Chapter 13: The Thirteenth Dimension 1/2

Coincidentally, right after buying the rings and returning home, Song Fuzhi received a call from his parents.

Since the last time Song Fuzhi actively asked Professor Wang for Shi Zhang’s WeChat, his parents have rarely checked on their progress. They understood that they needed time to get to know each other. Song Fuzhi actively asking for contact information indicated his interest, so there was no need to press for updates.

Now, after a considerable amount of time had passed, Professor Wang thought it was appropriate to inquire about the progress.

Before making the call, Professor Wang even made a bet with Dr. Song. Old Song was optimistic, guessing that Song Fuzhi and Shi Zhang were getting along well and probably close to confirming a romantic relationship. Professor Wang rolled her eyes, saying Song Fuzhi might not be interested in Shi Zhang, and it might have ended already.

When Song Fuzhi answered the call, Professor Wang straightforwardly asked, “Have you been in contact with Shi Zhang recently?”

Song Fuzhi replied, “Yes.”

Hooray! Old Song quietly cheered, his face filled with wrinkles and showing a proud smile.

“Oh,” Professor Wang responded shortly, her eyes noticeably softening. She continued, “Have you confirmed the relationship?”

After asking this question, the old couple almost glued their ears together, nervously awaiting their son’s answer.

“It’s considered confirmed,” Song Fuzhi said.

They were momentarily stunned by their son’s words. Their son, who was not interested in relationships, suddenly confirmed a romantic one. China’s speed, indeed.

Before they could recover from their surprise, they heard Song Fuzhi continue, “We’re planning to get married. It’s settled, but we haven’t set a date.”

Professor Wang widened her eyes, Old Song’s jaw still hanging open.

So, they confirmed not just a romantic relationship but a marital one.

“What? Why did you decide so fast?” Old Song was a bit incoherent.

“We bought rings this afternoon,” Song Fuzhi said.

There was complete silence on the other end of the phone.

Song Fuzhi added, “Golden ones.”

After a moment, they heard Professor Wang’s serious voice: “Are you serious?”

“Very serious,” Song Fuzhi said, gently laughing. “I did say that if I meet the right person, I’ll get married.”

“Yes, yes,” Old Song joined in. “So, when are you coming home together for a meal? This is a big deal.”

Indeed, getting married required the parents’ approval. Song Fuzhi quickly agreed, “Sure, I’ll ask him about the time.”

“I’m going out to appreciate flowers with my sisters this Sunday,” Professor Wang calmly mentioned her available time, “so Saturday is okay, and every weekend after that is also fine. Just let me know a day in advance, and your dad and I will buy some good dishes.”

“Okay,” Song Fuzhi agreed.

After hanging up his parents’ call, Song Fuzhi turned to Shi Zhang and sent him a message, asking if he was free on Saturday and if he wanted to go to her parents’ house for dinner.

When Shi Zhang received the message, he was discussing makeup details for the anime expo promotional video with Tong Tong. They were debating the intensity of the eye shadow and whether to layer the lipstick.

As soon as Shi Zhang saw the words “parents’ house,” his muscles suddenly tightened. He asked Tong Tong to wait for a moment.

Saturday was the day he had scheduled for shooting the promotional video, a time he had already changed once.

After careful consideration, he asked the responsible girl if she could change Saturday to Sunday. If it was inconvenient, that was okay, and he apologized for the trouble.

The girl replied quickly, saying it was fine. The Sunday shooting schedule had been canceled anyway, and it worked out well to replace it with Mr. Zhang.

Shi Zhang thanked her for the trouble, explaining that this would be the last time he changed the schedule. The girl responded with a bunch of laughter.

Mr. Zhang, or Shi Zhang, was always a pleasant collaborator in the industry. Although he didn’t take on many projects, whenever he did, the work and interactions were enjoyable.

This person is very polite and gracious, never putting on airs, making people feel at ease as if bathed in a spring breeze.

So, this time, Octopus even changed the time twice, and it was okay. He discussed it in advance. The girl also asked with concern, “Is Teacher Octopus very busy lately? Take care of yourself.”

Shi Zhang responded with a smiling face.

After changing the time with the comic exhibition, Shi Zhang told Tong Tong that he wanted to change the time again.

Tong Tong wasn’t easily fooled. She sent a voice message with narrowed eyes: “Strange, what could be more important than cosplay?”

A few seconds later, another message came: “Octopus, you have had a problem recently, definitely.”

Shi Zhang lightly smiled. “What problem could I have? I have no problems at all.”

While Tong Tong continued to chatter, Shi Zhang first replied to Song Fuzhi, telling him that Saturday was okay.

Song Fuzhi agreed, then continued to ask, “Do I need to meet your parents?”

This was a necessary courtesy. If Shi Zhang met Song Fuzhi’s parents, then Song Fuzhi should also inquire about Shi Zhang’s.

Unexpectedly, Shi Zhang replied, “No need,” followed by, “They separated a long time ago, each living their own lives. When I was studying.”

Song Fuzhi was stunned for a moment, unsure how to respond.

However, Shi Zhang casually said, “It happened twenty years ago. Now, the three of us lead separate lives, and I don’t need to send them money, so there’s no additional financial burden.”

With such casual words, the ultimate point was “it won’t cause a financial burden.” It was evident that Shi Zhang’s relationship with his parents was truly distant.

Song Fuzhi wanted to say something, but his fingers hovered over the screen, and he didn’t type anything.

Adults in their thirties should have already come to terms with things. The past was long gone, and saying anything now seemed meaningless and a bit melodramatic.

Shi Zhang: “Want to talk on the phone?”

Song Fuzhi said yes.

When he answered the phone, Song Fuzhi heard Shi Zhang’s calm voice say, “Sorry, I didn’t tell you about my family situation before. Does this affect your opinion of me?”

“What opinion?” Song Fuzhi asked.

Shi Zhang said, “The idea of marrying me.”

“No change,” Song Fuzhi replied. “I’m not marrying them.”

He really didn’t care about these things.

Bluntly speaking, without the need for parental socializing, it saved Song Fuzhi a lot of trouble.

A low, soft laugh sounded in his ear.

Song Fuzhi silently switched his phone to the other side, then rubbed the ear that had been touched before.

Shi Zhang’s laughter made his ear feel a bit numb.

“So, let’s meet on the weekend, Mr. Shi,” Song Fuzhi said.

Shi Zhang agreed with a sound and, before hanging up, said, “Thank you, Teacher Song.”

Although Song Fuzhi had told Shi Zhang not to buy anything, Shi Zhang still brought a high-quality tea brick. Going empty-handed didn’t seem proper.

Song Fuzhi took Shi Zhang upstairs and asked him, “You’ve met my parents already; aren’t you nervous?”

“A bit,” Shi Zhang admitted sincerely. “No matter how old I am, I still feel nervous in front of the head teacher.”

Song Fuzhi raised the corner of his mouth, turned to knock on the door, and said, “Dad, Mom.”

The next second, the door opened, and Old Song stood at the door with a smiling face. “Hey, come in. Xiaoshi, wear these slippers.”

Shi Zhang politely called him Uncle, and, seeing Wang Huiling coming out of the kitchen, he slightly bent his body and said, “Hello, Teacher Wang.”

“Even after I told you not to bring anything,” Wang Huiling’s tone was flat, but her gaze was gentle. After saying this, she returned to the kitchen and added, “The dishes will be ready soon.”

Old Doctor Song was still beside them, saying in a friendly tone, “Hey, it’s almost ready.”

Shi Zhang bent over to arrange his removed leather shoes, and when he stood up, he still felt a bit constrained, standing stiffly at the door.

A hand lightly rested on Shi Zhang’s shoulder, and the warmth and touch disappeared in an instant through the clothes.

“Let’s sit in the living room first,” Song Fuzhi said, letting go of his hand. “This way.”

The elderly couple prepared a large table of dishes, all home-cooked, but they tasted excellent.

At the dining table, Wang Huiling picked a piece of fish for the two young people and directly asked, “So, have you both decided?”

Song Fuzhi spoke first: “I’ve decided.”

Shi Zhang nodded. “So have I.”

Old Song smiled and said, “You both answered decisively.”