A Couple's Rebirth to 1977 Before Marriage

Chapter 176: Chapter 173: Mrs. Ping

The Mid-Autumn Festival passed, and in just a few days, it was National Day. Elder Ping’s guard delivered an invitation to the evening gala. Li Xiu and Zhou Lian understood this was a gesture of Elder Ping’s care, and also an opportunity to introduce Li Xiu into his circle. Even if Li Xiu never officially entered the system, this introduction would force the upper echelon to see him in a new light. It was a clear signal that he was under the elder’s protection and not someone to be trifled with.

On the afternoon of National Day, Li Xiu meticulously helped Zhou Lian get ready. At over five months along, her baby bump wasn’t very large. Zhou Lian had always been slender, so much so that you could hardly tell she was pregnant from behind. Her long, black hair was coiled at the back of her head, secured with a jade hairpin. She wore a peacock-blue, Han-style embroidered long dress, covered by a white, embroidered short jacket with Chinese frog buttons and three-quarter sleeves. On her feet were low-heeled, white, square-toed leather shoes. The simplified cut of the dress effectively concealed her pregnancy, while a jade bracelet on her wrist perfectly accentuated her reserved and gentle demeanor.

Li Xiu was dressed simply in black, slim-fit trousers, a white shirt, and black leather shoes, with a watch on his wrist. His hair was cut in a neat crew cut. Just by standing there, he was a sight to behold, with his long legs, lean waist, and handsome face—the very picture of noble elegance.

Elder Ping had specifically arranged for his guard to drive over and pick up Li Xiu and Zhou Lian. The guard was already quite familiar with Li Xiu; besides, he understood Li Xiu’s importance to the Chief. Looking at the couple, he teased with a smile, "Jin Chen, your wife is a real beauty. I just didn’t expect that when you get all dressed up, you’re dazzling too!"

Though the words were spoken in jest, Li Xiu understood their underlying meaning. ’This is good,’ he thought. ’Elder Ping wants to promote us, so we can’t afford to embarrass him in any way!’

After picking up Li Xiu and Zhou Lian, the guard led them directly to Elder Ping’s private reception room. When they arrived, the room was already filled with people. Several of the old gentlemen had brought along the most outstanding juniors of their families; it was, after all, a prime opportunity to get some face time.

When Li Xiu and Zhou Lian entered, everyone in the room froze for a second. What a striking young couple. No one knew which family they belonged to, but in terms of looks, build, and aura, they were clearly a cut above the rest of their generation.

Secretary Sun, who had found a rare moment to rest, was sitting and taking a breather. When he saw the two of them enter, he rubbed his forehead. ’Freaks of nature,’ he thought. ’It’s one thing for Zhou Lian to be dressed so stunningly, but what’s Li Jincheng trying to prove? A grown man, and he’s got everyone in here—men and women, young and old—staring like fools!’

He got up with a sigh and called out, "Jin Chen, you’re here. Quick, bring your wife over. The Chief was just asking why you two hadn’t arrived yet!"

Li Xiu, holding Zhou Lian’s hand, walked toward him with a smile. "Brother, the traffic was just awful. The car could barely move. We would’ve been faster if we’d walked!"

Secretary Sun shot him a glare and replied with resignation, "Always with the excuses. The car wasn’t for you. The Chief is worried about your wife, since she’s pregnant. You’re just riding her coattails. The Chief and the others are waiting for you inside. Go on, get in there!"

Li Xiu glanced at him. ’That’s the study, isn’t it? Elder Ping is waiting in the study for me and my wife. And he said "them"... so it’s not just Elder Ping.’ Secretary Sun gave a nearly imperceptible nod. He hadn’t expected the Chief to place so much importance on this kid, either!

Li Xiu squeezed Zhou Lian’s hand and gave Secretary Sun a smile, acknowledging the man’s friendly warning. He then led Zhou Lian with a steady gait toward Elder Ping’s study. His mind, however, was churning. ’Elder Ping has always been a stickler for separating public and private affairs. Pulling a stunt like this, on such an important occasion... I think I need to re-evaluate the relationship between him and Master.’ Li Xiu certainly didn’t think he himself had enough clout to make Elder Ping make an exception like this!

He knocked gently on the door, and it was immediately opened from within. A young man around twenty years old stood in the doorway, looking at them. Li Xiu paused for a moment before realizing who it was: Elder Ping’s youngest son, Ping’an, three years his junior.

"What are you all doing standing in the doorway? Come over here," Elder Ping said gently, looking at the two men staring at each other and at Zhou Lian, who was smiling patiently to the side.

After the introductions were made, Mrs. Ping said with a smile, "Xiao Zhou, that outfit is lovely—so elegant and beautiful. Young people like you should dress with such vitality. You can’t always be wearing dull, drab things. The young should look the part!"

Elder Ping nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Xiao Zhou looks wonderful, and Jin Chen is looking very sharp today as well. It’s a fine sight, and a pleasure to see."

The women of the Ping Family all turned to look at Li Xiu in unison. He was, indeed, impressive. He had dashing, sword-like eyebrows, and his narrow black eyes held a sharp, penetrating glint. His lips were thin and firm above a chiseled jawline. His build was tall and slender, but not lanky, radiating an air that was at once cold and aloof, yet utterly commanding. Just standing there, tall and statuesque, he was a breathtaking sight.

Her gentleness and his cold arrogance should have been incompatible, but the tenderness in Li Xiu’s eyes whenever he looked at Zhou Lian caused the two to merge in a strange and perfect harmony. They were like companion trees—one would be incomplete without the other. Mrs. Ping felt a secret delight. ’My old friend has a worthy successor.’ In her day, Mrs. Ping could have been considered a heroine, having accompanied Elder Ping onto the battlefield, through his lowest points, and across many ups and downs. Her ability to judge character was exceptionally sharp.

’Besides, he’s my old friend’s prized disciple. Men and women see people differently. Elder Ping just sees that Li Xiu is a diamond in the rough—noble, intelligent, and principled, a promising youth. But I see more than that. I see the depth of his feelings for Zhou Lian. In fact, that kind of devotion seems familiar... I saw it once before, in an old comrade who has long since passed. That mad passion, as if she were the only person in his world. But Li Xiu is different from that man. That man carried the weight of the nation on his shoulders; his personal feelings had to come second. This Li Xiu, however, has placed his wife in the most important spot in his heart, a place no one and nothing can usurp!’

’Even if Li Xiu also has the nation in his heart, I’m afraid it ranks second to Zhou Lian. I really don’t know how Yun Qi managed to raise such a romantic. After that recent incident, I thought Li Xiu might be using it to make some sort of move, but then he just vanished completely. I was skeptical. What man doesn’t dream of "wielding power over the world by day, and resting on a beauty’s lap by night"? It seems this Li Xiu, this Li Jincheng, is a genuine exception!’

’Thinking of her youngest son’s recent rebelliousness,’ Mrs. Ping smiled faintly, ’let’s have Ping’an study under Li Jincheng for a while and see what happens. If he still causes trouble after that, then I’ll let him be. But I have a feeling this Li Jincheng is going to give me a huge surprise. The Yun Qi of old was someone who could stir up storms wherever he went. They say this Li Jincheng is in no way inferior to his master—in fact, he might even surpass him. His master was a peerless, maverick genius. To be even more formidable than him... I’d truly like to witness that for myself!’

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