“Come on, why are you nervous?” Chen Xiao asked with a smile.
“I’m not nervous, I’m just a little… alright, I’m nervous,” his mother said with a helpless expression.
Chen Xiao laughed heartily, “Mom, don’t be nervous. In the end, if you really get together with Uncle Wang, it’s your and Uncle Wang’s business. What does it have to do with them? If they dare to gossip, I’ll beat them up!”
“Look at you, talking nonsense again. What do you mean beat them up? Are you still a child!” His mother gave Chen Xiao another glare.
Chen Xiao thought to himself that he didn’t really beat people up anymore; usually, if there was a disagreement, he would just kill them!
The next day at ten-thirty, Chen Xiao and his mother arrived at the Pearl River Hotel in advance. Before leaving, his mother had specifically tidied herself up and put on clothes she usually wouldn’t wear. Although she lacked the grace and elegance of a noblewoman, she exuded a simple, unpretentious, and dignified aura. Perhaps due to the influence of the earth vein dragon energy, his mother appeared much more energetic and youthful than before, looking only in her early forties. Chen Xiao thought that with his mother’s looks, she could easily find a young man in his thirties, let alone an older gentleman.
At ten-fifty, Uncle Wang arrived fashionably late. “I’m truly sorry, Xiao Liu. There was some traffic on the way, so I’m a bit late. Please forgive me for keeping you waiting!” As soon as he entered, Uncle Wang apologized repeatedly, which significantly improved Chen Xiao’s impression of him. He was a gentle and cultured old man; according to his mother, he was a retired middle school principal, well-educated and knowledgeable.
Before long, Uncle Wang’s son and daughter also arrived. Brother Wang, appearing to be in his mid-thirties, sported a thick gold chain and a small gold watch. Upon entering, he casually placed his BMW car keys on the table. Uncle Wang introduced him as a businessman who owned several shops and earned several million yuan annually. Sister Wang was around Chen Xiao’s age, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and had a serious demeanor. She worked in scientific research.
“Xiao Liu, this must be your son, Chen Xiao. May I ask what your son does for a living?” Uncle Wang asked with a smile.
“Oh, I’m a doctor, working at Jiangcheng Hospital,” Chen Xiao replied proactively.
“A doctor is a good profession, respectable and well-compensated,” Uncle Wang said politely. Brother Wang and Sister Wang, however, scoffed. While being a doctor was indeed a good profession for ordinary families, in their eyes, it was nothing special and not worth mentioning.
Uncle Wang wanted to make some small talk to foster a better understanding between them, but Sister Wang impatiently said, “Alright, let’s serve the food quickly. I need to get back to work after lunch!”
Brother Wang chuckled proudly, “Sister, you’re quite the busy person now. No one in our family can compare to you. How far along is the enzyme technology your Anchen Technology is developing? When will the product be launched?”
“It’s transaminase!” Sister Wang replied. “The product launch is still a long way off, at least three to five years!”
“That long? But it’s worth it. I heard it’s a world-changing product. When it finally launches, your annual salary will be millions, won’t it?” Brother Wang said exaggeratedly, deliberately glancing at Chen Xiao, clearly trying to show off.
“Millions? By then, that number will only be my monthly salary,” Sister Wang said nonchalantly.
“Good heavens, a month is as much as I earn in a year. If only I had studied harder back then!” Brother Wang said, then swept a proud glance at Chen Xiao. “Xiao Chen, they say being a doctor is a high-paying profession. How much is your monthly salary now?”
“I’m not really sure; I haven’t checked my salary card,” Chen Xiao answered truthfully. He genuinely didn’t know how much money he had, but it was certainly in the hundreds of billions. The salary from the hospital was less than a drop in the ocean to him, so he didn’t even know the exact amount, nor where he had put his salary card.
“Heh, you’re quite carefree then,” Brother Wang said with a mocking smile. In his opinion, Chen Xiao was probably too embarrassed to admit he earned little, as no normal person wouldn’t know their own salary.
“Alright, you should say fewer pointless things!” Sister Wang impatiently glared at Brother Wang and said sternly, “Since we are here today for the marriage of the two elders, let’s be more sincere and less manipulative. Let’s get straight to the point!”
Chen Xiao thought this was too direct. Wasn’t this just a meeting to get acquainted? Why were they already talking about marriage? Liu Zhen also hadn’t expected them to bring up marriage and was about to speak, “I…” However, before she could finish, Sister Wang interrupted her directly, “Aunt Liu, the specifics can be decided by us and your son. You don’t need to interrupt.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao became furious. This woman was incredibly rude! However, he didn’t know this was just the beginning, and more infuriating things were yet to come. Sister Wang then said seriously, “Let me do some calculations for everyone.”
“Aunt Liu is fifty-three this year, and my father is sixty-five. In terms of age, my father has the advantage. Let’s also consider the economic aspect. My father’s current retired salary is twelve thousand yuan per month, and my brother and I will give him tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands annually depending on the situation. As for Aunt Liu, she has no pension. She used to sell pancakes at the market, so in terms of both status and income, Aunt Liu and my father are not a match.”
“But my brother and I are filial. Since my father has chosen Aunt Liu, we have no objections. However, I hope Aunt Liu can recognize reality… and that reality is, economically, you will be dependent on my father. Therefore, I hope that after you are married, you will fulfill your duties as a good wife and mother: doing laundry, cooking, and tidying the rooms. The food should be delicious, the rooms spotless, and the washed clothes should have the fragrance of laundry detergent. It would be best if you could wash them by hand. My brother and I will check regularly.”
“Given your son’s low income and his unmarried status, we will provide him with some financial assistance in the future if needed. That’s all I can think of for now. Brother, do you have anything to add?” After speaking, Sister Wang turned her gaze to Brother Wang, completely oblivious to the increasingly displeased expressions of the two people opposite them.
Chen Xiao was so angry he laughed, but he suppressed his emotions. If one sister could utter so many absurd conditions, he wanted to hear what other nonsense this brother had to say. Brother Wang thought for a moment and said imperiously, “Sister, your considerations are very thorough. I have nothing to add, except one thing: Dad can get married to Aunt Liu, and I can handle the wedding, but you absolutely cannot get a marriage certificate!”