The waiter brought their coffee to the table. Rex Thompson looked at the cup, lifted it to his nose to inhale the aroma, took a sip, and then asked, "What's the current scale of the funds managed by the company?"
Grace Li answered truthfully, "The company is still in its early stages, and the fund size is in the tens of millions of dollars."
"Where did the capital come from?"
This was supposed to be confidential, but Rex Thompson's tone was insistent. Grace Li thought for a moment, deciding there was no harm in sharing, so she replied, "It's from some old friends of Aiden and me."
"Any good projects right now?"
"We've invested in a smart wheelchair project. We've just finished the pre-investment stage and are now focused on post-investment management. The project has several technological innovations. For example, it uses an advanced intelligent navigation system to help users travel more easily. There's also a breakthrough in material lightweighting, which significantly improves the portability of the wheelchair. It's very competitive in the market."
Rex Thompson pressed, "Why did you choose this project? Tell me more."
Grace Li explained the reasons for choosing the project, its market potential, and the strengths of the team. It sounded almost like they were negotiating a business deal.
Once she finished, Rex Thompson nodded slightly. This woman had strong business analysis skills. If she were working at his company, she'd be a great asset—too bad she was his son's girlfriend.
Rex Thompson glanced at the waiter and said, "That's all for now. You can leave."
Once the waiter left, they were alone in the private room.
Grace Li, having spoken a lot, felt a bit thirsty. She took a sip of her coffee, then picked up the coffee pot and refilled Rex Thompson's cup.
Rex Thompson then asked, "I want to hear your thoughts on you and Aiden."
Grace Li topped off her coffee, put the pot back in its place, and replied, "I'm well aware that there's a big gap between Aiden and me in terms of family background, and I'm five years older than him. I totally understand if you, as his father, have concerns about us being together."
Rex Thompson's opinion of Grace Li grew more favorable. This woman was clear-headed and rational. "Since you understand that, why are you still insisting on being with him?"
Grace Li smiled softly, "You might think it's naive, but even though there's a big gap in our family backgrounds and in age, we align so well in terms of values. Whether it was when we worked together before, or when we co-founded the company, or even in our everyday lives, we get along very well and make each other feel comfortable. This kind of connection is rare, so even though I know the gap exists, I still want to fight for it."
Rex Thompson asked, "What if we never agree? What will you do then?"
Grace Li paused to think before answering, "Mr. Thompson, I can't answer that right away. This isn't something I can decide alone. I need to talk it over with Aiden before making a decision."
Rex Thompson looked at her and then asked, "Do you really feel secure with him? He's only 26, and there must be plenty of girls chasing after him. He's passionate about you now, but how long will this passion last?" His tone softened as he spoke, like a concerned parent. "When I was young, I thought I had found the one and couldn't live without her. But as time passed and I met more people and experienced more, my feelings changed. Men, sometimes, tend to be fickle. Do you think you can always hold his heart?"
Rex Thompson's words hit a nerve with Grace Li. She often wondered if she could truly keep Aiden Thompson's heart in the long term, and this was the root of her doubt about the relationship. She had even thought that, given how uncertain the future was, maybe it wasn't worth fighting for.
But Aiden Thompson had told her that night, with determination, to believe in him and in herself.
She couldn't let her insecurities show in front of Rex Thompson, so she replied, "Mr. Thompson, about this, I choose to believe in Aiden. What I mean by belief is that, even if something disappointing happens in the future, I won't regret being with him."
Rex Thompson sighed deeply. These two were really stubborn. "Well, I don't want to force you to break up anymore. But since you say you believe him, how about we do a test?"
"A test?" Grace Li asked, confused.
"I want you two to separate for three years. If, after three years, you still firmly believe that you're meant to be with each other, I will never object again and will fully support you."
It was clear what Rex Thompson's plan was. He thought that after three years of separation, time would naturally fade their feelings, and they would drift apart.
It reminded Grace Li of when Daniel Chou went abroad. At first, he couldn't wait to share everything with her. But over time, they ran out of things to talk about, and their relationship slowly faded.
Time, it seemed, was the most powerful force. Even the strongest emotions could be eroded by it.
Rex Thompson took another sip of his coffee, then casually said, "I'm doing this to help you really figure out your feelings. You both clearly care about each other deeply, but it's just three years. If you can't handle that, maybe your relationship isn't as strong as you think."
Grace Li opened her mouth to respond, but just then, the door to the private room opened. Aiden Thompson walked in, dressed in a sharp black suit. His face was serious as he looked at his father and said, "Hey, Dad, you could've given me a heads-up before meeting with my girlfriend."
Rex's face hardened. "What, am I not allowed to see her without letting you know first?"
Aiden walked over and sat down beside Grace Li, facing his father. Luckily, his sister had tipped him off in time. He'd been in a meeting, but the moment it ended, he rushed over here, getting the location from Tom.
Aiden Thompson spoke up, "When it comes to talking about our relationship, I think I should be here."
Rex raised an eyebrow. "Well, you're just in time. I was telling Ms. Li that you two should take a break for three years. If, after that time, you still want to be together, I'll back off."
Aiden didn't hesitate. "There's no need for that."
Rex's expression grew colder. "What, are you worried that after three years, you'll change your mind?"
Aiden's voice was firm. "Of course not. Life's too short. Asking me to be apart from the one I love for three years just to prove something—it's not reasonable."
Rex's face darkened further, and Grace Li noticed the tension. She gently tugged on Aiden's suit sleeve under the table, signaling him to stay calm.
Rex said, "This isn't about testing your love; it's about giving you both the time to think and grow. I want you to be sure about your feelings before making any big decisions."
Rex then turned to Grace Li, saying, "Ms. Li, our family is respected here in the U.S., and of course, we care deeply about the future of our children. I'm not trying to interfere with your relationship, but marriage is a big deal. It's not just about love—it affects your future and the family's reputation. My daughter's previous marriage didn't go well, and that impacted us, so I have to be more careful when it comes to Aiden's future. I hope you understand my concerns."
Grace Li nodded. "I understand, Mr. Thompson."
Rex continued, "Aiden is my son, and of course, I want him to be happy, to build a strong family. But as an elder, I want you both to take this relationship seriously, to avoid rushing into something you might regret later."
He sighed. "Three years isn't a long time in the grand scheme of things. You can focus on your personal growth and careers. If, after three years, you're still sure about each other, I'll support your relationship. But I want to make sure you both know exactly what you want."
Aiden stayed quiet for a moment, considering his father's offer. It was a compromise, but three years still seemed too long. He reached over and gently took Grace Li's hand, squeezing it lightly.
Grace Li felt the warmth of Aiden's hand, his reassurance, and knew this wasn't just about her—it was about them together. She looked at him, her eyes filled with love, but also uncertainty.
Finally, Aiden spoke, his voice steady. "Dad, I appreciate you trying to find a solution, but three years is a long time. We've already built something real, and being apart for that long would be tough on both of us. Can we shorten it to, say, a year?"
Rex's face remained serious. "I hear you, but this isn't up for negotiation. Three years is the minimum. It's enough time for you both to grow, to figure out what you want. If you can't handle that, how will you deal with the bigger challenges ahead in marriage?"
Grace Li took a deep breath and spoke up. "Mr. Thompson, I understand your point, and I respect your opinion. But love isn't something that can be measured by time alone. Aiden and I have been through a lot, and our relationship is built on trust and mutual support. I'm willing to think about your proposal, but only if Aiden and I can have time to discuss it together."
Rex nodded. "Fair enough. I'll give you two some space to talk it over. But remember, this is an important decision that will shape your future. Don't rush, but don't take too long either."
With that, Rex stood up, adjusted his suit, and made his way to the door. "I'll be waiting for your answer. Think it through, but don't keep me waiting too long."