Seeing her son not engaging in conversation, Xiao Minglan stroked the cat and said, "Your sister’s children are almost 20 years old, and you’re still single. Men at your age indeed are not old, but as a mother, I ultimately hope that you will settle down and establish a career sooner rather than later."
At this point, she looked at Song Baiyan’s tall figure and sighed, "I am already in my sixties. If you get married now, I could still help you take care of your children for a few years. That Zhang Heng, who came out of the military with you, I ran into his aunt at the mall last time. She said he already had his third child, and the first one is already in the third grade of elementary school."
Song Baiyan continued unbuttoning his shirt without comment.
Xiao Minglan had no choice but to step back, "Indeed, a man should prioritize his career. I can totally understand that you don’t want to get married in recent years, and it’s actually fine not to marry. You could first start dating someone you like."
"Do you know what people are saying about you outside? You’re always with Ji Ming, and as a man, how could he possibly take good care of you?
With your busy work, and having suffered so many injuries in the early years, not having someone close by, I can’t sleep peacefully every night, lying in bed."
"What kind of unpleasant rumors have you heard this time?" Song Baiyan asked.
"..." Xiao Minglan choked up, the rumors made her angry but she didn’t want to tell her son, "It’s nothing, once you get married and have children, those rumors will collapse of their own accord."
Xiao Minglan did not want to miss this rare opportunity to talk heart-to-heart with her son, "Your sister said that you met Miss Bao at the Fu Family recently and didn’t take a liking to her. Actually, I also don’t wish for you to marry into the Bao Family, after all, they are merchants. If you were to progress further in your career in the future, such marital relations might hold you back."
With that, she returned her gaze to Song Baiyan and negotiated, "I think the daughter of the Hu Family is quite good. She studies vocal music; she is a lady from a scholarly family with good deportment and high quality. She is 27 years old this year and has very delicate and clean facial features. What do you think?"
"Have you met her in person?"
"...No, but I’ve seen her picture."
Seeing Song Baiyan smile, Xiao Minglan knew he was not interested, so she suggested someone else, "What about Xu Wei, the second daughter of Staff Officer Xu Jianguo?"
"You have met Xu Wei; she just returned from studying abroad last month, and I heard she’s still single."
Xiao Minglan had thoroughly inquired about any suitable unmarried girls from different families.
Hearing his mother saying this, the image of Tang Li’s bright little face flashed through Song Baiyan’s mind, as well as her petite figure standing in front of him with hands clasped behind her back and lips pursed. He stopped rolling up his shirt sleeves and, rarely, responded to Xiao Minglan, "I have an idea about this matter; you don’t need to worry too much."
Hearing this, Xiao Minglan looked at her son skeptically, "Have you found someone already?"
Song Baiyan did not confirm or deny.
"Since you have it under control, then I won’t bother you anymore."
After saying that, Xiao Minglan left with the cat.
After the bedroom door closed, Song Baiyan looked towards the cellphone on the bed. The dark screen mirrored his current mood—quiet and somewhat out of his own control. Picking up a pack of cigarettes, he walked to the window. He did not hurry to take a shower; instead, he lit a cigarette amidst a myriad of thoughts.
After sending the "apology" message, Tang Li did not receive any further reply from Song Baiyan.
Although in those matters, women suffer more losses than men, being forced by a ’tyrant’ does not sit well with anyone, man or woman.
Thinking about it carefully, Song Baiyan’s lack of response was actually the most normal reaction.