As the man, one must take responsibility for the woman.
Zhan Jingrui understood. If he didn't state his intentions, his parents would only use the excuse that she was still studying when asked.
But now that she had graduated, it would be impolite to continue to evade the question.
Zhan Jingrui had it all figured out.
Due to his relationship with Chu Xi, the Zhan and Chu families had collaborated extensively in business in recent years. They were recognized throughout the business world as a powerful alliance, and his marriage to Chu Xi was only a matter of time.
He feared that before his career was even properly established after graduation, he would have to start a family.
However, starting a family wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Having known Chu Xi for so long, he understood her well.
Beautiful, gentle, intelligent, and sensible. She was perfect, without a single flaw. No one in the world was more suitable for him.
If both sets of parents were looking forward to it, he was willing to give her an answer sooner rather than later.
That evening, the whole family returned for a welcome-home dinner for Zhan Jingrui. No one mentioned marriage, but he brought it up himself.
"I'm not getting any younger. Chu Xi and I have been dating for many years, and our relationship has always been very stable. So, I think you should pick a suitable time and prepare. We're planning to get married."
Although Zhan Beijue and Jiang Nanfang didn't express overly effusive excitement, their eyes clearly showed their approval.
As parents, they worried about their children no matter the time.
It seemed they could only truly relax once their children were married.
With so many children in the family, resolving one was one less worry.
The couple secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Nanfang calmly agreed, but Zhan Jingrui added a condition.
"But I have one condition."
"I don't like Nancheng, as you know. After staying with you for a few days, I want to go to Sucheng with Chu Xi, and we probably won't return to Nancheng after getting married."
As always, with so many children in the family, there were endless worries. As long as they lived peacefully and happily, Jiang Nanfang and Zhan Beijue didn't care where they stayed.
Therefore, this wasn't a condition for them at all.
"Coincidentally, the company in Sucheng needs a stable and capable person to hold the fort. It's good for you to go to Sucheng."
Zhan Beijue readily agreed.
"After a few days of rest, report to the company in Sucheng. Be humble, learn from your seniors, and don't put on airs just because you're my son."
Three days later, Zhan Jingrui and Chu Xi went to Sucheng together.
They first visited the Chu family and then paid a visit to Hu Jiasheng's home.
Hu Jiasheng had retired after Lu Jiaying's incident.
Having witnessed two tragedies in succession, he had relapsed into depression during that period and suffered greatly.
Now, engaging in investments, spending time with the elderly, and looking after children, a leisurely life suited him better.
He had returned to Sucheng and was still living in his old place.
Zhan Jingrui hadn't been back since graduating from high school. Seven years had passed in the blink of an eye. Returning to this familiar place and passing by that familiar house, it was impossible not to feel a stir in his heart.
They say that first love is an indelible cinnabar mark in every man's heart, even if it wasn't perfect.
But precisely because it wasn't perfect, the impression it left in his heart was even deeper.
Although Zhan Jingrui concealed it well, he didn't glance at He Yao's house as he passed by, nor did he inquire about anything related to her family.
But as soon as he returned to this place, the Pandora's Box of memories involuntarily opened.
Those past events felt as vivid as if they had happened just a moment ago, so clear and present.
If people hadn't kept mentioning in conversations that he was 25, he might have even felt like the 18-year-old boy he once was.
Zhan Jingrui didn't own any property in Sucheng. It wasn't convenient to stay in a hotel on the first day of his arrival, so he stayed at Hu Jiasheng's house.
After dinner, the two went to Hu Jiasheng's study to chat. Hu Jiasheng suddenly brought up He Yao's family.
"Do you remember the family across the street?"
He gestured with his chin towards He Yao's house, and Zhan Jingrui finally had an excuse to look over.
The house was beautiful and grand, with lush greenery, just like theirs.
"What is it, Uncle?"
"Nothing much. A few years ago, it was bought by a young man around your age. After buying it, he visited our family and said he was your old classmate, named Xu Zheng. Do you know anyone by that name?"
Xu Zheng? Of course, there was someone by that name.
Zhan Jingrui didn't have many friends when he studied in Sucheng, but he sat next to Xu Zheng for several years.
This guy was so obnoxious, and it was thanks to him that Zhan Jingrui had noticed He Yao. The impression was unforgettable.
Whether it was a deep and unique affection for Xu Zheng or a genuine desire to see inside that house, Zhan Jingrui, accompanied by Hu Jiasheng, went to the house across the street.
The house was brightly lit. Within seconds of ringing the doorbell, a servant opened the door.
In less than a minute, Zhan Jingrui saw his obnoxious former deskmate again.
Seven years had passed, and the changes were immense.
He had transformed from the overly dramatic youth of the past into a social elite.
Wearing a shirt, trousers, and a slicked-back hairstyle, his demeanor appeared much more mature than Zhan Jingrui's, who had just stepped out of the ivory tower.
Upon seeing his old classmate visit, Xu Zheng was so happy he could barely contain himself.
He very politely invited Zhan Jingrui to tour his home, talked endlessly about Sucheng's development over the years, reminisced about their time as deskmates, and then invited him to stay for drinks.
"We were young back then. If you said you couldn't drink, we wouldn't have made you. Now we're men in our twenties and thirties, a couple of drinks won't hurt, right?"
"It's been seven years. If you refuse me as soon as you arrive, it's too disrespectful. Mr. Top Student, do me a favor. Tonight, we won't stop until we're drunk."
With many emotions swirling within him, Zhan Jingrui had no intention of sleeping. He asked Hu Jiasheng to go back first and sat down face-to-face with Xu Zheng.
Listening to Xu Zheng chat about everything under the sun, Zhan Jingrui remained unenthusiastic.
It was then that he finally understood. The reason he was willing to approach Xu Zheng was precisely because he wanted to hear something about He Yao from him.
The psychological damage caused by her hurting him first and then leaving without a word had been immense for Zhan Jingrui.
His pride wouldn't allow him to inquire deliberately, so he had been silently thinking about it all these years.
He just wanted to hear snippets about her from others. As long as he could confirm that she had faced retribution and was not doing well, perhaps his long-held knot could be untangled.
Unfortunately, even a gossip like Xu Zheng didn't have any news about her.
"Do you remember He Yao? She used to live in this house. She was so beautiful, and I even had a crush on her for a while. That girl who was so bad at studying."
"You didn't care about anything back then, and you already had Chu Xi in your heart, so you probably don't remember."
"Alas, she's still my dream goddess. I don't know what happened, but after she stopped going to school, no one could contact her. I still can't forget her because I miss her so much."
Hearing this, his objective for the day was achieved.
Since he didn't know anything either, there was no need to stay any longer.