Chapter 299: Chapter 299

"All these years, my feelings for her have been like a drop of blood in my veins, connected to my heart. I’ve placed Meimei deep in my heart. I’ve always wanted to marry her as my wife, to take care of her for a lifetime. I’ve been waiting and hoping, just wanting to watch over her as she grows up."

"When Meimei was in high school, I intentionally bought a house on the road to the school district because I felt sorry for her waking up early and going to bed late. I couldn’t bear to see her exhausted... I suggested Meimei apply to a college in the provincial city. I admit I had a selfish motive; I didn’t want her to leave my side. I wanted to move my business to the provincial city to develop, also largely because I planned to continue looking after her, wanting to be a little closer to her."

"I’ve been thinking and planning for a long time. I plan to buy a new house in the provincial city once my business is completely stable in these couple of years. I’ll marry Meimei and bring both our families over. We can buy houses in the same community, making everyday visits more convenient. After Meimei graduates from college, she can directly apply for jobs in the provincial city. Actually, I don’t plan for her to struggle outside; I have the ability to support and take great care of her."

"Moreover, I can take on the responsibility of caring for both of our families. I will treat Meimei well. Please believe me. All these years, treating her with love and care has almost become second nature to me."

"Uncle, Aunt, Meimei is still young. I plan to get engaged to her first, and as soon as she reaches the right age, I’ll marry her straight away. I want to marry her, and I’m willing to be responsible for her.

Shi Yang spoke from the bottom of his heart, sincere and earnest, leaving both sets of parents slightly taken aback.

Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue, watching the two kids kneeling on the ground, exchanged a glance that suggested agreement, feeling that the matter was, at last, addressed.

Zhao Dazhuang reached out to lift Shi Yang: "Alright, get up first. Let’s sit down and talk."

Zhao Dazhuang’s expression was a tacit approval, so Shi Yang stood up immediately, his knees a bit sore from kneeling too long. Ignoring it entirely, he turned quickly to help Zhao Meimei up, tenderly rubbing her knees and asking, "Does it hurt?"

Liu Xiue reached out too slowly to help Zhao Meimei, her hand awkwardly suspended in mid-air. However, seeing Shi Yang’s concern for Zhao Meimei, she felt delighted inside.

The two families sat around the dining table. Shi Yang’s father placed the specially brought wine in front of Zhao Dazhuang, opened a bottle, and said, "This wine has been aged for over twenty years. Take a sniff; the aroma has become more mellow."

Zhao Dazhuang, who usually enjoys a drink, particularly beer, wasn’t very knowledgeable about strong spirits. Hearing Shi Yang’s father describe it, he immediately recognized the two bottles as good stuff and leaned in to sniff them carefully. He could indeed smell a hint of sweet fragrance in the wine.

Shi Yang’s father expressed sincerity, "I have four bottles of this wine in total. We’ll drink two today, and leave the other two for the big day in a couple of years."

Shi Yang’s father clinked glasses with Zhao Dazhuang and drank it in one go. The wine, aged so many years, had acquired a trace of sweetness amidst its original spiciness.

As the wine flowed down his throat, words still clutched in his throat, unable to come out.

Shi Yang’s father felt guilty. Zhao Dazhuang and his wife trusted their family enough to entrust Meimei to them. Yet his son not only brought their daughter in but also jumped straight to getting everything squared away. He felt he had wronged them, his face burning with embarrassment.

In his entire life, Shi Yang’s father never conceded to anyone. But today, he had no choice but to do so for his beloved son, especially given the deep bond between the families.

Shi Yang’s father’s gaze met Zhao Dazhuang’s in the air.

Shi Yang’s father’s eyes grew hot, and noticing Zhao Dazhuang’s hands trembling slightly as he poured the wine, the bottle hitting the glass with a clink.

Shi Yang’s father raised his glass, offering a sincere apology, "For this matter, I must apologize to you. It’s all due to our improper guidance. However, Old Zhao, Xiue, please believe that our Yangyang truly wants to marry Meimei, not just out of a sense of responsibility. He truly loves Meimei. If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have pleaded with his mother and me to come propose to you."

Shi Yang’s mother brought out a prepared gold bracelet and handed it to Zhao Meimei, "Meimei, this is our engagement gift to you. Please accept it. When you marry, I’ll definitely give you something even better. Rest assured, we’ll treat you as our own daughter."

Shi Yang’s parents’ sincere expression softened Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue’s expressions a bit, with Zhao Dazhuang sighing, "We’ve known each other for so many years. I know well what kind of people you are and how you’ve treated Meimei. Now that things have come to this, it’s for the best that you’re willing to take responsibility. Yet, ultimately, Meimei is still young, and who knows what the future holds. So I must speak bluntly beforehand. Yangyang, since you wish to be with Meimei, you must treat her wholeheartedly. Otherwise, I definitely won’t let you off easy!"

Shi Yang nodded solemnly.

Shi Yang’s father continued, "Not only will your uncle not let you off, but your mother and I won’t either. You’ve made this promise in front of us all today, and in the future, you must keep your promise and treat Meimei well."

Shi Yang nodded again earnestly.

Shi Yang’s father said, "In a couple of years, when Meimei reaches the right age, let them register the marriage first. Once Meimei graduates from college, we’ll arrange the ceremony. I’ll pay for their marital house."

Zhao Dazhuang said, "We will take care of the renovations. Let them decide how to decorate; we’ll cover the costs." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveIꜰire.net

The conversation gradually became the elders discussing and planning the future wedding arrangement.

Underneath the table, Shi Yang quietly held Zhao Meimei’s hand, their fingers interlocked, a smile on his face.

Zhao Meimei returned his hold, her face also glowing with a bright smile.

After that day, Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue tacitly accepted the kids living together for now, not pushing Zhao Meimei to come home.

Without the overwhelming stack of study sheets or upcoming exams, Zhao Meimei’s days passed blissfully.

During the holidays, Xu Xu took a tutoring job. Because of his excellent exam results, he began tutoring a child. Eventually, a friend of that child also got involved. He ended up tutoring two children but found their progress different, so he alternated days to teach them. Fortunately, the children’s parents knew each other and had no objections, and Xu Xu was glad to earn more money.

Zhao Meimei visited Xu Xu’s place to see him on weekends when he was off.