any of your orders to your uncle, he won't have to worry."
"Worry about what?" Xu Lize's expression darkened. "When did I say I wouldn't give him any orders? I just said he should straighten out the accounts of his company before taking on the next batch. In business, the most taboo thing is to have a mess of accounts. Even brothers should keep their accounts clear."
"What brothers? He's your uncle!" Zhang Ruyin's tone rose, and she said sharply, "People say that a nephew should side with his uncle. How come it's the other way around with you? You seem to dislike him."
"Mom, if this is what you want to talk about, then there's no need to continue," Xu Lize said as he straightened up and smoothed his jacket. "If uncle is really not satisfied, you can ask him to make an appointment with Zhao Rui tomorrow. I'll give him time for a face - to - face talk."
"Oh, son, you're so arrogant. He's your own uncle!" Zhang Ruyin sneered.
"Yes, my own uncle. My own uncle stabs me in the back and colludes with his cronies to embezzle company property?" Since Zhang Ruyin was being so blunt, Xu Lize also decided to be straightforward.
"Xu Lize, you've really dedicated yourself to the Xu family whole - heartedly, but are you a match for Xu Wenfeng? If it really comes to the point of a complete break, won't your uncle be there to support you? Fine, even if your uncle can't support the family business, the Ren family can surely be your ally. Is your divorce certificate from Su Yang still...?"
"Mom, think clearly. Don't get things wrong. The wealth of the Zhang and Ren families all depends on me, Xu Lize," Xu Lize interrupted Zhang Ruyin coldly. His eyes were frosty, clearly indicating that he had no intention of continuing the conversation.
Zhang Ruyin was stunned. It took her a long time to regain her composure. She couldn't help but force a smile and said, "I originally thought it was that woman who was dragging her feet and not going to get the marriage certificate with you. After meeting her, I realized that it's you who doesn't want to get married."
Xu Lize had already turned around to leave, but when he heard this, he stopped in his tracks and turned back.
"You went to see Yangyang?" he asked.
A look of surprise flashed across Zhang Ruyin's face. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
Xu Lize said coldly, "Mom, I've told you before. Don't cross my line. Don't have any designs on her."
"I went to see her to... to ask about your father!" Even though he was her own son, Zhang Ruyin was still afraid when Xu Lize really got angry.
"Her business has nothing to do with your relationship with Dad. And don't think she can persuade her aunt. These are two different things. If you mix them up, do you believe I'll go to grandfather right now and tell him all the absurd things uncle has done in the past few years?"
Seeing Zhang Ruyin's face change instantly, Xu Lize didn't mind adding more pressure.
"Mom, although you're not good at business, you're in this circle. You know that businessmen are profit - oriented. If you're willing to stop while you're ahead, I can help you keep what you deserve in the Zhang family. Otherwise... you can prepare to rely on your brother."
"Xu Lize, you dare! I'm your mother!" Zhang Ruyin suddenly screamed without caring about her image. "Why can you side with Xu Wenhai but not with me? Let me tell you, even if your father has a woman outside, I won't divorce. You tell Xu Wenhai and that mistress to give up this idea!"
"Mom, do you think you can outsmart Dad if he really means business?" Xu Lize said expressionlessly.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruyin's delicate face contorted with emotion, looking like a bone - china vase that had been broken and then glued back together. It was still beautiful but had obvious cracks.
Xu Lize couldn't help but glance at her. The words of persuasion on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.
His mother had been pampered all her life.
When she was young, she was doted on by her parents. When she was a young woman, she was adored by all kinds of suitors. After getting married, she was spoiled by Xu Wenhai.
Xu Lize always thought that Zhang Ruyin's mental age was far behind her real age. The reason why she was holding onto Xu Wenhai so tightly now actually had little to do with the depth of their feelings.
What Zhang Ruyin was afraid of was simply how she could continue to live this life of luxury and indulgence once divorced...