“What?” Yang Mei couldn’t believe her ears.

She had been urging Jiang Zhida to get married for a long time, and every time he would dodge her by saying he wanted to date more.

She was about to give up on him; after all, he was getting older, and if he didn’t want to marry, there was nothing she could do.

But unexpectedly, today he came and dropped such a bombshell.

Jiang Dajiu looked shocked, nearly spitting out his tea.

Jiang Zhida knew his news would surprise his parents, so he repeated, “Dad, Mom, Tao Tao and I want to get married soon.”

Yang Mei, having experienced many big events, quickly calmed down but looked at Jiang Zhida suspiciously. “Why so sudden?”

Tao Tao, sitting beside him, was too nervous to speak.

When she heard Yang Mei’s question, she thought it meant Yang Mei didn’t want Jiang Zhida to marry her, causing her face to pale, and her body stiffened.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhida put his arm around her shoulder, gently patting it, and smiled at Yang Mei. “Mom, don’t be so serious. This isn’t sudden; Tao Tao and I have been planning for a while. We thought it was a good time to share the news with you since it’s the New Year.”

Seeing Tao Tao’s pale face, Yang Mei realized she had scared her.

Knowing the weight of her presence, she softened her demeanor.

She smiled warmly and took Tao Tao’s hand. “You’re a good girl. Tell me, did Jiang Zhida pressure you into this?”

Tao Tao, feeling breathless, quickly shook her head. “No, no! He didn’t pressure me at all.”

Yang Mei could see that Tao Tao was sincere.

She decided not to ask about the sudden marriage proposal anymore, fearing that Tao Tao might think she disliked her.

Yang Mei turned to Jiang Dajiu, asking what kind of wedding Jiang Zhida and Tao Tao were planning and when it would take place.

They also needed to visit Tao Tao’s parents to discuss the wedding together.

When asked about her parents, Tao Tao placed her cup on the table and sat up straight to explain her family situation to Yang Mei and Jiang Dajiu. “I only have my dad and mom. My grandparents are gone. My dad has some leg problems and mainly fixes bicycles for a living, while my mom doesn’t talk much and does knitting work for others.”

Tao Tao knew her family wasn’t well off, but she had never felt inferior because her parents had given her their best.

Whenever people learned about her parents’ health issues, their gazes would fall on her.

At first, she felt sad and even resented having such a family.

But seeing how her parents saved money to buy her school supplies and how they defended her when she was bullied, she suddenly felt ashamed of her previous thoughts.

Her parents had already given her all their love.

Realizing this changed her perspective.

After that, she studied hard, and anyone who bullied her parents faced her wrath.

Although she seemed soft and easy-going, she would fiercely protect her family when it came to them.

Tao Tao understood that studying was her only way out, so she poured all her energy into her studies.

Initially, she aimed to get into a vocational school and find a job after graduation.

However, she missed the cut-off by a few points.

Due to their financial struggles, she considered giving up on high school and going to work, but her parents stopped her.

Her mother cried and held onto her tightly, while her father silently urged her, saying, “You must continue your studies!”

Tao’s mom cried while gesturing for her to go to school, and her dad personally took her to enroll in high school.

Tao Tao continued to save money for her education.

Throughout her three years in high school, she was the hardest-working student, sleeping late and getting up early.

Finally, she managed to get into college.

Once in college, she wanted to lighten her family’s burden, so through a senior, she got a part-time job at Yunmengze as a waitress.

At first, she was hesitant about the job, thinking it was improper.

However, her senior guaranteed her that it was legitimate, even showing her around. If she really couldn’t handle it, they could look for another job later.

After joining Yunmengze, Tao Tao realized it was different from what she had imagined.

It didn’t have the bright, flashy lights or chaotic activities associated with entertainment venues.

As a waitress, her job was simply to take orders and serve food; nothing more was required.

If someone harassed her, she could call security, and the boss would support her.

Tao Tao felt relieved and started working at Yunmengze.

She met Jiang Zhida there; he helped her when colleagues made fun of her.

Later, when Jiang Zhida needed someone to pretend to be his girlfriend, he couldn’t find anyone suitable, so his boss helped him find a waitress.

They selected all the college waitresses, and the boss asked if they were willing to participate, assuring them it was just a role-playing job and they would be paid.

Some waitresses declined, but when Tao Tao heard about it, her heart raced with excitement, thinking of the chance to be close to the hero she admired.

She didn’t refuse; she would have accepted even without pay.

Tao Tao never dared to hope for a relationship with Jiang Zhida.

In her heart, Jiang Zhida came from a good family, was capable, and belonged to a completely different world from her.

She was like a wildflower growing from the soil in the fields, while Jiang Zhida was a cloud drifting high in the sky.

How could a wildflower ever reach the clouds?

Only when the clouds brought down gentle rain could the wildflower feel the grace bestowed upon it.

Tao Tao thought that if she were to pretend to be Jiang Zhida’s girlfriend, she would do her job well, firmly refusing to overstep her boundaries, and help Jiang Zhida navigate the difficulties with his parents.

However, there were several girls chosen before her—girls prettier than her, more eloquent than her, and from better families.

Tao Tao felt that her chances of being selected were slim.

Yet, there remained a tiny hope in her heart, even though it was likely to lead to disappointment.

She never expected that Jiang Zhida would casually point at her, and when it happened, she was completely stunned, her face filled with disbelief.

Boss Shen also asked him, “Are you sure about this? Don’t you want to look again?”

Jiang Zhida extinguished the cigarette he was holding in the ashtray and casually replied, “This will do to deal with my family’s matriarch; she looks obedient and sensible.”

At first, when Jiang Zhida was training Tao Tao, she was stiff and rigid like a mannequin while getting accustomed to his gestures of holding hands and wrapping his arms around her waist.

When Jiang Zhida released her, he teased with a smile, “Am I that scary?”

Tao Tao shook her head immediately.

“Then did my actions make you uncomfortable?”

Tao Tao shook her head again.

Jiang Zhida chuckled, sitting on the sofa with an arched brow: “Then why do you treat me like a ferocious beast? Am I going to eat you?”

Tao Tao shook her head once more: “No, you can’t.”

Jiang Zhida patted the spot beside him, inviting her to sit down, then handed her the drink on the table: “Have some drink and relax. Don’t be so tense; apart from holding hands and putting my arms around your waist and shoulders, I won’t do anything else. If there are no intimate actions between a couple, it won’t fool anyone. Don’t worry; I won’t take advantage of you intentionally. These actions are only what I will do when necessary.”

Tao Tao took small sips of the drink and nodded: “I understand. Boss, you are a good person.”

But she couldn’t help but feel nervous; it had nothing to do with taking advantage.

She had never been close to a man, let alone the man she liked.

“It’s okay; just get used to it slowly. Treat me like someone you feel most relaxed around.”

Tao Tao had her own little selfish motives here.

She didn’t want anyone else to play Jiang Zhida’s girlfriend; she didn’t want him to do those intimate actions with other girls.

So, she worked hard at home to build her mindset, overcoming her nervousness through repeated practice until they finally became a “fake couple” who wouldn’t be exposed in front of others.

When Tao Tao introduced her parents to Yang Mei, she couldn’t help but recall how she had crossed paths with Jiang Zhida.

She felt so fortunate.

Although her parents didn’t have much money, they loved and respected her.

She had the chance to work part-time and meet the person she liked. Later, she ended up in a twist of fate with the person she liked, eventually getting married.

Tao Tao believed there was no one luckier and happier than her.

She was grateful to her parents for allowing her to continue her studies and to all the people who had helped her along the way.

Tao Tao loved her parents deeply.

If Yang Mei and Uncle Jiang didn’t accept her because her parents were disabled and her family was poor, there would be nothing she could do.

She might only feel regret that her marriage with Jiang Zhida wouldn’t receive her parents’ blessing.

Yang Mei and Uncle Jiang were indeed a bit surprised to hear that Tao Tao’s parents were both disabled.

Of course, it wasn’t because they looked down on her family, but they were astonished by her parents’ resilience.

It was no easy feat to raise a well-mannered college student in such difficult circumstances.

Yang Mei sighed, “Your parents are impressive.”

Uncle Jiang added, “I admire people like your parents the most. They’re not defeated by any difficulties and still manage to educate their children excellently. Compared to your parents, your aunt and I seem quite ordinary.”

Hearing this, Tao Tao felt as if a flower had bloomed in her heart, but she was also overwhelmed with emotion because she had never heard anyone affirming her parents.

Since her parents were disabled and had gentle personalities, many people had bullied and mocked them.

Tao Tao blinked hard to keep her tears from falling, looking at Yang Mei and Uncle Jiang with gratitude for their understanding of her parents.

“Uncle, Aunt, thank you. My dad and mom would be very happy to hear your words.”

Jiang Zhida gently patted Tao Tao’s hand, comforting her emotions.

Yang Mei held Tao Tao’s hand, feeling even more heartbroken.

A girl from such a family background, being able to achieve what Tao Tao did—without resentment, without inferiority, and persisting in her studies to get into college while working hard—she admired a girl like Tao Tao greatly.