I quietly entered my room and shut the door, only hearing my father let out a deep sigh from the living room. My mother comforted him, saying, "Don't be angry, Old Zhao. We're relieved our son is back safe and sound. As for the job, we can start over."

My father grumbled with disappointment, "That unfilial little brat. He’s almost twenty-four and still doesn't know how to strive. Who will marry him in the future? Look at our place—a cramped two-bedroom apartment feels like a dog kennel. Housing prices in the capital are absurdly high; if he doesn't work hard to earn money and buy a house, the possibility of him dying a bachelor is very high."

My mother replied, "Surely not. Our son is quite handsome. Maybe some girl will take a liking to him and even buy him a building out of devotion. Besides, didn't our son say he already has a girlfriend? Let him bring her home next time so we can vet her. As long as she has all her limbs and no excessive demands on our family, we should set the wedding date soon."

"Alas, it's all my fault for being incapable and letting you two suffer with me..."

My heart ached, and I almost burst out to tell my father I had plenty of money now. Not only had I invested millions in the Tieniu Tofu Company, but I also had over one hundred million in the stock market. Oh, I wonder how Taozi is doing—I hope she hasn't gambled away all my future marriage savings.

But I held back. I was afraid my parents wouldn't believe a word I said right now, and I might even get a beating. I'd tell them later. Still, if I was confined here by my parents, what would happen to the preparatory work for the three new companies?

Xiao Yu Di couldn't be tasked with these matters because of her unique status and her minimal understanding of the sinister side of our world. As for Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang, they were only interested in scientific research and were useless at management. Zhu Da was already busy enough with the tofu company alongside the Village Chief. Tiger's main focus would be on Red Dragon Security; he couldn't help much with Huanyu Tong or Dadi Energy either.

Unable to think of any immediate help, I had to let it go for now. Perhaps tomorrow, when my father went to work, my mother’s heart would soften, and she would let me out. First, I should send a safety check to everyone.

Since we were using a regular network, I could only hear the commotion from my phone. Zhao Fen took the phone aside before I could clearly hear what she said.

"Big Brother Zhao, we’re at Brother Zhu's place, hehe. Did your dad really spank your bottom when you got home?"

My face flushed, lucky that Zhao Fen on the other end couldn't see it. "Don't listen to his nonsense. I’m doing fine at home. It’s just that Mom and Dad haven’t seen me in so long, they miss me terribly, so they’re keeping me here for a few more days. You all must take good care of yourselves while I'm gone."

"Ah, so Uncle and Auntie have imprisoned you? What are we going to do? You still have so many things to do!" Zhao Fen still believed Zhu Da’s words, thinking I was detained.

I sighed helplessly, "We'll see when the time comes. By the way, Fenfen, I told my mom about us."

Zhao Fen sounded anxious, "What did Auntie say?"

"Hehe, my mom is very expectant. She told me to bring you home when I have time so she can meet you, and then we can get married and have children."

Zhao Fen's phone was suddenly snatched away. "Fenfen, who are you talking to? What marriage and children? If Zhao Qian hears this, it'll be disastrous!"

I spoke into the receiver, "Mengmeng, don't cause trouble. I'm having a serious conversation with Zhao Fen."

"Ha! It's you. So, is your butt swollen from the spanking? No wonder you wouldn't let me come in when I visited; you were afraid I'd see your sorry state." Fang Yanmeng sounded excited.

After I pleaded a few times, Fang Yanmeng finally returned the phone to Zhao Fen. However, after her interference, I couldn't say anything else. Zhao Fen said that the Chairman had notified her and Zhao Fang through the Red Guards to attend a meeting that afternoon, and she would tell me the details that evening.

This time, when we returned from the base, we quietly brought back five hundred mechanized soldiers who had undergone artificial skin transplantation. This gave us another hidden force to protect everyone. So, even though my mother was keeping me under surveillance at home, I didn't need to worry about the safety of those outside.

Zhu Da was shouting over there, demanding to go out for a company-funded dinner. Zhao Fen said goodbye and hung up.

Sigh. I originally planned to visit Zhang Xiaoya again, but now I have to stay put obediently at home.

But I did have Zhang Xiaoya's phone number, so I might as well call her to explain. She must be angry with me. As I thought this, I pulled up Zhang Xiaoya’s number, only to find her phone was disconnected!

Though I was anxious, my parents were watching outside. I should wait until they calmed down before going out. Otherwise, if I angered my elderly parents into getting sick, I would truly be an unfilial son.

My mother called from outside, "Old Zhao, our son is home today, and you have time now, so I'm going out to buy groceries. Let's have a good family reunion for lunch."

After my mother left, I lay bored on the bed, wondering how I was going to manage the five-thousand-character inspection report. Then came a knock at the door, followed by my father opening it.

"Uncle, is this the Zhao Qian residence?" A very familiar voice rang out.

My father replied, "Yes, it is. Young lady, who are you?"

"Hello, Uncle Zhao. My name is Fang Yanmeng, and I am Zhao Qian's... girlfriend."

"Oh!" My father was overjoyed. "Come in, come in! You shouldn't have brought anything. Zhao Qian! Zhao Qian! Little Fang is here, come out quickly!"

This Fang Yanmeng, wasn't she supposed to be eating out with Zhu Da and the others? How did she suddenly show up at my house, and impersonating my girlfriend! What about Zhao Fen now!

It must be that Fang Yanmeng overheard me on the phone telling Zhao Fen I would bring her home to meet my parents. She decided to strike first. This is bad. With Fang Yanmeng's exquisite beauty and her sweet talk, my parents would absolutely take her as my real girlfriend. If that happened, Zhao Fen wouldn't be able to walk through my door openly.

Women, scheming women! Never mind how cheerful and harmonious they appear when chatting and laughing, when it truly comes down to a critical moment, they all fight for themselves. As the saying goes, a woman cannot tolerate even a speck of sand in her eye. Indeed.

I walked out of my room while thinking. Right now, my father’s word was the supreme command. If I argued or tried to clarify things, I’d likely be punished later. I’ll just play along vaguely for now.

"Brother Zhao Qian, when did you get back? You haven't come to see me for so long; I thought you didn't want me anymore."

Fang Yanmeng's pitiful tone, coupled with her delicate and beautiful appearance, made her words exceptionally heart-wrenching. Wait! Why was I falling for it so easily? How could she not know when I got back? Didn't she just drive me back not long ago?

It was obvious my father was extremely pleased with Fang Yanmeng. Although she was a bit slender, her looks, temperament, and gentle personality were exactly what the Zhao family daughter-in-law should be. The Zhao family would be blessed for generations if they could marry a wife like her.

Precisely because my father was so satisfied with Fang Yanmeng, he took her complaints especially seriously. He casually picked up a rolling pin from the table, "You little rascal, look what a wonderful girl Xiao Fang is! And yet you ran off for over two months without coming home, making Xiao Fang worry herself sick. If I don't teach you a lesson today, I'll take your surname!"

My father got overly excited. If he took my surname, wouldn't he still be Zhao? A sly smile flashed across Fang Yanmeng's eyes. She stepped forward and snatched the rolling pin from my father’s hand. "Uncle, it’s not Brother Zhao Qian’s fault; it’s mine for making him angry. From now on, I will do whatever he says and never cause trouble for you all again."

My father roared at me, "What a good girl! You little brat don't know how to cherish her. Don't worry, Xiao Fang, I'll back you up from now on. If he dares to yell at you or be two-faced, you tell me, and I’ll beat him until his own mother doesn't recognize him."

Fang Yanmeng stood behind my father, smiling so broadly her lips couldn't close. Now she had an official warrant. Ah, what a cunning girl.

The door opened again. Before my mother even walked in, she said, "Old Zhao, what are you shouting about? The whole complex can hear you! Haven't you beaten our son enough already? Oh, and who is this?"

Fang Yanmeng curtsied like a little sprite to my mother. "Auntie, my name is Fang Yanmeng, and I am Zhao Qian’s girlfriend. Zhao Qian hasn't looked for me in a long time, and I was too worried about him to stay away, so I came looking for him today. I didn't mean to cause trouble for you."

"No trouble, no trouble at all." My mother circled Fang Yanmeng, examining her from head to toe three times. The result was naturally one of great satisfaction. Even a blind man could sense the refinement of someone of Fang Yanmeng's caliber.

My mother glanced at the rolling pin in Fang Yanmeng’s hand. "Old Zhao, look at you! Is this how you greet Xiao Fang on her first visit? Come on, let's go to the kitchen and cook. Let them talk here."

My mother dragged my father into the kitchen, regardless of his objection. Seeing my grim face, Fang Yanmeng giggled, "Are you really angry? I was just joking with Uncle and Auntie. I know your real girlfriend is Zhao Fen."

What use was my anger? Things were already like this. "Why did you come back? Weren't you going out to eat together?"

Fang Yanmeng looked pitifully small. "I heard Zhu Da say that Uncle loves using a rolling pin to spank your bottom. I was too worried to eat and came over to check. With me here, Uncle might show some mercy and let you off easy."

Go.

I helplessly walked back into my room. It was too late to say anything now; I might as well go back to bed.