Wang Qiqi had no idea why Nana was laughing so hard. She looked suspiciously at Shi Man beside her and saw her making a face at her, the expression clearly saying, You’re dead. Wang Qiqi truly found the situation baffling. She had been busy cooking in the kitchen and hadn't paid much attention to the conversation in the living room. Yet, after emerging, a few words from her had elicited two completely opposite reactions. She glanced over at Han Tao, skipping over the reactions of Daizi and Feng Xuanxiang, knowing they wouldn't explain anything.

“Daizi was asking Feng Xuanxiang how he managed to approach the Shi family in the first place. Nana was steering Daizi toward asking for the specifics of their initial meeting,” Han Tao whispered. Honestly, he was quite curious too. Shi Man's parents had a whole list of stipulations for a prospective son-in-law, and it seemed Shi Man hadn't even told her family about dating Feng Xuanxiang. He couldn't fathom where Feng Xuanxiang got the nerve to approach the Shi residence, especially since he was planning to study abroad, yet he managed to gain the parents' approval. Though Shi Man mentioned the victory wasn't easily won, she was vague on the details. Both Zhu Lina and Wang Qiqi were eager to know how the Shi parents were swayed.

Wang Qiqi finally understood; so that was what it was about. A few months ago, she might have been curious, but now she wasn't. She somewhat understood the Shi parents’ thinking: Feng Xuanxiang was promising, but Shi Man was too. If Feng Xuanxiang got involved with someone else abroad, they could easily introduce Shi Man to someone new—a woman with a good background who had also studied abroad was quite desirable these days. The most crucial factor then was Shi Man’s determination to be with Feng Xuanxiang. “Actually, what the parents think doesn't matter as much as whether Lu Qiaowei has confidence in your future together. Parents only want to see their children happy. Daizi, I think you need to talk more about your plans and your future with Weiwei; that’s what’s most important. Plus, the more you converse with Weiwei, the more eloquently you can discuss these topics with her in-laws later, which will show them your sincerity. And most importantly, you appear more sincere than some people.”

Parents generally hoped their daughters would marry someone honest and steady; few would entrust their daughter to someone who seemed slick. Dai Lijun looked exactly like someone in technical work—the ideal son-in-law. While Feng Xuanxiang also looked like an elite professional, to Shi Man’s parents, having work experience coupled with plans to go abroad made him seem less likely to sustain the relationship.

Feng Xuanxiang, overhearing Wang Qiqi, didn't know whether to laugh or cry. If he had known Wang Qiqi was so reasonable, he would have let her speak up sooner. However, that last line didn't sit well. Did he really just look like someone insincere, or perhaps even slick? “Qiqi, are you putting me down or praising Dai Lijun to reassure him?” Ah, thinking about it, they were all detestable fellows who took turns bullying him.

Wang Qiqi waved her hand, unconcerned with his words. “You, someone who has weathered the storms of the workplace, wouldn't be bothered by such a small jab. Daizi is different; he needs encouragement from everyone. We must strive to help him win his wife, right, Daizi? Show your sincerity. Parents always hope their son-in-law is honest, steadfast, and reliable.”

Dai Lijun was a bit dizzy hearing Wang Qiqi’s words. What did that mean? He really wanted to ask if he gave the impression of being a fool. Zhu Lina had initially wondered why Wang Qiqi was siding with Feng Xuanxiang, but hearing the rest, Zhu Lina realized: Qiqi is Qiqi, how could she not tease someone? “That’s right, Daizi. If you were Manman’s boyfriend, getting approval from Shi Man’s parents would be much easier than for Feng Xuanxiang. So, you will definitely pass the test with Lu Qiaowei’s parents.”

This annoyed Shi Man. What was going on with these two today? First, they ganged up on her man, and now they were attacking her. She was angry and couldn't stand it anymore. Hands on her hips, she ignored the fact that this posture might be labeled 'shrewish' in a tennis commentary. “Alright, alright, don't retaliate against us like that. I admit I shouldn't have provoked him just now, but he provoked me first.” If she didn’t admit fault now, Shi Man thought getting through the day safely would be quite difficult.

Since someone had conceded, Wang Qiqi and the others could only stand down. “Fine, we won’t provoke you. But Daizi, the advice we gave earlier about experience is sound. Feng Xuanxiang was describing how he approached his future in-laws. Regardless of how difficult Lu Qiaowei’s parents might be, you must show your sincerity.”

“You could also pursue your Master's degree domestically,” Han Tao suddenly interjected. “Didn't you say your advisor was quite satisfied with you and wanted you to stay for graduate studies?” Dai Lijun was naturally slow-witted and didn't socialize much with classmates, but he was highly favored by his professors. Sometimes, professors would even assign him private work, jobs where you put in the effort but shouldn't expect payment. This indicated that in the professor’s eyes, he was someone reliable enough to be put to use; someone who only knew how to flatter wouldn't receive such treatment.

Staying in China for graduate school—Dai Lijun’s first reaction upon hearing Han Tao’s suggestion was a full-body shudder. “Spare me. I never considered staying in China for another three years of graduate school; that would truly derail me.” Although staying in China might be good for future development, the advancements in computer science abroad over the past year had raised his own standards significantly.

“If the potential in-laws demand you stay for your Master's degree and you only go abroad after Lu Qiaowei graduates college, how would you answer?” Han Tao simply posed a question that Lu Qiaowei's parents might ask. It wasn't that the possibility didn't exist; it was highly likely. In their parents’ view, this request was quite reasonable—not forbidding travel, just delaying it by three years.

Hearing Han Tao’s question, Dai Lijun’s mouth fell wide open. He couldn't believe it; he genuinely didn't know how to respond. And Han Tao, along with everyone else present, including the questioner himself, was unsure of the answer. If he insisted on going abroad immediately, Lu Qiaowei’s parents would certainly not agree to let their daughter follow Dai Lijun, though miracles happen, the probability was genuinely low. But if he postponed going abroad for three years, perhaps with Daizi’s capabilities, he could still secure a decent job. However, everyone understood how much Daizi would sacrifice for this.

“No matter how you answer, follow your heart,” Wang Qiqi offered, after a long silence, an answer that wasn't the answer. “Of course, if my parents were here, they definitely wouldn't ask that. Is that question even worth asking? Will a relationship definitely last just because the couple goes abroad together? Furthermore, if Han Tao offered to stay in China and wait for me for three years, I would instantly toss him aside. Men still need to prioritize their careers; look at Manman.”

Wang Qiqi glanced at Shi Man and Feng Xuanxiang, quietly nestled together. Someone was leaving soon. Although Shi Man would fly over during the summer vacation, wasn't she worried? Yet, she let Feng Xuanxiang go because she knew if she asked him to stay, even if he didn't complain and agreed, wouldn't he have lingering feelings? If his career developed well, they wouldn't bring it up. If things didn't go smoothly, he would constantly wonder if his life would be different had he gained credentials abroad and returned. The trajectory of their relationship would then become clear.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that.” Shi Man was actually quite insecure deep down. Even though she had met both sets of parents and he had made promises, she sometimes wondered if, once she was studying abroad, she would see some hot foreign girl by his side. “Okay, okay, I’m hungry. Let’s eat.” Shi Man desperately tried to suppress the anxiety churning inside her. She knew she had to send Feng Xuanxiang off with a cheerful demeanor.

Feng Xuanxiang looked at her forced smile and desperately wanted to tell her not to smile if she wasn't happy, as it only hurt him more. At that moment, he recalled letters from a university classmate describing his travels across North America. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He whispered into Shi Man’s ear, “You should come to America this summer too. We can travel around then.” It would be a good opportunity to complete a certain task.

“Okay.” Wang Qiqi had already discussed traveling to America with Shi Man for the summer break. She wanted to meet Han Tao’s colleagues, check out his living situation, and do some shopping while they were there. Shi Man, thinking that one more day with Feng Xuanxiang was better than none, readily agreed to go to America.

“Let’s eat, let’s eat. You two must be tired too,” Wang Qiqi said, noticing the time. They might as well eat while chatting; Daizi was fidgeting too, which made everyone want to laugh.

Shi Man had been hungry and wanting to eat for a while but felt awkward bringing it up earlier. “Let’s eat, let’s eat. After eating, I’m going straight to sleep.” Although the Feng family treated Shi Man with courtesy, she remained tightly wound, worried that something unexpected might occur that she couldn't handle.

“Eat and sleep, you’ll turn into a pig,” Dai Lijun teased bluntly. “But then again, you’ve already met your future in-laws.”

Shi Man glared at him. “Do you think meeting the in-laws is an easy task? Wait until you take your Lu Qiaowei to your house, you’ll be just as nervous.” Shi Man glanced at Feng Xuanxiang as she thought of this. She had thought she was the nervous one, but it turned out he was even more anxious than she was. By the time the car pulled away from the station, Shi Man could hear him letting out a long sigh, his whole body relaxing. At that moment, she felt she was probably the most relaxed person around.

【Rebirth: Mecha Storm】 Author: Yatou Yimei Synopsis: First, she must crush that person beneath her feet! 【Boudoir Affairs】 Yatou Yimei Synopsis: A certain Lolita expresses that home fighting is too stressful; she prefers telling lies to ghosts! (To be continued)