Shi Yang held a wet wipe and carefully cleaned each of Zhao Meimei’s fingers, then brought it to his nose to smell it. A faint fragrance lingered at his fingertips, and only then did he withdraw his hand, scolding Zhao Meimei: "Did you remember what I just said?"
Zhao Meimei obediently nodded: "Yes, I remembered."
Only then did Shi Yang start the car. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel-fire.ɴet
Zhao Meimei was afraid to bring up Zhang Zhao again, worried that Shi Yang would get angry, so she consciously changed the topic: "Brother, did you order the cake?"
Shi Yang gestured for her to look at the back seat.
Zhao Meimei glanced at the cake box and saw it was from the brand she likes, she was delighted: "Is that the fruit cake I love?"
Shi Yang smiled affectionately: "Yes, it’s the one you said was delicious last time. I had it made into a big cake."
Zhao Meimei giggled and reached out to touch Shi Yang’s face, playfully pinching his chin, praising him: "Nicely done!"
With his pretty eyes slightly lifted, Shi Yang asked: "Just a verbal reward?"
Zhao Meimei’s heart was tickled by his words, she leaned over without hesitation, hugged Shi Yang’s neck, and planted a kiss on his face.
Shi Yang was elated by the kiss, his lips slightly curved: "That’s more like it."
As Shi Yang’s car pulled into the parking lot entrance, he saw Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue already waiting there.
Upon getting in the car, Liu Xiue saw the cake and realized today was her birthday celebration. She was touched and happy: "Really, Yangyang, it’s always you who remembers, you organize my birthday every year."
Shi Yang smiled sweetly to flatter his future mother-in-law: "Isn’t this what I’m supposed to do?"
Liu Xiue turned around to glare at Zhao Dazhuang: "You’ve never remembered my birthday."
Zhao Dazhuang hurriedly apologized: "I’ve just been too busy."
Liu Xiue summed it up: "Our Yangyang truly cares for me, always thinking of me."
Zhao Meimei was all smiles hearing her mom praise Shi Yang, she asked her mom: "Isn’t my brother great?"
Liu Xiue nodded: "He’s great."
Zhao Meimei was outgoing and openly sided with Shi Yang, playfully saying: "Mom, I’ll find a husband like my brother in the future, wouldn’t that be good?"
Liu Xiue casually agreed: "Of course, Yangyang is excellent and considerate, he’ll certainly know how to cherish his wife."
Zhao Meimei pushed further: "My brother is so great, why let others have him? How about in the future I marry my brother!"
Shi Yang silently turned his face away, as Zhao Meimei enthusiastically tried to sell herself to her mom, feeling a bit awkward in front of his future in-laws, the situation felt uneasy!
Yet, he didn’t want to stop her either, wanting to hear what his future in-laws really thought, to test the waters, estimating in advance what challenges he might face in marrying her, and which direction to strive towards.
With this thought, even when negotiating interests over drinks with old foxes like Director Qian and Li Shuren, Shi Yang was suddenly nervous. The calmness and ease he usually displayed was gone. He focused straight ahead, tightly pursing his lips, feeling expectant yet embarrassed, and within half a minute, his palms gripping the wheel began to sweat.
Liu Xiue casually remarked: "You’re still so young, by the time you’re old enough to marry, your Brother Yangyang’s kids will already be running around. Moreover, given your lack of practical skills and knowledge, marrying into any family would just be trouble for them. You should spare Brother Yangyang! Brother Yangyang should find someone gentle, beautiful, and understanding!"
Zhao Meimei immediately became anxious: "How am I not gentle or beautiful? And I’m not understanding! Mom, am I even your biological daughter?"
Through it all, Shi Yang didn’t say a word. He remained silent, tightly pursing his lips, secretly watching Zhao Meimei’s parents in the rearview mirror. With his years of experience reading people, he knew that casual remarks often reveal true feelings, and he was suddenly filled with mixed emotions.
Liu Xiue didn’t respond to Zhao Meimei’s playful bantering, treating it as a joke, and no one took it seriously.
Zhao Meimei never expected to run into an unyielding obstacle with her mom. She had grown up, no longer naive, and knew how to read people, but she didn’t expect her mom to view the age difference between her and Shi Yang as an issue, completely disregarding its feasibility.
Zhao Meimei was a bit disappointed. She had never considered the few years difference to be a problem. Her mom’s words hit her like a cold shower, making her feel deeply uncomfortable, dampening her spirits.
At dinner, Shi Yang booked a private room at a restaurant they’ve visited before. The chef here had a particular skill, crafting dishes with exceptional taste. They kept thinking about coming back for a meal.
Shi Yang’s parents gifted Liu Xiue a branded handbag, the latest seasonal style. It was clear that Shi Yang’s mother had chosen it carefully; it matched well with Liu Xiue’s usual outfits.
Liu Xiue smiled broadly, chatting with Shi Yang’s mom.
The conversation transitioned to Zhao Meimei’s studies. Shi Yang’s mom showed concern, asking Zhao Meimei: "Meimei, you’re about to start senior year soon. Have you decided which university to apply to?"
Zhao Meimei focused on picking up food, not very enthusiastic, and replied in a low voice: "Probably a university in the provincial city, it’s close to home."
Shi Yang’s mom chuckled, treating Zhao Meimei like family during the chat: "You’re just like your brother. Back then, he insisted on applying to the provincial city. I always said, he should apply to a university further away, to broaden his horizons."
Zhao Meimei looked down, murmuring softly: "Broadening horizons isn’t all that, I don’t plan to go far."
Both Liu Xiue and Zhao Dazhuang were taken aback, they hadn’t considered the college application issue yet, feeling it was still some time away. But now, the question made them realize it might be more urgent than expected.
Upon hearing that Zhao Meimei wanted to apply to the provincial city, Zhao Dazhuang became worried and said: "You only get this one chance to attend university, aim for somewhere further. Weren’t you saying you wanted to apply to Beijing University and Tsinghua earlier?"
Zhao Meimei lightly retorted: "Did I say that? Clearly, it’s what you think is best. With my grades, dreaming of Beijing University or Tsinghua, I’m only ranked tenth in the city. Who knows how I’ll do a year from now?"
With concern, Liu Xiue asked: "You still have a year to work hard, we’re only just starting, and you’re already giving up?"
Zhao Meimei immediately furrowed her brow, lowered her head without speaking, feeling somewhat resentful that her mom didn’t understand her feelings. Yet she couldn’t voice these thoughts now, sinking into self-doubt, avoiding further communication.
The elders’ attention was entirely focused on Zhao Meimei.