Chapter 185 Sincerity for Sincerity

Mei Ling cried out in fright and threw herself into the second brother's arms, and the second brother's reverie vanished without a trace.

He pulled Mei Ling behind him and took a few deep breaths.

The knocking on the door intensified, and he opened it as if facing certain death.

Mei Ling's parents rushed in, forcefully shoved the second child aside, and dragged Mei Ling over to check her from head to toe.

Apart from her slightly swollen lips, she was dressed neatly and had no hickeys on her body.

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Mei Ling was completely baffled by her parents' behavior. Seeing them examining her like a criminal, she couldn't help but complain.

"Mom and Dad, what are you doing? I was just talking to Yi-ge in my room for a few minutes, why did you barge in like you were on fire?"

The couple were too embarrassed to say anything for fear that Mei Ling would suffer, so they vented their anger on Shen Zhuoyi.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you locking the door in broad daylight? Can't you talk in the living room?"

"That's right, you two aren't even married yet. If you dare to force yourself on my daughter, I'll beat you to death."

Mei's father only had this one daughter, whom he cherished like the apple of his eye. He would never allow anyone to bully her.

Even the fiancé of the person who saved your life is not an option.

Everything has to wait until after the wedding.

Mei's mother shared the same thought; she could tell what was wrong with Mei Ling's lips and felt a pang of heartache.

"Even if you two are dating, can't you be a little more careful with your clumsy hands? Look at the mess you've made, your lips are all swollen, how are you going to go out in public now?"

"My daughter has delicate skin. Do you think you're the one with thick skin who can be abused without any problems?"

Mr. Mei couldn't help but yell again.

As soon as he finished speaking, both Shen Zhuoyi and Mei Ling's faces turned bright red.

Doing such intimate things is a private matter between lovers. Now that they've been caught red-handed by their parents and criticized in front of them, no one can stand it.

"Mom and Dad, what are you doing? When you were dating, didn't you hold hands or secretly kiss?"

Why is it different for me? You two weren't even married yet... um..."

Before she could finish speaking, her mother covered her mouth tightly, saying, "Little darling, why do you blurt everything out? Shut up!"

Mei's father also looked a little uneasy. His eyes darted around, and he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Shen Zhuoyi was upright and did not show any mocking expression, which made him feel a little more comfortable.

"Alright, close the door first. What's so great about this? How many more people do you want to know?"

Mei's father and mother closed the door and sat in chairs, staring at their daughter and Shen Zhuoyi.

There are some things I want to tell you, but when we're face to face, I really don't know how to start.

After a long while, the room was completely silent.

Unable to bear the tense and awkward atmosphere, Mei's mother forcefully poked Mei's father in the lower back.

Mr. Mei coughed a few times and said shamelessly.

"You young people need to have some restraint when you're fooling around. You need to have a bottom line. You absolutely cannot cross this line before marriage, understand?"

Mei Ling pouted indignantly, "Why is it that only officials are allowed to set fires, but we ordinary people aren't allowed to light lamps?"

"You brat, who are we all doing this for?" Mr. Mei said with a pained expression.

"Who is it for? You know best in your hearts. Isn't it because you look down on my brother Yi? Isn't it because he didn't agree to marry into your family?"

Is it really necessary for you all to travel all the way to the capital to humiliate him? Let me tell you, Brother Yi is a gentleman; he has never done anything excessive to me.

At most, they just held hands and kissed; he never even touched my body. Your distrust of him, and your special trip to warn him, is a huge insult to my sworn brother and shows a lack of trust in your daughter.

You must apologize to my brother today, or don't blame me for doing something you'll regret.

Mei Ling looked furious, her eyes filled with tears as she condemned her parents' behavior.

Mei's parents were getting anxious. "What's wrong with you, girl? Can't you tell what's good for you? We're doing this for your own good, don't you know that?"

"My daughter's grown up; it's true what they say, keeping her around only breeds resentment. Lingling, you've broken my heart..."

The more Mei's mother thought about it, the sadder she became, and she covered her face and cried. Mei Ling was also in tears, and she moved her body slightly, but in the end she still chose to stand firmly by Shen Zhuoyi's side.

Looking at Mei Ling's stubborn defense of him, Shen Zhuoyi felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his entire body felt extremely comfortable.

He mustered his courage and, in front of Mei's parents, reached out and hugged the little one to comfort him.

He kept wiping away her tears, saying, "Lingling, don't cry. With you loving me so much, I don't feel wronged at all."

Mei Ling could no longer bear the torment in her heart and threw herself into Shen Zhuoyi's arms, bursting into tears.

On one side are her beloved parents who dote on her like a treasure, and on the other side is the lover she deeply admires. She is truly caught in the middle and has a difficult choice.

How could she not know the obsession in her parents' hearts? But she could not give up her lifelong happiness because of her obsession.

She had spent over a year with Shen Zhuoyi and knew him very well. He was a true man, someone she could rely on for the future.

She was right to pursue her own happiness. As for her parents, she could only hope that they would see his good qualities in the future and gradually let go of their obsessions and resentments.

"You...you dare to do this..."

"Shen Zhuoyi, we two old folks are still here. What are you doing? Let go of my daughter."

Mr. and Mrs. Mei stood up abruptly, trying to separate the two.

Shen Zhuoyi tightened his grip, holding Mei Ling, who was crying uncontrollably, even more tightly.

He looked at Mr. and Mrs. Mei with a resolute gaze, "Uncle and Aunt, please rest assured. I, Shen Zhuoyi, hereby swear to my deceased father that I will never cross the line with Lingling before our marriage."

Even after we get married, I will entrust all my assets to Lingling for safekeeping. If I ever hurt or disappoint her in any way, she can take all our assets and abandon me.

Go pursue your own happiness, and if you break this vow, may I die a horrible death and be condemned to hell...

"Shut up, don't say it!" Mei Ling panicked and quickly raised her hand to cover Shen Zhuoyi's mouth. Then she turned to look at her parents.

"Are you satisfied now? Our deceased uncle is a pain that will never go away in Yi-ge's heart. He has already sworn a solemn oath, and you still won't let him go?"

Mei's parents were stunned; they hadn't expected Shen Zhuoyi to make such a solemn oath in front of them.

Every word was sincere and heartfelt, all for the benefit of their daughter.

Although talking about money might seem a bit vulgar, if he can provide his daughter with the greatest material security, then he is a truly upright man.

They couldn't find a single flaw in Shen Zhuoyi; their only regret was...

"And... regarding the issue of marrying into the family, my mother came up with a solution like this." Shen Zhuoyi pulled down Mei Ling's small hand and patted her back to indicate that she was alright.

Upon hearing Shen Zhuoyi's words, the three members of the Mei family looked up at him simultaneously, their eyes filled with anticipation.