Chapter 4, The Plum Blossoms Fall on the Southern Mountain

On one occasion, she saw Su San, sitting there alone, sparse and desolate.

Su San looked at her with a fierce demeanor and instinctively asked, "What material?"

You are still young, wait until you reach my age now

"It must have been scratched when climbing up," Su San said nonchalantly, "It's nothing!"

If Su San were to act like she did with her previous girlfriend, she would feel unwilling; yet if he were to genuinely put his heart into it, she would be worried

The several guards exchanged glances, seemingly discussing who could skate on ice, and then two of the guards removed their uniform shoes and socks, leaping into the South Lake and gliding towards Su San.

Whenever I think of the regrets in my life, the plum blossoms fall abundantly on the southern mountain

Grandparents, after all, are of advanced age and may not fully understand the thoughts and feelings of children. They can take good care of their clothing, food, housing, and transportation, but may not grasp the desires that lie within a child's heart

I ... ...

A mirror awaits her eternally

After pretending to review documents in the office for most of the day, which were all just routine matters with nothing new, Meng Xiyue suddenly appeared at his office door near tea time, smilingly asking: "Shall I treat you to tea?"

"Su San, what are you doing?" Meng Xiyue clutched her collar, flustered, "Why did you throw away my sweater chain?"

Su San first knocked and then pestered outside, using both soft and hard tactics. Meng Xiyue, fuming, sat back on the sofa, her anger growing stronger. If it weren't for the presence of Tongtong, she would have loved to throw him off the balcony directly

Meng Xiyue could not care less about anything else and shouted directly at them: "Hurry up and pull him up, pull him up!"

She stood up from the sofa, her hands still awkward. Su San knew that she was about to issue an eviction order. In the past, he would have definitely clung on stubbornly, making it impossible for her to get rid of him, turning raw rice into cooked rice, and transforming peach wood into a flat boat. Once, twice, three times, he would surely make her unable to part with him again.

After handling several major contracts and conducting a general reassessment of this year's finances, Meng Xiyue felt utterly exhausted, and picked up her phone to call Su San

Because she lost Meng Xiyue's sweater chain, that evening Su San obediently finished her meal and took her leave, without the usual coaxing and reluctance to return. Coincidentally, Zhou Yuannian was at the club playing mahjong, saying they were one short and invited Su San to join the table. Besides the two Zhou brothers, the other person was Zhou Yuannian's junior from his study abroad days, who is now a partner with Zhou Yuannian in a new company. Su San had met him a few times before, so they were considered acquaintances. Su San thought that today marked a significant development and felt it necessary to inform the brothers, so she cleared her throat and said very solemnly: "I have something to tell everyone."

Meng Xiyue, feeling too lazy to argue, twisted a few times to change her position and then pinched his arm hard twice.

What is different?" Zhou Yuannian spoke softly, "Can you bring her home this time?"

Su San was taken aback, then suddenly burst into laughter and said: "Indeed, such a long preamble was all for the sake of setting the stage; after all that praise, we finally come to the 'but'"

At that moment, Su San suddenly felt a surge of confidence; he believed that Meng Xiyue would not let him down

Su San smiled even more proudly, feeling her way along the edge of the bathtub, and with a long arm reached out to pull her into his embrace, kissing down along the curve of her ear: "I have practiced this since childhood; any thief with my skills would not consider it a loss to steal you!"

You always like to describe yourself as a ruthless and unscrupulous woman. I know you want to establish authority and make others fear you, but you do not need to treat me this way, because I do not believe it. I know you mean well for me

The cheeks are warm

Cousin Yuan

I know. Meng Xiyue is truly unconcerned. She has personally witnessed those little star flight attendants passing notes to Su San, who pretended not to know in front of them but privately tore those notes to shreds and threw them in the trash. She is quite satisfied with Su San in this regard; he knows how to have fun while maintaining a sense of propriety, unlike Zhou Sunian, that beast in human clothing, who specifically targets those he should not. "You must not let Zhou Sunian encounter that little teacher; he particularly enjoys targeting this type." She is quite satisfied with Su San in this regard; he knows how to have fun while maintaining a sense of propriety, unlike Zhou Sunian, that beast in human clothing, who specifically targets those he should not. "You must not let Zhou Sunian encounter that little teacher; he particularly enjoys targeting this type."

If you could refrain from being neurotic twice a day, I would be eternally grateful

Enough," Meng Xiyue said softly. For some reason, after hearing all of this, she became much calmer.

In any case, your skills are lacking, and there are problems every time!

Su San noncommittally hummed, catching a glimpse of Meng Xiyue's lips curling with a hint of spring, not knowing what joyful event had occurred. After a while, Meng Xiyue asked again: "Are you still angry?"

water pipe

Meng Xiyue was taken aback for a moment, unable to regain her composure for a long time, and incredulously asked, "You are sitting there, watching me?"

Surely Su San did not climb up along that drainage pipe

Tong Tong nodded vigorously, and after rolling her eyes, she asked: "So we are not having dinner with Uncle Susan today?"

Meng Xiyue was filled with a mix of fear and anxiety, yet Su San's face was still pressed against the window ledge, softly calling her: "My hand is going numb." Startled, Meng Xiyue forgot everything and tiptoed to pull Su San inside. The bathroom window was designed to slide open, but could only be opened halfway. Su San barely managed to squeeze her head in, and after much wriggling and contorting, finally climbed inside. Meng Xiyue let out a long sigh of relief, but as she relaxed her grip, Su San fell completely into the bathtub. Meng Xiyue was so angry that her teeth itched; upon looking at herself, she realized that her bathrobe had also been tugged and was now loose and half-open, with a large portion hanging into the bathtub and getting soaked. Overwhelmed with shame and anger, she wished she could kick Su San to death in the bathtub.

The hot water rose in layers, soaking the body until it felt soft and tender. Meng Xiyue gently kneaded her brow bone, attempting to alleviate the tension that had built up over the past few days

However, however, however

Thank you?" Zhou Sunian looked utterly bewildered, "Is that all you have to say, just a thank you?"

Why? Tongtong's eyes widened as he persistently asked, "Uncle Susan said that whenever mom looks for him, he is available."

You are a rogue

Su San scoffed coldly: "Enough, with your mediocre skills, you dare to lie in front of me? I saw with my own eyes that you accompanied Second Brother to buy it, and it was he who helped you put it on!"

"I am using your daughter," Su San said, tugging at the corner of her lips, smiling with a faint sarcasm. "Deliberately being nice to her, using her as a bargaining chip, forcing you to comply—what other accusations could there be? I can't think of any for the moment"

Zhang Zao's "In the Mirror"

This trick is ineffective, so he changed his strategy: "My car keys are inside, and if you won't let me in, you must at least allow me to go back, right?"

"Ah Moon, I was wrong, could you please open the door?" After pleading several times and seeing that Meng Xiyue was unresponsive, he lost his temper like a spoiled young master, kicking the door and shouting, "Meng Xiyue, if you don't open the door, do you believe I will take the door off its hinges?"

Su San halted his movements. His upper body pressed tightly against hers, forcing her down. One hand went to unfasten her clothing buttons, while his hand glided along the curves of her body, finally locking onto her chin. His eyes shone with a captivating light, firmly ensnaring her: "It is a new society now, with gender equality; women can also keep lovers. Come on!"

"I didn't always know either," Meng Xiyue shrugged. "It turns out that I knew your cousin from school. The first time I went on a business trip to Boston, we went to Legal Sea Foods for a meal, and then your second brother just crashed in."

Meng Xiyue looked up in astonishment, as if struck at a vital point, rendered speechless. Su San leaned closer, his youthful face exuding aggression, his breath almost touching hers. He cornered her against the sofa and asked, word by word: "In your heart, is there not even a tiny thought of wanting to be with me?"

Indeed, this statement left Su San in shock. He stood outside the door for a long time without daring to make a sound. It was only when Meng Xiyue began to pack her clothes and luggage that he gently knocked on the door and said: "I won't say anything from now on, could you please open the door?"

Su San turned around and pressed her tightly against the end of the bathtub. At first, she tried to resist, but the overflowing passion and desire erupted like a long-dormant volcano, uncontrollable and surging forth freely

Meng Xiyue looked in shock at the crumpled tank top and shorts on the floor, hoping that Tongtong's observational skills would not be so keen, laughing with a mix of fear and amusement: "It's not expensive, not expensive, Mom will take you to eat with Uncle Susan tomorrow, hurry and go to sleep, be good."

You are crazy

"If there are no objections, we will begin the voting process," Meng Xiyue said as she raised her hand, turning her face seriously towards Su San, "Since you are here today, I will not exercise your voting rights on your behalf..."

In the past, Meng Xiyue would always teach him a lesson for his immaturity, recklessness, love for play, and fierce demeanor. Now, in a fit of extreme anger, she reveals her original and pure feminine nature.

Throw it away and buy a new one

Su San let out a sound of realization, understanding what was happening. A sudden heaviness filled his heart, and he inadvertently revealed his disappointment in his words: "Isn't Second Brother quite happy?"

Meng Xiyue herself found it somewhat incredible; having already encountered so many wolves and tigers, she was now willing to believe in Su San, who could only be referred to as a "boy".

A lifetime spent in constant busyness, never pausing for a moment, meticulously planning out life at twenty, thirty, forty, and even into old age at eighty, yet never taking a moment to reflect on why the experience of being indulged and cherished captivates so many people

Meng Xiyue felt greatly embarrassed, as the words of apology she had originally planned were stuck at the tip of her tongue. After a long while, she finally said hesitantly: "I know I wronged you."

"Feeling momentarily empty and lonely?" Su San took over the next line for her, "When you feel empty and lonely, do you just randomly find a man to sleep with?"

She tidied her hair, mustered her spirits, and made an effort to calmly express her gratitude to Zhou Sunian by saying: "Thank you"

The matter of a dangerous face is indeed beautiful

Mother

"Otherwise, what do you wish to do?" Meng Xiyue asked slowly, "To offer oneself in devotion, to surrender oneself in gratitude?"

Yet she stubbornly dashed forward like a moth to a flame

Su San's head was dripping wet, and his short sideburns were neatly tucked behind his ears. Glimmering droplets of water slowly flowed down from his forehead, creating a warm and ambiguous undercurrent in the dim yellow light of the bathroom. Before he had the chance to tease Meng Xiyue, he suddenly heard her exclaim, pointing at the wound on his arm: "How did this happen? Such a large cut, and it's still bleeding!"

Meng Xiyue had never seen such a desperate and helpless expression on Qi Zhicheng's face

Meng Xiyue squinted her eyes, looking as if she wanted to dismember Su San into a hundred and forty-eight pieces and throw them into the South Lake to feed the fish: "One hundred and forty-eight pieces, what material could it be! Do you know how much your second brother's piece is worth? Two hundred and eighty thousand! That was custom-made by your second brother, and that lucky cat is inlaid with pink diamonds! Aren't you supposed to be quite accomplished in design? Didn't you claim to have handled numerous cultural relics and antiques?"

Xi Zhicheng had never shared the detailed story with Meng Xiyue, except for that one time, and he had never lost his composure in front of her again. He was always the pillar of the Xi family, the second son of the Xi family born with a silver spoon, able to turn the world upside down at will, yet the one thing he yearned for the most remained forever out of reach

Su San was taken aback for a moment, and after a while, he smiled and said, "Why not?"

The sudden sound of the door being knocked on once again shattered this pure and untainted intimacy: "Mom, Uncle Susan promised me that we would go eat cross-bridge rice noodles together tomorrow. The rice noodles aren't expensive, right?"

Meng Xiyue gradually calmed down, wrapping her dripping wet bathrobe around herself tighter and tighter. She contemplated kicking him awake but feared that she might kick too hard. Her face twisted in anger as she resentfully exclaimed, "This Susan City Garden has even been rated as a gold medal residential area, and the public security is at this level? Someone like you, a thief like you, should be shot twice and fall down to die!"

Three minutes ago, we voted to approve the cash compensation method to replace the originally intended 0.7% equity reward for Leilei. This equity change will be submitted at the end of the month

Su San had been clinging to her for several consecutive days, verbally promising to keep his distance, yet he wandered around the company every day. Even Assistant Liu noticed something was amiss, thinking that there was some issue within the company. With such behavior at work, it was needless to say how it was in private. His gaze was fervent, always shadowing her, even joining her in telling stories to Tong Tong at night, snuggling beside her. That breath, imbued with the scent of sunshine, lingered around her, almost imperceptibly. Sometimes his actions seemed unintentional, while at other times, Meng Xiyue realized he was deliberate, intent on leading her into temptation. Every night, he would only leave after she explicitly asked him to, and when he did, his gaze was reluctant to part. Meng Xiyue even dared not look at him, fearing that a single glance would draw her in. On several occasions, he could no longer restrain himself, cornering her by the wall, no longer childlike as before, but simply holding her and asking if she was well.

I am afraid of trouble

He hopes that one day, this woman will belong entirely to him

Deep within, there is an endless sense of panic, yet it cannot resist the allure of his clear eyes, fearing that it may cause an irreversible impact on the current state of one's life

Tong Tong was very mischievous, looking at this wanting to eat that, and looking at that wanting to eat this. Then, he took all the fish from a plate of sashimi in front of Meng Xiyue, leaving only the rice balls for her. Meng Xiyue was taken aback and frowned, scolding, "This is very impolite. Why can only Mommy eat rice balls while you get to eat double portions?" Tong Tong looked at her with righteous indignation, saying, "Xie Jiansu said that meat is delicious!"

Yes, how about I turn the car around and you can talk to her about Tongtong's recent situation?

Su San remained silent, only smiling at her, a foolish grin on his face, with a trace of blood at the corner of his lips. Meng Xiyue was unaware that she had bitten him so hard, feeling guilty as she went to get a tissue to wipe it for him. Su San was so delighted that he felt like he could float away. She still had that same look in her eyes, her brows slightly furrowed, revealing a hint of reproach and anger, yet he felt it was entirely different from before; this was a qualitative leap, a qualitative leap!

You even deceived me by saying that you contracted hepatitis to scare me away

At your cousin's place.

Meng Xiyue widened her eyes: "What?"

Su San then mocked, "Or perhaps you should tell me that you are willing to do anything to climb up, that you can give up anything. Since I am here, a ready-made benefactor, why don't you take advantage of me?"

I am not doing this for your benefit, I am --

Do you also go to bed with your younger brother

Meng Xiyue could not recall the name of the poem that Su San had just mentioned, nor who had composed it. She only knew that on her southern mountain, the ground was already covered with plum blossoms.

It is the same even after it has come out; you have tried every possible means to make me retreat in the face of difficulty! In fact, you were almost successful—I promised to accompany Tong Tong to the recitation competition, and I did not expect her to make it to the end. I had already thought it through; once I fulfill this promise to her, I will no longer care about you—whatever you do in the future, or who you are with, will be of no concern to me. But you insist on coming to apologize to me; if you were still like before, a bit fierce and ruthless, perhaps I would have been deceived by you. I had already thought it through; once I fulfill this promise to her, I will no longer care about you—whatever you do in the future, or who you are with, will be of no concern to me. But you insist on coming to apologize to me; if you were still like before, a bit fierce and ruthless, perhaps I would have been deceived by you. Meng Xiyue, today it was you who provoked me, it was you who gave me hope again!

The meeting concluded swiftly with unanimous approval. After the meeting, Meng Xiyue furrowed her brows and asked, "How do you plan to explain this to Leilei?"

At that time, Meng Xiyue did not pay attention, thinking that Tongtong was just playful. Now, reflecting on it, she needed to play four roles by herself, and it was merely... because of loneliness

Regardless, she is willing to try to believe in him, even when she has become numb to such a life, she is willing to attempt to believe in another person again

"Little brother, it has always been you talking," Meng Xiyue said with a smile, pointing at his nose. "In your heart, your second brother is like a god, and all the women in the world fall at his feet. Did you ever give me a chance to explain? I haven't said anything at all, yet you keep blaming me, saying that I like your second brother!"

Meng Xiyue smiled and comforted, "You can play with him, but do not reach out to ask him for things. If he gives you a gift, we must reciprocate. We cannot accept gifts that are too expensive, because... because mom works very hard to earn money, and can only buy what we need, we cannot waste, do you understand?"

After years of hard work, there has been a qualitative leap today, and one can only imagine the excitement of Meng Xiyue.

Meng Xiyue stared at him, unable to utter a word for a long time. After a while, she finally understood Su San's meaning, and her anger surged: "You are the real idiot! What nonsense are you talking about? That sweater chain was chosen for me by Tong Tong, where did your thoughts wander off to?"

The images on the large screens on both sides of the auditorium immediately switched to Su San, who had a clear and bright expression, with well-defined features and contours that subtly outlined an elegant curve. He cleared his throat, hesitated slightly, and then smiled as he said: "Then I shall embarrass myself by reciting a poem by Zhang Zao titled 'In the Mirror' for everyone."

I heard about Feng Tan's matter from Zhou Sunian. After pondering for a long time, she still approached the issue, saying, "I have wronged you."

Zhou Yuannian smiled meaningfully. Su San understood his intention; Qi Zhicheng's warning was not far off, and their marriage had never been under their own control

Meng Xiyue crouched down, letting out a soft sigh in her heart, knowing that some principles were beyond Tongtong's understanding at her young age. She could only gently stroke her little face and say, "Because one must be fair in life. If others help you, you should also help them. For example..." Meng Xiyue tried to explain in a way that Tongtong could understand, "For instance, if you bring fruit to kindergarten to share with your classmates, and if you are the only one bringing it every day while they enjoy delicious food and fun without sharing with you, wouldn't you feel unhappy?"

Meng Xiyue did not respond immediately, but her tightly pressed lips could not conceal her smile. After a long while, she softly said: "Thank you"

The older guard beside her wore a stern expression and furrowed his brows as he said to Meng Xiyue: "Is this from your family? Today's youth need to be properly disciplined; every few days, they either run away from home or cause trouble!"

She did not have time to say anything else when Tongtong happily rushed over. Meng Xiyue often arrives late to pick her up from kindergarten, and she has never had the chance to show off her "beautiful and capable mother" to the other children. This time, seizing the opportunity, she said to her gathered classmates in a very boastful tone: "My mom is very busy with work!"

Now she must confront an even more difficult reality; she does not know how to handle her relationship with Su San. Going public is certainly not an option, as Qi Zhicheng would be the first to rush to Jiangcheng to kill her. Not only can it not be made public, but even allowing those around her to catch a whiff of it is also out of the question—given Su San's temperament, how could that possibly happen?

Meng Xiyue asked in confusion, "What is wrong with you?"

Zhou Sunian originally envied Su San, envying him for receiving the utmost love from his parents and the care of his elder brother. However, at that moment, he inexplicably felt a sense of sympathy for him. He also felt pity for Su San, as he was more aware than anyone else of the inevitable outcome. He could not bear to see Su San so disappointed, so he prepared to intimidate Feng Tan, urging him to return to Beijing as soon as possible, lest Su San be troubled by it.

Su San was taken aback, not understanding the meaning of her saying "no" as soon as she opened her eyes. Meng Xiyue tugged at his sleeve, her expression grave and serious: "Do not tell Tongtong for the time being"

When she joined the company, she had a certain admiration for Qi Zhicheng, who was young and accomplished, strong-willed, and handsome. At that time, Meng Xiyue felt that God was too fond of Qi Zhicheng, giving him everything that one could possibly possess in this world. Until that day, when she saw Qi Zhicheng walk into the restaurant and gently say to her serene and gentle senior sister: "It's great, I've found you again"

Meng Xiyue's gaze was hazy. He caressed her face, and her cheeks were burning hot, bright red. Su San finally understood the difference between this time and the last. He slowed his embrace and kissed her gently. He knew that last time, Meng Xiyue had somewhat of a self-destructive mentality; if Feng Tan could do it, why couldn't she? Not only was she self-destructive, but she probably also felt guilty towards him, so she simply indulged herself, allowing everything to be dictated by him.

What exactly are you talking about

Everyone believes that she can handle it perfectly

"Go back?" Su San exclaimed, "Look at what time it is, just this tank top and shorts?"

Zhou Sunian shook the dice and, with a cheerful smile, asked: "How is this not a fart?"

"Good..." A soft sound escaped Meng Xiyue's lips, unsure if Su San had choked underwater. She was afraid that Tongtong would notice something amiss, so she hurriedly pushed him behind her while coaxing Tongtong to leave quickly, "Good, Tongtong, go brush your teeth in the bathroom of your bedroom, and if you're tired, rest early"

He ruthlessly tore away all her disguises, leaving only her, unable to conceal herself, facing his passionate confession like a blazing fire

Feeling ashamed, he lowered his head and responded to the emperor

It was already past 4 PM, and Meng Xiyue recalled that she always failed to pick up Tongtong on time. Glancing at the pile of documents on her desk, she resolutely decided to give herself a break.

Meng Xiyue turned around and smiled, saying: "If you can climb up the wall wearing them, why can't you wear them to go back?"

Perhaps she has been in her small room for many years, telling stories to herself in this way

Meng Xiyue suddenly awakened from all those romantic and dizzying moods. She wrapped herself in a bathrobe and rushed into the bathroom, grabbing Su San's tank top and shorts and throwing them into the dryer. Su San watched her panicked actions and followed her, asking: "What happened?"

Do you not want to sleep with your mother tonight

Su San pressed her lips together, trying hard to come up with some opinions to express, but her mind was completely blank, so she had to honestly say: "Actually, I didn't take in anything at all."

Tong Tong looked at her timidly, unsure whether her request fell into the category of obedience or disobedience. In her heart, she felt a comrade-like sympathy for Su San. Considering that her mother still held the power of life and death, she obediently kept her mouth shut. Su San was jumping around outside, initially still apologizing.

Meng Xiyue had a thought; Tongtong enjoyed reading storybooks. In the evenings, while she was reviewing documents, Tongtong often entertained herself alone on the distant sofa, lost in her own world.