Tang Fei was startled and blurted out, "That’s not possible, right? How does your mom know about our relationship?"
"My mom also watches the news. The old lady is retired, and she spends her time browsing videos and reading the news... Our scandal even made the trending searches, have you forgotten?" Sheng Xinhuai said with an air of it being a matter of course.
"But... didn’t you explain at all?"
"How should I explain?" Sheng Xinhuai retorted, "Say that we’re not a couple? Say that I’m just someone else’s stand-in?"
"So, tell me, are you going or not?" Sheng Xinhuai pressed on.
After a moment of contemplation, Tang Fei replied, "If this is indeed Auntie’s wish, I should go back with you... To decline an elder’s invitation would be a breach of etiquette."
"Then it’s settled," Sheng Xinhuai said briskly. "I’ll come over later to pick you up."
"No need to pick us up," Tang Fei said. "Just send me the address, and we can get there ourselves. With all the automated cars and taxis around, why trouble yourself with picking us up?"
"That works," Sheng Xinhuai nodded in agreement. "Having been in New Star for so long, you should be accustomed to the lifestyle here by now."
"I’m planning to go for a driver’s license soon, and maybe even get a flying car license... in case Second Prince gives me a Flying Car, then I’ll have a car to drive," Tang Fei said with a chuckle.
Sheng Xinhuai squinted at Tang Fei, "Oh? Tian Yi hasn’t given you the car yet?"
When Tang Fei and Little Fatty first arrived in New Star, Tian Yi said he wanted to thank Tang Fei for saving Phoenix by giving him a Flying Car.
Sheng Xinhuai, who was also a witness that day, didn’t expect the promise to remain unfulfilled until now.
"Yeah," Tang Fei nodded. "That’s why you women have to choose your partners wisely. Don’t be fooled by those petty, promise-breaking men... such men are usually unreliable."
"They deceive men, let alone women?"
Tang Fei knew Tian Yi was fond of Xin Huai and had been pursuing her. He couldn’t help but sprinkle a little salt in the wound in her presence.
With a flirtatious look, Xin Huai retorted, "I’m your girlfriend, how could I possibly look for other men? What kind of person do you think I am?"
Indeed, Mr. Sheng proved to be the more cunning, securing victory in this verbal sparring match.
"Alright, it’s decided. I’ll head back to prepare and wait for our distinguished guest."
Having said that, he threw on his black coat and headed outside.
After Xin Huai left, Little Fatty asked, "Bro, are we really going to Mr. Sheng’s for dinner tonight?"
"Mr. Sheng agreed to form this scandal with me to help you and your Sister Phoenix. If we don’t go, it would embarrass her in front of her parents..." Tang Fei responded. "Although we’re not exactly saints, we can’t harm those willing to help us."
"Bro, I’m a good person," Little Fatty stated earnestly. "Mr. Sheng is too."
"Bro is, too," Little Fatty added. "You haven’t done anything bad. It’s just because you’re too smart that people think you’re not a good person."
"Okay, enough with the flattery," said Tang Fei, waving it off. "It’s our first time going to Mr. Sheng’s house; should we bring some gifts? I forgot to ask Mr. Sheng what his parents like."
"Bro, that’s easy." Little Fatty said. "You just search it up online. Just type ’what gifts to bring when meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time’..."
Watching Little Fatty’s know-it-all expression, Tang Fei asked, "Have you searched this online? Why are you looking this up?"
"I stumbled upon it accidentally. With the New Year approaching, lots of people search for it online... it’s even trending," Little Fatty explained.
"Fine, I’ll look it up too," said Tang Fei.
"Bro, if you go to Mr. Sheng’s house, does that mean things are settled? What about Sister Phoenix?" Little Fatty asked.
Before Tang Fei could respond, his phone started ringing, showing an incoming call from Phoenix.
Tang Fei and Little Fatty exchanged looks. Speaking of Phoenix, and here she appears?
Did Little Princess bug them? Why did she call so promptly to demand an explanation?
Tang Fei answered the video call to see Phoenix dressed in a palace outfit, complete with formal headdress, apparently attending some grand function.
"Getting ready to dine at Mr. Sheng’s?" Phoenix asked with a cheery tone, her first sentence sending a shiver down Tang Fei’s spine.
"Yeah, I’ve just received Mr. Sheng’s invitation..." Tang Fei replied with a smile. "I was about to call and let you know, but you beat me to it... What? Jealous?"
"Hmph, I bet someone never intended to let me know."
"How could that be? Why would I hide such a thing?" Tang Fei turned the camera towards Little Fatty and said, "Little Fatty, were we about to call your Sister Phoenix?"
"Yes," Little Fatty nodded. "My bro was just dialing the number."
Tang Fei looked at Little Fatty with a touch of irritation; the kid always went overboard with everything...
"Really? So why has my phone not been ringing while I’ve been waiting?"
"We’re on the same wavelength. Just as I was about to call you, your call came through," Tang Fei explained.