Chapter Ninety-Six: There Are Five Million in This Card

Early the next morning, Zhou Miao caught a flight and then transferred by car, returning home in the early afternoon. His parents were overjoyed to see him and eagerly pulled him aside, asking about everything under the sun, but most of all, his romantic life.

Hong Xue pressed him with a gossipy smile, "Are there any actresses in the entertainment industry who fancy you?"

"You should ask which actresses don't," Zhou Miao replied with a laugh.

Hong Xue grew even more excited, "So, is there someone you've taken a liking to? Let me tell you, you mustn't date an actress. They’re always kissing other male actors on TV—disgusting!"

Zhou Ye, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. He couldn't accept a daughter-in-law from the acting world; there were too many hidden rules in film and television. The music industry was much better by comparison.

Zhou Miao slapped his knee. "To be honest with you both, I do have a girlfriend. She's not in the industry, and you know her."

Not in the industry, and they knew her? Hong Xue and Zhou Ye exchanged glances and immediately thought of someone.

"Is it that girl who came to find you at our house in the middle of the night?" Hong Xue asked hurriedly.

Zhou Miao nodded. "Yes, it's her. Her name is Hu San, and she's studying at university in Beijing now."

So it was that girl, Hu San? What an unusual name.

Zhou Ye stroked his stubbled chin and asked, "Are you serious, or just playing around with her?"

Zhou Miao rolled his eyes. "Do you really think I'm that much of a scoundrel? Of course I'm serious."

Their son had found a girlfriend outside the entertainment circle, and she was a high school classmate to boot. The couple felt nothing amiss—at least they knew her, and she seemed lively enough.

"Ask her when she has time and invite her to dinner at home," Zhou Ye suggested.

"Alright," Zhou Miao said, and immediately called Hu San, inviting her to dinner that evening.

At seven o'clock, Hu San arrived at Zhou Miao’s house, carrying local specialties from Beijing.

"Uncle, Auntie, happy New Year!" she greeted, dressed in a long khaki down coat that reached her feet, her hair in a bun, looking especially charming.

"Come in, it must be cold outside," Hong Xue quickly handed her a pair of slippers.

While Hong Xue went to boil water, Zhou Miao held Hu San’s small hand and asked, "Are you nervous?"

Zhou Miao could feel her trembling, unsure if it was from cold or nerves.

"Just a little…" Hu San gripped his hand tightly. "Don’t wander off. Stay by my side, alright?"

"Of course. Relax, my parents are very easygoing," Zhou Miao comforted her.

Hu San felt a bit more at ease but still clung to Zhou Miao, afraid he might escape.

Hong Xue poured tea, Zhou Ye brought over fruit, then sat beside Hu San with a gentle smile—making her feel even more ill at ease.

The couple then began their round of household questioning: how many in her family, what her parents did for a living…

Even Zhou Miao couldn't stand it anymore. "That's enough, it's getting late. Let's eat first."

Hong Xue glared at him. "The soup isn’t ready. We’re out of salt—go buy some."

Zhou Miao leaned back. "I won’t go. I’m so famous now, what if people crowd around?"

Zhou Ye narrowed his eyes. "Just go! Why so many excuses? Wear a mask; no one will recognize you."

Hu San understood that Uncle and Auntie wanted a private conversation with her. She nudged Zhou Miao, "Go on, it's late."

Zhou Miao glanced at her, squeezed her hand, and agreed.

Once he left, an awkward silence filled the room.

Hong Xue took a bank card from her pocket and placed it before Hu San with a smile. "You know what this is, don’t you?"

Seeing the card, Hu San’s face went pale. The scene was all too familiar. In those melodramatic TV dramas, when the heroine first visits the rich male lead’s family, his mother always presents a card just like this.

"This is five million. Please leave my son immediately!"

She never imagined such a plot would unfold in her own life.

Hu San was painfully aware of the gap between herself and Zhou Miao. She was just an ordinary university student, while Zhou Miao was a top star, worth millions, and his family was prominent in their city.

Anyone would suspect she was after his money.

Tears streamed down Hu San’s face as she clutched the edge of her coat, her voice hoarse. "Uncle, Auntie, I really didn’t come for his money. If you don’t believe me, I’m willing to do a prenuptial agreement, sign a contract…"

Just as she was frantically trying to explain, Hong Xue suddenly laughed. "You misunderstood—this is a welcome gift."

"A… a welcome gift?" Hu San, tears still on her cheeks, looked pitiful and bewildered.

Suddenly, she realized she had indeed misunderstood. Now she was thoroughly embarrassed, her cheeks flushing bright red.

"Alright, go wash your face. You’re all teary—when Zhou Miao comes back, he’ll think we bullied you," Hong Xue consoled.

Hu San hurried off to wash up, while Zhou Ye shook his head at his wife. "Are you acting out a TV drama? You scared the poor girl."

Hong Xue pinched him. "What do you know? How else can you tell if she’s truly sincere about Xiaomiao?"

When Zhou Miao returned, he sensed something was amiss. Hong Xue and Zhou Ye sipped tea calmly, while Hu San kept her head down, her eyes still red.

Hong Xue took the salt and called Zhou Ye into the kitchen to help with the dishes. Zhou Miao whispered, "What happened? Did something go wrong?"

Hu San blushed slightly and shook her head. "Nothing."

Zhou Miao noticed the bank card on the table. "What’s that for?"

"That was Auntie’s welcome gift," Hu San replied.

"How much?" Zhou Miao asked curiously.

Hu San shook her head—Hong Xue hadn’t said, and she hadn’t asked.

Zhou Miao slipped the card into her pocket. "If it’s a welcome gift, just accept it."

Hu San wanted to refuse; she knew the card must contain a considerable sum. But would declining upset Zhou Miao’s mother?

Sensing her worry, Zhou Miao pinched her cheek. "Don’t overthink it. Come, let’s eat."

After dinner, Zhou Miao walked her home. At the foot of the building, Hu San tightened his scarf around his neck.

"My parents know about us now. Come over for lunch tomorrow," she said.

Zhou Miao nodded. "How did they react?"

Hu San giggled. "They think you’re only playing with me, never intending to marry."

Zhou Miao frowned. "They saw right through me?"

Hu San tapped his forehead lightly. "If you dare play with me and dump me, I’ll expose you online as a scumbag and ruin your reputation!"