Chapter 211: Planning Date Night
Li Chen arose the next morning with newfound resolve. He had made up his mind to follow the God of War’s bold advice and pursue Zhang Mei’s hand directly rather than endless courtship rituals.
Still a bit nervous, Li Chen went straight to his mother’s room and knocked.
"Come in," Sun Lixia called.
Li Chen entered to find her still in bed. "Mom, did I wake you?"
"Well I’m awake now," Sun Lixia replied good-naturedly. "What’s on your mind?"
Li Chen cleared his throat. No sense beating around the bush. "I need your advice about something..."
Sun Lixia immediately assumed the worst and panicked, "Did something happen? Are you alright?"
Li Chen raised his hands to reassure her. "No no, everything’s fine. Just relax." He smiled wryly. "I was hoping for some guidance on...wooing someone special."
Comprehension dawned on Sun Lixia’s face and she chuckled. "Ah, so my son’s finally pursuing romantic interest? Please, go on then!"
Li Chen held up a hand. "First, I need your word this conversation stays strictly between us."
Sun Lixia scoffed lightly. "Please, I am your mother! Your secrets are safe with me."
Li Chen nodded. "Frankly I’d ask Li Xinjie, except I doubt someone of his...inclinations understands these matters."
His mother laughed aloud at that. "Too true! Actually, your father took a long time working up the nerve when we were young." Her eyes turned nostalgic. "But finally he planned a romantic night out to confess his true feelings for me."
Li Chen leaned forward eagerly. "A romantic night out? I confess I’ve never attempted to plan something like that. I could really use some guidance...I don’t even know where to start in terms of what appeals to women."
Sun Lixia gave her son an appraising look. "Well, you should understand we all appreciate different gestures. Share a bit about this mystery woman with me, and perhaps I can advise what she may like best."
Li Chen rubbed his neck. "Therein lies the trouble...I don’t even know whether she prefers indoor or outdoor activities most yet. I really am clueless, mother."
Sun Lixia smiled indulgently at her son. "Well, courting requires getting to know a woman’s unique tastes. But there are some universal basics I can share."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "For starters, make sure the location suits her personality. An outgoing adventuresome type would likely appreciate something active outdoors more than a quiet intimate dinner. Though most women enjoy being pampered with flowers, sweets, their favorite music playing softly...the little details matter."
Pausing, she met Li Chen’s attentive gaze. "The key is showing you listen and pay attention, that you wish to make her happy in ways unique to her spirit. Thus why learning her likes and dislikes is so crucial first."
Sun Lixia smiled gently. "The finest courtship happens not just one night, but daily in small gestures tailored just for her. Bring her favorite tea when she’s tired; have a new book she mentioned waiting on her desk; compliment a dress that makes her eyes shine. In doing so, you say ’I hear you, I understand your heart.’"
Squeezing her son’s hand, she continued, "When the time for a special evening comes, the location matters little if the care to know her shines through. No woman can resist a man who sees and cherishes details no one else takes time to notice. Keep that close to heart, and you cannot fail."
Li Chen listened intently, absorbing his mother’s wisdom like a man dying of thirst. Her words painted the beginnings of a map in his mind - if he paid close enough attention, the way ahead would reveal itself.
"Learning her unique pleasures is the key," he murmured. "Rather than some grand outward display, you’re saying small daily acts of caring mean more."
Sun Lixia patted his hand proudly. "Exactly. Make her favorite cuisine when she’s had a taxing day. Slip an amusing cartoon into her briefcase to make her smile. My point is showing you wish to understand and connect with her inner spirit."
She leaned back against the headboard musing. "Your father often left little poetry scrolls for me to discover, or single flowers he knew symbolized our love. It became a game over years of courtship - what will I find today to remind me he was thinking of my heart always?"
Chuckling at the memory, Sun Lixia met her son’s eyes. "Any woman cherishes that level of effort and attention, my son. Yours will feel truly seen and special without you needing a lavish production."
Li Chen’s expression softened with new insight. "I think I understand better now. Small gestures emerging from a place of genuine care. That is where to begin." He smiled at his mother with gratitude. "You’ve given me an excellent roadmap into the heart of my beloved. I cannot thank you enough."
Sun Lixia returned his smile brightly. "Go then, and make use of an old woman’s experience! And do not keep me waiting too long for news of proposal and grandchildren!"
Li Chen rose with fresh conviction after his mother’s guidance. "Thank you for the invaluable advice. I think I know how to properly court my beloved now."
As he turned to leave, Sun Lixia added meaningfully, "Oh, and I don’t believe you’ll need to try too hard, son. It’s clear she is already quite fond of you." She capped her statement with a wink.
Li Chen felt his cheeks grow warm even as his heart swelled with hope. Dipping his head gratefully, he exited his mother’s room and hurried to his own quarters.
Settling at his desk, Li Chen powered up his laptop, new ideas already percolating. Yes, his mother was right. Paying attention to Zhang Mei’s unique passions would help Li Chen choreograph an unforgettable evening. He may have started this journey feeling lost, but now he set to work planning a night for just the two of them with confident optimism.
After browsing online and getting more ideas, Li Chen finally settled on a plan he felt would be perfect for a special night with Zhang Mei. He got dressed and headed downstairs, finding his family already gathered in the living room awaiting breakfast.
"Good morning, Li Chen," Zhang Mei greeted him warmly.
"Morning," he returned with a smile, his excitement building.
"I wanted you to know the game testing is fully complete now," Zhang Mei informed him. "We’re ready for the official launch anytime."
Li Chen nodded. "Excellent news. Perhaps we can discuss details when I return later?" He was eager to set his romantic plan in motion.
Not waiting for Zhang Mei’s response, Li Chen waved a quick goodbye to his surprised family and hurried straight for the front door. This next step required his solo focus if he was going to properly romance Zhang Mei.
In minutes, Li Chen slid behind the wheel, forgoing his chauffeur. As he maneuvered his car out the gates, his chest swelled with optimistic purpose. Today marked the start of truly winning over Zhang Mei’s heart.
Li Chen spent the entire morning and afternoon tirelessly scouting locations, searching for the perfect romantic spot to treat Zhang Mei. Finally, as the sun began its descent, he happened upon a secluded lakeside garden that took his breath away. Gleaming strings of lanterns awaited lighting, cherry trees dotted the landscape, and a small open-air pavilion sat nestled discretely alongside the tranquil water. It was ideal.
Whipping out his phone, Li Chen immediately dialed his cousin Zhu Fengrui for assistance. "Cousin, I need your help with something special I’m planning," he began cryptically.
After explaining the details of his elaborate date idea and desired venue, Li Chen awaited Zhu Fengrui’s reaction with bated breath.
To his relief, Zhu Fengrui instantly agreed. "Consider it handled, dear cousin! I’ll make some calls and take full care of the arrangements."
Li Chen grinned as he ended the call, extremely satisfied. Being born into his prestigious lineage certainly had its perks, he mused. The resources now at his disposal would help construct a night for Zhang Mei that she’d never forget.
With the perfect location scouted and his cousin happily handling the logistical arrangements, Li Chen felt fully confident in his blossoming courtship plans. He pointed his sleek sports car back towards home, adrenaline and optimism pumping through his veins.
The hardest part was over - the venue would provide a breathtakingly romantic backdrop for Li Chen to finally confess the depth of his feelings to Zhang Mei tomorrow evening. Zhu Fengrui could be trusted to ensure every last detail was seen to for the magical date.
Li Chen’s smile didn’t leave his face the whole drive home as he imagined how Zhang Mei’s eyes would sparkle in the lantern light, cherry blossom petals swirling gently around them. After months of hidden longing, he would lay his heart at her feet at last. By this time tomorrow, they would no longer be partners; rather, they would become soulmates. Of that, Li Chen harbored not one shred of doubt.
