Chapter 194: Chapter 193: Pushing Your Luck (Part 1)
Li Shuren was eloquently introducing the new fast food equipment he had brought in, boasting about the high sales numbers. He suddenly changed his tone towards the end: "I initially introduced this equipment at a high price. It’s still about eighty percent new now. If you’re thinking of acquiring it, instead of buying a brand new one, you might as well take the second-hand one from me. At least you’d save this much."
Li Shuren held up two fingers, gesturing towards Shi Yang.
Shi Yang looked at Li Shuren, a sly wrinkle forming at the corner of his eyes: "I’m quite interested in this set of equipment, it’s just that the price is too high. You know I just bought a house and spent quite a bit on renovations and decorations. It’s been taxing, so this time I’m just here to take a look."
Shi Yang didn’t close off the conversation, leaving it open. Li Shuren sensed this and wrongly assumed that Shi Yang liked the project but found it too expensive. He immediately became more enthusiastic and especially hosted Shi Yang that evening. The two drank heavily together, but in the end, Shi Yang didn’t commit to purchasing the equipment on the spot.
After Li Shuren left, Shi Yang found Wang Tianyu.
Wang Tianyu rented an apartment in the provincial city and also bought a second-hand van.
The two sat in Wang Tianyu’s one-bedroom apartment where Shi Yang explained things to him: "Later, find someone to visit Li Shuren’s Naughty Castles and mainly observe the sales situation of the fast food projects. Usually, there’s no need to visit, focus mainly on the lunchtime rush during the weekends. If you can roughly estimate the sales numbers, that would be even better."
Wang Tianyu nodded in agreement: "Alright, I’ll find someone to inquire about it later."
Shi Yang advised: "It’s best if you can also ask about the parents’ feedback on the food and the reasons why some parents aren’t purchasing."
Wang Tianyu patted his chest in assurance: "Mr. Shi, I’ll certainly handle this well. Rest assured."
After arranging everything, Shi Yang didn’t linger and hurried back home to start organizing the moving process.
Zhao Meimei was about to start school soon, so he needed to call a cleaning service to tidy up the place, move in himself first, set up the utilities, and then bring Zhao Meimei over.
Shi Yang spent two days cleaning and a few days handling miscellaneous matters. Once everything was settled, he mentioned moving to his parents during dinner.
Shi Yang’s father pulled out two bottles of good wine, and the pair drank across the table. After the two bottles, both were flushed, looking as if they were tipsy, but in truth, their minds were clear despite their staggering steps.
Shi Yang noticed that his father was deliberately trying to get him to drink, likely because there were things he found inconvenient to discuss openly when fully sober. Having been in society for several years, he could pick up on such tactics. As he sipped his drink, feigning a drunken appearance, he quickly calculated in his mind what his father might want to discuss.
The first thought that came to mind was the person in the hospital, then he immediately dismissed it. If that were the case, the discussion would likely be with his mother instead of him.
Assuming it’s not that matter, then his father might have noticed something about his relationship with Zhao Meimei.
Shi Yang half-closed his eyes, watching his father. It seemed his father’s demeanor tonight was indeed unusual. Clearly, he intended to ease into a heart-to-heart rather than actually get drunk. Yet, leveraging the slight buzz of alcohol, he wanted to address some difficult topics in one go, laying them out on the table.
With that realization, Shi Yang settled down. This was something the family would have to know eventually. He thought it might as well be an opportunity to go with the flow, as he was also somewhat curious about his father’s specific views.
The more Shi Yang’s father drank, the redder his face became. Feeling hot, he removed his pajamas and, wearing just a vest, braced himself on the table to eat. After a few bites, the alcohol’s impact balanced out. Finding an excuse to send Shi Yang’s mother away, he told Shi Yang: "Come on, let’s go to your room. I’ll sober up a bit, and we can have a talk, just the two of us."
Semi-reclined on the bed, Shi Yang’s father faced Shi Yang, sitting sideways at the bed’s edge.
Shi Yang’s father was slightly tipsy, his eyebrows and eyes intense, with a high bridge of the nose, and his side profile etched with deep, worn lines.
As Shi Yang observed the speck of gray at his father’s temples, he realized for the first time that, imperceptibly, his father had indeed aged.
In Shi Yang’s memories, his father’s image was always leaning against the car, his gaze filled with an extremely complex emotion as he looked at him.
Then getting in the car, or out of it, perpetually coming and going in a hurry.
Shi Yang turned his head away from watching his father, lowering his gaze, and fell into his own thoughts.
Shi Yang’s father, leaning against the head of the bed, turned his gaze to Shi Yang’s side profile. Shi Yang greatly resembled his mother, with exceptionally striking features.
Seeing him, Shi Yang’s father pondered carefully about how to voice his thoughts, concerned about saying something wrong that might hurt Shi Yang’s pride. Men have their dignity and care about appearances.
Sons are generally closer to their mothers, so if Shi Yang’s mother were to talk to him about such matters, the outcome would likely be better. However, given the current situation, he feared that Shi Yang’s mother wouldn’t be able to handle it or accept it in the moment, complicating matters instead.
As Shi Yang’s father went over his thoughts, just as he firmed up his decision, he heard Shi Yang ask, "Dad, why did you initially get together with Mom?"
Shi Yang’s father was taken aback, his prepared speech shattered by that single question. After quite some time, he stared at Shi Yang steadily, and slowly said, "Because from the first time I saw your mom at the factory, I fell in love with her...."
Shi Yang’s mother, in her younger years, was exceedingly beautiful, known across the factory as a great beauty. Shi Yang’s father fell head over heels upon first sight but, due to his married status, could only admire her silently, burying this affection deeply in his heart.
Before Shi Yang’s mother left the factory, she had many suitors, so she had high aspirations, desiring a partner who was attractive, well-conditioned, excelling, someone she could admire and look up to.
At that time, Shi Yang’s father was also young, tall, and decent-looking, newly appointed as a factory manager for less than two years. Standing amid a sea of uniform-clad, disheveled male workers, he was the epitome of standing out, garnering particular attention.
Shi Yang’s mother spotted Shi Yang’s father at a glance, quietly having a crush on him for over a year. Later, when they got together, Shi Yang’s father deliberately revealed his married status. After crying at home for two days, Shi Yang’s mother ultimately couldn’t let go of this affection. Knowing Shi Yang’s father’s wife had become a vegetable, she clung to a sliver of hope and, driven by blind, reckless love, chose to be with Shi Yang’s father without a name or status.
After asking his question, Shi Yang fell silent. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Dad, tonight you wanted to talk about, well, my relationship with Meimei, didn’t you?"
Shi Yang’s father looked at Shi Yang in surprise, not expecting him to bring up the matter so directly.