Old Mrs. Zhou grabbed Zhou Songyan’s arm, unable to hide the excitement on her face.
“What’s that beautiful young lady’s name? She’s so pretty!”
Much better than all those blind date prospects she had found.
Zhou Songyan peeled off the old lady’s hand: “Grandma, what are you doing here?”
Old Mrs. Zhou: “Don’t change the subject! Quickly tell me who that beautiful young lady is, what’s her name? What’s your relationship?”
“Grandma, don’t ask. I don’t want to tell you right now.”
Old Mrs. Zhou waved her fist at him: “Are you trying to make me lose sleep tonight?”
The old lady’s strength was negligible, and Zhou Songyan didn’t dodge.
“Grandma, even if you keep hitting me, it’s useless. I won’t tell you.”
Old Mrs. Zhou was so frustrated.
Wasn’t he deliberately keeping her in suspense?
However, she quickly thought of something else: “Fine, I won’t ask her name. But tell me—how far have you two gotten?”
“Everything that should have happened, has happened.”
“!!!”
Old Mrs. Zhou covered her mouth, nearly screaming.
Oh heavens, her little great-grandchild was coming!
Zhou Songyan: “Grandma, can you go home now?”
Old Mrs. Zhou nodded with a smile: “I’m leaving, I’m leaving. You work hard on this—it would be best if you got married this year.”
Zhou Songyan: “…”
Old Mrs. Zhou happily ran back to the Zhou family home to tell everyone the good news.
Soon, Zhou Songyan received inquiry calls from his father Zhou Jingtian, his second uncle Zhou Jingwen, and his aunt Zhou Xilian.
Zhou Jingtian: “Songyan, I heard I’m going to be a grandfather. Bring the girl home for dinner, arrange for both families to meet, and then discuss the wedding.”
Zhou Songyan: “…”
Second Uncle Zhou Jingwen: “Songyan, how did you manage to have a baby so quietly? Just a few days ago your grandmother was arranging blind dates for you. That was fast!”
Aunt Zhou Xilian: “Zhou Songyan, your grandmother said you have a girlfriend. What does she do? What’s her background? Who’s in her family? Have you investigated everything clearly? Although having a baby before marriage isn’t ideal, since it’s happened, we need to take it seriously.”
Zhou Songyan was utterly speechless.
How exactly had Grandma relayed the information?
Why had it become “pregnant before marriage”?
Grandma was crazy about wanting a great-grandchild.
In the end, Zhou Songyan had to explain to each of them one by one.
Zhou Jingtian and the others were also left speechless.
They all agreed that Old Mrs. Zhou had gone crazy with wanting a great-grandchild.
After all, the old lady had done the insane thing of arranging eight blind dates for Zhou Songyan all at once.
On the way to You Huan’s house, Li Mai was completely in a daze.
Her mind was filled with thoughts of why Zhou Songyan had kissed her.
But more than that, she despised herself for having been lost in it at the time.
She banged her head against the passenger seat in frustration.
The taxi driver: “???”
What was wrong with this girl?
She better not try to harm herself in his car.
Fortunately, after observing for a while, he discovered the girl in the back seat had no intention of ending her life.
At You Huan’s house.
You Huan had ordered fried chicken and burgers for Chengcheng, and there were some leftovers. Li Mai ate a bit, solving her dinner problem.
You Huan asked: “Did you get your car back?”
“No.”
“Not repaired yet?”
“Yeah.”
“Then why did you go?”
You Huan and Chengcheng both looked at Li Mai.
Li Mai didn’t know how to explain it to them.
Should she say Zhou Songyan was crazy? That because she didn’t add him as a friend, he got upset and specifically called her over?
Li Mai chose to remain silent.
You Huan sensed something unusual.
Li Mai had told her about the car accident that day, how Zhou Songyan happened to pass by and helped them.
The car had also been taken away by someone Zhou Songyan called to have it repaired.
You Huan didn’t ask in front of Chengcheng but dragged her into the bedroom to interrogate her.
“Tell me, what did Zhou Songyan call you over for?”
“Nothing much.”
“Nothing much, yet you look so guilty.”
“I’m not guilty.”
“Girl, I have sharp eyes. Don’t try to fool me. Confess honestly.”
Li Mai: “…”
Rubbing her fingers together, Li Mai said quietly: “Zhou Songyan… he kissed me.”
“Holy crap!!!”
You Huan cursed.
“He took advantage of you? I’m going to confront him!”
Li Mai: “…”
“Senior, what do you think Zhou Songyan means by this?”
You Huan stared at her for a moment: “You still haven’t given up on him?”
Li Mai lowered her head in shame.
“Even though…”
“No matter how many times I tell myself that there’s no future between us, it’s really hard to truly give up.”
“Senior, do you despise me?”
You Huan put her arm around her shoulder, like a caring older sister.
“Li Mai, my own romantic life has been a failure too, so I can’t give you good advice. I’m also not in a position to judge.”
“Just follow your heart. In this life, it’s okay to stumble a few times. If you fall, you can get back up.”
“But with Zhou Songyan’s family background, you need to think carefully.”
Li Mai: “Senior, you’re getting ahead of yourself. I haven’t thought about being with Zhou Songyan, and I certainly haven’t thought about marrying into the Zhou family. I know my place—I wouldn’t dream such dreams.”
“It’s just that I’ve been looking for him for five years, and I haven’t let go of my feelings for him. When he flirts with me even a little, I might not be able to resist. In my heart, I hold onto the fantasy that maybe he still has feelings for me.”
Li Mai smiled bitterly, making You Huan’s heart ache for her.
Li Mai paused: “I’ll adjust myself properly. I won’t let something like this happen again.”
She despised herself—asking You Huan was just to ease her own sense of shame.
…
Early the next morning.
Li Mai received a message from Zhou Songyan.
[I’m at the entrance of your residential complex. I’ll take you to get your car.]
Li Mai: “…”
Awkward.
She didn’t live in that complex.
[Mr. Zhou, just give me the address where I can pick up the car. I’ll go myself.]
Zhou Songyan: [I’ll give you ten minutes.]
Li Mai: “…”
What should she do now?
Her mind spun in circles, and she came up with another excuse: [Chengcheng and I went out. We’re not home.]
[Where are you? I’ll pick you both up.]
Li Mai gave him the address of the small plaza near her home.
After sending the message, Li Mai pulled Chengcheng out the door.
Before Zhou Songyan arrived, they walked to the entrance of the small plaza.
Zhou Songyan honked once, and his car stopped in front of them.
He got out and opened the back door for them.
Li Mai was surprised to discover that a child safety seat had been installed in the back of the Bentley.
Being stared at by Li Mai, Zhou Songyan felt a bit uncomfortable.
He lifted Chengcheng into the child safety seat and fastened the seatbelt for him.
Seeing his father for the second time, Chengcheng kept staring at him.
Dad didn’t seem as bad as he had thought.
When they had the car accident, he helped them handle it.
When he held the umbrella, he protected Mom from getting wet, even though most of his own clothes got soaked.
His strong arms holding him gave him a sense of security.
Should he trust him once?
Zhou Songyan walked around and opened the passenger door, looking at Li Mai: “Get in.”
Li Mai didn’t hesitate and got in, fastening her seatbelt.
The car drove smoothly on the road.
The car was too quiet.
Zhou Songyan didn’t speak, and Li Mai wouldn’t take the initiative to talk.
The awkwardness from yesterday still lingered.
After a while, Zhou Songyan asked: “Want to listen to music?”
Li Mai was about to say no need.
Chengcheng: “Uncle, I’d like to listen.”
“What do you want to hear?”
“Just play anything.”
Zhou Songyan selected a children’s song to play.
Chengcheng was in a good mood and hummed along for a few lines.
Li Mai turned to look at him, thoughtful.
Chengcheng really liked Zhou Songyan as his father.
She understood her son very well.