Chapter 59: Of Two Minds

“Uncle, Auntie, my name is Wu Ya.”
Only now did Wu Ya finally have the chance to introduce himself.

“Wu Ya? As in ‘endless as the sea of learning’? What a splendid name! Grand yet profound, erudite yet upright!”
At the sound of this, Liu Mingli immediately launched into praise.

“Yes, yes, it’s clear at a glance that only someone extraordinary could have given such a name,” Lin Yongfen followed in quick succession, her words full of admiration.

“This… you two!”
The couple’s harmonious performance left not only Wu Ya in a daze, but even Liu Qian frowned in disbelief.

Wasn’t this a bit much?
What had she really said?
It was merely the tip of the iceberg of Wu Ya’s recent actions.
Did it really warrant such a dramatic change in her parents’ attitude?

“Come, come, have a seat,”
But Liu Mingli had already set aside any concern for his daughter’s astonished expression.
With a broad smile, he stood and enthusiastically guided Wu Ya to the sofa.

Such is the way of the world.
Only those with ability and talent are met with warm smiles and gentle manners.
Even if Wu Ya’s family owned only a tailor shop, being the top in the market was an achievement that could not be overlooked!
Given time, wealth would surely follow.

Therefore, even if Wu Ya and his daughter were not destined for a long-term relationship, basic courtesy must still be shown.
After all, who could say?
What if Wu Ya became a great entrepreneur one day?
He was only eighteen now!

“Yes, Wu Ya, sit for a moment. I’ll go make you something to eat,”
Lin Yongfen was even more direct, turning on her heel and heading for the kitchen, her hospitality overflowing.

“Mom, Dad, isn’t this a little much? It’s just—”
“Just what? Why don’t you go pour Wu Ya a glass of water?”
Unable to watch any longer, Liu Qian protested.
Her parents’ attitude was so blatantly opportunistic!
But no sooner had she spoken than Liu Mingli cut her off, his tone lightly scolding and commanding her to fetch Wu Ya some water.

“Heh, Liu Qian, sorry to trouble you,”
Wu Ya’s initial discomfort quickly vanished, replaced by a palpable sense of pride.
He looked at Liu Qian with a swagger, the very picture of someone newly risen to fortune.
Now, he had someone to rely on!

“You! Fine, fine, I’ll get your water,”

Liu Qian shot Wu Ya a fierce glare before turning and heading to the kitchen as well.
No matter what, her parents’ change in attitude was a good start.
At last, she felt a glimmer of hope for her future with Wu Ya, a hope that had been crushed before the front door had even opened.

“Nannan, what is Wu Ya’s family worth nowadays? How much does their tailor shop make in a day?”
No sooner had she entered the kitchen than her mother’s barrage of questions rushed into her ears.

Liu Qian frowned again, but soon relaxed.
“Mom, their family got into debt because the shop was mismanaged. They’re only just starting to turn things around. Even though they now have the largest share of the market, their daily income is still very modest.”

Top market share, yet meager daily income?
Lin Yongfen, seasoned by years in business, immediately knitted her brows in concern.
She began to worry.

Poor management and heavy debt meant that much of the current income went towards filling in past losses.
Moreover, market conditions could change in a flash.
Today, they might be on top, but as soon as others began making the same clothes, could they maintain their position?
In the face of a brutal price war, their recent meager gains could easily become their fatal weakness.
With such a shallow foundation and no deep reserves to withstand risk, how could they survive a few rounds of competition? They’d fold in no time!

So, just as Lin Yongfen had begun to feel reassured, new clouds of anxiety gathered in her heart.

Meanwhile, in the main room—

“Wu Ya, you’ve been accepted to Huaiyuan University in the provincial capital, haven’t you?”
Liu Mingli, his face full of warmth, was making conversation with Wu Ya.

Awkwardness needed to be dispelled, and relationships deepened—conversation was essential.
Especially since they knew so little about Wu Ya, relying solely on their daughter’s account, which left them uneasy.

“Yes, Uncle. I wasn’t a good student before, and though I later realized the importance of education, there wasn’t much time left to make a change. Still, I’m very proud of my final results,”
Wu Ya answered openly, without a trace of concealment.
He had indeed been a poor student.
His present success was something to be proud of, a true miracle!
There was nothing to hide.

“And what are your plans for the future? Do you intend to pursue further studies, or focus on managing the family business?”
Liu Mingli shifted the topic, pressing further.

This was a question of subtlety.
Further studies?
Then he’d have to give up the business.

As for his academic career—
It was only a provincial university.
Though it was a reputable institution, it was a far cry from Yanda!
The gap was like a chasm; how could he continue to pursue Liu Qian?

But if he was willing to give up school and focus on the family business—
Then perhaps, he could be observed and judged over time.
After all, Liu Qian’s studies would still take another four years.
Those four years would serve as Wu Ya’s probation.
If the business prospered, everything could be discussed.
If it failed—
Well, then, best for them to part ways.
He couldn’t have his daughter supporting a husband after graduation!

Wu Ya glanced at Liu Mingli, but replied calmly, “Uncle, I plan to continue my studies while also helping with the family business.”

What was Liu Mingli thinking?
Having lived two lives, Wu Ya could easily see through him.
But in this role, he couldn’t afford any falsehoods.
He was standing before the man he hoped would one day be his father-in-law.

What’s more, lying was a folly of a past life, now nothing but smoke on the wind.
He would not return to old habits.

Even so—
A fleeting trace of disappointment passed over Liu Mingli’s face.

“Oh, you want to keep studying,”

Though Wu Ya’s answer was to balance both, Liu Mingli, seasoned by countless business battles, understood a simple truth:
No one can serve two masters.

That the family’s tailor shop had revived, according to his daughter, was all Wu Ya’s doing.
This meant his parents lacked business sense.
If Wu Ya went off to study, he would no longer be around.

Could he really manage both?
Impossible.
His parents would have to run the shop again.
And the result?
It would only collapse once more.

With that thought—