"And this young lady is?"
Her voice remained gentle, yet carried an invisible pressure. "You look somewhat familiar."
Lu You's heart jumped, and her body stiffened.
She could feel the scrutiny in Madam Cheng's eyes, a gaze that assessed the value of the goods, which made her very uncomfortable.
Cheng Zhou could clearly feel the tension in the people around him.
He gripped Lu You's hand slightly to support her, then looked up calmly at his mother on the screen.
"mom."
His voice rang out clearly, not loud, but with a solemn declaration, "Let me formally introduce myself to you."
Cheng Zhou turned his head to look at Lu You, his eyes instantly softening and becoming serious.
"This is Lu You."
"my girlfriend."
He paused, then added, word by word, "We are dating."
After he finished speaking, there was a brief silence on the other end of the phone.
Mrs. Li's smile froze slightly on the screen, and her eyes became complicated.
Lu You was completely stunned. She hadn't expected Cheng Zhou to be so direct and so unexpected in front of her family to announce their relationship.
She could even feel the encouraging, smiling looks from Lu Rang and Shang Wu.
Cheng Zhou didn't give his mother much time to process or question.
He continued, his tone still calm: "I called you to let you and Dad know about this. Youyou is fine, and I'm absolutely certain she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."
He looked at the screen, his eyes sharpening.
"You don't need to worry about me at home anymore, and you certainly don't need to..."
Cheng Zhou deliberately slowed his speech, emphasizing, "Don't interfere in our affairs."
"I hope you can respect my choice, and also respect hers."
These words were clear and direct, without any roundabout means, completely blocking any possible opposition or probing.
Mrs. Cheng on the other end of the phone was clearly not expected her son to be so firm. Her expression changed several times, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she maintained her composure.
She gave Lu You a deep look.
His gaze was complex and difficult to decipher.
"Since it's your choice... of course, Mom wants you to be happy. How about bringing Miss Lu home for a meal sometime?"
Her tone was devoid of emotion. "I have something to do here, I'll hang up now."
After finishing her sentence, Mrs. Cheng quickly ended the video call.
A brief silence fell over the living room.
Lu You was still in shock and hadn't come to her senses.
Did Cheng Zhou just confront his family like that?
For her?
Cheng Zhou put down his phone and turned to look at her. Seeing her somewhat dazed expression, he reached out and gently pinched her cheek.
"What's wrong?"
His tone was relaxed, with a hint of mockery, "Scared?"
Lu You opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. She felt shocked, touched, and a lingering worry.
Why did you say that?
She murmured, "Your mother, she..."
What she thinks is unimportant.
Cheng Zhou interrupted her, looking intently into her eyes.
"What matters is how I think."
“The important thing is…” he squeezed her hand, “what we think.”
"Lu You".
He called her by her full name, his tone more serious than ever before.
"When you're with me, all you need to think about is whether you like me or whether you're happy. Leave all other issues to me, including my family."
Cheng Zhou's promise was resounding.
Lu You's heart was stirred. Looking into his firm eyes and at his posture of shielding her from all the storms, all her previous hesitation and unease seemed insignificant at this moment.
Wow.
A teasing voice, tinged with amusement, came from the side.
"Cheng Zhou, I didn't realize that."
"So responsible?" Lu Rang also smiled and looked at Lu You with gentle eyes. "Sister You, Cheng Zhou's attitude is very clear. He is worth your serious consideration."
"Yes, sister, it's not easy to find a man who can protect you like this, who is also clear-headed and knows how to handle family relationships."
Shang Wu spoke up for him.
"you……"
Lu You's cheeks flushed from their words, but her heart felt incredibly at ease and warm because of Cheng Zhou's words and the support of those around her.
She looked up and met Cheng Zhou's smiling yet earnest gaze, and finally slowly revealed a relieved and sweet smile.
She gripped Cheng Zhou's hand tightly in return and whispered, "I know. Stop nagging."
Although Lu You did not give a direct answer, the light in her eyes and the tightly clasped hands said it all.
Cheng Zhou looked at her smile as she finally let her guard down, and the corners of his mouth also turned up.
He knew he had won.
He won back her heart.
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