She was trying to distance herself from the relationship between the two. Although she didn't know what Zhou Yuansheng was thinking, his actions today did indeed go beyond what was acceptable for neighbors.
Jiang Tong didn't dare to think too much, but she felt that keeping her distance was the best course of action.
Who knew that the next second would almost scare her to death.
Zhou Yuansheng calmly said, "Is that so? In that case, do me a favor, and we'll call it even."
Jiang Tong immediately perked up. She hated owing people favors the most, and it would be great if she could pay them back. "Of course, no problem. What do you need me to help you with?"
She agreed very readily.
After all, based on her interactions with Zhou Yuansheng over this period of time, he seemed to have sound values and was a good person. He wasn't a bad person and probably wouldn't suggest anything outrageous. He must have needed someone's help to ask for it.
Generally, the requirements won't be outrageous.
Zhou Yuansheng then said, "Well, it's nothing really. I just need you to help me put on an act for a while and come with me to meet my parents so I can deal with them."
Jiang Tong had been listening very carefully until the end, but she was stunned. "Huh?"
Perhaps because her expression was too shocked and she was stunned, Zhou Yuansheng actually smiled again. This man was actually very handsome and charming when he smiled. Although he usually looked quite aloof, he was really attractive when he smiled.
Jiang Tong was stunned for a second, and finally couldn't help but sigh at her daughter who was obsessed with good looks. No wonder she was happy to be held by Zhou Yuansheng. Who wouldn't be happy to be held by such a handsome guy? A whole bunch of random thoughts were running through her mind.
Zhou Yuansheng continued, "You should have learned some things about me from Jiaqi."
“I’ve been divorced from my ex-wife for about three years. My parents have been quite worried about me, but I haven’t considered remarrying yet. Jiaqi might not be able to accept a new mother, so I’d like to ask you for help.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the two children through the rearview mirror. The two children were already asleep. That's how children are; they easily get sleepy after they've used up their energy.
Jiang Tong immediately understood, "I get it, you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend to put your parents at ease, right? To buy you some time?"
Zhou Yuansheng explained his point: "If it's convenient for you now, I hope you can help me out. There's no one more suitable than you."
He said that.
Jiang Tong then said, "I don't have any problem with it, but is it really okay to lie to your parents like this?"
Zhou Yuansheng rarely showed a helpless expression, "This is also a last resort."
He said there was nothing he could do.
Jiang Tong could understand what he said, because she was in the same situation. If her parents asked her to remarry, she would also have a headache.
So she thought about it and agreed, then asked seriously, "What do I need to do? What's your definition of your partner? For example, what's their identity, status, and personality? My acting skills are pretty average..."
Jiang Tong gave him a heads-up beforehand, looking at him intently as if she were a good student asking him how to remember the key points, waiting for his answer.
Zhou Yuansheng couldn't help but laugh when he saw her serious expression. "You don't need to be so nervous. There's no need to remember any identity or role. Just be yourself and act according to your current identity."
Jiang Tong couldn't help but frown and said, "A single mother preparing for a second marriage? But my family's financial situation is very ordinary. Do you think your parents will believe that I'm with you?"
She had just subconsciously expressed her doubt when she added, "Oh right, that's exactly what you need to do to make the gap between you two big, so your parents won't pressure you to get married right away."
Zhou Yuansheng was amused by her talking to herself. He had never seen her like this before. The image Jiang Tong always presented to him was that of a gentle yet strong single mother, until recently when he encountered her being harassed by her ex-husband, and today she had this bewildered expression like a well-behaved child.
His curiosity was piqued. "You probably rarely lie, right? You used to be the model student, didn't you?"
Jiang Tong couldn't help but be taken aback, then laughed and said, "Does it look that obvious? I used to be the kind of well-behaved kid, but everyone has their rebellious moments."
She felt that her current thoughts were quite dangerous. She dared to do many things that she wouldn't have dared to do before, including arguing with and scolding her relatives, to the point that her relatives said she, Jiang Tong, had gone crazy.
Zhou Yuansheng pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sometimes rebellion isn't necessarily a bad thing. Just be yourself, and my parents won't say anything."
After he finished speaking, he added, "Besides, so what if I'm a single mother? Aren't I a single father too? Family background doesn't prove a person's character."
Zhou Yuansheng was referring to Jiang Tong's subconscious self-deprecating remark earlier. He was expressing that he didn't care about her background and would never look down on people with worse backgrounds than himself. Jiang Tong understood this.
He really is a good person.
Jiang Tong sighed inwardly, then smiled and didn't continue the conversation.
The rest of the journey was smooth.
Zhou Yuansheng took the initiative to add Jiang Tong's WeChat account. It's quite funny, considering that in this era where communication is mainly done through WeChat, the two of them barely managed to become friends.
It's quite surprising that they've known each other for several months.
Jiang Tong was initially quite uneasy, but after chatting with Zhou Yuansheng for a while, she suddenly felt at ease because she learned that he also did not intend to remarry.
This way she won't be so sensitive, but it's still necessary to maintain a proper distance.
Jiang Tong thought that if she pretended to be his girlfriend this time and returned the favor to him, she would feel more at ease.
When they arrived at her apartment building, Jiang Tong got out of the car to hug her daughter. She was very grateful that Zhou Yuansheng had also prepared a child seat for Hanhan, and he seemed to treat Hanhan with a gentle and respectful attitude.
Even Hanhan said she could feel a sense of equality from this uncle.
"Then let's head back first, and meet up next Saturday at 5 pm?"
Jiang Tong confirmed with Zhou Yuansheng again the time to meet his parents.
"That's right, I'll pick you up downstairs then, and you can bring Hanhan along too."
"No, no, I'll take Hanhan to her godmother's place to play for a while."
Jiang Tong was worried about the impact on her child, Hanhan, who didn't understand these things and might believe them to be true. It would be bad if she didn't let her child get involved in these matters.
Zhou Yuansheng didn't force the issue. He said it was good that the child had somewhere to go, and he couldn't help but praise, "Hanhan has been taught very well by you. She is independent, calm, and doesn't cry or make a fuss."
Jiang Tong held her sleeping daughter and then smiled gently. "It's just her natural personality. She didn't cry much when she was born, but sometimes I can't help but think she's too sensible."
My two daughters are like two extremes; if we could just find a balance, things would be much better.
Zhou Yuansheng jokingly said, "I hope my little devil will behave himself." Otherwise, he's always crying and clinging.
Jiang Tong hesitated for a moment before speaking, "But Hanhan is also very clingy. This is mostly due to her lack of security. Because she has so little, she cares a lot. Don't be fooled by Hanhan's independence and obedience; she can't leave me overnight."
She said it made her quite sad, as Hanhan had always been more deprived of love since childhood.
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