Chapter 45

"Really? Can I know the reason?" Old Edward asked with interest.

However, the always well-prepared Michiko shook her head: "Just a hunch."

"A hunch?" Old Edward was taken aback, seemingly surprised that his wife would say such a thing.

"Yes, a hunch," Michiko continued as if she hadn't noticed, "A mother's hunch tells me that it's not the right time for our child to manage his own wealth independently."

Pausing for a moment, she suddenly looked at her husband and said, "Don't tell me you're finally acting like a mother."

"Ha, of course not," Old Edward laughed, spreading his hands, then his expression turned serious, "I understand your concerns, Michiko. Second is indeed precocious, but he's also a child who knows his limits. He's very smart and talented, with an intuition that surpasses many people. Sometimes I have to admit that my father was right. If it weren't for... he would have achieved even greater success."

Sighing, he continued, "But now he can only move forward on a predetermined path, at least it seems so."

"I know, I agree with you, but that's not what I'm saying," Michiko frowned slightly, "I just hope to observe a bit more."

"You can still observe while he manages his capital according to his own will," Old Edward shook his head, then walked to the door, "Second does have many flaws, but he also has many strengths, right? I'm very happy to have such a son."

He turned and smiled, "Of course, not because he's easy to manage."

Michiko didn't respond.

"Alright, I'm going to rest. Can I have a good night's sleep tonight?" Old Edward said to his wife, "Second has already advised me to be more restrained."

With that, he gave Michiko a smile and opened the door to leave.

Michiko still had a slightly furrowed brow, and after a long while, she sighed softly in Japanese, "Of course, I know my son's strengths and weaknesses are equally obvious, but... he doesn't care."

Her voice grew softer, filled with a hint of worry, "He doesn't care about anything."

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After the Coming of Age ceremony, the restrictions on Li Xu at home would be greatly reduced. He could basically shape his future according to his heart's desires. With his grandfather having already organized the framework of the investment holding company for him, he would be very busy... or so it seemed!

The next day, he directly asked his father to take a day off from school, then took Diana on a tour of San Francisco.

The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, the 17-Mile Drive, and more, they didn't miss a single one. Finally, they enjoyed a rich seafood dinner at Fisherman's Wharf as the sun set.

"I love the 17-Mile Drive, I really do. Especially those cute little seals. Oh, if only the terrain were suitable, I'd love to go over and hug them," Diana said enthusiastically at an outdoor table in a restaurant.

"So Lombard Street can only be second place?" Li Xu asked with a smile.

Diana was momentarily speechless, frowning as she thought for a few minutes, then glared at him angrily.

"Isn't it? Does Lombard Street still come first?" Li Xu continued to tease her.

Before she could answer, he changed the subject, "Well, no matter who's first, the seafood here definitely comes last."

"Ed!" Diana finally couldn't help but scold him, even shaking her little fist.

"Alright, alright, today's time was a bit short. We basically just rushed through everything, so it's impossible to decide for sure," Li Xu laughed, then held Diana's hand, "Next time, when we have more time, I can spend more time with you."

Indeed, although they got up relatively early, the classic San Francisco attractions were too far apart, requiring a lot of travel. It was inevitable that some would be missed. They spent a bit more time at the 17-Mile Drive, stayed for about an hour at Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge, and came directly to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner. They didn't visit any museums at all.

"Okay, let's make it official," Diana smiled.

Then she thought for a moment, "You can come to London during the summer, and I can show you around."

"London?" Li Xu drew out the word.

Diana immediately realized, her cheeks turning slightly red, "If you don't like London, you can come to Norfolk. You've never been there, right?"

Pausing, she added, "But if you want to go to Ossop Hall, I won't go with you. I don't like it there."

"I know, I know. You've said it many times. It's dark and gloomy, making people uncomfortable. Don't worry, I won't go," Li Xu said, gently patting her hand.

Diana then showed a slightly shy smile, her gray-blue eyes filled with tenderness, but soon she sighed, looking up at the last rays of the sunset.

"What's wrong?" Li Xu asked.

"Sarah... Sarah and the Prince will formally announce their engagement by the end of the year, and the wedding is probably in May next year," Diana said, somewhat dejected.

"Has the Queen approved it?" Li Xu raised an eyebrow.

"Um..." Diana nodded, her face showing even more worry.

"Are you still... worried about that?" Li Xu lowered his voice.

"Ed, why do men always need mistresses?" Diana blurted out.

Before he could answer, she continued, "I gave Sarah the information you told me and what I found out, but Sarah didn't seem to care at all. Isn't love supposed to be sacred? If the Prince doesn't like my sister, why is he getting engaged to her? If he really loves Camilla, shouldn't he do everything to marry her? I told my father all this, but he told me not to spread it and to act as if it doesn't exist."

By the end, Diana's face was full of disappointment. The innocent and naive girl always had unrealistic fantasies about love, so when these fantasies were shattered by reality, she became lost.

She suddenly looked at Li Xu, her eyes filled with hope and worry, "Will you... find a mistress, Ed?"

Li Xu raised an eyebrow again, pursing his lips without answering. Diana quickly covered her mouth, "S-Sorry, I... shouldn't have asked that."

"It's okay, Diana," Li Xu smiled gently, becoming serious, "So, do you want to hear the truth?"

Diana was taken aback but quickly recovered, the disappointed look on her face flashing by.

"You need to know that reality is different from novels," Li Xu said softly, once again holding her hand, "And most people find it hard to face reality, so they prefer to seek authenticity in novels."

"But..." Diana couldn't help but object.

"Tell me, Diana, out of billions of people in the world, how many couples have the kind of love you imagine, and what percentage is that?" Li Xu asked softly.

"I... I don't know," Diana mumbled, her initial confidence quickly fading.

"I know it's hard, but Diana, people must learn to face reality to truly become strong," Li Xu patted her hand.

"Will you really find a mistress in the future, Ed?" Diana looked up and asked again, her weak voice tinged with a hint of pleading she didn't even realize.

"I'm a man, Diana," Li Xu said seriously, "Men are always aggressive and openly show their possessiveness. If a man says he won't, he's 99% lying, and I don't want to lie to you."

Diana bit her lip, staring at him for a long time before whispering, "I'm angry, Ed."

"Being angry is normal," Li Xu smiled, moving his chair closer and gently brushing the hair from her temple, "Reality is always hard to accept, especially when it's completely opposite to your expectations."

Diana turned her head, avoiding his gaze, and pursed her lips, pretending not to want to speak.

"Don't think too much, Diana," Li Xu withdrew his hand, "Happiness is a feeling. As long as you feel relaxed and happy, it doesn't matter what the people around you are like."

"I remember... the third or fourth time we met, I was almost 15, and you were only 13," the dejected girl finally spoke after a long silence, "We went out to play, and... you said you wanted to build a big harem, to have many beautiful girls, and you wanted me to be your queen, to help you manage those girls... Oh, I remember it so clearly because..."

Her voice became choked, her gaze sad and reluctant, "I actually agreed... Oh, Ed, I actually agreed..."

"It's okay, Diana, you weren't mature back then," Li Xu moved closer and hugged her.

Diana leaned into his embrace, and after a moment, she asked in his ear, "What about you?"

"I still have that mindset," Li Xu answered in a gentle tone, "I like you, Diana. I like your innocence and purity. I want to protect and cherish you, and I hope you can always keep these beautiful qualities, unchanged by the real world."

The body in his arms struggled slightly but eventually calmed down. After a moment, Diana propped herself up, her face showing a hint of sadness, "I want to go back to the hotel, Ed."

"Okay," Li Xu agreed immediately, called the waiter to pay the bill, and then went to the street, signaling the driver waiting nearby to bring the car over.

The two didn't speak again on the way. When Li Xu finally sent Diana to her hotel room, he said goodbye and opened his arms. Diana hesitated for a few seconds before hugging him and giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight," she said with a complex expression.

"Goodnight," Li Xu smiled, closing the door for her.

There was a long road ahead, and some things couldn't be accomplished overnight.

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