"I know this puts you in a difficult position, but I must marry her."
Qing Muye's brows furrowed slightly. "We can... do our respective duties."
His words carried hidden meaning.
Old Shen Tou's gaze, fixed on the cigarette butt in his hand, suddenly lifted. He looked at Qing Muye with a touch of surprise and, after a brief exchange of glances, smiled.
"I misjudged you. I didn't think you and Jingwei were a good match back then, but now you've impressed me."
"Time is the best witness."
A slight curve graced Qing Muye's lips. "Ah Wei's parents are also arriving in Lancheng this afternoon. I'll have someone pick you up, and we can have a casual meal together."
Old Shen Tou pulled a cigarette from his pack, sat on the sofa, and lit it. He didn't respond.
"See you tonight."
Qing Muye bid farewell to Old Shen Tou and rose to leave.
After he departed, Old Shen Tou remained seated on the sofa, lost in thought, his brow furrowed in concern.
Soon, lingering wisps of smoke filled the vast office space.
...
In the afternoon, at a suite in the Hilton Hotel.
Du Juan, Meng Tianhua, Old Shen Tou, Madam Qing, and Qing Muye sat in a private room.
After ordering, Qing Muye stood up to pour tea for the four elders.
He first poured for Old Shen Tou, who was the eldest and Jingwei's mentor.
He then poured for Du Juan and Meng Tianhua, and as he handed the tea to them, he said, "Mom, Dad, please have some tea."
This sudden change in address caused the older couple to pause, taken aback, and they didn't react for quite some time.
Madam Qing, however, was beaming, pleased that Qing Muye had finally come to his senses.
"Heh heh heh, Young Master Qing, this... this..."
Du Juan smiled awkwardly, glanced at Meng Tianhua, then at Old Shen Tou, and finally at Qing Muye, unsure of what to say.
Qing Muye placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please, sit down first."
His gesture implied he had something to say later.
Meng Tianhua was about to speak, but Du Juan shot him a look, and he remained silent.
Qing Muye then poured a cup of tea for Madam Qing, who sighed, "You're finally growing up, you rascal."
After serving tea to the four elders, Qing Muye returned to his seat and said, standing, "Ah Wei is not feeling well and is hospitalized for pregnancy care, so I didn't ask her to come. Dad, Mom, I brought you from the countryside because I have something important to discuss with you."
"Ah... This, heh heh heh, Young Master Qing, you and Jingwei haven't even gotten to the 'eight characters crossing' stage yet," Du Juan said after a long hesitation. "You young people, why can't you be more careful? She's so young, and she's going to have your baby. Did you even ask for her opinion?"
Du Juan, having grown up in the countryside, wasn't overly conservative, but her greatest concern was Meng Jingwei.
She cherished her daughter like a precious gem, and as long as she was happy, everything else was secondary.
"I understand."
Qing Muye nodded slightly, then casually picked up the remote control on the table and turned on the television.
The television was connected via phone projection. Qing Muye dialed Meng Jingwei for a video call. After a few rings, she answered.
As the video connected, they saw Meng Jingwei leaning against the hospital bed, wearing a hospital gown.
To avoid worrying the elders, Meng Jingwei had deliberately put on some makeup, making her appear energetic and radiant, showing no signs of illness.
"Hi, Dad, Mom."
Meng Jingwei waved and greeted the elders. "I'm so sorry, you came all the way to Lancheng, and I couldn't be there to have dinner with you."
Bang!
Suddenly, Meng Tianhua slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed angrily, "What's wrong with you, you crazy girl? You're pregnant before marriage, where do you expect your mother and I to put our faces? Huh?!"
Meng Tianhua held traditional views and was genuinely angered by Meng Jingwei's premarital pregnancy.
However, given Qing Muye's background and the favors he had received from him, Meng Tianhua dared not scold Qing Muye, but he could vent his anger at Meng Jingwei.
"This is not Ah Wei's fault; it's all my fault."
Qing Muye took the blame. "That's why I invited you here today to discuss my marriage with Ah Wei. My plan is to get our marriage certificate at the Civil Affairs Bureau next Monday and hold the wedding at the beginning of next month."
"Ah? This... isn't that a bit too sudden?"