The next day, Zhong Shao took Yu Cheng to see his aunt.
The winding path led them to a private restaurant on the hillside, surrounded by tea gardens and wooden houses. The pavilion had a meandering stream, providing excellent privacy and seclusion.
A waitress opened the wooden door for the guests, revealing a woman sitting elegantly by the window with a cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea in front of her. Upon hearing the door, the woman turned around.
"Auntie," Zhong Shao said in a slightly intimate tone.
Her name was Zhong Jing. Yu Cheng followed slightly behind Zhong Shao, and after greeting Zhong Shao, he also called out, "Auntie." Realising it might not be quite appropriate, they were relieved when Zhong greeted them warmly and gestured for them to sit.
Zhong Jing poured tea for both of them and observed Yu Cheng with a sidelong glance. Yu Cheng accepted the tea and thanked her, remaining silent under her scrutiny.
Zhong Shao pushed the menu towards Zhong Jing and said with a smile, "Auntie, what would you like to order?"
"Don't flatter me. Nowadays, you can find Chinese food anywhere in the world," Zhong Jing said as she handed the menu Zhong Shao gave her to Yu Cheng, "Yu Cheng, you decide."
Yu Cheng was about to decline when Zhong Jing glanced at Zhong Shao and intercepted Yu Cheng's words, "Since you called me auntie along with Zhong Shao, then listen to your aunt."
"Alright," Yu Cheng took the menu and inquired about Zhong Jing's preferences and dietary restrictions. After selecting a few dishes that not only balanced meat and vegetables but also incorporated local specialities, catering to everyone's taste preferences.
He is a very thoughtful child, Zhong Jing thought as she sipped her Longjing tea.
During the meal, Zhong Jing ordered a jug of wine. She elegantly poured herself a glass, her gaze wandering between the two young men opposite her, she propped her chin and asked with a light smile, "Aren't you two going to talk business with me?"
Zhong Shao took a wine cup, poured a cup for himself and Yu Cheng respectively, "I was planning to discuss it with you over tea later."
"Many deals are sealed at the dining table. Surely I have taught you this," Zhong Jing raised her eyebrows at Zhong Shao, "I have been in the business world for many years, only stumbled once. I can tell a person's character with just a glance." "Since we are family, let's cut to the chase," Zhong Jing crossed her arms, "Yu Cheng, I will ask you a question as your auntie."
Yu Cheng, composed and humble, replied, "Auntie, please go ahead."
Zhong Jing, not mincing her words, asked, "Why do you want to invest anonymously in WAT?"
This direct question did not faze Yu Cheng; instead, it fostered a sense of intimacy. Yu Cheng did not hold back, "Occupying a position without doing anything substantial first is too presumptuous. I cannot bear that responsibility."
He had expressed this sentiment to Zhong Shao before.
Zhong Jing was once young, and with just a few words, she grasped Yu Cheng's thoughts.
Zhong Shao remained impassive on the side, but his continuous silent tapping on the cup's wall eventually betrayed his mental activity. Zhong Jing did not expose Zhong Shao's rare subtle actions, instead, she continued to say to Yu Cheng, "Although I am the legal representative of WAT, if you know WAT, you should know that everything inside is managed by Zhong Shao, and he bears all the responsibilities. Can you comprehend what I am saying?"
There was a moment of understanding in Yu Cheng's eyes, and Zhong Shao stopped his silent movements. "I see," Yu Cheng said.
With Yu Cheng's understanding, Zhong Shao naturally understood as well. Due to Zhong Shao's dedication to WAT, when Yu Cheng expressed a desire to contribute to it, he stood more confidently by Zhong Shao's side.
This was true not only for WAT but also for the performance. Zhong Jing glanced at her nephew, hinting with her eyes and smile, "Are you willing to share this responsibility with Zhong Shao?"
"Auntie," Zhong Shao interrupted Zhong Jing's question and Yu Cheng's answer, "I will ask about this myself when I get back."
"As you wish," Zhong Jing said concisely, raising her cup, "May WAT and all of you stay true to your original intentions."
"Definitely," they both replied. Zhong Jing did not let Zhong Shao see them off, just waved her hand to indicate the two young people to do as they pleased, then got into a discreet black Audi, where there was an elegant man in the driver's seat.
Zhong Shao and Yucheng also got into the car, a black but not inconspicuous Maybach.
Throughout the journey, Zhong Shao remained silent, only sweating in the palms of his hands gripping the steering wheel. If he hadn't controlled his strength, he might have pressed the accelerator long ago.
In a spacious duplex apartment of 300 square meters, Zhong Shao entered the study room directly upon arrival, and soon emerged.
Yu Cheng sat on the sofa, aware that Zhong Shao had something to say to him. Zhong Shao sat opposite Yu Cheng, remaining silent as he gazed intently into Yu Cheng's eyes, seeing his own reflection in the dark depths.
He opened the velvet box beside him, took out a piece of jewelry, and pinned it on Yu Cheng's t-shirt. It was a butterfly brooch, with black and blue diamonds on the wings, intricately intertwined with gold threads, exuding a mysterious, beautiful, and enchanting charm.
"This is the Hypophytala Butterfly," Zhong Shao said as he stroked the brooch, "It was created based on the Hypophytala Butterfly itself, and there are only two identical brooches in the world. This was a token of love my father gave to my mother. After their open marriage, my mother donated it to a charity gala. At that event, my father bought it back for 1.5 million dollars. He later gave this pair of Hypophytala Butterflies to me, saying, 'If you find true love in the future, give the other one to him.'"
When Zhong Shao received these Hypophytala Butterflies at the age of 18, he couldn't understand why his father would say such words to him, and he kept the brooches hidden away. But today, he suddenly realised, "Perhaps this is the only proof of their absurd life of love."
"If you and I truly love each other, then our journey in this world will not be in vain."
Paying close attention, Yu Cheng took out another badge from the velvet box and pinned it on Zhong Shao's left chest, meeting his gaze.
Zhong Shao's slightly solemn voice descended from above, "Yu Cheng, I do not agree with your anonymous contribution to the fund."
"Alright, I promise you." Yu Cheng also touched the badge on Zhong Shao's chest, then held his hand, intertwining their fingers.
Zhong Shao asked, "Are you willing to share the WAT responsibility with me?"
With a solemn and committed posture, their eyes locked, Yu Cheng replied, "When you are surrounded, I will stand behind you with the unwavering strength to sweep away the millions of enemy troops."
I am willing to share every responsibility with you, not only because I want to, but also because of love.
To me, love is being with you day and night, through all seasons.
And this heroism we embark on together amidst the complexities of life is the romance and gift we offer to the world.