As I was about to leave, Wang Rui came back. Her appearance was the opposite of Lao Wang's. She carried a designer handbag and had a very languid air about her.

"Not having a good time?" I asked, looking at her.

"You can see right through me, huh?" Wang Rui slumped on the sofa as soon as she came in.

"It's written all over your face!"

"What about you? How have you been lately?"

"Same old, same old."

"Don't try to be cool in front of me."

"Need I try? I'm naturally cool."

"I'm going to Li Rui's house next week. Will you come with me?" Wang Rui said lazily.

"Sounds like things are getting serious."

"I haven't even met his parents yet. What's so serious about that?"

I made a mental comparison. At this rate, it looked like I would get married before Wang Rui. Thinking of this, I immediately got up and called Lao Wang and my mom out again. Lao Wang had already changed into his pajamas. He looked like he had just finished showering. He frowned instinctively when he saw Wang Rui and said, "What kind of behavior is that for a girl? You're practically paralyzed on the sofa in front of Lin Che. Can't you sit properly?"

"Work is tiring. Youxiang doesn't come back either, or I wouldn't have to work so hard."

Lao Wang sat down on the single sofa and said, "Youxiang called your mom. He said he might come back to China early. If things go well, he'll be back next month."

"Is he coming back for a vacation or for good?" Wang Rui perked up and asked.

"It hasn't been decided yet." My mom answered with a smile and a firm tone.

Her attitude toward me earlier was completely different from now. It was just like Lin Hai seeing Lin Yang through his eyes. I realized that I was always just a supporting character everywhere I went. The spotlight never seemed to shine on me.

I took the opportunity to steer the conversation toward what I wanted to say. "Pei Shiyu's dad said that our parents should get together and finalize our marriage."

"That's a good thing. Let your mom pick a date. Don't worry, I'll take care of your wedding. Consider it a wedding gift from me."

"I accept!"

I agreed very calmly, without any intention of refusing. Lao Wang's personality made me feel very comfortable, and I knew his intentions. Even if I wanted to repay him, I thought there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

"A'Che said that his girlfriend is already pregnant. If that's true, we might as well set the wedding date at the same time."

"Pregnant?" Wang Rui looked at me in surprise.

"Probably. She hasn't gone to the hospital for a check-up yet. Pei Shiyu said she wants to keep it a secret for now. Don't let it slip, either of you."

"So what if she's pregnant? Why be so secretive?"

"Once the doctor confirms it, we'll naturally announce it. We have to respect Pei Shiyu's wishes."

Lao Wang immediately got up and started looking at the calendar. After looking for a while, he said, "I think we should set it for next Sunday. I happen to be free that day. This is a big celebration for our family."

My mom hesitated a bit and said, "Should we wait until Youxiang comes back next month before deciding?"

I didn't think it was necessary. Although Youxiang was very polite to me when we went to Germany, we weren't really that close. We hadn't contacted each other since we came back, not even as much as Wang Rui!

"I think we should do as Uncle Wang says. Waiting until next month is a bit too long." I rejected my mom's suggestion.

"Lin Che, will your dad be attending?" Lao Wang suddenly asked Lin Hai.

"What would he attend for? I won't even tell him."

"You're his only son now. You should let him know. It's a matter of respect."

"No need." I said firmly.

Letting Lin Hai attend had never even crossed my mind. Having a biological father was even more unacceptable than not having one. If he really cared about me, he would have called a long time ago. Besides, he still owed me an explanation, as he himself had said before. Now, there was no news from him at all. Why should I bother to invite him?

"It's your decision."

My mom said faintly. She still hadn't recovered from the conversation just now. With her current attitude, if my partner wasn't Pei Shiyu, but a more ordinary woman, I could have skipped this whole formality. Something simpler would have been more in line with my personality.

My eyes were fixed on the steaming cup. The green tea was of high quality, very fragrant, and the fragrance went straight to my nose.

"Wang Rui, how are things going with you?" Lao Wang asked loudly.

"Don't bring it up with me. We're still dating, and there's a big difference between dating and talking about marriage."

"You break up with every guy you date. Is this one serious?" Lao Wang continued to ask in the same loud voice.

Wang Rui seemed indifferent to Lao Wang's words, or perhaps her relationship with Li Rui was not as strong as mine with Pei Shiyu. She maintained a lukewarm attitude, or perhaps she was hiding it well, trying to cover up her current embarrassment with an indifferent attitude.

"She's going to Li Rui's house next week. These things can't be rushed." I replied for her.

"Don't go empty-handed. You have to ask Li Rui's parents what they like and bring them a gift. We'll prepare it for you."

Although Lao Wang was good to me, Wang Rui was, after all, his daughter. I could hear from his words that he was actually quite anxious. Seeing Wang Rui's nonchalant attitude, he looked quite annoyed as he stared at her.

I looked at the time. After all the talking, it was getting late, almost ten o'clock. I got up and straightened my clothes and said, "I'm going back now. If next Sunday is decided, I'll have to tell them. Wang Rui, bring Li Rui along."

"I'll tell Li Rui. It's up to him whether he comes or not."

Lao Wang was clearly unhappy with Wang Rui's tone and said sternly, "Lin Che's business is our family's business. If you're invited, you have to bring him. If you can't even do that, what's the point of dating?"

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit off, I quickly went to Lao Wang's side and said, "Uncle Wang, I'll call Li Rui. If Pei Shiyu and the others have no problem with it, then it's decided. I'm going home now."

After saying that, I immediately walked out of the house. The night sky was beautiful, with a round moon hanging in the air. The plants and trees in the garden were already covered in the colors of spring, and there were various insects chirping. After hibernation, it seemed that everything was beginning to recover. The power of nature was truly boundless.

I stepped on the soft grass, leaving my footprints in the trampled areas, like marks. I raised my head and let the spring breeze caress my face. Although it was a bit chilly, it felt good, as if it could bring me good luck.

I walked around the villa. There was a moat next to it, flowing slowly along the residence. The high-rise buildings across the way were brightly lit. I stood next to a pillar by the moat and lit a cigarette. The environment here was beautiful, and the night scenery made one suddenly lost in this charming city of Hang City.