But how would Rong’s mother view Lin Xinlan if she said she was going out with Qiao Yiyang?
Lin Xinlan pursed her lips, deliberating on how to respond to her without causing any displeasure.
As she was still thinking, Qiao Yiyang began to speak with a light smile, "Madam Rong, even before the unfortunate events involving Rong Shaoze, Xinlan had already decided to be with me. After all the turmoil in the Rong family, our relationship had to be put on hold. Now that matters at the Rong family have been resolved, I believe I have the right to ask my girlfriend out, don’t I?"
Rong’s mother opened her eyes wide in surprise, her first glance sharply directed at Lin Xinlan.
In her eyes, there was astonishment, disbelief, and questioning.
Lin Xinlan felt uneasy looking directly into her eyes, her gaze flickered, and she could only nod in agreement with Qiao Yiyang’s words, "Madam, what he said is true... I have always wanted to leave Rong Shaoze..."
Rong’s mother’s face darkened, and her expression became distant and cold.
She stood up and said coldly, "I can’t control what you young people do, you make your own decisions."
Having said that, she went upstairs, clearly not wanting to say another word to them.
Lin Xinlan lowered her gaze, waiting for her to leave before approaching Qiao Yiyang and asking faintly, "Is there something you need to see me for?"
The man stood up, took her hand, and said with a gentle smile, "Let’s go, we’ll have dinner first and then watch a movie."
Couples often go on movie dates.
Qiao Yiyang wanted to get closer to her gradually, to relax her and then have her accept him naturally. Winning her heart was more realistic than forcibly taking possession of her person.
Only when her heart leaned towards him could he have her for the long term.
Lin Xinlan nodded, offering no resistance.
As early as when she agreed to marry him in a month, she had compromised and forced herself to accept the relationship between them.
He had promised not to let Rong Mingyan harm Xiaocong, and she would also keep her word. Whatever she could do, she would do.
Qiao Yiyang took her out for a meal and then bought two movie tickets. They sat in a dark corner of the cinema, just like the other viewers, quietly watching the movie.
Lin Xinlan was earnestly watching; her attention could only be fixed on the screen.
The movie was a romance, somewhat romantic and artistic—exactly Lin Xinlan’s taste.
Qiao Yiyang was a master at understanding people and knew how to touch Lin Xinlan’s heart.
His displayed tenderness, empathy, and consideration indeed matched her idea of a perfect man.
If he had treated her this way before, she might have fallen for him.
But now, no matter what he did, she would not fall for him.
Her heart had already been forcefully filled by someone else, and there was no room left.
Unless that person withdrew voluntarily and made space, no one else could fit in her heart.
She was actually a very traditional and conservative woman, who would stick to one person for a lifetime. Even if that person were no longer in this world, she wouldn’t forget him as time passed.
If she were to truly marry Qiao Yiyang, she could only be respectful to him. It was unlikely they would ever love each other deeply.
Lost in thought, Lin Xinlan was oblivious to the uneasy atmosphere in the cinema.
It was only when she felt the heat source beside her drawing closer that she suddenly snapped back to reality.
Immediately, her eyes were filled with the passionate scene of the movie’s lead couple.
Her face flushed red, and she hurriedly turned her head away in embarrassment, only to come face to face with Qiao Yiyang’s face, which was very close.