"What else do you want to say about me?" Meng Yang raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you have just kissed me and taken me home?"
Liu Zhi tried to suppress her smile, and then ruffled Meng Yang's freshly styled hair again.
"Okay," Liu Zhi whispered in Meng Yang's ear, "Let's go home together."
Meng Yang went back to pull her suitcase, but Liu Zhi, with her long legs, got there first.
"Do you remember what your home used to look like?" Meng Yang suddenly asked.
"I remember," Liu Zhi said. "I didn't even dare let you touch the suitcase."
“They still refuse,” Meng Yang said.
“It’s different.” Liu Zhi pulled her suitcase closer, and Meng Yang put her hand on hers.
In the taxi, Meng Yang leaned on Liu Zhi's shoulder and dozed off.
Liu Zhi sat upright, his fingers intertwined with Meng Yang's.
As the vehicle entered the city, its speed gradually decreased.
Meng Yang wasn't sleeping very soundly, so Liu Zhi patted her back, and Meng Yang leaned on her shoulder to rest her head.
Finally, they arrived home, and Liu Zhi led Meng Yang upstairs.
The handrails were heavily dusty, so Meng Yang shrank closer to Liu Zhi.
"Are the conditions very poor?" Liu Zhi asked.
Meng Yang shrank closer to Liu Zhi.
"Don't touch that area, and don't let your clothes rub against the wall," Liu Zhi said, protecting Meng Yang.
“I lived in these kinds of cramped apartments for three years during high school.” Liu Zhi didn’t look at Meng Yang. “Now can you understand the sense of loss I felt after meeting you?”
Meng Yang gripped Liu Zhi's hand tightly and nodded.
"I was really afraid to get to know you better back then," Liu Zhi said with a wry smile. "I felt like I wasn't good enough for you."
“In my opinion, the idea of marrying someone of equal social standing is outdated.” Meng Yang raised his head. “Don’t be so materialistic, it’s too vulgar.”
"It doesn't fit your image as aloof and refined Dr. Liu."
Liu Zhi pressed down on her lips, "You're making me embarrassed."
"What are you planning to have for breakfast?" Liu Zhi changed the subject.
"Noodles, please," Meng Yang said.
"Okay," Liu Zhi replied.
When they finally arrived home, Liu Zhi cooked noodles and served them on the table, but Meng Yang had already fallen asleep on the small sofa.
The sofa was too small; if she slept like this, she wondered if her back would hurt when she woke up. Liu Zhi tried to lift Meng Yang and carry her to the bedroom, but Meng Yang woke up as soon as her hand touched her.
Meng Yang's sleep wasn't this light before. Liu Zhi knew the reason for Meng Yang's change—being a "boss" was just too hard.
"Am I asleep?" Meng Yang asked, his eyes half-closed.
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement.
"The noodles are ready," Liu Zhi said softly.
Meng Yang regained some of his senses.
The face he had been longing for day and night was now within reach, and Meng Yang was momentarily stunned.
"Meng Yang?" Liu Zhi's voice was questioning.
Meng Yang wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her.
Liu Zhi let her do whatever she wanted.
"Early in the morning..." Liu Zhi finally caught her breath, her voice slightly breathless.
Meng Yang might grab Liu Zhi by the collar and pull her down before she finished speaking.
...
After lingering for a long time, I finally sat down at the table, and the bowl of noodles had already clumped together.
"Would you like another bowl?" Liu Zhi asked.
Meng Yang shook his head. "I'm not hungry anymore."
"Shall we meet in the morning?"
"Catch up on sleep," Meng Yang replied decisively.
All she wanted to do right now was hold Liu Zhi and catch up on sleep, for as long as she could. She missed Liu Zhi's embrace so much.
Chapter 57 Fortunately
"What about your dad?" Liu Zhi asked, touching Meng Yang's hair, hesitating to speak.
“He took the initiative to talk to me once before, and I told him everything I could about our relationship,” Meng Yang said.
What was his reaction?
"So shocked I couldn't speak."
Looking at the chandelier, Meng Yang's thoughts returned to that night.
Her father was stunned by her words and remained speechless for a long time.
Just when she thought she and her father would remain deadlocked until the end of their conversation, Meng's father spoke up.
"Meng Yang, are you serious?"
"yes."
"Start a family with Xiao Liu, but don't want children?"
"yes."
"Is this how you'll live your whole life?"
"yes."
Mencius' father sighed.
“You’re twenty-seven this year. You understand many things without me having to explain them,” Meng’s father said. “Is this the life you wanted?”
"yes."
“To be honest, if I hadn’t met Xiao Liu, I would have strongly opposed your choice. But I have met Xiao Liu, and he is indeed a good kid.” Mr. Meng rubbed his temples. “You have your own feet, I know that my opposition in this situation is useless.”
"I only have one piece of advice for you—think things through and carefully consider your choices."
Meng Yang nodded.
“I am very clear about my feelings for Liu Zhi, and I am also very clear about Liu Zhi’s feelings for me. I believe in her, and she believes in me.”
Mencius' father was not an enlightened person; his thinking was even somewhat rigid. However, he respected the decisions of others.
Now that things have come to this point, it's impossible for Meng's father to force his daughter to separate from her beloved like in the movies, let alone make things difficult for Liu Zhi.
He sighed heavily and ultimately said nothing more.
After listening to Meng Yang's account, Liu Zhi felt a little heavy-hearted.
"My parents..."
"Take your time." Meng Yang knew what Liu Zhi was going to say.
Liu Zhi pursed her lips: "I'm sorry."
Meng Yang snuggled closer to her, "Actually, the approval of our parents and family is just a formality. Does that mean we have to separate if we're not approved?"
"Of course not."
It would be better to receive more blessings, of course, but if not, it's enough as long as we're together.
Liu Zhi and Meng Yang had always thought this way.
It's pointless to dwell on anything too much. Meng Yang fell into a deep sleep in Liu Zhi's arms.
...
During lunchtime, Liu Zhi received a call from her father.
"Xiao Zhi, didn't you say you were going on a business trip tomorrow and leaving tonight?" Liu's father asked.
“Yes,” Liu Zhi said. “I’m leaving at 11 p.m.
"We've moved dinner earlier, so come to Grandma's soon."
"Okay," Liu Zhi replied.
"Dad, my high school classmate is visiting on a business trip. Can we go together tonight?"
"Of course, of course! Your grandma loves a lively atmosphere, come join us!"
People in Yancheng attach great importance to the reunion dinner on Mid-Autumn Festival. Liu Zhi originally planned to go to the capital after the gathering, but unexpectedly, Meng Yang came from the capital.
Liu Zhi couldn't bring herself to come out as gay in front of the two elderly people at the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion dinner, and she couldn't bring herself to leave Meng Yang alone in this small apartment.
"That's not a good idea," Meng Yang said, frowning.
“That’s good,” Liu Zhi said. “A family should be together.”
Meng Yang suddenly laughed.
"What's wrong?" Liu Zhi asked.
“You always find internet slang particularly funny,” Meng Yangyang laughed, “but why do you look so serious?”
Liu Zhi rubbed her nose with her index finger. "I'm used to it."
"Next time, you could lighten your tone a bit more," Meng Yang said, looking at Liu Zhi.
Liu Zhi actually nodded.
"Dr. Liu."