Chapter 111: Chapter 111

We clearly agreed on this, but now you’ve changed your mind, and you’re even going to the movies with another man.

Tian Xiang felt apprehensive and didn’t dare to look at Meng Cheng’an while speaking.

But she also couldn’t tell the truth!

During the cadre training class, the news of her having a partner had already spread among the men thanks to Chen Yong.

On graduation day, when Meng Cheng’an came to pick her up, Zhou Ming saw it too. But still, that person insisted on finding a matchmaker to inquire about her situation and wanted to go on a blind date with her.

Isn’t this just trying to poach someone else’s partner!

Tian Xiang was afraid if she said anything, Meng Cheng’an would retaliate, so she simply kept it a secret and decided to deal with the person privately.

Tian Xiang: "My mom suddenly wants me to do something for her. I have to deal with it."

Indeed, it was just to deal with it, so it wasn’t exactly lying, just not being entirely honest about what it was.

Meng Cheng’an’s cheerful face visibly drooped, but it was a request from his future mother-in-law, so he had no choice.

"Then, should we go next week?"

They must go next week, because then they would start rehearsal and there would be no time.

Actually, they could go after work in the afternoon, but it would be a bit too late.

Ever since she found out her daughter might secretly be in a relationship with Meng Cheng’an, Hu Honglian imposed a curfew requiring her to be home by seven in the evening.

Seeing his low spirits, Tian Xiang thought for a moment and said, "How about we go tomorrow afternoon instead?"

Meng Cheng’an smiled, "Aren’t you going to the troupe tomorrow afternoon to discuss the program with your mentor and colleagues?"

Right, that had to be done too.

Tian Xiang: "Let’s go together."

Just the perfect opportunity to tell their senior brothers and sisters about their relationship.

Meng Cheng’an: "Okay."

The two of them pushed their bicycles and walked slowly, turning their heads to look at each other and smiling.

Lately, after work, Meng Cheng’an had been seeing off Tian Xiang, but he only accompanied her to the bridgehead, not all the way to Sanli Lane.

When they reached the bridgehead, Tian Xiang got on her bike, ready to part ways with him.

"After lunch tomorrow, you can head to the troupe first, and we’ll meet there."

They had already agreed earlier to meet directly at the troupe, no need to wait around.

Meng Cheng’an watched Tian Xiang disappear into the distance, the smile on his face gradually fading.

He could feel she was hiding something from him, and it was related to their relationship.

Her family probably knew and were trying to stop it, challenging her.

In such difficult family circumstances, any family would have concerns.

Meng Cheng’an now just wanted his grandfather to return as soon as possible, so he could formally propose.

The old man hadn’t sent more than a telegram since he left, but it contained good news, and Meng Cheng’an was confident about it.

Getting on his bike, Meng Cheng’an prepared to go back.

Passing by the central square, he stopped by the cinema for a moment to see what new movies were showing.

Under the corner matchmaking arcade, a group of youngsters were laughing and joking, including Zhou Ming.

Someone was smitten with a girl on the bulletin board, hesitating whether to remove her ad so others couldn’t see it. Zhou Ming told him, "Go ahead and take it down! If you don’t, she might run off with someone else."

Listening to Zhou Ming, the person took the ad down.

The group started laughing again and teased about when he’d give out wedding candies.

It was just wishful thinking for him, as the girl didn’t even know yet, so there was no point.

The group stood there joking around.

Suddenly, someone noticed Meng Cheng’an and signaled to everyone with their eyes.

The group glanced over and fell silent.

Someone whispered, "He’s also dating someone from the same factory. That girl’s amazing, made it to the newspaper, she’s the beautiful acrobat from the recent seminar. You’ve all seen her, right?"

That seminar had attracted thousands of spectators at the square, but without a stage, those at the back couldn’t see what was happening up front.

Among the group, some had seen her, some hadn’t. But because of Tian Xiang’s job running errands nearby, and being a beautiful young lady, many knew of her.

"Her and Meng Cheng’an? That’s just a rumor!"

"If she’s so remarkable, why would she date Meng Cheng’an? Isn’t she aware of his family’s situation?"

How would they know about other people’s business?

A dark-skinned, thick-lipped young man with pimples on his face said, "The Meng family has issues, but Meng Cheng’an is good-looking. That’s exactly what pretty ladies like."

He spoke with such certainty, it seemed he had suffered his share of setbacks in this area.

Hey liked pretty girls.

Girls similarly liked tall and handsome guys.

The group fell silent again, honestly feeling quite envious of Meng Cheng’an for having a beautiful girl as a partner.

Zhou Ming then spoke up displeased, "They haven’t announced anything, yet here you are making wild pairings. Okay, stop the nonsense. Tian Family doesn’t agree with it at all, so that pretty girl you’re talking about might very well be mine in a few days."

The group was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. Seeing Zhou Ming’s seriousness, they quickly sobered up and asked, "Are you serious?"

Zhou Ming: "Would I joke about something ?"

The group looked at each other, one of them asked, "Since when did you start fancying her?"

Zhou Ming: "She’s my classmate from the cadre training class."

Someone felt worried for him, "Trying to poach Meng Cheng’an’s partner might be tough."

Zhou Ming had decent conditions, looked fine, better than some of them, and was tall, but still fell short compared to Meng Cheng’an!

Zhou Ming snapped at the person, "Can you say something supportive for once? You looking down on me or what?"

"Not like that. Forget it, buddy, let’s not talk about it. Just work hard."

The group laughed and joked, each getting on their bikes to leave.

Zhou Ming also got on his bike to go back, but thinking of the doubtful looks his friends gave him just now, he felt uncomfortable, so he thought for a moment and biked over to Meng Cheng’an.

Meng Cheng’an had just finished jotting down the film titles and was about to leave when his path was blocked.

Zhou Ming from the Button Factory.

Meng Cheng’an recognized him too, but they hadn’t interacted before—they knew of each other, but if they met on the street, they wouldn’t even greet each other.

Initially, Meng Cheng’an didn’t think Zhou Ming was approaching him and assumed he just wasn’t paying attention and almost bumped into him, until Zhou Ming called his name, prompting Meng Cheng’an to stop, supporting his bike.

Meng Cheng’an looked at Zhou Ming with curiosity.

Zhou Ming pressed his lips and asked, "Are you dating Tian Xiang?"

Hearing Tian Xiang’s name from another young man’s mouth, Meng Cheng’an’s gaze instantly turned several degrees colder.

He asked, "What are you trying to say?"

Zhou Ming wasn’t sure either; he just impulsively came over.

But now that he was there, he had something to say.

"Tian’s family doesn’t agree with you two. You’d better give up."

Meng Cheng’an’s eyes grew colder and more direct, "Who do you think you are?" daring to interfere in his affairs.