Chapter 44

When Li Xu reappeared in the hall with Diana, although they attracted some attention, it did not cause a huge stir. After all, he was holding her hand, and the daughter of a British earl was indeed a match for him.

However, a few people who knew the inside story couldn't help but glance back and forth between Caroline and Diana.

Caroline didn't mind at all. In fact, after the introductions, she warmly pulled Diana aside to chat.

As Li Xu had previously told John, Caroline was well aware that he wasn't the right husband for her. They could be lovers and confidants, meet for chats, and occasionally have a friendly fling, but marriage was something else entirely.

However, the way she looked at Li Xu was still quite complex. They had shared several unforgettable intimate moments, and now, with Diana clearly taking the lead, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

The rest of the evening was relatively simple. The party passed quietly, as it was also a coming-of-age ceremony with many elders present, and the young people were naturally restrained.

Even in the evening, after the older guests had left, the atmosphere remained subdued. Li Xu, however, was forced to play "Pathétique V3" several more times, as the young people preferred this version.

Later, the young people gradually left. The party was held at old Edward's villa, not a rented bar or hotel, so it couldn't go on too late.

Diana also left. Of course, although Li Xu had brought her out in public, he hadn't formally announced her as his girlfriend, and Diana wasn't ready to stay overnight at his father's house.

Next—

"This is for you, Second." They were still in the study, but this time only his parents were present. His father handed him a folder.

"Thanks, Dad." Li Xu shrugged and opened it. As expected, it contained all the documents and procedures for the property.

Father had previously mentioned that the 20,000 square foot villa he bought nearby was his coming-of-age gift.

"Thanks, Dad." Li Xu said again, his tone calm.

"The interior is simple and easy to modify. You can fully express your aesthetic," old Edward added. "If you need a butler or servants, just let us know."

Like you, find a butler with a German name from a butler school? Li Xu thought, but then again, the British royal family is German, so... it's not out of place?

"Let's find a few servants first. You already have a butler in mind, right, Mom?" Li Xu said, looking at his mother, who was sitting in a chair, sipping her tea leisurely.

Seriously, aren't you worried about not being able to sleep at night? Or do you not plan to sleep at all?

"Little P finally couldn't hold back. Mom thought you would ask after meeting her," Mieko said with a smile.

Li Xu rolled his eyes. Once you have "Second" in your name, it gets complicated. After all, whether "Edward," "Eddie," "Pierpont," or "Pier," they all repeat with his father.

So far, his father usually called him Second, his grandfather called him Pier, and his mother called him Ryoji—only in Japan, in America, it was an English name.

His mother played the role of a gentle and graceful Eastern wife in public, and if the people in Japan saw her, their eyes would surely drop.

Ryoji couldn't be used, as "Edward" and "Eddie" were the same as his husband's name. So, they took the first letter of "Pierpont" and added a Jr., making it Little P.

It was really frustrating.

But what could he do? He could add a middle name like his great-grandfather J.P. Morgan, but that was because J.P. had power equal to his father.

What did Li Xu have now? Yes, a few video games and toys had made him a lot of money, but so what?

It was really frustrating.

"There were many guests today." Li Xu said.

"But Mom came three days ago." Mieko blinked, seemingly very puzzled.

Can you stop being so argumentative? Li Xu rolled his eyes. "We could discuss this all night, Mom!"

"Alright, this is Mom's gift." Mieko shrugged, put down her teacup, and handed him a folder. "The girl has already started training, but there's a lot to learn, so it will take at least a year before she's ready."

"Oh?" Li Xu raised an eyebrow in surprise. You didn't even show me her picture, how did you decide to start her training? Or is there only one Sawayama Seiko in Osaka?

But when he opened the folder, he was silent. There were several recent photos, and although she hadn't fully blossomed, she was clearly a beauty, just as he remembered Sawayama Seiko.

"From the moment I saw this girl, I knew she was the one you mentioned," his mother's voice rang out.

Is this... a mother's intuition? Or does a mother know her son best? Li Xu's mouth twitched, and he smiled. "Thanks, it is her, Mom."

Then he changed the subject. "But I remember the training at butler school usually takes four years. Are you planning to train her in the Japanese style?"

"I've arranged for her to have special one-on-one training. After she starts working for you, she will also have regular reviews and training sessions. Practice and theory must be combined," Mieko said with a smile.

Li Xu's mouth twitched again. "Alright, I have no objections."

"Then, do you want to find some pretty young girls as servants?" Old Edward, who had been watching, asked.

"No, we can arrange that later. For now, just find some ordinary ones," Li Xu said, rolling his eyes.

"Alright, you're the boss now." Father chuckled and handed him another folder. "This is from Grandpa."

"What is it?" Li Xu asked, but he already had a guess.

He opened it, and sure enough, it contained the documents for his own holding company, with "VISION" prominently displayed in bold.

Li Xu sighed inwardly. Among the four English words for imagination, he preferred "imagination" over "vision," because then it might be called I Corp one day.

Well, he was overthinking again. "Imagination" can be translated as imagination, but it's a psychological term, usually translated as fantasy or illusion.

Hmm, that does fit with "illusion," but "illusion" is clearly unsuitable for a holding company, and "imagination" is similarly inappropriate. "Fancy" is too lowbrow, and "ideality" is more about ideals, so "vision" was the only choice.

Fine, "vision" it is. If he ever buys "illusion" or starts a game company called "illusion," it will be fine.

"It's still just a shell, only the Apple shares have been transferred. The rest will take time," old Edward said.

"No rush." Li Xu shrugged. "I'll call Grandpa to thank him."

"Why not go see him in person?" old Edward said immediately.

"What?" Li Xu narrowed his eyes.

"The regular meeting at the Onassis Club next Saturday. I think you should go," his father said, blinking.

Li Xu understood immediately and nodded. "I will."

Then he stood up. "If dear Dad and Mom have no other business, please allow me to take my leave."

"Probably not." Old Edward looked at his wife.

"Little P did well today, charming both girls." Mieko teased. "Alright, Mom has nothing else. Little P, rest up."

"But I have one more question," Li Xu said, looking at his father. "Can't you tell me now?"

"You mean that thing?" his father asked, thinking for a moment.

"Of course, what else could it be?" Li Xu spread his hands.

"What thing?" his mother asked.

"You don't know about that thing?" Li Xu was surprised.

"That thing." His father reminded her.

"Oh, that thing." His mother realized.

"So you do know?" Li Xu sighed. "So, in the end, I'm the only one in this family who doesn't know what it is?"

"Well, that thing is indeed troublesome, even I'm a bit worried," his mother said, smiling at him with her usual teasing expression.

"So, what is it?" Li Xu sighed.

"Actually, your grandfather and I planned to tell you today, but your mother disagreed. She thought it would be too much pressure on your coming-of-age day, so we had to postpone it," his father said.

"It sounds scary." Li Xu frowned.

"It's not scary... well, I don't get to decide, it's about your feelings." His father shrugged. "In any case, not today. After watching your coming-of-age ceremony, I think your mother's decision was right."

"Can't you just be straightforward?" Li Xu finally rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry, it's just a few days. Once you go to the Onassis Club, your grandfather will give you the details," his father laughed.

Li Xu rolled his eyes again, looked at his mother, who had a meaningful look but said nothing, seemingly determined to watch the show.

"Alright, I'll leave then." Li Xu pouted, said goodbye, and quickly left the room.

Once he was gone, the atmosphere in the room became heavy. The couple, one standing and one sitting, didn't speak, each waiting for the other.

Finally, Mieko spoke. "I don't think now is the right time."

"But if we don't let Second handle it now, it will only get more complicated later," old Edward shook his head.

"No, that's not what I mean," Mieko said, taking a sip of her tea. "I mean, it's a bit early for Ryoji to start his own investment company."