Chapter 63: Calling Again

“It seems we won't be able to catch up now,” Liu Qian remarked, gazing at her parents’ faces, filled with longing. Her words were not mere perfunctory comfort. Wu Ya had certainly ridden off on his sturdy bicycle, and at his speed, few peers could rival him. If not for his swift riding, he wouldn't have fallen victim to a staged accident. So to chase after him now? The more you chase, the farther he'll be!

“What should we do, then? We can't let our negligence create a rift between us in the future,” Lin Yongfen fretted, her eyebrows knitted in worry. Wu Ya had ability—so young, yet already a maker of miracles. One glance told her he was destined for greatness. As long as he stayed steady, it was entirely possible he would rise to join the country’s circle of wealthy elite. That would be a world utterly unattainable for them. To be connected with such a person, especially at the very start of his journey, to walk beside him and witness his ascent—her own family would surely prosper alongside him.

But now, they had offended him. And the reason? They had looked down upon him! If word got out, they’d be laughed at until the end of days. Two small-time traders with modest accomplishments, daring to look down on the richest man in Suiyan? The outcome would be summed up in two words: how ridiculous.

“Qian, why don’t you take us to his home so we can apologize to Wu Ya in person?” Liu Mingli was even more direct, lowering his pride instantly. To visit someone and offer a formal apology—such a drastic reversal would be enough to make anyone break into a sweat. In order to attach themselves to Wu Ya, the richest man in Suiyan now and a future titan of the nation, they were willing to go to shameless lengths.

“Dad, you…” Liu Qian felt a surge of deep disgust rise within her. But these were her parents. Their lifelong poverty had steeped them in worldliness; currying favor and seeking influence had become part of their bones, their way of speaking and acting second nature, difficult to change. But to apologize in person? They were her parents. Even if they were in the wrong, should she really allow them to apologize to Wu Ya? What about their dignity and status? Here, in her home, he was only a junior.

So—

“Mom, Dad, there’s no need for all this trouble. I’ll call him right now and ask him to come over again.”

With that, Liu Qian walked toward the telephone in the living room. At that time, to have a phone at home meant you were either a government official or a business elite. And just then, Wu Ya—

Creak, creak—

He was pedaling his bicycle hard, just having returned to the tailor shop, when suddenly—

“Ring ring ring…”

The telephone’s shrill ring cut through the air, stabbing straight into his heart.

“Who is it? Scared me out of my wits! Don’t you know I’m in a foul mood today?” Wu Ya shook himself, shedding goosebumps, then strode over to the phone and picked it up.

“Who is it?” His tone was harsh, tinged with anger.

“It’s me!” At that reply, Wu Ya’s stern face immediately brightened.

“Heh heh, I just left in a huff, and your call comes right on cue. What’s the matter, did your parents change their minds and want to see their future… hmm, your male classmate?” Wu Ya let out a sly laugh, tempted to tease her, but stopped himself. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he didn’t dare.

Liu Qian—a formidable lady! She was kind, but stubborn, and especially disliked having things decided for her before they were settled. If he dared utter “son-in-law,” he knew for certain she would unleash a barrage at him, perhaps even hang up and storm over in person. That would be the mildest outcome; worse, she might simply hang up… and that would be the end.

“Wu Ya, don’t joke around! Yes, my parents have changed their minds and want to see you again. So now, immediately, come to my house!” As expected, Liu Qian’s tone was displeased. The words “son-in-law” didn’t leave her lips, yet the meaning was clear. Liu Qian was still a young woman, and in that era, things were far less open. If she didn’t truly care for him, he’d have been called a scoundrel by now.

“I say, Liu Qian, do you have to order me around from on high? Is this the attitude you should have when inviting me back?” Wu Ya’s face was full of smiles. Her parents had changed their minds? Heh. She must have told them about him, and now they were anxious. Well, too bad.

Now was not the time for him to grovel. If they wanted him to come again, he had to make sure they saw his worth. Otherwise, when he married Liu Qian… oh, wait—when he took her as his wife, he’d be squeezed dry by her parents, with no status to speak of. So now was the time to establish authority, to show them that offending him came at a cost.

But—

“Enough with your nonsense! You have ten minutes to appear at my house, or you’ll never see me again!” Click. Liu Qian didn’t bother entertaining his protest. With that, she hung up.

“Good heavens, she’s really furious!” Wu Ya dared not dawdle; he spun around and dashed out the tailor shop like a whirlwind.

“Dear, what’s up with our son today?” Wu Wanli watched his son disappear into the distance, baffled.

“Could something have happened?” Zhang Caixia’s heart tightened again.

But before they finished speaking—

Clatter!

Wu Ya’s bicycle suddenly returned.

“Mom, Dad, I’m going to Liu Qian’s house—her parents invited me for dinner!” Screech! A quick brake, a twist of the handlebars, and he shot off again.

“This child, always rushing about,” Zhang Caixia complained.

“Haha, that’s just how he should be! Wife, wasn’t it my own boldness that won your heart years ago?” Wu Wanli’s laughter blossomed across his face. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked with a spring in his step, leaving a trail of lively folk songs as he entered the workshop.

Soon, Wu Ya arrived at the row of single-story homes again. Though it had only been half an hour since his previous visit, the scene was entirely different. In the morning, he had been anxious, and was shown the door. Now, he was an invited guest, no longer an inexperienced youth.

“Uncle, Aunt, we meet again,” Wu Ya greeted warmly as he entered, as if nothing unpleasant had ever occurred between them. It was not magnanimity, but rather he dared not hold a grudge—these two would one day be his father- and mother-in-law.