After Qiao Ci woke up, Lin Xingyan quickly got up and went to the restroom.
The two ate lunch together at home. Thinking that he and Qiao Ci were already boyfriend and girlfriend and that they were truly meeting her parents tonight, Bai Xingyan felt a bit anxious and quickly asked Qiao Ci, "What do Uncle and Auntie like?"
Qiao Ci shook her head.
She didn't know either.
"Then what would be a good meeting gift for me to prepare tonight?" Bai Xingyan was a bit troubled.
"Your presence is the best gift, darling." Qiao Ci was in a good mood. She had just held her darling while sleeping, and he hadn't resisted!
From now on, she could call him darling whenever she wanted. She was so happy.
"How can that be?" Bai Xingyan was happy that Qiao Ci praised him, but meeting parents was such an important matter, and it still needed to be taken seriously.
In the end, the two decided to buy some gifts.
Qiao's mother had a hobby of collecting jewelry. The two found a ruby necklace in a jewelry store and asked the salesperson to package it so they could pay.
"I want this ruby necklace. Please package it for me, salesperson," a charming voice suddenly rang out.
A pure and alluring woman walked over, arm in arm with Bai Hengyuan.
"I'm sorry, but this gentleman has already decided to buy this ruby necklace. You can look at other styles," the salesperson said politely.
"Decided to buy it, but haven't paid yet. I don't care, I just want this necklace," the young woman said coquettishly, gently shaking Bai Hengyuan's arm.
"If Qingqing likes it, then I'll buy it for Qingqing," Bai Hengyuan pinched the woman's waist with obvious teasing.
Bai Xingyan looked at him like an idiot and interjected, "We saw this first."
Knowing that Bai Xingyan's card had been frozen, Bai Hengyuan disdainfully sneered, "You saw it? Do you even have money? Don't tell me you're addicted to being a kept man and are going to spend Miss Qiao's hard-earned money again."
Qiao Ci was too lazy to waste words with him. She took out her card and handed it to the salesperson, "Swipe it."
Seeing this, Bai Hengyuan continued to speak sarcastically, "Heh, some people have nothing now, but they seem quite content being kept men... "
Facing Bai Hengyuan's instigation, Qiao Ci was furious. She walked up aggressively, "My darling is enough with me by his side, and I'm willing to support him for a lifetime. Just because you're ugly and can't get a decent meal doesn't give you the right to slander others."
Bai Xingyan strongly agreed with Qiao Ci's words, "Aci, you're absolutely right!"
"Why should I be a kept man? As the head of the Bai family, I have money and ability. Wouldn't it be better to keep a few young models and celebrities for fun?" Bai Hengyuan had a petty demeanor. "Unlike some people, who might be discarded at any moment. Don't come begging me then."
Qiao Ci looked at him meaningfully, "Head of Bai Corporation? Are you sure?"
For some reason, seeing Qiao Ci's playful expression made Bai Hengyuan feel uneasy. Bai Xingyan now had the backing of the Qiao family. What if the Qiao Corporation helped him deal with himself...
It seemed he needed to act quickly.
After Bai Hengyuan left, Qiao Ci thought about his words and looked at her darling seriously, "Would you be unhappy if people said you were a kept man?"
Bai Xingyan replied with a hint of pride, "The only 'kept man' I want to be is for Aci, and the only 'pretty boy' I want to be is Aci's. As long as it's related to Aci, anything is good."
Qiao Ci found the boy's eyes to be clear, truly without any reservations. She reached out and stroked his soft hair in encouragement, "Then be a kept man, and I'll let you be one for a lifetime."
She also felt that it was perfectly fine for her darling to spend her money, but the world wouldn't see it that way.
Qiao Ci didn't want him to feel wronged, so she had to ensure her darling could be a proud kept man!
The two selected their gifts and went to the Qiao family's villa. Qiao's father remained stern, while Qiao's mother was all smiles.
"You're here, no need to bring gifts," Qiao's mother took the items and asked Qiao Ci to accompany her to the kitchen to help.
Seeing this, Bai Xingyan quickly sat up and volunteered, "Auntie, I can cook. Let me help you."
Qiao's mother was taken aback. Could this pampered young master actually cook?
"No, no, you're a guest. How can I let you help with cooking? Please rest," Qiao's mother politely declined.
Thinking that he and Qiao Ci had confirmed their relationship, Bai Xingyan corrected her with a slight blush, "I'm not a guest. Aci has agreed to date me, so we are family from now on."
Looking at the handsome young man before her, Qiao's mother was amused, "Alright, alright, maybe next time. Your uncle has something to say to you. Your father and I will go and cook."
"Okay, okay," Bai Xingyan nodded obediently, acting as well-behaved as can be.
Qiao Ci was assigned to the kitchen. Qiao's mother immediately teased her, "Xiao Ci, where did you find this treasure boy?"
"I picked him up from a variety show," Qiao Ci said proudly.
Qiao's mother knew they met on a variety show and smiled, tapping her head.
"Hello, Uncle," Bai Xingyan sat opposite Qiao's father, his expression serious, his back straight, wanting to make a good impression.
"En," Qiao's father responded indifferently, then asked, "Is your grandfather doing well?"
"Grandfather is still undergoing treatment, but there has been some progress. Thank you for your concern, Uncle," Bai Xingyan replied politely.
"When did you and my Xiao Ci start dating?" Qiao's father continued to ask.
"Yesterday," Bai Xingyan transformed into a good boy, answering each question as it came.
Qiao's father: ...
"Your family has gained Bai Hengyuan, your grandfather is critically ill, and you are treading on thin ice in the Bai family. Do you think you can give my Xiao Ci happiness?"
Bai Xingyan was confused. He thought about his current situation. He couldn't provide Qiao Ci with a better life materially, but his eyes were firm. He looked at Qiao's father and promised word by word, "I will treat Aci well, very, very well, to the best of my ability, for a lifetime.
Perhaps I cannot provide her with material wealth, but whatever I have, I will give it all."
Qiao's father took a sip of tea, noncommittal.
Who couldn't say nice things?
"You also know that she is our only daughter and will inherit the entire Bai Corporation. Your mother and I hope to find a son-in-law to join our family," Qiao's father said lightly, putting down his teacup.
"I have no problem with that," Bai Xingyan nodded obediently, without any hesitation.
His straightforwardness completely stumped Qiao's father.
He hesitated, "If your grandfather were well, would he agree to you marrying into our Qiao family as a live-in son-in-law?"
Bai Xingyan smiled a little sheepishly, "He should agree."
If his grandfather were well, it would also mean Qiao Ci saved his grandfather's life. It wouldn't be unreasonable to offer his grandson as a live-in son-in-law to his savior, right?
Qiao's father was about to say something more when Qiao Ci came out with the prepared dishes. Qiao's father cleared his throat to cover his awkwardness.
Qiao Ci sat down beside Bai Xingyan and quietly asked him, "Dad didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"
"No, Uncle was just discussing our marriage," Bai Xingyan exuded joy all over.
Uncle Qiao really didn't make things difficult for him. Marrying into the family as a live-in son-in-law was fine. As long as he could be with Aci, anything was good.
"So soon?" Qiao Ci seemed skeptical.
"En," Bai Xingyan suppressed his inner excitement and nodded with composure.