However, no matter how fast she moved, Mu Huihe and Tang's father had already seen what the two were doing. They were struck dumb, pointing at them and speechless.

"Qingheng, what are you doing..." Mu Huihe's face was ugly, and the words "cheating" circled in her throat several times, but she just couldn't say them.

Tang's father stared coldly at Song Hengjue from the side, as if he were looking at some scumbag. His serious and scrutinizing expression made Song Hengjue feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Yang Qingheng knew that Tang Bainian hadn't told his parents about their divorce yet. She hesitated for a second, then sighed, "Mom and Dad, things are too complicated to explain in a short time. Let's sit down and talk."

She was relieved that the elderly couple were well-mannered; if it had been someone less emotionally stable, they probably would have already started cursing or even physically assaulting her in the restaurant.

Mu Huihe was so shocked by this scene that she was speechless. In a daze, she followed Yang Qingheng to sit down at the empty table in the corner.

"Actually, Bai Nian and I had a marriage of convenience. I haven't been able to explain it to you all these years. I'm sorry," Yang Qingheng bowed solemnly. Tang's parents had treated her well over the years, and even though they hadn't done anything wrong, she felt a little guilty for no reason.

Mu Huihe was only in a daze for a few minutes before finally regaining her composure. To Yang Qingheng's surprise, the old lady showed no surprise at this explanation, only sighing, "Actually, we noticed it from the beginning. Later, seeing that you two seemed to have a good relationship, we thought you had really developed feelings for each other, but we didn't expect..."

"You know?" Yang Qingheng was shocked.

She thought she was putting on a good act with Tang Bainian, but she didn't expect that she had already been exposed, and she looked a little embarrassed.

Even though Mu Huihe knew it was all reasonable—her son had promised the girl, and it was only right for the girl to fulfill the contract and divorce—she still felt inexplicably wronged for her son, and her expression turned rather unpleasant.

Five years have passed, and she really doesn't know whether Yang Qingheng is too cold-hearted or her son isn't trying hard enough, because this marriage ended so easily.

Grabbing Yang Qingheng's hand, he said earnestly, "Qingheng, after all these years, you two have..."

As soon as she opened her mouth, Yang Qingheng knew that the old lady wanted to persuade her to think about it again. Noticing that Song Hengjue's hand under the table suddenly tightened and impatiently squeezed her knuckles, she quickly interrupted the old lady: "Oh dear, why are you saying this? I genuinely consider Bainian a friend, so of course we have a good relationship. I haven't introduced him to you yet. Song Hengjue is my current boyfriend, and you know him too."

Upon hearing the word "boyfriend," Song Hengjue's fingers trembled, her eyes seemed to suddenly light up, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.

Unfortunately, people's joys and sorrows are not shared. Mu Huihe and Tang's father exchanged a glance, and Mu Huihe felt so embarrassed that she wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear, thinking that she had introduced her daughter to Song Hengjue before.

The way he looked at Song Hengjue changed.

If she remembered correctly, Song Hengjue had even attended their family's banquet back then. For so long, he had kept it from them and hadn't explained anything to them even once.

Before Mu Huihe could blame him, Song Hengjue quickly stood up and bowed: "Aunt Mu, I didn't know at first that Tang Bainian was your son. Later, I wanted to explain, but I couldn't find a good opportunity. I'm sorry."

In the past, Mu Huihe would have been forgiving and said that it was good that he knew he was wrong and could correct his mistakes. But now that she knew that this shameless man had stolen Yang Qingheng away in front of her, she just wanted to slap Song Hengjue across the face.

The usually composed old lady pointed at his nose, nearly bursting with anger: "Opportunity? We've met three or four times, and you haven't found a single opportunity to explain yourself to us?"

She could tell he was shameless, deliberately getting close to her to use her as a way to get closer to Yang Qingheng.

She's so foolish! How could she not have realized it back then!

Mu Huihe almost cried because she thought she might have played a part in her son's divorce. She was so stupid to think that she was so old and yet she was completely fooled by a young man.

Song Hengjue awkwardly touched his nose, his face flushed, and dared not utter a sound.

He really did deliberately not tell her back then. Firstly, he had no official status at the time, so it was difficult to explain. Secondly, Mu Huihe was right; he really did deliberately get close to her to try and get on Yang Qingheng's good side.

At this moment, Song Hengjue felt that he was utterly despicable and couldn't help but despise himself in his heart.

But if he had to do it all over again, he would probably still do the same thing.

Yang Qingheng watched as the old lady turned all her anger on Song Hengjue, keeping her eyes down and not daring to speak, for fear that the old lady's gun would be pointed at her again.

"Alright, let's not meddle in the young people's affairs." Although Tang's father was unhappy, he knew that even if he cursed Song Hengjue, that vixen, to death, it wouldn't do any good, and Yang Qingheng would not become their daughter-in-law again.

Ultimately, this was all an agreement between Tang Bainian and Yang Qingheng. They hadn't done anything wrong; the only mistake they made was that Song Hengjue had kept his identity a secret from them. He had already apologized, so continuing to criticize them would only make the old couple seem unreasonable.

After all, Song Hengjue is Yang Qingheng's boyfriend, and if he scolds her too much, Yang Qingheng will have her own opinions.

The elderly couple couldn't finish their meal and immediately decided to leave.

Watching the old couple leave in anger, Yang Qingheng silently lit a candle for Tang Bainian, hoping he wouldn't be beaten to death by them when he got back.

He took out his phone and called Tang Bainian.

"Yang Qingheng?" The phone was answered after only one ring, and the person on the other end seemed incredulous.

Yang Qingheng paused for a second, then agreed and said briefly, "I ran into your parents at the restaurant just now. They already know about you and me. You... explain to them properly. Mom... Auntie hasn't been feeling well lately, so please be gentle and don't upset her." She thought for a moment and added at the end.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!