CHAPTER 347: CHAPTER 347: WINNING WITH DEVOTION

Gong Xiaoyu and Yu Zheng returned to the farm for dinner, and Mrs. Yu said to them, "How about setting the wedding date at the end of the year? It’s an auspicious day for marriage."

Yu Zheng, of course, wanted it to be sooner rather than later, but he was unsure about Xiao Yu’s thoughts.

He looked at Gong Xiaoyu, who felt it was a bit too soon. With a few months left until the end of the year, she wasn’t familiar with Yu Zheng at all.

They were supposed to be an engaged couple, but they were even more estranged than typical lovers.

Gong Xiaoyu’s eyes wandered as she sipped her tea, saying, "Let’s see what Yu Zheng thinks."

Yu Zheng understood that he didn’t want to make things difficult for her.

He said to his parents, "We’re both busy right now. Si Yuan Education has just started to restructure, and the workload is heavy, so there’s no rush."

Mrs. Yu was displeased with her son’s attitude, "You’re always busy. Why don’t you help Xiao Yu a bit? She’s running the company all by herself. At this rate, when will you ever get married?"

Yu Zheng still insisted, "Let’s play it by ear. Don’t worry about it."

The two elders scolded Yu Zheng and then apologized to Gong Xiaoyu, "His personality is just like that. He doesn’t know how to fight for emotions, and he probably doesn’t do many things well. If he doesn’t understand how to be considerate, please be patient with him. Relationships always require some adjustment, don’t they? He’s not expressive, but he’s loyal and will make a good husband. Please don’t hold it against him."

Their words were filled with concern that Gong Xiaoyu might dislike their son, genuinely worried.

Yu Zheng didn’t say a word, not refuting anything his parents said.

Gong Xiaoyu felt very guilty. Yu Zheng was being blamed by his parents for her sake, making the two elders worried about their relationship.

The sincere feelings of this family made Gong Xiaoyu feel deeply remorseful. When it was time to cook, she volunteered to help. Mrs. Yu wouldn’t let her, "The kitchen has a lot of smoke, and your beautiful face will suffer from it. Go and have fun."

Gong Xiaoyu still stayed to help, "I also help my mom with cooking at home. It’s not difficult for me."

Mrs. Yu saw Gong Xiaoyu’s skilled movements, indicating that she cooked often and was even more satisfied with her future daughter-in-law, "I’ve never seen a girl like you, so beautiful, career-minded, and also good at cooking. Wasn’t it hard to learn how to cook?"

Gong Xiaoyu felt a bit dazed, "It was okay."

She used to never lift a finger in the kitchen, focusing all her thoughts on her career. She learned to cook for Yue Xiaoyang.

He was indeed touched by her efforts, saying he wanted to spend his life with her. She believed him then.

However, reality slapped her hard. How long could his feelings last?

His love for her was only due to being moved and the novelty.

Gong Xiaoyu’s eyes reddened. That man was so heartless and ruthless, completely cutting off contact after going abroad.

Gong Xiaoyu told herself not to think about him anymore and focused on chatting with Mrs. Yu.

Yu Zheng stood at the kitchen door, watching them. Seeing her in their home, chatting and laughing with his parents—it was an image he had longed for nearly three years.

Mrs. Yu saw her son at the door and said to Gong Xiaoyu, "I’ve never seen Yu Zheng step into the kitchen before, but now that you’re here, it’s different!"

Gong Xiaoyu turned around, and Yu Zheng walked in, asking, "Is there anything I can help with?"

Mrs. Yu had her son stand nearby to learn, "Cooking is no longer just a woman’s job. Living together means taking care of each other. A man who can’t cook will be frowned upon."

Yu Zheng felt uneasy and asked Gong Xiaoyu, "I don’t know how to cook, only congee. Will you mind?"

Gong Xiaoyu noticed Mrs. Yu’s smirk and joked, "I hope my future husband can cook."

Yu Zheng rolled up his sleeves, "Mom, let me handle this meal."

Mrs. Yu was happy to oblige, "It’s best if you’re willing to learn. I’ll teach you."

Yu Zheng truly began to learn how to cook. Though he was impeccable at work, he was completely inept in the kitchen, turning an orderly kitchen into a mess.

Mrs. Yu slapped him a few times, "You’re really frustrating me. You’re getting in the way here; who knows when we’ll eat if you keep this up."

Yu Zheng, enduring the hits, wouldn’t leave, "I don’t believe I can’t conquer this kitchen."

Mrs. Yu said, "The kitchen has many intricacies. I’ve been confined to it for most of my life cooking for you two. You think you can learn it in a moment?"

Gong Xiaoyu watched their mother-son banter from the side and felt deeply moved.

How many people envy such a family atmosphere? This happiness is within her reach, so what is she hesitating about?

Yu Zheng learning to cook for her moved Gong Xiaoyu deeply. During dinner, their interactions increased, and she responded to whatever he said. They seemed less distant than before.

Yu Zheng sensed the change in Gong Xiaoyu, treating her even better, making the two elders very pleased.

At night, Yu Zheng drove Gong Xiaoyu home and stopped the car at the entrance of her community. As Gong Xiaoyu was about to get out, Yu Zheng suddenly grabbed her hand.

Gong Xiaoyu looked into his eyes, seeing the passion about to overflow as he involuntarily leaned towards her.

Gong Xiaoyu knew what he wanted to do. Her first reaction was to avoid it, but she didn’t.

She closed her eyes, feeling like she was on a mission.

Maybe after a kiss, the ice between them could truly be broken, and she could slowly accept his touch. So why not try? Isn’t taking the first step necessary?

Yu Zheng saw she didn’t avoid him, his heartbeat pounding like a drum, his hand trembling as he held hers.

Gong Xiaoyu didn’t feel much, just nervous.

Kissing a fiancé she wasn’t familiar with—was it normal to be nervous?

She couldn’t come up with an answer, and his breath was so close, making it harder to think.

Before Yu Zheng’s lips could touch hers, someone pounded on the car window.

The sudden noise made them both pull away quickly. Gong Xiaoyu lowered her head, fussing with her hair, and asked, "Who is it?"

Yu Zheng cursed under his breath, rolled down the window, and said, "I’m not illegally parked, who..."

The person bent down, and You Lifen’s face appeared at the window, "Some paparazzi are following me. If you don’t want to make the news, let me in."

Her number was blocked by Yu Zheng, and she couldn’t contact him. Luckily, she was smart enough to know to wait at Gong Xiaoyu’s doorstep to find him. Who knows what they would have done if she hadn’t.

You Lifen had been waiting for most of the night until she saw his car. Seeing them about to kiss, she really wanted to smash it with a brick.

This man treated her like a plague but showed such deep affection in front of Gong Xiaoyu. She couldn’t stand it!

Yu Zheng’s face darkened upon seeing You Lifen. He forcefully opened the car door, pushing her out hard.

You Lifen, holding her arm, yelled at Yu Zheng, "How can you do this? I’m still a girl, and you’re supposed to be a gentleman!"

Yu Zheng got out of the car and looked around. Under a tree not far away stood two men in casual clothes and hats, pretending to talk but glancing over every few seconds.

They were obviously professional paparazzi.

Yu Zheng walked up to You Lifen, "I’ve made it very clear to you, stop pestering me. Don’t you have any shame?"

You Lifen, resilient inside, tiptoed to meet his gaze, "Am I breaking any laws now? What right do you have to control me? I can do as I please, so what?"