Chapter 25

When Xi Yu walked into the living room, she saw Xi Huanian and Zhao Xiaolan seated in the main seats, their expressions as composed as ever, chatting and laughing with Chen An beside them. The atmosphere was unusually harmonious.

“You’re back?” Zhao Xiaolan asked, smiling with her eyes. “How was it spending time with the Chen family’s child?”

Xi Yu took the briefcase from Jiang Chen’s hands and walked into the living room. Stopping at a distance that was neither too close nor too far from the three of them, she said, “Not bad.” Then she nodded to Chen An and called, “Uncle Chen.”

Zhao Xiaolan’s eyes curved with a smile, clearly very pleased with Xi Yu’s answer. She waved a hand, and Xi Yu naturally sat down in the single chair off to the side.

“I knew you two children would get along. The older you get, the less you see each other. Now that you’re both in Jiayang, it’s good to spend more time together.”

Xi Yu said nothing. She set the briefcase on the table and looked at Chen An across from her.

The next second, Xi Huanian’s steady, age-worn voice sounded. “You should also know why Uncle Chen is here this time. Tell your Uncle Chen about that thing you’ve been working on lately; just how reliable is it, really?”

Chen An immediately sighed and took another deep gulp of tea.

“I know Uncle Chen still isn’t at ease about this, and I’m also glad that Uncle Chen is truly thinking of the company. I came today specifically to clear up your concerns.” Xi Yu stood up, bent slightly, and poured Chen An a cup of tea, handing it over with both hands. “Please don’t rush. Listen to me slowly.”

Chen An said nothing. He took the teacup and set it on the table.

“No matter what our company produces, safety comes first. That’s our responsibility to every customer. Precisely because safety is so important, we need to move toward steer-by-wire.”

Chen An frowned slightly. His mouth opened, then closed again, as if he had something to say.

Xi Huanian glanced at him. Chen An lowered his head, picked up the teacup, and took another sip, then braced a hand on his thigh and stared straight at Xi Yu.

“First, electronic systems have multiple layers of redundant backup. This design means that if one set of sensors or another processing unit fails, another can take over within 20 milliseconds. That is far more reliable than our previous hydraulic system. Second, steer-by-wire chassis systems are all required to be designed according to the highest industry standard, ASIL D. That means the probability of failure will be reduced to an extremely low level—something our old traditional mechanical system could never achieve,” Xi Yu said.

Chen An’s eyes lit up. He unconsciously rested his arms on the chair’s armrests and leaned toward Xi Yu.

“At the same time, steer-by-wire chassis can effectively solve the problem of space taken up by mechanical linkages, making our spatial design more flexible and intelligent.”

From beginning to end, Zhao Xiaolan had been watching Xi Yu speak without pause, her smile only growing deeper.

Chen An nodded. The crease between his brows deepened. “But, Young Miss, you should understand that a few years ago there was a case where hackers successfully attacked a smart car, directly causing an accident on the road. What you’re saying is indeed good, but with hackers so advanced these days, it’s hard not to worry that our competitors or other terrorists might hire hackers to infiltrate the system.”

“The consequences then are obvious. The driver and our brand would both be hit hard; we might even go bankrupt outright! Who could bear that responsibility?!”

The living room instantly fell silent. Jiang Chen’s face tightened, and she instinctively looked toward Xi Yu.

Xi Huanian took a sip of tea, his gaze settling on Xi Yu.

Xi Yu lowered her eyes, glanced at the teacup on the table that had long since gone cold, then looked up again, her expression solemn. “I completely understand what you mean. However, we’re using the highest-level, multi-layered defense system, and I’ve also contacted a top cybersecurity company. We’re about to finalize a partnership.”

“Whether it’s a traditional car or a smart car, safety issues will always exist. It’s not as if choosing a traditional car makes safety absolutely guaranteed.” Xi Yu paused, then continued, “Of course, the same goes for smart cars. But at this stage, since we want to create more intelligent products and want to move forward, we need to take a newer step.”

“Xiaohua was able to get to where it is today because my parents, along with you and these elders, kept insisting and persevering. Naturally, we have to keep going together; we have to go even farther.”

Chen An froze. For a moment, he looked stunned. He stared at Xi Yu, then let out a laugh tinged with emotion. “Young Miss, what you said is right. The way you spoke just now made me suddenly think of the time when President Zhao was still here; your words have made me feel much more at ease.”

Zhao Xiaolan laughed too and said to Chen An, “It’s been a long time since I heard you call me that. It really does feel like ages ago.”

Chen An nodded emphatically and immediately stood up, saying to Xi Huanian and Zhao Xiaolan, “I’ve kept the two of you from your day long enough. I already know the answer now. I’ll go back to the factory immediately and repeat Miss’s words verbatim to those old fossils!”

Xi Huanian also stood and patted Chen An on the shoulder, a faint smile on his face. “I should be thanking you for thinking of the company. While we’re away, Xi Yu will need you to take care of her more.”

Chen An waved both hands repeatedly, laughing. “Miss is amazing! Brother, you’re being too modest……”

Xi Yu escorted Chen An out together with Xi Huanian and Zhao Xiaolan; Jiang Chen also said her farewells and left with them.

After seeing everyone off, Xi Huanian turned and sat down on the redwood sofa. The smile that had just been on his face vanished without a trace, and his expression had grown noticeably more severe.

“Your Uncle Chen isn’t entirely wrong. Those people all believe in things they can see and touch; that’s an unchanging truth. You need to consider their opinions more; you can’t be too arbitrary,” Xi Huanian said.

Xi Yu nodded. “Yes.”

Xi Huanian looked at Xi Yu deeply, said nothing else, and got up to leave.

Zhao Xiaolan took Xi Yu’s hand and sat down, smiling. “You did well today. You surprised me quite a bit.”

She glanced toward the direction Xi Huanian had left, then patted Xi Yu’s hand. “Your dad is actually pretty happy too. He just has that kind of temper; you know that.”

Xi Yu gave a soft “Mm.” “I know.”

“Let’s not talk about work. You finally came back for a visit.” Zhao Xiaolan smiled. “That child Chen Shuo just told me he’s almost back in the city. Call him over for a meal while he’s here; you two can get to know each other better. I can tell Chen Shuo has had feelings for you since he was little. Once you’re through this busy spell, you can go ahead and set the engagement too; that way we won’t have to worry ourselves over it.”

Xi Yu pressed her thin lips into a straight line and gently withdrew her hand. Lowering her eyes, she hid the fleeting trace of exhaustion that crossed her face. “No need.”

Zhao Xiaolan turned to look at Xi Yu, puzzled. “No need? Before marriage, you have to get to know each other and spend time together. If you reject it like this, how is anything supposed to move forward?”

“Let’s talk about it later.” Xi Yu stood up, reaching for the briefcase as if to leave.

Immediately, Zhao Xiaolan’s voice sounded behind her, firm and impossible to refuse. “There’s nothing to discuss later. An alliance with the Chen family is certain; it’s beneficial to you and to our entire company, with no downside at all. Your father and I came through this the same way; otherwise, where would such a big company have come from?”

Xi Yu’s brows knit slightly as she stood motionless in place. The briefcase in her hand was gripped so tightly that several folds had appeared in the leather. The surrounding air fell dead silent.

She stood there for half a minute, then decisively strode toward the entrance.

“Where are you going?!” Zhao Xiaolan’s voice suddenly sharpened as she hurried after her in long strides.

Xi Yu said, “I still have work. You two eat.”

Zhao Xiaolan’s usually gentle face was tight with anxiety. She sighed. “Why are you leaving as soon as you get back?! You keep saying it’s work, work, work; in truth, that’s always just an excuse to brush us off.”

“Since when did you become so unwilling to stay at home?”

Xi Yu turned around and quietly looked at Zhao Xiaolan’s dignified, noble features. Compared with Xi Yu’s memory, there were more wrinkles on her face now, but she still had not lost the air of someone who had once dominated the business world.

Ever since Xi Yao’s coming-of-age ceremony, she had been different from before.

“I’ll make time to come back next week. You should both rest early.”

Bang—

-

On Monday evening, Xi Yao called Yu Nianyi over to the house for dinner, saying she wanted to properly introduce Luo Yiran to her and also had something to give her.

While they were back in the city, Xi Yao and Luo Yiran had gone to the supermarket together and bought a lot of things: plenty of vegetables and meat, as well as a great deal of juice and fruit wine.

Xi Yao even took out an old pot she had bought a long time ago; she had thought it would end up gathering dust in the storage room, but it was still useful.

“There are seasonal limited-edition pastries from the resort on the table; one portion for each of us, remember to take yours.” Xi Yao said while helping Luo Yiran wash the vegetables. “We’ve already tried some; the texture is really special, and they’re surprisingly delicious.”

Yu Nianyi looked at the pure white box on the table, its packaging exquisitely beautiful, and opened it to take a look.

There was a postcard of the resort’s breathtaking scenery on top. Inside, each pastry was separated by a small partition; the pastries were exquisitely shaped, some with snowy mountain designs, some with a pavilion in the snow, and many other styles besides. They were so appealing that they immediately whetted her appetite.

Yu Nianyi asked, “Who bought them?”

Without turning her head, Xi Yao answered, “Chen Shuo.”

Yu Nianyi curved her lips into a smile and then closed the lid again. “Looks like I’m benefiting from Xi Yu jie’s light, then?”

Xi Yao took the vegetables Luo Yiran had cut and carried them over to the dining table. “You don’t know this, do you? Yesterday, after you all left, Chen Shuo and the others went back not long after. He said my mom asked him to come home for dinner, and when he left, he looked positively radiant; he couldn’t have been happier.”

Luo Yiran also walked over and set the last of the meat on the table. “That’s exactly how it was.”

Xi Yao smacked her lips and sighed. “I think your situation is pretty difficult. My sister and Chen Shuo have already gotten the approval of the elders; your chances are slim.”

Yu Nianyi didn’t answer. She just stared at the bubbles rising in the pot. Before long, the smell of hot pot began to drift out, and she automatically dropped the ingredients in, watching them soften little by little.

“Isn’t that even more interesting?”

Xi Yao and Luo Yiran both froze and looked at Yu Nianyi’s smiling face across the table.

“Xi Yu jie herself hasn’t said anything yet. Everyone else’s thoughts and actions are useless; I only care about how Xi Yu jie responds to me.” Yu Nianyi narrowed her eyes and smiled, her laughing gaze full of mischief. “I’d actually love to compete with Chen Shuo.”

Xi Yao’s eyes widened slightly. Her chopsticks froze in the pot for a long moment. After a full minute, she finally slowly cursed under her breath. “You really can.”

“Actually, I know in my heart that my sister has no interest in this at all. My parents are the ones forcing her to do it; I have no idea what good it’s supposed to do……” She put a piece of meat into her mouth, then said half-jokingly, “If I had to choose, I’d still side with you.”

Luo Yiran nodded along as well, her eyes bright.

Yu Nianyi immediately burst out laughing and thanked them both in a very good mood.

The meal was exceptionally enjoyable. By the time all three of them were too full to eat another bite, there was still plenty of meat and vegetables left over from what they had bought.

Xi Yao was sprawled on the sofa, burping nonstop, saying they should eat together again next time.

After finishing dinner and cleaning up the house with Xi Yao and Luo Yiran, Yu Nianyi finally prepared to head back.

“Aren’t you taking your pastries?” Xi Yao asked, looking at Yu Nianyi, who was changing her shoes at the entrance.

Yu Nianyi glanced at the table and curved her usual smile. “No. I’m laying off sweets lately.”

Xi Yao hooked her lips into a smile and watched Yu Nianyi’s movements, unusually saying nothing.

Luo Yiran said goodbye to her and watched as Yu Nianyi stepped into the elevator.

TL Note:

ASIL D (ASIL D级) = the highest automotive functional-safety design level.

benefiting from Xi Yu jie’s light (沾了席玉姐的光) = getting to enjoy a benefit because of someone else.