Song JinXing did not know that by driving a sports car out today, he had unknowingly resolved an enemy for himself.
After taking Zhong Ruanxing to the antique market and picking out meeting gifts for Song's grandparents, and buying some good wine and tea health products for Zhong Dad and Zhong Mom at the mall, early the next morning, Zhong Ruanxing arrived carrying the tea and wine to visit her own dad.
This time she learned to be smart and drove the car directly into the community, planning to take the elevator from the basement to avoid being interrogated again by the security uncles and aunties at the entrance.
As a result.
"Hey young man, not from our community, what are you here for? Come, register first."
Zhong Ruanxing: "..."
Uncle, I've never seen you so diligent before!
She had no choice but to roll down the car window, "Uncle, I'm visiting relatives, please lift the barrier."
Unexpectedly, the uncle at the gate still remembered her: "Oh oh, it's you kid, you're Zhong's star friend right? Go ahead, go ahead, the parking space with the license plate hung is a private parking space, you can't park there."
Zhong Ruanxing didn't expect the uncle to be so easy to talk to this time. She nodded with a smile, "I know, thank you uncle."
The car slowly drove into the small community. The aunt sitting at the security booth was cracking melon seeds, "Oh my, this car is expensive. I heard from my son that this car is very expensive."
"Zhong's star has found herself a rich boyfriend!"
"With Zhong's star looking so beautiful, of course she has to find a rich man! Ordinary families are not good enough for her!"
"Zhong's star is famous now. Even big stars don't lack money. Have you seen the car she drives? I heard it costs millions!"
"Zhong's star has made it now. Our community has produced a big star! Maybe our housing prices can go up because of this!"
Zhong Ruanxing skillfully parked next to her own parking spot. That was the parking spot of the neighbor next door who had immigrated abroad with their family a few years ago, leaving their community house empty, and so also leaving the parking spot empty. Although it had a license plate hung up, it was ok to park there casually. This was a "secret" that only residents of the community knew.
After parking, she picked up the gifts and went to ring the doorbell. She almost pressed the password out of habit, but at the last moment reacted and pressed the doorbell instead.
The one who opened the door was Zhong You, standing on his toes to reach the door handle, and he greeted her excitedly, "Sister!"
Zhong Ruanxing made a shush gesture, "Call me brother!"
Zhong You had a precocious expression and said, "Brother!"
Zhong Dad also walked over. His smile was sincere but he seemed awkward in his actions, feeling somewhat at a loss to be hosting his son-in-law alone.
Luckily Zhong Ruanxing didn't make it difficult for her dad. She took the initiative to walk in and closed the door, "Uncle, good morning! Sorry for intruding."
Zhong Dad quickly said, "No intrusion, no intrusion, little Song, come on in."
Zhong Ruanxing changed into the new slippers Zhong Dad had prepared for her, and after entering, she put the gifts on the coffee table: "Uncle, these are some small gifts I brought for you and auntie. Zhong said you like drinking tea. Please try this tea, if you like it I'll bring more for you next time."
Zhong Dad wiped his hands on his apron and said awkwardly, "Little Song, you don't need to buy these things. Uncle just wants to invite you for a meal to thank you for taking care of Zhong."
The introvert had already done his best to say so much. He quickly said to his daughter, "Zhong, keep little Song company, I'll go make food."
Song JinXing nodded. Zhong Dad hurriedly escaped.
Zhong Ruanxing wanted to laugh when she saw this. After Song JinXing sat down, she smiled and said, "Let's go see auntie."
Zhong Mom stayed in the bedroom most of the time. She didn't like going out before either, preferring to stay home reading, painting, and making handicrafts to give to her students. Now that she was sick, she went out even less.
Living in that world she created made her quite happy.
As Zhong Ruanxing walked in, she saw Zhong Mom folding paper flowers. Ordinary colored paper could turn into beautiful flowers in her hands. Her room used to be filled with these kinds of flowers when she was little.
She walked over and called softly, "Mom."
Zhong Mom looked up and curiously asked, "Who are you?"
Zhong Ruanxing said, "I'm Zhong's boyfriend."
Zhong Mom made a curious eh sound, turned around and looked her up and down carefully several times, then shook her head, "You're not Zhong's boyfriend."
Zhong Ruanxing just laughed, "Then who do you say I am?"
But Zhong Mom couldn't say. She looked at her a few more times, finally mumbling something under her breath and turned back to fold paper flowers again. When she finished folding one, she handed it to her, "Take it."
Zhong Ruanxing laughed and asked, "Giving it to me?"
Zhong Mom had an 'I don't know what you look like' expression, "Eyes staring and not even blinking once, just like when you were little."
She seemed to know the person in front of her was her daughter, but her confused mind couldn't figure it out. She just kept folding flower after flower, giving them all to her.
When Zhong Ruanxing finally came out of the room, she was hugging a huge bunch of colorful paper flowers. When Zhong Dad saw this, his expression was somewhat moved. He said in a low voice, "Your mom really likes you."
Zhong Ruanxing just smiled.
Back at her own home, she was completely unconstrained. Perhaps it was her natural and relaxed attitude that even made Zhong Dad unconsciously infected, gradually letting go of his unease. Moreover, the sense of familiarity from his son-in-law made him feel at ease too. Although they were just dating, Zhong Dad already completely treated her like family.
When it was time for lunch, Zhong Ruanxing saw on the table the kind of lavish dishes that only appeared during Chinese New Year family reunion dinner. Her dad was set on letting his son-in-law try dishes from all the top 10 Chinese cuisines at once!
Zhong Dad rarely drank, but today he exceptionally took the initiative to open a bottle of vintage liquor he had collected for a long time, planning to have a few drinks with his son-in-law.
The can't-handle-liquor Zhong Ruanxing: "..."
Oh well, her dad was rarely in high spirits, she would go along with the gentleman, and drink a couple glasses with him!
Half an hour later, Zhong Dad looked at his son-in-law who was directly knocked out on the table, his whole body radiating panic. He looked to his daughter for help, "I, I didn't know he had such low alcohol tolerance."
Song JinXing also found it quite funny. He reassured, "It's fine, she didn't drink much either, she'll be fine after sleeping for a bit."
Zhong Dad had a remorseful expression.
In the end the two supported the passed out drunk, one on each side, and brought her to bed. Song JinXing closed the curtains and went to bring a wet towel to wipe her face and hands. Zhong Ruanxing, who had originally planned to show off her son-in-law charm in front of her dad, just slept through the chance like this.
When she woke up, the sky was already dark.
She groggily crawled up and saw the familiar room. She thought she had changed back again until she saw the "own self" sitting next to her. Her mind slowly sobered up.
Song JinXing looked at her amused, "Awake? Dizzy?"
Zhong Ruanxing clutched her head and hissed, extremely annoyed, "Damn it! How could this happen!"
Outside the door, Zhong You staggered in carrying a bowl of sober-up soup, "Brother, dad said to drink the soup, and asked what you want to eat for dinner tonight."
Zhong Ruanxing: "..."
She was certain her dad was more embarrassed than her right now!
Sure enough, at dinner, Zhong Dad was so embarrassed he didn't even dare look at her. It wasn't until Zhong Ruanxing cracked a few jokes to lighten the atmosphere that Zhong Dad's expression visibly relaxed a little.
Overall, today's family visit was still very perfect!
When leaving, Zhong Dad insisted on seeing her downstairs despite being an introvert, he was sincere.
Because she had drank, she had messaged Fu Ling earlier. When she went downstairs, her little assistant was already waiting there. Zhong Ruanxing introduced them. Fu Ling immediately respectfully greeted him. Zhong Dad hurriedly responded a couple times, "Then you two be careful on the road, pay attention to safety. Come eat at our home again next time you're free."
Zhong Ruanxing smiled and nodded, "I know, uncle. You go back up, bye."
Fu Ling's expression was calm but he was ecstatic inside.
Met the parents! Met the parents!
Civil affairs bureau! You better be sensible! Hurry up and move yourself over!