Pretending To Be A Boss
Chapter 901 - 59: Discussing the Matter of the Daughter-in-law

The story always has an end, and eternity in the Divine Kingdom still awaits to be endured.

The conversation between Tang Xian and Zhong Yao soon shifted to the days after he left the lower depths and ventured into the mining district to hunt.

Naturally, it inevitably touched upon a particular figure.

When Zhong Yao heard the name Li Xiaoyu, she seemed to recall something.

"Is she the Li family's daughter? The aristocrat of Fortress Thirty-Nine?"

"Sort of. Now she's one of Baichuan City's leaders, mostly handling trivial affairs for me."

"I don't quite remember. When I left you, she should have been very, very young. I heard she was smart, started learning business early?"

"Not bad, not dumb. She does have a bit of talent for business. Just a little." Tang Xian replied.

"You like her."

Zhong Yao didn't phrase it as a question, but rather stated it with a certain conviction.

Because as Tang Xian was speaking about her being "not dumb," he himself hadn't noticed the subtle shift at the corner of his mouth.

He was an actor by nature, but in front of his own mother, all pretense fell away.

Tang Xian pursed his lips. Of course, he inwardly admitted to it, but why did voicing it seem so awkward?

"Isn't that so?"

"Probably... yes. Fine, yes." Tang Xian admitted somewhat reluctantly.

When he faced Li Xiaoyu's father, Li Wanye, he could easily overpower him, but standing before Zhong Yao, he inexplicably felt a bit timid.

"Why do you seem so unsure? If you like her, just admit it. Does she like you? You and I both have the gift of order; if that's the case, you should be able to discern the girl's affinity, shouldn't you?"

"This matter... it's complicated."

"She doesn't think highly of you?"

Zhong Yao thought to herself, that shouldn't be the case. Her son wasn't bad-looking after all. Slightly less handsome than Tang Wen maybe, but still in the realm of attractive—probably a charm rating of sixty or seventy.

Thinking further, Zhong Yao speculated—could it be that Li Xiaoyu was exceedingly beautiful?

This shouldn't have been much of an issue, because as the story unfolded, Zhong Yao would learn more about their relationship.

But there's something instinctive in a mother towards matters like these; who wouldn't wish to hold grandchildren when the time came?

Upon hearing Li Xiaoyu's name, Zhong Yao already sensed her son likely had feelings for her.

"It's not like that... affinity ratings aren't accurate."

"Is that so? Tang Wen and I tested quite a few people; we've yet to find an instance where it wasn't accurate. She's just an ordinary human, theoretically, the algorithm of the order should infer it correctly."

"Her affinity towards me... exceeds the upper limit."

"How conceited and improper."

"It's... true." Tang Xian tried to make himself appear as serious as possible.

Zhong Yao was slightly stunned.

Had her son truly encountered a gem among mortals?

Her expression carried hints of curiosity:

"Back when Tang Wen and I were increasing our talent permissions, we deciphered part of the genetic code of the order. At the time, I wondered whether the affinity algorithm might possess data beyond its limits."

Tang Xian remembered Tang Wen mentioning this too, with Tang Wen sounding skeptical, while Zhong Yao firmly believed it to be true.

Could it be that his mother had encountered someone who felt a passion towards her greater than the limits allowed?

And his father had discovered it but didn't dare to say anything?

Tang Xian suddenly imagined a halo over his father's head. Though this thought only flashed by briefly.

Judging from his mother talking about his father and their experiences, there seemed no possibility of infidelity between them.

Reflecting further, his mother truly was a beauty. Being deeply loved wasn't surprising.

"I've only encountered one instance like this myself."

"You'd want to encounter more?" Zhong Yao asked in surprise.

Tang Xian immediately waved his hands and said:

"I'm just saying she's the only exception."

The affinity rating he observed could only reflect others' feelings towards him, which made Li Xiaoyu's score so rare.

But speaking of Akasi and Tang Suoye, if he could see affinity ratings between others, he might witness plenty.

Human history was not short on touching, profound, self-sacrificing love stories. Tang Xian didn't believe Li Xiaoyu's affinity for him was entirely singular.

Still, it was something he would always remember.

"Tang Wen and I never had such affinity ratings. You're quite fortunate."

"Why? Dad probably loves you deeply."

"We're born with certain emotional deficiencies. To recognize mutual care and to be able to love others is a fortune; not every generation of children of the order shares this. Some suffer profound emotional detachment."

Tang Xian fell silent.

Zhong Yao sighed:

"Tang Wen and I carry each other in our hearts, but only each other. Bigger matters, however, make us both aware of greater missions."

"This very sense of duty forced us to temper our emotions."

Tang Xian could understand this sentiment.

It was like a choice between humanity's future and their loved one's future. If they had to choose, his parents would always prioritize humanity's future.

But what about Li Xiaoyu? For her, this would never even be a question—she'd only ever choose him.

With this thought, Tang Xian couldn't help but miss Li Xiaoyu.

Zhong Yao continued:

"Still, the Li family's daughter must be very shy and reserved, right? Are you two... together?"

"We're together..." Tang Xian felt the momentum of the conversation becoming slightly unsettling.

Zhong Yao felt some relief, but thinking of the challenges ahead, she felt a pang of sadness. She shook her head, trying her best to dispel those worries and anxieties, and said:

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