Chapter 432: Meeting the Parents

This year, Qi Tongwei was a junior, and after two years of being together, he and Chen Yang had finally become a couple.

Qi Tongwei's excellence was beyond doubt, and Chen Yang no longer thought about the future; during her university years, besides studying hard, she spent her time dating Qi Tongwei, and it was at this time that Liang Lu also took notice of Qi Tongwei.

Liang Lu, having suffered emotional trauma just as in the original story, returned to campus after a year of rest and saw the vibrant and spirited Qi Tongwei.

She then began to look into Qi Tongwei's past and family background, and upon discovering he was from an ordinary rural family, she smiled with satisfaction.

As for the foreign businessman's luxury car coming to find Qi Tongwei on campus, Liang Lu didn't take it to heart at all; now that her father was the Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary, she didn't fear anyone, let alone a foreign businessman, not even the Mayor of Yantai City.

Having been abandoned by her lover, and worse, having been unable to conceive again after an abortion, Liang Lu's heart had become slightly twisted.

If it weren't for the fact that the man had great power and was her family's backer, Liang Qunfeng would never have let it go without settling the score; furthermore, now that the man had been forced to go abroad for studies, it could be considered a concession to him, Liang Qunfeng.

Liang Lu also discovered that Qi Tongwei was dating Chen Yang, but she did not stop them; she knew Chen Yanshi and knew it was impossible for him to take a fancy to a poor boy like Qi Tongwei.

When Qi Tongwei met the parents and realized the reality of the situation, she would then take the initiative, and the effect would likely be much better than being direct as she was now.

"Sister, I can't hide the matter between you and Brother Qi for much longer; you two should just come clean as soon as possible."

Chen Hai took the ten yuan with a bitter face; he felt the money was a bit too hot to handle. If he had known, he wouldn't have taken it in the first place, but now he wanted to get rid of it and couldn't.

He would also be taking the college entrance exam next summer and would definitely choose Handong University as his first choice; by then, he would be in a real mess, and his father, Chen Yanshi, would likely treat him to a "bamboo shoot stir-fried with meat" (a beating).

"Alright, alright, I know. Your Brother Qi will be the Student Union President next semester; it won't be too late to tell Mom and Dad then."

"Fine."

In fact, Qi Tongwei was already effectively the Student Union President; the seniors were all busy with their graduation thesis defenses and using connections to find better work units, so they had no heart to pay attention to campus affairs.

In the dormitory, ever since Qin Wenzhang found out that Qi Tongwei and Chen Yang had confirmed their relationship, he had been trying to persuade him.

"Old Six, Chen Yang's father is Chen Yanshi, the Deputy Mayor of our Jingzhou."

"Moreover, his seniority and status are higher than anyone else's. I heard he even has connections in Sijiucheng. Think about it, he doesn't even look favorably upon my family, so how could he look favorably upon your family background?"

"Even if your godfather is a foreign businessman, in the face of power, it really isn't enough to look at. Old Six, you must cut it off while you can," Qin Wenzhang urged earnestly.

In this era, dating was basically aimed at marriage, unless you wanted to act like a hooligan and then eat a peanut (get shot).

"Eldest, I know all of this. When I decided to date Chen Yang, I was prepared. No matter the result, I don't want to let myself down, and I don't want to let Chen Yang down."

"And as you said, Chen Yang's father is an Old Cadre, so he should care even less about background. I am confident that my future will not be too bad."

"Even if I start from the lowest-level Cadre, I have the confidence to reach the height that satisfies him step by step."

"Eldest, I know you are doing this for my own good. Even if the ending isn't perfect, I won't regret it."

"That's right, Eldest. Perhaps Old Six really can gain the approval of his future father-in-law."

"Forget it, forget it, suit yourself."

Qin Wenzhang looked at Qi Tongwei, dumbfounded, not knowing whether to be shocked by his confidence or his naivety, and shook his head, no longer trying to persuade him.

He had said what he needed to say and given the advice he should have given; the rest depended on Qi Tongwei's own fortune.

He couldn't go behind someone's back and talk about how an Old Cadre behaved; if someone with ulterior motives heard it, his own family's life would likely become difficult.

Days passed one by one, and the relationship between Qi Tongwei and Chen Yang grew closer day by day; holding hands, dating, hugging, and kissing were all normal.

In the blink of an eye, the winter break arrived, and Qi Tongwei carried exquisite gifts and went to the family quarters with Chen Yang.

These gifts were all high-end goods from the Oriental Supermarket; they were not cheap and cost Qi Tongwei several hundred yuan.

"Chen Yang, do you think your father and mother won't..."

Qi Tongwei was still a bit nervous; after all, it was his first time meeting the parents, and they were high-ranking Cadres.

"They won't, don't worry. You've asked eight hundred times already."

Chen Yang held Qi Tongwei's arm with a relaxed expression. Qi Tongwei could be said to be the most dazzling star of their class, and his future career path was bound to be smooth; she could see it, and she believed her parents wouldn't fail to see it either.

"Hmm."

Hearing Chen Yang's words, although Qi Tongwei was still a bit nervous, he felt much more at ease.

In the family quarters, Chen Yang and Qi Tongwei walked one after the other and soon arrived at the door; many neighbors saw them and revealed knowing smiles.

Chen Yang blushed slightly, but she still smiled and greeted them, and Qi Tongwei also acted in a poised and generous manner, which made the neighbors nod in approval.

"Dad, Mom, we're home."

"Hello, Uncle and Aunt, I am Qi Tongwei."

Chen Yanshi and his wife were initially happy to see their daughter return, but upon seeing Qi Tongwei behind Chen Yang, their smiles visibly vanished.

Chen Yanshi actually knew that Chen Yang was dating, and he had checked Qi Tongwei's background, but unfortunately, he was not his ideal type. He was preparing to have a showdown with Chen Yang during the New Year, but he didn't expect Qi Tongwei to come over a step ahead.

"Yangyang, what is going on?"

"Mom, Brother Tongwei is my senior, and also... my boyfriend. He is currently the Student Union President, receives a scholarship every year, and his grades have always been first in our department."

Wang Fuzhen's expression softened a bit after hearing this, but Chen Yanshi still kept a straight face, scrutinizing Qi Tongwei.

Although Qi Tongwei was a bit nervous, he was not afraid; he had met Deputy Mayors when he was a child, as well as his godfather Zhang Ping'an, so his aura was not weaker than Chen Yanshi's.

"Uncle, Aunt, this is a small token of my respect."

"Qi Tongwei, is it? We cannot accept these gifts. Our Chen family has never accepted gifts."

Qi Tongwei thought of this as a junior's filial piety, and since it was his first time meeting the parents, he had bought heavy gifts to show his respect.

But Chen Yanshi directly used the rhetoric of the officialdom, making it difficult for Qi Tongwei to step down.

"Dad, this is Brother Tongwei's heartfelt gesture; it was all bought with money saved from his scholarship."

"Old Chen, why don't you..."

"No. Qi Tongwei, I admit you are very excellent, but it is impossible between you and Chen Yang, so you should take these gifts back."

"Wh-why?"

"Because you are simply not on the same starting line..."

Qi Tongwei could hardly believe that this was something an Old Cadre could say.

"But I..."

"You don't need to say anything more; take your things and go back."

Chen Yanshi felt helpless in his heart; the son-in-law he wanted to find was someone who could form an alliance with him, not a talent who had yet to mature.

He was not young anymore, and the political resources in his hands were only enough to cultivate Chen Hai; it was impossible to let others come over and take a share, even if it were a future son-in-law.

"Dad, what are you talking about?"

"Shut up, go back to your room."

Chen Yanshi let out a low shout, and Chen Yang was startled; she had never seen this side of her father from childhood to adulthood, and for a moment, she was at a loss.

Looking at Chen Yanshi's stern face and Chen Yang's dazed expression from being frightened, Qi Tongwei felt deeply powerless.

"I have disturbed you."