The two nestled together speaking in soft tones, finally saying all that was in their hearts, and the pleasant day concluded.
The next morning, Tang Haichao called Xiang Wan. He had an early departure and she could stay behind with her boyfriend to explore.
Since he had come for her sake, there was no reason not to see him off. Xiang Wan wanted to escort him, but Lu Mingzhe stopped her.
“I’ll go.”
The two men met in the lobby. Lu Mingzhe reiterated his thanks and then handed Tang Haichao his WeChat QR code.
“Please, Mr. Tang, make a list for me when you get back, or send over the record of the transfer to Xiang Wan.”
“I’ll sort it out and return the money to you in one go.”
“I’m really sorry, Xiang Wan has caused you trouble recently.”
This was him finding them too close, reminding himself to maintain distance.
Tang Haichao smiled and added him on WeChat, “Okay. And the interest.”
“We discussed the loan with Xiang Wan at bank interest rates. Just calculate the interest from when you transfer it.”
He considered him clever. He even knew how to put on a professional front.
Lu Mingzhe said, “Of course.”
With the order settled, returning meant continuing to monitor the live stream.
Lu Mingzhe felt Xiang Wan was working too hard and asked her to stay for another day of sightseeing.
“There are many fun places in Beicheng. Even if we can’t see everything, we should at least get a glimpse to prove we’ve been here. Let’s see them together.”
It was quite pitiful.
Xiang Wan, with a net worth of millions, had never been to any cities in China other than Nancheng and Sanya.
Let alone traveling abroad, she didn’t even know what a passport looked like.
All she did was earn money and save money. Nearing thirty, her life felt devoid of joy.
The two decided to spend the day exploring, picked a few famous attractions, and took a taxi.
There were many influencers at the scenic spots, and even those who weren’t were holding up their phones, taking photos.
Lu Mingzhe asked Xiang Wan to take some photos with him.
Xiang Wan was naturally captivating in front of the camera. With a bare face, wearing loose jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers, any candid shot looked like a fashion magazine spread.
Lu Mingzhe took dozens of photos, each one beautiful, making it hard to choose. He decided to post them on his Moments in two batches.
The first batch featured their photos together, with the caption, “Holding your hand, growing old together.”
The second batch was Xiang Wan’s solo shots.
As soon as the photos were posted, his phone buzzed incessantly.
There were countless likes and comments, praising Xiang Wan’s beauty to the skies.
They had initially planned to stay another night in Beicheng to see the night view before returning to Nancheng.
Fueled by the overwhelming praise, Lu Mingzhe couldn't sit still.
“Let’s go back. I want to take you home to meet my parents tonight.”
Xiang Wan was taken aback, “Ah?”
In her impression, people like Lu Mingzhe’s father were very serious and demanding.
Coupled with his mother, she was afraid…
“What’s wrong? You don’t want to go?”
Xiang Wan didn’t want to mention that Lu Mingzhe’s mother had spoken to her privately and they had argued.
She felt it would be like trying to influence him behind his back, too manipulative.
Besides, complaining about his mother to her son would put Lu Mingzhe in an awkward position.
“No, I just haven’t prepared myself yet.”
“What is there to prepare? As long as you’re healthy and can bring them a grandson, no, a granddaughter, that’s enough.”
Lu Mingzhe was also deliberately downplaying his mother’s attitude, trying to keep things light.
“Don’t worry, my parents are young and open-minded. As long as they are willing to sit down and get to know you, they will definitely like you.”
Xiang Wan couldn’t refuse.
After all, she truly wanted to marry Lu Mingzhe.
Once they were married, meeting his parents was an unavoidable hurdle, something she had to face sooner or later.
Might as well do it today since Lu Mingzhe was so happy. She decided to go along for the ride.
At four in the afternoon, the couple spontaneously bought return tickets at the airport.
On the way, Lu Mingzhe secretly messaged his mother, asking if she was back.
His mother had seen his Moments post. Knowing her stance, he had the audacity to post photos showing affection.
She was furious and blocked him on WeChat.
Discovering he had been blocked, Lu Mingzhe braced himself for a difficult battle and then messaged Lu Qingxu.
“I plan to bring Xiang Wan home for dinner tonight. You should come back too.”
“If Mom isn’t home, I’ll tell Dad first. We have to get her in the door today no matter what.”
Lu Qingxu sent a speechless emoji.
“Mom saw your Moments post today and flew into a rage, calling and scolding me too.”
“Don’t get me involved. If you want to go back, go by yourself. I want to live a few more years.”
Unreliable in crucial moments, this was his own brother!
Lu Mingzhe despised him, thinking: I’ll go back by myself. At worst, we’ll have a fight, and I’ll be kicked out of the house, severing our parent-child relationship temporarily.
He was determined to have Xiang Wan, and no one could stop him.
However, he realized how naive he was when they arrived at the doorstep.
His mother was already back and seemed to have anticipated his bringing Xiang Wan home. She had instructed the housekeeper not to let him in.
The housekeeper stood at the door, looking conflicted.
“Ah Zhe, Madam instructed me to open the door if it’s just you, but if…”
“I’m just following orders, please don’t blame me.”
Xiang Wan stood by, her expression extremely displeased.
Lu Mingzhe tightly gripped her hand, projecting an air of indifference.
“Fine, if you’re not letting me in, then so be it. I don’t want to come in anyway. Do me a favor.”
“What is it?”
“Bring out the household registration book for me. I’ll return it after we get our marriage certificate.”
The housekeeper: “?!”
Lu Mingzhe’s mother was standing just behind the door. She thought this maneuver would make Lu Mingzhe a bit more submissive, perhaps plead or soften his stance.
But then…
This ungrateful brat who forgot his mother the moment he saw a vixen!
“Hiss!”
She pushed the door open, nearly hitting Lu Mingzhe’s nose.
“Alright, Lu Mingzhe! You’re abandoning your parents for a woman and want to cut ties with me? Your wings have really grown strong!”
“If your wings are strong, then fly on your own! Why are you coming to my house to take my household registration book?”
Lu Mingzhe looked at her unreasonable behavior, “Don’t you think we miss you? It’s clearly you…”
“Mom, you know I didn’t come back to argue with you. Can’t we sit down and talk as a family?”
“Sit down and talk as a family? How dare you say that!”
“Back then, you insisted on marrying Chen Jiaojiao. Your father and I traveled all the way to Jincheng to speak up for you, didn’t we? And what was the result?”
“You say what you want to say and don’t say what you don’t want to say. Who is the parent here, you or us?”
Lu Mingzhe: “……”
“Let me tell you! Not just any stray cat or dog can enter our house. If you still want us, your parents, then come in yourself. If not, then get out and stay far away!”
“Having one disobedient rebel like you is enough. I don’t care about losing another one!”
The past events were indeed his fault, and Lu Mingzhe had already apologized. What was the point of bringing it up continuously?
“Xian and I are already…”
“It’s not about Chen Jiaojiao. You two are divorced, you failed once, I accepted that. But I will not allow you to fail a second time!”
“Ah Zhe, please reflect on your mother’s good intentions!”