Chapter 204 - 202: A Night Talk Between Mother and Son

Chapter 204: Chapter 202: A Night Talk Between Mother and Son

In the private room, the group ate and chatted happily.

From their conversation, Li Weiya learned how they were all connected. Lin Yanwan and Shen Ying were deskmates, and all four of them had been brought together with Jiang Xia as the common link.

She held her glass, taking a small sip of orange juice, and watched with a smile as Jiang Xia spoke with confidence. He was dashing and spirited, filled with the unique vigor and vitality of youth, as he enthusiastically painted a picture of the company’s future for everyone. And in the eyes of the others, she could see boundless hope.

Li Weiya was long past the age of such heady passion, but working with them made her feel incredibly young, as if she had returned to her own past.

"Yanwan, you’re all leaving tomorrow. I’ll be the only one left here."

Shen Ying suddenly grew sentimental. In the effort to get *Cat and Mouse* successfully released, they had gone from classmates to colleagues. It had only been a few months, but their friendship had become incredibly deep.

The three of them had it good. Even though they were leaving their hometown to study far away in the Imperial Capital, at least they would be together and could look out for each other. She was the only one left. Despite studying in a city so close to home, it made her feel like a child left behind.

’It’s such a sad thought.’

"Shen Ying, just think of this as a long-term business trip. Even if you’re far from the main office, you can still complete your tasks perfectly," Jiang Xia said with a smile.

"Mhm! I can do it!"

Shen Ying nodded emphatically. She secretly resolved that she had to work even harder, especially under these circumstances.

"After we get to the Imperial Capital, we’ll have to trouble Aunt Li with getting the second season aired on the major TV networks." Jiang Xia turned to Shen Ying as he spoke. "When the time comes, Shen Ying, you’ll coordinate with Aunt Li to get the job done."

"I’ll definitely complete the mission!" Shen Ying agreed. For her, participating in contract negotiations was also an excellent learning opportunity.

Li Weiya nodded with a smile.

"Yanwan, Boss, Wang Ming, let me know when you’re leaving. I’ll come see you off," Shen Ying said suddenly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at them.

Jiang Xia was speechless for a moment, then chuckled. The three of them were heading to the Imperial Capital, which meant they’d have to take a car to the city for an early morning flight. Besides, they didn’t even live together. How was she supposed to see them all off?

"Forget it, it’s too much trouble. Tonight’s dinner is both a celebration and a farewell party. We can skip the whole poetic, teary-eyed goodbye."

He raised his glass. "Parting is just for the sake of a better reunion next time."

"Yingying, we’ll be waiting for you in the Imperial Capital," Lin Yanwan said with a smile, also raising her glass.

Wang Ming fiddled with his fingers. Given his relationship with Shen Ying, he felt he should say something, but with his mom right there, he was suddenly at a loss for words.

All eyes were on Wang Ming. After agonizing over it for a long moment, he finally squeezed out two words: "Keep going."

Hearing this, Jiang Xia couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

"Thanks," Shen Ying said softly.

Li Weiya raised her glass with a smile. "Then I wish you all success in your studies and your careers."

"Cheers!"

◇

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Li Weiya offered to drive a few of them home, but they all declined.

After leaving the hotel, the group went their separate ways.

Shen Ying looked up at the night sky, feeling emotional. After this farewell, the next time they would all meet would probably be during the New Year.

’Shen Ying, oh, Shen Ying, you absolutely cannot hold everyone back!’

"You can do it!"

The spirited girl clenched her fists tightly.

On the drive home, Li Weiya turned to look at her son. "Tomorrow, you’re going to the Imperial Capital with Ah Xia and the others?"

"Mhm." Wang Ming nodded, his gaze fixed on the view outside the window. "He’ll call me when it’s time to go."

"Do you want your mom to see you off?" she asked with a bright smile.

Wang Ming shook his head. "No need. I’m not a kid anymore. Besides, there will definitely be upperclassmen at the university to welcome the new students. They’ll know what to do and where to go better than you do. Mom, don’t worry about it."

Seeing how sensible her son was, Li Weiya felt very gratified.

He had matured a lot over the summer vacation. Compared to his peers, he had lofty goals and ambitions, and his eyes were filled with determination for the future.

"When you’re out on your own, if you’re ever unsure about something, you should discuss it with Ah Xia, understand? He’s a good judge of people and situations. Listening to him won’t be a mistake."

"Yeah, I know."

"With your mom not around, you have to remember to take good care of yourself. If you want to buy something, just buy it. Don’t be reluctant to spend money. That’s what money is for."

"Mom, I can earn enough to support myself now. You don’t have to worry about my living expenses or tuition."

As he spoke, Wang Ming slowly opened the envelope. Looking at the thick stack of hundred-yuan bills, he started to show off. "Mom, look! So much money!"

He counted them. There were eighty bills in total—eight thousand yuan. To earn so much in just two months... he was probably doing better than many adults.

Li Weiya was taken aback for a moment, a sudden feeling washing over her: ’My son has finally grown up.’

"You’re almost earning as much as your mom," she said with a laugh.

"So, Mom, you can rest assured! Your son—me—I’m pretty amazing right now!" Wang Ming pointed a thumb at his chest, his tone quite proud.

"You really are amazing."

The mother and son chatted as the car slowly drove toward home. Li Weiya suddenly said, "Ah Ming, Ah Xia wants me to go to the Imperial Capital to help him."

Before her son could reply, she continued on her own, "You heard it today. The company is going to move to the Imperial Capital in the future. That means they’ll need to find a location, hire people... You all have classes during the day, so he definitely won’t have that much time for management. But for the company to run properly, he needs someone to help him manage it."

Wang Ming fell silent. He understood the logic. Jiang Xia could have hired someone else for this, but he had specifically chosen his mother.

"Mom, your son is grown up now. You don’t have to watch over me every second like you did when I was little. So, if there’s something you want to do, just go do it. You don’t have to worry about my feelings. Even if you wanted to start dating again right now, I’d support you. I mean it," Wang Ming said earnestly.

For so many years, his mom had focused all her energy on him, giving up her own dreams and relationships. No matter how busy or tired she was, she would always come home on time to cook for him. It would be a lie to say he didn’t feel a little guilty about it.

Li Weiya paused, then chuckled and playfully scolded, "I’m too old to be thinking about dating."

"Mom, you don’t look old at all. You look like you’re in your twenties."

"So, you’re not against me going to the Imperial Capital?" Li Weiya asked.

After a slight hesitation, Wang Ming nodded. "Yu Du has developed well over the years, but compared to international metropolises like the Imperial Capital and Shanghai, it’s still a world away. I hope you’ll go out and see more of the world, Mom. When you get tired someday, you can always come back home to retire."

He smiled and continued, "I just think Qitian Animation Company is something really special. It’s only in the startup phase now, but in the future, I want people all over the world to see our animation."

Looking at the light in her son’s eyes, Li Weiya felt as if she were seeing a younger version of herself.