NOVPUBBut before Song Yan could say anything, Su Lide raised his hand to stop him and said, "Doctor Song, my family is very grateful for your help and concern toward my daughter. But if your concern makes your mother unhappy, then perhaps we shouldn't trouble you with Lanying's matters anymore."
As soon as he said this, Song Yan's face turned pale and he quickly said, "Uncle Su, I can explain everything to my mother. I promise she won't come to bother Lanying or your family again."
Just as he said this, Su Jian asked, "Doctor Song, you and my sister…are you two in a relationship?"
When Song Yan heard this, he didn't know how to reply. After a long silence, he finally said, "Brother Jian, we are not."
After a pause, he continued, "But I like Lanying and I have the intention to marry her. I'm serious about her."
Hearing this, both Su Lide and Su Jian were shocked. They exchanged glances before Su Jian said, "But my sister's health is unsuitable for having a baby. With your family's background, it will be hard for them to accept my sister."
Song Yan nodded and replied, "Brother Jian, I'm a doctor. I understand Lanying's condition very well. But even so, I like her, and I want to be with her."
"I know it might sound absurd since we have only known each other for a short time and rarely interacted. Yet, when I heard the villagers speaking ill of her, I felt angry. When I heard someone wanted a blind date with her, I felt anxious and worried."
"I might have only realized my feelings recently, but I know I have liked her since the moment I first met her at my teacher's house. I can't stop thinking about her, let alone stay away from her."
After he finished, he stood up and bowed to Su Lide as he said, "Uncle Su, please give me permission to be with Lanying. I will do my best to protect her and won't let anyone hurt her—not even my own family or myself."
Just after he said this, Meng Qiaoping entered the living room holding a pot of porridge.
Placing it on the table, she looked at Song Yan and said, "Doctor Song, it's not that our family dislikes you. But your family and ours have a vast difference in status and situation."
"Being with my daughter might bring you more harm than happiness. Since we all understand the hardships and consequences of this relationship, why force it?" she added.
Song Yan was unwilling to give up and replied, "Aunt Su, how will I know how it ends if I don't even start? Even if the outcome isn't what I hope for, I would rather take the risk than live the rest of my life with regret."
"This is the first time my heart has truly beat for someone. I don't want to give up without trying. I know my words may seem empty now, so please give me a chance to prove myself."
When he finished, the room fell into silence. Time ticked by slowly, and the atmosphere grew tense and awkward. Just when Song Yan thought he wouldn't gain their permission, Su Lanying walked out of the bedroom with a pale face.
Seeing her, Song Yan strode over and gently supported her. His movement was so natural, as if he had done it a thousand times. He looked at her with concern and asked, "Lanying, you are still weak. Why did you come out?"
Su Lanying shook her head and walked to the table. After sitting down, Song Yan held her wrist and checked her pulse.
"Your condition is much better. After taking your medicine and resting more, you should be fine by tomorrow," he said with relief.
Su Lanying nodded before looking at her family and saying, "Mother, Father, Brother, I know about Song Yan's family situation. His mother came this morning to warn me not to seduce her son."
"She said our family background made me unworthy of being her daughter-in-law and that she had already found someone to be her daughter-in-law."
At her words, Su Lide's face darkened. He stared coldly at Song Yan but said nothing.
Receiving the cold stare, Song Yan broke out in a cold sweat. He knew his mother had made a huge mess for him, and he might have lost the girl before even getting a chance to pursue her.
Not knowing what she meant by her words, he could only look at her, his heart sinking.
After several breaths, Su Lanying continued, "Even so, I want to try getting to know Song Yan. I understand that our backgrounds are different, and I may bring him trouble."
"Mother, Father, I have never asked you for anything. Just this once, please let me be selfish. Let me try. If it doesn't work out, I won't be stubborn. I will listen to you and marry an ordinary man."
Her words filled Song Yan with sour jealousy. The thought of her going on a blind date made his hands itch to punch the man.
"Uncle Su, Aunt Su, please give us your permission," he said earnestly.
Su Lide and Meng Qiaoping looked at them with complicated expressions. They were unwilling to let their daughter get involved with a prominent family, knowing it might put their own background at risk of being discovered.
But when they thought of how obedient their daughter had always been, they couldn't bear to reject her first request.
After a long silence, Su Lide finally let out a sigh and said, "Lanying, since you have made up your mind, then your mother and I won't interfere."
Then he looked at Song Yan and added, "Song Yan, as long as you can clean up the mess in your family, I will give you my permission. But if your mother causes trouble again, then I'm sorry—my family will have nothing more to do with you."
The moment he heard this, Song Yan's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Uncle Su, I won't let you down."
