Chapter 142 Extra Chapter: Parents
On Saturday, Zhao Zonglan and Xie Yunfan will visit Shen's parents.
Although Shen Zhuoyuan was not very willing, since it was Shen Jingni's request, the die was cast and he could not refuse to meet with her.
However, he called Shen Qingyan back.
It wasn't exactly a lone battle.
Xu Ningwan got up early and even dressed up specially.
She rarely wore cheongsams in the past, but today she changed her style and wore a new Chinese-style blue apricot-colored cheongsam dress. Her hair was styled in an updo, and she looked elegant and graceful.
Shen Zhuoyuan scoffed and made sarcastic remarks from the side: "I've never seen you dress up this carefully when we went on dates before!"
There was a hint of grievance in his voice.
As autumn approached and the weather turned cool, Xu Ningwan draped a white shawl over her shoulders and gave him a disgruntled look, saying, "I don't need to dress up for a date with you."
Before even meeting the Zhao family, Shen Zhuoyuan's heart was already deeply wounded.
Shen Qingyan was still jet-lagged, yawned lazily, and made himself a strong cup of coffee.
Upon seeing his ally, Shen Zhuoyuan immediately hardened his stance. He called out to Shen Qingyan, "You brat, tell me, isn't your mother being a bit too over-the-top? Her behavior is putting our whole family in a very awkward position."
After staring at Ms. Xu for a while, Shen Qingyan stroked his chin and casually offered his opinion, "I think it's a bit too plain. Why don't you change to a brighter colored shawl?"
Xu Ningwan looked down and examined it carefully, then agreed, "I'll go change right away."
Shen Zhuoyuan: "..."
His deep gaze fell on Shen Qingyan, filled with sorrow and confusion.
Shen Qingyan took a big gulp of coffee, ignoring his gaze, and said with a smile, "I'm going to change my clothes."
Shen Zhuoyuan felt something was very wrong.
This is very unusual.
Is that brat Shen Qingyan going to switch sides at the last minute?
No, no.
I suspect he has other plans.
Xie Yunfan was actually very nervous.
I couldn't sleep last night.
She had many gifts prepared, including jewelry, nutritional supplements, and some expensive wines and teas.
Before leaving, I even went to the ancestral hall to burn incense.
On the way to the Shen family's house, she said to Zhao Zonglan, "If I say anything wrong later, remember to remind me or interrupt me directly, so as not to leave a bad impression on my future in-laws."
Zhao Zonglan responded calmly.
She thought for a moment, then asked, "Also, should I bring up the engagement?"
Xie Yunfan wanted Zhao Zonglan and Shen Jingni to get married as soon as possible, but in any case, it depended on the young people's wishes.
"Need not."
This answer was unexpected by Xie Yunfan. "Why? Didn't you want to marry Miaomiao a long time ago?"
If we don't bring it up now, when will we ever get around to it?
He's not young anymore.
Zhao Zonglan lowered his eyes and said calmly, "I have my own plans for this matter."
Xie Yunfan nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
A black Maybach drove into the Shen family's gate.
Shen Zhuoyuan, putting on airs, didn't want to come and greet them, but Xu Ningwan dragged him out.
Shen Jingni went home last night and missed Zhao Zonglan quite a bit after not seeing him all night.
As soon as she saw him, she ran up to him with a smile, threw herself into his arms, and muttered a complaint: "I didn't sleep well last night."
She's still as spoiled as ever.
Zhao Zonglan patted her head, but before he could speak, Shen Zhuoyuan's voice came through.
He didn't say anything, but he coughed twice in a loud, displeased voice.
Xu Ningwan, who was standing next to him, glared at him and warned in a low voice, "You better behave yourself."
Shen Zhuoyuan turned his face away and remained silent.
Compared to Lao Shen's arrogance, Shen Qingyan, the older brother, seemed quite enthusiastic.
He quickly stepped forward to shake hands with Zhao Zonglan, "Chairman Zhao, welcome."
Zhao Zonglan returned the handshake with a cold expression: "Hello."
Shen Zhuoyuan was stunned, his face full of disbelief.
This brat really betrayed us?!
traitor!
It wouldn't be accurate to call it a betrayal.
After all, Shen Qingyan is a well-known career-obsessed person.
He can forgo romance and leave his hometown, but he cannot forgo his career.
Zhao Zonglan was of great help to his career.
During the Spring Festival, the project manager at Pound Company mentioned to him that it was Zhao Zonglan's recommendation that gave him the opportunity to win the project.
It wasn't that Shen Qingyan was snobbish.
Looking at it from another perspective, the fact that Zhao Zonglan went to such lengths to help Miaomiao, instead of deliberately making things difficult for her, shows that he was sincere.
But it just so happened that this sincerity touched his heart.
Most importantly, he saw Shen Jingni's affection for Zhao Zonglan at the airport that day.
There's no need to stop them anymore.
Shen Qingyan can figure this out, but Old Shen probably won't understand it so easily.
Shen Jingni, standing beside her, didn't stand there dumbfounded and introduced the elders of both sides in a generous manner.
Xu Ningwan and Xie Yunfan felt like they had known each other for a long time.
Both of them were top beauties in their youth, gentle and polite, and had a lot in common.
At this moment, everyone was sitting in the living room, listening to the two of them happily chatting about their ages.
Xu Ningwan: "If we calculate it that way, you're a few years older than me, so I should call you Sister Yunfan. You don't mind, do you?"
Xie Yunfan certainly didn't mind.
As long as you can get along well with your mother-in-law, it doesn't matter what she calls you.
She held Xu Ningwan's hand and said gently, "From now on, I'll just call you by your name. Calling you Mrs. Shen or Mrs. Zhao is too formal."
"Okay, okay, that's what I think too."
While the two were chatting enthusiastically, Shen Qingyan was not idle either.
He sat opposite Zhao Zonglan and talked at length about the recent situation of the US electronics industry.
They discussed current policy developments in the semiconductor industry and related markets.
Shen Qingyan: "The prospects are still there, after all, their technology is leading, but the market is very volatile and the competition is fierce..."
Zhao Zonglan listened attentively, occasionally offering some advice.
This was perfect for Shen Qingyan, and they became more and more engrossed in their conversation.
Shen Jingni didn't quite understand. She sat next to him eating fruit and occasionally stuffed a grape into Zhao Zonglan's mouth.
Shen Zhuoyuan was furious.
He sat far away, not speaking to them, just silently drinking his tea.
He wants to isolate them all.
When it was time for lunch, aside from the necessary formalities, Shen Zhuoyuan was unusually quiet today.
In the past, I might have argued or grumbled, but today it's very quiet.
Shen Jingni sat next to Zhao Zonglan.
She was spoiled and picky about food since she was a child, refusing to eat this or that.
The whole family knows, and they all spoil him.
But today seems different.
She ate whatever Zhao Zonglan put on her plate; she was very obedient.
Occasionally, she would pout at him and protest in a sweet voice, "I don't want to eat this shrimp."
"Sweetie, you can't be picky about food." Zhao Zonglan didn't give in to her, his voice low: "Once you're fully recovered, I'll take you skiing in the Alps."
Shen Jingni's eyes lit up, and she didn't forget to make a request, "Then I also want to go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights and to Finland to ride an icebreaker."
Zhao Zonglan didn't respond, but simply raised his chin, indicating that she should finish what was in her bowl.
She ate quietly and obediently, without making a fuss.
Shen Qingyan could hardly believe her eyes.
That's amazing, to be able to make Shen Miaomiao so obedient.
Her whole family used to try to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen. She was so rebellious that she could never recover properly.
So it depends on the person.
He couldn't help but give Zhao Zonglan a thumbs up.
Zhao Zonglan didn't think there was anything wrong with it, after all, this was something he had been doing for months and was used to it.
It was something he should do.
Shen Zhuoyuan witnessed this scene, and felt even worse.
At the dinner table, Xu Ningwan and Xie Yunfan chatted so intently that they seemed like sisters, oblivious to his well-being.
Shen Zhuoyuan barely touched his chopsticks at lunch.
Xu Ning invited Xie Yunfan to have afternoon tea together, and also asked Shen Qingyan to accompany them, saying that she wanted Xie Yunfan to introduce him to a girlfriend.
Zhao Zonglan was summoned into the study by Shen Zhuoyuan.
Shen Jingni was worried that Lao Shen would make things difficult for Zhao Zonglan, so she went along, only to be ruthlessly shut out by Lao Shen.
She could only wait outside the door.
Getting impatient, I turned my head to the side, pressed my ear against the door, and tried hard to hear what they were talking about, but I couldn't hear a single word.
The soundproofing in my house is excellent.
angry.
To say that Shen Zhuoyuan had a prejudice against Zhao Zonglan is not true.
His childish behavior stemmed from a lack of trust and unease.
Now that things have come to this point, he understands that he can't stop it, nor should he be able to stop it.
Because Zhao Zonglan was chosen by his daughter, Miaomiao.
He will respect it.
It's normal for a father to have concerns.
The study was very quiet, even awkwardly quiet.
Shen Zhuoyuan sat in the chair behind his desk, looked up at Zhao Zonglan, and said with a rare seriousness: "Mr. Zhao, I only have one question for you, please answer honestly."
Zhao Zonglan nodded, his tone less cold and hard than usual, "Please speak."
Will you always be good to our Miaomiao?
Even if you get old, ugly, or not as lively and cute in the future, will you always remain the same?
Many men can't do that.
Zhao Zonglan did not answer him directly.
He said calmly, "I know your concerns, but in my relationship with her..."
"I have never been in a position of power."
"I also feel inferior because of my age, and I'm afraid that she'll find me boring and gradually stop liking me."
"No matter what, I will always be good to her. This is not a promise to you, but what I should do."
Being kind to Shen Jingni is what Zhao Zonglan truly desires.
In his view, it was as natural as eating and drinking.
Hearing him say that, Shen Zhuoyuan was somewhat surprised and stared straight at him, "How do you expect me to believe you?"
Compared to actions, even the most eloquent words are pale in comparison.
Although he saw some things, that wasn't enough.
Zhao Zonglan raised his hand to look at his watch and said in a deep voice, "My lawyer will come over at this time tomorrow to sign a contract with you."
"If she suffers any harm or injustice from me after we get married..."
"All my assets belong to her."
This was the only thing Zhao Zonglan could think of that was both substantial and sincere.
...
Shen Zhuoyuan did not come out of his study until evening.
Xu Ningwan could guess some of it.
She was worried, so she cooked some food and went upstairs to find him.
At that time, only the small desk lamp on the desk was lit in the study, and the light was a bit dim.
Shen Zhuoyuan sat in the halo of light, flipping through the photo album on the table. A few strands of white hair on his head reflected the light, revealing a sense of vicissitude and loneliness.
Noticing Xu Ningwan approaching, he spoke calmly, "Our Miaomiao has been beautiful since she was little. She loves taking pictures, and every photo of her is beautiful."
Xu Ningwan didn't say anything. She put down the plate in her hand, reached out a hand, and put it on his shoulder.
Shen Zhuoyuan's eyes suddenly reddened.
He didn't dare look at her; his fingers, touching the photo album, were slightly curled and trembling.
"I'm sorry, Xiaowan."
His voice trembled, "The year you were pregnant with Miaomiao, I failed to protect you both, which resulted in Miaomiao being born weak and sickly, and I almost lost you..."
"It's not that I can't accept her dating, it's that I'm scared, I'm really scared."
Xu Ningwan hugged him.
"You don't need to apologize to me for what happened in the past. You've already done a great job."
“Shen Zhuoyuan, you are the most competent husband and father in the world.”
Shen Zhuoyuan cried again.
But this time is different from the past.
He cried and apologized, "I'm sorry, I really can't accept it right now."
"I can't accept her leaving us."
“Our Miaomiao is still not grown up, how can she have to get married?”
In Shen Zhuoyuan's view, his Miaomiao will always be a child and should continue to stay by their side, carefree.
Why am I about to step into an unknown and potentially dangerous stage of life?
That's too fast.
It happened so fast that he didn't even have time to react and couldn't accept it immediately.
Seeing him like this, Xu Ningwan's eyes also welled up with tears. "No, Miaomiao hasn't left us."
"Neither you nor I can be with her forever; there will always be such a day."
“I know you’re reluctant to let her go, and you’re afraid she’ll suffer, but… we have to trust her, trust her judgment and her choice.”
"Learn to accept it, okay?"
Shen Zhuoyuan raised his hand to wipe away his tears, his voice choked with emotion: "Okay."
As he spoke, he seemed to remember something, sniffed, and gritted his teeth in resentment: "But I still don't like that Zhao Zonglan!"
"All assets? Pshaw, who cares? My Miaomiao wouldn't even look at them."
Xu Ningwan: "Uh, not necessarily."
They should be able to find something they like.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
