NOVPUBIt was Song Lulu again.
About three days ago, Song Lulu's mom made the first call, using an affectionate tone to address Hou Longtao as "little Hou," asking when he would have time to visit, and after rambling on about various things, these past few days, Song Lulu and her mom called Hou Longtao several times.
Even though they never said it outright, the implication in their words was how Hou Longtao and Song Lulu used to be so close, how Song Lulu is now missing him so much... to anyone listening carefully, it was clear they wanted to get back together.
Hou Longtao had considered it.
Breaking up doesn't necessarily mean never getting back together. Although the words "breaking up" shouldn't be said lightly, sometimes, in the heat of an argument, harsh words can be spoken without thinking, and only later in calm reflection does one realize that relationship isn't easily come by and perhaps it isn't worth breaking up.
But his situation with Song Lulu was different; they didn't break up on a spur-of-the-moment fight.
He and Song Lulu simply weren't meant for each other, and being together in the first place was a mistake. When two people with different values are forced together, constant ideological clashes accumulate over time, eventually leading to a major blowout.
That was the case with him and Song Lulu. Now thinking about it calmly, even if they got back together, although it might seem like resolving current problems, there would just be endless conflicts in the future.
So, he rejected her outright.
Unexpectedly, this refusal sent Song Lulu and her daughter into a fury. Their initial polite words turned into bitter accusations, calling Hou Longtao several times in a row and starting each conversation with furious scolding.
Hou Longtao didn't answer and hung up the phone straight away, while Suming chuckled on the side; every household has its own issues to deal with, and having gone through this ordeal, Hou Longtao was bound to undergo a complete transformation, both emotionally and financially.
...
Everyone has their own relationship problems, Suming included.
Since returning from Xiangjiang, Suming finally met the legendary final boss—Nangong Yan's dad, his prospective father-in-law, Nangong Lei.
True to his name, the old man was decisive as thunder and lightning. His first words upon meeting were, "When do you plan to have the wedding?"
Suming was taken aback at that moment.
When did the Nangong family become so easy to talk to?
In the previous stages, Nangong Yan's uncles all seemed cheerful at a glance, but each one posed a secret test, and one could easily fall into a trap set by these older generations without noticing.
Logically speaking, the final boss should be the most formidable, right? Suming had prepared himself for all kinds of scenarios, steeling his heart for a bloody battle.
Who knew it would go so smoothly? He managed to pass the test without even a hint of struggle?
It wasn't merely passing; it was as if the final boss suddenly turned traitor, not only failing to stop him but actually giving the challenger a push from behind.
After pondering it for a moment, he had a sudden realization.
Forget the talk about a final boss—it was all a joke. Nangong Lei was a father; no father wouldn't want his daughter's happiness. No matter how unreasonable, it wouldn't make sense for him to trouble his prospective son-in-law.
As in-laws, they could only talk about their own daughter, which is just like how Suming's mom only criticizes Suming and praises Nangong Yan—it's done for the sake of the children, so everyone gets along.
As for tests, it's not like there were none. Previous meet-ups with a few uncles were truly a series of tests, and the path that Nangong Yan and I have walked together has been a test, too.
Having reached this point, things had naturally fallen into place.
It was just unexpected that my future father-in-law would speak so directly, making Suming break out in a sweat.
"Don't scare the kids with what you say," my future mother-in-law chided Nangong Lei with a glance, bringing over a plate of freshly cut fruit and said with a laugh, "Su, you young people are all busy with your careers, and when to get married is your own business. Although your uncle and aunt also hope that you'll settle down sooner rather than later, they definitely won't interfere."
Though she said that, Suming wasn't a child and could still read between the lines—the in-laws certainly hoped that Nangong Yan and his relationship would be settled sooner rather than later.
She had followed Suming, quit her job, and invested all her energy in his career. Nangong Yan had given almost everything she had, and up to now, she still remained his girlfriend.
To speak frankly, the status of boyfriend or girlfriend is an extremely special one. Today's confidant and lover may turn into a stranger overnight, which is even less stable than a regular friendship.
As parents, of course, they would be concerned about their daughter's future.
Both Nangong Yan and I were under 24 years old. In a second-tier city like Yangchuan City, getting married seemed somewhat early. However, considering that my business had skyrocketed like a rocket over the past year, it was natural that Nangong Yan's parents would want our affairs to be settled a day earlier, to give Nangong Yan some security.
Today's small family feast was to address this very issue.
"Mom and dad, we agreed to eat, how did we end up on this topic again?" Nangong Yan said with a slight scolding look at Nangong Lei.
"How can we not talk during dinner?" Nangong Lei said in a serious tone, "The family comes together to eat and discuss household affairs, what's wrong with that?"
"Okay, okay, let's not talk about it," the future mother-in-law intervened, standing up to serve Suming a piece of braised chicken wing, saying cheerfully, "Yan has been able to cook this dish since she was little, Su, give it a try."
"Thank you, Auntie," Suming said, taking a bite of the chicken wing and feeling a stir in his heart.
Nangong Yan had almost never mentioned marriage to him, but living together day after day, how could Suming not see what she was thinking?
Not mentioning it didn't mean she didn't think about it. Suming guessed Nangong Yan's thoughts somewhat: first, she didn't want to pressure him, and second, this girl had her stubborn and proud side. She was willing to give love freely and did not want it to become a transaction that must be repaid. Even more, she did not want to use emotions and commitment as bargaining chips.
She would prefer a kind of unspoken understanding where love was just love, no need to be voiced aloud, and no need for her to take the initiative to mention anything.
But at this point, Suming felt he should make a gesture.
"Uncle and Auntie are right. We've been together for a while and have mostly adjusted to each other. My business isn't huge, but at least it's on the right track. It's indeed time to start thinking of marriage," he said.
He made that remark for Nangong Yan and then smiled at Nangong Lei and his wife, "Uncle and Auntie, don't worry. My mom said that next time we'll invite you over for a meal, then our parents can discuss how to proceed."
This was akin to 'kings meeting kings.' When both sets of parents meet, in the traditional Huaxia sense, the matter was almost set in stone.
Hearing Suming say this, Nangong Yan's mother smiled cheerfully and served Suming another piece of meat. Nangong Lei grunted affirmatively and lifted his cup, gesturing to Suming, "Let's drink."
