Chapter 284: Obstinacy

"Fine, we are ultimately not people of the same world. If your parents don't object to you seeing someone like me, then let's give it a try."

Zhang Ping'an knew that social status barriers existed at any time; if he hadn't had a wife and children from the start, there might have been a possibility between them, but in his current situation, it was impossible to gain the approval of the Zhong Family.

Especially since Zhong Mingzhu was such a little princess pampered by her family; in the eyes of the Zhong Family, he was just like Huangmao from his past life. It would be a miracle if her family agreed to them being together.

"Okay."

Zhong Mingzhu's face lit up with joy. She felt that as long as Zhang Ping'an was willing to see her, her parents, who had pampered her since childhood, would certainly not object.

Right now, Zhong Mingzhu was like a little girl who had not yet seen much of the world, having just received the doll she had longed for.

The three people eavesdropping nearby all had dark expressions, especially Zhong Laotou. His own daughter was practically throwing herself at him, and Zhang Ping'an's reply made his previous appreciation for Zhang Ping'an vanish completely.

"Let's go, let's return to your office first."

Inside the office, the two elders and one young person sat there, and Zhong Dingbang suddenly spoke up.

"Yan'er, your hospital has government-sponsored study abroad programs every year, right? Has Mingzhu signed up?"

"Dad, what do you mean..."

"Old man, it hasn't reached that point yet."

This government-sponsored study abroad usually required three to five years away. At the thought of not being able to see her daughter for three to five years, the old lady felt a wave of distress in her heart.

"This is the final step."

The office fell into silence again, but soon, the sound of Zhong Mingzhu's cheerful footsteps rang out from outside the door.

"Big sister, do you know that I and Zhang..." Zhong Mingzhu was just about to impatiently share her joy, but she saw her parents sitting in the office with dark faces.

"Dad, Mom, why are you here? Did your old injuries flare up? Big sister, Dad and Mom, they..."

"Alright, we're fine. We just came for a routine check-up, but we saw our good daughter go off with someone to the pavilion." Zhong Dingbang was still quite gratified by his youngest daughter's immediate concern for their health.

"Dad~"

"Was that person just now Zhang Ping'an?"

In fact, the old couple of the Zhong Family were seeing Zhang Ping'an in person for the first time. Previously, they had only seen the black-and-white photo in his file. They had to admit that he was indeed very masculine and handsome in person; just based on his appearance, he was definitely worthy of their daughter.

"Mm," Zhong Mingzhu replied with a blushing face.

"Sigh, Mingzhu, you and that boy are not a good match."

Zhong Dingbang had initially arranged for people to follow Zhong Mingzhu. He had also thought that Zhang Ping'an's cold treatment would make his daughter give up, so he stopped paying attention. This was also the reason he had been satisfied with Zhang Ping'an.

But he hadn't expected it to have the opposite effect, instead inciting his daughter's competitive spirit, leading to the current situation which was almost impossible to manage.

If he had stopped it from the beginning, perhaps his daughter wouldn't be so persistent. At this moment, Zhong Dingbang regretted it.

"Why?" Zhong Mingzhu's face was full of confusion. She had expected to receive her parents' blessing, not a blow.

"Let's talk when we get home tonight."

…………

After leaving the Military Division Hospital, Zhang Ping'an noticed two people following him. He didn't know their intentions, but he figured they wouldn't dare to open fire in broad daylight.

Zhang Ping'an acted as if he didn't know, stopping directly at Shichahai. Taking his fishing line, he began his daily fishing. This time, he didn't use the Space Water bait, just quietly "fishing" like that.

Before long, Zhang Ping'an felt one of the gazes behind him disappear. They must have gone to report, right?

At this moment, Zhong Mingzhu's heart full of joy was shattered by her father's words that they were not a good match, and she returned to the clinic in a daze.

"Mingzhu, what's wrong with you?" She had just gone out excitedly; how did she become a different person upon returning?

"Is it because of Zhang Shu..."

"It has nothing to do with him. Qiu Nan, I..." Before Zhong Mingzhu could finish, bean-sized tears began to fall.

"Mingzhu, what on earth happened?"

Ding Qiunan pulled Zhong Mingzhu into her arms. She was an only child, and after these two years of getting along, she truly treated Zhong Mingzhu like her own younger sister. Seeing Zhong Mingzhu looking so aggrieved, she hurriedly comforted her.

"Wuwuwu..."

"Sigh, cry, just cry. You'll feel better after crying it out."

Zhong Yan, who had followed behind Zhong Mingzhu, let out a long sigh when she saw this scene. In the past, her younger sister would always cry in her arms.

Now that she was standing on the side of her parents, Zhong Mingzhu felt hurt in her heart, and naturally, she felt even more aggrieved.

After Zhong Dingbang left the hospital, his driver and security guard came to greet him.

"Chief, Zhang Ping'an is fishing over at Shichahai."

"Mm, let's go straight there."

"Yes."

Sure enough, just as Zhang Ping'an had expected, in less than half an hour, a Jeep stopped by the edge of Shichahai, and an old man walked toward him.

"Little comrade, how is the fish biting?"

"Not bad. Are you here to fish too, old gentleman?" Zhang Ping'an had already caught two crucian carp weighing over half a jin each.

"Hahaha, I came here specifically to find you. I am Zhong Dingbang, and Zhong Mingzhu is my daughter," Zhong Dingbang said, getting straight to the point.

"I guessed as much. Two people followed me as soon as I left the hospital. I've been waiting for you here for a while, Old Gentleman Zhong."

"Impossible, how could you have discovered us?" Both guards were scouts by trade and were confident they hadn't revealed any flaws.

"My intuition told me."

"Good lad, it's a pity you didn't join the army; otherwise, you would certainly be a top-notch scout."

The old gentleman was also startled. He had also crawled out of piles of dead bodies and could understand that kind of intuition.

He also remembered the massive amount of game Zhang Ping'an had turned in when he was in the Rolling Mill Procurement Department.

"You flatter me. I just developed it from long-term hunting."

"Regarding the matter between you and Mingzhu, as an elder, I shouldn't ask too much, but Mingzhu has had a smooth life since she was a child."

"Perhaps because you were the first person of the opposite sex to go against her, it stirred up her competitive spirit, so perhaps that is why she has, um... different feelings for you."

Zhang Ping'an nodded slightly, indicating his agreement. Perhaps it was like that at first, but now, it might not be.

"Young comrade, although I appreciate you, it is impossible between you two, so I hope you will not meet with Mingzhu again in the future."

"Fine, I promise I will not take the initiative to meet with her."

Zhang Ping'an agreed extremely readily; he had never held any hope for this unclear "relationship" that hadn't even begun.

However, this almost commanding tone also made Zhang Ping'an feel quite displeased, yet facing the current situation, he was helpless; if he were a lone wolf, he might have been able to clash with the Zhong Family, but now, there were too many concerns.

"Hmm, not bad."

Zhong Dingbang greatly appreciated Zhang Ping'an's self-awareness; now he only needed to go home and handle his daughter, but thinking of this, he felt quite a headache.

Zhong Mingzhu was the youngest daughter in the family, with an age gap of over half a generation from her older siblings, and she had been doted on by her family since she was small.

Zhong Mingzhu had also been sensible since she was small, but her temperament was very stubborn; once she set her mind on something, it was hard to change, which was exactly like him.

After Zhong Dingbang left, Zhang Ping'an also hung up the phone, carried two crucian carp, passed by the non-staple food store, bought a jin of tofu, and just happened to head home in time for lunch.

"Ping'an, why did you come back at noon today?"

"I happened to pass by while handling some business, so I caught two fish along the way; we'll have crucian carp stewed with tofu for lunch."