Xu Minghe also came to his senses and immediately greeted them with a smile: "Hello, uncles and aunts, my name is Xu Minghe, and I am Yan Hong's friend."

Just then, Grandma Hu inside the house heard the commotion, squinted, and smiled, "What brings you all here today?"

"I came to see you and Dad, brought you some fruit, and picked up Yanhong on the way home." Xu's mother helped Grandma Hu inside, and when she turned around and saw the two of them still standing there dumbfounded, she couldn't help but call out, "Aren't you going to come in and stand there attracting mosquitoes?"

Xu Yanhong glanced at Xu Minghe, indicating that he should go back to his room first.

Xu Minghe shook his head and followed him in.

Grandma Hu looked at the two who followed her in and said with a smile, "Minghe Yanhong, sit down, why are you standing!"

The two glanced at Xu's mother and father again, then sat down silently.

"Mom, you knew Yanhong was dating a long time ago, but you didn't tell me. You even helped her keep it a secret from us. You are such a good mother to me."

Mrs. Xu looked at Grandma Hu reproachfully. If she hadn't noticed that Yan Hong had been going out a lot lately and sometimes laughing to herself, she didn't know how long she would have been kept in the dark.

"You didn't ask either. I think the two young people are quite nice," Grandma Hu grinned. She liked Minghe, and Yanhong liked him too. Isn't that great?

Mr. Xu observed Xu Minghe silently, then suddenly asked, "Your name is Xu Minghe, right? What do you do for a living? How many people are in your family?"

"Dad, why are you asking these questions?" Xu Minghe was interrupted by Xu Yanhong before he could answer.

Xu Minghe smiled at Xu Yanhong and reassured her, "It's alright, Uncle just wants to know about my situation." Then he looked at Xu's father and mother and said with a serious expression, "Uncle and Aunt, I am currently working with my third brother in the Yongqing Market doing wholesale men's pants. My parents are still alive, and I have six siblings. I am the fourth oldest in my family."

Mr. Xu didn't have a bad expression on his face; he just smiled and said, "Running your own business is great, business is pretty good, isn't it?"

"It's alright, it's the off-season now, so it's a bit quieter," Xu Minghe said modestly.

"Then you're not a local, are you?" Mrs. Xu asked.

"No, it's in a village down below," Xu Minghe told the truth.

Mr. Xu glanced at his wife and continued, "You just said you and Yan Hong are friends?"

Xu Minghe replied somewhat embarrassedly, "No, just now I... well, Yan Hong and I are actually dating. Uncle and Aunt, I'm dating Yan Hong with marriage in mind. Don't worry, I will definitely treat her well."

"Hmph, what's the use of saying all that now? At least our Yanhong has a proper job, while you're just all talk..."

"Mom, why are you saying that? Minghe isn't that kind of person. Besides, I'm just a primary school teacher. Aren't you ashamed of yourself for constantly bringing this up?"

Seeing her mother's rudeness towards Xu Minghe, Xu Yanhong was also angry. Did only the partners they found be good? But what good was it if she didn't like him?

"I'm ashamed? Xu Yanhong, who am I doing this for? You'll suffer if you stay with him. You'll have no money, no house, and you won't even be able to get your child registered. Where will your child go to school?"

Xu's mother also lost her temper, stood up abruptly, and launched into a tirade against her daughter.

"Qianqian, you only care about money, but I just want him as a person, is that not okay?"

"Then you'll just have to wait and suffer."

"I'd like to,"

Seeing that the mother and daughter were arguing louder and louder, Grandma Hu couldn't help but scold them, "What are you arguing about? If you want to argue, go home and argue."

Xu Minghe quickly comforted Xu Yanhong, whispering, "Yanhong, how could you argue with your aunt? She's only doing this for your own good, look..."

“Even a stranger knows I’m doing this for your own good, how can you be so ungrateful?” Mrs. Xu couldn’t help but retort again.

"Whose side are you on? Why are you taking her side even though my mom said that?" Xu Yanhong looked at Xu Minghe with dissatisfaction.

"No, no, Yan Hong, listen to me. Auntie is really doing this for your own good. She wants you to have an easier life in the future."

Mrs. Xu looked at Xu Minghe thoughtfully. Could this kid be planning to use a retreat as a tactic to advance?

After calming Xu Yanhong down, Xu Minghe turned to Xu's parents and said with a smile:

"Uncle and Aunt, I know what you're worried about. I really want to marry Yanhong, and I'm very sincere about it."

Regarding the employment issue you mentioned, although I'm self-employed, my current income is quite good. Also, I'm planning to buy a house in Tianshui City; I've been looking recently, and if it's suitable, I'll put both my and Yanhong's names on the deed.

As soon as he uttered those last words, everyone in the room looked at him in surprise. Even Xu Yanhong, who had been standing silently to the side, couldn't help but widen his eyes, thinking to himself that this kid was really willing to spend money.

Mrs. Xu was the first to come to her senses and tentatively asked, "You're not planning to take out a loan to buy this house, are you?"

She knew that some self-employed individuals could get loans to buy houses, as long as they had collateral.

If that's the case, adding Yan Hong's name wouldn't make any difference; the couple would still have to pay it off together in the end anyway. It's just a nice way of putting it.

Xu Minghe shook his head and answered firmly, "It's the full amount. I'll pay it all at once. My younger brother has already bought it. I asked him to keep an eye out for it for me. I'm thinking of buying it near him, not far from the 13th Primary School, so it will be convenient for Yan Hong to go to work."

Xu's mother didn't ask in detail where the house was located. She just thought that it would be nice to have her own house, at least she wouldn't have to rent anymore. With that in mind, she gradually started to like Xu Minghe more. At least for now, he seemed sincere.

Xu Yanhong tugged at Xu Minghe's hand, lowered her head and whispered, "Minghe, you've gone too far with your boasting. How are you going to cover it up later?"

Xu Minghe chuckled and whispered back, "I'm not bragging, I really will buy it. If you don't believe me, let's go see it together on Saturday."

Seeing the two whispering to each other again, Mrs. Xu couldn't help but cough twice. "Just like you said, we also want Yan Hong to have an easier life in the future. If we really add Yan Hong's name to the house, then our family will provide the appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines."

"Mom, it's too early to say." Xu Yanhong looked at Xu Minghe somewhat embarrassedly, not wanting him to think she was desperate to get married.

"What do you mean 'early'? Don't think I don't know. You two have been dating for almost half a year now. You're not young anymore. If you're both interested, wouldn't it be better to get married sooner?" Xu's mother was unhappy just now, but now she's urging them to get married again.

Xu Minghe replied tactfully, "Auntie, you're absolutely right. That's what I was thinking too. So, when would you be free so I can visit you?"

"We're fine with either of us, as long as you and Yanhong discuss it." Mrs. Xu was very agreeable again, thinking that they would be family from now on, and it was good to be friendly.

"Alright, I'll prepare a gift and visit you in a few days." Xu Minghe said with a serious expression, suppressing his joy. He had to be serious, otherwise he might burst out laughing. If things went according to plan, he might be able to end his single life this year. That's great.