Zhou Cheng had called home.

When he mentioned bringing Xia Xiaolan home, he meant just having a simple meal with his parents, worried that too many people might intimidate his wife.

However, when he made the call, there happened to be visitors at home.

Tong Lili and her mother were today’s guests at the Zhou household.

Everyone in their social circle knew that Tong Lili liked Zhou Cheng, including the Tong family. Tong Lili was two years older than Zhou Cheng, with ordinary capabilities. Her family didn’t expect her to achieve great things – their plan was to help her marry someone of equal social status while they still had the influence to help.

Tong Lili and Zhou Yi were classmates, naturally making her Zhou Cheng’s schoolmate too, though she was two grades ahead.

Tong Lili had been fond of Zhou Cheng since their teenage years, remaining devoted all these years. Zhou Cheng had proven himself quite capable in recent years, and the Zhou family seemed stable. The Tong family approved of Tong Lili’s intentions. Previously, although Zhou Cheng hadn’t accepted Tong Lili, he hadn’t dated anyone else either, showing no interest in any girl. The Tong family assumed he was just focused on his career!

But last year, Zhou Cheng started dating someone from another province, making Tong Lili anxious. Her mother remained steadfast:

“Zhou Cheng is a man, dating someone won’t hurt him. Dating isn’t marriage, let him be!”

Families of their status are still married in their social class.

It wasn’t just about being snobbish – both marrying up or down shared a common problem. Young people in love naturally saw each other favorably, but what if that love faded? When mutual resentment set in, combining two families would create earth-shattering conflicts.

If Zhou Cheng married Tong Lili, the Zhou and Tong families could help each other.

If Zhou Cheng married some unknown girl from another province, they’d have to thank Buddha if the girl’s family didn’t constantly cause trouble for the Zhou family!

Madam Tong confidently assured her daughter: “This girlfriend of Zhou Cheng’s – only he likes her. The Zhou family definitely won’t accept her.”

Reassured by her mother, Tong Lili found this reasonable. Although Zhou Cheng didn’t respond to her advances, she remained confident – many boys in their circle adored her. She had both a family background and beauty. That was until she saw Xia Xiaolan at the Beijing Hotel, witnessing how protective Zhou Cheng was of her, even abandoning a large group to chase after her when she left.

Zhou Cheng must have been bewitched by that vixen!

Tong Lili panicked. Zhou Yi said she would help, and according to her updates, the Zhou family indeed opposed Zhou Cheng’s relationship with Xia Xiaolan.

Tong Lili waited for them to break up.

Unfortunately, after months of waiting, nothing changed.

Not only had Zhou Cheng not broken up with Xia Xiaolan, but he also seemed increasingly serious. Zhou Yi overheard family elders discussing how Zhou Cheng had even taken leave from work to handle some trouble for Xia Xiaolan in another province… Tong Lili couldn’t wait anymore, and her mother also felt something was amiss. Zhou Cheng dating others wasn’t a problem, as long as he eventually married Lili.

Madam Tong thought that whatever happened in relationships, Zhou Cheng wouldn’t lose out.

But this out-of-town girl seemed quite capable – Zhou Cheng wouldn’t break up despite family pressure, which worried Madam Tong.

Zhou Cheng was still too young, and this being his first relationship, he was desperately in love. What if he wanted to marry her?

It wasn’t proper for the woman’s family to propose marriage, but Madam Tong was willing to lower herself for her daughter’s sake. The timing seemed perfect – if the Zhou family didn’t agree to Lili and Zhou Cheng’s marriage, they’d have to accept him marrying that out-of-town girl!

Madam Tong considered herself offering help in times of need, bringing Tong Lili to visit.

Tong Lili hadn’t worn her leather jacket and had cleaned off her excessive eye makeup, appearing as a modest young lady. Guan Hui’e understood the Tong mother-daughter pair’s intentions but couldn’t say if she was satisfied – girls should be more reserved. While she felt proud that her son Zhou Cheng was being pursued, she would have been embarrassed to have such a forward daughter.

Strange that Tong Lili’s mother wasn’t embarrassed, but Guan Hui’e remained polite.

While talking, Guan Hui’e secretly observed Tong Lili. She seemed well-behaved today, but hadn’t Guan Hui’e heard all those rumors?

Among the younger generation, Tong Lili was quite popular, always surrounded by admirers, gallivanting around Beijing. While Guan Hui’e disliked Xia Xiaolan, she also looked down on Tong Lili. Two years older than Zhou Cheng, yet what had she accomplished? Zhou Cheng was promoted to cadre at 21, but what serious work had Tong Lili ever done?

However, with the girl’s family actively bringing up the matter of the two children, Guan Hui’e couldn’t bluntly refuse – she had to give the Tong family some face.

Just as she was diplomatically handling the situation, the phone rang.

It was Zhou Cheng.

Over the phone, he said he wanted to bring Xia Xiaolan home for dinner.

At this time, Guan Hui’e’s disgust miraculously diminished, feeling her son was in sync with her – wasn’t this the perfect excuse? At least she could reject the Tong family first, then deal with that girl who had bewitched Zhou Cheng.

“You want to bring your girlfriend home for dinner tonight? Fine, I’ll call your father back, and have Sister Zeng prepare some good dishes, alright?”

The phone was in the living room, and Guan Hui’e answered it in front of the Tong mother and daughter, speaking loudly enough for them to hear clearly.

Tong Lili clutched the sofa cushion. Her mother shot her a warning glance, and after Guan Hui’e hung up, sighed: “The children have grown up and don’t listen to adults anymore. Like my Lili, I indulge her in everything, but I won’t allow her to make questionable friends outside, let alone bring them home. Ah, it’s all worry – sometimes she talks back to me, but who am I doing this for? It’s all for her!”

Guan Hui’e felt irritated.

Was Madam Tong suggesting she couldn’t control her son?

Well, even if Zhou Cheng didn’t marry that yam farmer’s daughter from another province, he didn’t necessarily have to marry Tong Lili. There were plenty of suitable matches – if he were to marry, it should be the best. Family background alone wasn’t enough; personal capability was essential!

The Tong family was eagerly pursuing her son while trying to maintain their last shred of dignity.

Guan Hui’e had argued with Zhou Cheng about this – she disliked both Xia Xiaolan and Tong Lili!

After Madam Tong’s comment, Guan Hui’e’s dislike for Tong Lili took precedence. She put on a troubled expression: “A parent’s heart is truly pitiful. As mothers, we can’t win against our children. When Zhou Cheng says he’s bringing someone home, even if I’m not happy about it, don’t I still have to be hospitable? Whether we like his girlfriend or not is something for family members to discuss privately behind closed doors. We can’t just chase the girl away – it’s our son who won’t listen… Sister Zeng, go buy some groceries now, Zhou Cheng says he’s bringing someone home for dinner!”

The last sentence was spoken loudly to the housekeeper Sister Zeng, serving as a dismissal for the Tong mother and daughter.

With more guests coming, Guan Hui’e as hostess needed to prepare. Zhou Cheng was bringing his girlfriend home – the Tong mother and daughter were outsiders, surely they wouldn’t overstay?

Madam Tong left with her daughter. Once outside the Zhou residence, Tong Lili abandoned her earlier demureness:

“Mom, what does Zhou Cheng’s mother mean, actually wanting to welcome that vixen!”

How was she inferior to Xia Xiaolan? Tong Lili wanted to scream, throw things, hit someone!

Her mother held her back, “Don’t lose your mind yet. Perfectly, Zhou Cheng is bringing her home. Didn’t you say that girl keeps getting Zhou Cheng to buy things for her? With someone so shallow, once the Zhou family meets her, the comparison will only highlight your good qualities!”

Just having dinner with Zhou Cheng’s parents wasn’t enough – Madam Tong decided to help that out-of-town girl along.