4: Gu Wanzhou's heartbeat was a little fast

Gu Wanzhou subconsciously felt that Li Zhiyan liking her was a mistake; young men should like young women.

For instance, Li Zhiyan should like her daughter, Yu Sisi.

"Of course, I know."

"The term originated from Sigmund Freud, who coined it by borrowing the plot of a mythological story from the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles."

Li Zhiyan found that after his rebirth, his memory had significantly improved.

Perhaps, this was one of the benefits of rebirth.

"This mythological name is 'Oedipus Rex'."

"In the story, Oedipus committed the two great sins of patricide and..."

Li Zhiyan's words made Gu Wanzhou, born in '69, blush slightly.

Domestic culture was very traditional, and as a woman born in '69, Gu Wanzhou's heart was that of a truly traditional woman.

At the same time, a strange glint flashed in her eyes as she looked at Li Zhiyan; although Li Zhiyan was very young, his knowledge seemed incredibly vast, even enabling him to articulate the origin, author, and coiner of the Oedipus complex term.

"Domestic culture is relatively traditional."

"The story of Oedipus is practically taboo; no one dares to speak of it."

"The main reason for this is that men who like older women are discriminated against, and even if someone does like mature women, they hide it deep in their hearts and dare not speak of it."

Li Zhiyan knew that many people liked mature women; otherwise, Japanese films wouldn't have a dedicated genre for it.

"Discrimination?"

Gu Wanzhou looked at Li Zhiyan in front of her, finding this young man increasingly interesting; he was only 18, yet he seemed to understand everything.

"Yes, discrimination. In fact, I believe it's very normal for men to have an Oedipus complex."

"Liking an older woman is nothing to be ashamed of."

"It's just that our domestic culture has always been dominated by a patriarchal society, and it only slowly began to reverse after the reform and opening up."

"And women's admiration for strength, combined with men's competitive nature, drives men to seek greater economic power."

"In terms of partners, the competition is about whose partner is younger and more beautiful."

"A man who finds an older partner will be seen by society and the public as a sign of incapability."

Looking at Gu Wanzhou's pretty face sitting opposite him, Li Zhiyan increasingly felt the charm of a mature woman.

"People always try to cover up their less glorious aspects."

"So Oedipus will become a secret that most people who like mature women will bury for a lifetime, even if they find a girlfriend many years older than themselves."

"They will also interact secretly in private, afraid to be seen in public lest others mock them."

Li Zhiyan's words were well-reasoned and logical, making Gu Wanzhou feel surprised yet also convinced.

However, she seemed to have intended to correct his incorrect thinking.

Now, why did it feel like she was being led on by this child's words?

"So, under the influence of patriarchal thought, this society discriminates against the 'small horse pulling a big cart' behavior."

"I don't think this is wrong."

"Even homosexuality can be respected and accepted, let alone liking mature women, which is a very normal but difficult-to-speak-of matter."

"Aunt Gu, I know you want to say that I have an Oedipus complex, but this complex is not wrong or sinful."

"Perhaps it's because I'm naturally ordinary, from a single-parent family, and lacked affection."

"So there is indeed some of that complex."

Li Zhiyan was very frank; everyone had some of it to varying degrees.

As long as one faced it correctly, there was nothing that couldn't be admitted.

"However, my liking for you has nothing to do with Oedipus."

"I simply like you, and I don't think this is wrong or inappropriate."

Li Zhiyan's eyes burned as he looked at the beautiful mature woman opposite him, still wondering why he hadn't noticed how beautiful and attractive Gu Wanzhou was in his previous life.

Instead, he had focused daily on the materialistic gold-digger Yu Sisi.

But at that time, given his experience, even if he had liked Gu Wanzhou, he probably could only have secretly taken a photo to look at in bed at night.

As for anything else, it was unthinkable.

In this life, he had discovered many advantages of Aunt Gu.

Most young girls were materialistic gold-diggers, selfish, and never considered others' feelings.

Whereas a mature woman like Gu Wanzhou understood how to care for others' feelings.

This could be seen from her not directly rejecting him, but instead driving him to the teahouse.

Moreover, she was intellectual and elegant, possessing many virtues of the previous generation of women.

Wasn't this infinitely better than young girls?

Looking at Li Zhiyan opposite her, Gu Wanzhou, who usually spoke so eloquently as a company owner, was momentarily speechless.

She had originally intended to educate him that his feelings were merely an Oedipus complex.

That it wasn't true affection for her, but just adolescent desire and some fantasies.

However, she hadn't expected him to analyze the matter from so many angles.

He even claimed that his liking for her wasn't due to Oedipus.

This truly made her feel incredible; his words were well-reasoned, clear, and logical.

For an 18-year-old child to achieve this was truly remarkable.

And remembering Li Zhiyan's earlier phrase, "small horse pulling a big cart," Gu Wanzhou felt her face flush slightly.

"So, Aunt Gu, would you consider being my girlfriend?"

"I want to be with you."

Li Zhiyan really wanted to say a name to Yu Sisi.

Tian Wenjing.

General Ma Guocheng, Deputy Commander of Jinling!

After his rebirth, he clearly felt that his hormones had also become much, much more vigorous.

Always ready to go.

The summer sunlight filtered through the leaves outside the window, casting dappled shadows. A gentle breeze rustled the green trees, their leaves making a whispering sound.

Li Zhiyan, with some tree shadows cast upon him by the sunlight, looked somewhat handsome at this moment.

Looking at the young man in front of her, so serious, with burning eyes, Gu Wanzhou inexplicably felt her heart race a little.

However, her rationality was still very clear.

Mature women, more often than not, would use their rich life experience as a reference to consider the problems they encountered.

"Guaiguai, Auntie is already 41 this year, 23 years older than you."

"I could be your mother."

"You should know, this is impossible."

"And society will not accept our relationship either."

Li Zhiyan continued, "Aunt Gu, please don't refuse me, okay? At least give me a chance."

"Although you are 23 years older than me, I think age is not a problem."

"Just like in Forrest Gump, 'Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.'"

"Some things, the outcome might not necessarily be good."

"But if you don't move forward, you can be sure that you will always remain in place."

Gu Wanzhou felt a little dizzy from what Li Zhiyan said; she felt that unless she directly stated that she didn't like Li Zhiyan, she couldn't end this farce, but she couldn't bring herself to say such hurtful words to a boy who could be her son.

But now, it seemed like she was being led on by him.

How could this child be so eloquent?

Somehow, she thought of the phrase "small horse pulling a big cart" again.