As soon as these words left his mouth, the air froze.

Chen Suiliang and Liao Shuman exchanged glances with each other.

Qilin, as the only person in the know, found it most inappropriate for her to be the first to speak at this moment.

In the end, it was Meng Chengyong who forced out a dry laugh: “That’s not a funny joke.”

Meng Fuyuan looked at him and said solemnly: “This is not a joke.”

Another moment of silence ensued.

Meng Fuyuan spoke: “It’s cold outside, let’s go inside to talk.”

The four people, caught completely off guard by that single statement, didn’t know how to react for a moment. With Meng Fuyuan’s suggestion, everyone involuntarily moved toward the house.

The indoor heating was sufficient, yet the atmosphere was exceptionally strange.

Everyone sat down on the sofas, with Meng Fuyuan and Chen Qingwu sitting alone on one side.

Meng Fuyuan took Chen Qingwu’s hand and held it in his own, looking toward Liao Shuman and Chen Suiliang: “Auntie, Uncle, I apologize for the sudden announcement. I know that emotionally and rationally you cannot accept this right away, but Qingwu and I are truly serious about this…”

By this time, everyone had recovered their senses. Meng Chengyong was the first to interrupt, saying decisively: “I don’t care whether you’re serious or not, this matter is unacceptable.”

He looked at Chen Qingwu, “Qingwu, Uncle is a bit confused. Weren’t you and Qiran a couple? What’s going on now?”

Chen Qingwu’s voice was so calm it didn’t contain even a trace of trembling: “I did like Qiran in the past, but that was only my one-sided feeling. Qiran and I were never together.”

Perhaps influenced by Meng Fuyuan’s extremely stable emotions, she wasn’t afraid at all, knowing deeply that even if the sky fell tonight, they would be buried together beneath the rubble.

Meng Chengyong’s expression was very complex, “So you’re saying… now you’ve fallen for Fuyuan?”

Chen Qingwu met Meng Chengyong’s scrutinizing gaze and asked with a slight smile: “Is that not allowed?”

“How shameless can you be!” The one speaking was Chen Suiliang.

The subtext of Meng Chengyong’s question clearly implied that Chen Qingwu was fickle and unfaithful, so Chen Suiliang naturally couldn’t save face.

Meng Fuyuan immediately said: “Uncle Chen, I was the one who actively pursued Qingwu.”

However, Chen Suiliang acted as if he hadn’t heard Meng Fuyuan’s words, still addressing Chen Qingwu: “You know full well they’re brothers, yet you insisted on coming between them and causing the two brothers to turn against each other. Qingwu, you’ve always been quite well-behaved and sensible, what’s gotten into you this time?”

Meng Fuyuan continued trying to convince Chen Suiliang, “This matter has absolutely nothing to do with Qingwu’s responsibility. If we must assign blame, then it’s my problem.”

Chen Qingwu quickly said: “It’s not…”

Chen Suiliang shouted: “People should have self-respect, Chen Qingwu! You’re a young woman—do you not care about your reputation or your dignity anymore?”

Meng Fuyuan immediately tightened his grip on Chen Qingwu’s hand.

As expected, no results would come from a confrontation between the two sides.

A common failing of parents: either pushing all responsibility away completely, or disparaging their own children as utterly worthless.

He would rather all the insulting remarks be directed at himself. However, clearly, given Chen Suiliang’s concern for appearances, he needed to first trample Chen Qingwu into the mud before he could display his anguish over “failing to educate properly.”

He could take all the attacks from his own parents, but not those from Chen Qingwu’s parents. After all, there were constraints to consider.

Just as he was contemplating his next move, Liao Shuman spoke: “I think it’s getting late, we should take Qingwu home first. If Qingwu has done something wrong, we naturally need to educate her behind closed doors ourselves.” The implication being that it wasn’t the place of outsiders to criticize whether her daughter was “fickle and unfaithful.”

Qilin’s smile was very stiff: “We won’t see you out then, be careful on your way home.”

Meng Fuyuan held Chen Qingwu’s hand tightly, not releasing it for a moment.

Perhaps letting Chen Qingwu go home first was the wise move at this moment. With everyone gathered together, the conversation would only grow more heated, and in the rush of words they would inevitably lose their rationality. In the end, all those flying stray bullets would hit her alone.

But if he let her go back, how would she cope with the criticism from her parents?

However, Liao Shuman had already stood up, walked over and grasped Chen Qingwu’s other arm, glancing at Meng Fuyuan, “Fuyuan, let Qingwu go home first.”

There seemed to be a vague implication in these words telling him not to worry. Meng Fuyuan was slightly stunned.

At this moment, Chen Qingwu’s fingers lightly scratched his palm, “I’ll go home first.”

Meng Fuyuan turned to look at her.

She looked back at him, a smile on her face, as if telling him, it’s okay, don’t worry.

Meng Fuyuan released her hand, smoothed her hair for her, and said in a low voice: “I’ll come find you in a bit.”

This gesture was far too oblivious to the presence of others, making several people’s breathing hitch again.

Then Meng Fuyuan called for the household staff and asked her to notify the driver to come and take Chen Qingwu and her family home.

During the few minutes waiting for the car to arrive, the air seemed to solidify.

When the staff member came to say they could leave, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Walking to the entrance, Chen Qingwu took her coat and put it on, changed her shoes, and followed Chen Suiliang and Liao Shuman out the door.

Chen Suiliang walked very quickly, got in the car, and despite the Meng family’s driver still being present, slammed the door shut and immediately erupted: “With all the other two-legged men on the street, you just had to go after Meng Qiran’s older brother! Did you not think about what people will say about you in the future! Two brothers fighting over one woman—who do you think will be the one getting cursed? This is a face I don’t want even if you don’t care!”

For Chen Qingwu, no words could hurt more than when Chen Suiliang smashed her artwork that year in high school.

So she didn’t feel upset at all, and instead thought, well, it’s nothing more than these same old clichés.

Reputation—once you stop caring about it, it simply ceases to be your weakness.

Chen Qingwu’s calmness naturally didn’t satisfy Chen Suiliang. He turned his head and shouted: “Are you deaf?!”

“I heard you.” Chen Qingwu said, “People will curse me. And then what? If you feel I’ve embarrassed you, just disown this daughter.”

“After we’ve raised you this long, you pay us back first before talking to me about severing ties!”

“Then what do you want me to do? Repay you with my life?”

Chen Qingwu suddenly thought of how Meng Fuyuan had said her spiritual idol was Nezha, who cut his flesh to return it to his parents, and for a moment actually felt like laughing.

Chen Suiliang’s chest heaved violently, “You break things off with him right now!”

“I won’t break up with Meng Fuyuan. From the moment we decided to go public, breaking up was never an option. Whether you accept it or not, the result will be the same.”

Chen Suiliang was so angry he was speechless. He looked at Liao Shuman, as if questioning why she was being so silent and not helping with a few words.

“Oh…” Liao Shuman casually placated him, “Her brain just isn’t clear right now. Lock her up and starve her for a few days and she’ll be fine.”

Probably because Chen Qingwu was truly impervious right now, Chen Suiliang felt all his moves were landing in cotton, leaving him frustrated. He took a breath: “I’ll deal with you when we get home.”

Soon, the car arrived at their doorstep.

After entering the house, Chen Qingwu walked straight upstairs.

Chen Suiliang shouted: “Where do you think you’re going!”

Chen Qingwu stopped, “Didn’t you say you were going to lock me up for a few days?”

“Going on a hunger strike again, is that it!” Chen Suiliang’s nostrils flared with anger, “How did the Chen family produce something like you that disgraces our family name!”

Chen Qingwu calmly countered: “If dating someone disgraces the family name, then what does having an affair count as?”

Chen Suiliang was shocked.

Chen Qingwu’s gaze swept across his face, lingered on Liao Shuman’s face for a moment, then settled back on his face.

She stopped at just the right point, not intending to completely tear apart her parents’ dignity, especially Liao Shuman’s. “I said before, if you think I’m embarrassing you, I’ll publicly announce I’m severing ties with you; if you insist I repay you with my life, I can do that too. But I won’t separate from Meng Fuyuan. As long as I still like him, I won’t leave him.”

“…We’ve raised you for twenty-six years, and for one man, you want to break with your family. You’re really something!” Just now when Chen Qingwu mentioned the word “affair,” it had struck at Chen Suiliang’s vital point after all. “Go back to your room right now and reflect properly! Don’t even think about coming out without my permission!”

Chen Qingwu couldn’t have asked for more and immediately ran upstairs.

Chen Suiliang then turned to Liao Shuman, “Have you gone mute today?”

“How absurd. Haven’t you already said everything that needed saying? What flowers could I possibly add?”

“Your daughter turned out like this, and you still think you’re in the right?”

“You know full well that I’m the one who’s always managed our daughter. When things are peaceful, you’re nowhere to be found, but as soon as something goes wrong, you jump out and it all becomes my fault.” Liao Shuman rolled her eyes, “This is my level of ability, this is the best I can do. If you think I’m not doing well, you educate her yourself.”

“You…”

“You’d better not provoke her further. Push her too far and she’ll expose all the dirty laundry, and it’ll be your dignity that’s lost.” Liao Shuman removed her earrings while walking toward the stairs.

Chen Suiliang had nowhere to vent his anger. This was clearly a matter where he was in the right, so why did he end up feeling so aggrieved?

He raised his hand and swept everything off the coffee table with one motion.

Liao Shuman heard the sound of teacups shattering, paused her steps briefly, but continued upstairs without looking back.

In the second-floor bedroom.

Chen Qingwu sprawled on the bed, feeling incredibly cheerful.

She reached for her phone, rolled over, lay on her stomach on the bed, and sent Meng Fuyuan a WeChat message.

At this moment at the Meng household, the situation was equally tense.

As soon as the guests left, Meng Chengyong stopped holding back and questioned Meng Fuyuan: “You knew full well that Qingwu and Qiran had a close relationship, why did you insert yourself between them? Fuyuan, you’ve always been a steady and proper person, I really don’t understand what you’ve done this time.”

Qilin also chimed in: “Fuyuan, you’re the older brother, you should set a good example. Why compete with your younger brother out of spite…”

“My pursuit of Qingwu is definitely not some momentary impulse…”

Meng Chengyong interrupted: “I don’t care what your motivation is, in any case this matter is unacceptable. If word gets out, what will outsiders say about you and Qiran? Have you thought about that? And Qingwu, I don’t care if she’s fickle or whatever…”

“Dad.” Meng Fuyuan raised his eyes to look at Meng Chengyong, his gaze cold and stern, “You can criticize me at will, but please don’t use these insulting terms to describe Qingwu anymore.”

Meng Chengyong was actually forced into momentary silence by this chilling expression.

“I’ve said it several times—I was the one who pursued Qingwu first. She and Qiran were never boyfriend and girlfriend. What aspect of our behavior is worthy of criticism, whether morally or legally?”

Qilin quickly said: “Fuyuan, it’s not as simple as you’re making it out to be. All these years, relatives and friends have all assumed that Qiran and Qingwu were a couple who could hold a wedding banquet at any time. Now you’re saying they weren’t together—who would believe that…”

“We don’t intend to live for the opinions of relatives and friends. Perhaps things could have been very simple, but you’re the ones insisting on complicating them.” Meng Fuyuan looked at Qilin, “Mom, please ask yourself honestly—are you truly worried about people gossiping about the Meng family, or are you worried that Qiran will be heartbroken?”

Qilin quickly said: “I’m naturally worried about all of your reputations!”

“Is that so.” Meng Fuyuan gave a faint glance, “Then next time you encounter someone spreading gossip, you take the initiative to explain and clarify. If the explanation doesn’t work, tell them to come find me, and I’ll explain to them in person.”

Meng Chengyong said: “You’re too naive, Fuyuan. As they say, slander can melt metal and destroy bones…”

“Will rumors interfere with your business?”

“…The Meng family is at least a respectable family. You may not care about reputation, but we cannot afford not to care.”

“Fine. If you truly feel reputation is that important, I can stop being a member of the Meng family. From now on, you can tell people you’ve severed the father-son relationship with me. That way the dirty water will only be splashed on me alone…”

“Then people will gossip even more!”

“Then there’s no solution. Either way you think it won’t work. I never intended to seek your acceptance anyway. It’s just that because you’re the parents, you have the right to know. Qingwu and I absolutely will not break up. Whoever finds it hard to accept can digest it on their own time.”

With that, Meng Fuyuan stood up.

Qilin quickly said: “You really don’t care, Fuyuan! When those unpleasant words reach Qingwu’s ears, how do you expect her, a young woman, to bear it!”

“I don’t care. As for Qingwu, you don’t need to worry about her. She’s far stronger than you think.”

Qilin had exhausted all her ammunition and couldn’t help looking at Meng Chengyong, hoping he would say something more.

Meng Chengyong said: “Fuyuan, without family support, do you and Qingwu plan to just live in a vacuum? Throughout history, relationships opposed by parents have never had good endings.”

Meng Fuyuan’s steps paused, “Is that from your personal experience?”

Meng Chengyong’s face immediately changed color.

“I only know that cowards never have good endings.”

Meng Fuyuan bowed slightly, leaving the two flushed parents behind, turned and went upstairs.

Returning to his bedroom upstairs, Meng Fuyuan sent Meng Qiran a WeChat message saying “Come home early, don’t let the parents worry,” then took out a coat and put it on.

Just as he was preparing to go out, his phone suddenly vibrated continuously.

He took it out to look—it was a string of messages from Chen Qingwu:

——Help, Yuan-gege.

——I’ve been confined to my room.

——They’re going to starve me again.

——Come help quickly.

Meng Fuyuan’s lips curved upward.

Hearing sounds from downstairs, Chen Qingwu immediately climbed up from the bed, walked to the door, and pressed her ear against it.

From the living room came the sound of conversation between Meng Fuyuan and Chen Suiliang.

Meng Fuyuan’s half-joking tone: “Uncle Chen, I heard Qingwu has been confined to her room. Objectively speaking, restricting personal freedom is illegal.”

Chen Suiliang gave a dry laugh: “The door isn’t even locked, she can come out anytime.”

“Then I may need to take Qingwu away.”

“Where to?”

“With us here, you probably can’t have a good New Year. So rather than bring you bad luck over the holiday, we won’t.”

“Fuyuan, I’ve always known you to be a very rational person, so Uncle wants to communicate with you properly. If Qingwu and Qiran didn’t have that history—whether it’s real or not, in outsiders’ eyes it exists—then if you liked Qingwu, Uncle would definitely be the first to give his blessing. But under these current circumstances, as a young woman, once Qingwu’s reputation is ruined, she’s finished.”

“It’s the 21st century, Uncle Chen. There’s no such thing as having your reputation ruined from dating a few people. If there really is such a thing as being ‘ruined,’ then it’s the fault of those gossip-mongers, cause and effect cannot be reversed. Also, I’m not rational at all. If I were rational, I wouldn’t have fallen for Qingwu in the first place.”

Liao Shuman’s voice joined the conversation, greeting Meng Fuyuan.

Meng Fuyuan: “Is Qingwu upstairs, Auntie?”

“Yes.”

“May I go up?”

“…Ah, sure. She probably hasn’t gone to sleep yet.”

The sound of footsteps going upstairs, followed by Chen Suiliang’s words close behind.

“Fuyuan, you’re a person of noble character, so Uncle doesn’t want to argue with you, but regarding your relationship with Qingwu, I’m afraid I cannot accept it.”

“Qingwu and I never intended to seek anyone’s acceptance in the first place.”

The footsteps drew closer and closer.

Chen Qingwu immediately opened the door.

Meng Fuyuan, wearing a black coat, was walking through the dimly lit corridor toward her.

She didn’t know why her emotions were surging, like waves finally finding their ocean.

When Meng Fuyuan reached the doorway, Chen Qingwu, disregarding Chen Suiliang not far behind, stood on tiptoe and threw herself into Meng Fuyuan’s arms.

Meng Fuyuan’s large hand pressed against her back. Sensing the moist warmth in her breathing, his heart ached. He turned his head, kissed her hair, and said in a low voice: “You pack your luggage, we’re…”

His words came to an abrupt halt, because he glimpsed behind her a packed suitcase already standing there.

He laughed softly.

Meng Fuyuan pushed the suitcase with one hand and held Chen Qingwu’s hand with the other, nodding to Chen Suiliang, “I apologize, but I need to take Qingwu away for now.”

“Fuyuan, if you take this step, the relationship between our two families will be completely severed.”

“Then I’m very sorry. Both Qingwu and I are very selfish. Right now we can only think of ourselves, we can’t worry about anything else.”

Chen Suiliang was at a loss for words. Meng Fuyuan had preemptively admitted to the accusation of being “selfish,” directly blocking his next move.

“I will take good care of Qingwu and not let her suffer any grievances.” This last sentence, Meng Fuyuan spoke with particular earnestness and sincerity, like a promise he would never break.

Apart from some undignified methods, Chen Suiliang could hardly truly stop anything. Facing Meng Fuyuan, he couldn’t speak harshly, and could only watch helplessly as Meng Fuyuan led Chen Qingwu downstairs and toward the front door.

Outside, the snow was still falling.

Meng Fuyuan picked up the suitcase, preparing to descend the steps, when Liao Shuman’s voice came from behind: “Planning to drive back to East City in the middle of the night again?”

Meng Fuyuan paused, turned and nodded in affirmation.

“The snow is quite heavy, driving is dangerous.”

“We’ll drive slowly.”

Liao Shuman looked at Chen Qingwu: “I hope you’ve thought this through and your brain isn’t waterlogged.”

All evening, Liao Shuman had only made a few mild attacks.

Chen Qingwu realized she might have always misunderstood Liao Shuman. She wasn’t as indifferent to her wellbeing as she had thought… After all, when she had fevers as a child, it was only Liao Shuman who stayed up all night watching over her.

“…Mm. I won’t regret it.” Chen Qingwu smiled.

Liao Shuman said nothing more, showing an expression of finding this troublesome, made a “tsk” sound, then turned to go inside and slammed the door shut.

Meng Fuyuan loaded the suitcase into the trunk, got in the driver’s seat, started the car, and drove out without hesitation.

After they had left the residential complex, he heard bright, unrestrained laughter from the passenger seat. He glanced over and pulled the car to the side of the road.

Chen Qingwu looked over.

With just one look at each other, Meng Fuyuan immediately unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, wrapped his arm around her back, pulled her close, and fiercely kissed her lips.

Chen Qingwu’s arms wrapped around the back of his neck, responding passionately.

They invaded and plundered each other until their hearts ached faintly from lack of oxygen.

Chen Qingwu breathed heavily, opened her misty eyes, looked at Meng Fuyuan, paused, then lightly licked his split lip with her tongue, asking softly: “Does it still hurt?”

“Hard to say. Maybe if you kiss me again it won’t hurt anymore.”

Chen Qingwu laughed aloud.

She wrapped both arms around him, burying her face deep in his shoulder.

“Are you afraid?” Meng Fuyuan lowered his head to the side.

Chen Qingwu shook her head, “What should I do?”

“Hm?”

“I think this is the first time I’ve liked someone so much that it makes my heart hurt.”

“Really? I feel this way often.”

Chen Qingwu suddenly raised her head.

He was gazing at her, his eyes deep and sincere.

Chen Qingwu couldn’t speak.

After embracing for a long while, Meng Fuyuan finally released her somewhat reluctantly, “We should get going.”

“Let me drive. You’ve been driving all afternoon.”

Meng Fuyuan didn’t stand on ceremony with her, “If you get tired, switch with me.”

“Okay.”

The two got out of the car and swapped positions.

Chen Qingwu took off her coat and tossed it in the back seat, so she was a step slower.

When she opened the car door, Meng Fuyuan had already walked to the outside of the passenger door.

She emerged from the car door, her feet touching the ground.

At the same moment, Meng Fuyuan reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into his embrace.

His other hand lightly slammed the car door shut, pushing her backward until her back rested against the car.

A kiss fell upon her.

Wind and snow filled the city.

His girl was about to take him on an escape through this mad world.