Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Next, Wu Zhenghua picked up the teacup in front of Li Feng and personally refilled it with boiling hot tea. The rising steam blurred their expressions.

“Young man, you are full of vigor and sentimentality, which is a good thing,” Wu Zhenghua said slowly. “I’m telling you this today for no other reason than as an elder, seeing that you are a promising person, I can’t help but give you a few more words of advice.”

He gently pushed the teacup back in front of Li Feng, looking at him with deep eyes.

"You are still young, and you have a long road ahead of you. You will meet many people and experience many things. Just because you can't understand something now doesn't mean you won't understand it in the future."

"Just consider what I said today as an old man who's had too much tea and said it offhand. Don't take it to heart or feel pressured."

"Go back and work hard... and think it over carefully."

Wu Zhenghua's final words, "Think it over carefully," were spoken softly, yet they were like a nail, firmly driven into Li Feng's heart.

That's a truly brilliant move!
He didn't give Li Feng a chance to refuse him directly.

Because once Li Feng says "no," there will be no turning back, and the relationship between the two parties will fall into a completely awkward situation.

He chose to retreat in order to advance, packaging his highly purposeful words as "advice from an elder," and then casually telling Li Feng to "go back and think about it."

This not only avoided direct conflict and saved face for both sides, but also directly introduced a choice, a huge temptation and test, into Li Feng's life.

He believed that as long as Li Feng was a smart and ambitious person, this process of "considering" would be like a thorn, constantly reminding him and making it impossible for him to ignore.

Looking at the steaming cup of tea in front of him, Li Feng felt as if he were holding a hot iron.

All the words he had prepared were shut down by Wu Zhenghua's move.

Besides, it's just that they don't know how to appreciate kindness.

He could only nod silently, pick up the teacup, and drink the slightly hot tea in one gulp. The bitter taste spread from the tip of his tongue all the way to the bottom of his heart.

It seems this meal is not going to end well.

Just as Li Feng was racking his brains, trying to figure out how to deal with this hot potato, Wu Zhenghua seemed to see through his predicament, and a warm smile returned to his face, instantly dispelling the oppressive pressure.

"Hehe, it's getting late. Look at me, I get talkative as I get older, I've been keeping you company for so long." He waved his hand and said in a relaxed tone, "Young people have their own things to do, go back and rest early."

As he spoke, he glanced at his daughter beside him.

"Nana, go see Li Feng off."

This move was perfectly timed.

Just moments ago, the atmosphere was tense, or rather, a one-sided pressure test, but now it has returned to the gentle care and concern of an elder for a younger generation.

This controlled and measured approach allowed Li Feng's tense nerves to relax.

Wu Zhenghua's move was both giving him a way out and silently telling him something.

I put pressure on you, but I also gave you dignity. Now, I'm giving you time and space to think, and I'm even having my daughter personally take you there. You can weigh the weight of this decision yourself.

Li Feng sighed inwardly. This Director Wu was indeed a master at manipulating people's hearts.

As the atmosphere eased, Li Feng naturally wouldn't be tactless. He stood up, bowed slightly to Wu Zhenghua, and said respectfully, "Uncle Wu, Aunt Zhang, I'll head back now."

Thank you for your hospitality today.

"We're family, no need for such formalities." Wu Zhenghua waved his hand with a smile, then gestured to Wu Na again, "Go on, see Xiao Li off."

"Mmm." Wu Na responded softly, stood up, and picked up her coat from the doorway.

Li Feng did not refuse again. He knew that if he declined again at this point, saying "no need to see me off" or "I can go by myself," he would be truly disrespecting Wu Zhenghua.

If someone has already gone to such lengths to show their respect, and you still act coy, you'll seem petty and you'll be letting them down.

"Well... thank you for your trouble, Wu Na," Li Feng said politely.

Wu Na glanced at him, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes, but it vanished in an instant. She simply nodded and walked out the door first.

Li Feng followed behind, and the two walked out of the small building filled with invisible pressure, one after the other.

A cool evening breeze, carrying the chill of early autumn, brushed against Li Feng's face, clearing his feverish mind slightly. The courtyard was quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty space, occasionally punctuated by the chirping of unknown insects.

The dim streetlights stretched the two shadows long, then shortened under the next streetlight, repeating this process over and over.

Speechless all the way.

This silence carries more weight than any words.

Wu Na didn't seem to intend to speak; she simply walked quietly, her steps steady, her black leather shoes tapping on the cement ground with a crisp, rhythmic sound.

Li Feng also didn't know what to say.

Thanks? That doesn't seem quite right. An apology? Even less necessary.

Explanation? Wu Zhenghua has blocked all avenues for explanation.

Any topic seemed to inevitably lead back to the conversation that had just taken place, making the atmosphere even more awkward.

Silence is the best choice at this moment.

Wu Na stopped and turned around when she reached the car.

The streetlights shone from behind her, casting a soft halo over her beautiful face and obscuring her expression from Li Feng's view.

“What my dad said today, you…” She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, “…Don’t take it too seriously. That’s just his personality; he likes to plan things out for others.”

These words sounded like an attempt to exonerate Wu Zhenghua, but Li Feng sensed another meaning behind them.

This is more like a confirmation, a reminder.

He reminded him that every word Wu Zhenghua said today was not drunken ramblings or a joke, but a carefully considered "plan."

Li Feng's hand, which was about to open the car door, froze in mid-air. He looked at Wu Na and said earnestly, "I understand. Uncle Wu is doing this for my own good and because he thinks highly of me."

He made no promises or showed any preference; he simply gave the other party ample respect.

Wu Na seemed to have anticipated his reaction. She gave a soft "hmm," and the corners of her mouth seemed to twitch slightly upwards, as if she were smiling, but it wasn't quite a smile.

"Be careful on the road." After saying that, she didn't linger and turned to walk towards the small building.

The tall figure appeared somewhat lonely under the lights, yet it exuded an indescribable pride and determination.

Li Feng watched her figure disappear behind the door before getting into the military vehicle.

The driver did not start the car immediately, while Li Feng leaned back in his seat and let out a long breath.

The bitter tea he had downed in one gulp seemed to be churning inside his body now, producing a complex and indescribable taste.

...(End of chapter)