Chapter 33
"Uncle and aunt, I'm sorry, the flight was delayed and I'm late. Juyong was delayed to pick me up, so I'd like to apologize to the elders here on his behalf." After Zheng Juyong's abrupt introduction, the originally lively courtyard suddenly became cold to freezing point. Even Guan Ying was unable to speak, and only Qiao Qi stood up to break the awkwardness. She remembered Guan Ying's reminder to apologize to the elders first, and to apologize Zheng Juyong's part as well.
Mrs. Zheng stared at Qiao Qi's red hair with a pale face, her hands shaking uncontrollably under the table. She was furious, yet she had to consider the situation. Zheng Dongfang was also struck by lightning, momentarily losing his composure, and froze in his seat with his wine glass. If the host was caught off guard, how much more so were the guests. They exchanged glances, their smiles simultaneously dropping.
The debut stage that was carefully prepared was met with cold scrutiny from the audience.
Zheng Juyong glanced nervously at Qiao Qi's face and hurriedly called Aunt Lin to bring over an extra chair. This only made it seem like someone had arrived uninvited.
Fortunately, Qiao Qi has rich stage experience and is very familiar with dealing with dull occasions: "I have been recording a program in Guangdong these days. The local area is rich in bird's nests and topaz. I heard from Ju Yong that your aunt was just discharged from the hospital not long ago, so I brought some here specially, hoping to nourish your body." As he spoke, he took the initiative to present the gift in his hand to Mrs. Zheng.
Mrs. Zheng didn't move.
Guan Ying, who was standing nearby, quickly winked at Auntie Lin, who had come rushing over with a chair as instructed. Auntie Lin, who caught a glimpse of a red-haired girl standing behind the mistress, was startled. She immediately guessed what was going on and politely stepped forward, "Miss Qiao, leave it to me."
Then, Guan Ying gently kicked Lao Zhao's foot under the table. Originally, there was an empty seat between her and Lao Zhao for Zheng Juyong.
Manager Zhao and she had a tacit understanding as partners for many years, and he knew what she was thinking. He smiled deliberately and shook his head, disapproving of her behavior, which was almost like aiding and abetting the evil. Guan Ying could only clasp her hands together under the table and pray sincerely.
Unable to persuade Guan Ying, and with the situation becoming increasingly uncomfortable, Manager Zhao, the peacemaker, finally took effect. He raised his glass and invited Engineer Li across the table: "Engineer Li, although Old Guan is next to me, he can't drink at all. I'm having trouble drinking alone. I see you can handle a bit of alcohol. Why don't we get together and have a couple of good drinks?" Then he stood up and took the initiative to welcome Engineer Li to the empty seat between him and Guan Ying, whispering to Zheng Juyong: "Add a chair to Engineer Li's place and sit next to your father."
Mr. Li was in his early forties and was treated as a distinguished guest by Mr. and Mrs. Zheng Dongfang. He sat in the middle and was already very reserved. This was a rare opportunity for him to be transferred between Guan Ying and Manager Zhao, which he was more than happy to have.
During the meal, Qiao Qi and Zheng Juyong naturally took the seats of honor. Next to Qiao Qi were Mrs. Zheng, Mrs. Guan, Guan Ying, Engineer Li, Manager Zhao, Guan Xiong, and Zheng Dongfang. Nine people sat around the round table.
Guan Ying silently poured a glass of wine for Mr. Li to express her gratitude for his generosity in giving up the table. Mr. Li then understood that this arrangement was her idea. He took the glass with a smile, clinked it with Manager Zhao, and drank happily together.
The two witnesses sat together, facing the lovers Qiao Qi and Zheng Juyong. The situation was already set. Zheng Dongfang was unhappy with his son's decision to act first and ask for his consent later, but for his son's sake, he couldn't get angry on the spot. He could only grumble and tell everyone to continue eating. After all, few people could eat.
"Dad, Mom, Qiao Qi pushed her schedule tonight and made time to come here. After dinner, I have to take her to the airport for a midnight flight to Guangzhou."
"Hmm." Zheng Dongfang picked up a piece of green vegetable with chopsticks, and his mouth tasted bitter. While he was answering nonsense, he was already thinking about how to finish the meal quickly.
"Dad, Qiao Qi can still squeeze out some time next weekend. I'm thinking, should we hold an engagement party as soon as possible..." After Zheng Juyong said this, he held his breath unconsciously, ready for a sudden storm.
Hearing the word "engagement," Zheng Dongfang put his chopsticks down on the table, thinking, "Good boy! I just built a nest and it's not even warm yet, and you come up and kick me? You must have planned this all along! So, I pulled your ear and warned you eight hundred times, but I was just giving you a handicap? Is this still my good son?"
"Dad, listen to me, Qiao Qi is pregnant." When Zheng Juyong said this, his face flushed, perhaps because he was holding back his anger.
Everyone looked up in shock, including Qiao Qi beside him! Compared to the others' surprise, Qiao Qi turned his head to look at Zheng Juyong with a look of panic and suspicion in his eyes.
Zheng Juyong lowered his head and touched the frame of his glasses, looking like a second-generation rich man who owed a romantic debt and was blocked at the door by his enemies, and had to seek help from his parents.
Guan Ying was also shocked. In her eyes, Zheng Juyong was still an ignorant, somewhat unsuccessful younger brother. Subconsciously, he was still the same easily bullied little boy from their childhood. But now he was going to be a father? It seemed that only now did she have a slight idea of his age! No wonder, no wonder Qiao Qi was so eager to meet her in-laws and chase him to Dubai! She really underestimated Zheng Juyong!
Mrs. Guan then touched Guan Ying's elbow and asked her to pay attention to Mrs. Zheng's condition.
Mrs. Zheng was unusually abnormal tonight. Instead of getting angry, she remained patient. Initially, this was out of consideration for the presence of Mr. Li and Manager Zhao. But just now, she seemed to be completely disheartened. She simply sighed and closed her eyes.
This condition made Mrs. Guan, who had been keeping an eye on him, even more worried. She was afraid that if she continued to hold it in, she would develop a serious illness.
Guan Ying frowned, swapped seats with her mother, and moved to sit next to Mrs. Zheng, silently holding the trembling hands beneath the table. She had privately displeased Aunt Zheng tonight, but she didn't dare say anything more.
Qiao Qi unconsciously glanced down at her abdomen, still giving Zheng Juyong an incredulous expression. She'd clearly discussed this privately with him on the way here: tonight, as long as they spoke softly to the elders and took a gradual approach, with Guan Ying's encouragement, it wouldn't be difficult to persuade the Zheng family's parents to be lenient. If that didn't work, they could just kneel down and kowtow together. They doubted they'd actually force their son to death. But she hadn't expected him to throw it all out of his mind and suddenly say something like this. It seemed she had no choice but to acquiesce!
Old Guan couldn't stand it any longer. Seeing that Zheng Juyong was determined to make a desperate move tonight, he didn't want to stay any longer. Without drinking a drop of wine, he stood up staggeringly and pretended to be sick to his wife: "Old woman, I feel a little dizzy. Please accompany me first." As if to fight for his daughter, he ordered Guan Ying: "Guan Guan, you stay and take care of your aunt!"
Manager Zhao saw the opportunity and stood up before Mrs. Guan. "Oh, are you feeling sick again? Let me help you walk with you, and we can take your car home."
Mr. Li stood up together with the others, and Yi followed closely after seeing the expression on their faces. The good meal ended in a bad mood.
Mrs. Zheng said nothing, but instead took Guan Ying's hand and pulled her back to the bedroom. "Guan Guan, tell me the truth, did you know this a long time ago? Alas, when I saw you walk in with those two tonight, I felt very uncomfortable. But now I understand. You've been wronged so badly, and I didn't know anything. I'm really sorry!"
Guan Ying had originally intended to apologize later, but now it seemed unnecessary. Zheng Juyong had said that in front of the elders, saving Guan Ying the trouble!
"Aunt, me too, I just found out..." Guan Ying said the truth, but it didn't seem true enough. After thinking about it carefully, she said, "I guess I know a little bit."
"Guan Guan, the Zheng family has let you down!" Aunt Zheng held Guan Ying's hand, tears streaming down her face as she felt heartache and self-blame. "The Zheng family is finished! Ju Yong has been led astray by that red-haired guy. I can no longer care about you. He doesn't deserve it!"
"Aunt, I don't feel wronged. This is actually a happy thing. Please don't think too much about it. It's not worth it if you get angry and hurt your body." Guan Ying was busy comforting Aunt Zheng and didn't know what was going on outside.
Zheng Dongfang sat in the courtyard with a sullen face, not a trace of joy on his face. The table full of carefully prepared food now seemed like a joke, a joke that he had actually lived through such a day, driven to despair by his son in public.
Zheng Dongfang was more worried about the future of Xicheng Steel Plant than the baby in Qiao Qi's belly.
Over the past few years, he had been suffocated by a series of problems, including policy pressure from the transformation of the western part of Beijing, low production capacity due to outdated factory equipment and technology, and foreign trade export quality that could not keep up with market development. The financial crisis in the past six months was triggered by a mere 10 million yuan, but it almost became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Guan Xiong, the eldest brother who had supported each other for decades, felt like he had been hit hard by a punch and became ill. Every time he talked about having only one precious daughter, he was reluctant to delay the child's death and had long considered bankruptcy liquidation.
If it weren't for his persistence, and if it weren't for the fruitful collaboration between Ju Yong and Guan Ying, no one would have confidently embarked on the high-cost task of upgrading equipment. The most driven of them all was Zheng Dongfang. As long as Xicheng Steel could revive and achieve new success, he wouldn't bat an eyelid even if he borrowed tens of millions from the bank. But now, the slightest hope Xicheng Steel had just begun to rise was about to be extinguished.
"Dad, say something." Zheng Juyong waited for a long time but got no response. He checked the time, fearing that he would delay Qiao Qi's flight.
Aunt Lin happened to come to the yard to add hot water.
Zheng Dongfang ignored his son and asked Aunt Lin, "How is my wife now?"
Aunt Lin looked at Qiao Qi, who was sitting calmly at the table. To protect the dignity of the hostess, she did not mention that the wife had cried red eyes. She just smiled and said, "Thank goodness the housekeeper was there to keep her company. The wife fell asleep."
Zheng Dongfang felt relieved and turned to Zheng Juyong and sighed, "Go to the airport to see Qiao Qi off first. We can talk about other things when you come back!"
Then he politely said to Qiao Qi, "There are so many people on the program team. It's not easy for you to delay because of family matters. It's not easy for a girl like you to travel thousands of miles. Take care of yourself when you are away. If you need anything, just talk to Ju Yong."
Zheng Dongfang is a father who loves his son dearly. Even if he is not satisfied with Qiao Qi as his daughter-in-law, he has to give in for the sake of his son. When he is silent, he looks stern and old-fashioned, but once he speaks, he becomes much more kind and loving.
Qiao Qi thought it was done and said happily, "Thank you, uncle! I came here in a hurry this time, and Ju Yong was concerned about your health and specifically didn't let me prepare any cigarettes or alcohol, so I didn't have time to prepare a gift for you. I'll make it up to you next time."
Zheng Dongfang was still polite: "We have everything at home, no need to bother. Bringing a gift for your aunt is already thoughtful of you. Don't spend so much money next time!"
Qiao Qi smiled and said, "Uncle, you don't have to save money for me. I'm very good at making money! If Juyong has any troubles in the future, I can help you!"
But he didn't know that this was what Zheng Dongfang hated to hear the most, and his face instantly turned cold.
Zheng Juyong noticed it and pulled Qiao Qi up: "I'll take you there first, otherwise Sister Ling will be worried again."
"But I haven't greeted my aunt yet." Qiao Qi didn't really want to meet her future mother-in-law. She also realized tonight that it would be difficult for her to please Zheng's mother, so she was just saying polite words.
Zheng Dongfang was afraid that what she said was true and would upset his wife's mood again, so he pushed her away and said, "We don't have so many rules at home. Juyong, drive slowly on the road."
When Qiao Qi was about to leave, only Aunt Lin came out to see her off, and Guan Ying's car was still parked outside the door.
"We've all left, but Guan Ying isn't leaving yet?" She asked Zheng Juyong after getting in the car.
Zheng Juyong said casually, "It's so late, my mother will definitely not let her walk at night. She has her room at home."
Qiao Qi sat in the passenger seat and said nothing more.
"Do you blame me for lying to them about the pregnancy?" Zheng Juyong asked casually while driving, his tone relaxed, not worried about her complaints, but more like self-blame. If it were his usual personality, he would never tell his beloved girl about her pregnancy before the elders. He cherished her so much, he wanted to tell everyone how precious she was. But if this wasn't what she wanted, he would agree to it, but even after the compromise, he still felt a pang of pain in his heart.
Qiao Qi shook her head. "Now I think you might be right. If you hadn't said that, given how much your family values Guan Ying, our marriage would have been difficult to achieve. I just didn't expect you to actually resort to this method."
"Qiqi, I will never go back on my promise to you. Please don't doubt me again, okay?" He did all this against his will, but for this.
Qiao Qi still had some doubts: "Can we really get engaged next weekend?"
Zheng Juyong looked ahead with conviction, not hesitating: "Yes, I've asked Sister Ling to adjust your schedule."
In the dimly lit carriage, Qiao Qi turned her head and squinted at him. She felt something had changed about him. Although he still complied with her requests, he was no longer so obedient in the process. He seemed to have his own opinions, ideas, and determination, which made her feel vaguely unfamiliar and a little uneasy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
