The two whispered sweet nothings to each other, finally pouring out their hearts. A pleasant day drew to a close.
The next morning, Tang Haichao called Xiang Wan. He had to return early, and she could stay behind with her boyfriend to explore.
Since he had come for her sake, there was no reason not to see him off. Xiang Wan started to go, but Lu Mingzhe stopped her.
"I'll go."
The two men met in the lobby. Lu Mingzhe repeated his thanks and then handed Tang Haichao his WeChat QR code.
"Please, Mr. Tang, make a list for me when you get back, or send me the records of the transfer to Xiang Wan."
"I'll sort it out and return the money to you all at once."
"I'm truly sorry for the trouble Xiang Wan has caused you recently."
This was a subtle hint that they were getting too close, reminding him to maintain some distance.
Tang Haichao smiled and added him on WeChat. "Alright. And with interest."
"When I borrowed the money, the interest rate with Xiang Wan was discussed based on bank rates. Just calculate the interest from the day you transfer it."
He was clever, thinking that Lu Mingzhe knew to put on a professional front.
Lu Mingzhe said, "Of course."
With the order settled, he needed to return and continue monitoring the livestream.
Lu Mingzhe, finding Xiang Wan's efforts tiring, insisted she stay and enjoy a day of leisure.
"There are many fun places in Beicheng. Even if we don't see everything, we should at least get a glimpse to prove we've been here. Let's explore together."
It was rather pathetic.
Xiang Wan, with her millions, had never been to any city in China except Nancheng and Sanya.
Let alone traveling abroad, she didn't even know what a passport looked like.
She only focused on earning and saving money. Approaching thirty, her life felt devoid of joy.
The two decided to spend the day sightseeing and took a taxi to several well-known attractions.
The scenic spots were filled with influencers, and even those who weren't were holding up their phones, snapping photos as souvenirs.
Lu Mingzhe asked Xiang Wan to pose for some photos with him.
Xiang Wan was naturally photogenic. With a bare face, wearing loose jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers, any casual shot turned into a stylish street-style masterpiece.
Lu Mingzhe took dozens of photos, each one beautiful, making it hard to choose. He decided to post them on his Moments in two batches.
The first batch was of him and Xiang Wan together, with the caption: "Holding your hand, growing old together."
The second batch featured Xiang Wan's solo shots.
As soon as the photos were posted, his phone buzzed incessantly.
There were countless likes and comments, praising Xiang Wan's beauty to the heavens.
They had initially planned to stay another night in Beicheng and see the night view before returning to Nancheng the next day.
However, after being showered with so much praise, Lu Mingzhe became restless.
"Let's go back. I want to take you home to meet my parents tonight."
Xiang Wan was taken aback. "Ah?"
In her impression, figures like Lu Mingzhe's father were very stern and demanding.
Coupled with his mother, she was worried...
"What's wrong? You don't want to go?"
Xiang Wan found it difficult to mention that Lu Mingzhe's mother had spoken to her privately and they had clashed.
She felt like she would be seen as manipulating him, which was rather unseemly.
Moreover, she worried about putting Lu Mingzhe in a difficult position by complaining about his mother in front of him.
"No, it's just that I'm not ready yet."
"What's there to prepare for? As long as you're healthy and bring them a grandson, no, a granddaughter, that's enough."
Lu Mingzhe was also deliberately downplaying his mother's attitude, trying to create a relaxed atmosphere.
"Don't worry, my parents are young and open-minded. As long as they are willing to sit down and get to know you, they will definitely like you."
Xiang Wan couldn't refuse.
After all, she genuinely wanted to marry Lu Mingzhe.
Once they were married, meeting his parents was an unavoidable hurdle that had to be faced sooner or later.
As the saying goes, "It's better to do than to delay." Since Lu Mingzhe was so happy today, she decided to accompany him, come what may.
At four in the afternoon, the couple spontaneously bought return tickets at the airport.
On the way, Lu Mingzhe secretly messaged his mother, asking if she was back.
His mother had seen his Moments post and, knowing her stance, had openly posted pictures of them being affectionate.
She was furious and had blocked him on WeChat.
Discovering he had been blocked, Lu Mingzhe braced himself for a difficult battle. He then turned to messaging Lu Qingxu.
"I plan to bring Xiang Wan home for dinner tonight. You should come back too."
"Since Mom isn't here, I'll tell Dad first. We must get her into the house today no matter what."
Lu Qingxu sent back a speechless emoji.
"Mom saw your Moments post about the big fire today and specifically called to scold me too."
"Don't drag me into this. If you want to go back, go back yourself. I want to live a few more years."
Unable to rely on him at a critical moment, this was his own brother!
Lu Mingzhe scorned him, thinking to himself: If I have to go back alone, so be it. At worst, we'll have an argument, I'll be kicked out of the house, and our parent-child relationship will be temporarily severed.
In any case, he was determined to have Xiang Wan, and no one could stop him.
However, he discovered his naivety only when he reached the doorstep.
His mother had already returned and, seemingly anticipating his intention to bring Xiang Wan in, had instructed the housekeeper not to let him in.
The housekeeper stood at the door, looking troubled.
"Ah Zhe, Madam instructed me to open the door if it's just you. If..."
"I'm just following orders, so please don't blame me."
Xiang Wan stood to the side, her expression extremely displeased.
Lu Mingzhe held her hand tightly, feigning indifference.
"Fine, if you won't let me in, then so be it. I don't like going in anyway. Do me a favor."
"Tell me."
"Get the household registration book for me. I'll return it to them after we get our marriage certificate."
The housekeeper: "?!"
Lu Mingzhe's mother stood just behind the door. She had thought this maneuver would make Lu Mingzhe yield a little, perhaps beg her or say some soft words.
But instead...
This ungrateful brat who forgot his mother the moment he saw that vixen!
"Whoosh!"
She pushed the door open, nearly hitting Lu Mingzhe's nose.
"Well done, Lu Mingzhe. You're abandoning your parents for a woman and want to sever ties with me? You've really grown wings!"
"If your wings are strong, then fly on your own! Why are you coming to my house to take my household registration book?"
Lu Mingzhe looked at her unreasonable outburst. "Who doesn't miss you? It's clearly you..."
"Mom, you know I'm not back to argue with you. Can't we, as a family, sit down and talk properly?"
"Sit down and talk properly as a family? How dare you say that!"
"When you insisted on marrying Chen Jiaojiao, your father and I traveled all the way to Jin City. Didn't we speak well for you? And what was the result?"
"You say what you want to say and don't say what you don't want to say. Who is the parent here, you or us?"
Lu Mingzhe: "..."
"Let me tell you! Our family isn't a place for just any stray cat or dog to enter. If you want us, your parents, you'll come in yourself. If not, then get out of here and don't come back!"
"Having one disobedient rebel like you is enough. I don't care about losing another one!"
The past was his fault, and Lu Mingzhe had already apologized. What was the point of holding onto it like this?
"Xiang Wan and I have already..."
"It's not about Chen Jiaojiao. You two are divorced, and you failed once. I can accept that. But I won't allow you to fail a second time!"
"Ah Zhe, please consider your mother's good intentions carefully!"