When her speech ended, the entire table seemed to short-circuit, momentarily frozen in place.

The elders displayed various expressions—both fathers appeared thoughtful, while the mothers showed a hint of regret.

Only Zhang Lian remained undisturbed. He released Zhou Mi’s hand at the appropriate moment, calm as a mere spectator.

The lingering warmth from the man’s touch reduced the presence of the diamond ring. Zhou Mi quickly placed both hands back on the table and took a large sip from her glass.

Her throat was parched, like a stranded fish finally revived.

Zhang Zhou spoke first, agreeing: “I think that’s acceptable.”

He looked at the others, smiling with admiration: “This young lady Zhou Mi truly lives up to her name. At such a young age, she considers issues so comprehensively rather than acting impulsively.”

“I agree as well,” Zhang Lian supported his father, then turned his head toward Zhou Mi, lips slightly curved: “Although I’m eager, I unconditionally respect all of Zhou Mi’s decisions.”

Zhou Mi’s left eyelid twitched twice, and she flashed him a brilliant smile, appearing perfectly in sync.

Xun Fengzhi gave her son a slightly sinister glance, guessing this was all the rascal’s idea.

But she couldn’t express her displeasure, so she placed her hopes on Zhou Mi’s parents, taking a middleman position by retreating to advance: “What do you think?”

Zhou Xing naturally sided with his daughter.

Tang Peili already had her doubts. The large diamond had momentarily dazzled her, but after her daughter’s pointed remarks, she regained her clarity and was no longer confused: “Since Mimi has spoken so clearly, as parents, we should understand and support her. We have our thoughts about wanting our child to settle down early and feel secure, but they certainly have their considerations, too. Just feel a bit guilty about the trouble you’ve gone through to host us.”

Xun Fengzhi quickly replied: “It’s nothing. Zhou Mi is already like a daughter-in-law in my heart. After my son suffered such a great injustice, I was worried about not treating her well enough.”

Though not entirely satisfied, Xun Fengzhi accepted the outcome.

This dinner invitation was, from the Zhang family’s perspective, a calculated deception with ulterior motives. Now it had upgraded from a deception to a gamble, but there was still something to be gained, far better than a dead end with no possibility of change.

The result was obvious: a crushing 5-to-1 victory, or seemingly unanimous approval.

Zhou Mi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that things had gone much more smoothly than she had imagined.

—

This small interlude was like a dewdrop falling into a lake, barely creating ripples.

Everyone continued chatting happily, and during the conversation, they respected the “young couple’s” opinion, setting a timeframe for their trial cohabitation.

The lunch ended in peaceful harmony. After saying goodbyes, Zhang Lian drove Zhou Mi’s family home.

Zhou Mi remained quiet throughout the journey, while Tang Peili kept conversing with Zhang Lian. She asked about everything, including many tricky questions, drilling down layer by layer like nested dolls, as if wanting to expose every aspect of their relationship.

The man at the steering wheel seemed completely undistracted by driving, answering with ease, without revealing a single flaw.

Zhou Mi listened with her heart racing, simultaneously filled with admiration.

The car drove directly into the residential complex, stopping beneath Zhou Mi’s building. Her parents got out of the back seat first. Seeing Zhou Mi still lingering in the passenger seat, Tang Peili took her husband’s arm, whose face was flushed from alcohol, tapped on the window, and deliberately asked: “Why aren’t you getting out?”

Zhou Mi lowered half the window: “I want to say a few more words to Zhang Lian.”

Zhang Lian, who had been opening doors for the two elders, stood still: “Alright.”

Tang Peili smiled knowingly: “Oh my, exchanging glances at the table wasn’t enough, you still need more intimate time?”

Zhou Mi tilted her head: “Yes, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Come home soon,” Tang Peili said, but still firmly dragged her husband away with one hand while carrying the tea and alcohol in the other, hurrying upstairs.

As soon as Zhou Mi’s parents disappeared from view, Zhang Lian’s demeanor dramatically cooled. The deep affection he had maintained all afternoon vanished completely.

He sat back in the car directly, transforming from a loving partner to a cold, merciless negotiation expert: “Speak.”

Zhou Mi immediately pulled out the ring box from her bag, removed the diamond ring from her finger, placed it back in the velvet ring holder, snapped it shut, and handed it over with one hand: “Take it back. I don’t want it.”

Zhang Lian didn’t move at all.

Zhou Mi met his eyes for two seconds, then pushed the ring box forward a bit more, her tone growing urgent: “Take it.”

Zhang Lian smiled with inscrutable emotion, still not taking it: “Are you sure you don’t want it?”

Seeing him so composed, Zhou Mi placed it on the center console: “I don’t want it.”

Zhang Lian asked: “What will you do when you go home?”

Zhou Mi replied: “What do you mean?”

Zhang Lian said, “How will you answer when your mother asks? Give her a rock and tell her everything she saw at lunch was witchcraft?”

“…” Zhou Mi was instantly speechless, her gaze shifting back to the ring box.

Zhang Lian let out a mocking laugh, clearly having the upper hand.

Zhou Mi pressed her lips together for a moment, silently retrieved the ring box, tucked it back into her bag, and rebuilt her dignity: “Then I’ll return it to you when we’re done.”

Zhang Lian responded indifferently: “As you wish.”

Zhou Mi was choked for the second time, gritting her teeth: “Don’t worry, I’ll return it.”

Zhang Lian said, “It doesn’t matter if you change your mind. This ring is just over three hundred thousand. Consider it the contract fee for these three months.”

A hat trick. His “generosity” left Zhou Mi speechless for the third time.

No wonder—having a BMW X3 on your finger would feel like carrying a thousand-pound jack for anyone.

Zhou Mi gave him a faint smile, speaking in a coy voice: “Why spend so much? I’m embarrassed.”

“It’s only right,” Zhang Lian’s face remained calm: “After all, you specifically asked for a six-figure ring, so I naturally had to fulfill that.”

Zhou Mi knew she couldn’t win this argument, so she quickly changed the subject: “Why did you hold my hand at the table today?”

Zhang Lian replied: “Aren’t you going to thank me? Without me grabbing your hand, you probably would have fainted.”

“Shouldn’t you be thanking me?” Zhou Mi hooked a strand of hair, brazenly claiming: “Our plan succeeded mainly because I held up my end, didn’t it?”

Zhang Lian didn’t contradict her and seemed to genuinely praise her: “Your performance today was indeed excellent.”

He didn’t follow the expected pattern, leaving Zhou Mi stunned and unconsciously softening: “It was okay. You helped me, too.”

Zhang Lian changed the subject: “But I didn’t expect your condition to be so serious.”

Zhou Mi frowned at his somewhat scrutinizing gaze: “What condition?”

“Something like eye contact phobia, could we call it that?”

Zhou Mi digested this somewhat technical but not difficult-to-understand term: “It happens sometimes, especially in formal settings.”

Zhang Lian’s brow slightly tightened: “How did you get through interviews?”

“What’s with that suspicious expression?” Zhou Mi squinted at him: “I told you before, I prepared for several months to be able to handle it smoothly.”

“Can you maintain eye contact while speaking to someone?” Zhang Lian’s tone became more formal and serious.

“Probably…” Zhou Mi wasn’t very certain, touching her temple: “I’ve never specifically tried it.”

Zhang Lian asked: “How long can you maintain it?”

Zhou Mi said, “I don’t know.”

Zhang Lian suddenly half-turned his body, facing her directly: “Zhou Mi, look at me.”

Zhou Mi’s heart skipped a beat, quickly avoiding his gaze: “What are you doing?”

“An experiment,” he continued, looking at her: “Look at me and let’s simulate a work communication scenario.”

Zhou Mi had always resisted this kind of solemn eye contact, but the man’s direct gaze was like casting countless invisible baits into the air, floating in the half-lit car, permeating everything, creating undercurrents.

She pressed against the seat back, involuntarily glancing back several times, her earlobes gradually deepening in color, becoming transparent like pomegranate seeds.

Zhang Lian noticed and narrowed his eyes: “Why are you blushing?”

Zhou Mi was annoyed: “Who wouldn’t blush when being stared at like this?”

Zhang Lian said, “I wouldn’t.”

Zhou Mi exhaled through her nose: “I don’t believe you.”

“Try it?” Zhang Lian said.

Zhou Mi took a deep breath, her eyebrows tightly knitted, looking back at him defiantly. Her gaze carried emotion, like two reactive cat claws wanting to scratch his face hard.

In less than ten seconds, Zhou Mi was defeated.

Because the man’s eyes remained completely calm from beginning to end, as if facing a blank sheet of paper without content, his face equally composed and dignified.

But he didn’t give the impolite feeling of indifference or intimidation; on the contrary, he seemed sincere and attentive, thereby inducing the other person, controlling the situation, drawing the pattern he wanted.

Zhou Mi felt herself captured without any effort, her entire face heating up further.

Her eyes darted around, trying to anchor onto other objects in her peripheral vision.

“Don’t let your eyes wander everywhere. It’s impolite,” Zhang Lian reminded her commandingly: “I’m going to start asking questions now.”

“Ah—I can’t do it, this is too formal,” Zhou Mi could no longer endure, raising both hands in surrender: “I give up the challenge.”

Zhang Lian smiled: “How will you make proposals in the future? There will be Q&A sessions, and clients will all be staring at you.”

“I don’t know.” Zhou Mi instantly deflated, mumbling despondently.

Zhang Lian withdrew his gaze, sat up straight, and said nothing more.

The car was unusually quiet, as if filled with silent mockery.

Zhou Mi felt increasingly self-conscious, glancing at him while unfastening her seatbelt: “I’m getting out.”

Just as she was about to pull the inner door handle, Zhang Lian suddenly locked the car doors.

Zhou Mi’s heart jumped with the brief sound, her face alert: “What are you doing?”

Zhang Lian glanced at her, his tone flat: “When are you moving in?”

Zhou Mi was slightly stunned: “I don’t know. Which day do you think is better?”

Zhang Lian curved his lips, unclear whether joking or sincerely suggesting: “Should we check the almanac for an auspicious date?”

Zhou Mi said: “That’s not a bad idea, since I’ll be living with someone of great misfortune. I’m planning to buy several talismans to carry around for protection and peace.”

Zhang Lian unlocked the doors without looking at her: “You can go now.”

Zhou Mi got out of the car as if fearing delay, breathing deeply, regulating her heart rate, and slowly walking toward the stairwell, her legs feeling somewhat weak.

Before opening the door, she looked back and saw Zhang Lian’s car still parked in place, like a sleek, lurking black beast, out of place in the residential complex.

She pulled the door open, squinting strangely, not immediately going in.

Suddenly, the car lights flashed twice, as if teasing her.

Zhou Mi froze, her big eyes blinking rapidly, then quickly turned her head away, slamming the iron door shut and running up the stairs.

—

After returning home, while still changing her shoes, Tang Peili rushed out from the bedroom in a few quick steps, asking her where the diamond ring was.

Zhou Mi sighed, casually reached into her bag, pulled it out, and handed it to her.

“Be gentle with it, will you? Why did you take it off? Though it’s good you took it off, it’s not safe to wear it…” She received it with both hands, carefully opening it to admire its beauty up close, following her daughter to her bedroom: “This must cost several tens of thousands, right?”

Zhou Mi reported truthfully: “Over three hundred thousand.”

Tang Peili was shocked, developing a double chin, somewhat surprised yet somewhat proud: “Zhang Lian is quite willing to spend money on you.”

Zhou Mi let out a cool laugh, not responding.

Tang Peili glanced at her affected manner: “Don’t look down on this or that, he’s showing his sincerity.”

Zhou Mi said, “Does spending more money represent sincerity?”

Tang Peili replied: “What else? Should he kneel at our doorstep to propose? Money can represent many things. You’ll understand after you get married.”

Zhou Mi laughed dryly: “Is that so?”

Tang Peili rambled on: “Also, I haven’t settled accounts with you yet about what you said at the table today. Why didn’t you discuss it with me first? Let me tell you, after you move in together, don’t be as confused as before. Remember to use your brain in daily life, observe and examine this boyfriend of yours more, be more mature, control your princess temper, but don’t be too submissive either. Our conditions might not be as good as his family’s, but it’s not difficult to avoid being looked down upon…”

“I know.” Zhou Mi sighed inwardly.

…

—

On the way home, Zhang Lian called Xun Fengzhi, who urged him to quickly tidy up his dreary house, buy flowers, dolls, and snacks that young girls might like, to make Zhou Mi feel at home.

Zhang Lian narrowed his eyes slightly: “You go and do it. Auntie Chen is there, you two can relive your girlhood together.”

Xun Fengzhi spoke cheerfully: “That works, but I’m afraid you’ll be furious after I’m done.”

Zhang Lian said, “I won’t be. I’ll just move out.”

Xun Fengzhi laughed: “Have you and Zhou Mi discussed when to officially start living together?”

Zhang Lian replied: “No.”

Xun Fengzhi became irritated: “Zhang Lian, can you be more positive? A new life is about to begin. Before tomatoes were first tasted, everyone thought they were poisonous. You have to experience many things personally to determine whether they’re what you want.”

Zhang Lian remained silent.

Xun Fengzhi earnestly advised: “Be extremely careful this time, don’t repeat the same mistakes. Protect and take care of Zhou Mi. Even if the outcome isn’t what your mother hopes for, I don’t want you two to part ways with mutual disgust.”

Zhang Lian: “Mm.”

After arriving home, he heard water sounds from the kitchen. Zhang Lian changed into slippers, walked over to look, and saw Auntie Chen cleaning the range hood.

He stopped at the counter and called out, “Auntie Chen.”

The woman turned around, quickly drying her hands with a kitchen towel, smiling as she asked: “You’re back. Have you had lunch?”

Zhang Lian poured himself a glass of cold boiled water: “Yes.”

He took a sip and casually instructed, “Please clean up the second bedroom in the next couple of days. Someone will be moving in soon.”

Auntie Chen raised her eyebrows in surprise: “Who?”

“My,” his hand holding the glass paused: “fiancée.”

“Huh?” Auntie Chen was doubly astonished, somewhat confused: “Then why… still prepare the second bedroom?”

Zhang Lian smiled ambiguously: “She has poor sleep quality. She can’t sleep unless we have separate rooms.”