Chapter 4, The Difficult Mother-in-Law
"Mingxuan, let's go." The couple at the slanted table behind Yeran finished their meal and were about to leave
Zhu Wen was somewhat displeased, standing in front of Ye Ran, accepting Jiang Hao's gaze, and said with righteousness, "If you are picking up a friend, you cannot park so casually. Not only is it a violation of traffic rules, but what if you hit someone?"
The man sitting opposite her is named Ming Xuan
Zhu Wen's footsteps immediately came to a halt, and then she turned around, smiling obsequiously at her mother: "Mom, a girl is leaving, I must see her off! I'll be back soon!"
Ye Ran glared at Jiang Hao with annoyance, elegantly rolling her eyes at him twice
Ye Ran glanced at Mina, noticing her gossiping expression, and couldn't help but curl her lips: "After all, we are sisters; could you please hide that gloating expression? At least wear a mask to disguise your concern."
"It is unacceptable to take photos for others! This is not something a proper girl would do!" Zhu Wen's mother spoke with a very firm tone, "Son, come out, I have something to say to you!" Zhu Wen's mother grabbed Zhu Wen and dragged him out of the private room.
Fortunately, the electric donkey passed safely, and there were no cars nearby, allowing us to continue on our way without incident
Then you should eat this piece of fish. Ye Ran turned her hand and picked a piece of fish for Jiang Hao, smiling as she said: In fact, this dish is much more flavorful and spicier than the fish chunks
Ah, you two seem to be having quite a pleasant conversation!" As the voice of the aunt reached them, another short and plump woman squeezed her way into the not-so-spacious private room.
"If you say you love me, then come with me... bravely hold my hand..." The moment the phone rang, Ye Ran unhesitatingly reached under the pillow, didn't even look, and directly hung up. She casually tossed it towards the edge of the bed and continued her little dream that she had just begun.
Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: "No, I have something else to attend to"
A middle-aged woman around fifty years old, upon seeing Ye Ran, immediately had a flash of brilliance in her small, narrow eyes. She eagerly grasped Ye Ran's hand and smiled, her face filled with wrinkles: "You are Ye Ran, right? I am your great-aunt."
Ye Ran no longer knows what kind of expression to use to describe her current mood; the word "awkward" is completely insufficient
Yeran's expression became even more innocent, to be honest, she really hadn't considered this issue! Especially when thinking of Zhu Wen as the subject!
"Ah, is it really you? You look even better in person than in the magazine!" The girl eagerly grasped Ye Ran's hand, her face filled with admiration
Ye Ran was momentarily taken aback, and then reluctantly recited his number: "139138788XX"
These are a few pieces of handicrafts that require a model to pose in various styles for a photo shoot. Jiang Hao briefly explained the situation: After the shoot, the photos need to be sent to the client tomorrow
I am truly sorry, but I really don't have time to have dinner with you today. I must leave now, " Ye Ran said apologetically to Zhu Wen
I came to see what kind of girl you have!" Zhu Wen's mother cast a faint glance at Ye Ran, her expression neither warm nor cold
Ah? ... ... The things we decided on today?" Ye Ran was a bit confused, "What did we decide on today?" It's a rare weekend, so naturally, I just want to stay at home and sleep soundly.
Jiang Hao slightly furrowed his brows, then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he said softly, "It's not bad."
Auntie smiled and replied, "Yeran, he is the manager of a company! Very capable."
Cough, cough, cough... At that moment, the girl who had come in interrupted Zhu Wen's mother's words with a dry cough. Seeing that everyone's attention was focused on her, she finally spoke up and asked: "Ye Ran, is that cover girl from the last issue of HE magazine you?"
Zhu Wen kindly pulled her mother once again into the private room, smiling at Ye Ran in a flattering manner, "Ye Ran, my father passed away early, and my mother endured a lot of hardships to raise me, so she speaks quite plainly. I hope you don't mind!"
Mina said ambiguously: "I am almost starving"
Jiang Hao merely smiled and did not speak
As the curtain was pulled back, the night was suddenly met with the sight of a man lounging with his legs crossed on the coffee table, causing beads of sweat to break out on my forehead! ... This was due to the prominent spots on the man's face ...! ... They were comparable to a pancake filled with sesame seeds!
Cousin, this chopped pepper fish head is the signature dish of this restaurant. Try it, it's really delicious, " Mina enthusiastically pointed to the fish slices soaked in red chili peppers while introducing it to Jiang Hao.
Ye Ran was so exhausted that he could hardly respond. Without even mentioning Zhu Wen's internal and external conditions, just having such an exceptional mother made Ye Ran think of two words: elimination
Ye Ran fell silent, staring blankly at the teapot on the table. Although the man just now was not Chen Mingxuan, the name Mingxuan stirred up turbulent waves in Ye Ran's heart, and in an instant, memories surged forth, vivid and clear.
Zhu Wen's mother let out a cold snort from her nose, "At twenty-eight years old, she is still acting so proud? In our day, she would be considered a leftover flower, an old yellow flower that no one wants!"
Jiang Hao shrugged indifferently, ignoring Zhu Wen's exasperation, and smiled at Ye Ran, asking, "Can we leave now?"
I think you seem quite composed..." Ye Ran pondered for a moment before subtly expressing this
He is my sister's cousin. Ye Ran casually explained to Zhu Wen while brushing aside the loose strands of hair from her forehead, thinking to herself: Mina and Nami can be considered family, so Nami's cousin can also be regarded as Mina's cousin.
Zhu Wen, this is my great-niece, Ye Ran! Ye Ran, this is Zhu Wen." After the introduction, the aunt automatically excused herself: "I will go get you some food.
Oh, alright
Ye Ran nodded and said, "I am the only one in my family!"
Zhu Wen's expression instantly displayed a sense of disappointment and regret, yet he did not say anything further
The man, caught off guard, quickly retracted his leg, awkwardly grinning as he exchanged two smiles with Ye Ran and his great-aunt.
I estimate that you can only handle mild spice. " Ye Ran looked at Jiang Hao apologetically and said, "I’m sorry, if I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have ordered such heavily flavored dishes. How about we change to something less spicy?"
Ye Ran lazily yawned and replied to Jiang Hao, "As long as you know, that's enough." She then quietly gazed out of the car window, and Jiang Hao also fell silent, focusing intently on driving.
Zhu Wen's mother slightly cooled her expression and turned to ask the girl, "Cuihua, what is that magazine you mentioned?"
"Hmm, hmm, I will definitely perform well!" Ye Ran replied insincerely.
Zhu Wen furrowed her brows and shot him an annoyed glance
Ye Ran let out a sneer, shook his head in silence, and caught a glimpse of Jiang Hao not picking up his chopsticks. He couldn't help but ask, "Jiang Hao, why aren't you eating?"
Ye Ran felt a sudden dizziness, his legs weakened, and he nearly fainted. He kept patting his chest to self-soothe, reminding himself not to stoop to the level of this old woman... Calm down
Mina, with her pointed ears, heard the name Mingxuan and curiously leaned over to take a look. After confirming that this Mingxuan was not the same as the one she knew, she retracted her neck and, observing Yeran who was focused on eating vegetables, said with some surprise: "You seem a bit unusual today"
Ye Ran held the menu and looked up to ask Jiang Hao: "Can you eat spicy food?"
Chen Mingxuan patiently sat opposite Ye Ran each time, indulgently watching Ye Ran pick the stems one by one into his bowl. Then, he would extend his white, slender hand to transfer the leaves from his own bowl to Ye Ran's. After finishing, he would say: "Fortunately, I can eat the stems; otherwise, if you only eat the leaves like this, all the stems in our home would go to waste."
"Of course not," Jiang Hao hurriedly complimented, "Someone like you, who is loved by everyone, makes flowers bloom, and even causes cars to burst their tires, how could you possibly have such a small temperament?"
Ye Ran smiled in response, answering perfunctorily: "Alright"
Ye Ran did not know what to say, and could only foolishly accompany with a smiling face. Fortunately, after walking a few steps, they arrived in front of a private room. The young lady turned her face and said to Ye Ran: "We have arrived"
Zhu Wenruo cast a thoughtful glance at Jiang Hao, then turned to Ye Ran and said, "Then please leave me a number."
It was a very ordinary face, with dark skin and a slight hint of plumpness. At that moment, it bore an expression of confusion, glancing at Jiang Hao, then at Ye Ran, and finally making a face at the girl, shaking its head.
Mina did not insist, and with a smile said, "Alright, we will take you back."
Bang! Night was suddenly jolted out of the chair and collided down, then instinctively bounced back. Rubbing her sore forehead and waist, she murmured softly to Jiang Hao, "Why are you driving so fast? Be careful, or the tire might burst again"
I haven't seen you at all; I have been busy watching a movie with my family, Mimi
In fact, you are doing well!" Ye Ran said with a forced smile.
Oh? Jiang Hao raised his elegantly arched eyebrows and asked with a smile, "Do you know any models?"
"It's not bad." Jiang Hao said awkwardly
Yeran's smile had long since frozen on her face, with her facial muscles twitching in succession.
No! I haven't forgotten! Yiran nervously responded, trying to please her mother with a smile, saying, "I know, that son of your aunt's family has a friend who wants to meet me, right!"
Alright, I will hang up now. I look forward to hearing your good news tonight! Make sure to dress up nicely today!" My mother reminded me with her usual nagging before hanging up the phone.
Yeran suppressed her displeasure and put on a smile for Zhu Wen's mother, "Hello, Auntie."
Jiang Hao listened to these words, turned to look at Ye Ran, and saw her elegantly eating the chopped pepper fish fillet. He couldn't help but feel reassured. He picked up a piece of green vegetable that looked not very spicy and put it into his mouth. As soon as the vegetable entered, a wave of fiery burning sensation surged through him, causing him to cough... cough cough... The tears and mucus flowed uncontrollably... It was neither easy to swallow nor to spit out... After much difficulty, with tear-filled eyes, he managed to swallow that piece of vegetable... The tears and mucus flowed uncontrollably again... It was neither easy to swallow nor to spit out... After much difficulty, with tear-filled eyes, he managed to swallow that piece of vegetable, hurriedly grabbed the teacup on the table and gulped down a cup of tea. Then, unable to wait for the waiter to refill, he casually drank all the tea in Ye Ran's cup in one go, opening his mouth wide and grimacing as he fanned himself, awkwardly exclaiming: "So spicy... so spicy... Hurry up, hurry up and bring me some boiled water!"
This question is indeed quite difficult to answer
Jiang Hao looked at Ye Ran's smile, and his lips involuntarily curled up slightly, his mood also being influenced, giving rise to an indescribable joy.
Auntie watched as Yiran was unable to provide an answer, so she hurriedly sat down beside Zhu Wen's mother and said with a smile, "Aunt, this question doesn't seem to be important, does it?"
This person indeed possesses self-awareness! They even know to describe themselves as weathered by the vicissitudes of life
I didn't see it, but Kemi's cousin saw it. Just as he called to mention you, I thought I would call to check on Bei! Mina laughed a few times on the phone, her tone laced with subtle sarcasm, "I am quite curious about that brother with the flowery smile. When will you bring him over for me to take a look?"
I can eat with Nano, but she is not really good with spicy food. Mina looked up and said with a smile
The speaker is a young woman, around twenty years old, with delicate features and a vibrant expression of youth. At this moment, she is frowning slightly, using her chopsticks to pick through the bowl, transferring the dishes she does not like to the bowl across from her.
Jiang Hao glanced at Ye Ran with a hint of surprise and quickly asked, "Is that true? Ye Ran, could you do me a favor?"
Ye Ran elegantly picked some dishes and placed them into her bowl, savoring each bite slowly. Gradually, she aimed to dilute and erase the memories that had just surged within her. She did not wish to remember anything about Chen Mingxuan, nor did she want this inner demon to continue to confine her.
Zhu Wen urgently pulled Ye Ran, as if fearing she would be hit by a car. When the BMW came to a stop, seeing Jiang Hao's head poking out of the window, he disapprovingly scolded, "I say, how can you drive like this? Don't you see this is a crosswalk?"
Mom, let's talk about this later! Zhu Wen was clearly a bit overwhelmed by his mother
After taking a taxi, we went around several turns and made several phone calls to inquire. Finally, we managed to find the relatively famous Old Three Teahouse at my great-aunt's house, which made me feel a bit emotional! Indeed, it is a well-known place, yet it is so low-key that it is hard to find!
Zhu Wen's mother wore an expression of displeasure, glanced at her son, and finally curled her lips, saying, "It is acceptable to send her off, but I do not want such a daughter-in-law! Unless she is willing to listen to me!"
Mina dragged along with Nano to accompany Yaran throughout the shoot, yet Jiang Hao did not return, which made her murmur: "Mimi, your cousin is really unreliable. We worked so hard to help him take photos, and he just ran off by himself."
Jiang Hao gazed thoughtfully at Ye Ran, who appeared somewhat lost in thought. Following her line of sight, he also looked over to that table where a young man, with a warm expression, was helping his girlfriend serve herself food, saying, "Alright, since you don't eat celery, make sure to have more meat."
"Auntie, give me some space to take a look together!" Another delicate voice followed, and then a young woman squeezed in, her face flushed with excitement, indicating that she had rushed over at great speed
Rugged, with a husky voice, unlike Chen Mingxuan's gentle tone that feels like a spring breeze; however, seven years is a long time, capable of changing so much, yet leaving so little to remember
Jiang Hao sighed and said with a hint of apology, "I am sorry for startling you again"
Jiang Hao saw Ye Ran looking at him, and without hesitation, he picked up a piece of fish and stuffed it into his mouth. It was not as spicy as before, but for someone who could not handle spicy food, it was still quite hot. He chewed it a few times without changing his expression and swallowed it down before praising, "Hmm, the taste is indeed very good"
Just as Ye Ran opened his mouth to speak, a small electric scooter, which was violating traffic rules and carrying a passenger, suddenly darted out onto the crosswalk. Jiang Hao urgently turned the steering wheel, sharply swerving to one side and slamming on the brakes.
Zhu Wen's mother was clearly frustrated and complained to her aunt, "Look at this child, once he has a wife, he forgets his mother! How unfortunate I am!"
Not long after, Mina and Nami pushed the door open and entered. As soon as they sat down, Mina smiled and asked: "What does the person you are meeting for a blind date do?"
Jiang Hao did not ask much more, raised his hand to check the time, and uncertainly said: "It should be arriving soon"
Zhu Wen's mother hesitated for a moment before choosing to speak up and requested: "After getting married, you should not go to work anymore. A woman being her husband's manager is not the mark of a virtuous woman..."
She is just the cover girl from the book, a model
"Yes, what is it?" Ye Ran retorted.
Nano expressed an apology with a smile and asked, "You must be very tired today, right?"
In this world, no one cannot live without someone else. At the beginning, it is difficult to accept. When together, no one wants to part ways. However, when it becomes impossible to stay together, and separation truly occurs, it is what it is. As time passes, gradually, everything can return to normal. Yet, a threshold will remain in the heart. Once crossed, one can embrace a new life and new happiness. If not crossed, one lingers at the threshold like a night owl, hesitating for a long time. However, such hesitation has nothing to do with enjoying life or relaxing oneself, because being good to oneself is what truly matters. As time passes, gradually, everything can return to normal. Yet, a threshold will remain in the heart. Once crossed, one can embrace a new life and new happiness. If not crossed, one lingers at the threshold like a night owl, hesitating for a long time. However, such hesitation has nothing to do with enjoying life or relaxing oneself, because being good to oneself is what truly matters.
Yeran silently gazed at the ceiling, took a deep breath. Yesterday, she was dragged by Mina to go shopping, and after returning home from a late-night snack around 12 o'clock, after chatting with Jiang Hao, she probably fell asleep around 2 o'clock. Now it is 8:30... How many hours has she actually slept?
Perhaps sensing that someone was watching, the sensitive young woman was the first to glance at Ye Ran, then lowered her head to say something to her boyfriend. The man named Ming Xuan finally turned his head and cast a glance at Ye Ran and the others.
Mina grabbed a chopstick full of food and ravenously stuffed it into her mouth, choking on it, coughing and coughing...
Well, this ugly daughter-in-law must meet her in-laws. Yaran, why don't you meet Zhu Wen's mother first to understand his situation? That would be quite good! The aunt noticed Yaran biting her pale lips and hurriedly said some polite words.
Ranran, are you currently on XX Road?
Mother Zhu ignored her aunt and continued to speak for herself, "After getting married, whether we live in your house, our house, or if you buy another house, I will definitely follow to take care of my son... I will live with you all!"
Ye Ran rubbed his aching forehead, the throbbing temples subtly conveying discomfort
Ye Ran hurriedly flattered, saying: "Mom, it's not true, my phone just ran out of battery and disconnected automatically... I'm calling you back now!"
"Why aren't you getting up yet?" The mother's voice was filled with disappointment, "That young man is a civil servant, with a bright future ahead!"
Zhu Wen could no longer hold back and interrupted his mother, "Mom, in today's society, men and women are equal! Your ideas are outdated and obsolete."
Ye Ran arrived at the agreed Sichuan restaurant earlier than Jiang Hao, choosing a window-side table. Just as she sat down, the waiter brought the menu, which Jiang Hao immediately handed to Ye Ran, saying: "I have no expertise in Sichuan cuisine, so you can order."
Ye Ran came to her senses, pouted her lips, and innocently said: "I am quite accustomed to being startled, but my poor little waist..."
"Then why are you twenty-eight years old and still not in a hurry to find a partner and get married? Is it because your standards are too high, or are your parents' expectations too high?" Zhu Wen's mother asked sharply.
Well, I am not criticizing your age; what I actually want to say is that you don't look like you are twenty-eight. At most, you seem to be around twenty-three or twenty-four! Zhu Wen's expression was tightly controlled as he explained to Ye Ran in a very formal manner. Of course, after finishing, he did not forget to ask Ye Ran for his opinion: "So, Ye Ran, what do you think of me?"
The night here was already filled with darkness, and unable to contain myself, I cleared my throat and coughed once to remind the two people who were speaking privately. The voices of the two outside immediately fell silent.
"Well, you see, can we get in touch again?" Zhu Wen asked, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Yes, I am twenty-eight
Yeran pointed at the menu with one finger and confidently ordered: "Spicy Chicken, Boiled Fish Slices, Mapo Tofu..."
When Ye Ran was just filming, Jiang Hao received a phone call, his expression was subtle, and after a brief greeting, he hurriedly left
Yeran's lips twitched slightly as she resolutely refused, "Mom, I'll meet him first and then we'll talk. Why do you have to follow? Isn't that putting pressure on the young man?"
"What are you yelling about?" The roar of my mother was clearly louder than the national anthem by several degrees.
His aunt ... ... '' Aunt pulled on Zhu Wen's mother's arm, her mouth shifting towards Ye Ran
"You are quite sensible! It's already 8:30, why are you still not up?" Mom's tone softened a little.
Yeran forced out a smile that was even uglier than crying and said to Zhu Wen's mother: "As a twenty-eight-year-old old girl, I am not suitable for your country's officials! I have things to do, so I will take my leave now! Goodbye, auntie!"
"Model? You mean the kind that takes off their clothes for photos?" Zhu Wen's mother involuntarily raised her voice, and her expression instantly darkened.
Ye Ran recalled her time at school. Although she was not picky about food, except for coriander, she would eat anything. However, she had a peculiar habit: every time she ate cabbage or large greens, she preferred to eat the leaves but did not like to eat the stems
Ah? Do you have plans for the weekend?" Mina casually replied.
Do I look like such a petty person?
Aunt, it's not that exaggerated!
I have heard that it is quite good, with several properties!" Zhu Wen's voice lowered slightly.
"You actually dared to hang up on me? You think you have wings now, huh?" The irate voice of my mother came through clearly into Ye Ran's ears, word for word.
The name is quite good! Zhu Wen's mother nodded, giving a fair assessment
"After you get married, buy a house here, and let her family buy you a car. The house doesn't need to be too luxurious, just that new development, the Green Lake Garden with the attached villas. As for the car, Wenwen, you can choose any brand you like!" Zhu Wen's mother said matter-of-factly, and then added in a low voice, "Don't worry too much about saving money for them... we can't shortchange ourselves!"
"Then how do you know I am on a blind date on XX Road?" Ye Ran murmured.
"That's no problem." Mina quickly interjected Nightran's words, smiling as she said, "We won't go singing anymore; we'll watch you take photos instead."
The great-aunt's age seems somewhat mismatched with that of the plump lady, and Ye Ran hesitated, but still mustered the courage to say: "Hello, great-aunt"
Upon hearing this, Ye Ran was almost choked, looking innocently at Zhu Wen's mother with wide eyes
Plain? Is it reality! Ye Ran muttered in frustration.
Jiang Hao turned his face and carefully scrutinized Ye Ran, curling his lips in disapproval and said, "With that waist of yours, how can you call it a slim waist? It is clearly an H shape, commonly known as a barrel waist!"
Let's have a meal together, it won't take much of your time! You wouldn't deny me this little favor, would you? Zhu Wenzhi is inviting Ye Ran to dinner.
After some thought, my mother found it reasonable and kindly reminded me, "Make sure to perform well later! Seize the opportunity!"
"What are their family conditions like?" Zhu Wen's mother asked hesitantly
Then, within Yaran's ears, the voice of Zhu Wen's mother clearly resonated, "Wenwen, when marrying a wife, she shouldn't be too beautiful; she should be capable of managing the household. A wife is not just a vase to be displayed at home; she should be practical. As for this Yaran, no matter how I look at it, I just feel she is not suitable for you"
Ye Ran looked at her great-aunt with a smile that seemed to be both a smile and not a smile, then turned to glance at Cuihua, whose face was flushed red. Did those two outside not know that the curtains of this private room were made of bamboo? There was no soundproofing at all
Ye Ran reached out to grab the resounding national anthem, squinting his eyes as he looked at the words "Mom" flashing on the screen, feeling a mix of emotions that left him wanting to cry without tears, and weakly answered: "Hello..."
My father runs a small business, and my mother is a full-time housewife. Yaran honestly replied to Zhu Wen's mother
Jiang Hao nodded with a smile, his phone rang. After glancing at it, he quickly got up and said "I apologize" to them before stepping out to take the call
After Yeran waved goodbye to Zhu Wen, she turned and got into the passenger seat, where the door had already been opened for her. As soon as the door was closed, Jiang Hao stepped on the gas and sped away, only to slam on the brakes at a red light ahead
Auntie kindly poured a glass of water for Yeran and introduced, "Zhu Wen's father is a soldier, but he left when Zhu Wen was very young. It was Zhu Wen's mother who raised him single-handedly, which is no easy task!"
Ye Ran shook his head, "No, I want to go home."
It seems that you all can handle spicy food quite well said Jiang Hao with a smile as he looked at the three people eating happily
Is that so? Jiang Hao replied with a smile, reaching out to pick up a slice of fish and placing it in the bowl, but he did not take a bite
Ye Ran looked at the flashing name of Mina on her phone, glanced at Zhu Wen, and then pressed the answer button: "Hello! Nana... what's wrong?"
Ye Ran looked at Zhu Wen, who was panting and sweating profusely as he directly blocked her path, with a puzzled expression, furrowing her delicate brows, "Why are you out here?" His mother was at odds with Ye Ran, and there was absolutely no chance for them.
Oh, no, thank you! I have other matters to attend to and need to hurry back!
Yeran, wait for me!" Zhu Wen ultimately quickened his pace and chased after Yeran.
I must clarify that regardless of whether you marry out or my son comes to live with you, you must have two children!" Zhu Wen's mother said seriously, ignoring Ye Ran's stunned expression: "Your family will have one surname, and our family will have another! Of course, if you want to have three or four, as long as your family can afford it, you can have as many as you like!
Ye Ran hung up the phone, let out a long sigh of frustration, and then reluctantly got up, grabbing her clothes.
Zhu Wenqing urgently grabbed Ye Ran, her gaze naturally sweeping over Jiang Hao, and with a hint of ambiguous hostility, she asked, "Do you know him?"
Ye Ran awkwardly withdrew her gaze, straightened her posture, and caught a glimpse of Jiang Hao looking at her with concern. She couldn't help but smile sheepishly and asked, "Why haven't Mina and the others arrived yet?"
"No need, no need," Jiang Hao said generously, waving his hand. "Actually, the taste is quite good, it's just a bit spicy."
Whenever I hear the words "our family," Ye Ran's heart is always filled with warmth. At that time, she naively believed that it was truly possible to live a lifetime this way, that she and Chen Mingxuan could genuinely love each other until old age.
However, joyful and warm moments always pass by like lightning. Three years, the most beautiful and youthful years, are merely a fleeting dream. After waking from the dream, one discovers that the original warmth is accompanied by pain, entangling a certain soft corner of her heart, occasionally causing a painful twist.
Ye Ran blinked and nodded
Ye Ran said softly, "Aunt, I am coming over now! Please tell me the address."
"Then do you want me to accompany you later?" Mother was so pleased by Ye Ran's obedience that her heart blossomed, and her tone clearly softened
Then let's go have dinner together, Mina said, linking her arm with Yaran
Mina moved her lips towards Yaran and said, "Isn't our Ranran just a ready-made model?"
"If you say you love me, then come with me, bravely hold my hand..." The ringtone pulled Ranran out of her memories. She answered the call, and Mina's cheerful voice came through: "Ranran, we have arrived, we are parking now. Have you prepared your things?"
In front of the mirror, looking left and right, the brown-gray smoky makeup seemed somewhat mismatched with the flowing white chiffon dress she was wearing. Ye hesitated for a moment, considering removing the smoky makeup on her face, but upon recalling the dark circles under her eyes from last night's severe lack of sleep, she abandoned that idea. Instead, she quickly grabbed a fitted white shirt and black casual pants from the wardrobe, changed her clothes efficiently, and her phone rang right on time.
Ye Ran did not speak again, and the two remained silent, creating an awkward atmosphere in that moment
"So, are you planning to get married and move out, or will you be bringing someone into the family?" Zhu Wen's mother glanced at her aunt and asked again
No need, it is very convenient to take a taxi here
Zhu Wen, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched his head, gave Ye Ran a smile, stood up, and extended his hand, saying, "Good day, Miss Ye Ran, my name is Zhu Wen"
Ye Ran could only feel that the gazes of the two were scrutinizing her from head to toe, as if they were so intense that they could burn a hole through her! She stood there stiffly, her scalp tingling, and awkwardly looked towards her great-aunt, who was peeking her head halfway through the box door, her eyes constantly seeking help as she asked: Who are these two?
"Wait a moment, let your cousin give you a ride; we can have dinner together," Mina said busily in front of the nightstand.
Ye Ran raised his hand to push the phone slightly away, to avoid being deafened by his mother's voice and experiencing tinnitus
Next is Zhu Wen's flattering defense, "Mom, you shouldn't judge a person by their appearance. This person's demeanor and cultivation are quite good, and their abilities are also commendable. It's just that they are a bit older than me, but they don't look old at all..."
Ye Ran lifted her face from the bowl, looking at Mina with a puzzled expression and asked, "Unusual? Where is it unusual?"
"Excuse me, what is your name?" Zhu Wen's mother asked seriously as she sat down, pointing at Ye Ran.
"Just kidding, just kidding, please don't be angry." Jiang Hao held the steering wheel, his eyes glancing distractedly at Ye Ran, apologizing with a playful smile
Ye Ran only felt a softness under her feet; fortunately, she was sitting down. Otherwise, if she had fallen, it would have been quite a sight to behold!
Yeran watched as Mina had already promoted her, and feeling it was inappropriate to decline, she hurriedly smiled and said, "I have no problem helping, but I am not sure what you want to shoot"
Oh, I understand, I will get up right away! Ye Ran is cleverly pretending to be obedient in front of her mother
"That is my mother!" Zhu Wen, recovering from his initial shock, explained to Ye Ran with a smile.
Zhu Wen looked at Ye Ran as he hung up the phone and hurriedly said: "Ye Ran, it's already noon, how about we have lunch together?"
"I want to disguise myself, how unreal that would be." Mina said with a smile as she took the water that Jiang Hao poured for her, flattering him by saying, "Cousin, don't you think so?"
According to her standards, Yaran's height requirement for her boyfriend is 180 cm. Clearly, aside from that unappealing face, Mr. Zhu Wen still does not meet the standard! (Why is there this standard? Because it was mentioned in some magazine that a kissing distance of 15 to 20 cm is the most beautiful!)
Ye Ran rushed out and picked up the phone to see it was that aunt's call, and he couldn't help but answer politely, "Ye Ran, when are you coming?" The aunt asked in a half-familiar manner, her Mandarin mixed with dialects and not quite standard.
Indeed, it is quite delicious. Ye Ran also nodded with a smile, took a piece of fish, and praised, "The taste is truly excellent"
Ye Ran has not replied yet, and Mina's clear voice continued, "That brother has an average appearance, an average height, and a smile like a flower. However, under your torment, he seems quite dejected now, wearing an unhappy expression!"
"By the way, Yaran, what do you do?" After a moment, Zhu Wen's mother asked with concern.
Ye Ran wanted to say that it seemed like she had forgotten! After being yelled at by her mother, a thought suddenly struck her: could it be a blind date?
Do not think of me as a nuisance, as an old man, with me taking care of you, you can save a considerable amount on hiring a nanny! Of course, if you want to give me money, I will accept it, just save it for my grandson..." Zhu Wen's mother spoke incessantly.
Nano, both amused and exasperated, helped her pat her back and eased her breath, saying, "I told you, no one is competing with you, why are you eating so hastily?"
"You, have you forgotten?" Mom's tone instantly rose, asking in an irritated and urgent manner
"Are we going to sing later?" Mina inquired, glancing at Yiran before turning to Jiang Hao and asking, "Cousin, will you join us?"
Auntie warmly assisted Ye Ran into the private room, smiling as she said, "Don't be nervous in a little while; the young man is quite nice!"
Are you the only one in your family? An only daughter? Zhu Wen's mother slightly furrowed her brows, seemingly expressing some dissatisfaction
Ye Ran awkwardly extended his hand like this, and finally returned a military salute, introducing himself with a hint of embarrassment, "Hello, Mr. Zhu Wen, my name is Ye Ran"
Son, isn't it all for your own good? You now have a stable job, after all. When choosing a wife, while looks are important, it's sufficient if she is just passable. Having a woman who is too beautiful at home can cause trouble both inside and outside. " Zhu Wen's mother said while glancing at Ye Ran, her gaze unmistakably suggesting that Ye Ran would definitely be restless and stray in the future.
Actually, it's not too bad
"Just now, the secretary called me and said that the model we arranged for the sample shoot is unable to come due to some issues," Jiang Hao said helplessly. "Now we have to find a model at the last minute."
"Mingxuan, I don't like to eat this," a delicate and soft female voice came from behind Yaran. Yaran's whole body trembled as if struck by lightning, and he instinctively turned around to look at that table.
Ye Ran was just about to politely extend his hand for a handshake, but as soon as Zhu Wen finished speaking, he immediately performed a standard salute.
"I am picking up a friend on the way," Jiang Hao said with a cheerful smile as he looked at Ye Ran
Ye Ran looked at Zhu Wen with a hint of helplessness, and from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a white BMW slowly driving past. He hurriedly dialed Jiang Hao's number on his phone, and just as the ringtone played twice, the white BMW stylishly reversed back, coming to a stop right in front of Ye Ran.
What kind of model are you looking for?" Mina pondered for a moment, glanced at Yiran, and casually asked, "Would a part-time one be acceptable?
"If it is just a friendship, then of course there is no problem. As for anything else, I am sorry, but I feel we are not quite suitable for each other." Ye Ran replied with a serious expression. To be honest, apart from his somewhat regrettable appearance, Zhu Wen is fundamentally a simple and genuine person, suitable to be a reliable husband. However, his mother is truly exceptional; such a mother-in-law is something Ye Ran cannot endure.
Jiang Hao chuckled and said, "I am in a hurry to go eat."
Yeran quietly gestured to compare the heights of the two individuals. She has a height of 165 cm, and wearing these 8 cm high heels, she is approximately 173 cm tall. Mr. Zhu Wen is clearly at eye level with her
Jiang Hao's handsome brows slightly furrowed as he calmly grasped the teapot and poured a cup of water
Arise, you who do not wish to be slaves... The bound family phone rang out with the inspiring sound of the national anthem
After the initial excitement had passed, it was realized that it was not the case, and calmness returned. After saying this, Ye Ran looked at Jiang Hao, who entered the room with an expression of indifference, thus concluding the topic.
"Yeran, what does your family do?" Zhu Wen's mother asked lightly as she took the cup of water from her aunt.
How dare you treat my words as if they were mere whispers? You deserve a slap! I couldn't wait for Yiran to respond, so I immediately reached a conclusion: no one knows a daughter better than her mother
Are you on a blind date
"What do you mean by my aunt? She is your great-aunt!" Mother corrected Ye Ran's term of address with annoyance
It is only natural for the elderly to rely on their children for a comfortable life. The old lady, with determination, once again played the role of a matchmaker, trying to mediate the situation.
Zhu Wencun finished the call and said to Ye Ran: "Another day when you are free, let us have a meal together"
Ye Ran's lips twitched slightly; such harmless jokes had long since become commonplace. "Tch, I can't be bothered to deal with you! I'm hanging up!"
"Mother, her name is Ye Ran!" Zhu Wen approached and flatteredly squeezed his mother's shoulder, not waiting for Ye Ran to respond before taking over the conversation.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Wen let out a sigh, touched his face, and said meaningfully, "Although I am younger than you, I appear more weathered than you... There is no helping it; during my time in the military, I underwent training under the sun and wind without considering proper care. Now that I have completed my service and started working at the cultural bureau, I want to take care of myself, but I find that there is so much to maintain, and I feel somewhat at a loss on where to begin"
"If you say you love me, then come with me... through wind and rain, to the ends of the earth... If you say you love me, then come with me, let love take us to the end..." In less than three seconds, the phone rang again, persistently. Ye Ran, with her eyes closed, reached out to feel around the bedside, fortunately, it wasn't thrown too far. She grabbed it in her hand, pressed the hang-up button once more, turned it off, tossed it aside, turned over, and continued to sleep! The phone rang again, unrelentingly. Ye Ran, with her eyes closed, reached out to feel around the bedside, fortunately, it wasn't thrown too far. She grabbed it in her hand, pressed the hang-up button once more, turned it off, tossed it aside, turned over, and continued to sleep!
"Aren't we eating?" Jiang Hao said with a forced smile, looking at the fish head with chopped chili covered in a layer of red chili oil. He slightly furrowed his brows and reached out to pick a piece of vegetable leaf that looked less spicy.
"Yeran, you haven't forgotten about the plans we made for today, have you?" My mother asked suspiciously, her tone shifting.
Jiang Haoyue became increasingly enthusiastic, repeatedly pressing the button several times, implicitly urging Ye Ran to speed up.
If you want to know about our situation, feel free to ask, I, as a mother, know everything!" Zhu Wen's mother replied casually.
Yeran's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but break into a cold sweat, secretly exclaiming how dangerous it was
"You are quite picky," the man said to the girl with a tone of affection, and then added, "Fortunately, I love eating celery; otherwise, it would all go to waste"
"Hmm, it's my great-aunt!" Ye Ran replied, but inwardly she couldn't help but murmur: What great-aunt? We are so distantly related, I don't understand why she is thinking of introducing a boyfriend to me.
Ye Ran forced a smile and said softly, "Well, old man, let's leave it at that."
Ye Ran looked up at the ceiling, rolled her eyes, and took a deep breath, wondering if she was living like a sow in such a manner
Ye Ran awkwardly shrank back, not quite accustomed to the touch of strangers
Miss Ye Ran, I am twenty-five years old and work at the Municipal Cultural Bureau! Zhu Wen blushed and took a long time to utter this sentence, then looked at Ye Ran uncertainly and asked: "You seem to be twenty-eight, right?"
"Let me take you back!" Zhu Wen said, scratching his scalp, with a smile from Myanmar.
Arranged marriage, here we go again... Oh, Mom, for the past 25 years, at school, there were strict rules against dating. If early romance was discovered, it was met with severe punishment. Now, after turning 25, you are urging me every day to find a boyfriend. In ancient times, even a courtesan had to be well-trained before she could entertain clients. Yet, my mother did not provide any training in the first 25 years, so how can you expect me to have figured it all out in just 3 years? Clearly, the foundation was never laid properly.
Cousin, you cannot eat spicy food. Nanmi looked at Jiang Hao, who appeared flustered after drinking 4 cups of water, with sympathy before making a concluding statement
Zhu Wen reluctantly watched Ye Ran elegantly walk out of the private room, hesitating between pursuing and not pursuing
Ye Ran smiled at Jiang Hao, who returned a grateful glance. After signaling the waiter to settle the bill, the four of them laughed as they headed to the reserved photography studio
From this angle, it is impossible to see the man's face clearly; one can only gaze at the gray suit from behind, lost in thought. Is he Chen Mingxuan? When he turns his face, will it still be the chiseled, handsome face from seven years ago? Such a well-fitted, dignified suit must surely accentuate his extraordinary presence even more.
Well, the dishes have just started to be served. Ye Ran looked at the pot of food just placed by the waiter, a layer of bright red chili oil glistening with a warm aroma, and her lips involuntarily relaxed. When feeling a bit down, eating something flavorful, sweating all over, taking a fragrant bath, and having a good sleep, one wakes up feeling refreshed.
If you say you love me, then take me away... the wind and rain will follow me... the ends of the earth will follow... once the decision is made, there is no turning back... if you say you love me, then come with me... bravely hold my hand...
Mina shifted her lips towards the couple walking out the door and said, "Hearing that name, I thought you would be a bit excited."
After ordering a variety of dishes, Ye Ran squinted her eyes and smiled at Jiang Hao, saying: "When it comes to Sichuan cuisine, it must be numbing and spicy; only then is it truly enjoyable"
Yeran slightly parted her lips, momentarily at a loss for words
Did you see me?" Ye Ran turned her head, looked around, and checked if Mina was nearby, speaking vividly.
Ye Ran finally breathed a sigh of relief, greeting with a smile, "Then you should eat more."
This cannot be said in the future; what if they default on their payment? Everything must be made clear in advance. If it works out, then great; if not, then so be it. After all, she is a twenty-eight-year-old unmarried woman who cannot afford to wait! Son, you are a respectable state official! So many people are vying for you!
Mother, how did you come here on such a hot day
"That's just how my mom is, please don't take it to heart," Zhu Wen said awkwardly, with a sense of helplessness.
Jiang Hao idly toyed with the trumpet, pressing it a few times forcefully