Thursday evening, approaching the end of the workday.

In Zhao Ping Jin’s office at the Jingchuang Building, his female secretary came in to report: “Your father’s security guard called, asking you to go home after work.”

Zhao Ping Jin took the document and responded: “Cancel tonight’s social engagements.”

A moment later, Shen Min came in to report on work. Zhao Ping Jin said: “Xiao Min, come with me to the old man’s place for dinner.”

Shen Min was startled: “Has the news reached the old man’s ears?”

Zhao Ping Jin’s eyes remained calm: “Even if it has, it doesn’t matter. Don’t panic, he doesn’t interfere with my company’s affairs.”

After work, Shen Min drove, and the two of them returned to Guosheng Hutong. At the entrance, there were several more layers of sentries. A security staff member from Nanjing checked Shen Min’s credentials. Shen Min cooperated quietly, and Zhao Ping Jin didn’t speak in the back seat. His father had returned, and the security level had been elevated.

The two entered the courtyard. In recent years, it was rare for his parents to be home together.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Zhao Ping Jin saw his father in the living room keeping the old man company over tea. General Zhao was in his fifties, with some frost at his temples, his expression stern, and his epaulets gleaming. His father’s bearing was inherited from the old man, and because he was in power, he had an air of military solemnity.

Zhao Ping Jin’s temperament somewhat resembled his father’s.

The two of them greeted the elders separately, and Zhao Ping Jin said: “I’ll go see Grandmother.”

Shen Min followed him into the room.

Zhao Ping Jin entered the room and sat beside his grandmother: “Grandmother.”

His grandmother’s expressions were slow, and she had difficulty moving. She basically couldn’t be without a nurse now. Sitting on the kang bed, she smiled as soon as she saw him: “Zhou Er, why haven’t you come to see Grandmother for so long?”

Zhao Ping Jin held her hand: “I just came back last week, don’t you remember?”

His grandmother looked at Shen Min beside him: “Xiao Jiang Er, why don’t you come to visit anymore?”

Zhao Ping Jin said: “Grandmother, this is Xiao Min, not Xiao Jiang.”

The old lady’s face showed a confused expression.

Zhao Ping Jin patiently said: “Xiao Min, Guard Shen’s son, do you remember? This is his son.”

The old lady suddenly realized: “Oh, Little Shen already has a son…”

The old lady grabbed a handful of peanut candy for Shen Min and pulled him to sit beside her: “Child, is your father well?”

Shen Min lowered his head and answered quietly: “He’s well, Old Lady. He sends his regards.”

Zhao Ping Jin said gently: “Grandmother, the weather has turned cold. Are you sleeping well?”

Shen Min sat to the side, listening to the grandmother and grandson chat about family matters. At times like this, even Shen Min admired Zhao Ping Jin’s patience. When Zhao Ping Jin was young, both his parents were busy with work, and he grew up with the elderly on both sides of the family, developing deep feelings for the elderly. This identical conversation had been repeated for years, and he always treated his elders with a pleasant demeanor.

The housekeeper came to the old lady’s room to call them for dinner.

At the dinner table, Teacher Zhou said: “Zhou Er, the wedding date is set.”

Zhao Ping Jin, holding his bowl, was stunned for a second. His emotions were calm; he just nodded.

Teacher Zhou’s eyebrows showed joy: “You’ll need to fly to Italy for the suit measurements. Ying Zi went last week. What kind of groom are you? Even the bride has to go pick out the wedding attire herself.”

Zhao Ping Jin continued to say nothing.

Mrs. Zhou glanced at him: “Zhou Er, do you have any thoughts about this?”

Zhao Ping Jin replied casually: “You arranged everything without asking me? What thoughts could I have?”

Mrs. Zhou nudged her husband’s arm: “Look at your son!”

His father had been stationed in the Nanjing Military Region for several years, and Mrs. Zhou also spent most of her time in Nanjing. Regarding his marriage, his father had rarely expressed opinions. In this family, it was typically men handling external affairs and women’s internal affairs, but on the matter of his only son’s marriage, he had been too reserved.

The old man spoke up: “Marriage is a major life event, parents’ command, just follow it.”

Zhao Ping Jin was silent for a moment, then answered with a single word: “Alright.”

The old man glanced at Zhao Ping Jin: “Zhou Er, about the matter in your company…”

Zhao Ping Jin looked up, smiled lightly, and replied to his grandfather: “Grandfather, that’s not a big deal.”

The old man nodded, not particularly concerned. This bit of turbulence meant nothing to the Zhao family. He turned his head and continued the previous topic with someone else: “Xiao Min, you should also move quickly on this. A lifelong matter cannot be delayed.”

Shen Min sat at the end of the table and responded properly: “Yes.”

After dinner, Mrs. Zhou called Zhao Ping Jin into the room alone.

Mrs. Zhou stood in the room. She was well-preserved, showing few wrinkles despite being in her fifties. Even at home, she wore a neat velvet suit. Zhao Ping Jin felt sorry for his mother. The old lady had become confused early on, and Zhao Pin Dong had early on left the center of power in this circle. His uncle was fully cultivating him, so his aunt didn’t manage affairs either. He knew that from his grandfather to his father to him, the men in this family were never at home. She went in and out, managing a large family, and it had taken a toll on her.

Mrs. Zhou didn’t beat around the bush with her son: “There have been some rumors outside lately.”

Zhao Ping Jin’s expression was calm as still water, waiting for her to continue.

Mrs. Zhou was quite displeased: “Zhou Er, listen to your mother. You should settle down and start a family now. Don’t keep mixing with those second-rate actresses all day.”

Zhao Ping Jin raised his eyebrows: “Where did you hear this?”

Mrs. Zhou might be a bit autocratic, but she had always doted on her son to the extreme. Over the years, Zhao Ping Jin had matured significantly. Now that he had agreed to marry, she wouldn’t be too controlling. She didn’t even want to mention that name: “I’ve been keeping this from the old man. Zhou Er, be careful. The Yu family is not ordinary; they won’t tolerate such foolishness.”

Zhao Ping Jin collected his expression and answered: “I know where to draw the line.”

Mrs. Zhou called out: “Zhou Er.”

Zhao Ping Jin hugged his mother: “Alright, alright, have I ever said I wouldn’t get married?”

Mrs. Zhou smiled, her expression softening: “That’s settled then. Contact Ying Zi. You two can decide on your guests and don’t worry about the rest. Your maternal grandparents will come to Beijing next week, and our two families will plan together.”

Zhao Ping Jin was in a daze.

Mrs. Zhou said: “Zhou Er?”

Zhao Ping Jin said: “Fine, fine, fine, I have no objections.”

The mother and son walked out of the room together. The old housekeeper was coming up from downstairs: “Master Zhou, why didn’t you eat more at dinner? Your complexion doesn’t look good, and you’ve lost weight.”

Mrs. Zhou turned to look at her son in the corridor and reminded him: “Don’t work too hard. Go downstairs and sit with your grandfather for a while.”