Chapter 57 Unsuited

‘I had heard of you, you know. Longago, even before old Qin asked you to join his company. Another friendmentioned you while we were drinking tea together, your name sounded like“please be more serious”, I was very impressed with your name. He said you werevery capable and very special. When Lao Qin told me when he was going to inviteyou to his company, when he mentioned your name, I realised you were the sameperson.’

As Zhengqing listened to Guohao, hecould not suppress his anxiety. For Guohao not to be direct, but to starttalking about the past; it was not a good sign.

Zhengqing did not stop him as hespoke, but used the time to try and calm himself. He more he listened, the morehe could understand what Yin Guohao wanted, and therefore, come up withcountermeasures.

‘Lao Qin tackled the bull’s hornsto lure you to his side, and your performance was beyond expectations. Hepraised you a lot. After sometime, he told me you had become a deputy generalmanager at in the head quarters.’

Guohao took a sip of his tea andlooked at Zhengqing, who appeared to be calmly listening attentively.

‘You’re the best man to Lao Qin,and he even wanted to make you his successor if you had gotten along with YuFei,’ he said. There was short pause, ‘Unlike us, Lao Qin was lucky, he’d foundthe person who he wanted to pa.s.s on his legacy to. He was luckier than me.’

Zhengqing thought of the familiesof Qin and Yin, Qin still had his wife but Yin lost his wife. Wen Yi wasluckier than Guohao in this aspect.

‘After my wife died, I wanted tolet go of everything. Life did not bring, death did not take, so what was thepoint? Maybe my business got bigger and succeeded, but without my love besideme what was the point? So I sold my businesses, and now I am very happy.’

Although, Zhengqing knew not tospeak but he could not help trying to change Guohao’s point of view, ‘But ifyou hadn’t worked hard at that time, would there have been a business to sell?If you had nothing, and no financial resourses, would you be relaxed and happynow?’

Guohao was stunned at Zhengqing’swords.

Zhengqing sighed at him ownimpulsiveness, but since the words were out there he might as well say hispiece, ‘Uncle, it is a sad thing that Aunt left this world early. My parentsalso left early, so I can understand. However, you can’t just look at thingsfrom one side only. Many people are carefree, no need to work, but they getserious illness. Many people work hard, run about for their three meals, butthey live till the age of a hundred. Please do not blame yourself for YinTing’s mother’s illness anymore.’

Guohao did not expect Zhengqing tosay dare say these things. He looked and Zhengqing, and suddenly barked out inlaughter, ‘Xiaoting would has said the same thing to me. She showed me, someonewho did not have a hard life but still died of cancer, but someone who smokedand drank all their life lived till a ripe old age of ninety-eight. She told menot to feel guilty about her mother’s death. Though, you have given examples,they examples you give are the extremes.’

Zhengqing was taken aback at thatmoment,

‘Indeed, there are people who aresick and some of them have no wealth but live long lives, but aren’t thesepeople few and far between? The vast majority of people, who live unhealthylives, suffer for it. Getting into traffic accidents because they chose tocross the road at the wrong time, because of greed; they cheat and get cheated.These are not the extremes; these are the majority of the populations.’

Zhengqing could not refute. (Zuben:Can I take your place, man? I can refute)

‘But you are right, if my wife andI, in our youth, did not create a good foundation; I would have had no businessto sell. No financial resources to live easily.’ Guohao said quietly, he sighedand continued, ‘But I would rather not even have the businesses, I would havepreferred the both of us being ordinary 9-5 workers, would rather have no moneyto cook, would rather…just so she could still be with me.’

Zhengqing remained quiet.

Guohao sipped his tea, and visiblycollected himself, ‘Xiaoting looks like her mother, even laughs like her. Whenher mother died, she took it very hard. She took on the responsibility of lookingafter her father and taking care of her brother. She was a sensible child whodid not complain, and thought hard about doing well for others. She wasthoughtful and considerate. When her mother pa.s.sed, she suddenly grew up…’ Hesaid with a sad smile, ‘I have nothing to worry about except for my daughter.’

‘Although, that isn’t fair to AhShi, but he is a boy and his nerves are stronger than Xiaoting. Although,Xiaoting seems strong and carefree, she is a sensitive child.’

‘I promise to take care ofXiaoting,’ he said, thinking that was what the discussion was about.

Guohao shook his head the younger man did not understand what he was getting at.

‘There are some things thatalthough we wish for it to go well, in reality we do not have the ability tomake it so.’

Zhengqing frowned in puzzlement, was he implyingthat he and Yin Ting’s love would not last long?

But Guohao continued, ‘WhenXiaoting was little, her dream was to be a traveller. I asked why a traveller?She said she wanted to go to many places that people did not have theopportunity to go to, and record it to tell them. At that time, her mother andI smiled. We said, to go to all these places need a lot of money, ah. Motherand Father have to make a lot of money for you do to this. She smiled and saidwhen she grew up, she will also make money.’ (Zuben: Ah… childish dreams. Iwanted to be an opera singer and a ballerina and so on and so on)

Zhengqing did not interrupt him.Xiaoting had not become a traveller; was this because her mother died?

‘But her mother left us. Xiaotingdid not become a traveller. Though, she is not without money, she would not go,she wants to accompany this strange old man. She often travels with herfriends, but her trips are very short, maybe two-three times a year. Instead,she comes with me to the printing factory where no other young girls are. Theyoungest woman is thirty nine. But Xiaoting gets along with everyone.’

‘She is an angel,’ Zhengqing couldnot help but say.

‘Yes,’ Guohao nodded and was silentfor a while.

‘Last year, or should I say theyear before last, I told her to do what she liked. Live the life she wanted,but she said, she wanted just to live happily. I asked if she didn’t want to bea traveller anymore. She said not to worry about it, she did not have to go farto see the beauty of the world. As she grew up she realised that her childhooddreams were too narrow, one does not need to travel far to see beauty, therewas was beauty close to one’s home. To have is beautiful. She still has afather and a brother to cherish. She said she was still a traveller, and she issharing the beauty she has found with you. She did not lose her dream; sheworks hard everyday for it. She believes she is still a traveller.’

Zhengqing thought of Yin Ting’sblog; the foodie reviews, the weird chicken soup they shared. The picturesroadside flowers, snails, clouds, even coffee…she saw beauty in everything andwanted to share it with everyone. Zhengqing loved her for it and was proud ofher.

But Guohao continued, ‘When A-Shilost money in his business ventures, I knew about it, but he did not come to me becauseof his pride. He didn’t let me help or give him advice. So I did not botherwith him. But Xiaoting took him in hand, and he finally gave up his pipe dreamsand opened the bar. It was what he’d always wanted to do but he thought I wouldnot be happy and thought he should do business. Truthfully, I do not care whatthey do, as long as they are happy. That Xiaoting secretly invested in A-Shi’sbusiness I knew. Now, A-Shi’s business is doing well. Although the schedule isnot healthy, he is having a good time.’

Zhengqing’s heart grew heavy. Hethought he was beginning to understand what Guohao was getting to; he probablywants to say that his son can do what he wants but his daughter can not. Heowes her her dream. But his daughter now has a boyfriend that was not thetravelling type, who could not accompany her, therefore, Guohao hoped he couldaccommodate Yin Ting and do the things she liked to do. (Zuben: heh)

This must be the case, he thought.He was going to put more effort into less overtime. Maybe go on holidays withYin Ting. Now that he had her, and he hoped to get married, he should adjusthis life.

However, Guohao did not give him achance, ‘Do not say you will change yourself, Zhengqing, such a thing isuseless.’

‘You and Yin Ting are clearlydifferent types of people. You lead different lives. I have been observing youthese past few days; you don’t like to travel, you don’t like going out, youdon’t pay attention to the food you eat, you have no interest in entertainment,don’t like music. You only love work.’ (Zuben: A shame really.)

Zhengqing stiffened. What did hemean? But as he tried to speak, Guohao waved him silent, ‘There is nothingwrong in that. I don’t blame you. Everyone is different. That is normal.’

If it is normal, what was theproblem? Zhengqing thought.

‘But I believe that everyone shouldbe with someone similar to them. Someone who views life the same way as them,and that way they could be happy together for a long time.’

‘Xiaoting and I are very happytogether.’ Zhengqing said. He deliberately said “he and Yin Ting”, rather than“he was happy with Yin Ting” so that, he hoped, Guohao would understand thatthe feeling of happiness was not only his, but Xiaoting’s as well. (Zuben: Reinin your temper, Qingqing)

Guohao shook his head, ‘For now,maybe. But in the long run, I don’t think you would.’ He said as he sipped histea.

‘You have a demanding job with alot of responsibility, but you find pleasure in that work. It makes you happy.Xiaoting, like me, does not want to be chained to work. Although, she smiles alot on the outside, in her heart, there is fear. So she is trying to coax youand teach you like a child. Didn’t you take leave of absence to be with her?But isn’t this normal negotiations between two people who are newly in love?’

‘Certainly…’ Zhengqing replied, hewanted to say more but Guohao cut him off and continued.

‘But that is not normal,’ YinGuohao said, ‘I told you earlier that I was observing you. But it wasn’t fromthis holiday. You work overtime, regularly. Xiaoting came back home to eat afew evenings, I asked her about you, she said though you had a date, youcancelled your appointment with her. Your knowledge of tea is hard-edged; withoutnuance. It is obvious you read it from a book. You learnt fishing. Your hikinggear was all new. I know Xiaoting advised you about these things, and I am verytouched that you made the effort, but have you ever thought about what youwant? What you would like to do? Xiaoting can be overbearing when an idea takeshold. But you are also a strong and a.s.sertive person. Overtime, her nature willbother you. Now both of you are in love, but on your dates, you don’t go out.You’ve never been to a movie together. Now she is not bothered by it, but overtime, do you think she would remain happy?’

Zhengqing’s lips thinned into agrim line.

‘You did not do anything wrong, yetyou have to blame each other’s position’s in life. Even if you tolerate and donot complain, your heart will acc.u.mulate grievances. You will think that youare doing something good for your relationship. You are leader to hundreds ofpeople, so you must put in a lot of effort to gain the trust of the staff, meetOld Qin’s expectations. But Xiaoting wants to live life, have someone who comeshome on time, will happily go with her on holiday, have the occasionalromantic entertainment. This is not wrong. This is what most families have.’

Guohao looked directly at Zhengqingand said, ‘You are not suitable, Qiu Zhengqing.’

That single sentence dealt theheaviest blow so far. Zhengqing’s heart pained him hearing that. (Zuben: Nevercount your chickens before they hatch, m’dear) It was said with such fatherlymajesty.

‘You do not suit. You are a goodperson. Xiaoting is also a good person. But you are not in each otherscategory. If you remain together for a lond time, you are bound to hurt oneanother. I don’t want your goodness and hard work to be destroyed because oflove. You belong in the business world. Xiaoting needs to be free. I have beenan albatross on her neck, dragging her so she cannot walk freely, but this istemporary, I will soon join my wife. But I do not want to leave my daughter inthe hands of a man who would tie her wings. I do not want my daughter to liveyour life.’ (Zuben: Melodramatic much)

Anger boiled under the surfacethreatening to spill. Zhengqing made a great effort to restrain himself. Hisemotions were in turmoil, unease in his bones. But he knew that reacting thisway would not do, he must remain calm. He must attempt a negotiation. He counted toten, taking deep breaths with each count and then he said, ‘Xiaoting and I loveeach other. In this world, there is nothing one cannot achieve without hardwork. Love is the same. But perhaps in the eyes of her father, no man deserveshis daughter.’

‘I am not talking about whether youdeserve her or not. It is a question of whether you are suitable for eachother. You are not for her and she is not for you. Right now, you get along,you guys think that to love means to make self righteous sacrifice, but overtime, the love will melt away leaving grievances, you guys will end up blamingeach other and grow mutually resentful of each other. But by then, you will nolonger be young and love will not be the only thing that is lost. You will notbe able to turn back time. So it is better for me to be the bad guy, and stopyou here before you go any further.’

 Zhengqing took a deep breath and counted totwenty, before he said, ‘What kind of man do you believe is suitable forXiaoting? One who doesn’t work, and can accompany her to play, make chickendumpling soup? A man who can sing, loves to travel, has time and money tosquander like Yin Ting?’

‘No’ Guohao said in an even tone,‘as before your thinking is too extreme. The responsibility you bear is heavy.I would prefer a man who doesn’t have such pressure on him, does not need thechallenge of climbing up the career ladder. Someone who has the same interestsas Xiaoting; photography, food, travel…there are many professional men who havea good work-life balance. I don’t want my daughter to be with a workaholic. Doyou understand?’

Zhengqing did not reply. He wasbusy trying to calm his head.

But Guohao was not finished,(Zuben: While I agree with a lot of his points, he is too long winded, aish)

‘You and Xiaoting are two extremes.One with an extreme love of work; the pursuit of achievements is tied to yourself worth. The other extremely free and playful, and gets happiness fromsharing happiness with others. Of course, that is not good either, but this hasbecome a habit of our family and I am selfish, I hope that she remains thiscarefree and spends lots of time with me. I don’t think you ever took a holidaywhile you were in university. You hadn’t even gotten your degree before youstarted working, had you? But Xiaoting, I tell you, had never worked a dayseriously in her life. Can you not see the big difference between you?’

Zhengqing finished his meditationand asked, ‘What is the purpose of this discussion then?’

‘I asked you not to tell Xiaotingabout this meeting it was not to be kind. I will be speaking about it with herwhen I get home. I asked you not to tell her because, I don’t want her tointerfere so we can talk calmly and rationally. Yin Ting is very emotional, butyou are a very logical person. So I thought if I put an a.n.a.lysis before you,you would put aside your feelings and view things logically, and have a goodthink about what I have said. Perhaps you are already aware of how unsuited youtwo are, but your emotions are getting in the way of your better judgementtherefore you are reluctant to break up. But I will be the bad guy and I havegiven you a few good reasons. The outcome I want is for you to break up with Xiaoting.’

‘And if not?’

‘I will have to insist.’ Guohaoreplied calmly but coldly.

Zhengqing leaned back and liftedhis gaze to meet Guohao’s directly, ‘Then I am sorry, I would have to insist,’then he added steel and frost to his tone, ‘that I am not breaking up withXiaoting.’ (Zuben: Go Qingqing!)

Guohao gave a smile that did notreach his eyes, ‘You should think about your answer more, although I do notcare about what you say, but to be kind to you, I want you to be at ease andnot create uneccessary stress for yourself.’

Zhengqing gave a smile thatmirrored Guohao’s, ‘I finally understand why people have said Uncle is a strongbusiness man, a brother who people still come to for advice. Thank you Uncle,but I do not feel pressured. You are against us being together, I have nothingto bargain with, what pressure do I have? If you had said you were happy tohand your daughter over to me, then I would have felt pressured because I wouldhave tried to live up to your expectations, but now there is little need. Youhave left no room for us.  Therefore, Iwill calmly and respectfully tell you, I will not give up Xiaoting. I will notbreak up with her.’

Guohao narrowed his eyes atZhengqing, but did not show his anger, ‘So do you think the problems I havehighlighted do not exist.’

‘They do.’ Zhengqing admitted,‘When you spoke, you almost convinced me that Xiaoting and I would not work.You are right, Xiaoting and I are completely different, but I have always knownthis and so had Xiaoting, but we are in love. There will be problems, butwe would focus on solving this hypothetical trauma. Why should we hurtourselves because a situation that is only a possibility? If we all shrink awayand run at the sight of danger or hurt, then what hope do we have in life?’

‘But if you know you will come toharm when you jump into fire, why jump?’ Guohao asked.

He was silent for a moment, thenasked, ‘Why are you so sure we would jump?’

‘You’re going to keep dating her,aren’t you? The longer you get along, the longer you love, the more complexthis relationship gets, the more stress you will put on your psyche. And beforeyou know it, you’re standing between the knives and the fire. One way you willbleed the other way you burn. You haven’t reached that point, isn’t it the besttime to withdraw? You will meet a more suitable woman for you, and Xiaotingwill meet a man the suits her. Why don’t you give yourselves a chance?’

(Zuben: While as you know I havealways felt their approach to their relationship was naïve, Daddykins is alsotalking in the same extremes as he accused the couple of doing)

Zhengqing did not attempt to reply.

‘Zhengqing, you’re a successfulman. You need a woman who would be willing to wait for you at home, a woman whowould look after your family while to run your business. You are not able togive up your achievements for a woman, and you have a more successful futureahead of you. Xiaoting should not have to give up her life for a man. As herfather, I can only think of her.’

Zhengqing chose to reply, ‘I know you are good to her, andshe loves you very much. That is why I am still here. Though you say what youthink is the truth, but your truth has preconceptions. You preconception isthat Yin Ting and I have our own status quo and our relationship will destroyit, and we will suffer and break each others hearts.’ (Zuben: All verymelodramatic)

‘But you feel this premise is irrevocable,and our relationship will end in the demise you a.s.sume.’

‘Wouldn’t it?’ Guohao asked.

‘Who can say? Many channels do notmean a large volume of sales. Few channels do not represent inevitable loss. Itmay be more costly to sell than destroy. Products and pathways are reallyimportant determinants in the success of a business, but marketing is also key.You and I have been talking for almost…’he paused to look at his watch, ‘anhour and half. I have confirmed that I like Xiaoting and decided to date her tothe best of my ability. I know we aren’t compatible on paper. I also thoughtabout it when I realised I liked her. I asked myself “Is this right?”, myinstinct said “Yes, it’s her.” ‘

‘For me to have taken a steptowards her there was a process. It wasn’t something I decided on a spur of themoment, it wasn’t an impulse. If I had changed my mind or was shaken by a oneand half hour conversation, would I not be betraying my trust in my instincts?’

Guohao leaned back in his chair anddid not reply.

Zhengqing continued ‘Therefore, Icannot give up on Xiaoting because of your a.s.sumptions. It is not fair to me,or to Xiaoting. When I decided to pursue her, I did with marriage as the goal.I want to marry, I don’t want to play love games. Xiaoting was not the type ofwoman I initially set out to marry. Before I met Xiaoting, I had no concept oflove, only cold cut evaluations.’

‘Xiaoting is my first love. I amreally lucky to have met someone like her. I am lucky that the woman I want tomarry is someone I love, and she loves me too. We are trying our hardest toadapt to each other. But in your opinion, that effort will lead to grief.But I think that, after getting through this hard process, we can find the bestway to live and take care of each other’s needs.’

‘That is easy to say.’ Guohao said.

‘Yes, but so is breaking up basedon just a few words. It’s all easy to say, one would break up now and therewill be a period of heartbreak. It’s easy to say that I will find someone moresuitable for me and the next man that Xiaoting meets would be more suitable.It’s also easy to say.’

‘So, what is your point?’ Guohaosaid with his eyebrows raised.

‘But I will not bid her goodbyebecause of your advice. You say as time goes by the emotions will becomecomplicated with responsibilities, stress and so on. On the other hand, ifthere is no sense of responsibility, no pressure, can feelings last a longtine? A relationship is responsibility based on love. An employee who does nothave a sense of belonging to the company but just wants to get paid will notlast long.’

‘Also, if you break up easily,’ hecontinued, ‘letting these feelings go and jumping to the next paragraph, the nextone would not necessarily be better. It would be impossible for a long timebecause, you have pinned your hopes on an unknown future and not cherished whatyou had at the time.’

‘If I can treat the feelings of the person I am with with nonchalance and disrespect, I would treat the next person the same. So I do not believe the solution whichyou put forward is necessarily good. Naturally, you do not care about me,but is this how you want Xiaoting to be treated?’

But Guohao counter-attacked (Zuben¬.¬), ‘You say my solution is not good, then what is your solution?  Do not tell me you have love, I do not want torepeat my truth. You know what I have said is justified.’

Zhengqing regarded his commentsilently for a minute or so, then said, ‘The problems you mention do exist,Xiaoting and I have a lot of adjusting to each other to do…’ he did not knowwhere to go from there. How was a life without grievance possible? But in theend, whether they work out or not depends on their love for each other.Zhengqing shook his head, the older man had made up his mind, there was no wayto convinve him otherwise. He will become an obstacle between himself and YinTing. But Yin Ting loved her father, without her father’s support andblessings, how would she be happy?

‘I cannot think of anyway toconvinve you right now. But it doesn’t matter to you, does it?’

‘No it does not. I have lived along time and I have watched people in this world,’

Zhengqing said nothing. Yin Guohaobelieved things would happen as he predicted.

‘I will not break up withXiaoting,’ he said finally, ‘it would be irresponsible and will be against my wishes.But I thank you for reminding me of the problems that could arise between YinTing and I may be bigger than what we feel. I will think it over, and deal with itharmoniously. I hope that one day we can get your approval and blessings.’

Guohao shook his head, ‘You aretalking like a business man, how can I be confident?’

‘Whatever I do or say today, willnot fill Uncle with confidence.’ Zhengqing replied blandly

Tension filled the s.p.a.ce as the twomen stared at each other. Guohao’s expression was sharp and imposing, butZhengqing did not back down. (Zuben: Staring contest! Very shounen manga)

After what felt like a long while,Guohao nodded and asked, ‘So I can’t persuade you?’

‘No.’

‘Then I will have to persuadeXiaoting.’

‘That is to be expected. I should thank Uncle for hisrespect.’ Zhengqing said with a smile.

Guohao returned his smile, ‘I maybe a stubborn old man, but I am not unreasonable. I said I appreciate you, andthat is the truth.’

Zhengqing smiled.

‘But I think you are unsuitable forXiaoting. I will resolutely object to you being together.’

Zhengqing wanted to laugh, but heldback and said, ‘I hope I will be able to prove Uncle wrong.’

‘Will you sacrifice yourself orher?’

Zhengqing did not reply; it was nota matter of sacrifice. He would not be the man Guohao expected him to be. Andhe would not sacrifice Xiaoting, he didn’t want her to become another person.But if no one sacrifices, how did one accommodate? (Zuben: Compromise?)

The psychological effect ofGuohao’s a.n.a.lysis was really a headache.

‘Are you going to speak to Yin Tingtonight?’

‘Yes, I will speak to her when Iget home.’

‘Then I should tell you, I willcall her and explain what has happened and my stance on the matter.’ He saidcalmly.

‘I can’t stop you.’

‘If Yin Ting gets emotional, do notbe hard on her.’

‘I am her father; I know how totreat my own daughter.’

‘Because you are her father, Idon’t think you can remain as cool as you are in a showdown with astranger.’

Guohao did not say anything, butcalled for the cheque.

The two walked to the exit. Theywaited as Guohao’s driver when to bring his car around. They stood in silencedeep in thought. When Guohao’s car came up, the older man turned to Zhengqing, ‘Youdo not understand, this is a checkmate with no solution. I do not think itwould be easy for you to accept such a thing over a conversation that lastedan hour and a half. But when you think more about it, you will understand.’

‘I understand,’ he replied lightly,‘I just don’t agree with your conclusion. I do not believe this a stalemate.’

Guohao moved forward and opened hiscar door, before he entered, ‘And if Xiaoting agrees with me and wants to breakup?’

Zhengqing’s expression grewserious, ‘I will tell her that I do not agree.’

Guohao gave him a final look, thengot in his car and drove away.

Zhengqing walked to his car, he gotin, took a deep breath and called Yin Ting.

Zuben: What a tedious pair ofchapters. Apologies for the typos. I have read through it, but I"m sure there are hidden ones lurking about.

Also, despite my eye rolling, I do enjoy doing this but if someone out there thinks they want to take over the translation, so that the story can be enjoyed without my "stage whispers", please feel free to let me know.

Index ❋ Chapters 59 and 60