Chapter 14: A Distant Goal

Since they already talked it over, the situation seemed to be clearer. The atmosphere around the dining table wasn't as awkward as earlier.

Throughout the conversation, Hao Ren learned that the interior design was done by Zhao Hongyu herself. Zhao Hongyu's normal identity was a designer and was well-known in the designer's community.

After chatting further, Hao Ren found out surprisingly that one of the top ten landmarks in East Ocean City was also a masterpiece of Zhao Yanzi's mother. It was the stadium shown in the promotional pictures of the admission brochures of East Ocean University. It just finished construction last year.

"Her father is a successful businessman and her mother is an outstanding designer. This kind of family is clearly above well-off. Even if they don't have their hidden identities, a little girl like Zhao Yanzi still has enough assets to be proud of." Hao Ren ate and thought at the same time.

While dining, Zhao Hongyu was the one who mainly talked to Hao Ren. Zhao Guang ate steadily beside her and would say something once in a while. Zhao Yanzi had her head down, ate and chewed the food heavily as if she was not eating rice but eating Hao Ren.

"That so-called meeting with in-laws would probably be like this," Hao Ren answered their questions and thought.

"Are your parents out of the country?" Zhao Hongyu asked Hao Ren.

"Yes, they should be back next month," Hao Ren answered.

Zhao Hongyu thought and said, "How about a meet-up between the two families when your parents come back?"

Hao Ren's heart dropped. He finally accepted the fact that he had to be with Zhao Yanzi in the long run, but Zhao Hongyu's new request once again made him feel uneasy.

"If mom and dad find out that I found a middle-schooler fiancée when they were away, I am not sure what their reaction will be..."

"Since everything is settled, it's normal for the two families to meet," Zhao Hongyu saw Hao Ren's hesitation and said.

Hao Ren looked at Zhao Hongyu's gentle expression and knew that she really wanted to settle this matter from her ardent gaze. After all, from her perspective, parents still had a say in this type of thing.

"I didn't say I'll marry him!" Zhao Yanzi raised her head and finally said something.

"You have to be responsible for the mistake you made. If you didn't run off, why would there be this issue? Is it that you want others to bear the consequences of your wrongdoings?" Zhao Hongyu's expression was still gentle, but her tone turned harsh.

Zhao Yanzi stopped talking because she knew that she was in the wrong. Yet, she was very unwilling if she had to marry this "uncle" because of that kind of mistake.

"Hao Ren is thoughtful, and I am happy with him," Zhao Hongyu looked at Zhao Yanzi and said, "You're not young anymore, and you can't always lose your temper like a child. You have to take on the responsibility that you ought to take. How long can your dad and I protect you? We also want you to mature from what had happened. You can't continue to act like a spoiled child."

Zhao Yanzi looked at Zhao Hongyu with a sad expression when she heard Zhao Hongyu. She wanted to cry but didn't want to disgrace herself in front of Hao Ren. All that she could do was to bite her lip and endure it.

Seeing Zhao Hongyu lecture Zhao Yanzi, her father Zhao Guang remained silent. He obviously agreed with what Zhao Hongyu said.

Hao Ren felt that there was another meaning behind how Zhao Yanzi's parents were treating this matter. However, Zhao Yanzi was too young to understand.

"Are they trying to utilize this chance to entrust Zi to me? Can it be that even with their capability and background, there are still some dangers that they can't talk about?" Hao Ren thought.

"Ren." Zhao Hongyu turned and looked at Hao Ren, "Zi still has the temper of a kid, please bear with her in the future."

"Yes, I know," at this time, Hao Ren could only agree.

Seeing Zhao Yanzi's red eyes as if she was about to cry, Zhao Guang felt bad even though he had his poker face on. He said to her, "Go take some rest if you're done."

Zhao Yanzi nodded and ran upstairs. Her footsteps making a series of "da da da" sound.

Hao Ren looked at her tiny figure and then turned back to look at Zhao Hongyu and Zhao Guang.

"Let her be alone for a while," Zhao Hongyu said.

Hao Ren smiled awkwardly with his head down.

"Honestly speaking, what do you think of Zi?" Zhao Hongyu asked.

Hao Ren actually didn't have any good impression towards this ill-tempered little girl, but he can't talk about any shortcomings in front of her parents. Thus, Hao Ren thought very hard to think about Zhao Yanzi's merits.

"She's quite pretty. Even though she has a temper, she's still really cute," he thought for a few seconds and said. Pretty and cute were probably the only strengths that he could think of.

"You're older than her. Please take care of her for us. Her father and I are usually busy with many things, and that's why we don't have much time to take care of her. This has made her personality more stubborn and arrogant," Zhao Hongyu looked at Hao Ren and said sincerely.

"Ok." Hao Ren nodded. Even though he didn't really like the little pepper (Chinese way of saying someone is fierce and hard to deal with. Usually applies to girls) Zhao Yanzi, he was very touched by how caring her parents were.

He could actually understand Zhao Yanzi's feeling. When he was young, his parents were also busy working and didn't take care of him much. Therefore, he was more independent and egocentric. It was fortunate that he had a caring grandma who always looked after him, and that allowed him to have better memories of his childhood.

"Go upstairs and keep her company." Zhao Hongyu pointed at the direction of the stairs with her lips.

"Okay." Hao Ren immediately put down his chopsticks and walked up the wooden stairs onto the second floor.

A few abstract paintings were hung on the walls along the stairs. Hao Ren walked slowly; it felt like he was in an art gallery. Through a small window in the corner of the second floor, Hao Ren saw the tranquil and beautiful backyard and couldn't help but admire Zhao Hongyu's sense of design.

Zhao Yanzi's bedroom was the first room on the corner of the second floor. Hao Ren could tell by the tiny black toy cat hanging on the door.

He stood at the door and knocked.

No sound came from the inside.

"Hello, you won't let me in?" Hao Ren stood there for a few seconds and asked.

"You can tell on me if you want." Zhao Yanzi's voice full of grievance came from inside.

Hao Ren smiled and took a few small steps on purpose to create the illusion of him walking downstairs.

Dong dong dong... a quick running sound came from the bedroom. Zhao Yanzi thought Hao Ren actually went downstairs to tell on her and rushed to open the door.

She ran out of the bedroom, wanting to drag Hao Ren from the stairs. However, she didn't anticipate that Hao Ren would still be standing at the door. Thus, she ran straight into his chest.

The soft and petite body didn't hurt Hao Ren but rather tickled his belly.

Hao Ren caught the little careless girl's shoulder with his hands and looked down at her, "Am I the type of person who would tell on others?"

Zhao Yanzi raised her head and blushed. Although it was her misjudgment, she still said stubbornly, "You look like one!"

Hao Ren smiled and didn't argue with her. He pushed her away slightly and walked into her bedroom.

"Hey! Where are your manners? Don't just randomly come into my bedroom." Zhao Yanzi stood at the door and looked at Hao Ren with disdain.

"You have a problem with me entering my fiancée's bedroom?" Hao Ren turned his head, looked at her on purpose, and said.

"You..." Zhao Yanzi stared at Hao Ren. She was angry but couldn't vent her anger.

Her eyes were red, and it seemed like she actually cried. Hao Ren saw this and didn't want to really bully her. He avoided her angry eyes and pretended to look around her bedroom casually.

Through the floor-to-ceiling window, the tiny bedroom could enjoy the scenery of ancient-themed flowers and trees. The sunlight poured in from outside and shined on the transparent glass. It was a type of beauty that would blind one's eyes.

A light green fish tank was placed on top of the windowsill with a few goldfishes inside. The huge framed calligraphy post hung on top of the bed brought a unique and artistic atmosphere.

Yet, the light khaki wall color showcased the coziness of the room, and the stuffed teddy bear especially proved that the owner of this bedroom was still a little girl who needed attention and care.