CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69 QING’S FATHER’S TACTICS

Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she spoke.

"You wish."

Xia Liang simply ignored her.

The two strolled through the mall. They bought a carton of Zhonghua cigarettes, a bottle of Moutai Prince liquor, and a set of cosmetics. Just like that, the money was spent.

It was only a small amount, so Xia Liang didn’t mind at all.

Qingxue, however, felt embarrassed and had asked him to buy cheaper things. After all, he was only pretending to be her boyfriend to appease her family.

When they got back to the car, Qingxue looked at Xia Liang apologetically.

"I made you spend all that money. Let me transfer it back to you."

With that, Qingxue took out her phone, ready to transfer the money to him via Alipay.

But of course, Xia Liang wasn’t going to be so petty. Since he had already agreed to help Qingxue, he had to observe the proper etiquette. They were meeting her parents, after all. He couldn’t risk leaving an impression of being impolite.

"No need." Xia Liang shook his head, declining her offer.

"Oh."

Hearing this, Qingxue didn’t insist. She already saw Xia Liang as her real boyfriend. Since he had said so, insisting on paying him back would seem too formal and distant.

But then again, since he didn’t let me transfer the money this time, does that mean he’s accepted me?

...

Qingxue gazed out the window, a delighted smile spreading across her face as she mulled this over.

They drove the rest of the way in silence.

「Half an hour later.」

They arrived downstairs from Qingxue’s apartment building.

Carrying the gifts, Qingxue linked her arm with Xia Liang’s and they entered.

In the elevator, Qingxue sneaked a glance at Xia Liang. She had assumed he would be at least a little nervous about meeting her parents, but it turned out she was overthinking it.

That’s the man for me, completely unfazed by anything.

The elevator doors opened on the ninth floor. They rang the doorbell of apartment 2902.

"Coming!"

Soon, a woman’s voice called from inside. The door opened, and Xia Liang saw a woman in her forties opening the security door. She was still dressed very fashionably, and her features bore a striking resemblance to Qingxue’s.

Without a doubt, this must be Qingxue’s mother.

Sure enough, the next second Qingxue happily cried out, "Mom!"

She then tugged on Xia Liang’s arm, about to introduce him, but Qing’s Mother spoke first, her voice full of enthusiasm.

"This must be Xia, right? Xiao Xue talks about you every day! Hmm, you’re just as handsome as she said. Come in, come on in!"

Once inside, Xia Liang handed the gifts to Qing’s Mother.

"Auntie, this is a small token for you and Uncle."

"Oh, Xia, you’re being too formal! Just coming over is enough. You shouldn’t have brought gifts."

Seeing her mother about to refuse, Qingxue couldn’t help but mutter, "Mom, just take it. It’s a kind gesture from Xia Liang."

"You silly girl! Watch your tone." Hearing this, Qing’s Mother glared at Qingxue. After her daughter’s outburst, she couldn’t very well refuse any longer, so she just looked at Xia Liang apologetically.

"We’ve spoiled this girl since she was little," she explained. "She’s a grown woman now but still acts like a child. I hope you’ll be patient with her in the future, Xia."

"Mom!" Qingxue pouted, clearly unhappy.

"Alright, alright! I’ll stop. I’ll go get you a new pair of slippers, Xia."

With that, she took the gifts and disappeared into the house, returning a moment later with new slippers.

"Here you go, Xia. Put these on."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Xia Liang took the slippers and changed into them.

"Honey, Xia is here!" Qing’s Mother called out.

In the living room, a man with a square-shaped face and glasses looked up from the television.

He simply grunted, "Mm."

Seeing her husband’s reaction, Qing’s Mother shot him an irritated glare before turning back to Xia Liang with a smile.

"Xia, please don’t mind him. Xiao Xue’s father is like that with everyone, as if they all owe him a million yuan. Quick, have a seat. I’ll go get started on the food."

Xia Liang naturally didn’t take it personally. It was like someone had painstakingly cultivated a potted flower. They’d nurtured it every day, watering and fertilizing it, eagerly waiting for it to grow and blossom. Then, some guy called a ’son-in-law’ comes along and walks off with the whole thing, pot and all. How could you not be angry? You’d be lucky if he didn’t just chase you out with a stick.

Xia Liang understood this perfectly. He sat on the sofa and smiled at Qing’s Mother.

"Of course, Auntie. Please, go on with what you were doing."

At this, Qingxue set down her bag.

"Mom, I’ll help you."

With that, the mother and daughter headed toward the kitchen.

Now, only Xia Liang and Qing’s Father were left in the living room.

The TV was showing one of those absurd anti-Japanese war dramas. Qing’s Father said nothing, and Xia Liang didn’t know what to say either. The two just sat there watching television, a stark contrast to the sounds of laughter that occasionally drifted from the kitchen.

Finally, after a "steamed-bun grenade" appeared in the plot, Qing’s Father couldn’t take it anymore. He took off his glasses and turned to Xia Liang.

"I hear from Xiao Xue that your name is Xia Liang, is that right? I’m a bit older than you, so I’ll take the liberty of calling you Xia. Is that all right?"

Hearing this, Xia Liang tensed up.

Here comes the real test, he thought.

He immediately smiled. "Of course, that’s fine. You’re Xiao Xue’s father, you can call me whatever you like."

"Mm," Qing’s Father nodded. "Xiao Xue is our only precious daughter. Since she was a child, we’ve never let her suffer or feel wronged..."

Xia Liang listened patiently as Qing’s Father spoke, nodding along from time to time. This was a familiar routine. Just when Xia Liang thought he was about to be asked about his income, Qing’s Father abruptly changed the subject.

"By the way, Xia, do you play Chinese chess?"

"Hmm?"

This question clearly caught Xia Liang by surprise. Still, he nodded. "I’ve played a few times, but I’m not very good."

"No problem," Qing’s Father waved his hand. "I’m not very skilled either, I just enjoy it. Come on, let’s play a few rounds."

He began rummaging in a cabinet below and, a moment later, pulled out a Chinese chess set.

"Here we go."

"In that case, Uncle, please don’t mind my clumsy playing."

They spread out the board and quickly began setting up the pieces. As they finished, however, Xia Liang noticed he was missing one. He looked around, a bit puzzled.

"Uncle, it seems like your set is missing a piece."

Qing’s Father looked equally baffled. "That can’t be right. It was all here yesterday. How did one go missing? Let me see which one it is."

He put on his glasses, peered at the board, and then his face lit up with realization.

"Ah, I see. We’re missing a chariot."

...

What the hell! I was wondering why he wasn’t asking me the usual questions. So this is what he was waiting for!

The corner of Xia Liang’s mouth twitched. Then, he put on a calm smile.

"That’s not a problem, Uncle. I have a chariot right here we can use as a substitute."

As he spoke, he took the car key for his Lamborghini Poison from his pocket and placed it on the empty spot on the board.

As a man, Qing’s Father was no stranger to car logos. The moment Xia Liang put the key down, he was stunned. He himself might have a decent nest egg, but this was on another level entirely.