"Since Mr. Shen has personally come to visit today, let's clear the air once and for all," Ji Tong's father said, ignoring Ji Tong's earlier remark. "I don't believe in so-called prodigal sons turning over a new leaf. I will not agree to your relationship with Tongtong."
"You're so intelligent, I assume you can guess why she's never brought you home to meet us."
Shen Su could sense that Ji Tong's parents harbored a level of dissatisfaction with him that exceeded normal boundaries. He suspected they might have inquired about him through mutual acquaintances.
As the head of Jinhe Fund, Shen Su was quite well-known in their circle, and his past romantic entanglements were never a secret. Over the years, everyone had witnessed his numerous girlfriends.
While some people might not mind, Ji Tong's parents clearly did.
After some thought, Shen Su spoke earnestly, "Whether you believe me or not, my relationship with Ji Tong is serious. I have absolutely no intention of toying with her. From the very beginning, I've been aiming for marriage. She's also met my parents, and they like her very much."
Ji Tong's father replied, "No matter what you say, I will not agree to you being together. I cannot trust someone who plays with life to settle down, and Ji Tong doesn't have the capability to handle that."
Shen Su countered, "You can question me, but there's no need to belittle your own daughter like that. If Ji Tong lacked capability, she wouldn't be my girlfriend."
Shen Su's intention to protect Ji Tong was clear. In fact, Ji Tong herself hadn't noticed this detail and was surprised by his sensitivity.
Ji Tong was deeply touched, her eyes welling up, her lips pressed tightly together.
Ji Tong's parents were momentarily stunned by Shen Su's remark. Despite their dislike for him, they had to admit that this man before them knew how to manipulate people's hearts. His actions were almost flawless.
Seeing Ji Tong's moved expression after his words, they understood how he usually managed her.
High emotional intelligence and attention to detail were certainly good qualities. Such a person was wonderful when they liked you, but if their feelings changed, they wouldn't hesitate to be ruthless.
The more they considered it, the more they felt the two were incompatible.
Ji Tong's mother said, "Dating is dating, and marriage is marriage. Feelings change in an instant; no one can guarantee a lifetime. Tongtong is too naive; we don't want her to get hurt."
The gap in maturity between Ji Tong and Shen Su was too vast. If any problems arose between them, Ji Tong would be the one to suffer. They couldn't afford to gamble.
"Why are you so certain that I will be hurt?" Ji Tong interjected. "When I got together with him, I considered all possibilities. I made my own choice, and I will bear the consequences."
Ji Tong had always been well-behaved since childhood and rarely defied her parents. In fact, her parents were quite open-minded, but they were unyielding on the matter of Shen Su. Ji Tong couldn't understand why they were so resolute.
This was also the first time Ji Tong had so strongly opposed them. "I know what kind of person he is. I just want to date him. Even if we get married and then divorce, what of it? I don't mind."
"Dad, Mom, you can't protect me forever. What's destined to happen will happen eventually. If I'm fated to be hurt in love, it will be someone else if not Shen Su. If I were with someone you both approved of, would that guarantee a lifetime of happiness?"
Accustomed to their daughter's obedience, Ji Tong's parents' expressions turned grim after being contradicted. They were reluctant to blame their daughter, so all their resentment and anger were directed at Shen Su.
Ji Tong's father felt that Ji Tong's current behavior was instigated by Shen Su. Their once obedient child had developed a rebellious streak after meeting Shen Su, which further solidified his unwillingness for them to be together.
With a dark expression, Ji Tong's father directly asked Shen Su to leave. "Let's end it here. Don't disturb our family meal. Mr. Shen, please excuse yourself."
Ji Tong couldn't stand by and watch and stepped forward to defend Shen Su. "Dad, how can you be like this?"
"Uncle, Aunt, Ji Tong just said something very true. I understand your desire to protect your daughter, but you cannot protect her forever. She should have the right to make her own choices," Shen Su said with a smile. He then stood up. "I apologize for the sudden visit and for disturbing your mood. I'll be going now."
Shen Su was about to leave, but Ji Tong was unwilling. She stood up with him, wanting to leave with him.
Then, her father's voice echoed from behind, "If you walk out that door today, your mother and I will consider you no longer our daughter."
Ji Tong was threatened to a halt, looking at Shen Su with a conflicted expression.
Shen Su was not surprised by this threat and did not want Ji Tong to be in a difficult position. He patted her shoulder and said softly, "Stay with them for now. We'll talk about other things privately."
Ji Tong had no choice but to stay with her parents, but the atmosphere of the meal was completely ruined. No one had the appetite to eat anymore.
Ji Tong's father put down his chopsticks and said to her with a stern face, "You'll resign after the New Year."
Ji Tong thought she had misheard and looked at him in disbelief. "Why?"
He retorted, "Why do you think?"
As long as Ji Tong continued to work under Shen Su, their relationship could never be truly severed.
Ji Tong naturally understood the reason for his request for her to resign, but she couldn't comprehend it. "Why do you dislike Shen Su so much? He's never done anything wrong to me."
"You two won't have a good outcome," Ji Tong's father stated. "How much do you know about his past? Has he told you anything?"
Previously, their family had never brought up Ji Tong's relationship with Shen Su. Since it had been brought into the open today, there was no longer anything to avoid.
Ji Tong argued, "And how much do you know? He's dated many women before, but why do you judge his character based on that? He's over thirty now; isn't it normal to have dated?"
Ji Tong's father scoffed, "Is that what you call dating? You're truly infatuated with him. There was a woman who had an abortion for him, and another who committed suicide for him. How can he be a good person?"
Ji Tong frowned. "Abortion?"
She knew about the suicide incident; Shen Su had explained the circumstances to her. Qin Siruan had tried to keep him through such extreme measures but failed.
However, she was unaware of any abortion. It couldn't have happened with Qin Siruan, otherwise, Qin Siruan would have mentioned it when they met.
Ji Tong's father recounted all the gossip and past affairs he had learned about Shen Su through his connections, telling Ji Tong everything in one go. After listening, Ji Tong was unable to recover for a long time.
Even if she couldn't confirm the truth of her parents' words at the moment, she couldn't deny that they had indeed impacted her emotionally.