After buying the qipao with Bai Zhiqing, just as they were leaving the mall, Jiang Feng suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, shouldn't I buy some gifts for your parents?"
After all, they were going to meet Bai Zhiqing's parents. Even if they were only pretending to be a couple, they needed to consider matters of etiquette, and Jiang Feng, personally, held great respect for Bai Zhiqing's parents.
"There's no need, I've got it all prepared. I bought a few boxes of health supplements and put them in the trunk; we'll just say you bought them." Bai Zhiqing said with a considerate smile.
When it came to being understanding, Bai Zhiqing was indeed unparalleled, but Jiang Feng still shook his head, "You buying it is one thing; it's my first time meeting your parents, I can't show up empty-handed."
After saying that, he returned to the mall and bought two boxes of cigarettes and liquor for Bai Zhiqing's father.
He wasn't exactly wealthy, but he was doing his best to show sincerity.
Bai Zhiqing saw this and felt deeply moved.
To her, it didn't matter what Jiang Feng bought, as long as he had the intention, that was enough.
…
The two of them drove an Audi car, officially heading back to Bai Zhiqing's parents' house.
On the way, Bai Zhiqing introduced her family situation to Jiang Feng in detail for the first time.
Her hometown was a county town under Binhai South City, named Nantong County. When she was studying, due to her excellent grades, she was the only one who tested into the city center and enrolled in a boarding school.
Her father was an intellectual, working as a clerk in a grassroots department in the county, while her mother was a small manager in a mall.
The family's economic condition was neither bad nor good; they were considered middle-class locally in Nantong, but among relatives and friends, they were doing pretty well. So her cousin chose to marry at her house for a more presentable ceremony.
Bai Zhiqing had been beautiful and virtuous since childhood, and she originally got along well with her parents. But in recent years, the relationship had not been very harmonious.
This was because after Bai Zhiqing graduated, she stayed in Binhai, and despite her parents' objections, she fell in love with the dirt-poor Zhang Zhi. Later, she defied societal and familial pressure and resolutely married Zhang Zhi!
Her dedication to love was unwavering and without regret, but who could have imagined that Zhang Zhi would turn out to be such a scoundrel.
He was not only idle and lazy after marriage but also got into the bad habit of drug addiction due to physical defects!
Even so, Bai Zhiqing endured it, living a lonely life yet working hard outside to earn money, hoping to help Zhang Zhi get better physically.
Who would have thought, after Zhang Zhi got out of jail, he hooked up with a wealthy woman and heartlessly abandoned her, which broke her heart, leading to their complete separation.
But Bai Zhiqing was a strong woman; she never mentioned the hardships she faced after marriage to her family, even when divorcing Zhang Zhi, she only said it was due to incompatible feelings.
This led her parents to mock her even more, saying things like 'why bother if you knew it would end this way,' deepening the conflict and misunderstanding between them.
This time back home, besides her cousin repeatedly requesting her to be a bridesmaid, Bai Zhiqing also wanted to take the opportunity to resolve the conflicts with her parents.
She had suffered enough alone and truly didn't want to live with grievances any longer.
"Xiao Feng, in the end, I really have to thank you. You completely rescued me from a life of misery. Without you, I might still be living that hopeless life, harassed by Zhang Zhi every day."
Bai Zhiqing said in one breath, her eyes slightly red, but she forced a smile as she spoke.
Jiang Feng shook his head. He also thought it was a pity for Bai Zhiqing, such a good woman being held up by a scumbag.
"Sigh, speaking of which, I was really foolish back then. How did I just get deceived? Back then, I was a naïve young girl, about the same age as Qingcheng and them now, not worldly-wise, easily swayed by a few sweet words, and walked the plank..."
"Are you suggesting that I might also be a deceiver?" Jiang Feng glanced at her and said.
"Not at all, you truly have charm, enough to attract naïve young girls and also…"
"And also what?" Jiang Feng curiously asked.
And also attract someone like me, an affectionate woman!
But Bai Zhiqing didn't say this out loud, she just rolled her eyes at Jiang Feng with a blush on her cheeks and stayed silent.
…
An hour later, the two arrived outside a mid-range residential area in Nantong County.
Back at a place she hadn't visited in a long time, Bai Zhiqing felt a bit emotional as she drove through the gate and parked under a residential building.
"Do your parents know you're back?" Jiang Feng asked after getting out of the car.
"They know I'm coming back today, but they don't know the time, nor do they know I've brought you back," Bai Zhiqing gave Jiang Feng a look: "Remember your identity now, you're my partner, so act a little more convincingly."
"Don't worry." Jiang Feng said, carrying the gifts, and went upstairs with Bai Zhiqing.
Inside and outside the unit, as well as on the floor, everything was adorned with decorations and red double happiness characters, exuding a celebratory atmosphere.
Indeed, as the marrying-off place, everything was set properly and beautifully.
The two arrived on the fifth floor, Bai Zhiqing took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
The sound of slippers scuffing against the floor echoed inside, then a tall, elegant woman with styled hair came over and opened the door. She seemed slightly stunned seeing the two standing outside!
"Mom, I'm back." Bai Zhiqing showed a slight smile and said.
This elegant middle-aged woman was Bai Zhiqing's mother, Zheng Xiulan.
The mother and daughter's meeting indeed lacked the warmth found in other families. Zheng Xiulan nodded coolly, then turned her gaze to Jiang Feng standing beside Bai Zhiqing, frowning, "Who is this?"
"Mom, let me introduce you. This is my colleague from the company, Jiang Feng." Bai Zhiqing introduced to her mother Zheng Xiulan with a feigned air of ease.
"Colleague?" Zheng Xiulan's expression became even more unpleasant!
She knew her daughter well; bringing a colleague home for no reason could not be possible!
And now, her daughter brought someone home unannounced, there was only one possibility: this guy was her new partner!
Thinking of this, Zheng Xiulan squinted her eyes!
Although she had yet to resolve issues with her daughter since she went her own way back then, it didn't mean she didn't wish for her daughter to marry a good man again!
But now, her daughter found someone for the second time, yet he was her colleague again, she felt very displeased!
Her daughter's company was originally a small one, what prospects could a colleague have? At best, he would be at her daughter's level, with no significant future!
Such a wonderful daughter, about to be wasted again!
"Old Bai, your daughter came back, and she brought back a 'colleague' for you!" Zheng Xiulan's voice suddenly rose as she coldly addressed the study room.
Soon enough, a middle-aged man with glasses, exuding a scholarly atmosphere, came out from inside, holding a book titled "Comprehensive Reflections to Aid in Governance".
This was Bai Zhiqing's father, Bai Wenmo.
Bai Wenmo glanced at his daughter outside, a slight smile appearing on his cultured face, "Zhiqing is back, huh?"
"Dad." Bai Zhiqing called out once.
"Didn't you notice? Your good daughter also brought back a surprise. That's her 'colleague'. Take a closer look!"
Zheng Xiulan astonishingly did not invite her daughter and Jiang Feng inside, instead walking back by herself, stepping on the slippers, returning to sit on the sofa, crossing her legs, showing an unhappy expression.
Bai Zhiqing was full of embarrassment; her mother's response was not what she had anticipated. She immediately felt a worry grow inside her: Jiang Feng had just stepped into her home and faced an obstruction, indicating that this return home was destined not to be peaceful!