Chapter 264 - 263: Pressuring to Marry

Chapter 264: Chapter 263: Pressuring to Marry


Shi Yang had been gone for more than half a month without returning home. The only thing Zhao Meimei could find comfort in was flipping through her phone and looking at their photos together.


When Shi Yang called to say he’d be back the next day, Zhao Meimei was so excited she couldn’t sleep that night, just like when she used to stay up on New Year’s Eve as a child, staring wide-eyed, hoping time would pass faster.


Shi Yang drove back from the provincial capital, deliberately wearing sportswear.


When Zhao Meimei saw Shi Yang, her eyes lit up. She was accustomed to seeing him in a suit, so seeing him in casual sportswear made him look youthful and lively, with a different expression between his brows.


To welcome Shi Yang home, both families gathered together. Shi Yang’s father left the factory early, and Zhao Meimei took leave from her cram school.


Shi Yang intentionally bought a lot of specialty treats from the provincial capital on the way back and added a big bag of gifts for Zhao Meimei.


There were things to eat, use, and two new summer dresses from brand collections, along with a pair of wedge sandals.


Liu Xiue, seeing so many things, couldn’t help but nag, "Yangyang, don’t buy her stuff next time. She wears a school uniform every day, doesn’t even have a chance to wear dresses, such a waste of money!"


Shi Yang laughed and said, "It’s okay, she won’t have to wear school uniforms after she finishes her college entrance exams."


As Shi Yang talked, he sat on the sofa. Zhao Meimei hurried over to occupy the spot next to him. In front of their parents, they didn’t dare hug or kiss but deliberately let her arm rest against Shi Yang’s, occasionally bumping it. They exchanged glances in secret, savoring the sweet intimacy that was just theirs.


Liu Xiue prepared a whole table of delicious dishes, including braised fish, chicken stewed with mushrooms, and soy-braised pig’s trotters.


During the meal, Shi Yang attentively cared for Zhao Meimei, so much so that even Liu Xiue, the mother, couldn’t get a word in.


Zhao Meimei wasn’t idle either, peeking at Shi Yang while eating. Shi Yang ate while chatting with the elders, looking handsome and calm in profile, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed food, and his smile lifting the corners of his mouth into a charming curve.


At the dinner table, Shi Yang’s father brought up the issue Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue had been concerned about for days, asking, "Yangyang, how do you plan to handle the fire department’s order to suspend operations for rectification?"


Bringing this up, Shi Yang’s father was also quite upset. He had privately contacted Qian Yonggui to sort it out, but to his surprise, this long-time friend suddenly acted as if he didn’t know him. His attitude was still friendly, but as soon as the topic turned to the Naughty Castle, he immediately listed a series of stringent requirements and regulations.


Shi Yang’s father sensed Qian Yonggui’s evasive attitude and didn’t confront him on the spot, but he was still very upset afterward, vaguely feeling there must be something else going on.


Shi Yang didn’t hide anything from his family, recounting the entire situation in detail. Shi Yang’s father immediately darkened, never expecting Qian Yonggui to backstab Shi Yang, disregarding their years of friendship.


Liu Xiue, unable to contain her concerns, anxiously asked, "What if he keeps holding back and doesn’t let you reopen? What will you do?"


Shi Yang smiled slightly, "Don’t worry, it won’t be long before he comes to me to resolve the issue."


Shi Yang mentioned using Li Shuren, intentionally showing off his abilities in front of Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue, detailing everything, even the expansion of two new branches in the provincial capital and future development plans, adding more details than necessary.


Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue were thoroughly impressed. Zhao Dazhuang sincerely praised, "Yangyang, you’re amazing, only you could handle this. Anyone else would be at a loss. Impressive! Uncle truly admires you! Really!"


Liu Xiue, whose worries had lingered for days, was completely relieved, feeling great, and enviously turned to Shi Yang’s mother, saying, "You’re luckier than me; Yangyang never made you worry from childhood to now."


Shi Yang’s mother, hearing that Shi Yang had managed everything, breathed a sigh of relief. Feeling good, she couldn’t help complaining, "It’d be great if he really could stop making me worry. Right now, I’m still concerned about him!"


Just after Shi Yang took a bite of food, upon hearing this, he quickly chewed and swallowed, then looked up and asked, "What are you worried about me for?"


Shi Yang’s mother, holding back for a while, sounded clearly complaining, "What am I worried about? You only know how to focus on work and career. When will you bring back a daughter-in-law for me?"


Being pressed about marriage in front of Zhao Meimei’s family, Shi Yang was immediately embarrassed and hastily dismissed, "Mom, why are you worrying about that... I’m not in a rush."


Shi Yang’s mother glared at him, "Not in a rush? How many years have passed since you graduated from college? And you still don’t have a girlfriend."


Shi Yang’s mother was really anxious. She had never seen Shi Yang get close to any female classmates. At his age, how could he not have a girlfriend? If Shi Yang were less good-looking, shorter, introverted, or unsuccessful, not finding a girlfriend would make sense. But the key is, Shi Yang is good-looking, tall, comes from a good family, and his career is booming. So why hasn’t he brought a girlfriend home for a meet and greet?


Every time Shi Yang’s mother brought it up, she became anxious, "Even if you start seeing someone now and don’t plan to get married for another couple of years, I’d be relieved, okay?"


Shi Yang was silent, not knowing what to say because he couldn’t just say, "Mom, stop worrying. Your daughter-in-law is sitting right opposite you. If you keep talking, you’ll upset her and cause a fight with your son. Isn’t that sabotaging our harmonious relationship?"


Seeing his passive resistance and uncooperative attitude, Shi Yang’s mother knew he hadn’t really listened and was a bit anxious. "Since you have time handling things this trip, remember last time we went out for dinner? I think your dad’s old friend has a daughter who’s quite nice. She works as a nurse at the central hospital, which is a good job. The girl is very pretty, with big eyes and double eyelids, exactly the type you like. I’ll ask your dad to make contact, and you can meet her. Maybe you’ll hit it off. What do you think?"


Shi Yang’s father quickly turned his head, giving Shi Yang’s mother a look to stop her: "Wife, you mustn’t say such things carelessly! Especially not in front of Meimei’s family. Aren’t you setting up your son for trouble?"


Shi Yang was also stunned, not expecting his mom to turn the conversation this way at the dinner table. He quickly reached out under the table, trying to grab Zhao Meimei’s hand.


The chicken meat on Zhao Meimei’s chopsticks fell onto the plate as she bit her lip and looked down, her eyes suddenly different.