Cao Shuli's Unique Thoughts

Getting close to someone, integrating into their family is the best method. During the meal, Xia Xiang sat between Cao Shuli and Wang Zhifen, directly opposite Cao Shujun. Cao Shujun only focused on eating, occasionally glancing at Xia Xiang with a questioning look. Throughout the meal, apart from Cao Yongguo telling Xia Xiang not to be polite, no one else spoke, showing that Cao Yongguo ran his household strictly, adhering to the ancient saying of "not speaking while eating."

After the meal, when Xia Xiang offered to help clean up, Cao Yongguo stopped him, waving his hand and saying, "Let your aunt and Lier do it. Men don't need to do these things."

Xia Xiang remembered that Cao Yongguo was also a graduate of the Architecture College, but he was surprisingly very traditional, following the principle of "a gentleman stays away from the kitchen."

After the meal, Xia Xiang chatted with Cao Yongguo for a while and then proposed to leave, but Cao Shuli stopped him. She smiled and held onto Cao Yongguo's arm, saying, "Dad, my holiday assignment is to design a supermarket layout. Since Xia Xiang is here, I want him to accompany me to the construction site in the afternoon to learn in practice."

Unable to resist Cao Shuli's persistence, Cao Yongguo looked at Xia Xiang and said, "You should ask Xia Xiang if he has time."

Hearing this, Cao Shujun looked at Xia Xiang curiously and said in surprise, "You're quite capable. You're the first person to pass both my sister's and my dad's tests. I didn't expect you to have some skills. But don't get too cocky; if you want to become my brother-in-law, you still have to pass my test!"

Cao Shuli blushed and kicked Cao Shujun, saying, "Get lost, or I'll deal with you."

Xia Xiang laughed sincerely, "I happen to know a friend who is building a supermarket. We can go take a look. I can't guarantee anything for your assignment, but I will be responsible for your safety."

These words were also meant for Cao Yongguo.

Cao Yongguo picked up the phone, dialed a number, and said, "Lier, remember not to bully Xia Xiang. And Xia Xiang, don't let her run around too much. This girl is quite wild... I'll have the driver take you there."

Cao Yongguo arranged for a driver to follow them, partly for convenience and partly to keep an eye on them. After all, it was natural to be concerned about his precious daughter. However, Xia Xiang was secretly excited. Not only did he have a pleasant conversation with Cao Yongguo, but he was also invited to stay for dinner. Although there was a bit of discord from Cao Shujun, three out of the four family members had a good impression of him. Especially, Cao Shuli used an excuse to go out with him, and regardless of what the lively girl was thinking, just this trust made him feel very happy.

He could say that he had successfully opened the door to the Cao family.

After Xia Xiang and Cao Shuli left, Cao Shujun said disdainfully, "Dad, why did you let my sister go out with him? That poor guy has no money and no status. It's embarrassing for my sister to be with him."

Cao Yongguo scolded, "What are you talking about? Your sister and Xia Xiang are just normal friends. Don't make up stories. Go away..."

Cao Shujun, unafraid of Cao Yongguo, shrugged, "Anyway, I hope my sister marries a high official or a wealthy family, so when Dad retires, I can have a powerful brother-in-law to rely on."

Wang Yufen scolded with a smile, "Look at your ambitions! Why don't you think about relying on your own abilities?"

Cao Shujun turned and went back to his room, "Relying on yourself is too tiring. Having a good father saves 20 years of struggle, and having a good brother-in-law saves another 20 years. Life would be much easier and happier."

Cao Yongguo and Wang Yufen exchanged a smile and shook their heads helplessly.

Wang Yufen, while tidying the sofa, glanced at Cao Yongguo, "I didn't realize it, but Xia Xiang is really a good kid. It seems Lier likes being with him."

"Young people together, it's just curiosity and fondness. Xia Xiang is a good person, but he has no background. If he doesn't have any intentions towards Lier, it's fine. But if he does, he needs to know that some things are impossible."

"Old Cao, why are you so materialistic?" Wang Yufen, with simpler thoughts, believed that as long as her daughter liked him, it was enough. She thought that mutual affection was the most important thing, and other things could be figured out later. "When we were young, you were also a poor boy, and I liked you because you were sensible. Don't force Lier, let her choose for herself."

"No!" Cao Yongguo said firmly, "We suffered a lot in the past, and we can't let the children suffer. Lier's marriage can't be decided by herself. I must choose someone who is worthy of her in every aspect!"

Although he said this, Cao Yongguo's deeper thoughts remained unsaid. He allowed Cao Shuli to go out with Xia Xiang for a reason, but the timing wasn't right to reveal it.

Cao Yongguo's car was an Audi, driven by Li Jiefu, a 35-year-old man who didn't talk much. After picking up Xia Xiang and Cao Shuli and asking for the destination, he quietly drove. Cao Shuli and Xia Xiang sat in the back seat. She wore a beige skirt and a fitted top, looking youthful and sexy. Because they were going to a construction site, she wore white sneakers, and her long socks hugged her shapely calves, making it hard for Xia Xiang to look away.

If Xiao Jia's beauty was like a flower, Cao Shuli's beauty was like jade—pure and clear. Her eyes were like clear springs, and her youthful face was elegant and unique. Her short hair was neat and beautiful, like a blooming camellia in the wind.

Cao Shuli held a pen and was writing and drawing in a notebook. Suddenly, she looked up and asked Xia Xiang, "Xia Xiang, is your girlfriend pretty?"

Xia Xiang didn't expect Cao Shuli to break the silence with such a difficult question. He replied, "My ex-girlfriend was pretty, but I don't know about my next one."

"Why did you break up?" Cao Shuli bit the pen. Her two front teeth were slightly larger than the others, making her look both distinctive and neat.

"We were assigned to different places after graduation. The distance caused a crisis, and we naturally broke up," Xia Xiang said, not wanting to talk much about Yang Bei. He had thought she would wait for him for three years, but she broke up with him after only half a year.

"It's better to break up..." Cao Shuli looked straight into Xia Xiang's eyes, her gaze filled with a spark. "She lacked foresight and fortune. Don't be discouraged, Xia Xiang. You will find a girlfriend a hundred times better, prettier, gentler, and more lovable than her."

Seeing the helpless expression on Xia Xiang's face, Cao Shuli asked carefully, "Are you still sad about it?"

Xia Xiang, seeing her curious and inquisitive expression, laughed, "Little girl, don't ask questions you shouldn't. Besides, it's all in the past. A real man moves on. Who keeps dwelling on the past?"

"Who's little? I'm 20 years old, already an adult. You're only three years older than me, and you're acting like a grown-up? If you won't tell me, I can find love and experience it myself. I don't need you," Cao Shuli said, half-angry and half-pouting.

Li Jiefu, glancing in the rearview mirror, saw a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Xia Xiang grabbed the notebook from Cao Shuli and took a quick look, asking, "Shuli, what major are you studying?"

"Ah!" Cao Shuli screamed, quickly snatching the notebook back. "How dare you look through a girl's things? So impolite!"

Cao Shuli's scream made Li Jiefu brake suddenly, and the car jolted before smoothly continuing. Realizing it was just an exaggerated reaction, he shook his head in self-mockery.

Xia Xiang patted Li Jiefu's shoulder, "Sorry, Brother Li, for the distraction."

Li Jiefu smiled at Xia Xiang in the rearview mirror, "No problem, I was just a bit tense and overreacted." He thought, "Who is this young man? So polite, no wonder Cao Shuli likes him."

Xia Xiang hadn't expected Cao Shuli to react so strongly. He hadn't seen what was written in the notebook, but seeing her blushing, he guessed it might be her diary with private things. He apologized, "Honestly, I didn't see a word. You can rest assured."

"Rest assured about what? Hmph, there's nothing private in there, and it's not about you..." Cao Shuli blurted out, her face even redder. She turned to look out the window, then, afraid Xia Xiang would think too much, added in a whisper, "It's not about you, just some of your good qualities I noted down. I want to use you as a benchmark for finding a boyfriend, aiming for someone a hundred times better than you."

"My good qualities are zero, multiplied by a hundred is still zero. Finding a boyfriend without any good qualities is easy..." Xia Xiang joked.

Cao Shuli gritted her teeth, "Do you have to belittle yourself to curse me for not finding happiness? You're so mean."

They soon arrived at the construction site of Jiajia Supermarket. Xia Xiang told Li Jiefu to park outside the site for safety, as outside vehicles were usually not allowed in. Li Jiefu waved his hand and pointed to a few passes on the dashboard, including one from the Yan Province Urban Construction Bureau, and then to the construction progress board, smiling, "It's a project by the Second Construction Company, a subordinate unit of the bureau."

Xia Xiang laughed, realizing he had forgotten that this was the car of the director of the provincial urban construction bureau, and no construction company in the province would dare to refuse.