Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As soon as he turned around, he met Shi Mengwanâs gaze, and his expression darkened.
âIf you still acknowledge me as your father, I wonât allow you to be with him.â
âDad.â Shi Mengwan was at a loss for words. She couldnât help but turn around to look at Mother Shi. âMom, look at Dad ââ
She had wanted to stop Father Shi from chasing her away earlier, but she didnât expect to be a step too slow.
She took a few steps forward and was about to open the door for Zhan Haoze. Father Shi stood at the door. He stood there and refused to budge. âDonât open the door.â
âDad.â
Shi Mengwan was anxious. Seeing that the father and daughter were about to clash, Mother Shi quickly stepped forward and pulled the door open. Although she said she was going to pull the door open, she was only trying to dissuade her daughter first.
âWanwan, you must be tired from the car ride this morning. You should go and rest first.â
Shi Mengwanâs mother winked at Shi Mengwan. Now that Father Shi was in a rage, it was better not to confront Father Shi directly.
âBut ââ
Before Shi Mengwan could finish her sentence, she saw Father Shi snort while still facing the door. From that attitude of his, he appeared to have no intention of making way.
âDad, Mom.âShi Mengwan had a headache. âI still have to go back to Lin City to work. You guys arenât going to lock me up at home and not let me go out, right?â
âThe studio is all yours. Take a few days off. Just treat it as staying at home with your mom and me.â
Father Shi looked at Shi Mengwan. âBesides, donât think that I donât know that you guys can still work online. You have WIFI at home. You can just stay at home for the next few days.â
âDad, how can you do this? Iâm an adult now. How can you restrict my personal freedom?â
âIâm not restricting you. Iâm doing this for your own good. If you still acknowledge me as your dad, you have to agree to break up with that Zhan guy. As long as you break up, Iâll naturally let you go back.â
âDad, can you be reasonable?â
Shi Mengwan didnât expect that after saying so much, she wouldnât be able to move Father Shi at all. She really didnât know what to do.
âIâm unreasonable? Let me tell you, Iâm doing this for your own good. That woman surnamed Chenâs family background is better than ours, right? That Zhan guy even looks down on her. He said that the engagement would be annulled, so do you think heâll be loyal to you for the rest of his life?â
âI believe him.â
âUnfortunately, I donât believe him.â Father Shi had the same opinion as Mother Shi in this regard.
He was too out of her league. Since ancient times, people of equal status marrying each other had been the way. If that Zhan guy could make so much money and his conditions were so good... He really wasnât a good match.
âDad, you havenât even interacted with him before, yet youâre saying this. Arenât you being too rash?â
âRash? Iâm being rash for your own good.â
Father Shiâs attitude was firm. Shi Mengwan was very helpless.
After Shi Mengru washed the dishes and was about to go to school, Father Shi, preventing Shi Mengwan from going out, was still blocking the door.
Shi Mengru went up and looked at Father Shi with a fawning expression. âDad, itâs fine if you block sister. I still have to go to school.â
Father Shi glanced at his little daughter, but in the end, he opened the door and let her go out.
Outside the door, Zhan Haoze was still standing there. When Shi Mengwan saw him, her toes moved.
But before she could take a step, Father Shi slammed the door again. He turned around and glared at Shi Mengwan.
âDonât even think about going out today, I said so.â
âDad.â Shi Mengwan really didnât know that her own father had such a stubborn side.
The sun was also very bright in the courtyard. Shi Mengwanâs courtyard door was the kind of iron door that could often be seen in the countryside. There was nothing to block it.
The sun was so bright, so even though Zhan Haoze was a big man and he wasnât afraid of the sun, since he was standing outside the courtyard, it made Shi Mengwanâs heart ache a little.
âDad, just let him in. If thereâs anything, just let him in and talk about it, okay? Heâs just standing outside, so arenât you afraid that the neighbors will gossip?â
âWhat gossip?â Father Shi was stubborn. âIf heâs afraid of being gossiped about, he can leave. If he doesnât stand there, wonât there be no gossip?â
Shi Mengwan felt a headache coming on. She looked at Father Shi and finally nodded. âAlright then, let him stand there.â
She turned around and walked into the house. Such an easy compromise stunned Father Shi for a moment, but he immediately became even angrier.
He turned to look at Mother Shi. âWhat is she doing? Throwing a tantrum at me? Throwing a tantrum?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWhat nonsense are you talking about?â Mother Shi looked at the father-daughter battle and felt a little helpless. âYou keep her sweetheart outside, but you donât allow her to have a little temper?â
âShe canât stand to see her sweetheart being wronged, so she can let me, the father, be wronged, right?â
Father Shiâs words stunned Mother Shi for a moment, and she immediately reacted. She laughed. But she was afraid that Zhan Haoze would hear her outside, so her voice was very soft.
âAre you jealous?â
Father Shiâs old face turned red. âWhoâs jealous?â
âHow are you not jealous?â Mother Shiâs smile became even brighter, and she touched Father Shiâs arm. âYouâre unhappy that your daughter is about to run away with another man, not to mention that your daughter is protecting her lover. She doesnât give you any face at all ââ
âWhat nonsense are you talking about?â Father Shi was a little embarrassed. He glared at Mother Shi. âNo matter what, I wonât like such a man. I donât agree. Hmph.â
After saying this, he also entered the room. When he entered the room, he realized that Shi Mengwan had actually returned to her room. She ignored him and didnât even think of saying anything nice. His face turned even darker.
Shi Mengwan was in the room and looked at Zhan Haoze downstairs from the window. Unfortunately, his body was blocked by the door and she couldnât see him. After thinking for a while, she took out her phone and sent him a message.
âThe sun is high, go back to the car and sit down.â
Zhan Haoze took out his phone and smiled when he saw the message. âItâs okay, I canât back out at this time. I have to show your father my sincerity in wanting to marry you, right?â
Shi Mengwan was a little speechless when she saw his reply. Looking at the word âmarry youâ on the message, she replied, âDidnât you make a mistake? You should show me your sincerity first, right? After all, you didnât even propose marriage to me.â
âThen Iâll propose now and youâll marry me. Is that okay?â
âThatâs it? Iâm not going to agree.â
âThen how will you agree?â
âWhat do you think? No matter what, I donât want to marry you like this.â
âYou should rest for a while. When you wake up, maybe your father will let me in.â
âDream on.â Shi Mengwan didnât doubt her fatherâs determination at all. âIf you stand there for so long you turn into stone, maybe my father will agree to let you in.â
âThen why donât we make a bet? Letâs see if your father will let me in when you wake up from your afternoon nap.â
âLetâs make a bet.â Shi Mengwan didnât believe it at all. When she replied to the message, the corners of her mouth curled up, and there was faint mirth in her eyes. âIf you lose, what will you do?â
âIf I lose, Iâll listen to everything you say.â
âOkay.â In Shi Mengwanâs opinion, Zhan Haoze was bound to lose.
âIf I win, youâll marry me.â
Shi Mengwan looked at Zhan Haozeâs message and was a little speechless. How could she lose? She wouldnât lose.
âOkay. Iâm going to take a nap now. If you can really get my dad to let you in, Iâll marry you.â
âDeal.â
âDeal.â
After replying to the message, Shi Mengwan really went to sleep. At first, she couldnât fall asleep. Hearing that there was no sound outside, she thought that Zhan Haoze must still be standing outside. For some reason, she was in a good mood.
While she was sleeping soundly, Shi Mengwanâs voice woke her up.
âGet up.â
For a moment, Shi Mengwan didnât understand where she was. She sat up and looked at Shi Mengwan.
âMom?â
âYes. Since youâve woken up, go downstairs and talk about your marriage with Zhan Haoze.â
â...â Shi Mengwan blinked. âMom, what are you talking about?â
âSince youâre awake, go downstairs. Zhan Haoze is downstairs. Come down first. Letâs discuss what you plan to do about your marriage.â
Was there something wrong with her ears? What did Mother Shi say?
âMy marriage to Zhan Haoze?â
âIs there someone else?â Mother Shi flicked her forehead. âAlright, hurry up. Iâll call your second uncle and third uncle to come over for dinner tonight. It can be considered as letting Zhan Haoze meet our relatives.â
What kind of turn of events was this? Shi Mengwan couldnât understand it now. After Mother Shi went out, she quickly got up and took the shortest amount of time to tidy up herself. After changing her clothes, she hurried downstairs.
When she went downstairs, she realized that the atmosphere downstairs was a little strange.
Besides Father Shi, Mother Shi, and Zhan Haoze, there was also Grandma Shi? She was very surprised as to how Zhan Haoze entered the door. However, before that, she greeted Grandma Shi first.
âGrandma?â Although she wasnât very close to Grandma Shi, she still had to be polite.
âWanwanâs back? Itâs so hot today, why didnât you sleep more?â Grandma Shi seemed to be in a particularly good mood today. Seeing that Grandma Shi wasnât giving her the cold shoulder like before, Shi Mengwan was surprised.
â...â This sudden burst of enthusiasm made Shi Mengwan feel flattered. She just stood there and didnât move.
Grandma Shi had already come forward and pulled Shi Mengwanâs hand. âWanwan, look at you. Why didnât you tell Grandma that you found a boyfriend? You should have brought him back a long time ago.â
Shi Mengwan blinked as Grandma Shi held her hand and looked at Zhan Haoze.
ââ My Grandma let you in?
ââ It was your dad who let me in.
ââ impossible. My dad was already lenient enough for not hitting you. How could he let you in?
ââ Your dad is right there. Do you want to ask him?
Their gazes met in the air. In a few moments, they understood the meaning in each otherâs eyes.
Shi Mengwan bit her lip. Before she could look at Father Shi. Grandma Shi had already pulled her hand and sat down by the side.
âItâs good that youâre here. I was just talking about how to handle this banquet.â
Shi Mengwan realized that she couldnât keep up with Grandmaâs train of thought. Why did she suddenly jump to the banquet?
Sure enough, she hadnât said anything yet, but Father Shiâs face sank first. âMom, who said weâre going to hold a banquet? Donât add to the mess. I havenât agreed to Wanwanâs marriage yet.â
âWhat did you say?â Grandma Shiâs expression changed as she glared at Father Shi. She was displeased. âWhat nonsense are you talking about? You donât even agree to such a good son-in-law? Tell me, what kind of son-in-law do you want? Huh? Donât tell me you want your daughter to marry a President?â
âMom.â Father Shiâs face turned green. âItâs not like that. He ââ
âI know. He was engaged before. So what if he was? Forget about getting engaged. Even if he got married, canât people remarry after the divorce?â
âMom?â
Father Shi had been Grandma Shiâs son for many years. How could he not know that his mother was particularly good at twisting the facts?
âHaoze told me about his situation on the way. How big of a deal is it? Isnât it just an engagement? Since itâs broken off, it means theyâre not fated. Now that heâs going to be with Wanwan, it means he and Wanwan are fated. Donât you think so?â
Father Shi had a headache. She was already calling him Haoze. He was furious, yet she was his own mother. There were still an âoutsiderâ around, so he couldnât argue with Grandma Shi in front of outsiders.
On the other hand, it was rare for her mother to be on the same side as her mother-in-law. âYeah, peopleâs relationships still have to depend on fate.â
âLook, since your wife says that, it means our Wanwan and Haoze are fated.â
âHaoze, donât you think so?â
Zhan Haoze nodded in agreement. âYes, Wanwan and I are fated.â
âThatâs right.â Grandma Shi looked at Zhan Haoze with satisfaction. âOh right, whatâs the genus of Haoze?â
âI belong to the Dragon.â
âLook, look, look.â Grandma Shiâs eyes lit up as she looked at Father Shi. âHaoze belongs to the year of the dragon. Wanwan belongs to the year of the horse. A dragon and a horse are a perfect match.â
Pfft. If Shi Mengwan was drinking water, she definitely would have spit it out.
She looked at Grandma Shi and realized for the first time that her grandmother was also a talent.
âMom, what era is it? Do you still believe in this?â Father Shi was even more annoyed with Zhan Haoze now, but he couldnât lose his temper.
âWhy not? Look at the Zhao family at the east end of the village. Someone in the family born in the year of the dragon married someone born in the year of the tiger. They fight with each other every day. What did the fortune-teller Zhang Banxian say? He said that the best match for someone born in the year of the dragon is to marry someone born in the year of the horse. They are a perfect match. They are a perfect match.â
Shi Mengwan had a hard time holding back her laughter. She couldnât help but look at Zhan Haoze and realized that he was listening to Grandma Shiâs nonsense seriously. She couldnât help but rub her forehead. This was really...
âHaoze, donât you agree?â
âYes.â Zhan Haoze wasnât impatient at all. On the contrary, he agreed. âIâve asked a few friends who studied metaphysics before, and they also said that Wanwan and I are a good match.â
Shi Mengwan lowered her head and didnât want to look at Zhan Haoze anymore.
How come she didnât know that Zhan Haoze could actually talk nonsense with a straight face?
âThatâs what I said. Since thatâs the case, letâs settle things as soon as possible.â
Grandma Shi thought about it. âThis year is a good year. You know that, right? Itâs best to get married this year.â
âI think so too. If possible, I hope to marry Wanwan as soon as possible.â
âYou child, I can tell that youâre a good person at first glance.â Grandma Shi smiled like a flower. Shi Mengwan really couldnât stand it anymore, but the two in front of her were still going on.
âHow about this, Iâll let Zhang Banxian see which day is suitable.â
âOkay, weâll listen to Grandma.â Zhan Haoze nodded. âWe can also get engaged before we pick a good day.â
âMom.â Father Shi couldnât take it anymore. âI havenât agreed yet.â
âWhy wonât you agree?â Grandma Shi stood up as she looked at Father Shi. âWhen I told you not to marry Wanwanâs mother in the past, werenât you the one who told me that now, marriage is free and love is free. You said the times are different now. You told us parents not to interfere with our childrenâs marriage? Why are you interfering with Wanwanâs marriage now?â
âI ââ Father Shi was speechless.
âWanwan, let me ask you. You brought Haoze back, right?â
âYes.â Shi Mengwan had endured it very hard just now, but now it was even harder.
âYou like him and he likes you too. You guys are together of your own free wills, right?â
âYes.â Shi Mengwan ignored Father Shiâs ugly expression and nodded vigorously.
âLook ââ Grandma Shi spread out her hands. âIsnât it already done? Marriage is free, love is free. You said it.â
âMom ââ Father Shiâs head was about to explode.
âAlright, itâs settled then.â Grandma Shi made the decision on the spot. âWanwan, accompany Haoze around the town. Iâll discuss it with your dad and see how your marriage will be handled. Also, Iâve made the decision tonight to have your second uncle, third uncle, and your aunt come over for dinner. Also, let him acknowledge his new relatives.â
âGot it, Grandma.â Shi Mengwan wasnât surprised at all since Mother Shi had said that earlier.
She held Zhan Haozeâs hand and walked out a little quickly. She was really afraid that if she stayed any longer, she wouldnât be able to control herself.
It had been so long, but this was the first time she realized that her grandmother had such a powerful function.
She did have some questions to ask Zhan Haoze. So, she didnât care about Father Shiâs fierce and sharp gaze and left the house with Zhan Haoze.
After she slept for a while, the sun outside wasnât that big anymore. The clouds covered the sun and a gust of wind blew over. Not only was it not hot, but it was also cool.
Shi Mengwan breathed in the familiar fresh air of her hometown. She turned around and looked at Zhan Haoze. âTell me, how did you do it?â
Zhan Haoze didnât answer her question. He just pinched her palm. âDonât worry about how I did it. Did I win today?â
Although she was very unwilling to admit it, he really won. Shi Mengwan nodded. âYes. You won.â
âSo, youâre going to marry me?â
âTell me first, how did you do it?â
âA lure,â Zhan Haoze threw out two words. Shi Mengwan blinked and thought of Grandma Shiâs personality. âWhat benefits did you promise my Grandma?â
Without waiting for Zhan Haoze to answer, she suddenly raised her hand. âNo, tell me first. How did you know to find my Grandma?â
She didnât believe that Zhan Haoze didnât have a helper. The biggest possibility was â âMy sister, right? She must have told you to look for my grandmother.â
âSmart, it was your sister.â Zhan haoze smiled. He was quite satisfied with this future sister-in-law. âShe told me to look for her grandmother.â
Previously, Grandma Shi had a bad relationship with Mother Shi, and she was angry that Father Shi didnât want to listen to her and adopt a stepson. Therefore, she had been taking turns to live with her second uncle and third uncle.
After receiving Shi Mengruâs guidance, Zhan Haoze quickly went to look for Grandma Shi. Of course, Shi Mengru was the one who brought him along.
When Grandma Shi heard that he was Shi Mengwanâs boyfriend, she listened to Shi Mengruâs introduction. She didnât even take her afternoon nap, but she was suddenly energized.
She chatted with Zhan Haoze for a while. After Shi Mengru left, she tried to beat around the bush and listened to Zhan Haozeâs conditions.
She was sure that he was a rich mand. How could she let such a good man go?
It was rare that Shi Mengwan was lucky enough to meet such a good man. Grandma Shi was very happy.
More importantly, Zhan Haoze generously agreed to many of Grandma Shiâs conditions.
âWhat did you agree to my Grandma?â
âNothing.â Zhan haoze looked at Shi Mengwanâs beautiful side profile and avoided answering the question. âTo be able to marry you, I think any condition is nothing.â
âZhan Haoze.â
That was because he didnât understand what kind of person Grandma Shi was.
If he dared to agree to those conditions, Grandma Shi would have a way to ask for more in the future like a bottomless pit.
âDonât worry. Grandma WAS still very reasonable. It WAS really nothing.â
Grandma Shi was reasonable? Shi Mengwan blinked her eyes and couldnât believe her ears. âZhan haoze, what condition did you agree to my grandma? If you donât say it, I wonât marry you.â
âItâs really not a big deal.â Zhan Haoze stopped and rested his forehead on Shi Mengwanâs forehead. As he looked at her face, there was some gentleness in his eyes.
âI told you, those are nothing.â
No matter what price he had to pay, he was lucky to be able to marry her.
And after getting those promises from him, Grandma Shi would naturally think of a way to persuade Father Shi.
He didnât have any intention of using money to bribe anyone, but if such a move worked, he didnât mind doing it.
Moreover, although Grandma Shi seemed unreliable, this time, she really wasnât the one who suggested it. It was Zhan Haoze who took the initiative to agree.
He vaguely knew that Shi Mengwan and Grandma Shi didnât have a good relationship. He also knew that after so many years, there were some things in Shi Mengwanâs heart that she couldnât forget.
If he could get Grandma Shi to agree to their marriage with just a little money, and it could even make their relationship better, then why wouldnât he do it?
Zhan Haozeâs words made Shi Mengwan feel a little moved. She looked at Zhan Haoze, then suddenly tiptoed and kissed him on the lips.
âThank you, Zhan Haoze.â
Her actions made Zhan Haoze smile. Obviously, he was very satisfied with her initiative, but he said, âThatâs it? Your thank you gift is still so insincere.â
Shi Mengwanâs face turned red. âWhat else do you want?â
âNothing, I just want to remind you. Remember that you lost to me. Also, you have to marry me.â
Shi Mengwan pulled her hand back and took a big step back. âIâm not going to do that. You havenât even proposed, so Iâm not going to marry you.â
âNot going to marry me?â Zhan Haoze narrowed his eyes and chased after Shi Mengwan.
Shi Mengwan quickly ran away. The two of them chased after each other on the road not far from the Shi familyâs house until Shi Mengwan met someone she knew.
After Shi Mengwan brought Zhan Haoze around the town and brought him back home, she realized that although Father Shiâs expression was still ugly, but he didnât say anything about chasing Zhan Haoze out.
He looked at Zhan Haoze with a displeased gaze.
âYou, come with me.â