Chapter 68

“Did you get your head stuck in a door or something?” Ruan Qing’s dad was genuinely angry. “Who is this person? Do you even know his background? And you just left with him? What if he’s dangerous? Are you even aware of the dangers out there? Huh?”

“He’s not dangerous! Didn’t Uncle Xiangyun explain everything? He’s a descendant of an anti-Japanese resistance hero!” Ruan Qing had no choice but to bring up this fake background to calm her dad down.

Ruan Aihua became even angrier. “Are you stupid? Just because he’s a hero’s descendant doesn’t make him a hero too! If all the kids of good people turned out good, there wouldn’t be such a thing as a ‘black sheep’! Now tell me, are you still with him? Are you safe right now? Do I need to come to you? Or I can arrange someone to go immediately!”

Ruan Qing rolled her eyes dramatically. “How old do you think I am? Do I really need a chaperone to feel safe?”

“Where exactly are you right now? And where is he?” Ruan Aihua demanded.

Ruan Qing sighed. “He’s here with me. First of all, I don’t know if Uncle Xiangyun told you the full story, but do you know how I met him? I was wandering around the mountains, and extreme weather hit. I almost died, Dad! He saved my life—he’s my lifesaver.”

Ruan Aihua replied, “He did tell me, but Xiangyun also said you’re dating him? What’s going on?”

Ruan Qing was speechless. “That’s not the point. The point is, this man saved my life. Yet here you are, doubting him and assuming the worst. Do you think that’s fair?”

Caught off guard, Ruan Aihua changed the topic. “So, you’re in the provincial capital together?”

“Yes,” Ruan Qing answered. “Given his situation, he needs to get registered. I’ve been guiding him from the village to Luo County, then Yan City, and finally here to get it done. He saved my life; he knows nothing about the outside world, so isn’t it natural for me to help him transition? According to you, should I just abandon him and walk away like an ungrateful brat?”

But Ruan Aihua caught a key detail, his tone rising. “So, you went to Yan City without even coming home?”

“Uh, yeah, because we were on a tight schedule. Given his situation, the county mayor, Mayor Xu, helped us expedite things through official channels. We’re close to getting his ID tomorrow.” She worked hard to steer her father’s attention elsewhere. “Oh, Dad, guess what? His registration is going to be in Yan City. Isn’t that great? He’ll be close to us.”

But Ruan Aihua wasn’t so easily sidetracked. After a moment’s thought, he asked, “When will all this be done?”

“Alright,” he said. “Once it’s complete tomorrow, bring him home. Since he’s my daughter’s lifesaver, I should thank him in person.”

As Ruan Qing was on the call, Nian Qi was nearby and could hear her father’s insistence on meeting him. He glanced over at Ruan Qing, who wore an expression of dread. She clearly hadn’t planned to introduce him to her parents just yet. Her dad wasn’t preparing to thank her lifesaver—he was setting up an interrogation dinner.

“My dad wants me to bring you home to meet him,” she said, her voice laden with reluctance.

Nian Qi gazed at her, then asked softly, “What identity am I going to meet him as?”

Ruan Qing paused, momentarily taken aback, and looked up at Nian Qi.

Why did she detect a hint of grievance in his tone? Oh no! He was feeling insecure! Poor thing! Ever since yesterday, when Nian Qi, despite his “inability,” had tried his best to make her happy, Ruan Qing’s heart had softened entirely toward him.

She’d seen too many men who only sought to take what they wanted; suddenly meeting someone who, despite having nothing, only wanted to give her everything—it would melt anyone’s heart. Especially since Ruan Qing had two exes she had nearly married for comparison. Everything Nian Qi did, every gesture, seemed to strike her right in the heart. If her heart were a target, then Nian Qi had hit the bullseye.

“Of course, you’re my boyfriend!” Ruan Qing leaned in and kissed him immediately. His forlorn expression vanished instantly, his eyes lighting up with joy.

How strange. When he’d first arrived, he’d concealed every emotion so well—so calculating and dark, presenting himself as gentle and harmless. She’d nearly fallen for it. But now, every emotion he had was right on display. And Ruan Qing adored that moment his eyes brightened, like a puppy suddenly seeing its owner. It made her want to spoil him for a lifetime. Not “it”—him.

With Ruan Aihua’s interference, the passionate moment they’d had was thoroughly ruined. And with the looming pressure of meeting the parents tomorrow, neither of them could muster up any other thoughts. They really did just get under the covers and sleep. Well, tried to.

Ruan Qing wasn’t all that afraid of her dad, really. The one she feared was her mom. Years ago, her mom had been blunt in disapproving of her college boyfriend. Ruan Qing had been young and stubborn, ignoring her advice, only to hit a dead end later. Her mom had been right all along, seeing through the boy’s charm early on.

Her dad, though, had more of a “don’t judge a hero by his origins” mindset. Her mom, on the other hand, had no patience for men of lowly backgrounds. One of her best friends had been devastated by a “phoenix man” for decades, so she had a special aversion to them.

Her mom liked men who were from good families, well-educated, competent—men who checked every box. “Even if you end up divorcing, it’s more dignified with someone of your status. You won’t end up like Aunt Xia, who had to practically peel the guy’s skin off to escape her misery,” she would say.

So, Ruan Qing’s disobedience over her college boyfriend was a sore point. Although she eventually saw the light, it left her feeling a bit sheepish around her mom. Every time they argued, her mom would bring up that boyfriend as if to say, “See? Not listening to me is a mistake.” It left Ruan Qing feeling so defeated that she’d rather flee than engage. On holidays when she came home, if her mom started lecturing her on that again, she’d simply run off—after all, with her own money, the world was hers to roam. But tomorrow, there’d be no escape. She’d have to bring Nian Qi with her.

Ruan Qing sighed. In the darkness, she heard a faint sigh from Nian Qi, too.

“Hmm?” She asked, “What’s wrong?”

“First visit to meet the parents, and I’m empty-handed with nothing to my name,” he said helplessly. Whether his real background or the made-up identity they’d crafted, he was just another pauper with nothing to offer.

Even if he bought gifts tomorrow, everyone would know it was Ruan Qing’s money. Better to be honest and show up as he was without pretending. That would fit better with his persona anyway, as someone just stepping out of a secluded, simple life.

“This doesn’t matter,” Ruan Qing said. “I already framed it like you’re my ‘life-saving benefactor.’ No way they’d dare show you a bad face.”

“It’s not about face,” Nian Qi sighed, “but I hate that it puts you through this.”

Poverty and indifference really are two different things. Ruan Qing had grown wiser, looking back, to see how her college boyfriend, who seemed to “care” about her, had constantly used her money without acknowledgement. The money itself never mattered to a girl with her upbringing, so she hadn’t noticed it at first.

Now, thinking back, it wasn’t the money that repelled her but his attitude. He’d taken advantage financially while acting like it was her duty to spend on him. Thankfully, as an only child raised with love, Ruan Qing had an inner strength that kept his attempts to manipulate her from ever working.

What she adored about Nian Qi was his honesty. He understood his own situation clearly, didn’t try to hide it, and faced it without hesitation. His approach to money felt a bit old-fashioned, like how in ancient times, patrons cared for companions without expectation. Nian Qi had this same timeless perspective, seeing value beyond possessions. But he was also grounded; he knew he couldn’t give her material things right now, so he made sure to repay her in practical ways. He’d already taken over all her household chores and was such a meticulous cook that he could rival any top-rated domestic helper, easily worth at least 5,000 to 6,000 yuan. And in a major city, he’d be worth even more.

Yet he still worried about not being able to provide, concerned that it might be unfair to her. How could he be so endearing?

Ruan Qing snuggled into his embrace. “Stop overthinking. You’re a time traveler, after all. Don’t be so conventional.” She squirmed around to find a comfortable spot, then added, “Actually, I believe that what matters most in a relationship is an inner connection, not outward conditions.”

She didn’t break up with her ex because he was poor, after all. Both of her serious breakups were due to cracks within the relationship itself, not external pressures. Oh, and if she counted Zhao Hao’s infidelity, then three times. Each breakup was due to manipulation, betrayal, or dishonesty. Those were a thousand times worse than lack of money.

“Honestly, other people don’t matter—not even my parents,” she said. “What matters most is you and me. Nothing else is important. If we ever break up, it’ll be because you did something to make me stop liking you—not because of money or what anyone else thinks.”

“Nian Qi, I hit a wall before. It made me question myself so much that I thought maybe following my parents’ advice was the right path. But then I realized they’re not always right, either. They have their own agendas—like wanting grandkids enough to team up and try to nudge me into it.”

“So, in the end, I learned that you have to follow your own feelings. You might make mistakes along the way, but eventually, you’ll find your own path. So don’t overthink it. It’s not worth it.”

She didn’t want kids.

Nian Qi pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Then we’ll adopt.”

No problem; if she didn’t want to, they wouldn’t.

Ruan Qing felt a rush of tenderness and murmured, “Alright, we’ll adopt.”

No problem; if she couldn’t, they wouldn’t.