Zhong Yan seemed unable to accept Qin Yuerong's answer. He had been in deep thought since leaving Qin's Group, his expression one of deep conflict.
Zhuo Ying patted his back. "If you can't figure it out, don't think about it. Take a break, and I'll take you home."
Zhong Yan didn't notice anything odd about her words. Instead, he murmured to himself, "Why would the Administrator help me?"
The Administrator was known worldwide for his fairness. Although created by Chinese minds, the technology it contained was far beyond the ordinary standards of this world. If it wished, it could freely invade the network systems of any country and steal anything it desired.
But it hadn't done so.
In the face of more significant national matters, it had displayed extreme impartiality and fairness, not leaning towards any party based on differing interests.
Why would such a fair and just arbiter help him?
Zhuo Ying started the car and headed home.
Yao Chong had been calling every day, and today was no different. She decided to bring Zhong Yan back to see him first. Whether he agreed or not was another matter, but at least he wouldn't bother her for a while.
Zhong Yan had been lost in his thoughts until he realized the road was taking them further and further away. He finally snapped back to reality.
"Aren't we going home?"
"I'm taking you home."
"Home isn't this way… to your home?"
"Yes."
That single word shattered Zhong Yan's chaotic thoughts and pulled him back to reality.
"You're taking me to your place? Aren't you… moving a bit fast?"
Zhuo Ying chuckled. "We've already slept together. Is meeting my parents still too fast?"
Zhong Yan couldn't help but blush.
This person was sometimes too direct, and he couldn't handle it.
After a moment of silence, he asked again, "How much further?"
"About ten minutes. Can't wait?"
Zhong Yan quickly said, "Find a place to stop the car. Are there any malls or supermarkets around here?"
It was his first time visiting, and he had to bring something, no matter what.
"The gifts are in the back. I prepared them for you, considering it's your first time and you're inexperienced."
Zhong Yan glanced at the back seat. There were indeed several shopping bags on the seat.
He had been lost in his thoughts the whole way and hadn't even noticed when she prepared them.
A feeling of blissful fullness filled his heart. He smiled and retorted, "My fault? You didn't even tell me beforehand and just dragged me along."
"Dragged?" Zhuo Ying burst into laughter. "Are you a child? Will a piece of candy make you run away?"
Zhong Yan's face turned even redder.
The nervousness of meeting his future in-laws swept away all the random thoughts in his mind. He waited nervously as the car soon left the busy city and headed towards a high-end residential area.
The entire Yao family were artists. Artists inevitably had their quirks. Yao Chong was busy filming, and Madam Yao, a cellist, spent more time abroad each year than at home.
Their marriage was essentially a facade.
They had gotten together on a whim, driven by passion. After marriage and having children, the passion faded, and their relationship became distant.
Except for important holidays when they would gather, they were like strangers the rest of the time. Zhuo Ying nominally lived with her father, but Yao Chong was rarely home for more than two months a year. The original host also had her own affairs, so father and daughter saw little of each other.
However, despite the cold family relationships, both parents cared about their daughter.
This time, Zhuo Ying was bringing her boyfriend home. Yao Chong arranged his film schedule in advance to leave, and he called Madam Yao to inform her of her return. The couple waited at home, fully prepared.
Zhong Yan, visiting for the first time, was incredibly nervous.
He hadn't been this nervous even on his first stage performance. His palms were sweating, his face felt hot, and following behind Zhuo Ying, he gave the impression of being somewhat reluctant.
Zhuo Ying looked at him and couldn't help but smile.
"My parents don't bite. Are you that scared?"
"If you had told me beforehand, given me some time to prepare myself, I probably wouldn't be this… nervous."
Zhuo Ying took two bags from his hands and, with her other hand, took his. "My parents usually don't interfere much in my affairs. You are the person I've chosen, and they will like you too. Don't worry."
Zhong Yan nodded gently, tightening his grip on her hand, feeling a sense of calm settle over him.
They walked into the living room, and a servant took the gifts, greeting Zhong Yan with a smile.
Seeing the two people on the sofa, Zhuo Ying mimicked the original host's tone and called out, "Dad, Mom, we're here."
The couple both looked over. Compared to Yao Chong's casual attire from their previous encounter on set, he now looked as if he were about to attend a film festival – in a suit, impeccably groomed, his hair neatly combed, seemingly wearing makeup, and with a very serious expression.
Madam Yao was more understated, wearing a simple light blue evening gown that made her look gentle and charming. She smiled at the two, her gaze soft.
"Ah Ying, long time no see."
The mother and daughter shared a brief hug. Zhuo Ying introduced Zhong Yan to them. "Dad, Mom, this is my boyfriend, Zhong Yan."
Zhong Yan, for some unknown reason, or perhaps due to being overly nervous, blurted out, "Dad, Mom, I'm Zhuo Ying's boyfriend, my name is Zhong Yan."
He didn't realize anything was wrong with what he said and looked at them sincerely, a mix of nervousness and anticipation in his eyes.
The couple froze for a moment. Madam Yao, regaining her composure, couldn't help but laugh. Yao Chong's expression grew even more grim, and he snorted, "Calling us Dad and Mom already? Have your parents agreed?"
Zhong Yan replayed his own words in his mind and his face turned bright red.
"Uncle, Aunt, I'm sorry. I, I was just too happy! I spoke out of turn, I…"
"It's fine," Madam Yao said with a smile. "No need to apologize. We believe you two will go the distance. It's okay to call us Mom and Dad now."
This internationally renowned cellist was more indulgent than attentive towards her daughter. It wasn't that she didn't love her daughter, but in her life, her ideals took precedence over her daily life and family.
Therefore, neither Yao Chong nor she had taken seriously the original host's inability to move on from her roles. It was only when the original host fell for the male protagonist of a world who highly resembled her imagined 'lover,' leading to a series of calamities, that they realized it was too late to intervene.
Yao Chong was framed, and Madam Yao died of grief.
The original host didn't resent her parents for this. On the contrary, her only wish was to protect them.
Seeing their attitude towards Zhong Yan now, Zhuo Ying felt that this wouldn't be a difficult task.
Although Yao Chong disliked Zhong Yan and didn't give him a single kind glance, under the influence of his wife and daughter, the four of them had a meal together, and the atmosphere improved slightly.
Mainly, Yao Chong felt that Zhong Yan had his own insights into acting and was a talent with potential.
"I have a knight character in my upcoming film, and I haven't found a suitable candidate yet. Why don't you come for a screen test tomorrow?"