After getting styled and changing into new clothes, Chu Zhi looked at herself in the mirror and almost didn't recognize herself.

As Xu Man drove home, she said, "With this outfit, you look more handsome than eight points, I mean out of a hundred."

Chu Zhi also tugged at her clothes: "It's uncomfortable to wear."

He prefers to wear casual clothes.

The two chatted as they walked home.

Xu Man's home is not far from Limin Lane Community, and is also near the financial and business district. Coincidentally, Zhonghai Mingyuan is right next door.

He smiled when he arrived.

After registering, the two entered the community and arrived at the Xu family's door. Upon opening the door, they were greeted by a large, single-level house with a high enough ceiling, making the whole house look spacious and bright.

Chu Zhi also took a quick look around; the place was at least 300 square meters.

This large penthouse is no cheaper than a villa, and may even be more expensive.

"Miss is back." An aunt came to greet her from inside the house.

Xu Man nodded.

"Who are you? Why are you in my house?" Chu Zhiye had just stepped into the house when a voice came from the side.

He was a young man dressed in designer brands, exuding an arrogant and domineering air, with the kind of overbearing demeanor unique to rich kids.

This must be Xu Man's younger brother, Xu Mingcheng, Chu Zhi thought to himself.

“This is my boyfriend,” Xu Man replied.

"Boyfriend? He's so handsome, you didn't find him to be a male model outside, just to appease Lao Xu, did you?" Xu Mingcheng didn't speak, but a middle-aged woman in her forties walked by.

Although she is in her forties, she is well-maintained and her age does not diminish her charm at all; on the contrary, it adds to her mature elegance.

This is Xu Man's stepmother, 'Zhuo Danqin'.

Because Zhuo Danqin broke up Xu Man's family, their relationship has always been bad.

They often engage in open and covert struggles at home.

Now that matters of company power are involved, the conflict between the two is even more out in the open.

This is also why Xu Man prefers to live in the Limin Lane community rather than go home.

Xu Man ignored her stepmother and pulled Chu Zhiye to the center of the living room, saying, "Dad, we're here. These are some small gifts that Zhiye brought for you."

The gift was prepared by Xu Man.

Xu Hui nodded: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Upon their arrival, a family dinner was served.

Five people sat at the dining table, which was laden with delicious food.

Xu Hui seemed to be a quiet person; he just ate his meal without saying a word.

Zhuo Danqin was quite talkative, and asked Chu Zhiye, "Where are you from?"

"From Chengdu." Before Chu Zhi could speak, Xu Man answered for him.

"I'm not asking you, why are you in such a hurry to answer? Since Xiao Chu is your boyfriend and wants to integrate into our family, he should be the one to answer." Zhuo Danqin rolled her eyes at Xu Man.

Then he asked Chu Zhiye, "What does your father do?"

Chu Zhi also answered honestly: "A farmer, I grow vegetables at home."

Chu Fang used to claim he was the owner of a multi-billion dollar investment company, but after Chu Zhi took over the company, his only identity became that of a farmer, spending his days wandering around his vegetable garden.

And for some reason, Chu Fang preferred to be called a farmer rather than a so-called big boss.

"Farmers?!" Xu Mingcheng's eyes widened, then he threw his head back and laughed wildly. "I can't believe farmers still exist these days? How pathetic."

Snap!

A crisp slap echoed in the room.

Xu Hui slowly withdrew his hand and said unhurriedly, "Your grandfather used to be a farmer too."

Xu Mingcheng covered his face, his pupils filled with grievance, his eyes seemingly reddening, and cried out in a pitiful voice, "Mom~~~"

"Alright, alright, it doesn't hurt anymore." Zhuo Danqin comforted her son. "Old Xu, what's wrong with you today? Why did you hit our son so hard? He's your own flesh and blood, your only bloodline."

After Zhuo Danqin comforted him for a while, Xu Mingcheng felt much better.

Zhuo Danqin continued to ask Chu Zhiye, "What does your mother do?"

"Providing design services to others is part of the interior design..."

"A tailor?" Xu Mingcheng interrupted him abruptly. "Your family is really interesting. Your father is a farmer, and your mother is a tailor—purely from the lower class..."

At this point, Xu Mingcheng hurriedly covered his face, afraid of being hit with another blow.

Xu Man retorted, "What's wrong with being a farmer? What's wrong with being a tailor? These are all jobs, is that a problem?"

“Okay, of course it’s okay,” Zhuo Danqin said. “But there’s one thing you can’t deny: there’s a huge gap between Xiao Chu’s family and our family. You can’t refute that. It exists today, and it will exist in the future.”

"This is a serious obstacle to your relationship."

Zhuo Danqin said to Xu Hui, "Old Xu, I'm telling you the truth. You should seriously consider the matter between the two of them."

Xu Man moved her lips, but couldn't speak.

Her stepmother exposed the chasm between herself and Chu Zhiye in just a few words.

Will Xu Hui agree to them being together?

According to Xu Man's understanding of her father.

It's difficult.

Xu Hui put down his chopsticks, took a sip of tea, and said calmly, "Money isn't important; what's important is whether you have the courage to be together."

"ah?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Xu family—Xu Man, Xu Mingcheng, Zhuo Danqin, and even several of the aunts—was surprised.