A sophomore in college starts by getting a marriage certificate with a female CEO.

"What's the difference between a person without dreams and a salted fish?"

When Li Xiaochen said this, her eyes shone.

"Dad, I've made up my mind. I want to join the company! Since my entrepreneurial venture failed, I'll choose to protect the family business—no, I should say I'll work with my sister to make the company bigger and stronger!"

"..."

Li Guoqing twitched the corner of his mouth, and the newspaper in his hand fell to the ground.

Alright, alright, let's protect the family business?

Given this kid's physique, if he joins the company, it won't be a question of whether the company can survive, but whether the Snowland Group will turn into an avalanche group.

This is why the couple sent Li Xiaochen abroad all these years.

After all, this kid is too eager to succeed!

But unfortunately, success was not on his side.

"Xiao Chen."

Li Guoqing cleared his throat, trying to keep his tone gentle.

"Dad isn't trying to discourage you. It's good to be ambitious, but once you join the company, your sister will have to spend half her time looking after you. She's already busy with work, and if you add to her burdens, it's not helping, it's making things worse."

"But I can do something else too."

Li Xiaochen said earnestly, "Even if I have to start from the very bottom of the company, I can do it!"

"..."

Li Guoqing paused slightly.

To be honest, this kid is good in every way, except that he's too eager to prove himself.

Other fathers are eager for their sons to follow in their footsteps and become successful.

Their family, on the other hand, did the exact opposite.

Isn't it good to just be a salted fish?

"Dinner's ready!"

at this time.

Song Qiulan's voice came from the kitchen.

That shout came just in time.

Li Guoqing felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and immediately put down the newspaper and stood up from the sofa.

"Xiao Chen, eat first! We can talk about it after you finish eating!"

Li Xiaochen opened her mouth, but before she could finish speaking, her father ran off.

"Dad! I haven't finished speaking..."

"The food's getting cold!"

Li Guoqing's voice came from the restaurant.

Li Xiaochen turned her head to look at Lu Yang, her face full of grievance.

Lu Yang gave me a look that said, "Don't look at me. I agree with my father-in-law."

If this kid joins the company, aliens will probably abduct it tomorrow.

Besides, he was hungry too.

Okay, let's eat first.

The table was laden with dishes.

Before Song Qiulan had even taken off her apron, she pulled Lu Yang to a seat.

"Xiao Yang, I remember you said you liked pork ribs when you came last time, so I made some especially for you today."

Lu Yang was stunned for a moment.

He did mention it casually when he came last time.

I never expected my mother-in-law to remember it.

"Thank you, Auntie."

"Don't mention it, you're one of our own."

Song Qiulan smiled and put a piece of pork rib on his plate.

Li Xixue came downstairs, changed into a well-fitting set of home pajamas, her hair was down, and she had no makeup on.

She glanced at the table full of food, then looked at the empty bowl in front of her.

Then look at the pile of ribs and shrimp that has already accumulated in Lu Yang's bowl.

"mom."

"Um?"

I'm hungry too.

Song Qiulan said "Oh," and then added, "The bowls are over there, help yourself."

"..."

Li Xixue glanced at her mother, then at the small mountain of food in Lu Yang's bowl.

Row.

Who told me I'm their biological child?

She took her own bowl and chopsticks, sat down next to Lu Yang, and glanced at him.

Song Qiulan said with a smile, "Also, Xiaoyang, don't call me 'Auntie' anymore."

"You should call me Mom, just like Xiaoxue!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang glanced at Li Xixue, but she made no comment and continued picking up food as if it had nothing to do with her.

Song Qiulan was staring at her at that moment.

Lu Yang could only say, "Mom..."

He has already registered his marriage with Li Xixue.

Calling her "Mom" is fine.

"Why!"

Song Qiulan nodded with great satisfaction.

"This child is so well-behaved!"

"From now on, we're family."

After saying that, she suddenly put down her chopsticks.

"By the way, Xiaoyang."

Song Qiulan began, "Your parents...have I not officially met them yet?"

Lu Yang stopped picking up food with his chopsticks.

Li Xixue also stopped.

The two people's chopsticks were suspended in mid-air at almost the same time.

Song Qiulan didn't notice their reaction and continued, "I ran into your mother at the company last time and we chatted for a bit. She's a nice person, but it wasn't convenient to say much since we were at the company."

"Now that you and Xiaoxue are planning to get married, shouldn't both families sit down for a proper meal?"

Lu Yang's throat felt a little dry.

He stole a glance at Li Xixue.

Li Xixue's calm face finally broke into a turmoil.

"Mom, isn't this a bit rushed...?"

She spoke, her tone as calm as possible.

"Why aren't you in a hurry?"

Song Qiulan said matter-of-factly, "You're all living together now, but the in-laws haven't even officially met yet. Is that appropriate?"

As she spoke, she turned to look at Lu Yang: "Xiao Yang, don't you think that makes sense?"

Lu Yang hesitated for a moment: "Well, about this..."

"What's wrong? What's the problem?"

Song Qiulan frowned.

Lu Yang thought for a moment and said, "Well, there's no problem."

Song Qiulan's smile instantly blossomed, and she said with great satisfaction:

"Since there's no problem, let's set a time to meet and also have a good talk about your engagement."

"Perfect timing, tomorrow's the weekend. Xiaoxue, take some things to visit Xiaoyang's parents tomorrow, oh wait, they're your parents now too."

"???"

Li Xixue stopped eating with her chopsticks, her face full of question marks.

Why me?

Song Qiulan glanced at her and said sternly, "I told you to visit your in-laws tomorrow, did you hear me?"

Li Xixue took a deep breath and looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang also looked at her.

Their eyes met for a second, conveying a wealth of information.

Li Xixue means: Save me!

Lu Yang meant: The Empress Dowager has given the order, and I am powerless to do anything about it.

"Mom, I have work tomorrow..."

What work do you do on weekends?

Song Qiulan interrupted her, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"I have to go back to the company to work overtime..." Li Xixue said.

"Overtime? What overtime? Look at you, all you know is working overtime all day long. Will the company collapse if we don't work one day?" Song Qiulan retorted.

"..."

Li Xixue dared not refute, feeling too humble to do so.

At that moment, Li Xiaochen suddenly slammed down her chopsticks, immediately perked up, and raised her hand, saying, "Sis, I can cover your shift tomorrow!"

Li Xixue and Song Qiulan shouted in unison, "Get out!"

Li Xiaochen quickly shrank her neck.

What are you doing?

It's bad enough that the world is full of malice towards me.

How come even family members are included!

Oh oh oh!

Song Qiulan said resolutely, "Xiaoxue, how old are you? I don't need to teach you these basic manners, do I? Xiaoyang comes to see me every day and even buys me gifts, but you haven't paid a single visit. Is that acceptable?"

"So, it's settled then!"