Volume Two: The Path to Success Chapter 14: Meeting Shu Xiaoya’s Parents

And so, Shuxiaoya and I officially became a couple. Her presence lifted me out of my emotional slump. As our relationship deepened, the topic of meeting her parents inevitably surfaced. It was said that her mother was anxious about her marriage prospects and demanded some explanation; otherwise, she would arrange blind dates for her. However, my previous experience meeting Xiang Xiulan’s parents had left me uneasy. The saying “once bitten by a snake, one is wary of ropes for ten years” aptly described my apprehension. Such concerns were only natural.

When the time came to meet Shuxiaoya’s parents, I asked her if she thought they might disapprove of me. She chuckled and said, “I didn’t realize you were so timid.” I laughed and replied, “They say an ugly daughter-in-law fears meeting the in-laws; well, an ugly son-in-law fears meeting the mother-in-law.”

“You’re no ugly son-in-law,” she said, smiling sweetly. “In my eyes, you’re a handsome hero.” Her smile left me momentarily speechless. Seeing my lingering nervousness, she reassured me, “Don’t worry. My parents are easy to get along with. They’ve spoiled me since I was little and always respect my opinions.”

Her words comforted me somewhat, but I still asked, “Is there anything special I should be careful about when meeting your parents?”

She laughed again. “Are you planning a strategy for meeting the mother-in-law?”

“It’s always good to make a good impression,” I said.

After a moment’s thought, she continued, “My mom is easy to please. As long as I like something, she indulges me. But she has one weakness: she loves it when people praise her cooking. The more compliments she gets, the more she cooks, and the happier she becomes.”

“I see. So, before coming to your place, I’ll skip a meal and become a glutton at your house,” I joked, making her laugh heartily.

“What about your dad?”

“He’s a bit tougher,” she teased, pausing to heighten my anxiety. Then she smiled and said, “Just kidding. He’s actually easy to get along with, but he loves analyzing people. He often thinks he’s very perceptive. My mom and I get annoyed by his constant analyses.”

“That sounds troublesome. I’m sure he’ll see right through me,” I said.

“If he starts analyzing anything, just listen quietly and don’t speak without certainty. By the way, he enjoys playing Go. Since you know how to play, if he asks you to play with him, just go along.”

On the day of the visit, I woke early and dressed in my most formal outfit, carrying a carefully prepared gift. The weather was splendid, reminiscent of the “blue sky, cloudless miles” often described in my elementary school essays.

At the entrance to Shuxiaoya’s residential complex, a security guard stood watch. After some persuasion, he finally let me in. I thought to myself, this guard is very responsible. The community was tidy and orderly.

Following the apartment number Shuxiaoya gave me, I found their door and softly rang the bell. Shuxiaoya opened it, and inside, their home was tastefully decorated—not lavish, but elegant and refined, far from gaudy. She called out to her mother in the kitchen, “Mom, Dongshan is here,” then to her father at another door, “Dad, Dongshan is here.”

A middle-aged woman emerged from the kitchen, looking well-nourished but not overweight. She smiled at me, and I quickly greeted her, “Hello, Auntie.”

She responded kindly, “Xiao Wang, have a seat for now. I still have some things to finish.”

I stepped forward and offered, “Auntie, do you need any help?”

“No, please sit down,” she said.

Following Shuxiaoya’s guidance, I sat on the sofa. Soon, her father appeared. I stood and greeted him, “Hello, Uncle.”

He smiled and gestured to the sofa, “Xiao Wang, please sit. Make yourself at home.”

Only then did I get a good look at him. He wore glasses and had a scholarly air, but his eyes behind the lenses were hard to read—perhaps, as Shuxiaoya said, he could see through people. Indeed, his gaze settled on me, making me feel a little uncomfortable. Meeting his stare felt awkward, but looking away seemed worse. So I met his eyes, and he finally spoke:

“Xiao Wang, you came a long way, didn’t you?”

“Oh, not really. Just about an hour’s drive,” I replied.

“Not too far, then,” he said. “I heard you graduated from Huajiang University.”

“Yes, from the School of Business Administration.”

“Then we are alumni. I graduated from Huajiang University too, though many years ago. I entered the university the first year after the college entrance exam resumed—almost twenty years ago now. The banyan trees along the main entrance road were planted by my classmates.”

“They’ve grown lush now, and the road has become a boulevard.” His words eased my nervousness, and I responded eagerly.

“Really? I haven’t visited my alma mater in a long time,” he said with interest.

“Huajiang University is remarkable, training so many talents for our country in various fields. I was fortunate to come of age in a good era, though few of our generation had such opportunities. You are truly in a fortunate time.”

He nodded but continued thoughtfully, “Some borrow Dickens’ words, saying this is the best of times and the worst of times. I don’t agree.”

He spoke with enthusiasm, “I can’t say if this is the best era, but it’s certainly not the worst.”

Taking a sip of tea, he added, “Even if it’s not the best, it’s close. Does society have problems? Certainly. But what society doesn’t? The Han and Tang dynasties are considered glorious, yet they were not without faults. Otherwise, why would Cao Xueqin say ‘the Tang was filthy, the Han stinky’? Still, their greatness remains. I might be rambling,” he glanced at me.

“Not at all, Uncle. Your insights are enlightening,” I replied sincerely.

Changing the subject, he asked, “Xiao Wang, what hobbies do you have?”

“Mainly basketball,” I answered.

“Good, sports keep you healthy. And I heard you also play Go?”

“I know a little,” I admitted.

“Basketball strengthens the body, Go sharpens the mind—both excellent. Would you like to have a game sometime?”

Though Shuxiaoya had mentioned I might have to play Go with her father, I felt some pressure. My skills were limited—I had learned casually in high school and was unfamiliar with his level. Still, I said, “I wouldn’t dare challenge you. I’d be honored if you could teach me.”

He smiled and led me to his study, a small but elegantly furnished room. He brought out a Go set, the board evidently high quality. After setting it up, he invited me to sit opposite him and said, “You play black and go first.”

With my modest skill, I accepted. I was cautious in the opening, but by midgame, I was far behind. I fought hard to invade his center territory. After fierce battles, I saw a glimmer of life for a small group of stones, but unexpectedly, he used the attack on my isolated stones to gradually encircle a large group of mine that had not yet secured life.

I tried to cover both fronts, but ended up losing more than I gained. The isolated stones, despite my efforts, could only secure one eye, and the large group was captured, forcing me to concede midgame.

He smiled and asked, “Do you know where you went wrong?”

“I’m just not as skilled as you,” I answered.

“Your opening and local tactics were not bad, but your style is too aggressive—too rigid, and rigidity breaks easily. It’s the same in chess and in life. Also, you focus too much on details, trying to cover everything. Life doesn’t work that way. You must learn to weigh gains and losses. To gain something, you must sometimes sacrifice something else. It’s essential to learn to let go for the sake of what’s worthwhile.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Uncle,” I said earnestly.

Just then, Shuxiaoya called us to eat. I helped her father put away the Go set. In the dining room, a sumptuous meal was laid out. Shuxiaoya gave me a knowing look, and I quickly helped set the table.

Soon, her mother joined us, smiling warmly. “Xiao Wang, we kept lunch simple today.”

“Not at all, Auntie. It looks delicious,” I said.

“Then eat your fill,” she encouraged, clearly pleased.

Her father opened a bottle of red wine. I’m not a good drinker, but I had to drink a couple of glasses with him. The wine quickly flushed my face.

Her mother said to her father, “Look, Xiao Wang doesn’t drink well. You should let him eat more and drink less.”

He replied, “Xiao Wang is a good soul. Today, we’ll let the wine pass, but you must practice drinking more in the future. Drinking culture is a Chinese tradition. To develop, socializing often requires drinking. Improving your tolerance is beneficial.”

This was the second time I’d heard the importance of drinking emphasized. Clearly, improving my tolerance was now on the agenda.

Relieved to be excused from further drinking, and having eaten lightly that morning, I enjoyed the meal wholeheartedly. I must say, Shuxiaoya’s mother was a wonderful cook. Remembering her fondness for praise, I ate without restraint, finishing most of the dishes. Her mother watched me with growing delight in her eyes.

After the meal, I offered to clear the table, but her mother said, “No need. Men don’t do such things. I’ll handle it.”

After sitting a while longer, I took my leave. Shuxiaoya’s father said, “Come visit often. We can have more Go matches.”

Her mother accompanied me to the door, smiling. “Xiao Wang, come often. Auntie will cook for you.”

I promised, my heart finally at ease. It seemed her parents had accepted me. Their warmth was a striking contrast to my previous encounter with Xiang Xiulan’s family.

Later, Shuxiaoya told me her father thought well of me, impressed by my character and insight. “He rarely praises anyone so highly,” she said.

“I just hope I don’t disappoint you,” I replied.

“You won’t. I believe in you,” she said. “My mom and I often get tired of his lectures, but you actually listen to him.”

“I do. He makes a lot of sense. By the way, what exactly does your father do?”

“I only know he works in a government agency,” I said.

“He’s the deputy director of the Policy and Regulation Department at the Provincial Planning Commission. He studied philosophy but now handles policies and regulations, so he tends to speak in big ideas. You’ll have to understand that.”

No wonder he carried a natural air of leadership. After all, he was a leader in an important department.

Afterward, my visits to Shuxiaoya’s home became more frequent. Each time, I played Go with her father. Under his guidance, my skills improved. Though I couldn’t win yet, my losses became narrower.

One day after a game, he said, “Xiao Wang, you seem troubled. Is something at work bothering you? If you want, you can tell me. Maybe I can help analyze it.”

So, I told him everything—about my job, the controversy over my suggestions, being reassigned to the workshop, and Director Gao’s attitude toward me.

He pondered for a moment, then said, “Don’t worry too much. Sometimes bad things turn out for the best.”

I brightened and asked eagerly, “Is that really possible?”

“Of course,” he said calmly. “Gao Huoqiang is a well-known talent in Huajiang’s state-owned enterprises. The success of the Eastern Chemical Plant is largely his doing.”

“But he has a big flaw,” he continued, shifting tone. “He’s too autocratic and domineering, and has made many enemies, including those in your factory.”

He sipped his tea and went on, “The higher-ups value his ability and the plant’s success, so they haven’t moved against him.”

“However, rumors of corruption have circulated about him for years. The central government has intensified anti-corruption efforts, and several prominent cases have surfaced recently. Whether Gao is corrupt, we don’t know. If he is, his downfall is only a matter of time, no matter his past achievements.”

“Judging from how strongly he reacted to your suggestions, it’s likely there’s a problem. Procurement is a high-risk area for corruption. You may have hit a nerve. He fears a chain reaction leading to real opposition, so he dealt with you harshly as a warning.”

“If Gao falls for corruption, his successor won’t be from his faction. Since you exposed problems in procurement, you might gain favor with new leadership.”

“If Gao is innocent and just sees you as immature, trying to test you, you still have a chance. We can’t be sure which it is yet.”

“What should I do?” I asked anxiously.

“Stay calm and wait. No matter what, focus on your job. Being able to endure setbacks without complaint is highly valued.”

“For production enterprises, climbing higher often requires production knowledge. This experience might prove valuable to you later. In that sense, it’s a blessing.”

“I understand, Uncle. I’ll do my best at work.”

“Remember, rigidity breaks easily. You are honest and kind, quick to hate injustice, but sometimes your directness can harm you.”

“This time, you were lucky. One blow can ruin a person for life. Always remember that.”

“Sometimes fighting flawed things requires timing and strategy. That’s a mark of maturity and essential for becoming an outstanding leader.”

“I’ve taken note, Uncle,” I said sincerely.

Truly, his words reassured me, like a lamp illuminating my path through darkness. Though the destination remained unclear, at least I now had direction and hope. For a young man, nothing is more precious.