"The alcohol content of baijiu is too high. You should also drink less in the future."
"Have you considered joining the board of directors?"
"Why bring this up again so suddenly?"
"I can probably keep working for a few more years, but I still hope to hand the company over to you."
Gao Xiang shook his head: "Clear Ridge Winery is a listed company, not a family business. You shouldn't have the same obsession with choosing a successor as Mom."
"You've consistently refused to take any actual position at Clear Ridge Winery and won't accept any social titles either. I know it's not just because you're low-key, nor is it solely for Xiao Fei's upbringing."
"The company has long been in a virtuous cycle; it doesn't need me to join."
"I miss the days when we used to study development plans together. At least back then, you were as ambitious as I was. Your change has something to do with Zuo Si'an, doesn't it?"
Although Gao Xiang had a close relationship with his father, he didn't want to discuss this topic and simply said, "I just chose a path that suits me better. Dad, why did Liu Yaqin suddenly come to blackmail Mom?"
Gao Ming sneered coldly: "I'm actually surprised it took her this long to try blackmailing again."
Gao Xiang was stunned: "What do you mean by that?"
"Do you think this is her first time doing this? Eight years ago, she came to blackmail once, but you happened to be in France negotiating a red wine brand agency at that time. Since she only asked for 100,000 yuan, your mother thought the amount wasn't large and promptly paid to avoid trouble. Afterward, I sent people to look for Liu Yaqin, but she had disappeared without a trace. I had to personally warn her parents, explaining the consequences clearly. Her parents seemed like honest people and were terrified, promising to restrain her from repeating such actions. However, based on my speculation, a restless girl like her wouldn't be controlled by her parents and definitely wouldn't stop after just one attempt."
"Mom never mentioned that incident to me at all."
"I happened to see it that time and pressed her until she admitted it. She firmly refused to let me tell you. The money wasn't much, and besides, she's always been stubborn about saving face—she probably felt quite embarrassed. After all, it was she who insisted on hiring Liu Yaqin's mother and then insisted that you give Liu Yaqin a job."
Gao Xiang also felt helpless about his mother and sighed: "Fortunately, it was resolved quickly this time. It would be troublesome if Xiao Fei found out."
"I consulted the company lawyer. He said Liu Yaqin's attempt this time constitutes attempted extortion with a large amount of money, and there's evidence. Combined with the previous blackmail incident, it's unlikely she'll get a suspended sentence, though she probably won't be imprisoned for life as your mother hopes. You need to think about what to do in the future. Xiao Fei's background isn't an absolute secret. As he grows older, even if Liu Yaqin doesn't come to blackmail, he might eventually encounter someone who knows the truth and speaks carelessly."
"I've considered this issue, which is why I've long planned to send him abroad for studies."
"This is one of the reasons I initially disagreed with you recognizing Xiao Fei as your son. It's not difficult to fabricate a complete background for a child, but maintaining the integrity of his world isn't easy."
Gao Xiang admitted his father had a point: "Yes, Mom made up so many stories out of thin air that it's hard to backtrack now. Thinking about this does give me a headache.""She has always lived in her own world, only seeking her own pleasure, never considering the consequences. I used to worry she would spoil Xiao Fei just like she spoiled Ziyu. Sigh, thankfully Xiao Fei isn’t like his father."
Gao Xiang said seriously, "Dad, I am Xiao Fei’s father."
Gao Ming smiled bitterly, "Alright, I’m a father too, of course I know you’ve long regarded him as your own son."
Gao Xiang poured wine for his father, noticing the additional white hairs at his temples. He realized that despite Gao Ming’s healthy and disciplined lifestyle and good physical condition, he had aged noticeably over the past few years. Tentatively, he asked, "Dad, I see Mom’s attitude has softened quite a bit. You’re both getting older, and it’s rare to have such an opportunity…"
Gao Ming raised his hand to stop him, "Don’t bring this up. Being trapped in this marriage is the price I pay for my career and status. Let it be. After all these years of turmoil, I just want some peace and quiet."
"Do you mean you never had any feelings for Mom at all?"
"Feelings? I can’t say there were none at the beginning. But," Gao Ming paused thoughtfully, then shook his head, "No kind of feeling can withstand being worn down."
Gao Xiang was stunned, staring at his father.
"What’s wrong?"
"This is the second time I’ve heard that phrase today. Zuo Si’an said the same thing this afternoon, and she mentioned she heard it from someone. What a strange coincidence."
Gao Ming picked up his glass, drained it in one go, and asked Gao Xiang to refill it with red wine. Then he said slowly, "I said that to her too. I didn’t expect her to remember."
Gao Xiang was shocked, "She hasn’t been back in nearly 13 years. When did you see her?" Gao Ming replied calmly, "In 2001, at the end of August, before you went to the U.S., you wanted to discuss work handover with me. I said I had to go on a business trip for a few days and we’d talk when I got back, remember? Actually, I went to New York first and met with Zuo Si’an."
Gao Xiang looked at his father in disbelief, "So it was you who convinced her to break up with me, transfer schools, and leave New York?"
"Yes."
"I wouldn’t be surprised if Grandfather did something like that, but you… I always thought you at least understood me."
"I understood you completely, but I believed that being together was not a good choice for either of you."
Gao Xiang was astounded. Memories surged up, vividly clear. The knuckles of his hand gripping the wine glass went numb from the force.
Gao Ming reached over and took the glass from him, "I knew telling you would make you angry, maybe even hate me. But even if you hadn’t mentioned that phrase, I was planning to tell you about this."
"Why?"
"After all these years, I’m not as certain of my judgment as I was back then."
"If you doubted my choices, you could have talked to me directly. I thought we had good communication between father and son. Why did you go straight to Xiao An?"
"Your grandfather tried everything—using family ties to hold you back, tempting you with the challenges of going public—and still couldn’t persuade you. I didn’t think I could change your decision through conversation and make you choose what was best."
Gao Xiang let out a cold laugh, "In your eyes, is weighing pros and cons and accepting the most advantageous conditions the only good choice?"Gao Ming wasn't angry, merely sighing with resignation. "So it's finally my turn to be questioned about this. Of course, being with your mother was the result of weighing my options. Everything comes with a price. Many people would willingly pay a higher price than I did to attain what I have today, so I truly have no grounds for complaint."
"Your life is your own to decide, but you intervened and altered my life, concealing it from me all these years—you've been even more excessive than Mother."
"The emotional lives of Chinese people have always been a tangled mess of mutual interference and meddling. If your mother and I weren't your parents, you certainly wouldn't consider our marriage a good choice or see much value in its existence. Yet you, too, intervened and changed my life, objectively helping your mother prolong our marriage."
Gao Xiang was momentarily speechless. His aging parents remained trapped in such a marriage, and as their only son, he acknowledged his own share of responsibility. At some point, he had stopped wanting to involve himself in their relationship, content as long as they maintained a superficial peace. Wasn't that, in itself, a form of neglect and indifference?
Gao Ming sighed again. "I'm sorry, Gao Xiang, I'm talking nonsense. In the end, I loved fame and fortune, couldn't bear to let go of all I'd gained, and that determined my life. I can't blame you. I've reached an age where regret is meaningless, so I certainly won't bring up divorcing your mother again. If she wants to keep tormenting me, so be it. Thinking about it, she's quite pitiable too—born into a wealthy family, with every condition to live a carefree, privileged life, yet because of her stubbornness, she's spent all these years fixated on me."
Gao Xiang poured himself half a glass of red wine and drank it slowly, hoping to calm his turbulent emotions.
"As for you blaming me, I have no defense. Back then, I believed separating you two was the right thing for both of you. But after all these years, I'm not so certain anymore. You're not like me—not only do you not play the game of fame and fortune, you've outright abandoned ambition altogether. Ultimately, you can't let go of the person you love. I still believe feelings can't withstand erosion, but the process of erosion is too painful, too prolonged, requiring too many sacrifices. You're still young. I don't want you to end up with the same regrets I have when you're old."
Gao Ming's tone was desolate. After a moment of silence, Gao Xiang pressed on, "So what exactly did you say to Zuo Si'an back then?"
"I didn't say much, only told her what she and you would have to face if you insisted on being together."
"That alone could make her give up? I don't believe it."
"Her mother must have warned her before, and she must have considered it repeatedly. The key was that I explained in detail what you had given up for her and what you would still face, successfully igniting her determination to make a sacrifice for you."
Gao Xiang was momentarily unable to speak.
"She was only nineteen then, wasn't she? She looked so innocent. Taking advantage of a child like that—it didn't sit well with me either. She truly loved you. Only when you truly love someone are you willing to make sacrifices and bear the cost alone. I'll always remember the look in her eyes when she made up her mind."
Gao Xiang couldn't imagine what expression Zuo Si'an had worn at that moment.But he clearly remembered how resolute this girl could be once she made up her mind.
Whether it was saying goodbye to him in the torrential rain of Liu Wan, or breaking with him in Manhattan after surviving the disaster, she never wavered.
Chapter 18: 2001, Han River, Portland, New York
1:
After Gao Xiang returned from New York with his mother and son, Chen Li Guo immediately had a long talk with him. Instead of directly mentioning his study abroad plans, he first expressed deep concerns about the company's current situation.
"Your father's acquisition strategy has become increasingly aggressive, causing considerable controversy within the company. Combined with his strong push for increased advertising spending, our cash flow is under significant pressure. Most senior executives are taking a wait-and-see approach with considerable skepticism. He also hired a returnee from a multinational company who previously worked in fast-moving consumer goods at a high salary to take your position. While competent, this person isn't familiar with the baijiu industry, and the sales policies they've implemented have sparked major disputes among our distributors."
Although Gao Xiang had been abroad for six months, he had remained closely informed about the company's developments and was aware of the issues his grandfather mentioned. "I'll have a proper talk with Dad, urging him to improve communication with both management and distributors. As for the acquisitions, given the current overall economic environment appears to be shifting toward adjustment, it's indeed not the time for overly rapid expansion."
"I'm getting old and can't keep up with many matters anymore. Eventually, I'll have to step back completely. But your parents have been at odds for over two years now without any signs of reconciliation. I truly don't know what will happen in the future."
"I'll find another opportunity to talk to Mom. After all this time, it's mostly pride keeping her going—she can't possibly still hate Dad as intensely as she did at the beginning."
"So you see, both the family and the company need you. I only have one daughter, Zi Hui, and only one grandson—you. Only by eventually handing the company over to you can I rest assured."
Gao Xiang couldn't help but smile wryly. "Grandpa, as I already mentioned on the phone, I've decided to study abroad."
"It's good for young people to seek self-improvement. I would support you if you weren't going to study in the United States."
"Grandpa, just say it directly—you don't want me to be with Zuo Si'an."
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