As soon as he said this, the air seemed to freeze.

Chen Suiliang and Liao Shuman exchanged glances.

Qi Lin, being the only one in the know, was not in the best position to speak first.

Finally, Meng Chengyong forced a laugh, “That’s not a funny joke.”

Meng Fu Yuan looked at him and solemnly said, “It’s not a joke.”

Another silence followed.

Meng Fu Yuan spoke again, “It’s cold outside. Let’s go inside and talk.”

The four people, caught off guard by this revelation, were at a loss for how to react. With Meng Fu Yuan’s suggestion, they all involuntarily moved back into the house.

The indoor heating was ample, but the atmosphere was unusually tense.

Everyone sat down on the sofas, with Meng Fu Yuan and Chen Qing Wu sitting separately on one side.

Meng Fu Yuan took Chen Qing Wu’s hand, holding it in his own, and looked at Liao Shuman and Chen Suiliang, “Auntie, Uncle, I apologize for the abruptness of this announcement. I understand that you might find it hard to accept this suddenly, but Qing Wu and I are serious about each other…”

At this moment, everyone had regained their composure. Meng Chengyong was the first to speak, decisively cutting in, “I don’t care if you’re serious or not, this is unacceptable.”

He turned to Chen Qing Wu, “Qing Wu, I’m a bit confused. Weren’t you and Qi Ran a couple? What is going on now?”

Chen Qing Wu’s voice was calm, without a trace of trembling, “I did like Qi Ran in the past, but it was only one-sided. Qi Ran and I have never been together.”

Perhaps influenced by Meng Fu Yuan’s exceptionally steady emotions, she wasn’t afraid at all, knowing that even if the sky fell tonight, they would face it together.

Meng Chengyong’s expression was very complex, “So… now you like Fu Yuan?”

Chen Qing Wu met Meng Chengyong’s gaze and smiled, “Is that not allowed?”

“You really have no shame!” It was Chen Suiliang who spoke.

Meng Chengyong’s question implicitly suggested that Chen Qing Wu was fickle, and Chen Suiliang naturally felt disgraced.

Meng Fu Yuan immediately said, “Uncle Chen, I pursued Qing Wu.”

But Chen Suiliang seemed not to hear Meng Fu Yuan’s words and continued to address Chen Qing Wu, “You knew they were brothers, yet you still placed yourself between them, causing them to turn against each other. Qing Wu, you’ve always been sensible and well-behaved. What happened this time?”

Meng Fu Yuan kept trying to convince Chen Suiliang, “Qing Wu bears no responsibility for this. If there’s any fault, it’s mine.”

Chen Qing Wu hurriedly said, “No, it’s not…”

Chen Suiliang shouted, “A person should have self-respect, Chen Qing Wu! You’re a girl—don’t you care about your reputation and dignity?”

Meng Fu Yuan immediately tightened his grip on Chen Qing Wu’s hand.

Indeed, there was no resolution to be found from this meeting of the parents.

Parents typically either absolve their children of all responsibility or denigrate them completely.

Meng Fu Yuan wished all derogatory remarks were directed at him instead, but obviously, given Chen Suiliang’s vanity, he had to first drag Chen Qing Wu through the mud to appear properly remorseful about his “poor parenting.”

He could bear all attacks from his own parents, but not those from Chen Qing Wu’s parents. He had to be cautious.

As he was considering the next step, Liao Shuman spoke up, “It’s getting late. We should take Qing Wu home first. If she’s made a mistake, it’s our responsibility to teach her behind closed doors.” The implication was clear—it wasn’t anyone else’s place to judge whether her daughter was “fickle.”

Qi Lin’s smile was very stiff, “We won’t see you off then. Be careful on your way home.”

Meng Fu Yuan held Chen Qing Wu’s hand tightly, not letting go.

Perhaps letting Chen Qing Wu go home first was the wise move. With everyone together, the situation would only escalate, and the brunt of the fallout would inevitably fall on her.

But if she went home, how would she face her parents’ accusations?

Liao Shuman, however, had already stood up, walked over, and grabbed Chen Qing Wu’s other arm. She looked at Meng Fu Yuan, “Fu Yuan, let Qing Wu go home first.”

There was a faint reassurance in her words, which made Meng Fu Yuan pause.

Chen Qing Wu gently scratched his palm with her finger, “I’m going now.”

Meng Fu Yuan turned to look at her.

She looked back at him, smiling, as if to tell him that everything would be fine and not to worry.

Meng Fu Yuan let go of her hand, smoothed her hair, and said softly, “I’ll come to see you later.”

The gesture was so intimate that everyone else’s breath seemed to catch.

Then Meng Fu Yuan called the housekeeper to notify the driver to take Chen Qing Wu and her parents home.

The few minutes waiting for the car felt like an eternity.

When the housekeeper came to say the car was ready, everyone seemed to exhale simultaneously.

At the entrance, Chen Qing Wu put on her coat and changed her shoes before following Chen Suiliang and Liao Shuman out the door.

Chen Suiliang walked quickly to the car, slammed the door shut, and immediately burst out, “There aren’t any other men on the streets, you had to go after Meng Qi Ran’s brother! Didn’t you think about what people would say about you? Two brothers fighting over one woman—you think you’re the one who won’t be criticized? Even if you don’t care about your reputation, I still do!”

To Chen Qing Wu, no words could be as painful as when Chen Suiliang smashed her artwork in high school.

So, she didn’t feel hurt, instead thinking that it was just the same old clichés.

Reputation, once disregarded, ceased to be a vulnerability.

Chen Qing Wu’s calmness naturally upset Chen Suiliang even more. He turned to her and yelled, “Are you deaf?!”

“I heard you,” Chen Qing Wu said. “People will criticize me. And then? If you think I’ve embarrassed you, you can disown me and not recognize me as your daughter.”

“We raised you to this age, you need to pay us back before you talk about disowning us!”

“Then what do you want me to do? Give you my life?”

Chen Qing Wu suddenly thought of Meng Fu Yuan’s remark about her idolizing Nezha, who returned his bones to his father. She almost felt like laughing.

Chen Suiliang’s chest heaved, “You need to break up with him now!”

“I won’t break up with Meng Fu Yuan. Once we decided to go public, breaking up was no longer an option. Whether you accept it or not, that’s the reality.”

Chen Suiliang, exasperated, looked at Liao Shuman, seemingly questioning why she was so silent and not speaking up.

“Oh…” Liao Shuman said, “She’s just not thinking straight right now. Lock her up and starve her for a few days, and she’ll be fine.”

Chen Qing Wu’s current impenetrability made Chen Suiliang feel like all his efforts were hitting a wall, leaving him frustrated. He took a deep breath, “I’ll deal with you once we get home.”

Soon, the car arrived at their house.

Once inside, Chen Qing Wu headed straight upstairs.

Chen Suiliang shouted, “Where are you going!”

Chen Qing Wu stopped, “Didn’t you say you were going to lock me up for a few days?”

“Are you going on a hunger strike again!” Chen Suiliang was furious, his nostrils flaring, “How did the Chen family end up with someone like you who brings shame to the family!”

Chen Qing Wu calmly retorted, “If dating someone brings shame, what about cheating?”

Chen Suiliang was stunned.

Chen Qing Wu glanced at his face, then at Liao Shuman’s, before fixing her gaze back on him.

She decided to stop there, not wanting to completely tear down her parents’ dignity, “I’ve said it before, if you think I’m bringing shame to the family, I’ll publicly sever our ties. If you demand my life in return, I’m willing to give it. But I won’t break up with Meng Fu Yuan. As long as I still like him, I won’t break up with him.”

“… Raised you for twenty-six years, and you’re willing to break ties with the family over a man. You’ve got some nerve!” Chen Qing Wu’s mention of “cheating” had indeed hit Chen Suiliang’s weak spot. “Go to your room and reflect on your actions! Don’t think about coming out without my permission!”

Chen Qing Wu gladly ran upstairs.

Chen Suiliang then turned to Liao Shuman, “Have you lost your voice today?”

“Ridiculous. You’ve already said everything that needs to be said, what more could I add?”

“Is this how you justify raising our daughter like this?”

“You know I’ve been the one managing her. When things are fine, you stay out of it. But when something goes wrong, it’s all my fault.” Liao Shuman rolled her eyes, “This is the best I can do. If you think I’m not doing a good job, why don’t you take over?”

“You…”

“Don’t provoke her anymore, or she’ll spill all your dirty laundry, and it’ll be your reputation that’s ruined.” Liao Shuman took off her earrings and headed upstairs.

Chen Suiliang was left fuming with nowhere to vent his anger. Despite being in the right, he felt utterly humiliated.

He raised his hand and swept everything off the coffee table.

Hearing the crash of a teacup, Liao Shuman paused for a moment but continued upstairs without looking back.

Upstairs in her bedroom, Chen Qing Wu lay on her bed, feeling incredibly relieved.

She reached for her phone, rolled over, and sent a WeChat message to Meng Fu Yuan.

/

At the Meng house, the atmosphere was equally tense.

Once the guests left, Meng Chengyong had no more reservations and questioned Meng Fu Yuan, “You knew Qing Wu and Qi Ran were close. Why did you have to intervene? Fu Yuan, you’ve always been a reliable person. I really don’t understand what you’re doing this time.”

Qi Lin chimed in, “Fu Yuan, as the elder brother, you should set a good example. Why are you competing with your brother out of spite…”

“My pursuit of Qing Wu is not a matter of impulse…”

Meng Chengyong interrupted, “I don’t care what your motives are, this can’t happen. Have you considered what people will say about you and Qi Ran? And as for Qing Wu, whether she’s fickle or…”

“Dad.” Meng Fu Yuan looked at Meng Chengyong with cold eyes, “If you insult Qing Wu one more time, you can consider me no longer your son.”

Meng Chengyong was so taken aback by his stern expression that he fell silent.

“I’ve said many times that I pursued Qing Wu first. She and Qi Ran were never a couple. From both a moral and legal standpoint, what have we done wrong?”

Qi Lin quickly said, “Fu Yuan, it’s not as simple as you make it out to be. For years, everyone assumed that Qi Ran and Qing Wu were just waiting to get married. Now you say they were never together, who’s going to believe that…”

“This could have been simple, but you’re the ones complicating it.” Meng Fu Yuan looked at Qi Lin, “Mom, ask yourself honestly, are you really worried about the Meng family’s reputation, or are you worried that Qi Ran will be hurt?”

Qi Lin quickly replied, “Of course I’m worried about all of your reputations!”

“Really.” Meng Fu Yuan gave her a fleeting glance, “Then next time someone spreads rumors, you can explain and clarify. If they still don’t believe you, have them come to me, and I’ll explain personally.”

Meng Chengyong said, “You’re too naive, Fu Yuan. Public opinion can destroy everything…”

“Will rumors affect your business?”

Meng Chengyong paused, “… The Meng family has a reputation to uphold. You might not care about your reputation, but we do.”

“Fine. If you think reputation is that important, I can stop being part of the Meng family. From now on, tell people we’ve severed our father-son relationship, so the scandal will only tarnish my name.”

“That will only make people talk more!”

“Then there’s nothing we can do. You all think this is unacceptable. I wasn’t seeking your approval anyway, but because you’re my parents, you have a right to know. Qing Wu and I will not break up. If anyone finds it hard to accept, they can take their time to process it.”

With that, Meng Fu Yuan stood up.

Qi Lin quickly said, “Do you really not care, Fu Yuan? When those harsh words reach Qing Wu’s ears, how do you expect her, as a young woman, to bear it?”

“I don’t care. As for Qing Wu, you don’t need to worry about her. She’s much stronger than you think.”

Qi Lin, having exhausted all arguments, glanced at Meng Chengyong, hoping he would say something more.

Meng Chengyong said, “Fu Yuan, without family support, do you and Qing Wu intend to live in isolation? Throughout history, those opposed by their parents have never had good outcomes.”

Meng Fu Yuan paused, “Is this from your personal experience?”

Meng Chengyong’s expression immediately changed.

“I only know that the weak never have good outcomes.”

Meng Fu Yuan nodded slightly and left the two parents with flushed faces, heading upstairs.

Back in his bedroom upstairs, Meng Fu Yuan sent a WeChat message to Meng Qi Ran, “Come home early, don’t worry our parents,” then grabbed a coat and put it on.

Just as he was about to leave, his phone suddenly vibrated continuously.

He checked it and saw a series of messages from Chen Qing Wu:

• “Help me, Brother Yuan.”
• “I’ve been locked up.”
• “They’re going to starve me again.”
• “Please come help.”

Meng Fu Yuan smirked.

/

Hearing noises downstairs, Chen Qing Wu immediately got up from bed, walked to the door, and pressed her ear against it.

In the living room, she could hear the conversation between Meng Fu Yuan and Chen Suiliang.

Meng Fu Yuan joked, “Uncle Chen, I heard Qing Wu has been confined. Objectively speaking, restricting someone’s freedom is illegal.”

Chen Suiliang chuckled, “The door isn’t even locked, she can come out anytime.”

“Well, I might take Qing Wu away then.”

“Where to?”

“With us around, it seems you won’t have a peaceful New Year. So, during this festival, we won’t add to your troubles.”

“Fu Yuan, I’ve always known you’re a rational person, so let’s have a good talk. If Qing Wu and Qi Ran didn’t have that history—whether real or perceived by others—they would still be seen as having it. In this situation, if you really like Qing Wu, Uncle will be the first to bless you. But as a girl, once her reputation is ruined, it’s over.”

“In the 21st century, Uncle Chen, there’s no rule that a few relationships will ruin a reputation. If there’s any ‘ruin,’ it’s the fault of those who spread rumors. Cause and effect cannot be reversed. Also, I’m not rational at all. If I were, I wouldn’t have liked Qing Wu from the start.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Liao Shuman greeting Meng Fu Yuan.

Meng Fu Yuan: “Is Qing Wu upstairs, Auntie?”

“She is.”

“Can I go up?”

“… Uh, sure. She probably hasn’t slept yet.”

Footsteps upstairs followed by Chen Suiliang’s following words.

“Fu Yuan, you’re a person of great character, so Uncle doesn’t want to argue with you, but about you and Qing Wu, I’m sorry, I can’t accept it.”

“I and Qing Wu didn’t intend to seek anyone’s acceptance in the first place.”

Footsteps grew closer.

Chen Qing Wu immediately opened the door.

Meng Fu Yuan, in a black coat, crossed the dimly lit corridor towards her.

She didn’t know why her emotions surged, like waves finally finding their sea.

When Meng Fu Yuan reached the door, ignoring Chen Suiliang not far behind, she tiptoed and threw herself into Meng Fu Yuan’s arms.

Meng Fu Yuan’s big hand pressed against her back, feeling the warmth of her breath, and suddenly felt heartache. He turned his head and kissed her hair gently, whispering, “Pack your things, we…”

His words abruptly stopped as he noticed behind her stood a neatly packed suitcase.

He chuckled.

Meng Fu Yuan pushed the suitcase with one hand and held Chen Qing Wu with the other, nodding towards Chen Suiliang, “Sorry, I’m taking Qing Wu away for a while.”

“Fu Yuan, by taking this step, you’re breaking the relationship between our two families.”

“Then I’m sorry. Qing Wu and I are both very selfish. Right now, we’re only thinking about ourselves and can’t manage anything else.”

Chen Suiliang was speechless. Meng Fu Yuan had preemptively admitted to being “selfish,” effectively blocking any further moves from him.

“I will take good care of Qing Wu and ensure she doesn’t suffer any grievances.” These final words from Meng Fu Yuan were particularly sincere and earnest, seeming like a promise he wouldn’t break.

Apart from resorting to undignified means, Chen Suiliang found it hard to truly stop anything. Facing Meng Fu Yuan, he couldn’t bring himself to speak harshly and could only watch as Meng Fu Yuan led Chen Qing Wu downstairs towards the front door.

Outside, snow continued to fall.

Meng Fu Yuan picked up his suitcase and was about to walk down the stairs when Liao Shuman’s voice came from behind him: “Planning to go back to East City in the middle of the night again?”

He turned his head and saw Liao Shuman.

He paused the car.

“The snow is heavy, driving is dangerous.”

“We’ll drive slowly.”

Liao Shuman looked at Chen Qing Wu, “I hope you’ve thought this through and aren’t being reckless.”

Throughout the night, Liao Shuman only made a few harmless jabs.

Chen Qing Wu realized that she might have misunderstood Liao Shuman all along. She wasn’t as indifferent to her well-being as she had thought… After all, when she had a fever as a child, it was always Liao Shuman who stayed with her all night.

“…Yeah. I won’t regret it.” Chen Qing Wu smiled.

Liao Shuman didn’t say anything else, showing a look of annoyance, clicked her tongue, and turned back into the house, slamming the door.

Just as he exited the residential area, he heard uncontrollable laughter from the passenger seat. He glanced over and then pulled over to the side of the road.

Chen Qing Wu looked over.

With just a glance, Meng Fu Yuan immediately unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned in, wrapped his arm around her back, and fiercely kissed her lips.

Chen Qing Wu’s arm clung around the back of his neck, responding passionately.

They plundered each other, taking possession, until their hearts faintly ached from lack of oxygen.

Chen Qing Wu gasped heavily, opened her misty eyes, looked at Meng Fu Yuan, hesitated for a moment, and lightly licked the corner of his bruised lips with her tongue, asking softly, “Still hurts?”

“Hard to say. Kissing you again might make it stop hurting.”

Chen Qing Wu burst into laughter.

She embraced him with both arms, burying her face deeply in his shoulder.

“Are you afraid?” Meng Fu Yuan lowered his head to the side.

Chen Qing Wu shook her head. “What should we do?”

“Hmm?”

“I feel like this is the first time I’ve felt my heart ache for someone I love.”

“Is that so? I feel like this often.”

Chen Qing Wu suddenly looked up.

He was looking at her with deep and sincere eyes.

Chen Qing Wu couldn’t find words to reply.

They hugged for a long time, and Meng Fu Yuan finally reluctantly let go a bit. “We should get going.”

“I’ll drive, you’ve been driving all afternoon.”

Meng Fu Yuan didn’t mince words with her. “If you’re tired, we can switch.”

“Okay.”

They got out of the car and switched seats.

Chen Qing Wu took off her coat and tossed it onto the back seat, causing her to be a step slower.

As she opened the car door, Meng Fu Yuan was already outside the passenger door.

She slipped out of the car, feet touching the ground.

At the same time, Meng Fu Yuan reached out, grabbed her arm, pulled her into his embrace.

His other hand gently closed the car door, pushing her back against it, her back against the car body.

A kiss followed.

Snowflakes filled the city.

His girl was about to elope with him in this frenzied world.