Chapter 162: Consoling Sun Dajun

Our car quickly arrived at Zaocheng Grand Hotel.

We asked the front desk which room Ya Li and Sun Dajun were staying in.

We quickly came to the hotel's presidential suite.

This is Zaocheng's most luxurious suite, costing over three thousand per night, a month's wages for an ordinary person.

I and Shi Yong stood at the doorway,

I knocked hard on the door.

Soon, we heard someone come to open the door.

Ya Li stood before us in pajamas, hair disheveled, face streaked with tears.

I said to Ya Li, "Where is Dajun?"

Ya Li whispered, "Chairman, he's in the bedroom."

Shi Yong and I entered the room, and I had Shi Yong stay in the living room to keep Ya Li company.

I went into the bedroom alone.

The bedroom had a huge bed; Sun Dajun, also in pajamas, sat before it smoking, with a sharp knife placed beside him.

It looks like this kid is serious.

He lifted his head to look at me, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

I said nothing, and also took out a cigarette,

slowly walked up to Sun Dajun,

"Dajun, I forgot my lighter; lend me a light."

Sun Dajun passed the cigarette to me,

"Dad, why did you come?"

I lit Sun Dajun's cigarette with the flame,

then took two puffs,

looking at Sun Dajun I said, "How could I not come for something like this? If I didn't come and something happened, what would we do?"

Your mother worked hard to raise you this big; she doesn't expect you to support her in her old age, but she certainly doesn't want to die with you."

"Dad, I really can't go on; why won't you agree to what I want? I truly love Ya Li. This time I'm sincere.

My mother doesn't agree and even calls Ya Li a slut.

My godfather also disagrees with us.

What about the age difference,

I like Ya Li just like this.

"Dad, I really can't go on; I want to die. Since you all disagree, I'll die to show you." After saying this, Sun Dajun burst into tears, mouth twisted.

Sigh, it seems Sun Dajun is still just a child.

I said nothing more, just let Sun Dajun keep crying.

After Sun Dajun cried for a while and his emotions steadied,

I walked up to Sun Dajun,

then patted his shoulder,

"Dajun, not everyone opposes you and Ya Li; I agree. I've always supported you. Actually, when I was at the KTV, I saw that you truly like Ya Li. Ya Li also likes you.

In the past I was also a conservative, thinking the age gap was a problem, but actually it can be overcome.

Dajun, when faced with this matter,

you just can't get through it.

You threaten suicide, threaten Ya Li, and want to leave Zaocheng.

That's not good; how will Ya Li see you? Since you truly love Ya Li, bravely face the difficulties.

Use concrete actions to dispel others' doubts.

You truly love Ya Li; no one can stop you.

A man facing difficulties doesn't escape by dying; he faces them bravely. Do you understand?"

After I finished speaking, Sun Dajun's eyes glistened with tears again, he said nothing. It seems this child took it in.

I then continued, "Our group's difficulties are huge now, yet I haven't been defeated.

If you can't even bear a little thing,

then I wouldn't feel at ease handing the group over to you later.

Dajun, today we two will have an open-hearted chat.

Your mother's worry is normal; she hopes you find a daughter-in-law she herself considers satisfactory. Your godfather thinks the same. They are not wrong,

they all think they can change your mind by using past coercive methods.

Actually they don't know you've grown up, you're a big kid now with your own ideas.

What kind of woman you like, your heart has already matured.

You have already successfully proposed to Ya Li, and she has agreed. As for others' words, you can choose to listen.

Do you understand what I mean,

don't directly reject what they say.

Leave everything to time.

Back then, I left some undecidable matters to time to handle.

You're too impatient; after getting engaged here, you immediately want to bring Ya Li to meet your mother.

You even want the whole world to know about your feelings for Ya Li.

Why can't it be slow? Let others slowly accept, the feelings between you and Ya Li.

Dad, I truly hope you two are well.

No matter what decision you make, I will support you,

Because you are my son.

You call me Dad.

After I finished speaking, Sun Dajun directly lay in my arms and started crying loudly.

I then threw the knife away.

I gently patted Dajun's back,

Just like when he was little, Sun Dajun liked me to pat his back when he went to sleep.

He lost his father at a young age and grew up under Qiao Jie's care.

His psyche surely bears trauma.

Sun Dajun cried for a while before sitting up.

He asked me, 'Dad, I ask you, Mom said you once talked about Ya Li, is that true?'

It seems Qiao Jie has revealed all the past matters.

I said directly, 'It's true. Back then, I worked in the demolition department of Lanling County, and Ya Li worked alongside me.'

Ya Li liked me, but I rejected her.

What we had wasn't love; it could only be called liking.

But your mother firmly kept this matter in mind; she surely also told you other things, all baseless rumors.

But I have no way to argue with your mother.

Dajun, I don't want to hide anything from you.

Today, I want to ask you one thing: do you love Ya Li?

Sun Dajun nodded and said, 'Love, I love her deeply.'

'That's good. Since you love someone, you should tolerate her past; loving her means loving all of her—present, future, and past. A man must have breadth of mind.'

'Dad, regarding those past matters, I can understand you both, and I also know Mom deliberately exaggerated them.'

'She wants to find a way to make me abandon Ya Li.'

'But she can't. The more she says, the deeper my love for Ya Li grows.'

'No matter what her past is, I can accept it.' Sun Dajun said loudly.

Upon hearing Sun Dajun say that,

Ya Li ran from the living room, directly embraced Sun Dajun and said, 'Dajun, thank you for your tolerance. I love you too.'

The two immediately began to kiss.

I stood there, feeling superfluous.

I then quietly slipped out and closed the room's door.

Upon reaching the living room, Shi Yong picked up that knife and examined it closely.

'This knife is not bad; likely made by a master. I'll take it.'

I said, 'Take it; I won't have use for this thing anymore.'

Shi Yong and I then left the hotel.

Shi Yong took out a cigarette and tossed it to me.

'Your advice just now was truly excellent. You spoke of the past so calmly, and incidentally reformed this kid Sun Dajun. I used to think anyone could sit in the chairman's position, but today I realize it's not for just anyone. Brother, I admire you.'

Shi Yong's flattery leaves me at a loss for words.

I can only take a couple of puffs to ease my emotions.

On our way back to the company,

Shi Yong asked me, 'Brother, do you think Sun Dajun and Ya Li can last? Will they get married?'

I turned the question back to Shi Yong: 'What do you say?'

Shi Yong gave a hehe laugh,

'I've watched TV dramas; couples who love to the point of life and death never have good outcomes. Those who marry in a plain, uneventful way don't bother talking about whether they love each other—they just get on with life.'

After hearing Shi Yong's words, I gazed out the car window at Xin Cheng's streetlights flickering on and off.

I thought to myself, 'Plain and simple is the real deal. All love is bullshit.'