CHAPTER 459: CHAPTER 408 YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO ME

Bai Chengxi had lived for over thirty years and had never felt as nervous as he did now. Having just received a call from Zhuo Yuqing that her mother wanted to meet him, he became somewhat restless.

Bai Chengxi was accustomed to grand occasions; he had attended many major award ceremonies, surrounded by hordes of people, never frowning before hundreds of cameras. But now, just facing the prospect of meeting his mother-in-law made him feel uneasy.

He had prepared the bracelet he bought earlier but suddenly felt it seemed a bit insubstantial, so he went out and bought an expensive handbag as he remembered Zhuo Yuqing mentioning her mother liked collecting these bags.

Everything was ready, and Bai Chengxi went to the agreed-upon coffee shop early. While he was waiting, he visited the restroom twice to adjust his clothes and hair in the mirror until he was satisfied.

Bai Chengxi didn’t realize that it was because he cared about someone that he felt nervous, and it was because he cared that he hoped to gain her parents’ approval and blessings.

Zhuo Yuqing and Qiao San arrived on time, and Bai Chengxi was nervous; Zhuo Yuqing was also very tense, knowing that Qiao San was a very amiable person, but also a woman who was particularly protective of her loved ones.

Qiao San spotted Bai Chengxi sitting on the sofa from afar; he was turning his head to look out the window, seemingly outlined with a shimmering edge of gold.

Her first impression of this young man was positive - not ostentatious, no air of aggressiveness, mature and steady.

Bai Chengxi was still scanning the crowd outside when he suddenly turned around as if sensing something and was surprised to see Qiao San for the first time. To his astonishment, she looked much younger than he had imagined, beautiful and slender. Standing next to Zhuo Yuqing, they looked like sisters, which made it somewhat awkward for him to address her as ’Auntie’.

"Auntie Qiao," Bai Chengxi quickly stood up, extending a long, clean hand: "I’m Bai Chengxi, hello."

"Hello." Qiao San nodded; he looked even better in person than in photos - if one were judging by looks alone, he was definitely up to the mark.

Zhuo Yuqing glanced shyly at Bai Chengxi, who smiled back at her and pulled out a chair next to him: "Come here."

Zhuo Yuqing obediently sat down next to him, looking every bit the docile little wife.

"Auntie Qiao, what would you like to drink?" Bai Chengxi asked, his voice gentle and pleasant to the ear.

Qiao San said, "A latte, please."

"Okay." Bai Chengxi then turned to Zhuo Yuqing: "How about I get you a cup of hot orange juice?"

Although he didn’t explain the reason, he remembered Zhuo Yuqing was nearing her period, having experienced some stomach pain last time, which was not severe. However, her habit of frequently eating cold foods was not good.

"Is it okay to have something that’s not hot?" Zhuo Yuqing asked softly, negotiating. Although it was winter, it felt quite stuffy here.

Bai Chengxi silently refused with his eyes. She could be capricious, but on some matters, principles still had to be upheld.

Bai Chengxi summoned the waiter to order drinks and added a few casual snacks.

To outsiders, Bai Chengxi may seem obstinate and domineering.

Qiao San had a tough life when she was young, doing many laborious jobs, often cold and hungry, which resulted in chronic dysmenorrhea. Only through meticulous care from Zhuo Yao did it gradually improve; hence, she paid extra attention to Zhuo Yuqing’s health care. Yuqing was young and oblivious to the importance of self-care, and Qiao San felt the need to manage it properly.

Although Bai Chengxi had only said one sentence, Qiao San understood his intention. He insisted on ordering the hot orange juice because he feared Zhuo Yuqing might suffer from stomach pains.

"Auntie Qiao, you can call me Chengxi." Bai Chengxi noted Qiao San hesitating as if unsure about something, and immediately smiled lightly. He knew Qiao San must be struggling with the issue of addressing him.

Qiao San was taken aback, not expecting Bai Chengxi’s observation to be so keen. Turning to look at her own daughter, who was sipping from a straw, she felt reassured entrusting her to such a clever man.

"Auntie Qiao, I came to A City in a bit of a hurry, without time to prepare a suitable gift. This is a small token for our meeting." Bai Chengxi handed two bags that were placed next to his seat to Qiao San.

Zhuo Yuqing was surprised, having not expected Bai Chengxi to have prepared gifts. When had he found the time to buy them?

Qiao San thanked him and accepted the items. She opened one of the boxes to find a bracelet inside - both the design and the material were stunning. She sincerely exclaimed, "It’s beautiful."

Then, Qiao San opened the other bag and saw the limited edition handbag. She chuckled lightly, then looked up at Bai Chengxi, who seemed a bit nervous: "I love the gifts, thank you."

Qiao San has seen all kinds of fine things, owning more than a dozen bracelets that are several times more expensive than this one. It seems to be just as the saying goes, a mother-in-law finds her son-in-law more likable the more she sees him.

"Mom, let me take a look." Zhuo Yuqing was instantly attracted by that bracelet and wanted to try it on, but Qiao San slowly put it away, saying, "This is mine."

Zhuo Yuqing: "...".

Oh please, you’re a parent now, can you not be so childish?

Just as Zhuo Yuqing said, Qiao San was indeed very easy to get along with. She casually chatted with Bai Chengxi about household matters and in the end, she didn’t forget to ask for Bai Chengxi’s father’s autograph.

"Auntie Qiao, actually my parents have been wanting to visit for a while now. When you find a suitable time, I will make arrangements."

Qiao San hesitated for a moment but didn’t hide anything and spoke the truth: "Chengxi, Qingzi’s father may not be as easy to talk to as I am. He has always been against Qingzi getting married too early. Frankly speaking, the two of you getting together was quite a surprise for me too, and I have reluctantly accepted it. So, could you please bear with it for now and start off by slowly getting her father to accept you as her boyfriend? If you rush things, it will probably backfire, and by then, I might not even be able to persuade him."

Bai Chengxi nodded seriously: "Auntie Qiao, I understand. Please just tell me what you would like me to do."

"I really appreciate your understanding, Chengxi."

"It’s no problem. It’s my honor to marry Yuqing. The situation today arose because I registered our marriage without consulting your opinions, so it is only natural that Uncle Zhuo would disagree."

Listening to his self-criticism, Zhuo Yuqing felt an indescribable emotion swirling in her heart. She couldn’t blame him entirely; she had her own selfish reasons when she married him. So, she instantly felt a mixture of shame and being moved.

He had gone to such lengths to prepare a gift for her, humbly and respectfully winning over her mother, and even willing to compromise for the approval of her father. Zhuo Yuqing felt that this marriage, which she once had no hopes for, now had reasons for her to cherish it.

～

Zhuo Yuqing promised Zhuo Yao that she would return on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. Not wanting to upset him, she didn’t change the plan, and since Bai Chengxi was also on holiday, she decided to take him on a tour of City A.

The most famous attraction in City A is the Great Buddha Temple. The temple’s popularity is booming, and every year countless devotees from all over the country come to offer incense and prayers.

Zhuo Yuqing knew that Bai Chengxi didn’t believe in these things, but since they were here, offering a stick of incense was always the right thing to do.

They climbed along the mountain road, making their way to the temple at the mountain’s peak.

"I can’t climb anymore," Zhuo Yuqing gasped and sighed.

"Lack of exercise." Seeing her take out a bottle of mineral water from her bag, he reached for it, unscrewed the cap for her—a small, delicate gesture that made Zhuo Yuqing feel cherished.

She took it over, thanking him and took a couple of gulps before suddenly hearing him say, "From now on, get up early and go jogging with me."

Pff!

Zhuo Yuqing spit out a mouthful of water, shaking her head like a rattle drum: "No way, I can’t run."

"You’ve got to run even if you can’t. Young people can’t be this lazy."

Zhuo Yuqing lifted her head, eyes sparkling with amusement: "You make it sound like you’re so old."

"Older than you anyway. Respect your elders and care for the young—you have to listen to me." Bai Chengxi pulled her up from the large rock, "No slacking off."

"No, I can’t make it anymore." Zhuo Yuqing clung to his arm, playing the spoiled child, "It’s still so high, at least half an hour of climbing left. I can’t make it, let’s just go back."

"Who wanted to bring me to pray to Buddha? With so little sincerity, even the Buddha wouldn’t want to watch." Bai Chengxi persuasively said with a good temper.

"No, the Buddha will forgive me, I really can’t climb anymore." Zhuo Yuqing remained stubbornly unwilling to move.