Chapter 242 Don't Bark (Part Two)

Meng Chao's father, Meng Huaiyuan, was sitting on the living room sofa reading a newspaper. When he saw them, he put down the newspaper, and a somewhat gentle smile appeared on his stern face.

"They're here."

"Hello, Uncle Meng." Ji Wanqing quickly greeted him politely and presented her gift.

Meng Huaiyuan took the tea leaves and nodded.

"Thank you for your kindness." He lingered on Ji Wanqing for a moment, then looked at his son, his tone calm but weighty, "Treat her well."

Those four simple words finally put Ji Wanqing's mind at ease.

She knew that this was the greatest recognition and blessing that this stern elder could offer.

The atmosphere at dinner was much more relaxed than I had imagined.

Meng's mother kept putting food on Ji Wanqing's plate, chattering on about the interesting things that had happened between her and her mother recently.

Although Meng Huaiyuan didn't talk much, he would occasionally ask Ji Wanqing about the current state of the live streaming industry. He listened attentively and didn't show any contempt.

Meng Chao stood to the side, occasionally adding a few words or giving her a reassuring look. Under the table, his hand remained tightly held hers.

At this moment, Ji Wanqing truly felt the warmth of home.

This is not just about her and Meng Chao's personal love, but about the reconnection and integration of two families, filled with the preciousness and fulfillment of something lost and regained.

After dinner, Meng's mother took Ji Wanqing to the garden to see the flowers she had planted, leaving only Meng Chao and Meng Huaiyuan in the living room.

Meng Huaiyuan took a sip of tea and looked at his son, "Are you sure?"

Meng Chao did not hesitate at all, his gaze calm.

"Dad, it's been a long time since I've been so certain about something or someone."

Meng Huaiyuan remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

“We haven’t really taken care of you much since you were little. You’ve been living abroad on your own. It was my decision. Since you’ve made up your mind, then make the most of it. Wanqing is a good kid. She’s sincere and not impetuous.”

His father didn't say much, but Meng Chao understood that this was already extremely high praise and complete support.

In the garden, Meng's mother was patting Ji Wanqing's hand, her eyes slightly red.

"Wanqing, seeing you and Xiaochao together makes me so happy... I can't even describe it. Thank you for not blaming me for my rudeness when we first met. Back then, your mother and I... sigh, thankfully, thankfully you young people have come together again. It's as if God has rekindled our broken bond, and rekindled it so well."

Ji Wanqing was also moved and grasped Su Qing's hand in return.

"Auntie, I also feel very lucky."

After the party ended, Meng Chao drove Ji Wanqing home.

This time, the atmosphere in the car was warmer and more harmonious. Ji Wanqing's previous tension vanished, replaced by a sense of acceptance, peace, and happiness.

"See? I told you not to be nervous." Meng Chao said with a hint of smugness.

"Yes!" Ji Wanqing nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. "Your parents are so kind."

“Now they’re your parents too,” Meng Chao corrected her, his tone perfectly natural.

Ji Wanqing blushed, but her heart felt like a sweet cotton candy had exploded inside.

The car stopped downstairs at her house again.

This time, Meng Chao didn't just sit in the car and watch her leave.

He got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, opened the car door for her, and then took her hand and escorted her all the way to the entrance of the building.

“Let’s go up.” He looked down at her, the streetlight casting dappled light into his eyes.

"Okay, drive carefully." Ji Wanqing said with some reluctance.

Just as she turned to leave, Meng Chao gently grabbed her wrist.

“Wanqing.” His voice was deep and clear in the quiet night. “I’m so happy to see you getting along so well with my family.”

He paused, as if making a decision, and then took a small velvet box out of his pocket.

Ji Wanqing's heart suddenly raced, and her eyes involuntarily widened.

Meng Chao slowly opened the box in front of her. Inside was not the ring she had expected, but an exquisitely designed necklace.

The pendant is a perfectly cut diamond, but it has been designed into a small moon shape, surrounded by tiny sapphires, resembling a starry sky.

“This isn’t a proposal,” Meng Chao chuckled as he looked at her surprised expression and explained, “A proposal wouldn’t be this hasty. This is a gift.”

He picked up the necklace, his fingertips holding the star and moon pendant. "You are like this moon, gentle and bright, making me want to keep you hidden in the place closest to my heart."

He went around behind her and carefully put the necklace on her slender neck.

The cool diamonds pressed against the skin between her collarbones, yet seemed to carry a scorching heat.

Ji Wanqing lowered her head and gently touched the star and moon pendant with her fingers, overwhelmed with emotion.

He didn't flaunt the gift with an expensive price tag, but rather with such meticulous care, infusing it with his emotions and her qualities.

She turned around, threw herself into his arms, and hugged his waist tightly.

"Thank you, Meng Chao... I like it very much, I like it very, very much." Her voice was muffled in his arms, choked with sobs, but mostly filled with happiness.

Meng Chao hugged her back, his chin gently resting on the top of her head.

The night breeze was gentle, the embrace warm, and the necklace against my skin felt like a silent promise.

After that, the Star and Moon Necklace became Ji Wanqing's daily wear. The cool pendant, when pressed against her skin, constantly radiated the warmth given by Meng Chao.

The relationship between the two mothers has become increasingly close, as if they have returned to their teenage years. They are full of enthusiasm when planning things, and their most important event at present is naturally Meng Chao and Ji Wanqing's wedding.

Meng Chao is always decisive and efficient; once he has made up his mind, he will not procrastinate.

It was an ordinary weekend evening, and Meng Chao, unusually, was wearing an apron and preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Ji Wanqing nestled on the sofa in the living room, organizing the latest live stream data on her laptop. The enticing aroma of braised pork ribs filled the air, a peaceful and comforting happiness in an ordinary day.

After dinner, the two sat side by side on the wool carpet in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the city lights glitter like a scattered galaxy.

Meng Chao picked up the fruit plate on the coffee table, used a fruit fork to pick up a piece of her favorite mango, and naturally brought it to her mouth.

Ji Wanqing opened her mouth to take it, and the sweet taste melted on her tongue.

She squinted contentedly and leaned against the shoulder of the person next to her as usual.

Just then, her teeth gently bumped against something hard.

She paused for a moment, then looked at Meng Chao with a puzzled expression.

He simply looked at her tenderly, his eyes filled with endless smiles.

Ji Wanqing seemed to understand something, and she carefully removed the foreign object from her mouth.

It wasn't a mango pit, but a diamond ring that sparkled with dazzling light.

She was completely stunned, holding up the ring that still smelled of mango, looking at Meng Chao in disbelief.

Meng Chao took the ring, carefully wiped it clean, then held her hand, his gaze calm and deep, like the night outside the window.

“I had thought of many complicated plans,” he said, his voice low and gentle, “but I felt that this was the most like us, ordinary, but indispensable.”

He paused, gazed at her face, and smiled slightly.

"Don't cause trouble for others with your short temper. Just stay by my side."

Just as Ji Wanqing raised her fist as if to punch him, he spoke clearly and firmly, word by word.

"Ji Wanqing, marry me, and let every day be like this."