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墨書 Inktalez
Cheng Mo nodded and did not insist on keeping him. She knew that Shaoyi must have his own considerations. He waved goodbye to her, and the setting sun elongated his shadow, resembling a watercolor painting; if it were to be frozen in time, it would become an eternal moment. As she watched his figure disappear into the bustling crowd, she rubbed her slightly reddened eyes and turned back to her room.
"Miss, it's time for dinner. Today we made the stewed eggs and wontons that you particularly like," Feng Yin said as she arranged the dishes on the table with a smile. "You probably haven't had these in the North, so hurry over and try some."
Cheng Mo smiled lightly, suddenly remembering that Shaoyi had specifically changed the cook for her, and her eyes brimmed with happiness.
"Oh? Is the meal ready?" Cheng Yi walked down, glancing at the dishes on the table. "Is this all? Is there none for me?"
"Of course there is! I'll bring it up for you right now," Feng Yin quickly turned to leave.
Only father and daughter remained in the dining room. The open floor-to-ceiling windows billowed with thin curtains, and scattered flower petals fell onto the floor outside. A tranquil and beautiful smile graced her lips, just like before, but Cheng Yi understood that her feelings were vastly different from usual. She withdrew her gaze and stared at her father, contemplating before finally asking, "Dad, what do you think of Shaoyi?"
"Well, he can be considered a talented young man," Cheng Yi replied.
With just that one sentence, Cheng Mo could not guess her father's thoughts and asked again, "So... did you agree to what he discussed with you?"
Cheng Yi glanced at her; his daughter was growing more graceful and poised, just like her deceased mother. He took a puff from his pipe. As a businessman, he indeed wanted such a political marriage; given the current turmoil in the country and frequent government changes, with Shangguan Shaoyi's capabilities, who knows when there might truly be unification between the North and South? However, as a father, he feared for his daughter's uncertain future. Shangguan Shaoyi could succeed or fail; if he failed, what awaited his daughter would likely be a life of hardship.
"Dad?"
"Nothing." He set down his pipe and focused his gaze. Cheng Mo understood immediately that he wanted to discuss something significant with her. "Su'er, I want to ask you—do you really like him?"
Cheng Mo's face flushed slightly as she lowered her clear eyes, her smile calm and beautiful.
Cheng Yi sighed and said, "It seems I need not ask this question anymore. But have you thought about what you'll face if you choose to be with him?"
"As long as I'm with him, I'm not afraid of anything." Her voice was soft yet firm, her profile like white jade, as if adorned with falling snow.
"Mosu, you are still too young, have experienced too little, and do not understand the current situation. The Southern Government is gathering troops and resources, preparing to march north to deal with those old warlords, and the first target is the Shangguan Family," Cheng Yi explained. "If the northern expedition is successful, he will be nothing. Even if it fails, he will still lose a lot of troops and exhaust a great deal of energy."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Mosu became anxious, her face as white as jade flushed bright red. "Dad, do you mean you won't agree?"
"I never said I wouldn't agree." Cheng Yi shook his head. "Shangguan Lin has exceptional personal abilities; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to turn the tide and regain power under such complete disadvantage. So I still believe he has a chance to unify the north and south. I'm just telling you the current situation honestly. How to choose is still up to you. Your love for him is your own matter, but marriage involves two families. If you two decide to unite, I will definitely support him financially and go against the Southern Government. This decision is not only for yourself but also for your father. Think it over carefully."
Cheng Mosu was taken aback; she hadn't expected marriage would entail such a series of issues. She thought that love alone would suffice for companionship but had not considered that her decision affected so many things. She lowered her Eyes, yet her mind was filled with thoughts of Shangguan Shaoyi. Unable to think rationally, her Rose-Colored Lips trembled slightly. "Dad... I've made my decision... I believe in Shaoyi. He will protect me and our Cheng Family no matter what. Can you also believe in me?"
Cheng Yi sighed; his daughter had indeed grown up and developed her own opinions. What more could he say? He took a puff of smoke, letting the wisps drift upwards, lingering in the air. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, "Isn't it a bit hasty to think so quickly? I'll give you three more days to think it over. By the way, accompany me to the banquet tonight."
Cheng Mosu didn't think much of it and casually agreed. In the evening, she didn't make any special preparations; her plain face bore no trace of makeup, and she simply wore an apricot-colored Qipao, her long hair cascading down to her waist as she stepped out.
Cheng Yi glanced at her a few times and said to Feng Yin, "How did you let the young lady go out like this without even a light touch of makeup?"
Feng Yin dared not look up, and Cheng Mosu quickly came to her defense. "I was too lazy to change myself today; I've been tired from traveling and didn't have the energy to dress up. Dad, who are we going to meet tonight that's so important?"
"Naturally, tonight we are meeting Mr. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Zhong Chuping. Mr. Zhong is also a talented young man; can you really show up before him looking like this?" Cheng Yi slightly emphasized his tone.
Cheng Mosu playfully made a face and turned to go upstairs for a bit of grooming, which finally satisfied Cheng Yi.
The Ford Car drove into the most luxurious Moonlight Pavilion in the Concession Area. Zhong Chuping had been waiting at the entrance for some time; upon seeing Cheng Yi get out of the car, he hurried forward to shake hands and exchange pleasantries. Cheng Yi, with a faint smile, pointed to Cheng Mosu. "This is my daughter, Cheng Mosu."
Cheng Mo Su Qingqian smiled, her eyes bright and clear, her hair styled high in a cloud-like bun, without any accessories, yet she appeared as pure and clean as a lotus emerging from the water. The light makeup accentuated her eyes, making them even more translucent under the light, rivaling the stars in brilliance.
He had seen many beauties before, but Cheng Mo Su was different; she carried a refreshing and serene charm that moved him unexpectedly.
Cheng Yi coughed twice, prompting Zhong Zhong Chuping to hurriedly retract his gaze. “Miss Cheng, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Zhong,” Cheng Mo Su replied with a smile and did not say anything further.
The three entered the Moonlight Pavilion, where Zhong Zhong Chuping had already arranged the best seats. Cheng Mo Su casually glanced at the snacks on the red and white tablecloth and was momentarily taken aback; weren’t these all her favorites? She looked at her father with a puzzled expression, but Cheng Yi seemed quite at ease and did not respond to her gaze.
Zhong Zhong Chuping explained the song list for the band’s upcoming performance before gracefully taking his seat. A waiter brought over a bottle of red wine, poured for everyone, bowed slightly, and then slowly retreated. Cheng Mo Su raised her eyes slightly, observing Zhong Zhong Chuping, who appeared polite and refined, with an exceptionally handsome face that was quite agreeable—he fit the image of a Diplomat well.
Noticing her gaze on him, Zhong Zhong Chuping instinctively adjusted his bow tie. Cheng Yi watched their interaction with interest; it seemed casual yet intentional. “Seeing you two young people reminds me of my past,” he remarked.
Zhong Zhong Chuping quickly asked what he meant, and Cheng Yi took a sip of tea before leisurely replying, “The first time I met Mo Su’s mother was in a similar awkward situation, just like yours.”
The implication was clear; both young people were smart enough to understand. Zhong Zhong Chuping smiled shyly, while Cheng Mo SuWater-colored Eyes looked slightly taken aback and shot an annoyed glance at her father.
She seemed to grasp her father's intention for bringing her here.
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