After such a long time of waiting to get together, neither of them wanted a long-distance relationship.
Meng Yangyue offered comfort, while Liu Zhiyue became increasingly distressed.
She seemed unable to hold on any longer, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Meng Yang bent down and gently kissed the corner of her eye.
"Eat well and take good care of yourself over there." Meng Yang finally gained the upper hand, hooking Liu Zhi's chin and looking into her eyes.
Liu Zhi didn't wipe away her tears. The beauty, who usually appeared aloof and strong, was occasionally vulnerable, and in Meng Yang's eyes, she looked quite pitiful.
Meng Yang sat down next to Liu Zhi and pulled her into his arms.
"You too," Liu Zhi said in a muffled voice, "Don't stop eating properly just because I'm not around."
Meng Yang nodded and wiped away Liu Zhi's tears.
...
When it was time to fall asleep, Meng Yang clung to Liu Zhi like a koala, and Liu Zhi gently patted her back and softly comforted her by pressing her hair against hers.
Liu Zhi originally planned to leave on Sunday evening, but because of Meng Yang's actions, Liu Zhi simply postponed it until Monday afternoon.
Pear Blossom and Milk Ball are already big enough, so on Sunday, Liu Zhi and Meng Yang took their two cat sons to get them spayed/neutered.
Perhaps sensing something, the little kitten lay in its cage, gazing pitifully at Liu Zhi. Liu Zhi steeled herself, turned her face away, and refused to look at it.
The little dumpling let out a pitiful meow.
After the surgery, Naituan and Lihua were spitting out their tongues, their eyelids wet with tears.
Meng Yang and Liu Zhi each took one home.
While waiting for the elevator, I happened to run into Mencius's parents.
"Little Liu is back!" Father Meng exclaimed with delight. Mother Meng smiled faintly at Liu Zhi.
"Hello, Uncle and Auntie," Liu Zhi greeted them with a smile.
"How is your grandmother?" Meng's father asked as he approached.
"I'm recovering well," Liu Zhi said. "Thank you for your help."
"Of course," Meng's father said with a smile. "Are you planning to go back to work underground?"
Liu Zhi nodded.
Meng's mother lowered her eyes and looked at Meng Yang. Meng Yang kept his head down and refused to look at her.
"Stop standing here talking, let's go upstairs," Meng Yang said.
The family entered the elevator.
When Meng's father saw Liu Zhi, he started talking non-stop.
Liu Zhi responded patiently to each request.
“A few days ago, Mengmeng was still insisting on going to Yancheng with you, but the approval hasn’t come through.” Meng’s father glanced at Meng Yang. “I tried my best to get it done, but unfortunately, she wasn’t capable enough.”
Liu Zhi looked down at Meng Yang beside her. Meng Yang hooked his little finger around hers, a gesture that warmed Liu Zhi's heart.
“She’s in pain, but I’m actually quite happy,” Meng’s father said. “She’s finally made a breakthrough and is going to become the chief resident.”
As Meng's father spoke, he glanced at Meng Yang, who seemed reluctant to look at him.
The family hadn't been together for a long time, so Meng Yang and Liu Zhi were in charge of cooking dinner.
The refrigerator didn't have enough ingredients to prepare a lavish dinner, so Liu Zhi ordered ingredients from Meituan.
When the ingredients arrived, Meng's father kept marveling at how convenient life was now, and also made a few veiled remarks about Meng Yang's laziness.
Meng Yang, wearing an apron and leaning against the doorframe, calmly said, "This was ordered by Liu Zhi."
Meng's father immediately shut his mouth, then thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Liu is cooking, what are you doing?"
"She's helping me prepare the vegetables while you watch TV," Meng Yang said, showing his father the spatula in his hand.
Mencius' father: "..."
The baby girl and pear blossom lay listlessly in the living room, their tongues still lolling out, their eyes filled with despair.
Unaware of the situation, Gege circled their cage several times.
"What's wrong?" Meng's father asked Meng's mother.
"She's been sterilized." Meng's mother hugged Gege into her arms and rubbed its head.
As if remembering something, Meng's mother placed the princess in her father's arms, stood up, and went to the kitchen.
Meng's father hadn't held a cat much before, so he caught it in a fluster, his gaze fixed on Meng's mother's departing figure.
"Xiao Liu, let's talk together," Meng's mother said, standing by the kitchen door.
Liu Zhi put down the dishes, stood up, and looked somewhat at a loss.
"Go ahead," Meng Yang patted Liu Zhi on the back, reassuring her.
She followed Liu's mother to the balcony.
The sky was already dark; looking into the distance, only a few dim afterglows remained.
“I know about you and Meng Yang,” Meng’s mother said.
Liu Zhi looked into the distance, feeling somewhat flustered, unsure of what to say.
"Don't be nervous, I understand you all," Meng's mother said with a smile.
"Meng Yang has liked you since high school," Meng's mother said. "Did you know that?"
Liu Zhi nodded.
"I've practically watched you grow up," Meng's mother sighed. "You and Meng Yang cross the bridge together, and I'll stand at the entrance of the community watching you."
"Back then, I worried more than once about how my son was so short, like a little radish, while his classmates seemed to be getting taller and taller each time."
After listening to Mencius' mother's words, Liu Zhi was also lost in a memory.
Mencius' mother looked out at them from the entrance of the residential area, and they also looked out at Mencius' mother from the bridge.
When they were almost there, Meng Yang would wave to his mother with a particularly bright smile.
Liu Zhi followed her gaze and saw Mencius' mother.
She had repeatedly marveled in her heart at the extraordinary temperament and elegant smile of Mencius' mother.
Despite having walked with Meng Yang so many times, Liu Zhi never once took the initiative to greet Meng's mother.
"Little Liu." Seeing that she was lost in thought, Meng's mother called out to her.
Liu Zhi said, "Please speak."
“I won’t beat around the bush.” Meng’s mother looked into Liu Zhi’s eyes. “Meng Yang is very pure-hearted. Once she sets her mind on someone, that’s who she is.”
Liu Zhi said, "I know."
“She’s more emotional and has been thinking about quitting her job so she can stay with you,” said Mencius’ mother. “I had to persuade her several times before I could finally convince her to stay.”
Liu Zhi nodded again.
“Her father is stubborn; he doesn’t know about your situation yet,” Meng’s mother said with a smile. “I don’t know how he will react once he finds out about you two.”
“We parents have no right to interfere in your affairs, but I am a mother who is particularly worried about her daughter,” said Mencius’ mother. “What I am about to say may be a bit harsh, and I hope you can understand.”
"Please speak," Liu Zhijing said, waiting for Meng's mother to speak.
"Two girls together would face a lot of pressure in the current environment."
Mencius' mother's expression became much more serious: "I think you are a rational child, and your personality is very different from Mencius'. You can complement each other."
Liu Zhi understood the unspoken meaning behind Mencius' mother's words.
“I’m not rational when it comes to feelings.” Liu Zhi lowered her eyes. “Auntie, I actually have had vague feelings for Meng Yang since high school.”
“Because of my inferiority complex, I chose to avoid it,” Liu Zhi said. “We’ve wasted a long time getting to where we are now.”
“Under no circumstances will I let go, unless Meng Yang takes the initiative to do so.”
Liu Zhi's gaze was firm; Meng's mother saw no fear in his eyes.
“Most people in this world are able to respect other people’s lives,” Liu Zhi said. “I am not afraid of worldly opinions.”
Mencius' mother nodded.
"I'd like to know what your parents think. Can they accept this?"
Liu Zhi truthfully replied, "They are unaware of this for the time being. I will tell them once everything has stabilized."
"It seems that both parents are obstacles," Meng's mother said with a smile.
Liu Zhi didn't reply.
"The road is your own, and how long you walk it is up to you," Mencius' mother said. "I hope you can keep walking it."
"Do you get me?"
Liu Zhi nodded again.
Chapter 53 Goddaughter
"What did my mother say?" Meng Yang asked hurriedly when he saw Liu Zhi open the door.
"How could I let you know?" It was Meng Yang's mother's voice, and only then did Meng Yang notice his mother behind Liu Zhi.
Meng Yang turned his back and continued doing what he was doing.
"What's wrong?" Meng's mother asked with a smile. "Are you afraid I'll say something bad about your boyfriend?"
Meng Yang's ears turned red, and he didn't reply.
“Auntie didn’t say anything bad to me.” Liu Zhi walked to Meng Yang’s side.
"Can these dishes be served now?" Meng's mother asked, pointing to the dishes on Meng Yang's right.
“That’s fine,” Meng Yang replied.