Chapter Seventy-Three: How Lofty Is Your Ambition

“Are you reluctant to let go?” Her mother came over and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, only to realize her daughter had already grown up.

She nodded. “Mom, after the flower garden is sold, I’ll rent a bigger place. Move in with me. I miss you so much.”

“All right.”

She rested her head peacefully on her mother’s lap while her mother gently stroked her hair. Night deepened, the bright moon shone over the land, and specks of light began to glow in the flower garden. Fireflies drifted slowly through the air, and children afraid of the dark could sleep at ease. She had thought letting go would be hard, but in a short time, she had relinquished her stubbornness, the flower garden, and Lin Shuo.

At last, she understood that no matter how tightly one clings at the start, in the end, all is gradually forgotten.

In a soft voice, she said, “Mom, don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll be better than I am today.”

That night, she sat on the edge of the field and called Xi Mintang. An inexplicable feeling welled up inside her.

“Thank you, truly, thank you.”

“Perhaps you should thank yourself. In truth, no one can help you except you.”

She had always known that with Xi Mintang’s gentle and modest nature, he would never take credit for anything. Yet he distanced himself so thoroughly, as if he had never intervened at all. He was simply too astute, knowing just when to let her have all the credit.

“Well, since you put it that way, I have no choice but to invite you to see my flower garden.”

Hearing her warm invitation, he laughed over the phone. “I’d be delighted to be a witness.”

“A witness to what?”

“A witness to someone’s awakening.” He paused, then asked carefully, “Why not choose to lean on someone?”

“Lean on who? You, him, or the heir of the demolition tycoons?” She caught a firefly, cradled it gently in her palm, played with it for a moment, then released it into the air. “When I wanted someone to lean on most, no one offered a shoulder. Later, when I was surrounded by choices, I realized I’d lost the instinct to rely on others. So I’ll just stand on my own. Isn’t it funny?” Fate is such a trickster—too early or too late, and it slips away; even if the moment arrives, perhaps the person has already turned away.

On the other end of the line, he was silent for a long time, then spoke her name with gentle reverence. “Xiaoxiao.”

“Yes?”

“I’m suddenly very curious—just how high does your spirit reach?”

She looked down at herself and replied with playful ease, “One meter sixty-six!”

“Incredible!” The mood suddenly lightened as he praised her. “Archeologists say Empress Wu Zetian was just about that tall.”

The sky stretched vast and clean, the wind gentle and the clouds clear. Sunlight poured unreservedly into Lin Shuo’s office. Lately, he had spent more and more time standing by the window, even choosing the window seat at meals, as if by waiting and watching she might hurry by below, or as if, at this very moment, he stood on her balcony basking in the sun, rocking gently beside her.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in!”

Cheng Feng placed a folder on his desk. He raised an eyebrow. “Everything?”

“Yes, everything we could uncover by using all our contacts and resources.”

He sat down, opened the folder, then abruptly closed it and set it back on the desk. “In your opinion, what kind of person is Xi Mintang?”

“Which aspect would you like assessed?”

“Every aspect.” Sometimes, rather than approach an issue with one’s own biases, it’s better to hear the cool judgment of an outsider. But Cheng Feng was no rookie—he knew better than to wade into murky waters he couldn’t see through, and with a simple, “Forgive my poor judgment,” he tossed the question back.

Lin Shuo’s expression darkened. “You’re well paid, aren’t you?”

At this, Cheng Feng quickly amended, “All I’ve heard is that their project is progressing smoothly. If we don’t make a move soon, we’ll be handing it over to them.”

Lin Shuo turned away, unconcerned, a wicked smile playing on his lips. “Have you ever seen anyone snatch food from a lion’s mouth?”

Cheng Feng shook his head—everyone knew it was impossible. Lin Shuo was clearly determined, but Cheng Feng had to be sure. “Is the person you mentioned reliable?”

“Tell Legal to draft the contract as soon as possible.” Lin Shuo tossed the folder into a drawer. By the time Cheng Feng left, Lin Shuo was already dialing a number.