Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 458 The Extreme Pulling and Testing from Father Meng
February 3rd, the 29th day of the 11th lunar month.

Early this morning, small snowflakes began to fall from the dark sky.

Just after noon, the tiny snowflakes turned into heavy snowfall. Fortunately, there wasn't much snow on the road, and Meng Ziyi's parents had a very smooth journey.

In 14, when Chen Xiugang first met Meng Ziyi, he spent a few days in Changchun and had contact with Meng's parents, so their meeting wasn't too awkward.

The four sat around in the living room chatting, and the topics were limited to interesting things in life and various embarrassing things that Meng Ziyi did when he was a child. They did not talk about anything related to work.

The atmosphere of the chat was very harmonious, and Chen Xiu felt very comfortable. Occasionally, Meng Ziyi would pretend to be angry, and Chen Xiu would easily coax him back with witty remarks.

Perhaps he spoke too sweetly, which often made Meng's parents frown...

"OK! It's almost time."

Wang Qian suddenly stood up from the sofa, a sly glint flashing in her eyes as she quickly glanced at Meng's father, before turning to Meng Ziyi and saying:

"Xiaoyi, let's go to the kitchen and cook, and let these two grown men chat about their own things!"

"Ok??"

Meng Ziyi, who was playing with the dog, looked bewildered and hesitated before glancing at the living room clock.

"Sister Qian, it's only 4 pm, what are you doing, starting preparations so early?"

"That has to be a main dish!"

Wang Qian rolled her eyes, did not answer Meng Ziyi's question directly, but walked over and pulled her towards the kitchen.

This contrasting behavior made Chen Xiu's eyes flash with suspicion.

However, before he could think about it, Meng's father had already chuckled and stood up, supporting himself on his knees.

"Hahaha! Chen Xiu, Xiao Yi and the others are busy in the kitchen. It's not appropriate for us to just sit here. How about we move to another place so they can have some peace and quiet?"

"How about the study on the second floor?"

"Sure! I brought you some tea leaves, they'll come in handy."

"Uncle, you're too kind."

Chen Xiu was busy entertaining Meng's father and didn't have time to think about Wang Qian's strange behavior. In the end, she just assumed that they had eaten dinner early and stopped thinking about it.

……

Second floor, inside the study.

The room was filled with the aroma of tea, and there was a constant creaking sound; the tea was black tea, and the creaking was the sound of wood colliding.

Chen Xiu and Meng's father sat facing each other at the rosewood desk, each with a cup of fragrant black tea on their right. In the middle was a square chessboard with only a few pieces left.

Looking at the unfinished game before him, Mr. Meng didn't really care much about winning or losing.

While Chen Xiu was pondering his next move, he picked up his teacup, took a small sip, lifted his eyelids, and hesitated for a moment, trying to make his tone sound more casual.

"Chen Xiu, I heard from Xiao Yi that you're working until New Year's Eve this year and won't be back in Shanghai until the afternoon of that day?"

"Yes! It's necessary for work."

Chen Xiu didn't even look up, focusing intently on the chessboard. He picked up a horse and placed it in the upper left corner of the opposite square.

"General."

"Ah."

Mr. Meng glanced at the chessboard, moved his general forward, and then continued to ask:

"Have you booked your flight back for New Year's Eve?"

"The company has a business jet, and the route and time have been confirmed; it's a direct flight."

Chen Xiu jumped over the enemy's horse and attacked the enemy soldiers without giving it much thought, simply assuming that Meng's father was showing concern for him out of affection for Meng.

Over the years, he has not bought a private jet, mainly because he doesn't travel much and there is no need to buy one. However, Douyin Company still provides him with such a means of transportation, which is convenient to use.

Father Meng didn't regret losing his pawn, and even his next move seemed somewhat perfunctory, because he was focused on controlling the casualness of his tone.

"Chen Xiu, I heard from Xiao Yi that you have a childhood sweetheart sister who also works at your company?"

"..."

Chen Xiu's eyebrows twitched slightly. From Meng's father's chess moves and the topic of conversation, she had already guessed his thoughts. She then cooperated by showing a blank expression and slowly raising her head.

"Yes! Sister Xiaoxiao has always worked at my company and is an indispensable member of my family."

"Yes, I know."

Meng's father lowered his head, his expression dark and unreadable beneath his half-closed eyelids. He stroked the edge of the chessboard with his fingertips and placed his rook directly on the line where Chen Xiu's king piece was located.

With a creak, he didn't address the general, but suddenly stood up and leaned close to Chen Xiu's side, whispering with a strange expression:
"Chen Xiu, tell your uncle the truth, that Xiao Xiao, she should also be your girlfriend, right?"

Chen Xiu raised her eyebrows, looking surprised, and said:

"Uncle, why would you think that?"

Meng's father reached out and patted Chen Xiu's shoulder, then turned around and sat down, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Hey! We're all men, so I can understand some things, but you need to explain the specifics to me more clearly so I can help you explain to Xiaoyi and Wang Qian."

"What's there to explain?" "Stop pretending. Isn't my meaning obvious?"

Chen Xiu's surprise subsided slightly. She reached out to pick up the escaped child, then suddenly widened her eyes and looked closely at Meng's father.

Seeing him stare like that, Meng's father also seemed a little uncomfortable.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm just wondering, Uncle, why are you suddenly telling me this? Is it because you and Auntie had a fight recently and you want to test me with this so I'll put in a good word for you?"

Chen Xiu logically and consistently shifted the focus of her questioning to Meng's father, while she herself became the questioner.

This reversal left Meng's father staring at him in a daze, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, his expression one of utter astonishment.

"What's wrong with me? I'm here."

"Yes, isn't that right?"

Chen Xiu pretended not to understand, but deliberately tried to muddy the waters by continuing the conversation.

Meng's father vehemently denied it: "Of course not! All these years, I have never had any ill intentions towards your aunt."

"Yes, yes, everyone knows how much Uncle feels for Aunt! Come on, let's play chess."

"Exactly! Tsk, let me tell you, last time I went out for a business dinner, just because I got a little too close to that female CEO and caught her perfume, she ripped a handful of my hair out!"

"That auntie is quite strong."

"She's not just strong, she's..."

Meng's father suddenly froze, a flash of fear crossing his eyes, then his gaze became exceptionally clear as he looked up again to question Chen Xiu.

"Chen Xiu, actually your uncle and aunt both approve of your relationship with Xiao Yi. We're not asking you this time because we want to do anything, but mainly to understand the situation so we can discuss how to live together in the future..."

Chen Xiu narrowed her eyes, wondering to herself how the topic she had changed had been brought back. Did Meng's father recall some memorable experience?

I don't understand.

Forget it, let's deal with the current issue first.

"Uncle, if you insist on thinking that way, then there's nothing I can do."

"Oh dear, I've met my match!" Meng's father thought to himself.

Although he had assessed Chen Xiu's skill level before coming, it now seems that it was still too low!
With the thought of dealing with a difficult opponent in mind, Meng's father stared at Chen Xiu for a long time before slowly relaxing his facial muscles, his expression becoming soft and tender.

"Actually, I don't want to think like this either. Xiaoyi is my only daughter. I've doted on her since she was little. Of course, I hope she can find a man who can treat her wholeheartedly and not let her get hurt."

Meng's father looked at Chen Xiu with a sigh: "In terms of excellence, I can't find any young people who can compare with you, but from a father's perspective, I still selfishly think that Xiaoyi is the best."

"This is natural."

Chen Xiu's flattery was also sincere.

As if he had found a key point of connection with him, Meng's father smiled with joy and relief.

"So your aunt and I definitely don't object to your relationship with Xiaoyi. We mainly want to know how you plan to treat Xiaoyi and your childhood sweetheart in the future?"

Chen Xiu was taken aback, his brows furrowed slightly, and he asked in confusion:

"Uncle, why are you bringing up my childhood sweetheart again? He's still working overtime at the company. What am I supposed to do? Come on, let's continue playing chess."

(Su Yu, who was working overtime at the company writing code, suddenly sneezed...)
Meng's father curled his lip and stared at Chen Xiu with a bored look.

After watching for a while, he suddenly broke down in tears again: "Xiao Yi is such a naive girl. I've always been afraid she'll be deceived. Chen Xiu, if I entrust her to you, you won't deceive her in the future, will you?"

Why do you love to act so much?
Chen Xiu pursed her lips awkwardly and smiled, "No, I promise!" (She told the whole truth, so how could it be considered a lie?)
Upon hearing this, Meng's father did not calm down; instead, his emotions intensified.

His eyes were brimming with tears, his lips trembled, and he used his hands to support himself as he rose from the desk. Looking earnestly at Chen Xiu, his voice held the deep affection of an elderly father for his daughter:

"I believe you, you can definitely keep your word! But can you tell me the truth, what exactly is your relationship with your childhood sweetheart sister?"

Meng's father has played his trump card.

Chen Xiu stared at him, then stood up as well, leaning on the desk with a solemn and serious expression. She then grabbed Meng's father's forearm and walked around the desk.

Meng's father looked confused, but still followed Chen Xiu step by step to the curtains.

With a whoosh, Chen Xiu pulled back the curtains and wiped the condensation off the windowpane with her hand, but a few seconds later, a layer of white mist appeared on the glass again.

Chen Xiu simply opened the window, feeling the howling wind, and squinted slightly as she asked, "Uncle, look at the snow, is it falling heavily?"

No, I'm talking to you about serious business, why are you bringing up snow?

Meng's father glanced at Chen Xiu with trembling teeth, and seeing his nonchalant expression, he felt even more annoyed.

"Yeah, it's pretty big."

"Yes! Snow-covered ground, howling wind, do you see that tree in the backyard?"

"Hmm? Oh, I can see it. What's wrong?"

"That was the first day that Sister Meng and I moved here. We planted it together. Every summer, we would pick peaches and remove pests together. These concrete things are much better than any vague promises."

Chen Xiu squinted, her collar fluttering in the cold wind, her face remaining calm and composed.

With his trump card exposed, Meng's father stared blankly at Chen Xiu, his mouth agape and his tongue tingling. He thought to himself, "How can this kid be so good at pretending?"
(End of this chapter)