Chen Xingting also seemed surprised: "Not meeting the parents?" He added kindly, "Xiao Cheng's meeting is about to end. I was wondering why he seemed so distracted today. Turns out he's here to meet the parents!"
Zhang Chaohe was speechless: "No..."
How did you get to meet the parents already? Director Chen, is there nothing else on your mind besides geese?!
With the invisible pressure from the director's wife, Chen Xingting filmed this scene very quickly. Cheng Jixue rushed over as soon as she finished filming, but Chen Xingting immediately pushed her back to the dressing room: "Hurry up and remove your makeup, then pack up and go with President Zhang."
Just as Cheng Jixue was about to subtly inquire about the current situation, she seemed to have only been touched by Zhang Chaohe before being immediately taken away. In order to buy time, Chen Xingting even personally went to express his apologies to the director's wife for not being able to accompany her. He frantically flattered the young master Zhang and also praised Cheng Jixue's work to the skies, subtly expressing his great appreciation for the young master Zhang's vision!
Ms. Zhao didn't quite understand why she was praising Cheng Jixue.
Until she saw Zhang Chaohe bring Cheng Jixue over after she had removed her makeup, the young man nodded obediently and greeted the group of elders.
Then he secretly gave the old man a wink: Old Master Ji had received too many winks from people all morning and was already immune to them. He closed his eyes, ignored them, and prepared to start improvising.
Zhang Chaohe enthusiastically introduced Cheng Jixue, saying that she was a mutual friend of his and Xiao Ji, and that he had brought her to introduce to the two elders so they could have lunch together.
The two of them standing together were a perfect match, both handsome and talented. Ji Boyang, standing to the side, looked like a little flower boy.
Grandpa Ji was very satisfied, but Ms. Zhao was heartbroken – was Dian Dian really stupid? Why did she bring a friend to such an important banquet to meet the parents?
Then she discovered that Grandpa Ji seemed to really like Cheng Jixue, and praised the child quite a bit.
Ms. Zhao: How could this be?
After much thought, she finally felt she understood—the old man had come incognito because he didn't want to make the meeting too formal; everyone kept their identities to themselves and treated it as a small gathering of friends.
Even if the two children don't end up together, it won't be awkward.
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!
Ms. Zhao thought she had seen through everything. She made sure everything was arranged perfectly before taking her three children out.
She and the old man walked ahead, testing each other's attitude and background like they were playing Tai Chi. The old man had been in officialdom for a long time when he was young, and he was as slippery as an eel. The more Ms. Zhao talked, the more she felt that it was a bit dangerous - if Dian Dian was with a child from this kind of family, wouldn't she be completely controlled?
Little did they know that behind them, Cheng Jixue and Ji Boyang were exchanging knowing glances and veiled barbs.
What happened?
Rest assured, everything is safe and sound, salute!
How did they end up bumping into each other?
[Second Uncle, I can explain, it's all a coincidence!!]
You'd better be ()
Zhang Chaohe was still sighing: "How could this happen?"
Cheng Jixue and Ji Boyang both thought to themselves... Yes, I also want to know how this could have happened!
Ms. Zhao was on the verge of a breakdown. She secretly glanced back and saw Cheng Jixue, a beautiful and graceful woman, sandwiched between Zhang Chaohe and Ji Boyang. Not only was Xiao Ji acting a bit obsequious, but Dian Dian was also stealing glances at her from time to time. Cheng Jixue smiled affectionately, and when she looked at Dian Dian, pink bubbles were practically overflowing.
Ms. Zhao was utterly bewildered: "Dian Dian, what are you doing in front of Old Master Ji?! Are you having an affair?!"
She subtly blocked the old man's view, glaring sternly at Zhang Chaohe, trying to make Dian Dian restrain herself and avoid making a big mistake!
Cheng Jixue suddenly realized that there was a tea connoisseur mother-in-law ahead of him, who was a well-known tea connoisseur among the wives of wealthy women, and he couldn't go too far today.
But Zhang Chaohe, who was suddenly glared at, pointed to himself in disbelief and then looked at Cheng Jixue next to him, trying to demand justice.
Cheng Jixue, who had always been on his side, was now as upright and honest as a police officer. He nodded to Zhang Chaohe and said, "Auntie must have her reasons."
Zhang Chaohe's eyes widened: ?
He questioned in a low voice, "You weren't like this before!"
Ji Boyang also leaned over and whispered, "Just bear with it, Mr. Zhang, just for today."
Can't we at least get through today? I'm begging you!
I, Young Master Ji, have a chance to catch my breath today since we got through it safely. But if anything goes wrong today, I'll have to cut my head off and let my second uncle kick it around like a ball to apologize!
Seeing the old man and his mother-in-law chatting happily, Cheng Jixue became secretly wary. He lightly nudged Ji Boyang with his toe, signaling him to quickly go up and change the subject, lest the two cunning elders reveal anything suspicious.
Ji Boyang thought to himself, if he hadn't had the intention to harm his second uncle, he wouldn't have let the wolf into the house and allowed Mrs. Zhang and his great-grandfather to make contact... It was all his fault, and he could definitely make amends.
Ms. Zhao felt something was off—her future daughter-in-law was suddenly very eager to join the conversation, and she kept digressing and bringing the topic back, from national affairs to current political issues, but there wasn't a single, well... topic that should be discussed when meeting one's future mother-in-law.
She had a vague sense of unease, but the feeling passed too quickly to be grasped.
Five people, each with their own ulterior motives and using their own methods, arrived at the club. Ms. Zhao had specially arranged for the most stylish and high-class club in the industry to entertain her future in-laws, but the manager rushed up and respectfully called out "Mr. Ji" in the direction of Mr. Ji.
In the blink of an eye, Old Master Ji spun around and secretly stepped back, shoving his great-grandson, who was still chattering on and on, towards him. Ji Boyang understood immediately and coughed, "Hmm."
Ms. Zhao saw everything and was relieved to find that she hadn't been wrong. This Mr. Ji was indeed a relative of Ji Boyang. Judging from the way he spoke and the manager's reaction, she was quite satisfied.
This is roughly equivalent to passing the interview and background check; the specific department can then adjust the position as needed. (Tap to confirm)
When Ms. Zhao looked up, she saw Zhang Chaohe and Cheng Jixue talking intimately together. Cheng Jixue smiled gently and seemed a little shy. He seemed to have said something funny. The two looked at each other and smiled intimately. The atmosphere was so sticky that it was impossible for outsiders to get in.
Then look at Xiao Ji, she is gentle, kind and virtuous, taking care of the elderly and greeting guests. She is simply a model wife!
Of course, Ms. Zhao did not consider that it was possible that Xiao Ji's seniority was too low, and that a complete three-dimensional errand-running system had already been formed in front of his great-grandfather and uncles.
But Ms. Zhao was furious—she couldn't accept that Dian Dian had the same disgusting habit as those other sleazy men!
This is not only disrespectful to Xiao Ji and the elders present, but also disrespectful to Dian Dian herself!
However, since Xiao Ji and the elders of the Ji family were still there, she couldn't seriously discuss this issue with Zhang Chaohe. She glanced at Cheng Jixue, who was still chatting intimately with Zhang Chaohe, and said in a cool and indifferent voice, "Xiao He, come to Mommy."
Zhang Chaohe was taken aback—this was the first time he had heard Ms. Zhao refer to herself as "Mom." When Ms. Zhao and Mr. Zhang got married, their two children were already quite grown up. Ms. Zhao respected her children's habits and always referred to herself as "Auntie," never asking her children to change their address.
Today, she suddenly called herself "Mom" and spoke in such a serious tone. Zhang Chaohe immediately suspected that he had done something wrong. Without hesitation, he went over and stood next to Ms. Zhao.
Ms. Zhao suddenly looked up, her gaze sharp and resolute. If she had been like gentle water in front of others just moments before, she was now colder and harder than the ice of an October winter. She stared at Cheng Jixue with an unyielding gaze, as if issuing a silent warning.
Although she believes that Dian Dian is clearly more responsible for this situation—the cost for the weak to resist the powerful is far greater than the cost for the powerful to exercise self-discipline.
But the situation was urgent, and she could only hope that this gentle yet resilient child would understand her meaning.
At least we shouldn't upset Xiao Ji in this situation.
Suddenly being glared at, Cheng Jixue had a bad feeling. He immediately put his hands behind his back, straightened his back, and smiled back at Ms. Zhao, like a poplar tree resisting the wind in a sandstorm.
Slender and resilient, unyielding, head held high and back straight, refusing to bow its head.
The above are all Ms. Zhao's interpretations.
In reality, Cheng Jixue was like a primary school student: standing straight, obediently listening to instructions, and trying her best to pretend to be weak and innocent.
Mr. Ji, who was standing to the side, asked: Why is Mrs. Zhang suddenly so serious?
It has to be said that experience counts. He carefully observed everyone's positions and expressions, and pondered deeply... Then his face turned green, and he looked incredulously at Ms. Zhao, who was protecting Ji Boyang behind her.
And Ji Tingduan, who was completely bewildered but pretended to be as weak and pitiful as a stray kitten without any regard for the facts.
He finally realized a problem.
Mrs. Zhang, is there a mistake? Your son-in-law's partner?
Grandpa Ji looked incredulously at his great-grandson, who was chattering away and laughing without noticing anything amiss, then at his grandson, who was clearly reflecting intensely on whether he had offended his future mother-in-law, and his future granddaughter-in-law, who felt wronged but dared not speak out.
His blood pressure spiked and he felt a sudden blackout.
Oh no, how do you explain this?
Or should I pretend to faint briefly to save the day? Is there still time?!
A note from the author:
Ms. Zhao (pointing to Xiao Ji): She has the demeanor of an empress—
Ji Boyang (sliding to his knees): Thump!
Grandpa Ji (pinching his philtrum hard): Little Cheng (sharpening his knife)
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 56
The poria and chestnut soup on the table today has a cloyingly sweet taste that's hard to swallow.
The Buddha's Hand rolls next to it were also a bit oily.
Meanwhile, Old Master Ji was extremely anxious, struggling to figure out how to salvage Mrs. Zhang's increasingly skewed view of her son-in-law.
He glanced at Ji Boyang, who was still cheerfully trying to liven up the atmosphere, and then at Ji Tingduan, who was putting on a fake smile and trying to make a good impression on his future mother-in-law.
He took one last look at Zhang Chaohe, who was obediently tied to Ms. Zhao's side.
I couldn't help but look up at the sky and let out a long sigh.
Ms. Zhao is also very difficult to deal with—the reason why Cheng Jixue hasn't yet taken action against Xiang Boyang is purely because Ms. Zhao is very good at playing dumb.
Since the old man wanted to define this parents' meeting as a casual chat, Ms. Zhao naturally tried her best to be considerate and extend her warm regards to everyone present!
Whether they are future in-laws, future sons-in-law, or her son's friends, Ms. Zhao treats them all with care and consideration, without the slightest bias!
Therefore, Cheng Jixue, flattered and surprised, was not only deceived on the spot, but his high IQ was also easily taken over. So he didn't notice that his future mother-in-law looked at her nephew with much more affection than she looked at him.
Although he had a vague feeling that his mother-in-law didn't seem to like him very much.
But it's alright, anything is possible with effort. Cheng Jixue smiled, thinking to herself, "These are not insurmountable obstacles!"
Then he turned his head and saw that Old Master Ji was looking at him with a hint of pity and worry in his eyes.
Cheng Jixue: What's wrong?
Meanwhile, Zhang Chaohe was secretly observing Ms. Zhao, trying to figure out what he had done to offend the Empress Dowager—after all, Ms. Zhao rarely lost her temper, but once she did, she was a terrifying presence that even Chairman Zhang had to temporarily avoid!
However, Ms. Zhao still seems caring and considerate, which puzzles him greatly.
Only Ji Boyang was fully focused on enlivening the atmosphere.
Grandpa Ji looked at his great-grandson, who was as silly as a dog, with a worried expression: "..."
Ji Boyang was trying his best to promote his dear second uncle to his future second aunt. He had fully learned from Li Ye's failure and very slyly said only half of what he meant: "Now Xiao Cheng and Brother He are in the same film crew, right? Xiao Cheng is a very honest person... Oh right, just this morning, Xiao Cheng stayed up all night to make some small steamed buns for Brother He, and he even asked me how they looked!"
Cheng Jixue lowered her head shyly: "I have an early morning scene to film today, so it doesn't matter whether I sleep or not."
Grandpa Ji looked at his rebellious grandson with complicated eyes. Zhang Chaohe was also a little embarrassed. Only Ms. Zhao looked shocked: What does Xiao Ji mean by this? Why is he still so optimistic and magnanimous when others are openly poaching his girlfriends?
Could it be...?