By early November, many parts of northern China were already blanketed in heavy snow. Even in areas without snow, the biting north wind swept through regularly, signaling the onset of winter. In the south, the autumn breeze brought a noticeable chill, forcing people to don heavier clothing.
But in Shenzhen, autumn was just beginning, and the weather remained comfortably warm. Daytime temperatures hovered above 20 degrees Celsius, dipping to a mild 17 or 18 degrees at night. The climate was pleasantly mild.
On the streets, pedestrians still wore short-sleeved shirts, and fashionable young women flaunted cowhide shorts or short skirts.
As Xu Shenxue sat in the car, he occasionally glanced out the window and caught glimpses of long, white legs. The evening rush hour stretched the normally short commute into a half-hour journey to his residential community.
The Xu family owned a considerable number of properties, thanks to Xu's mother's unwavering belief in investing in real estate. Every year, she bought several houses as a form of financial security.
"Businesses might go bankrupt, stocks might crash, and cash might lose value," she would say, "but a house stays put. Its value endures."
Her strategy was simple: buy houses, rent them out, and never sell. For her, real estate wasn't a speculative game but a guaranteed long-term investment. Her hope was that decades later, the family could rely on rental income to sustain their wealth.
The family's portfolio included numerous properties, but most were modest residences acquired for investment. The only large home they occupied was in the Hong'an Mansion, located along the Beishan Coastal Highway.
The community itself was small, with only three buildings. To the front and west lay expansive seaside parks, while a low-density villa area bordered the north. Other residential areas were a fair distance to the east, leaving the surroundings open and serene.
All units in the community were spacious. Apartments exceeding 200 square meters were considered small, while larger units spanned 500 to 600 square meters. Current property prices exceeded 30,000 yuan per square meter, though the Xu family had purchased theirs early at a more affordable 20,000 yuan per square meter.
The buildings stood directly behind the coastal highway, offering clear sea views even from the lower floors. Higher floors provided a broader perspective, though typhoon days could be unpleasant, and the south wind brought humidity. Still, the vistas were worth the occasional inconvenience.
As the car smoothly entered the underground parking lot, Xiao Chen, the driver, demonstrated his polished skills. Formerly a military vehicle operator, Xiao Chen had undergone additional training at a driving school to meet Xu's mother's rigorous standards. His driving was steady and precise, earning her approval.
Hiring a professional driver was Xu's mother's strict mandate. The late Mr. Xu had been in the habit of driving himself, even after drinking. Tragically, his reckless decision to drive under the influence led to his death earlier in the year when his car flew off an overpass. The vehicle was destroyed, and Xu's father was killed instantly.
Shaken by the loss, Xu's mother had forbidden her son from driving after drinking and strongly discouraged him from driving at all. She insisted on hiring a professional and demanded that the family's car be upgraded to a safer Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Reluctantly, Xu Shenxue complied, purchasing an S350 to satisfy her concerns.
Now, Xu understood her overprotectiveness. Having lost her husband in such a way, she was determined to ensure her son's safety, even if it seemed excessive.
Upon exiting the car, Xu Shenxue entered the elevator and headed to the family's 26th-floor apartment. As he opened the door, his mother's voice greeted him.
"You're back?" she called, walking toward him in her home pajamas.
"Hmm," Xu responded, slipping off his shoes. Turning to Xiao Chen, he added, "Take the evening off and rest. There'll be a lot of social events in the coming days, so you'll likely have to work overtime."
Xiao Chen nodded. "Okay, Mr. Xu. If you need the car, just call me, and I'll be here in ten minutes."
Xu's mother stepped forward, holding a small fruit basket. "Xiao Chen, take this. It's fresh fruit from the store."
Xiao Chen hesitated, glancing at Xu Shenxue.
"Take it," Xu said with a smile. "Consider it the company's after-meal fruit."
Reluctantly, Xiao Chen accepted the basket and left. Xu Shenxue walked into the spacious living room, dominated by a large floor-to-ceiling window overlooking a 40-square-meter balcony. Beyond the balcony lay the seaside park and the sparkling expanse of the sea, dotted with ships and twinkling lights. To the right, tall buildings and busy streets completed the urban vista.
Xu's mother called into the kitchen, "Auntie Wang, it's time to eat!"
Aunt Wang, the family's housekeeper, promptly brought the dishes to the table. Xu's mother then knocked on another door.
"Weiwei, your brother's back. Come eat," she called.
There was no response.
After a few moments, she tried the door handle but found it locked. Raising her voice, she said, "Come out and eat!"
A muffled, impatient voice replied, "Got it!"
When the door remained closed, Xu's mother's expression darkened. "You have five minutes. If you're not out by then, you'll miss dinner." She returned to the living room, visibly upset.
Xu Shenxue sighed, understanding her frustration. The girl behind the door was his younger sister, Xu Weiwei, a high school sophomore. According to his memories, she had been a cheerful, obedient child before their father's death. Since then, she had grown withdrawn and frequently clashed with their mother. Lately, she often locked herself in her room.
Xu Shenxue could empathize. Their father had been strict with him but doted on Weiwei, while their mother was indulgent toward her son and stern with her daughter. Their father's death had deeply affected Weiwei, and her mother's incessant nagging only worsened the situation.
After some thought, Xu suggested, "Let Weiwei live at school. The dorms there are decent, and it's her critical year for studies. This arrangement might help her focus."
Weiwei had recently confided her desire to move into the dormitory, citing the oppressive atmosphere at home. Xu Shenxue saw the wisdom in separating mother and daughter temporarily. His mother's strictness, amplified by grief, bore much of the blame for the tension.
Ultimately, boarding seemed the best solution. At her age, Weiwei didn't need constant maternal presence. Distance might ease their strained relationship and give her the space to heal. Time would eventually mend the wounds.
(End of Chapter)