Li Chuanmo kept quiet. He had actually never thought of it this way. Still, he balked at the idea of confessing his feelings to her straightway.
Heck, he didn't even know what he was feeling exactly!
He eyed Li Yuchen, who was still looking at him with exasperation. He decided to confide in him.
"I know that what I feel for your Auntie Pei is more than friendship, but I don't know what exactly it is. And honestly Xiao Chen, I am afraid. I know she's a good person, but just what if? What if we're not right for each other? What if we are all wrong and she's like ....her?"
He left the words "your mother" unspoken, but Li Yuchen understood. He went and hugged his father.
"Why are you worried about what has not even happened? It's true that there's a chance of her being fake, but what if she's not? What if she's the person you need? It's obvious to us that both of you are perfect for each other", he said, referring to his grandparents as well.
When Li Chuanmo did not say anything, Li Yuchen continued, "An adage says "as time tests a horse's strength, distance reveals a person's heart". We will know her better as time passes.
"So be bold and confidently pursue her. You know the saying, the early worm gets the bird. Don't let someone else get her heart.
Even he was feeling emotional at how wise he sounded.
Li Chuanmo raised an eyebrow, "Your proverbs are not correct. It's "as distance tests a horse's strength, time reveals a person's character" and "the early bird gets the worm". Your language skills are sorely lacking."
Li Yuchen: "__"
That was not the point. His father was not cute at all!
He coughed in embarrassment and went back to his original position.
"Whatever, but you get the point. Before I go back to draft a proper strategy, let me ask some more questions. I hope your answers will be more *ahem" satisfactory this time."
"I'm listening."
"Does she like flowers? What kind?"
"I think so. I'm not sure."
Li Yuchen felt his blood pressure rise. Three conditions were certainly not enough. He should have requested for a salary so that he could buy more games to relieve the stress this "job" would give him!
"Okay. What's her favorite color?
"I don't know." That day she asked about his, he forgot to ask her as well.
"What do you even know?" Li Yuchen wanted to shout, but he eventually kept quiet, choosing instead to say, "So you don't know anything about her? Not even her hobbies or what she likes?"
Thinking for a moment, Li Chuanmo said, "Paragliding. We were talking the other day and she said she would love to go paragliding someday."
"Finally!" Li Yuchen felt like crying. His father was not so hopeless after all. At least he knew something!
"Great, at least you know something about her. But it's not enough. Here's what you will do: find out more about her. Write out questions you would like to ask her, things you would want to know about her, and then find time to ask."
That sounded easy enough. Li Chuanmo nodded and pulled out his phone.
"What do you want to do?"
"I want to check my schedule to see when I am free, so that I can schedule a meeting with her."
Li Yuchen was tempted to walk away again but he calmed down. "My dad is a poor, pitiful man who knows nothing. I will not stoop down to his level", he kept repeating to himself.
After saying that like ten times, he felt calm enough to reply, "Dad, it's not business. What are you scheduling a meeting for?? And don't ask her everything at once — ask in batches, and as casually as possible.
"Let her know you're genuinely interested in her. Don't make it sound like work that needs to be done."
Li Chuanmo felt enlightened, "Oh, I understand."
"Good. Next, make sure you go for dates at least once a week. For example, this weekend. You can take her out and spend time getting to know her, you know, do what adults do."
Li Chuanmo burst into a coughing fit. Li Yuchen got up to pat his back in concern.
"What happened?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine." Li Chuanmo swore that his mind was too dirty. He had to do something about it. Why was he always interpreting words wrongly? Was *that* the only thing adults did?
When he had calmed down, Li Yuchen continued, "So what you should start with now dad, is to go to her room and apologize to her. I trust that you will have the right words to say. Also, make sure you ask about her favorite flowers. Then send her a bouquet everyday."
Li Chuanmo nodded again, finally feeling much better. Now that he had a goal, it felt easier to breathe. He was genuinely looking forward to learning more about Pei Yueran.
"Okay, we can stop here for today. Let's meet here again in one week to review the progress of our cooperation. If you have any questions, send me a message on WeChat", Li Yuchen said, trying to sound professional.
"Alright."
As Li Yuchen got to the door of the study, Li Chuanmo called his name.
"Xiao Chen."
"Yes dad?"
"Thank you."
Li Yuchen flashed a smile at his dad, looking very adorable.
"You're welcome anytime. Jiayou*!!!" he said, doing a fist pump to encourage his father.
Li Chuanmo could not help but smile. He copied the fist pump gesture, "Jiayou!"
*****
"Oh no! he's coming behind you!" Pei Yueran shouted. It was in vain however, since the characters in the movie could not hear her. She was watching a thriller on TV.
When the main character who was ambushed from behind fell down, she hit her bed in frustration.
The action pulled at the wound on her abdomen and the sharp pain made her cry out, tears coming to her eyes.
Li Chuanmo was at her door and was just about to knock when he heard her cry. He immediately forgot about knocking and barged in.
"Ran'er, what happened? His heart clenched when he saw her teary eyes.
Seeing Li Chuanmo made all the grievance of the past few days rush up at once. She sobbed, and Li Chuanmo went to her side to hug her, patting her back gently.
*Jiayou — a common Chinese expression of encouragement and support.