Ch 14: This Is A Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity

Having been told this by Mother, if she didn’t explain, it would really become impossible to explain. Xiao Yao quickly stepped forward, taking Grandma’s arm, “Grandma, his name is Zhuang Lingyun, not…”

“Oh my, this child is so handsome! He’s so tall, taller than all our children. He’s a perfect match for our Xiao Yao!” Grandma Xiao had automatically ignored Xiao Yao’s words and released her arm. Leaning on her cane, she shakily went forward, a face full of approving smiles.

Zhuang Lingyun glanced at Xiao Yao again, and she helplessly met his gaze.

Seeing this, Zhuang Lingyun turned to help Grandma Xiao, bending down and smiling modestly, “Thank you, Grandma, for your praise.”

“Grandma, actually…”

“How’s my brother-in-law’s alcohol tolerance?”

Xiao Wenxing, the older cousin from Third Uncle’s family, suddenly popped out from the side, unexpectedly hugging Xiao Yao’s neck. Just like when they were children playing around, he squeezed her head and hugged her tightly, swaying her in his arms.

Xiao Wenxing looked at Zhuang Lingyun, smiling, “You look older than me, but in terms of seniority, you should still call me brother, right, brother-in-law? You don’t mind, do you?”

“Xiao Wenxing, let go of me!” Xiao Wenxing was choking Xiao Yao, making it hard for her to breathe. She kept patting his head with her right hand.

“Let her go. She’s uncomfortable like this.” Zhuang Lingyun’s short sentence, though his tone was calm, showed his dissatisfaction and displeasure.

Xiao Wenxing raised an eyebrow, “This brother-in-law is good, quite protective. But I’m her brother, I won’t hurt her, brother-in-law, don’t worry.” After saying this, he pinched and pressed Xiao Yao’s nose hard, then let go of her with a burst of laughter.

Xiao Yao covered her sore nose, tears streaming down her face, “Xiao Wenxing! Are you a child? So childish!”

Zhuang Lingyun quickly stepped forward and lifted Xiao Yao’s face. By the streetlight, he saw her red nose, and her unfriendly look at Xiao Wenxing.

“Does it still hurt?” Zhuang Lingyun gently rubbed her upturned little nose.

Xiao Yao met his concerned and loving gaze, her face flushed, and she awkwardly looked away, “It’s okay… I’m fine.”

Grandma Xiao saw this scene, her eyes smiling into slits. She turned around and hit Xiao Wenxing’s butt with her cane, “You little donkey only knows how to bully your sister, get out of the way.”

Xiao Wenxing dodged the cane, turning to support Grandma Xiao’s arm, “Grandma, you don’t understand. This is how we young people express our longing after a long separation, isn’t it, little sister Yao Yao?”

“You big idiot!” Xiao Yao glared at him fiercely, instantly squeezing out two tears, which Zhuang Lingyun gently wiped away with his fingertip.

Everyone was looking at them and giving meaningful smiles. Xiao Yao was extremely embarrassed. The topic had been changed again and again, and she had missed the best time to explain. Moreover, Zhuang Lingyun was so gentle and considerate towards her in front of everyone that even if she explained, it would be hard for people to believe her.

Xiao Yao felt a little helpless and regretful, but this expression in the eyes of everyone became shyness.

Xiao Yao’s Father looked at the scene before him and exchanged glances with Xiao Yao’s Mother. Both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yao’s Mother smiled and bustled about, “Okay, okay, don’t make a fuss. It’s cold outside, and Mom’s body can’t take it. Let’s go inside and chat while we eat. Little Zhuang, which floor is the private room you booked? Lead the way.”

“This way, please.” Zhuang Lingyun smiled and led the way. When his eyes swept across Xiao Wenxing, he suddenly said, “Vodka. Do you drink it?”

Xiao Wenxing was stunned for a moment, then his eyebrows flew up excitedly, “This tone… Brother-in-law’s going to make trouble! Want to have a showdown with your cousin?”

Zhuang Lingyun curled his lips, smiling faintly, “I’m fine with either.”

Everyone went into the hotel, Xiao Yao and her mother lagging behind, coming to a deserted corner.

“Mom, why did you do that? Couldn’t you have explained it to Grandma and Third Uncle?”

“Yao Yao, the words are already out, it’s impossible to explain clearly. Besides, Little Zhuang has agreed. And he showed your father and me the house deed and company’s legal documents, all genuine. Little Zhuang said that if we’re not at ease, we can transfer the property title to your name, and the bar can be transferred to your name too. He’ll give you his savings and salary. He’s gone to this length, how can there still be fraud?”

“But…”

In fact, they had only known each other for a week. But Xiao Yao didn’t dare to tell her mother this. If her mother kept asking, she wouldn’t be able to hide all the ridiculous things she did.

It really is not okay to lie casually; one lie needs countless lies to cover it up; it’s really tiring.

“Yao Yao, it’s just a wedding ceremony. We can choose not to register our marriage. If you are dissatisfied or find him unsuitable later, you can always separate, and you will still be unmarried legally. Right now your grandma has come happily; she likes Little Zhuang very much. Your grandma has a weak heart and has been on the train for so many days and is exhausted. If you cause a scene now and stimulate her, if anything happens, what will your parents do?”

Xiao Yao looked at her mother in distress. She didn’t know what to do. Should she really have a flash marriage?

Tomorrow is New Year’s Day, and there is less than a week left until the wedding date of the invitation she and Shen Mingzhe sent out. Xiao Yao’s heart was in turmoil.

Xiao Yao’s Mother looked at her daughter’s complexion, smiled, hugged her, and comforted her, “Yao Yao, Mom knows your worries. After what happened with Shen Mingzhe, your father and I have become cautious. This period of time, Mom has done her homework and thoroughly investigated Little Zhuang, secretly and openly. His identity is absolutely genuine.

I also like the child from the bottom of my heart. Whether it’s his appearance or material conditions, he is very excellent. It can be said that in today’s society, he is a rare and good man.

I can feel his sincerity towards you. If he didn’t genuinely like you, why wouldn’t he care about your health? Why would he spend all his wealth to marry you? He’s a businessman, not a fool. Why would he make such a losing deal?

Believe Mom, you won’t find another one like this. Besides, Zhuang Lingyun has agreed to not register the marriage, just hold the wedding ceremony; it’s not a loss for our family at all.”

Xiao Yao was somewhat upset. In this world, is there really love at first sight?

She hadn’t encountered it in her first half of life; not even a man she deeply loved had appeared. Her emotional world was like a dull blank paper, completely blank.

As for marriage, Xiao Yao didn’t really have any thoughts of happiness for a lifetime. She was just tired of continuing blind dates and didn’t want her parents to worry about her marriage. She just wanted to find a man and get along.

That person is Zhuang Lingyun, and it’s not impossible. It might just take some time for her to fully accept it.

“By the way, Yao Yao, did Little Zhuang arrive on time? Did Shen Mingzhe’s shrew of a mother not make things difficult for you?”

Xiao Yao shook her head.

“Then let’s leave it at that for today. Be happy, don’t keep them waiting too long, let’s go up quickly.”

Xiao Yao was forcibly pulled into the elevator by her mother and went upstairs.

The server led them into a private room, more than 100 square meters in area. In addition to the dining area, there was a play area and a leisure area. When tired of eating, they could sit on the sofa and chat, sing karaoke, play mahjong. The facilities were comprehensive, and there were two dedicated servers in the private room.

The decoration was luxurious and magnificent, with an overwhelming aura.

Both mother and daughter were stunned as soon as they entered.

“Why did Little Zhuang book such a large private room? How much does this cost!” Xiao Yao’s Mother gasped, muttering to herself.

Grandma Xiao gestured for Xiao Yao to sit next to her. There was a special seat reserved for her between Zhuang Lingyun and Grandma Xiao.

Zhuang Lingyun stood up, pulled out the chair, and smiled, inviting her to sit down.

Xiao Yao saw that everyone in the room was looking at her with smiles, and her father had also changed his usual serious expression, with a smile on his face.

Xiao Yao forced a smile, gritted her teeth and walked over, sitting down.

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