Chapter Thirty-Three: If You Don't Like It, Don't Meet

However, Xi Mintang merely remarked matter-of-factly, “If you don't like him, then don't see him.”

“But…”

Xi Mintang picked up the cup of tea she had just brewed; wisps of white steam rose slowly along the rim of the glass, and she took a small sip that released a faint, refreshing fragrance. Though the tea was nothing special, its aftertaste was sweet and lingering. He set the cup down on the table, his gaze fixed on the tea leaves unfurling within, and said with a certain flair, “Marriage is not like drinking tea. You don't do it just to quench your thirst, forcing yourself to finish even if the flavor doesn't suit you. You’re in this business—surely you understand this better than I do.”

Of course, she understood everything Xi Mintang said. Still, it was hard to disappoint her father’s friend, so Xi Mintang, sensing her hesitation, continued, “Don’t use your father as an excuse. I don’t believe your father would want to see you wrong yourself. Besides, if you already think he’s not suitable, don’t give each other false hope and waste your time.”

“Is that so?” Xiaoxiao was a little uncertain, but what he said seemed to make sense.

Xi Mintang nodded with absolute certainty, as if he wanted to say more. Xiaoxiao, curious, insisted that he finish his thought. Unable to refuse, Xi Mintang spoke honestly: “In fact, as a friend—if I can even call myself your friend—I would be the last person to want you to treat marriage as a speculative venture. If you lose at the stock market, the worst is losing your fortune. But in marriage, can a woman like you afford to lose? I can’t bear to see anyone force themselves into something.”

Xiaoxiao shivered. Xi Mintang's insight into human nature was as sharp as ever; he saw right through her, recognizing her inability to accept defeat. While gambling doesn’t always end in loss, as the saying goes, nine out of ten gamblers are ruined. This time, she was the one stacking the odds against herself—how could she expect a happy ending?

“There is no if,” she said.

Xi Mintang seemed a little disappointed. Xiaoxiao added, “We’ve always been friends—there’s no ‘if’ about it. As for your advice, I’ll give it serious thought.”

Mintang shifted his tone to something more playful, pulling out an envelope and handing it to Xiaoxiao.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“A ticket I picked up today at traffic police headquarters. They even included a photo—proof positive,” Xi Mintang pointed to Xiaoxiao in the picture, his expression stern. He seemed to want to call out to her but didn’t dare, though a fondness was buried deep in his heart. Teasing, he said, “Look at you there, you’re like a tightrope-walking adventurer.”

Xiaoxiao liked that description. There’s nothing wrong with adventure; at least it meant the fire inside her still burned. She cradled the photo as if it were a treasure, recalling the thrill of that moment, as if a long-lost passion had been rediscovered. She looked up, smiling, “You certainly paid a high price for this photo.”

“If you like it, keep it. Some things are worth more than gold,” Xi Mintang replied easily, reclining in the rocking chair and listening quietly to the cicadas’ summer chorus.

After Xi Mintang left, Xiaoxiao took a hot bath, feeling completely relaxed—so much so that she nearly fell asleep in the tub. She threw on a nightdress and went to the balcony to dry her hair. As she lifted her damp locks, she caught sight of Lin Shuo, who had appeared as if out of nowhere, standing by the rocking chair with a cold expression.

“Coming to check on your custodian late at night—am I doing my job well?” she joked.

Lin Shuo managed a faint smile, raising an eyebrow. “Looks like my words went in one ear and out the other.”

Xiaoxiao pressed on with her own topic, “If you’re so uneasy, why not just take it with you now?”

“He’s been here already?” Lin Shuo asked.

“Why don’t I help you pack it up?” As she spoke, she reached for the back of the chair, but Lin Shuo snatched it from her grasp and flung it aside with force, making it crash loudly against the metal railing.

“If you want to take your frustrations out on your own belongings, I don’t care, but don’t do it here,” Xiaoxiao said, both angry and startled, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Lonely hours are not the time to speak of love. Chapter Thirty-Three: If you don’t like him, don’t see him—end of update.