Electronic Nezha

Chapter 159, Part Two
I still remember the first time I brought Han Shiya home to meet my parents. My dad wasn't like that back then. He kept praising me in front of Han Shiya and kept hinting that my family had two stalls in the fruit market, which made me very embarrassed. Later I realized that it was because the old man thought Han Shiya was very good and hoped that we could get together.

Today I brought my "girlfriend" home again, but the old man's attitude was completely different. He kept subtly criticizing me, his words carrying a barbed edge. I understood what he meant; he thought Ma Chaoran was too good for him, and that we weren't a good match. First, he was afraid we'd conspire to deceive him, then he was afraid I'd deceive the girl, and of course, he was also afraid the girl would deceive me. Once everything seemed clear, he finally started praising me again…

What parent doesn't want their child to have a good life?

My mother continued to serve food to Ma Chaoran, then suddenly asked, "Does Zhenhua know about your affair?"

I hesitated for a moment and said, "He didn't say it explicitly, but I reckon he figured it out." Ma Chaoran's involvement wasn't impulsive; she was patching things up. Once the old folks start wanting me to remarry, even if we don't go out of town for blind dates this time, they'll inevitably start looking locally later. Then I'll have to deal with all sorts of things. If this hole isn't plugged, the Sixth Bureau will have to expend a lot of energy on this. To cover this up perfectly, Liu Zhenhua's cooperation is essential.

My dad said, "Let's be frank. Kids these days are all very shrewd. Just be careful how you get along with them. I don't have much experience in this area, so I don't know what advice I should give..." My mom glared at him fiercely.

Ma Chaoran said, "I've thought it through. I'll treat him like a younger brother. I'm someone who came out of nowhere, so I don't expect him to call me 'Mom.' He already has a mother."

"Clear and insightful!" my dad exclaimed, then scratched his head and said, "It's just that the generational hierarchy isn't quite right."

My mother asked, "Xiao Ma, what are your plans for the banquet?"

This question startled Ma Chaoran, who replied, "Auntie, I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

My mom then asked, "Do your parents know Xiaofeng?"

Ma Chaoran said, "I... haven't told them yet that my family isn't from here. We usually just call each other occasionally. For something this big, I plan to... talk to them when we meet."

My parents exchanged a complicated look, but there was also some relief. What Ma Chaoran said made sense. The girl was pretty and had a good job. Dating was one thing, but it hadn't reached the point where she couldn't live without him. If she said she would meet my parents tomorrow and get the marriage certificate the day after, my dad would suspect that I had hired her.

I was already thinking of running away. I asked Ma Chaoran, "Have you finished eating?"

Ma Chaoran glanced at me, nodded reluctantly, meaning she could still eat, but leaving was also an option...

My mother stood up and said, "Xiaofeng, come with me."

There must be something private to say.

I went into the bedroom with the old lady. My mother rummaged through the closet for a while and took out an envelope containing money and a gold bracelet. She held up the two items like a river god and asked me, "Since it's our first meeting, which one do you think is more appropriate to give?"

I chuckled and said, "Give me the money. A gold bracelet is too extravagant and might scare people away."

My mom thought about it and agreed, saying to me, "I didn't press the issue in front of the girl, but have you discussed the child with her?"

"Didn't I say that she and Zhenhua should treat each other like siblings?"

"No, that's not it. Xiao Ma is still young. If she really goes that far with you, wouldn't she want her own child?"

Ma Chaoran suddenly started coughing violently in the living room.

"Mom, aren't you thinking too far ahead?"

"Can't you not think too far ahead? You're already so old, you can't take any more trouble. When you get back, treat this as a matter and ask her for her opinion. If she's interested, my advice is to do it sooner rather than later. Your dad and I can still help you for the next three to five years, but if we wait any longer, things might not be so sure."

I said speechlessly, "Your eldest grandson is almost in high school and you're already thinking about your second grandson?"

"Isn't this normal? There are plenty of couples where the eldest goes to university before the second child is born. This girl's mother really likes her. You should treat her well. She's looking for an older woman because she knows how to be caring. Don't be irresponsible and scare her away." I felt completely overwhelmed. When I arrived at the living room, my dad was leading Ma Chaoran around the house. The old man enthusiastically explained the advantages of the house to Ma Chaoran: it was spacious, had a good view, and many bedrooms. He repeatedly emphasized that the property deed only had my name on it, and that after Liu Zhenhua went to university, he and my mom could easily move back to the fifth floor, leaving this place for me and my other half...

My mom grabbed Ma Chaoran and stuffed the envelope into her hand: "Auntie doesn't have anything good, take this and buy some cosmetics." Judging from the thickness, there should be 1000 yuan inside.

"Auntie, I don't use cosmetics much."

"Take it." I winked at her, all I wanted to do was run away.

"Thank you, Auntie. We're leaving now."

The elderly couple insisted on taking us downstairs. When my dad saw that Ma Chaoran was driving, he patted the roof of the car and said, "Xiaofeng, let's get a different car. You pay the down payment and I'll pay the loan for you."

Ma Chaoran responded instinctively, "No trade!"

The old man was taken aback by the suggestion, and Ma Chaoran quickly put on a smile and said, "I think this car is pretty good."

My dad scratched his head and said, "If you think it's good, then we won't change it for now."

After we were out of the elderly couple's sight, Ma Chaoran silently tossed the envelope onto my lap.

"Just take the flowers my mom gave you, consider it your performance fee." I returned the envelope.

"Tch, you think I'd be polite to you?" Ma Chaoran casually stuffed it into her pocket.

Even though Xiao Wu is an AI, it was noticeable that he hesitated for several seconds before saying, "Oh dear, after just one meal, my brother has become my brother-in-law?"

I kicked my legs twice and said, "I knew you were up to no good long ago—why don't you just say your sister has become your sister-in-law?"

Xiao Wu chuckled and said, "Anyway, we're family. Besides, what's wrong with my sister and me being of one mind? Even when Grandpa said he wanted to replace me, you didn't speak up for me."

"Stop joking around—" Ma Chaoran said, half-lying on the steering wheel with her arms crossed, "Let's think about what to do next. Old Liu, let me ask you, do you really have 'nobody'?"

Of course I knew what she meant, and I laughed, "Didn't the Sixth Division investigate me?"

"Nobody can say for sure about these things. Who knows if you have some unrequited love in your heart? Anyway, the principle is the same: if you 'have someone else,' we can 'break up' anytime. My existence is just to cover for you and will never affect your normal life."

“My mom is practically pregnant with both of our children. She’s never been this overprotective of Han Shiya. If I were to fall for someone else, she’d turn on me first.”

Ma Chaoran said, "It's okay, just say I'm a scumbag woman."

I said, "Then your acting is not convincing. A scumbag woman can't eat more than 6 liang of rice, half a basin of chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, and other things in one meal."

"Hehehehe." Ma Chaoran laughed for a moment, then her expression darkened. "Your mom's cooking is really delicious, but it's a pity I didn't get enough to eat."

Just then, Qiao Yan called. As soon as I answered, he said excitedly, "Are you at home? We're almost there. Don't cook, we're bringing takeout."

After I hung up the phone, I said to Ma Chaoran, "That's perfect, let's have a second round."

(End of this chapter)