◎”Wish yourself good luck.”◎
After Liang Jingchuan dropped Lan Yan off, he originally planned to go back and sleep. But then a call came in. Chen Boyu had it on speakerphone, and Chen Boyao asked if things were done and if he had no other plans, suggesting he return to the Chen Residence to play a few rounds of mahjong together.
The company was about to undergo the next round of financing, and Chen Boyao was a key figure who could influence the outcome.
Liang Jingchuan turned the car around and drove back. The nanny who opened the door pointed toward the game room and said everyone was in there. The kitchen was cooking midnight snacks, and she needed to check the fire. She told him to make himself at home. Liang Jingchuan visited the Chen Residence often, so the nanny was familiar with him and didn’t stand on ceremony.
He walked through the corridor to the game room on the other side of the main house. As he neared the door, the voices from inside halted his steps.
Amid the clacking of mahjong tiles, Chen Yongmao’s voice rang out: “…This girl is fine in every other way, but she’s a bit too arrogant. For a life together, it’s better to choose someone gentle and considerate. Looking at her, I doubt she’s ever set foot in a kitchen.”
The first to respond was Chen Youying: “What era is this, Uncle? Judging a girl’s worth by whether she can cook? I can’t either, and neither can Yun Jie!”
Tang Peiling said: “It’s different. Qian Yun can fully support Boyao’s career. Can Lan Yan do the same for Boyu? It’s all about attitude. For example, if Boyu gets sick and wants a bowl of hot porridge, is he supposed to order takeout? That stuff from outside is dirty and tastes awful. There was that one time Boyu had a cold and wasn’t better yet, but he went to the airport in the middle of the night to pick someone up.”
Chen Yongmao: “There’s something like that?”
Chen Boyu finally spoke up: “She told me not to pick her up. I went on my own.”
Tang Peiling: “Sometimes you’re too eager, which is why she doesn’t take you seriously.”
Liang Jingchuan didn’t hear Chen Boyu respond.
Eavesdropping wasn’t the act of a gentleman, but he had never claimed to be one.
Especially since this involved Lan Yan.
Tang Peiling: “Boyu, listen to some advice from someone who’s been through it. You’ve been dating for two years now, but Lan Yan has never been enthusiastic toward us. With a personality like that, even if she’s a fairy, what does it matter? You’re looking to live a life together, not to worship a Buddha on an altar.”
Chen Boyao: “As long as Boyu is happy, that’s fine. Children have their own blessings. Mom and Dad, just leave it alone. If they don’t get along, they can just see each other less in the future.”
Tang Peiling: “Easier said than done. When it comes to family matters later on, can she handle it?”
Chen Boyao: “Isn’t there you?”
Tang Peiling: “I want to enjoy a few years of peace. Boyu, if you insist on her, we won’t force you apart, but think it through yourself. Your career is just starting, and you’ll be busy. After a tiring day, coming home to cold words—can you handle days like that?”
Chen Boyu fell silent again.
This wasn’t the first time Liang Jingchuan had heard Chen Boyu’s family criticize Lan Yan.
Once, Chen Boyu had taken a call from Tang Peiling in the office. Their offices were separated by frosted glass. He hadn’t been feeling well that day and was resting on the sofa. Chen Boyu probably thought he wasn’t there and put the call on speaker.
Tang Peiling had called Chen Boyu mainly to chat about arranging a full-moon banquet for a younger family member. At the end, she casually mentioned Lan Yan, saying how her birthday had been a few days ago, but Lan Yan had kept a straight face the whole time—was she upset about something? Chen Boyu explained that was just her personality; she wasn’t used to crowds and didn’t smile much. It wasn’t aimed at anyone.
Another time, Tang Peiling was hospitalized. Lan Yan happened to be heading to North City to help restore some paintings and calligraphy for an upcoming thematic exhibition.
Tang Peiling’s surgery and Lan Yan’s departure were on the same day, and the timings didn’t conflict. Chen Boyu dropped her at the airport and then returned to the hospital to take Tang Peiling into surgery, with plenty of time to spare.
But the patient ahead had a complication, delaying their surgery and advancing Tang Peiling’s by two hours.
By the time Chen Boyu returned, the surgery had already started. Chen Yongmao scolded him at the operating room door, saying young people nowadays had no respect for elders and no sense of priority. With Liang Jingchuan there, he didn’t say it too harshly, but “young people nowadays” certainly included Lan Yan.
For someone as independent as Lan Yan, troubling others was the last thing she wanted. If Chen Boyu hadn’t insisted, she wouldn’t have let him see her off.
Chen Boyu had explained a bit for her both times, but it was always superficial and easily dismissed.
For the birthday, he could have mentioned Lan Yan’s gift—a fan with her own painting, custom-made by a friend who did Suzhou embroidery, showing real thoughtfulness.
For the surgery, Chen Yongmao wasn’t entirely wrong; Chen Boyu did sometimes fail to prioritize. He brushed off a scolding from his parents, but Lan Yan ended up with an undeserved bad impression.
This made three times in total.
Chen Boyu didn’t argue forcefully, perhaps because deep down, he somewhat agreed with his parents’ view of Lan Yan’s aloofness and lack of social savvy.
But he hadn’t just met her yesterday; he knew that was her personality.
If he truly loved her, he should act as the glue, not just smooth things over.
One couldn’t crave the moon’s cool serenity yet complain it wasn’t as warm as the sun.
As the second son born into wealth, unlike the eldest who bore the burden of family glory, Chen Boyu had been cushioned by his parents and society from birth, never facing real setbacks. Thus, he was kind-hearted, generous, and giving.
But virtues and flaws went hand in hand: immature, family-dependent, lacking resolve.
Do what’s expected in one’s position—if as her boyfriend he couldn’t fulfill that role, then…
“Big Bro, Big Bro, you messed up!”
“Is that so? Let me see—”
Liang Jingchuan stopped listening. He turned toward the nearby bathroom instead.
After lingering a moment, he emerged and headed to the game room.
A new round started, the mahjong machine having just built four walls.
Liang Jingchuan deliberately made his footsteps heavy. Chen Youying, keeping watch at the door, spotted him first: “Liang…”
Chen Boyao looked up and smiled: “Jingchuan, perfect timing. This round’s just starting.”
Chen Youying stood up quickly: “…You take my spot.”
Liang Jingchuan smiled faintly: “No need, Miss Chen. You play.”
“My luck’s bad. I’ll borrow Big Bro’s fortune first.” Chen Youying suddenly vacated her seat and squeezed between Chen Boyao and Liang Jingchuan, leaning on the arm of the circle chair as if to check Chen Boyao’s tiles.
The others at the table all wore knowing, meaningful smiles.
Liang Jingchuan pretended not to notice.
The game began.
Tang Peiling, sitting beside Chen Yongmao and watching his tiles, suddenly asked: “Youying, how’s the internship hunt going?”
“Went for a week, didn’t like it.”
“Why not intern at your second brother’s company?”
Chen Youying’s eyes lit up. She glanced at Liang Jingchuan, then quickly at Chen Boyu. “Can I, Second Bro?”
“We only have tech positions open right now. Your major doesn’t match.”
Tang Peiling: “Can’t you squeeze in one person? Worst case, I’ll cover her internship pay…”
“Really not possible. You know Manager Jiang in HR—she’s a stickler.” On work matters, Chen Boyu was clear-cut and impartial.
Chen Youying wasn’t pleased.
“It’s just a few months. If not, make her your assistant—just put her on the roster, no real work.” Chen Yongmao chimed in.
Chen Boyu had a headache. “The company’s doing a team-building trip soon. There’s room for two plus-ones. You can come along, Youying. That work?”
Chen Youying held up her palm to him: “Deal!”
Accustomed to being the center of attention, she grew bored watching and yawned. Saying she’d check on the midnight snacks in the kitchen, she left the game room.
Before eating, Chen Boyu wanted to discuss work with his brother. With Liang Jingchuan there too, the timing was perfect. He said: “Bro, if you have time, come check out our lab?”
“Something up? Research breakthrough?”
“We’re working on wound-healing tissue induction with Huabai and Peony. It’s almost there.”
“Oh, that’s great.” Chen Boyao smiled.
“You invested so much; I won’t let it go to waste.”
Chen Boyao chuckled. “No time the next couple weeks—schedule’s packed.”
“No rush. Whenever you’re free.”
Chen Boyu sensed Chen Boyao’s lack of enthusiasm and dropped it.
Soon, hot towels and midnight snacks arrived from the kitchen. After a short break, the game resumed until Chen Boyao had his fill and they called it.
Chen Boyu had a guest room prepared and asked Liang Jingchuan to stay.
Liang Jingchuan politely declined. As he left, he paused and looked at Chen Boyu. “Not going yet?”
“Hm?”
“Didn’t you say you’d apologize once she cools off?”
“Tomorrow. She’s probably asleep by now. Won’t disturb her today.” Chen Boyu yawned.
Liang Jingchuan stared at him silently.
Chen Boyu rarely faced such scrutinizing gaze and felt uneasy. “What’s up?”
Liang Jingchuan offered no opinion, hands in pockets, and turned. “I’m off.”
/
Everyone else had retired to their rooms. Chen Boyu prepared to head upstairs too when he saw a nanny with a bottle of water. Casually, he asked: “Whose is that?”
She said Chen Boyao wanted it sent to the study.
Chen Boyu had wanted to talk financing with Chen Boyao. Too many people at the table earlier; now was a good chance.
“I’ll take it up.”