"Oh, yes."
Xiao Cheng suddenly understood. He took off his jacket, removed his sunglasses, and then used the rearview mirror of the car to re-style his freshly washed short hair, making his appearance even more ordinary. Then, he raised an eyebrow and looked at Meng Jingwei, "How about this?"
"It's okay."
"Alright then, let's go." As Xiao Cheng spoke, he opened the car door and took out four gift baskets of nutritional products.
"Why are you still carrying things?"
Meng Jingwei was about to take him to the supermarket to buy a fruit basket, but she didn't expect him to be so prepared.
"A boyfriend visiting his future mother-in-law without bringing anything, what kind of impression would that make?"
Xiao Cheng winked at her and smiled.
"Alright. I'll transfer the money to you later."
"It's a small matter."
The two entered Shengde Hospital together. On the way, Xiao Cheng inquired about Meng Jingwei's adoptive parents and took the opportunity to ask for her birth date.
He claimed it was to avoid making mistakes in front of her mother later, but in reality, he just wanted to know more about her.
Although everyone thought Meng Jingwei was somewhat ugly, Xiao Cheng found her to be genuine, forthright, and not obsequious towards him.
She was also someone unique.
Upon reaching the 21st floor of the inpatient building, Meng Jingwei led Xiao Cheng into the ward, "Mom, I'm here to bring you dinner."
Xiao Cheng followed Meng Jingwei in. Upon seeing Du Juan, he shed his playboy demeanor and naturally offered Du Juan a polite smile, "Auntie, I'm Xiao Cheng, Xiao Weiwei's boyfriend. I just returned from a business trip, and I'm only visiting you now. Please don't be angry, Auntie."
Du Juan looked at Xiao Cheng, dressed in a white shirt and suit pants, with short black hair. He had handsome, refined features and was a capable and clean-cut young man.
"Oh, you're here, that's good. Why are you still carrying things? Come, put the gifts down, and have a seat."
Du Juan gestured to the sofa, inviting Xiao Cheng to sit. She then sat beside him, "You're Xiao Cheng, right?"
"Yes, Auntie."
Normally, Xiao Cheng always had a rebellious and wicked look, and when he sat on the sofa, he would habitually cross his legs with his hands resting on the back of the sofa, exuding an air of dominance.
But now, in front of Du Juan, he sat with proper posture, his impishness subdued, as if he had transformed into a different person.
"Seeing how handsome you are and how good your demeanor is, why would you take a liking to my daughter? You must be the fake boyfriend my daughter hired, right?"
As expected of the mother who raised Meng Jingwei, she saw through the charade at a glance.
Meng Jingwei's heart skipped a beat, and she worried for Xiao Cheng, afraid he would mess up the act.
"Auntie, I don't like hearing that. I, Xiao Cheng, never judge people by their appearance. Although Xiao Weiwei is plain-looking, she has a kind heart, and I like her very much."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Then have you thought about when you plan to get married?"
Du Juan's thoughts jumped around, it was unclear whether she was genuinely worried about Meng Jingwei not finding a husband or if she was trying to test Xiao Cheng's true identity with an unexpected question.
"Oh, Mom, it's the first time you're meeting Xiao Cheng, how can you ask him such a question?" Meng Jingwei was speechless.
"You be quiet, I'm talking to Xiao Cheng."
Du Juan chided.
Xiao Cheng glanced at Meng Jingwei, his hands instinctively rubbing together. He felt a hint of nervousness.
This feeling, it seemed, had not occurred in many years.
He smiled politely, "Auntie, marriage is something that needs to be discussed with Jingwei. Such matters cannot be rushed."
"Alright, stop acting."
Du Juan patted Xiao Cheng on the shoulder, "Auntie can see it. My daughter's 'ugly' appearance doesn't deserve you."
The young man before her was distinguished. Although his attire was ordinary, his demeanor exuded a natural aura, indicating he was no ordinary person.
"Mom..."
Meng Jingwei felt like crying, never expecting her adoptive mother to see through the truth so quickly.
"Alright."
Xiao Cheng shrugged helplessly and sighed, "Since Auntie has seen through it, I won't pretend anymore."
He stood up and walked towards Meng Jingwei.
Just as Meng Jingwei was about to scold Xiao Cheng, he suddenly stopped in front of her and said, "Since Auntie is here today, I'd like to confess my feelings to you again. Meng Jingwei, I've liked you for a long time. Will you be my girlfriend? Although I may seem unreliable, I will prove to you with my actions that I am someone you can count on."
Meng Jingwei's pupils widened, completely stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Damn it, what was Xiao Cheng doing?
As she stood there dumbfounded, Xiao Cheng suddenly winked at her, giving her a meaningful look.
Only then did she realize that this guy was acting!
"Ah? I... I..."
Meng Jingwei cleverly played along, "I only asked you to pretend to be my boyfriend, Xiao Cheng, don't do this. We really aren't suitable."
"Suitability is something you only know after spending time together. I, Xiao Cheng, truly don't judge people by their appearance. Today, in front of Auntie, I hope you can give me a chance."
"Forget it, we can only be friends. I'm not good enough for you."
Xiao Cheng suddenly grabbed her hand, then knelt on one knee and took out a square velvet box from his suit pants pocket. "Beautiful appearances are all the same, I've seen enough. But you are different. Although you're not conventionally beautiful, you are kind-hearted, diligent, and ambitious. You are a rare gem of a girl. Xiao Weiwei, will you be my girlfriend?"
The sudden action, accompanied by the velvet box, contained a delicate necklace with a four-leaf clover pendant, which was very beautiful.
And his every word seemed to come from the heart, his gaze even conveying sincerity.
If Xiao Cheng hadn't given her a signal earlier, Meng Jingwei would have almost believed that Xiao Cheng was truly confessing his feelings to her.
His acting skills were no less than those of a young idol.
"Wow, there's a handsome guy confessing."
"He's so handsome. He actually likes such a plain girl. It must be true love."
"I'm so envious. I want a boyfriend like this too."
...
Since the ward door was not closed, several nurses who had finished their meals and were returning happened to witness this scene and stopped, even taking out their phones to record videos.
Those nurses were also familiar with Meng Jingwei, as they saw each other every day.
"Meng Jingwei, hurry up and say yes."
"He's so good to you, quickly accept him."
"Exactly, exactly. You won't find another one like him."
The nurses who stopped to watch jumped up excitedly, looking even more thrilled than Meng Jingwei.
Du Juan, sitting on the sofa, saw this scene and a fond smile appeared on her face, "Jingwei, I think Xiao Cheng is truly sincere towards you. Why don't you... give it a try?"
Despite Meng Jingwei's 'ugly' face, Xiao Cheng didn't seem to mind, and Du Juan thought he was a good person.
Perhaps they could try dating.
When the time was right to introduce her to his parents, he and the old man would have already been discharged from the hospital.
At that time, Meng Jingwei would no longer have to pretend to be ugly in front of the Li family, and she could meet Xiao Cheng's parents with her true appearance.
Then, a marriage could be successful.
"Mom, I..."
Meng Jingwei finally understood. Her adoptive mother was really afraid she wouldn't find a boyfriend with her ugly face and was eager to push her out.
She pursed her lips and looked at Xiao Cheng helplessly, "How about... we try dating first?"