On the balcony.

After a moment of silence, Wong Qifu looked at him. "What's wrong? Is it not okay? If not, then forget it."

"No, no, no..." Xu Ke hastily objected. He coughed lightly twice before speaking. "Isn't it a bit too soon? And with the Ye and Huang Families pressuring us nonstop, what will you do if something happens and you can't deal with it in time?"

Xu Ke knew that Wong Qifu had been spending her time either at the company or on her way there. She barely had any time to go out. If it weren't for tonight's incident, which had put Wang Qiya in danger, Wong Qifu likely wouldn't have returned.

At his words, Wong Qifu smiled. "Does meeting your parents really require an entire day?"

Her implication was clear: what was the problem with meeting for just one evening over dinner?

Xu Ke finally stammered, "Okay!"

His heart, however, couldn't help but feel uneasy again. Given his father's feudal, patriarchal personality, would it really be okay if he met someone as dominant as Wong Qifu?

But even though he was uneasy, Xu Ke understood that this meeting was inevitable. In a way, he had been worrying about this ever since Huang Sheng exposed their relationship to the media. He now understood that what could be avoided today couldn't be avoided forever.

Might as well get it over with.

Seeing Xu Ke's reluctant demeanor, Wong Qifu's expression immediately turned cold. "Are you unwilling?"

Wong Qifu was a person who distinctly separated personal matters from public affairs. Thus, she judged Xu Ke's performance in business matters strictly on its merits. But now, faced with the major life event of meeting the in-laws, even a domineering woman like her couldn't help but feel insecure. Although she had suggested the meeting without a hint of nervousness, appearing perfectly composed, her heart was still tense.

And Xu Ke even seemed to be trying to get out of it... Wong Qifu immediately grew annoyed.

It feels as if I'm the one desperately throwing myself at him...

"No, no, no!" Seeing the anger in Wong Qifu's eyes, Xu Ke was terrified. "Of course I'm willing. I'm just afraid my father might say something wrong and make you unhappy. Or if you and my mother don't get along—like pitting a needle against an awn—I'm just worried one of you will feel wronged, that's all."

Wong Qifu's expression softened upon hearing his explanation. She knew this matter would make him nervous.

However, she then recalled something, and her face, for the first time ever, heated up. A slight flush appeared on her cheeks as she said indignantly, "What do you mean by relationship with your mother? We aren't even married yet!"

Xu Ke was momentarily stunned to see the normally assertive Wong Qifu blush.

When have I ever seen her show this side of herself?

When Wong Qifu saw his stunned expression and his gaze fixed on her, she couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "We're discussing serious matters here."

Xu Ke cleared his throat to mask his embarrassment. "Right."

"Then let me know when they're arriving, and I'll go with you to pick them up," Wong Qifu said.

Xu Ke was about to nod, but then something occurred to him and his expression changed. "No, that won't work. My aunt and second uncle will also be there."

His aunt especially was notoriously difficult back in the village. Xu Ke didn't want Wong Qifu to be subjected to her ridicule for no reason.

"Then why can't I go? Wouldn't it be better to meet everyone at once and get it over with?" Wong Qifu asked, puzzled.

Xu Ke shook his head. "They're hard to deal with. I think it's better for my parents to meet us alone."

"Alright then." Seeing him insist, Wong Qifu didn't say anything more.

...

Afterward, the two of them sat on the balcony.

Wong Qifu was very busy, so Xu Ke rarely had the chance to be alone with her, let alone to simply relax his body and mind, quietly enjoying the breeze, admiring the moon, and stargazing...

But though the night sky was filled with stars, he had no heart to admire them, his gaze drifting sideways to a face more captivating than any moon or star.

Wong Qifu, on the other hand, had her eyes slightly closed, her cheek resting in her hand.

The evening breeze blew, rustling the leaves.

She was resting.

He watched her rest.

...

A while later, Wong Qifu opened her eyes. "Let's go downstairs."

Xu Ke hastily withdrew his gaze and nodded. "Okay."

It was only when he stood up that he remembered Mai Qing, the other person who had been present tonight.

"Right, who is Auntie Mai?" Xu Ke asked.

On the car ride, Wang Wu had only managed to briefly inform him of Wong Liqing's identity and had no time to discuss Mai Qing. So, until now, Xu Ke's impression of her was still very vague. From his perception, he could only discern that Mai Qing was likely an expert at the Innate Great Perfection level, but beyond that, he knew nothing.

"Auntie Mai?" Wong Qifu paused as she stood, letting out a slow sigh. "Auntie Mai is the one who came with my mother when she married into the family."

"I see..." Xu Ke fell silent and didn't ask any more questions.

He was afraid asking more would sadden her. Besides, if Mai Qing had such a close relationship with Wong Qifu's mother, akin to a bridal attendant, then she was probably just as important to Wong Qifu as her own mother had been.

"Let's go," Wong Qifu said with a small smile.

"Alright."

「Meanwhile.」

「In Wang Qiya's room.」

"Xiao Ya, don't scare me..." Zhou Yi Yi was frightened when she saw Wang Qiya, who had been deep in thought, suddenly start tidying things up for no reason.

Wang Qiya stood and wiped the dust from the table. "Why would I scare you? I just want to do something to distract myself."

Although she was very upset, wallowing in sadness wouldn't help. Spending an entire night brooding over it just wasn't her style.

"Then you could play on your phone!" Zhou Yi Yi followed her nervously, obviously afraid that Wang Qiya might do something rash.

"Play what?" Wang Qiya shook her head, then suddenly remembered something. "Right, Yi Yi, remember to keep everything that happened tonight a secret. You mustn't let it slip."

"I know," Zhou Yi Yi quickly nodded.

As Wang Qiya's best friend, that was a line she would never cross. Although Zhou Yi Yi disliked Xu Ke, it was only because she wanted what was best for Wang Qiya and hoped he would leave the Wang Family. She would never divulge something as critical as tonight's events.

In fact, if Xu Ke hadn't insisted on repairing Ye Chong's Dantian, and if he didn't act so strangely, I don't think I would have disliked him. I might even have had a slightly favorable impression. But now, all I feel for him is a deep sense of disgust.

「In the living room.」

Wang Wu, Lin Qinghua, and Mai Qing were chatting.

Normally, Lin Qinghua would never leave Wong Qifu's side. But ever since Wong Qifu had Xu Ke, Lin Qinghua had started giving her some space.

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