As soon as Jing Ran entered the employee lounge and laid eyes on Jing Li, he spoke up, “Wife, I’m here to take you home.”

Jing Li stared at Jing Ran with wide eyes, wondering what this person was saying.

Wife?

Silly kid!

Jing Ran’s phone rang, and he took it out of his pocket to answer, “Hello, mother-in-law, what’s up?”

He continued talking while walking out of the lounge.

Jing Li felt frustrated; the timing of this call was impeccable, and she couldn’t tell if he did it on purpose.

Haiyue Hotel was huge, and Jing Ran, being an intern in the sales department, rarely spent time inside the hotel. As a newcomer, not well-acquainted with everyone, when they saw Jing Ran dressed in a suit, they assumed he was part of the hotel management.

A few interns and some entry-level employees looked at Jing Li in surprise and asked, “Jing Li, did you get married?”

Nowadays, young couples often refer to each other as “husband” and “wife” without being officially married. However, him answering a call and addressing his mother-in-law was practically a confirmation of marriage.

Jing Li awkwardly came up with an excuse, “We’re engaged.”

A few female colleagues gossiping inquired, “When’s the wedding? Don’t forget to invite us.”

Jing Li maintained that awkward smile and said, “Definitely, definitely.”

After Jing Li finished packing her things, she walked out of the lounge. Jing Ran had just finished his call and put his phone back into his suit pocket. Jing Li glared at him, and Jing Ran blinked his innocent almond-shaped eyes, giving her a slight smile.

He’s pretending to be innocent again!

Once they arrived at the parking lot, Jing Li glanced around and saw no one. She reached out and firmly pinched the flesh around Jing Ran’s waist, saying angrily, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Ah… Ouch…” Jing Ran took a step back, rubbing his waist in a pitiful manner as he looked at Jing Li.

“Lili…”

Jing Li angrily retorted, “Weren’t you calling me ‘wife’ just now?”

Jing Ran corrected himself, “Wife!”

Jing Li: “…”

‘He really dares to call me that!’

Jing Li felt that Jing Ran’s behavior was a bit excessive. They were just boyfriend and girlfriend, yet he called her his wife in front of their colleagues and even answered a call from his mother-in-law in public. If others were to find out they weren’t married, it would be so embarrassing. Luckily, she was quick-witted enough to say they were engaged. That way, Jing Ran’s act of addressing ‘mother-in-law’ on the phone could be justified.

Jing Li crossed her arms, tilted her nose up in anger, and said, “Let me tell you, from now on, don’t casually use those terms. You haven’t even proposed yet, and you’re already calling me your wife. Wishful thinking!”

Speaking of proposing, Jing Ran rubbed his chin with his hand, pondering for a moment. “Mother-in-law said she’s coming to G City tomorrow to see us. Should I ask my parents to formally propose to her?”

“Propose to your sister! You’re not even of legal marriage age! And, before 25, I don’t want to get married. Let’s talk about it after I turn 25.” Jing Li knew that Jing Ran now considered his senior as an idol, thinking that once he graduated, he would already have a wife and children. But Jing Li didn’t want to get married so early.

They walked to the car, opened their respective doors, and got in. Jing Li sat in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt, asking, “Why did my mom call you instead of me?”

Jing Ran also fastened his seatbelt and replied, “She said your phone was off.”

“It really ran out of battery!” Jing Li took out her phone from her handbag and confirmed that it was indeed turned off. She found a charging cable in the drawer in front of her and plugged it into the USB port in the car to charge.

Jing Ran then asked, “Tomorrow, my mother-in-law is coming to stay overnight. Let’s tidy up the guest room tonight. Should we invite my parents, and my grandparents to have dinner together tomorrow night?”

“Is it just my mom coming over? What about my dad?”

“My father-in-law is going to the capital for a market survey.”

“Okay, you arrange it. Just don’t mention anything about marriage. I don’t want to be pressured into getting married, otherwise… I’ll go live at Grandma’s place and not sleep with you!”

Jing Ran’s little plan was seen through, so he had no choice but to agree: “Okay!”

“Also, don’t call my parents ‘mom and dad’ or ‘mother-in-law and father-in-law’ in front of others! My mom is just kidding, don’t indulge her.”

Jing Ran: “…” But I like calling them that way!

*

Mrs. Jing (Jing Li’s mother) was arranged to inspect the operation of the Thailand branch and would be away for two months. Before taking the plane to G City, she decided to visit her daughter. After all, it was the end of July, and the last hurried meeting was during the May Day holiday, which was already three months ago.

In the morning, after Jing Ran and Jing Li had breakfast, they went to the bus station to pick up Mrs. Jing. With two suitcases in tow, Mrs. Jing walked out of the bus station. Jing Ran promptly went up to take her suitcases, saying, “Mother-in-law, let me carry your luggage.”

“Ranran, you’re so kind.” Mrs. Jing handed her both suitcases to Jing Ran and praised Jing Li, saying, “Ali, I’m very satisfied with the son-in-law you found for me.”

Jing Li said with a look of disdain, “Stop calling him son-in-law all the time. Who says I will definitely marry him?”

Mrs. Jing had a strong reaction, saying, “No way. I only recognize Ranran as my son-in-law, no one else.”

Jing Ran stared at Jing Li and asked, “Lili, which scoundrel do you want to marry?”

Jing Li: “…”

Jing Li truly doubted whether she had been switched with Jing Ran when they were kids, and Jing Ran was her mother’s actual son.

In the parking lot, Jing Ran placed the luggage in the trunk and took Mrs. Jing to the Yujing’s home.

Upon entering the house, Mrs. Jing looked around the duplex suite, impressed by its luxurious decoration. She covered her mouth, smiled, and said to Jing Li, “Oh my, living in a mansion like this, do you need a housekeeper? Can I apply for the position?”

Jing Li glanced at Mrs. Jing, showing no interest in playing along, and said, “You want to live here?” Pointing to a room, she added, “That room, Jing Ran said it’s for you and dad. You can come and stay anytime.”

Mrs. Jing proudly exclaimed, “I knew it, this son-in-law is exceptional, very filial.”

Jing Li, “…”

Mother, please stop boasting, the little prince is so proud that his little tail is wagging.

After settling in and taking a break, Jing Ran took Mrs. Jing and Jing Li to the private room at their family’s hotel to meet with Jing Ran’s relatives.

Jing Li thought it would be just Jing Ran’s parents, grandparents, and maybe an aunt or two. To her surprise, there were not only Jing Ran’s aunt and her family of three, but also his older cousin and his family of three, and even the second cousin with his family of four.

In a large private room with a round dining table that could seat twenty people, Jing Ran introduced each family member. Mrs. Jing greeted the relatives of the Jing family after the introductions. Jing Li, tugging at Jing Ran’s sleeve, somewhat reproached him, whispering, “Why did you invite so many people?”

“My mom insisted, not me,” Jing Ran replied quietly. “She said the first meeting with the parents should be grand.”

Jing Li: “…”

This is too grand.

Jing Ran had informed his parents not to push for marriage during the banquet as they were still young, and Jing Li would feel shy. The family and Mrs. Jing engaged in casual conversations, reminiscing about the childhood of the two children.

On the glass turntable, there was a plate of lotus root and pork meatballs, with only one left. When little cousin Cheng Lu picked up her chopsticks, ready to grab the last meatball, the glass turntable spun, and the meatball ended up in front of Jing Ran. Jing Ran picked up the meatball and put it in Jing Li’s bowl, saying with a pleasing expression, “Lili, eat it while it’s hot.”

There were twelve meatballs on a plate, but the table had eighteen people. Before the glass plate could finish turning, the meatballs were almost gone. Finally, when the last one reached Cheng Lu, Jing Ran snatched it away.

Cheng Lu pouted, looking at Jing Ran with a pitiful expression, “Cousin, you said I’m your favorite…”

Jing Ran explained to Jing Li after hearing Cheng Lu’s words, “Lili, that was in the past. Now, you are my favorite.”

Cheng Lu: “…”

Jing Li: “…”

Cheng Lu was the youngest at the table, and Jing Ran had always teased her, giving Jing Li the things Cheng Lu liked the most. Jing Li felt particularly embarrassed and told Jing Ran, “Don’t keep taking things from your cousin. You’re already grown-up; don’t be so childish.”

Jing Ran glanced at Cheng Lu and said to Jing Li, “My cousin is a dancer, but she has gained weight this summer. She shouldn’t eat too much, or she’ll be scolded by her teacher when school starts!”

Cheng Lu: “…”

Not only teasing but also throwing in misinformation!

Unbelievable!

A few parents watched Jing Ran and his little cousin bickering. Jing Ran’s mother sighed and said, “Since he was little, except for his little cousin, Jing Ran never talked to girls. I’ve been so worried. Fortunately, he found a girlfriend when he grew up.”

Jing Li raised her head and looked at Jing Ran. Jing Ran lowered his head and looked at her, blinking. She remembered that Jing Ran also didn’t talk to girls at school, except for the female members of the debate team he joined and Jing Li’s roommate. Curious, she asked in a low voice, “Why don’t you talk to other girls?”

Jing Ran blinked and said, “Those girls aren’t as good as you, Lili!”

“Okay, stop flattering.” Jing Li added more food to Jing Ran’s bowl and said, “Eat more, or you’ll be hungry again at night. I won’t accompany you for late-night snacks.”

“Lili, you’re so good to me.”

Jing Li’s mother and Jing Ran’s mother watched their interaction, and the two mothers smiled at each other.

After dinner, everyone said their goodbyes, and Jing Ran drove home with Jing Li’s mother and Jing Li. Jing Li took a shower, and Jing Li’s mother and Jing Ran sat in the living room chatting.

Jing Li’s mother drank a little wine and chatted with Jing Ran about Jing Li’s childhood. Jing Li’s mother had been away from Jing Li for a long time, so there were fewer things she could talk about. She mostly heard from the elderly at home about any special behavior Jing Li had at home.

Perhaps influenced by the alcohol, Jing Li’s mother felt a bit guilty as she talked. When Jing Li was young, she entrusted her to the elders due to work. Later, due to job transfers, the family of three returned to China. Since they were rarely at home, Jing Li was sent to a boarding school at a young age, and she became independent early on. Despite wanting her parents to spend more time with her, Jing Li understood their hard work and was considerate, never causing trouble. One year, during junior high school winter vacation, she had a fever at home but didn’t tell her parents until it healed. Luckily, they happened to come home, discovered something was wrong, and took her to the hospital. Otherwise, her brain might have suffered damage.

Although Jing Li was the only daughter, she was not delicate at all and does not care a lot about what others thought of her.

Jing Li’s mother held Jing Ran’s hands and said earnestly, “Ranran, although our Lili may not be very clever, she has a kind heart, always thinking of others. Sometimes, she’d rather suffer herself than take advantage of others. Her overly considerate and selfless personality does make me worry. Regardless of Lili’s quirks, she’s still my unique little princess. I truly hope she can find a man who will cherish her for a lifetime. Can you do that?”

Jing Ran nodded seriously and replied, “Mother-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely treat Lili well!”

Jing Li, coming out of the bathroom with a towel on her head, saw her mother holding Jing Ran’s hands and asked, “What are you guys doing?”

Jing Ran reported excitedly, “Lili, your mother has agreed to our marriage!”

Jing Li: “…”

Hadn’t we agreed not to bring up marriage?

*

The next day, Jing Li and Jing Ran, along with Jing Li’s mother, visited some tourist spots in G City. In the evening, they accompanied Jing Li’s mother to the airport for her business trip.

After the holiday, Jing Li and Jing Ran returned to work and study. They once again made the hotel their home. However, Jing Li seemed more tired than last week. When she returned to the suite every night, she hardly spoke.

Jing Ran asked, “Is work busier lately?”

“It’s about the same as last week.”

“But you seem much more exhausted than last week.”

“Because you called me your wife in front of my colleagues, and now they don’t help me with anything anymore.” Jing Li pouted and complained.

“Why is that?”

“Who would be interested in a married woman? They all rush to help Fang Zhenzhen instead. Chen Wenbin is furious on the side.”

Jing Ran shrugged and said, “I can only say that these interns are too shallow. When I used to help female colleagues, there weren’t so many conditions attached.”

Jing Li: “…”