I'm a senior in high school, and the system says I'm going on a blind date with my childho

Chapter 303 Proposing to Li Zhi

The elevator dinged and stopped at their familiar floor.

The door had just slid open a crack, and before Li Zhi could even reach out to press the open button, bright light from the hallway outside eagerly flooded in.

At the same time, four eager and ardent gazes also poured in!

Shen Yuan and Li Zhi were slightly taken aback.

The doors to 1901 and 1902 were wide open, and their parents stood prominently at the intersection of light and shadow in the doorway!
Zhang Yuyan and Lao Shen stood side by side at their own door, while Xu Chan and Lao Li stood inside the Li family's door.

Four pairs of eyes had already locked onto the elevator exit as soon as the elevator started to sound.

Seeing Shen Yuan and Li Zhi walk out side by side, the four of them almost simultaneously broke into smiles of excitement and relief. Those smiles carried the weight of three years of waiting and the relief that everything had finally settled down.

Happy graduation!

Zhang Yuyan was the first to speak, her voice trembling slightly and filled with joy. She couldn't help but step forward, her eyes fixed intently on her son.

"Graduation! Graduation! You've finally finished your exams!"

Xu Chan followed closely behind, her voice unusually bright with excitement, and she opened her arms to embrace Li Zhi.

Happy graduation!

Seeing the overflowing excitement of his parents and feeling the warmth of being enveloped in the same emotions by Li Zhi's side, Shen Yuan's last trace of the unease brought on by saying goodbye to the classroom was completely dispelled.

Li Zhize's cheeks flushed slightly in her mother's excited embrace, but the girl's eyes were filled with a bright smile, as radiant as a newborn star falling into eyes brimming with clear spring water.

Watching her parents immersed in the pure joy of "happy graduation," Li Zhi's small nose wrinkled slightly, like a disgruntled kitten. She gently broke free from Xu Chan's embrace and stood up straighter.

Her watery eyes swept over her parents' faces, and she asked with a hint of arrogance:
"Hey! Why don't you guys even ask us how our exams went?"

Her chin was raised, her eyes sparkling as she locked onto Xu Chan, her expectant look practically written all over her face.

Xu Chan chuckled at her daughter's undisguised expression, her eyes filled with tenderness. She reached out to tidy the stray hairs that had become slightly disheveled from the hug, then gently pinched her cheek, which was flushed with excitement. Her voice was soft and clear:
"Silly girl, what's the point of asking that?"

Xu Chan glanced at her daughter, then at Shen Yuan beside her: "You've worked so hard for so long, fighting to the very last moment. Your parents have seen it all. The result was already decided the moment you put down your pens after the exam."

She paused, her eyes filled with even deeper satisfaction: "In my heart, my precious daughter, no matter what your score is, you are the best. Whether you do well or poorly, it's all the same; it's the result of your hard work."

Old Li stood to the side, arms crossed, and suddenly interjected, "If you do well on the exam, of course we should celebrate. If you do poorly... well, you still have to celebrate! The fact that you've made it through these three years is something to celebrate in itself! The college entrance exam isn't the end, you understand?"

When Li Zhi heard Xu Chan say "good or bad, it's all the same," and then heard Lao Li's half-joking, half-serious words, her beautiful eyes immediately widened, and her little mouth pouted slightly, showing a hint of dissatisfaction at being brushed off.

"It's different! It's completely different! You have to ask to know if it's good or bad! I want to hear your reactions! Ask quickly!"

Her charming yet persistent little appearance made Zhang Yuyan and Lao Shen unable to help but laugh.

Seeing that Li Zhi was persistent and insisted on waiting for an answer, Xu Chan and Zhang Yuyan exchanged a helpless yet indulgent smile.

Looking at his daughter's adorable appearance, Lao Li felt both amused and tender.

He cleared his throat, deliberately putting on a stern face, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. He stepped forward and asked, "Alright, alright, I'll ask! Daughter, how did the exam go?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi immediately raised his chin, his clear eyes turning towards Old Li, a sly glint in them.

A slight smile played on her lips, tinged with a hint of smugness, as she answered crisply:
"I don't know! But—"

She deliberately dragged out her words, glancing at Shen Yuan beside her out of the corner of her eye, before clearly uttering the second half of the sentence, word by word.

"Anyway, I did better than Shen Yuan on the exam!"

As soon as he finished speaking, not only Lao Li, but also Xu Chan, Zhang Yuyan and Lao Shen were stunned.

Shen Yuan, who was standing next to Li Zhi, suddenly turned his head and looked at Li Zhi with disbelief, as if he had not expected her to give such an answer.

The boy's handsome face was filled with astonishment, his deep eyes widened, and his mouth was slightly open, as if he had forgotten to close it.

He looked at his girlfriend's chin, which was practically pointing to the sky.

A gentle light, impossible to hide, shone in the boy's eyes.

"Hey, Li Bao..."

He deliberately dragged out his words: "So you held back for so long, went around in circles, just to wait here and say this last thing to me, right?"

When Li Zhi's little scheme was exposed, she was not angry at all. Instead, her clear and bright eyes became even more sparkling and dazzling, like a sky full of stars.

She curved her lips into a sly and charming smile, and, mimicking Shen Yuan, deliberately dragged out the last syllable.

Yes, that's right!

She pronounced the last word with great emphasis, her small body swaying gently with her tone, causing the tip of her ponytail to trace a playful arc behind her shoulder.

She deliberately turned her head away from him, and with a triumphant air, added a sentence in a clear and mischievous voice.

"Someone's little scheme didn't succeed~"

After saying that, she gave a haughty "humph," like a kitten that had won the game but was still being stubborn.

Shen Yuan was completely defeated by her self-righteous and shameless behavior. He was speechless for a moment and could only look at her helplessly with a smile, his eyes full of doting affection.

He naturally knew what Li Zhi meant by "little thoughts," but he didn't say it aloud. He just exchanged a knowing glance with her.

Shen Yuan's fingertips instinctively wanted to pinch her puffed-out cheeks, but because the elders were present, he could only point at them in the air.

The oblivious interaction between these childhood sweethearts perfectly captures the pure joy between a young boy and girl.

Xu Chan and Zhang Yuyan had already smiled so broadly that their eyes crinkled, their faces radiating comfort and joy.

Watching the two little ones bickering and arguing so vividly is even more comforting than seeing a perfect test paper; this is the best graduation gift.

Old Shen rubbed his hands together happily, saying repeatedly, "Good, good, good! No matter what score they got, I'm happy! I'm glad! The children have worked hard!"

For a moment, the hallway was filled with the soft, joyful laughter of the two mothers, mixed with Old Shen's hearty chuckles, creating a warm atmosphere like melting honey.

—Except for Lao Li.

At this moment, Xu Chan clapped her hands with a light laugh, her voice gentle and clear, instantly dispelling the subtle atmosphere that lingered in the hallway:
"Oh dear, look at the time! We were so busy having fun that the food is getting cold!"

She stepped forward, naturally taking Li Zhi's arm, and invited him familiarly:

"Xiao Yuan, you're having dinner at Auntie's tonight! Dinner's all ready! Today's a big day for you two, so we're going to have a proper celebration for you! Zhi Zhi and Xiao Yuan have worked so hard to get through this!"

Zhang Yuyan immediately responded: "Let's go, let's go, what are you standing there for? You two aren't hungry, but we old folks are already starving."

Xu Chan's call immediately pulled Lao Li back from his personal reverie.

Before the annoyance on his face could completely dissipate, he could only step aside to make way for the doorway, mumbling a "hmm" as tacit agreement. The two sets of parents, who had previously maintained a somewhat distinct relationship, were instantly united by this enthusiastic invitation, chatting and laughing as they poured into Li Zhi's house.

The food was served quickly.

The air was filled with the warm, rich aroma of food, clearly prepared for a celebration.

Li Zhi was quickly drawn to the food, and the slight smugness she felt from arguing with Shen Yuan was immediately replaced by a gentler feeling of being touched.

She ran lightly to the dining table, sniffed the air cutely with her little nose, and turned around to call out, "Uncle and Auntie, let's eat!"

The girl's voice was light and cheerful.

"Huh?" Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow as he watched Li Zhi greet his parents with a smile and sit down, while he himself remained standing there. He deliberately dragged out his words.

"Li Bao, you only call my parents to eat, but what about me? Why don't you say anything when it's my turn?"

Upon hearing the sound, Li Zhi abruptly turned his head.

Her beautiful eyes widened, and she glared at him with a hint of spoiled warning, her eyes clearly conveying the resentment of "Do I need to call you that?"

The girl looked at him and uttered a perfectly clear command: "Go wash your hands!"

The boy's smile deepened. He nodded in response to the warning gaze, wisely refrained from further banter, raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, and headed towards the restroom.

"Yes, ma'am! I'll wash it right away!"

His voice carried a hint of amusement at being controlled, and he was quite obedient.

The food smelled enticing, and the atmosphere at the table was relaxed and lively.

Zhang Yuyan picked up a piece of food that Li Zhiai was eating and put it in her bowl. With a smile on her face, she asked casually, "The college entrance exam is over. Do you two have any plans for the next few months of summer vacation? Where do you plan to go to relax?"

As she asked this question, her gaze gently swept back and forth between Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, her tone carrying the unique concern of an elder and a genuine curiosity about the young people's free time.

Xu Chan also put down her chopsticks and looked at the two children with great interest.

Li Zhizheng was taking small bites of his food when he heard this and looked up.

The girl's beautiful eyes lit up, and she was about to speak when Shen Yuan put down his soup bowl first.

He met the gazes of several elders, a relaxed and contented look in his eyes and brows:
"What else can you do?"

His gaze naturally shifted to Li Zhi beside him, and he gently touched her leg under the table with his arm.

"Of course... I'd like to go out with Li Zhi, as a couple. We've been cooped up for so long, we need to get some fresh air and see the world."

"Who wants to travel with you, you noob!"

Li Zhi's ears immediately turned red, and she nudged him with her elbow without hesitation, but the arrogance in her tone was much weaker than usual, and instead contained a hint of sweetness and excitement.

She put down her chopsticks, cleared her throat, and her bright eyes couldn't hide her anticipation as she added in a slightly smug tone.

"Before the results come out, we plan to go on a short trip to the surrounding area. We're planning to visit places like Qiandao Lake!"

She glanced at Shen Yuan sideways, a knowing slyness in her eyes, before continuing, "Then, after the results come out and registration closes, we might go to other places. It's not completely decided yet! We'll just do whatever makes us comfortable!"

"Go out for a walk?" Old Li's brows furrowed immediately.

He put down his bowl, his brows furrowed, his face full of disapproval.

"Li Shicheng!" Before Lao Li could say anything, Xu Chan interrupted her husband irritably, giving him a reproachful glare.

"The child has finally finished their exams, isn't it normal for them to want to go out and have some fun? What's your opinion?"

She turned to Shen Yuan and Li Zhi, her smile gentle: "Go have fun, go have fun, it's time to relax! Just be careful."

Old Li, taken aback by Xu Chan's retort, deflated like a punctured balloon. He shrank back, his fingers unconsciously digging into the rim of the bowl, his muffled voice tinged with grievance:
"Who, who said they disagreed... I just wanted to ask them if they had enough money..."

His voice trailed off as he spoke, the last few words barely audible: "If you don't have enough money, I can lend you some..."

The table fell silent instantly.

Xu Chan's hand, holding chopsticks, froze in mid-air. She glared at him, both amused and annoyed: "Then who were you looking at with that long face just now? You were frowning like a door god!"

Li Zhi burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking.

The girl's clear eyes welled up with warm tears as she looked across the dining table at her father: "That's enough! Comrade Li is very conscientious!"

Seeing Old Li awkwardly touching his nose, Shen Yuan chuckled and whispered in Li Zhi's ear, "Tsk, our dad's habit of saying one thing and meaning another..."

"Shut up!" Li Zhi nudged him with her elbow, but her rosy ear tips honestly rubbed against his shoulder.

Just then, a long-lost voice rang in Shen Yuan's mind.

"Ding!"

After agreeing on the bride price, your parents soon set a wedding date for you.

Realizing what's about to happen, and knowing exactly what you'll do next—propose.

A marriage proposal not only symbolizes a commitment, but is also a necessary ritual to make up for the regrets you've had over the years. The girl who has waited for you for so long deserves a sincere confession.

[Propose to Li Zhi formally within 30 days and ensure her explicit consent. Reward: 88888 yuan cash reward, skill: temporary upgrade.]

[Temporary Boost: You can temporarily boost your physical and mental abilities.]

The sudden notification sound made Shen Yuan pause abruptly as he picked up food with his chopsticks.

His pupils dilated instantly, and his brain seemed to be hit hard by this hardcore surprise, buzzing.

Proposal?!
They just finished the college entrance exam and haven't even received their graduation certificates yet!
He's only 18!
Just yesterday, he was a senior high school student who needed to bring his admission ticket into the exam room!

Do you want me to propose to you again?
Shen Yuan felt completely stunned by the system.

This is a total rip-off!
No wonder there's been no sound for so long, it turns out they've been holding back until they give him a big one!
Eighteen years old! Proposing!

Oh, that Zhongdeng, it's alright then.

"……grass!"

Shen Yuan forced back the urge to roll his eyes and swallowed the curse that was about to escape his lips in shock.

Before them sat a cozy dining table, beside them sat the beaming Li Bao, and across from them were their caring parents…

But who could have imagined the turbulent storms raging beneath his calm exterior?
This system is a real pain in the ass; it sinks silently but crashes with tremendous force!
(End of this chapter)