CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 360: I WILL DO MY BEST TO MAINTAIN

Qu Chaozong didn’t call Zhang Xin in advance; he took a taxi directly to the community where Zhang Xin’s grandfather lived.

This community is located in the north of the city, part of a villa area developed in the early years of the outer ring. Because it covers a wide area and was famous as a rich area back then, despite many years having passed, all facilities in the community are still well preserved. Even now, many notable figures from the provincial capital still live there, so property management and security supervision are particularly well maintained.

Qu Chaozong paid the fare and got out of the taxi, heading straight to the guardhouse.

The guards work in shifts, all young men in their early twenties. When Qu Chaozong arrived, the two young guards were leaning back in the guardroom; one was watching the surveillance camera, and the other turned his head toward him.

Seeing him heading straight to the guardroom, the young guard facing outward quickly stood up, opened the door, and asked, "Hello, do you need help?"

Qu Chaozong said, "My friend lives here; I’m here to find someone."

The young guard, business-like: "Then you need to call the resident; it’s best if you contact them directly."

Every time Qu Chaozong came before, Zhang Xin would come out, and he’d go right in. Upon hearing this, he nodded, took out his phone, and called Zhang Xin. He called twice but no one answered.

Qu Chaozong said, "My friend didn’t pick up the phone. What should I do?"

Estimating that this happens often, the young guard skillfully said, "Then tell me the house number you are looking for, and I’ll help you make a call to contact them."

Qu Chaozong thought for a moment and said, "Number 105."

The young guard agreed, turning toward the guardroom, and Qu Chaozong followed behind.

Just as the two reached the guardroom door, a private car drove in from outside the community gate.

The private car honked twice; the young guard and Qu Chaozong both turned to look, and the entrance barrier began to slowly rise.

The young guard carefully checked the car’s license plate and brightened up, saying to Qu Chaozong, "Hey, aren’t you looking for the resident of Number 105? Isn’t that him!"

Qu Chaozong was taken aback, looking over. The car interior wasn’t illuminated, pitch-black, he couldn’t see clearly, so he hurriedly approached, waving his hand.

The private car stopped, and the window slowly rolled down.

Their eyes met, both were stunned, both staring at each other, quite surprised.

Qu Chaozong instantly recognized him; the driver was Zhang Xin’s dad. Zhang Xin’s dad wasn’t supposed to be here; he only came specially because he heard the old man was hospitalized.

Mr. Zhang looked at Qu Chaozong, surprised, and asked, "What is it?"

Almost instantly, a string in Qu Chaozong’s head buzzed; he never expected to run into Zhang Xin’s dad here.

Qu Chaozong could only bite the bullet to greet him, "Uncle, hello, I’m Zhang Xin’s friend, I came here specifically to see her."

Mr. Zhang looked at Qu Chaozong, only feeling this person seemed familiar as if he’d seen him somewhere before. For a moment, he couldn’t recall, just as he was about to ask, Qu Chaozong declared himself as Zhang Xin’s friend, his expression immediately changed, adopting a high-handed attitude, gazing at the person expressionlessly, coldly saying, "Friend? How come I don’t know she has a friend like you?"

Qu Chaozong hesitated a bit, still deciding to reveal himself: "I’m her boyfriend."

Mr. Zhang was stunned, sized Qu up and down, surprised, asked, "You are Chaozi?"

Qu Chaozong breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes, I’m Qu Chaozong."

Mr. Zhang’s brows slowly furrowed, fixedly stared at him for a couple of seconds, then said, "Whatever you have to say, let’s talk in the car."

Zhang Xin’s grandfather’s house was empty; Mr. Zhang and Qu Chaozong sat opposite on the sofa, the housekeeper soon brought over two cups of warm water.

Mr. Zhang wore a neatly-tailored casual suit; sitting on the sofa, his tall figure appeared authoritative: "You specifically came to find Zhang Xin?"

Qu Chaozong nodded: "Yes, I’ve been busy with work recently and haven’t had time to accompany her, so I thought to come by tonight to see her."

Mr. Zhang slowly furrowed his brow, his face stern, said bluntly: "Zhang Xin previously sorted out your problem secretly by selling the house her mom left her, even I only found out later. This matter made me very angry."

Qu Chaozong hurriedly explained: "Rest assured, I will return the money to her."

Mr. Zhang sneered: "Return the money? When will you return it?"

Qu Chaozong lowered his voice to say: "After the new year, we will repay. Our company already started..."

Mr. Zhang interrupted him: "Frankly speaking, our family doesn’t care about that money; I today let you in, not to talk about this matter."

Mr. Zhang straightforwardly said: "I don’t agree with you being together with Zhang Xin."

Qu Chaozong’s eyes slowly widened, then narrowed: "Why? I truly love Zhang Xin."

Mr. Zhang leaned back on the sofa, his face gloomy: "Truly love her? Can you dare say you’re together with her without any intention to covet her circumstances? Don’t think I don’t know you properly got together after she bailed you out financially."

Qu Chaozong opened his mouth to explain, but Mr. Zhang blocked him with words: "Of course, you might also out of gratitude for her help in a crisis, be willing to be with her, but such feelings of gratitude are insufficient to maintain you two walking hand-in-hand for a lifetime."

Mr. Zhang seriously said: "I have only one daughter, I hope she can live a happy and joyful life in the future, but you don’t meet my requirements for a future son-in-law."

Qu Chaozong’s face changed; the veins on his forehead slightly bulging, he exerted all his might to rein in his emotions, saying, "Who says I’m with her out of gratitude? If I didn’t love her, I wouldn’t be with her at all."

Mr. Zhang’s tone was indisputable: "Love or not judged by your words alone isn’t convincing. How can you prove your love for her is temporary or lifelong? Those ridiculous things of hers previously, don’t think you don’t know. Only while you’re sweetly in love now you feel everything can be overcome, forgiven, not minding at all. But human hearts change; after some years, when you’re in your prime and my daughter’s out of youth and beauty, if you then use these things as excuses to betray her, you might easily leave her behind. What would my daughter do then?"

Qu Chaozong was stumped, only after a moment said: "I’m not someone who likes to express intentions by swearing to heaven, I prefer to prove with actions. You’re right, we are still young, our time together hasn’t been long, the future is uncertain, but at least when I’m with her, I can guarantee I love her. Relationships need nurturing, and no one can predict how they ultimately turn out; I can only say I will try to maintain it."