Meng Zhihong frowned as he glanced at her.
“Since both of you sisters are here today, let me say this clearly,” Meng Zhihong said slowly. “Although neither of you is officially engaged yet, the matter is basically settled already. When you’re outside, keep a proper distance from other men. If rumors start spreading, it won’t be good for either our family or the future in-laws.”
“Originally, I planned to wait until after you got into university before arranging the engagement. But the village already has plenty to say about our family. To avoid any problems, I’ll write to the in-laws later and arrange a date for the engagement.”
Meng Yao was stunned.
She didn’t understand why her father had suddenly changed his mind. She still hadn’t even confirmed whether Gu Jingcheng liked her or not!
“Sis, I do think you shouldn’t get too close to Teacher Ji. After all, he’s unmarried, and you’re not married either. If people start gossiping, it won’t sound good,” Meng Yu said in a mocking tone.
Meng Yao instantly understood.
So this was the reason.
Meng Yu had probably been gossiping behind her back, causing their father to become uneasy and change his plans.
Zhao Meilan also looked at Meng Yao worriedly.
Meng Yao turned to explain to Meng Zhihong.
“Dad, it’s like this. While studying math these past few days, I encountered some questions I couldn’t solve, so I specifically went to the educated youth center to ask Teacher Ji for help. The two of us are completely innocent. There’s absolutely nothing between us.”
Zhao Meilan immediately added,
“Exactly! Don’t you know what kind of person A Yao is? She’s always been obedient and never gives us anything to worry about. How could there possibly be something between her and Teacher Ji?”
Hearing this, Meng Yu glared hatefully at Zhao Meilan.
She really talked too much!
Meng Zhihong’s expression softened slightly as he sighed.
“Of course I trust my daughter. But people’s words are frightening. Especially since A Yao and Xiao Yu are about to get engaged, we have to be extra careful.”
His words weren’t unreasonable.
In the village, plenty of people had been driven to suicide by rumors and isolation—some jumping into rivers, others swallowing poison.
Meng Yao nodded.
“Dad, don’t worry. I’ll definitely be more careful in the future.”
Meng Zhihong nodded too, then suddenly thought of something and smiled at her.
“Improving your studies is a good thing. How has your studying been lately?”
“Pretty good. Teacher Ji even said I’ve improved very quickly,” Meng Yao replied with a smile before turning to Meng Yu. “How about you, little sister?”
“Instead of always paying attention to others, maybe focus on yourself. Otherwise, if you fail to get into university, Mom and Dad will lose face.”
Meng Yu gritted her teeth.
“I don’t need your concern!”
Recently, Meng Zhihong had indeed only seen Meng Yao studying diligently, so he immediately began lecturing Meng Yu not to slack off and to learn from her older sister.
Meng Yu was furious.
She couldn’t understand why Meng Zhihong and Zhao Meilan trusted Meng Yao so easily after only a few words.
Looking at the provoking look in Meng Yao’s eyes, Meng Yu restrained herself again and again.
She couldn’t act impulsively yet.
At the very least, she needed to wait until after the marriages, after she had squeezed some money out of the Meng family, before completely tearing apart all relations with them.
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two sisters, Zhao Meilan sighed helplessly.
She couldn’t understand how the two girls, who used to get along so harmoniously, had suddenly become so incompatible lately.
It troubled her deeply.
During the noon break, Meng Zhihong returned to his room, took out paper and pen, and began writing letters to the future in-laws.
When Zhao Meilan entered for her nap, she saw that he had already finished one letter.
She leaned over curiously.
Zhao Meilan couldn’t recognize many characters, but her eyes landed on the final line—
*To Gu Tao.*
She recognized the surname *Gu* and knew the letter was meant for the future eldest son-in-law’s family.
“Do we really need to send a letter to the Gu family? Aren’t they just in the county town? Couldn’t we simply visit them directly another day?” Zhao Meilan asked.
Meng Zhihong thought for a moment before shaking his head.
“Forget it. The Gu family is wealthy and prestigious. If we go over, they’ll have to receive us properly. They might even think we’re going there to ask for favors. I don’t want A Yao to be looked down on after she marries into their family.”
Zhao Meilan felt his words made sense and said nothing more before climbing onto the bed.
“Hurry and finish writing. The lunch break isn’t long.”
Meng Zhihong answered in agreement.
After finishing the letters during lunch, Meng Zhihong headed out during work hours and skillfully found the place to mail them.
The two letters were soon sent to different destinations.
The first letter arrived at the Gu family.
Old Master Gu stared blankly at the letter on the table.
The Meng family had already written to discuss choosing an engagement date.
But the rebellious son in his family still refused to cooperate.
He couldn’t exactly tie the boy up and drag him there.
*Sigh… what should I do? This is truly worrying.*
The second letter traveled thousands of miles away to Jingxi City.
Inside the Song family’s small Western-style villa in the military residential compound, everything was peaceful and quiet.
After dinner, Song Wei returned to his study as usual. He first spent half an hour reading military books before changing clothes and going into the courtyard to do push-ups.
After exercising enough, he wiped away his sweat and prepared to go upstairs for a shower.
Just as he entered the living room, he ran into his parents coming downstairs.
Song Wei drank the water in his glass in one gulp before greeting them.
“Dad. Mom.”
The two nodded.
Seeing him drenched in sweat, Jiang Yingrong frowned.
“How many times have I told you? Exercise in the morning. Who works out late at night like this?”
Song Wei set down the glass.
“Mm. Got it.”
Jiang Yingrong rolled her eyes.
Her son always brushed her off like this. Every time he agreed verbally, then continued doing whatever he wanted afterward.
Song Wen finally spoke up.
“How would he have time to exercise during the day? If he likes working out at night, then let him.”
Song Wei nodded.
“Dad, Mom, I’m going back to rest now. You should both rest early too.”
After speaking, he headed upstairs.
As they approached one another face to face, Song Wei instinctively stepped aside to make room for his parents to pass first.
But Song Wen stopped walking.
Song Wei looked up at him.
The two pairs of nearly identical eyes met—one sharp and commanding, the other calm and steady.
“At least put some effort into matters concerning the Meng family. The distance is already great enough. If you don’t make any effort at all, how are you supposed to get along in the future like complete strangers?” Song Wen said again. “Start building your relationship now. Once the in-laws decide on the engagement date, be prepared.”
Jiang Yingrong glanced at her son and couldn’t help interrupting.
“Why rush things so much? Isn’t it still early?”
Song Wen remained expressionless as his calm eyes carefully examined the son standing before him.
“This isn’t rushing. It’s basic courtesy! The marriage arrangement has already been decided. Can you just ignore it as though it doesn’t exist?”
“You have no sense of responsibility at all!”
Song Wei still showed little emotion. He simply removed the towel from his shoulder and wiped the sweat from his temples.
“Dad, I already sent a letter to the Meng family,” Song Wei said. “I also mailed money and clothes girls would like to my fiancée. She should like them.”
The moment Song Wen heard this, his expression improved greatly.
“Good. You’re finally acting sensibly.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back and rest now.”
Song Wei walked past them toward his bedroom.
Jiang Yingrong looked dissatisfied and muttered quietly,
“They’re not even married yet, and he’s already buying things to make her happy. Once he actually marries her, won’t he practically worship her?”
Song Wen frowned.
“What kind of nonsense are you saying? That’s his future wife. If they don’t build a relationship now, how are they supposed to get married?”
“They’re from completely different worlds. How can feelings just magically develop?” Jiang Yingrong pouted. Just imagining her son marrying some country bumpkin made her uncomfortable. “Tell me honestly, do we really have to let our son marry that village woman?”
Song Wen knew the entire family opposed the decision, but he had always been used to giving orders.
“It’s already decided.”
Jiang Yingrong sighed deeply.
In the end, she said nothing more.
She understood her husband’s personality well—once he made a decision, nobody could change it.