Chapter 30

Zhao Jing couldn’t believe that Zhang Jingzhu’s boyfriend was so ridiculous!

She was practically questioning if her daughter was experiencing a late-onset rebellious phase.

After learning about Cheng Shuinan’s basic information from Zhang Jingzhu, she felt like her blood pressure was going to skyrocket.

Zhang Jingzhu was fairly honest. She answered Cheng Shuinan’s situation according to the questions her parents would inevitably ask.

First, Cheng Shuinan’s family background: His parents had passed away, and he grew up in an orphanage.

Second, Cheng Shuinan’s education level: None.

Then, Cheng Shuinan’s income level: Unemployed.

After answering these three questions, Zhang Jingzhu could see Zhao Jing’s face contorting on the screen. She carefully reviewed the answers. Because she had a filter for Cheng Shuinan, these external conditions, which were crucial in the eyes of the world, became insignificant.

She had considered lying.

But lies need to be maintained by other lies. Zhao Jing wasn’t a woman who didn’t understand anything. Besides, Gu Linan was by her side. If she fabricated a past experience for Cheng Shuinan that could be considered a good resume, it would be exposed within half a day.

It was better to be honest from the beginning.

Zhao Jing was clearly agitated. She wanted to rush to Zhang Jingzhu’s side countless times to question her about the possibility of her rebelling against her and falling into this situation. Gu Linan stopped her.

“You haven’t met the boy yet. Don’t jump to conclusions.” Gu Linan comforted her.

Zhao Jing was agitated. She glared at Gu Linan and questioned him: “Don’t jump to conclusions? Gu Linan, Jingzhu isn’t your child. Of course, you don’t feel. When I saw that boy on the video call, I thought he was too beautiful. He even has long hair. What normal person has hair that long? He… he has that kind of hairstyle, and then you hear about his background…”

“I’m sorry to Jingzhu. I know this. I support whatever she wants to do. Even… even if that boy’s family background isn’t good, I don’t mind. But you heard it just now. He… he never went to school! What kind of person is he…”

Gu Linan couldn’t say anything insincere. According to Zhang Jingzhu’s background, aside from loving the person she loved, he thought she could find a better man, a man with a good family background and a good job. But Zhang Jingzhu’s boyfriend was really…

Except for his appearance, there seemed to be nothing else that wasn’t questionable.

Gu Linan hugged Zhao Jing: “Xiao Jing, if you say that, I’ll be heartbroken. I treat Jingzhu like my own child. But you also saw that Jingzhu really likes that boy. If you show opposition in front of her, I’m afraid she’ll have a rebellious reaction…”

Zhao Jing: “Then what should we do?”

Gu Linan: “They’re coming to our house in a few days. Let’s see what kind of character that boy has. You have to trust Jingzhu’s judgment. If she likes him, he must have some good qualities. If he’s really useless, we’ll think of other ways.”

Zhang Jingzhu turned off the video call and was also worried. She had planned to keep it a secret from everyone and just spend time with Cheng Shuinan. She would tell her family when she had a chance in the future. But it seemed like her parents knew prematurely because of the video call.

Zhao Jing’s expression clearly showed her dissatisfaction.

Imagine hearing that your daughter is dating a man with no family, education, or job. Anyone would be upset.

But Cheng Shuinan was a merman.

Zhang Jingzhu frowned and glanced at him. Cheng Shuinan was nervously squatting beside her. His thick hair flowed down his back. When he met her gaze, his expression instantly froze.

He wanted to ask about her mother’s opinion, but he was afraid the answer wouldn’t be what he wanted. So he waited anxiously and nervously. He seemed to sense Zhang Jingzhu’s mother’s attitude and looked very helpless.

Cheng Shuinan leaned in: “Is your mother not satisfied with me?”

Zhang Jingzhu: “No, she said we should go to her house for dinner the day after tomorrow.”

Cheng Shuinan knew she was comforting him. He didn’t say anything. After a moment, he took the initiative to ask: “Zhang Jingzhu, can I be responsible for your family’s lunch?”

Zhang Jingzhu looked at him.

Cheng Shuinan smiled: “I think I understand the dating standards here. My strengths here are useless. The only thing I can offer is my cooking. I want your mother to know that I’m not useless… I can take care of our daily lives.”

Zhang Jingzhu pulled his ear and leaned close to his cheek. His strong scent filled her nostrils. Cheng Shuinan’s cheeks turned red, and he nervously looked at her.

“Cheng Shuinan, you don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. I know you’re good. Other people’s opinions can’t change my mind. Understand? Human society’s rules don’t apply to everything. You don’t need to use human rules to regulate yourself.”

Even after becoming human ears, they still had different textures. Zhang Jingzhu, who couldn’t touch his fishtail, liked to pinch his earlobes. Especially Cheng Shuinan, who would suddenly blush when his ears were pinched. His words would become stammered, showing how nervous and shy he was.

Cheng Shuinan lowered his head and nodded.

“She’s your mother. I want to get her approval.”

Zhang Jingzhu: “Just remember that I like you no matter what you’re like.”

Cheng Shuinan was nervous about the upcoming family gathering. Zhang Jingzhu was forced to prepare for the next event with him.

Expensive suits weren’t suitable for this family gathering. Although suits were formal, Cheng Shuinan was unemployed in Zhao Jing’s eyes. Any expensive items he wore would be evidence that he was trying to cheat Zhang Jingzhu out of money.

Zhang Jingzhu chose comfortable and neat casual clothes for him. He was young, so he wasn’t suitable for wearing overly mature outfits. During this process, Cheng Shuinan even asked to cut his long hair several times.

What a joke! Zhang Jingzhu loved his merman form the most, his soft, curly hair and handsome face like a beautiful and delicate ivory sculpture.

She couldn’t possibly allow him to cut his hair.

On Zhang Jingzhu’s birthday.

They arrived at Zhao Jing’s house.

Zhao Jing was already waiting at home.

To be honest, Zhao Jing had formed a negative opinion of Cheng Shuinan before meeting him. When she saw him, she thought she would dislike him even more. She thought he was just a handsome young man with no substance. But she had to admit that when she saw Zhang Jingzhu and Cheng Shuinan walking towards her, hand in hand, she was shaken.

In the golden sunlight, their shoulders were touching as they slowly walked towards her. The scene was so beautiful that she thought she was watching a romance drama. The sunlight and the breeze seemed to favor Cheng Shuinan at that moment. He had a special aura, like waves rising from a calm sea, gently brushing against the shore.

The shore rocks, warmed by the sun, emitted the salty scent of the sea. It was like his scent. Zhao Jing seemed to see a young, innocent, and sincere smile on his face. This kind of smile rarely appeared on the faces of adults.

Zhao Jing couldn’t be angry anymore.

Cheng Shuinan’s eyes were so clean and clear that they extinguished the anger and provocation she had prepared for him.

Zhao Jing pulled Zhang Jingzhu aside and whispered: “I forgot to ask you his age. How much older is he than you?”

Zhang Jingzhu was surprised: “Did I forget to tell you? He’s younger than me.”

“How much younger?”

Zhang Jingzhu: “He’s eighteen.”

Zhao Jing widened her eyes in shock: “Eighteen… so young…”

Zhang Jingzhu: “He’s not that young.”

He had already gone through his mature stage. In the merman race, he was a strong, mature male who could reproduce.

Zhao Jing: “He’s only eighteen. No wonder he looks so young… Tell Mom the truth. What do you like about him? Mom isn’t trying to say bad things about him. He should at least have a decent job…”

While Zhao Jing was talking, she accidentally made eye contact with Cheng Shuinan. She didn’t know why, but she felt that Cheng Shuinan’s eyes were unusually wronged and sad. Her voice was very soft. He couldn’t have heard her, could he?

Zhang Jingzhu brought up the explanation she had prepared: “Mom, he had a pitiful past. He grew up in an orphanage. He’s also very gentle, and he’s easily bullied. So he often gets sick and couldn’t go to school. You should avoid mentioning these things in front of him.”

Zhao Jing glanced at her and said reluctantly: “That’s basic courtesy. Mom wouldn’t… well, how could I possibly poke someone’s wounds in front of them?”

Zhang Jingzhu continued: “As for why I like him, Mom, how did you like Uncle Gu back then?”

Zhao Jing didn’t understand at first. She followed her words and said: “Of course, it was because he was handsome. Well, and most importantly, he was gentle and ambitious. He was very protective of me. Jingzhu, you can date whoever you want, but you have to find someone who is gentle and considerate when you get married…”

Zhang Jingzhu smiled: “Mom, Cheng Shuinan is like that.”

In the kitchen, Aunt Liu was pushed aside. Only Zhang Jingzhu and Cheng Shuinan were left.

Cheng Shuinan was the main chef. Zhang Jingzhu was basically an assistant.

At home, Cheng Shuinan would cook the food and bring it to the table. Zhang Jingzhu didn’t need to do anything. She just had to eat.

Cheng Shuinan’s sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He was wearing an apron and skillfully cutting the thawed pork into slices. The broccoli was neatly arranged on the cutting board. Zhang Jingzhu had nothing to do. She lazily leaned against the refrigerator. When Cheng Shuinan took something out, she moved away. When he wasn’t taking anything, she leaned back on it again.

She suddenly thought of those housewives who worked hard in the kitchen. She was like a useless husband who only knew how to eat. All the housework was done by his wife, while the husband, thinking he had made money, was arrogant and domineering.

Her conscience returned. Zhang Jingzhu bent over and leaned closer, giving praise: “You cut the pork so well.”

Cheng Shuinan glanced at her, the corners of his lips slightly curled up: “Are you bored? Go to the living room and talk to your mother. I can handle this alone.”

How could that be? That would really solidify her “husband” status.

How could she let Cheng Shuinan work alone in the kitchen?

Zhang Jingzhu rolled up her sleeves: “No, you have to give me something to do.”

Cheng Shuinan scanned the kitchen: “Then crack a few eggs and whisk them. Can you do that?”

Zhang Jingzhu nodded: “Of course.”

After cracking and whisking the eggs, Zhang Jingzhu proudly presented them to Cheng Shuinan.

Cheng Shuinan praised her: “You did a great job. See if there are any green peppers in the refrigerator. Green peppers and potato cubes taste great.”

Zhang Jingzhu immediately opened the refrigerator: “There are. Should I wash them with water?”

Cheng Shuinan nodded.

They worked together in the kitchen. Although Zhao Jing was sitting on the sofa, her eyes were constantly observing the two of them. She had thought that this meal was Cheng Shuinan’s attempt to impress them. He had learned how to cook, but his skills were actually not that good.

Actually, the cooking wasn’t the key. The main thing was to know how they got along, whether Zhang Jingzhu was at a disadvantage. Zhao Jing didn’t want to see her daughter, who was good at everything, flattering a man and becoming subservient to him.

Fortunately, Zhang Jingzhu was the most relaxed person in the kitchen.

The occasional help she offered seemed a bit clumsy to the people in the living room.

Aunt Liu exclaimed: “Jingzhu, why are you standing next to the stove? It’s a good thing Xiao Cheng protected her in time. Otherwise, the hot oil would have splashed on her! Jingzhu clearly hasn’t cooked before. Madam and Sir, don’t worry. Jingzhu has gained quite a bit of weight compared to the last time she came back. Look at her face, it’s all chubby!”

Zhao Jing added: “It’s true. She’s gained a lot of weight.”

Aunt Liu: “Yes, it’s happiness fat.”

Cheng Shuinan had prepared well for this meal. He naturally knew Zhang Jingzhu’s taste buds well. Besides that, he also made a few dishes that Zhao Jing, Gu Linan, and Gu Xinyi liked. He made a total of eight dishes, including meat, vegetables, and soup. It was quite a feast.

He also specially learned baking. He used the oven to try the easiest dessert to make, egg tarts. Gu Xinyi praised them repeatedly.

It wouldn’t be accurate to say that he was kind to everyone. Cheng Shuinan was wary and disliked the Labrador who frequently expressed joy to Zhang Jingzhu.

When Lucky was lying on Zhang Jingzhu’s legs, exposing his belly, the skin covered by his clothes would develop hard scales. The scent of the ferocious merman from the deep sea was quickly detected by Lucky, who had a keen sense of smell. He unconsciously moved away from the dangerous presence.

After dinner, Gu Linan took the initiative to talk to Cheng Shuinan.

Zhang Jingzhu quietly held Cheng Shuinan’s hand and squeezed it tightly. Cheng Shuinan gave a gentle smile, a very comforting smile. Zhang Jingzhu’s nervous emotions immediately relaxed.

Zhao Jing noticed their interaction. After rinsing her mouth, she sat next to Zhang Jingzhu: “He’s not as bad as I thought. The food was very good. You’re living together, right? Does he take care of your daily life?”

Zhang Jingzhu answered her questions one by one.

“…Mom, you can’t deny him as a person just because he doesn’t have a job. As long as he’s good to me, that’s all that matters. I have enough money. I can completely support our daily lives. And… I want to discuss something with you…”

Zhao Jing: “What is it?”

Zhang Jingzhu: “I want to buy the Nightlight Sea. I want to build a house nearby and live there. Maybe I can also learn to develop my own jewelry brand? These are all things to consider later. Right now, I’d rather live by the sea for a few years, relax, and enjoy life.”

Zhao Jing thought for a moment: “Mom can give you money if you need it. But I’ve heard about the Nightlight Sea. There have been several bodies found there. It’s not safe. Let’s talk about it in a few days. Mom will ask Uncle Gu to look for some other scenic places nearby.”

Zhang Jingzhu could only nod.

After a long time, Gu Linan and Cheng Shuinan came down from the study and sat down on the sofa.

They chatted for a while. Zhang Jingzhu took Cheng Shuinan and left. When they returned to the car, Zhang Jingzhu couldn’t wait to ask: “What did Uncle Gu talk to you about?”

Cheng Shuinan took Zhang Jingzhu’s hand. He hadn’t dared to be too affectionate all morning, afraid that Zhang Jingzhu’s parents would think he was presumptuous. Now, in the car, he wanted to make up for it.

He kissed her palm, slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her lips.

The kiss was sticky and lingering.

Finally, Zhang Jingzhu couldn’t take it anymore and pushed him: “Hurry up and tell me!”

Cheng Shuinan laughed: “It’s nothing. We just chatted. I promised him that I would always cherish you.”

If he couldn’t do that, he would leave her.

How could he possibly leave her? She was his forever soulmate.

On the other side, Zhao Jing was also eagerly asking Gu Linan.

Gu Linan said: “He’s a very sincere young man. You can tell that he really cares about Jingzhu. Xiao Jing, we can’t predict the future, but I can assure you that we are her strongest support. She’s still young. She has the chance to make mistakes. I told you, if she likes him, he must have some good qualities that we don’t know about.”

“Just like back then, you rushed towards me without hesitation. I didn’t give up pursuing you. Now, I’ve finally gotten what I wanted.”

Zhao Jing’s eyes welled up with tears. She hit him: “We’re an old married couple. Why are you being so sentimental? Putting aside our prejudice, Cheng Shuinan is actually not bad. He’s barely good enough for my Jingzhu.”

They both laughed.

The hardships we encounter in love make it more precious later.