"What, what's wrong with our identities that you're embarrassed?"
Just as Chen Ziming felt he had the upper hand, Chen Kang'an, who had remained silent on the matter, spoke up.
His mere presence exuded pressure.
His voice carried a heavy gravitas.
Glanced at by his gaze, Chen Ziming realized his words might not have been entirely appropriate.
However, he was not flustered and calmly explained:
"You know what I mean. You all hold high positions. You're sitting here, and even I, your own son, feel a little intimidated. How do you think this young girl, still studying, would feel?"
"You're intimidated? I don't see any fear in you."
"Good upbringing, doesn't show emotions easily."
...
"Alright, you two stop bickering."
Grandma, who was looking at Su Yue's photos with Meng Hualan, interrupted them with dissatisfaction as they started their usual wrangling.
"I'll ask you, Chen Ziming, when are you planning to bring her over? Or... I'm not a scary person, am I? Let Grandma meet her first?"
Chen Ziming: ...
"Grandma, I'm twenty-five."
"You're still a child at fifty, right, Chen Kang'an?" kuAiδugg
Secretary Chen: ...
"Mom, why don't you and Dad go home first, we'll talk with him."
"Alright, we'll leave first." Grandpa got up, and before turning, he shot his grandson a glare.
"Go, go, Chen Ziming, don't disappoint me, arrange it quickly." Grandma got up too, also glaring at him.
Chen Ziming, who was usually so aloof outside, was utterly speechless but obediently got up to escort the elders out.
When he returned, Meng Hualan was already sitting with Chen Kang'an, both flipping through Su Yue's social media account.
"Mom, be reasonable."
He sat down, guessing it was Chen Cheng's doing, and was already silently planning how to teach that brat a lesson.
"She's a very outstanding girl, what are you afraid of?"
Meng Hualan raised an eyebrow at him, a hint of disdain in her expression.
"Look all you want, but don't get any other ideas."
"How dare you speak to your mother like that? Do you think we would harm her?"
Chen Kang'an's originally gentle expression instantly turned serious upon hearing his words, and he lectured him.
"You asked me to come, but is there anything else? If not, I'm leaving."
He then stood up directly.
"Sit down. How do you discipline your child? Is that how you show respect to elders?" Secretary Chen's voice held a hint of sternness.
After all, he was a high-ranking official, his aura was imposing, and Chen Ziming obediently sat down again.
But he remained silent.
"How did you meet?" Meng Hualan began her interrogation.
"I met her at her school during a lecture."
"You're quite resourceful."
"..."
"The girl is only twenty, and you're letting her live with you. Isn't that a bit irresponsible?"
"If I've done this, I will take full responsibility."
"The girl is still young, be careful with safety measures."
"..."
He finally couldn't take it anymore, his expression darkening as he looked at them and said:
"I'm really leaving now, she's waiting for me."
"Wait a moment." Chen Kang'an's voice rang out again.
Chen Ziming had already stood up and had no intention of sitting down again. He looked at his father calmly, waiting for him to speak.
"Her father, he's Su Minghua from your department, right?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of gloom flickered across his face.
"Secretary Chen, this is going a bit too far."
"While we don't manage you, we still need to know about the woman you're choosing as your wife."
Meng Hualan chimed in, "Your parents are just getting to know her, don't be upset."
He stood there, hands on his hips, frowning and squinting at his parents.
They looked back at him, Chen Kang'an's expression serious, while Meng Hualan was much more amiable.
"Don't inquire about her affairs anymore. When the time is right, I will naturally bring her home."
He paused, then his gaze fixed directly on Chen Kang'an: "Regarding Su Minghua, you are not to interfere in any way."
A flicker of confusion crossed Chen Kang'an's face, but he quickly understood his meaning.
"Alright, we'll do as you say." Meng Hualan, seeing the tense atmosphere, spoke up to ease it.
"Then I'm leaving."
"Wait, take this with you."
She smiled and took out two jewelry boxes from behind, opening them.
One was an emerald jade bracelet, and the other was a pure gold bracelet, both shimmering brightly.
They gleamed with an expensive luster.