Courtyard House: Drunk and barging into the Xu family's house, I woke up numb.

"Tell me if you have any difficulties, don't bear them alone."

"Before, you were all alone, but now you have me behind you, you know?"

Ding Qiunan pushed the envelope back.

"I don't want your money. I'm working now and I can help my mom support the family."

Seeing Ding Qiunan's determined gaze, Cao Xu didn't press the matter further and put the envelope away.

The envelope contained his salary from last month. He wasn't there when payday was approaching, so the money had been with the finance department the whole time.

The factory was closed yesterday, so the money was sent to his office and collected by Zhao Dong, who then handed it over to him this morning.

"If you encounter any difficulties, please remember to tell me."

Ding Qiunan nodded, then hesitated.

"Cao Xu, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

Cao Xu said.

"About your dad, right?"

Ding Qiunan asked in surprise.

"how do you know?"

Cao Xu said.

"When your dad comes back, have him write a report, something objective and factual."

"Bring it to me when you go to work, and I'll ask someone to see if there's any way to help."

"Remind your uncle not to deliberately hide it, otherwise I won't be able to help him."

Ding Qiunan said excitedly.

"Thank you, Cao Xu."

Cao Xu smiled.

"Then how do you want to thank me?"

Although the two had only known each other for a few days, Ding Qiunan understood Cao Xu's expression.

Her ears turned red, and after glancing around to make sure no one was there, she tiptoed and kissed Cao Xu's lips.

The warm touch stirred Cao Xu's heart. He grabbed Ding Qiunan, who was trying to escape, and pinned her against the wall, protecting her head with one hand.

"You think you can just run away after flirting with me?"

Ding Qiunan lowered her head and said.

"Then what else do you want?"

Cao Xu lifted her chin and whispered closer.

“Of course we have to take responsibility.”

Ding Qiunan awkwardly responded to Cao Xu's movements, her hands unconsciously wrapping around his waist.

"Cough cough..."

A cough interrupted the two enjoying their intimate moment, which annoyed Cao Xu.

What kind of person is so annoying? Doesn't he have any sense of propriety? Doesn't he know to avoid people who are seeking attention?

However, Ding Qiunan's next form of address made Cao Xu somewhat embarrassed.

"Dad, you're back."

Upon hearing this, Cao Xu realized that this person was Ding Qiunan's father.

This scene left Cao Xu somewhat bewildered; he had been caught kissing someone's daughter outside their yard.

Let alone now, even in the 21st century, that would be a small-scale battleground.

After all, what I stole was someone else's precious daughter, a cabbage that I had painstakingly raised for nineteen years.

Ding Qiunan blushed and whispered.

"You go first, I'll take care of my dad."

This was the first time Cao Xu had encountered such a situation; being caught red-handed was truly...

"Hello, Uncle. My name is Cao Xu, and I'm Nan Nan's boyfriend."

"Then you two chat, I won't go in. I'll come to visit you another day, Uncle."

After saying that, Cao Xu fled as if he were running away. It was the first time Ding Qiunan had ever seen Cao Xu so flustered.

This performance showed her a more authentic Cao Xu, so she couldn't help but laugh.

"You still have the nerve to laugh? You're all lovey-dovey with someone outside in broad daylight. Now that you're home..."

Ding Qiunan understood her father well; he wasn't a stubborn old man with outdated ideas.

It's important to know that his parents' marriage wasn't arranged by their parents or a matchmaker; it was a completely free and loving relationship.

She stepped forward and grabbed Mr. Ding's arm.

"Dad, why are you back so early?"

Mr. Ding glanced at his usually obedient daughter and said irritably.

"Did I come back at the wrong time and disturb you?"

Ding Qiunan shook her father's arm.

"dad……"

"I can't help it," said Mr. Ding.

"A daughter is like a tree that cannot be kept at home once she grows up. Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"The guy your mom introduced you to before, it doesn't seem to be him, does it?"

Ding Qiunan snorted.

"Don't mention that Liu Yidao, he's infuriating! He was just chased away by Cao Xu."

Upon hearing that his current partner and his blind date had gotten into a fight, Mr. Ding immediately became interested.

"Are you taking action?"

"Come on, tell Dad what happened?"

As they spoke, the two entered the house, and Ding Qiunan recounted what had just happened, which made Ding's father frown.

"This man certainly deserves to be beaten, but he is, after all, the director of the street supply and marketing cooperative, so I'm afraid he won't let this go easily."

Ding Qiunan comforted her.

"Dad, Cao Xu said, we'll deal with whatever comes our way, let him be."

Ding's mother came out from the inner room.

"Nannan, why didn't Cao Xu stay for a meal?"

Ding Qiunan tilted her head and said.

"Mom, if he wants to stay, what will you feed him?"

Ding's mother said.

“He’ll eat whatever we eat. If that doesn’t work, I’ll just fry an egg and add some cured meat to the cabbage, that should be fine, right?”

Ding Qiunan said.

"Cao Xu knew this would happen, that's why he didn't stay. He knows our family's situation. If we eat this at noon, how will we celebrate the New Year tonight?"

Hearing this, Ding's mother felt very comfortable.

"This child is quite thoughtful, not bad, I like him."

Mr. Ding turned to look at his wife.

Do you like him as a person, or do you like his money?

Ding's mother knew that her thoughts could not be hidden from her husband.

"I like him all the time. A son-in-law who is rich and of good character, don't you like him?!"

Ding Qiunan said.

“Cao Xu knows our family’s situation. He gave me money and tickets outside just now, but I didn’t accept them and returned them.”

Ding's mother, who had originally intended to banter and have some fun with her husband, was taken aback by what she heard.

"My silly daughter, why won't you accept it if he offers it to you? Where can you find such an understanding man?"

“We’re so poor we can barely afford to eat. If he gives it to you, just accept it. It’s not like you asked for it. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

Mr. Ding praised from the side.

"It's right not to accept it. The wedding hasn't even taken place yet. If word gets out that we're accepting money from others, people will laugh at us and say that the Ding family is selling our daughter."

Ding's mother's airway.