Chapter 97: The Visit

The next morning, Zhou Miao, fully prepared, went downstairs to Hu San's apartment building. He observed for a while to ensure no one was following him, then called Hu San to come down and open the unit door.

Soon, Hu San, dressed in a white turtleneck sweater, skipped down the stairs. "You came so fast? I thought you'd arrive at eleven."

Zhou Miao felt a bit nervous. "Have your parents gotten up yet?"

Hu San glanced at him. "Do you think everyone is as lazy as you? Since vacation, you sleep until noon every day. My parents get up at six in the morning. If not for the salon opening late, my mom would have wanted to get her hair done."

She smiled. "Don't worry, I'll tell you a secret. Actually, my parents are even more nervous than you. My dad once mistook toothpaste for shampoo when washing his hair."

It was the first time her boyfriend was coming to the house, so of course he had to be nervous. Moreover, Zhou Miao was a big celebrity with a so-so reputation—every time he appeared in the news, it was him arguing with someone.

Hu Dad had been asking Hu San all morning, worried that if he pressed too hard, he might scare Zhou Miao away.

Hu San was helpless and had to repeatedly assure him that Zhou Miao was a perfectly normal person who never flew off the handle for no reason.

Once inside, Zhou Miao set down the gifts and politely greeted his uncle and aunt.

Hu Mom warmly invited him to sit, poured him tea, and offered melon seeds. Hu Dad sat on the other sofa, holding a newspaper and looking absorbed in it. Seeing Zhou Miao arrive, he merely nodded expressionlessly.

If not for Hu San revealing the toothpaste incident, Zhou Miao might have truly been intimidated.

But Zhou Miao's expected interrogation never materialized. Instead, Hu Mom chatted casually with him the whole time, while Hu Dad hardly spoke.

Hu Dad and Hu Mom had thought it through carefully. Zhou Miao, as a top star, proactively visiting despite the risk of being photographed was already enough to show sincerity.

What they said wouldn't matter anyway—Hu San was as stubborn as a mule. Once she set her mind on something, no one could change her. The two young kids should just let nature take its course.

By noon, Hu Mom pulled Hu San into the kitchen to help with chores, leaving Zhou Miao and Hu Dad alone in the living room to watch TV.

Hu Mom was peeling vegetables and glanced at her daughter's figure, noticing that her figure seemed a bit curvier than before.

She asked subtly, "Tell me honestly, how far have you two developed?"

Hu San looked puzzled. "We've already brought him home. How far have we developed?"

"Boyfriend and girlfriend."

Hu Mom's expression grew scrutinizing as she watched her. Hu San suddenly understood, her face flushing red. She stammered, "Why are you asking about this?"

As an experienced woman, Hu Mom instantly knew the white cabbage had been fucked by the pig outside.

Hu Mom pinched her a bit, somewhat disappointed. "You! How long have you two been together, and you gave yourself to him so soon? Don't you know men are the most ungrateful animals?"

Hu San lowered her head without speaking. She understood the truth, but she couldn't bear to refuse Zhou Miao. Every time they reached that point, this guy would act pitiful, and if she softened her heart, he would take full advantage.

After scolding her, Hu Mom repeatedly warned, "Listen, I'm not old yet and I'm not rushing to have grandchildren. You two must take precautions, understand?"

"Oh, stop already. I know!"

In the living room, Zhou Miao sat on pins and needles. It was the dead of winter, yet his forehead was sweating profusely. Although his eyes stayed fixed on the television, his peripheral vision caught Hu Dad's murderous gaze.

This kitchen's soundproofing was absurdly poor—they could hear every word from the living room.

Not long after, Hu San brought the dishes to the table and called them over. Only then did Zhou Miao finally relax.

But Hu Dad clearly had no intention of letting this guy who took his daughter away go. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bottle of baijiu. "Nothing to do in the afternoon. Join me for a drink."

Zhou Miao naturally didn't dare refuse, but Hu San objected. She snatched the bottle directly. "He's a singer and needs to protect his voice—he can't drink. You can't drink either. When you're drunk, you talk too much, more than my grandma."

Hu Dad mumbled a few words, then silently picked up his bowl.

After lunch, Hu San immediately took Zhou Miao into her small room, giving them no chance to ask any more questions.

Once inside, Zhou Miao looked around Hu San's boudoir. It wasn't as pink and tender as he had imagined—it was simply an ordinary, tidy room.

"Are you sleepy? Want to take a nap?" Hu San asked.

Zhou Miao hugged her from behind. "Will you accompany me?"

Hu San slapped him. "What if my mom comes in?"

Zhou Miao laughed. "Didn't my mom say? As long as we do the preventive measures properly."

Hu San was startled. "Did you hear everything outside?"

Zhou Miao buried his face in her hair. "Your kitchen's soundproofing is terrible. Even with the door closed, we heard it all from the living room. Your dad was sitting right next to me, and I was afraid he'd come beat me up."

Hu San's neck itched from his breath. She giggled. "Unbelievable. There are still people you're afraid of in this world."

Outside the door, Hu Mom listened at the keyhole for a long time, then shook her head at Hu Dad, indicating that nothing bad was happening inside.

In the afternoon, Zhou Miao didn't linger any longer. He couldn't stay at home for several days. The fifth would be back in Beijing to handle some business, and the remaining two days needed to properly accompany his parents.

After Zhou Miao left, Hu Mom asked Hu San, "Do you want to check the ATM for how much money is in that card?"

Hu San shook her head. "No, I won't touch the money in that card. If Zhou Miao and I don't end up together, I'll return the card to his mom."

Hu Dad agreed. "You're right. A mouth full of food makes one take a soft hand. Even if he has money, if he doesn't treat us well, we'll just dump him!"

Hu San rolled her eyes at him. "During New Year, can't you use a bad-mouthed phrase?"

"Yes!"

Back home, Hong Xue, who was cleaning, saw him return and asked, "How was it? Did her parents get along well?"

"Not bad, pretty good." Zhou Miao changed his shoes, sat on the sofa, and picked up some candies. Since getting a girlfriend, he had neglected it a lot and didn't kiss her anymore.

Hong Xue finished her chores, sat beside Zhou Miao, and said, "You, from now on, don't buy me anything. I don't lack anything at home. You, think of something to buy for your dad. Last time you bought me a car, but didn't buy anything for him, and he's been muttering about it all the time."

Zhou Miao smiled at once. "Okay, got it. If you need anything, just tell me. Your son now is so poor, only has money left."

"Look at you, all puffed up, heading to the sky?" Hong Xue gently pinched his ear.