Chapter 22

"Please, please go on," Bao Mu, though taken aback for a moment, quickly nodded with a smile, looking very sincere.

Not at all sincere. Li Xu curled his lips inwardly, thinking, shouldn't this situation call for saying: Not just two conditions, even ten can be agreed to.

Alright, no jokes. Li Xu sat up and raised one finger to Bao Mu and Wang Chuanpu: "First, Teresa can go to ***, but there must be absolutely no political statements."

Bao Mu immediately frowned, showing a look of difficulty, but Li Xu quickly added: "Of course, she will always stay by my side, not going anywhere."

Bao Mu, an old fox, naturally understood the implications of this statement, and his frown quickly smoothed out: "I think this shouldn't be a problem."

"Second," Li Xu raised a second finger, "Teresa cannot join the Military Intelligence Bureau."

This time, not only was Bao Mu surprised, but Wang Chuanpu also showed a change in expression, and Deng Lijun let out a small "ah."

Then Wang Chuanpu, before Bao Mu, smiled apologetically: "I think there might be some misunderstanding, Young Master Li. Lijun isn't a government employee, how could she be related to the Military Intelligence Bureau? I know there are some bad rumors about our artists... but those are all rumors, I assure you!"

As if it were true. Li Xu snorted inwardly but didn't expose it, just nodded with a half-smile: "Alright, since Mr. Wang says it's a rumor, then it must be a rumor."

Wang Chuanpu chuckled dryly, then looked at Deng Lijun: "So, Lijun, what do you think..."

He left the sentence hanging, but the meaning was clear, and Bao Mu also looked at her expectantly.

"That... I..." Deng Lijun, though still relatively calm, was still somewhat overwhelmed by the series of shocks.

At this moment, Li Xu gently patted her hand and smiled at Bao Mu and Wang Chuanpu: "Don't rush, it will take one to two weeks for Teresa's agent to arrange a suitable schedule. I said before, there's no need to compare the return to the departure, but it should at least be dignified. After all, Teresa is going to the U.S. for further studies."

"No problem, no problem," Bao Mu agreed immediately, "We all welcome Lijun back!"

"Since that's the case, let's leave it at that." Li Xu didn't want to talk more and stood up.

Bao Mu and Wang Chuanpu also stood up with good judgment: "Alright, then we won't disturb you and Lijun, Young Master Li."

After a pause, Wang Chuanpu added: "If Young Master Li is worried, perhaps you could visit us with Lijun when you have time. We are very hospitable."

He said it casually, as if it just came to mind and was mentioned offhand.

Li Xu immediately raised an eyebrow. They had disturbed him all night, lowering their stance, seemingly to get Deng Lijun to return, but the real purpose was this invitation.

"This doesn't need to be rushed," Li Xu smiled, "I've already discussed the whole matter with my grandfather, and he agrees with my view. However, you know, to finalize it, we need to convince the board of directors first."

"Ah?" Wang Chuanpu was clearly taken aback, not expecting such a direct response.

Li Xu ignored him and continued: "Moreover, I'm still in high school. I have to wait until I graduate and have time during the summer break, right?"

"Um... of course." Wang Chuanpu managed to maintain his composure, "We look forward to good news."

With that, he bowed slightly and left the villa with Bao Mu.

"Edward... thank you." Once the living room was empty, Deng Lijun sighed, her expression complex.

"Don't mention it, you're mine, so I naturally have to think for you." Li Xu said in a light tone, then hugged her waist, and Deng Lijun obediently moved to sit on his lap.

"But... if I do this, they... they might target you, right?" Deng Lijun hesitated, resting her head on his shoulder, worried.

Li Xu felt the urge to facepalm.

Well, this is a good sign, at least she's thinking about him. She is a singer from that side, so she knows some dirty things, but... sister, can you be a bit smarter?!

What was Bao Mu like when he came last time? What about this time? What was their expression when I said she can't join the Military Intelligence Bureau? What was their reaction when I said I'm still in high school?

Please, they already know my situation pretty well, how can you still be so clueless? Even if you're an ostrich, you should stick your head out after the storm, right?!

Despite his inner complaints, Li Xu maintained a calm demeanor, even pinching her soft waist and said in a half-joking tone: "Since I've made such a big sacrifice, how will you repay me?"

"Huh?" Deng Lijun lifted her head, blinking, not quite understanding how the topic had shifted, but she looked quite cute.

"Like this." Li Xu chuckled, leaned in, and whispered a few words in her ear. Instantly, a blush spread across Deng Lijun's cheeks, all the way to her ears.

"Don't... don't do that... Edward..." she pleaded softly, "It's... too embarrassing."

"We've done it before," Li Xu breathed in her ear, "Be a good girl, or I'll use force."

Deng Lijun bit her lip, looking aggrieved, her pitiful appearance truly... made him want to act.

So Li Xu stood up, bent down, and carried her over his shoulder, carrying her into the bedroom amidst her protests of "What are you doing?"

Actually, it wasn't much. He just made some requests about uniforms and positions, and maybe taking some photos as souvenirs. Women in the East were relatively conservative about these things, or rather, they were relatively conservative due to societal expectations.

Although he eventually used a semi-forced method to make Deng Lijun comply, Li Xu wasn't worried about any negative consequences. First, as mentioned before, he had played this game before; second, over the past year, she was mostly obedient, except for occasional tantrums.

Moreover, Deng Lijun herself... had a need for this. In other words, she had a wild and unrestrained side, but it was deeply hidden and only showed up at specific times, like when she rode him and moved up and down enthusiastically.

The only frustrating thing was that, possibly due to her round face—well, Li Xu didn't know what excuse to use, but most of her uniforms weren't great, except for the cheongsam, which was particularly outstanding.

This was interesting. She had a certain indescribable charm when wearing a cheongsam, so he had many cheongsam designs made, some more formal, like the blue and white porcelain style, and others more playful, like high slits up to the groin or ultra-short sleeveless with a hollow center.

Putting that aside, Li Xu got what he wanted, and Deng Lijun's return to the stage was a done deal. No one would come to disturb him at night, so he could proceed with his plans, right? Of course not!

"Mother, please allow me to formally remind you, I came to Tokyo for a vacation." Listening to his mother's voice on the phone, Li Xu tried to control his emotions and spoke in a calm tone.

"Oh, isn't it to see Mom?" Mieko sounded surprised, as if completely unaware of her son's frustration.

"I..." Li Xu rolled his eyes, suppressing his urge to complain, and took a deep breath, "Of course, I came to see you, but I also have my own things to do, right?"

"Are your things just about spending time with your little lover?" Mieko's voice sounded very innocent.

"... I'm just on vacation." Li Xu took another deep breath.

"So you don't even have time to spend with Mom?" Mieko's voice turned sad.

"... I just don't want to disturb you." Li Xu started rubbing his forehead.

"Is having dinner with Mom a disturbance?" Mieko sighed and asked again.

"Of course not, I just... wait, you said have dinner together?" Li Xu asked, his lips twitching.

"Yes, Mom just hopes you can come over for dinner tonight." Mieko's voice became sad again.

"You didn't say that before." Li Xu gritted his teeth.

"But Ryo didn't let me say it. I just asked if you could come over to spend time with Mom." Mieko sounded even more aggrieved.

"I..." Li Xu could only keep telling himself: Stay calm, stay calm!

"Can't Ryo have dinner with Mom once?" Mieko asked with a hopeful tone on the phone.

"Alright, just dinner, no problem." He could only say that in the end.

"That's great, oh, if Ryo wants to bring his kept lover, that's fine too." Mieko said in a falsely tolerant tone.

"If you don't want her to come, just say so, Mom." Li Xu rolled his eyes, feeling helpless.

"Oh, I remember teaching Ryo that doing this is very impolite." Mieko criticized, then chuckled and hung up.

Great, the first night was fine, just got back; the second night, Yamauchi visited, and the planned night tour of the Tokyo Tower with Deng Lijun was canceled; the third night, Bao Mu and Wang Chuanpu visited, and the planned night tour of the Tokyo Tower with Deng Lijun was canceled; the fourth night, Mom wants to have dinner, and the planned night tour of the Tokyo Tower with Deng Lijun was canceled... Am I just clashing with the Tokyo Tower this time?

Li Xu shook his head, the sun had already set, and he needed to set off immediately. The distance from Clearwater Bay to the old house in Toshima Ward wasn't far, but it wasn't close either. He needed to think about how to deal with tonight's dinner.

Clearly, Mother calling him over for dinner, and using such a trick to get him to come, was definitely not just for dinner. This was certain.