192: Chapter 192 Meeting the Parents

Today was the agreed-upon day to take Meng Yawen to meet his parents. Early in the morning, Zhao Xiaoshuai picked her up and headed toward his parents' new residence.

Since it was her first time meeting her boyfriend's parents, the young girlfriend seemed a bit nervous, looking quite restless.

"Quick, check if my makeup is too thick. Does this outfit look formal enough? Also, did all the things I bought for Mom and Dad get loaded into the car? And, and..."

Today, Meng Yawen had only applied 'nude' makeup and had discarded the high-end luxury streetwear she had recently grown accustomed to, trying her best to dress in a simple and dignified manner.

Starting a few days ago, she had asked in detail about the preferences of Zhao Xiaoshuai's parents and then bought a mountain of things—food, daily necessities, clothes—so much that a single car couldn't hold it all.

After all, Zhao Xiaoshuai's car was a maybach, not a Wuling Hongguang...

"Don't worry, my parents are very ordinary, kind people. You don't need to be this nervous."

"Easy for you to say!"

Zhao Xiaoshuai smiled, inexplicably remembering when he first went to see Father Chu. He was probably about the same age then, and back then, he hadn't been much better than Meng Yawen.

They finally arrived at the place, and the little girlfriend plucked up her courage to get out of the car.

Zhao Xiaoshuai, acting as a human luggage rack, had both arms draped with gifts, to the point where he could only walk sideways in the hallway.

Fortunately, his current physique was exceptionally strong; otherwise, with this kind of spread, he would have had to make three or four trips back and forth.

Before coming, Meng Yawen thought she might be going to some mountain villa or private estate to meet her boyfriend's parents, which had put a lot of pressure on her.

But seeing this perfectly ordinary residential building, she truly breathed a sigh of relief, losing that oppressive feeling of class inequality.

"What are you dazing for? Go knock on the door."

"Huh? I'm the one knocking?"

"Of course you're knocking. I don't have a single hand free."

"Then... then I'll help you carry the things and you knock. I don't dare to."

The little girlfriend was being shy and hesitant at the door for a long time. Because the two elders had been waiting at home since early morning, they heard the faint sounds outside and immediately opened the door.

Meng Yawen, who was still haggling with her boyfriend, froze instantly.

"He-hello, Uncle and Auntie."

"Oh, what a lovely girl. Come in and have a seat."

Mother Zhao enthusiastically pulled the 'future daughter-in-law's' hand to sit in the living room. Regardless of anything else, this first impression was very good.

Not only was her appearance no worse than that previous ungrateful wolf, but she was also younger and looked well-behaved. And of course, there was that large bottom—one look and you could tell she'd be fertile. She basically met all the criteria for a good daughter-in-law.

Meng Yawen submissively followed Mother Zhao into the house. Mother Zhao's enthusiasm also allowed the heart she had been holding in her throat to settle significantly.

The first impression of the interior was that of a very ordinary, warm, and common household.

However, she could now recognize most of the appliances and facilities; every single one was a top-of-the-line device currently on the market. Combined, they might not be cheaper than the house itself.

The furniture was all made of Red Sandalwood or Huanghuali wood; the overall atmosphere was one of low-key luxury.

Father Zhao looked her over with a smile and was also very satisfied. He turned and went to the kitchen to cut some fruit.

In the large Zhao household, not a single person paid attention to Zhao Xiaoshuai, who was standing at the door covered in bags and parcels.

'Hey, I'm the one who's your biological son!'

He could only silently kick off his shoes and neatly arrange the items to the side.

They chatted for a long while. With the two elders asking and her answering, Meng Yawen was like a child being questioned by a teacher.

Having gained a sufficient understanding of the girl's situation, both of Zhao Xiaoshuai's parents were extremely satisfied with this beautiful and well-behaved girl.

Young, beautiful, a local, normal family background, gentle personality, and emotionally stable—they couldn't find a single flaw.

Mother Zhao happily patted her prospective daughter-in-law's hand. "If this brat ever bullies you in the future, just tell us. We'll back you up."

"He won't. Xiao Shuai treats me very well. I'm very happy every day now."

"Good, that's very good. Dear, when are you two getting married?"

After this question, the entire atmosphere turned strange. Seeing Meng Yawen fall silent, Mother Zhao thought she was still dissatisfied with her son in some way.

"Dear, my son is a bit older than you, but he's definitely a good boy. If there's anything else you're unhappy with..."

Seeing his little girlfriend's slightly aggrieved and at-a-loss expression, Zhao Xiaoshuai quickly took over the conversation.

Back when he met his girlfriend's parents, she had sided with him and proactively taken on the burden of explaining things.

Now that they were with his own parents, he couldn't let her carry it again. This was something he should take responsibility for.

"Dad, Mom, we don't plan on getting married for the time being."

With a loud 'thud,' it turned out to be Father Zhao, who had been listening silently without interrupting, slamming his hand on the table.

"I thought the girl's expression didn't look right. It turns out you're the one causing trouble!"

"Girl, tell me honestly, do you like my boy?"

"Uncle, I love Xiao Shuai very much."

Meng Yawen's current favorability had already reached 499 (Adoration); it was indeed a very genuine love.

Moreover, this was her first time meeting Zhao Xiaoshuai's parents. Seeing their attitude, she couldn't help but harbor a sliver of fantasy that Zhao Xiaoshuai might finally marry her due to the pressure from his parents.

Even if he still had messy involvements with other women later, as long as she held this most special position, everything would be different.

"Brat, do you like this girl or not?"

"I brought her home, so of course I like her."

"Good, then stop dilly-dallying. Get married quickly. We're setting a date today!"

Facing Mother Zhao's calm composure, Father Zhao's aggressiveness, and his little girlfriend's expectant silence, Zhao Xiaoshuai also felt it was very tricky for a moment.

Fortunately, he had already prepared a plan for this moment.

"Dad, Mom, times are different now."

"Don't give me that. What's different? Marriage and children are major life events. What's different about that?"

"It really is different. Haven't you heard that the state has issued policies where children born out of wedlock enjoy the same rights as those born within it? So, other than being useful for dividing property, getting married is basically optional."

To prove the truth of his words, he thoughtfully opened the webpage he had prepared long ago for his parents to see.

"Marriage is nothing more than a mutual commitment to form a family and accept the obligations of caring for each other, the children, and the elders of both sides."

"If these obligations can be fulfilled, then whether one is married or not isn't actually important."

"And if a person doesn't want to fulfill these obligations themselves, then a marriage certificate isn't a cure-all either."

Looking at the clear black-and-white words on the government website, Father Zhao lost some of his momentum, but he still continued to attack his son from the perspective of the prospective daughter-in-law:

"You're educated, I can't out-argue you. But marriage has legal force. How can you expect a young girl to feel secure with just empty words!"

Seeing that his parents were indeed being led by his rhetoric and falling into his trap, Zhao Xiaoshuai smiled slightly, thinking to himself that this was working.