After their relationship went public, Fu Zheng was initially quite nervous.
It wasn't that he was afraid of gossip; he was worried about implicating Su Ying and having people point fingers at her.
To his surprise, people didn't seem to have much of an opinion about them being together. Some even felt they made a good match and showered them with blessings.
"I thought President Su would be single forever. It's truly a rare sight to see her in a relationship in my lifetime!"
"President Su can be a bit domineering, but she's a genuinely good person. You're a lucky man!"
"I always wondered why a successful woman like President Su, who has beauty, wealth, and a career, didn't have a boyfriend? Turns out it was a secret relationship!"
"Congratulations! Please take good care of her in the future!"
Faced with a wave of blessings from his colleagues, Fu Zheng's worried heart finally settled.
However, he was severely scolded by Su Ying for getting drunk and was forbidden from sleeping in her bed. No amount of pleading or acting cute would change her mind!
As a result, Fu Zheng etched the words "no more drinking" into his very being, adhering to it strictly and never daring to upset his girlfriend again.
On their first anniversary, Fu Zheng's family finally relented. They hesitantly called him, probing indirectly about when he would bring his girlfriend home.
"Zhengzheng, Grandma is getting old. I don't know if I'll be able to have tea with my future granddaughter-in-law..."
"Is the girlfriend pretty? Bring her back for the relatives to see!"
Fu Zheng could ignore his parents, but when his grandparents spoke, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
One day after work, Fu Zheng cooked a table full of dishes, showing his desire to please.
Su Ying gave him a playful glare and asked, "Alright, what's on your mind?"
Fu Zheng smiled sheepishly, gently rubbing her shoulders as he carefully chose his words. "Um... my family elders want to meet you... Are you free recently? Could you accompany me back to my hometown?"
Su Ying was somewhat resistant to the idea of meeting parents.
Especially, meeting the man's parents.
Fu Zheng's parents had not shown her much favor before, even pressuring him to break up. Su Ying figured that since they were just dating, there was no need to escalate things, so she didn't dwell on it.
She was a very independent woman, financially secure, and didn't need to be anyone's appendage. It was already annoying enough to be gossiped about by industry peers; now she had to endure criticism from her boyfriend's family?
She really didn't want to.
"I might be a bit busy lately," Su Ying said hesitantly.
However, Fu Zheng knew her work schedule better than anyone. The fashion week's new season launch had just concluded, and there were still several months until the next one. Apart from some urgent orders, she was actually quite free.
Fu Zheng knew she was unwilling, but he could only offer a wry smile and not pressure her. "Okay, I understand."
Watching the light in his eyes gradually fade, Su Ying felt a pang of guilt.
Was she being a terrible person?
Just dating him without considering their future...
Su Ying felt inexplicably uneasy. "Um... I heard the scenery where you're from is quite nice?"
Fu Zheng, who had been quietly eating, slowly looked up. "You..."
"We've been talking about a company retreat for the studio staff, but haven't decided where to go yet," Su Ying said, biting on her chopsticks and speaking unhurriedly. "Is it expensive there?"
"It's quite affordable," Fu Zheng's heart leaped with joy.
Did this mean she was indirectly agreeing to go back with him?
Perhaps she was just shy about her refusal earlier? Or maybe she wanted to compensate him because she was afraid he'd be upset? Whatever the reason, Fu Zheng was overjoyed.
"I'm very familiar with the area, I can be your tour guide."
"I have a relative who owns a hotel there. The environment is good, and the prices are reasonable..."
"My grandparents live in a mountain area with a large orchard. We can arrange plenty of activities..."
When Fu Zheng got excited, he became rather incoherent.
Su Ying found his ramblings amusing. What started as a casual remark gradually made her feel that going there might not be a bad idea.
Su Ying was a woman of action. Once an idea took root, she had to execute it.
The next day, at the company's morning meeting, she put the retreat on the agenda. Regarding the destination, everyone enthusiastically suggested several well-known tourist cities, and some even proposed going abroad.
Holding the materials Fu Zheng had prepared earlier, Su Ying decisively announced, "This time, our destination will be G City. It's a popular tourist destination recently, with a cultural landscape vastly different from ours. I believe it will bring everyone new creative inspiration."
"President Su, just say it directly, you want to visit Little Fu's hometown, why go through all this trouble!"
"I guessed it long ago, hahaha!"
"Hahahaha..."
In the conference room, someone started it, and everyone else joined in the laughter.
Most of Su Ying's studio employees were young. They were direct with their words, and there were no communication issues. Furthermore, Su Ying didn't like to put on airs of being the boss and often mingled with them, frequently engaging in such jokes.
What kind of person was Su Ying to be bothered by them?
She smiled and readily admitted, "Yes, I have my ulterior motives. Are you going or not?"
"We're going, we absolutely have to!"
"Little Fu often talks about his hometown, I've wanted to see it for a long time!"
"I heard they have beautiful women there. How can we not go feast our eyes!"
"Anyway, the company is paying, so why not take advantage of this freebie!"
"We've been working hard for so long, it's time to relax!"
Ultimately, everyone unanimously agreed and set the specific itinerary.
Su Ying entrusted all the travel arrangements to Fu Zheng.
It was strange, ever since Fu Zheng transferred to the marketing department, Su Ying hadn't hired an assistant. Whatever she could do herself, she did. If something required running errands, she delegated it to the administrative department.
"It seems President Su truly loves Little Fu!"
"Is it because she's afraid Little Fu will get jealous?"
"I have to say, this real-life couple is so endearing!"
Three days later, a group of over a hundred people boarded the high-speed train to G City.
Compared to flying, the high-speed train offered direct travel and was more convenient.
***
Meanwhile, in G City, upon learning that Fu Zheng was returning with his girlfriend, his aunts and uncles had already gathered at the Fu family home, eager to catch a glimpse of Su Ying.
"Cousin-in-law, you're so lucky to be marrying into a prominent family in B City!"
"I heard she's an internationally renowned fashion designer, and she's won many awards. Truly talented and beautiful!"
"Her parents are both doctors. Will we get priority when we need to see a doctor in B City in the future?"
"Little Zheng will probably settle down in B City, won't he? That's the capital, he's really made it!"
The relatives chattered incessantly, showering her with compliments.
However, Fu Zheng's mother's expression was somewhat grim.
She had adamantly opposed their relationship. She never expected her son to defy her, forcing her to compromise. Wasn't this a slap in the face?
The more the relatives praised Su Ying's capabilities and Fu Zheng's good taste, the more it highlighted her own narrow-mindedness.
Thinking about it, it was infuriating!