Although the Su family was very satisfied with Fu Zheng, and Fu Zheng's mother no longer interfered with their relationship, she still harbored resentment about Su Ying being two years older than Fu Zheng.
Of course, this was secondary. What she found most unacceptable was when she visited her son in City B and saw him being bossed around by Su Ying, which made her feel vaguely uncomfortable.
"Mom, outside, she's my boss, and I'm just completing the work she assigned me," Fu Zheng explained until his lips were almost worn thin.
"Okay, let's put work matters aside for now. What about in private? She still directs you to do things, doesn't she!" To assess Su Ying, Fu Zheng's mother had secretly observed quite a bit.
She had seen Fu Zheng following Su Ying with large bags of things several times, even feeding her, making it seem like her son was subservient. It infuriated her.
Although her relationship with her son wasn't particularly close, seeing him acting so meek and submissive made her heart ache as a mother.
Fu Zheng had heard his mother nag before and didn't know how to persuade her. "Mom... These things that seem humble to you, I do them with pleasure. Yingying is my girlfriend. What's wrong with me carrying her bag? It's not heavy! Besides, shouldn't you pamper your own wife?"
"This is called romance, don't you understand!"
"I don't see it!" Fu Zheng's mother pursed her lips unhappily. "I only see you giving, and her receiving! Such an unequal relationship can't last long!"
"I think the gap between you two is too large, and you're not suitable. Moreover, she's so assertive. You're naturally weak-willed and will definitely be completely dominated by her..."
"I'm willing!" Fu Zheng, annoyed by her words, couldn't help but retort. "I just like women with ambition like her! She gives me a sense of security!"
"The girls you introduced were all too delicate and expected to be waited on by others. If I had agreed to them, that would have been the beginning of unhappiness!"
"Do you think saying sweet words to coax you and being obedient means she's well-behaved and sensible? Lacking common ground is even more terrifying! Marriage is about mutual love. Without an emotional foundation, there will be no good outcome."
After speaking, Fu Zheng angrily hung up the phone.
He didn't want to be like his parents, entering into a marriage of convenience and maintaining a polite distance for life. It looked harmonious on the surface, but in reality, they had long since grown apart and harbored their own thoughts. Such a marriage was unhealthy.
So what if Su Ying was more capable and came from a better family? He liked her as a person, and she happened to like him too.
This was heaven's best arrangement!
Seeing his sulky expression, Su Ying wrapped her arms around his neck from behind. "You shouldn't get angry with your mother..."
After all, she was an elder.
And, in the first place, she was doing it for his own good.
Fu Zheng squeezed her hand, his tone tinged with helplessness. "I just want to tell them not to meddle in my affairs anymore. I don't want you to be misunderstood... even if that person is my mother!"
"Your intention to stand up for me is good, but it's really not necessary." Su Ying was more laid-back. She was dating Fu Zheng, not his family, and could completely disregard their feelings.
Relationships were inherently about two people. If they clicked, they stayed together; if not, they broke up. It was normal.
But Fu Zheng probably thought more deeply.
He wanted to marry Su Ying, to truly make her his, with legal protection.
She was so outstanding, and there were always queues of men wanting to pursue her. Thinking of the men who offered their services whenever he accompanied her to social events made him feel stifled.
Even though Su Ying hadn't accepted their individual invitations or shown any ambiguous gestures, he always felt a sense of crisis.
What if, one day, a man with excellent qualifications appeared, and she became interested? Would she think he was too immature and that there was no future for them together?
"Don't overthink it," Su Ying always comforted him.
But Fu Zheng couldn't help but overthink.
He didn't just want the title of boyfriend; he wanted to be her husband!
"Yingying, when I've saved enough money to buy a house, let's get married, okay? Although with my current ability, I can't give you the best, I will do everything in my power to give you my all!" Fu Zheng said gloomily, encircling her waist.
Su Ying froze.
She hadn't expected him to think so far ahead.
She hadn't considered marriage yet. She only knew that dating felt good right now and that they could continue this relationship. But if they were to marry, their feelings might change.
Dating was a matter between two people, but marriage was a matter between two families. Given the Fu family's attitude towards her, even after marriage, they probably wouldn't get along well. Moreover, she was not one to back down. If things escalated, Fu Zheng would be caught in the middle, making it difficult for him.
"Although I'm satisfied with the current situation, marriage... isn't it a bit too soon?" Su Ying didn't want to deceive him, so she spoke her true thoughts.
Fu Zheng gave a wry smile.
He had probably guessed her thoughts.
Su Ying was a woman of unique charm – brave, decisive, strong, and ambitious. All the virtues of a woman were fully displayed in her. Such a woman was destined not to be bound by family.
Fu Zheng felt a little disheartened.
It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep up with her. She was so dazzling, like the sun in the sky, scorching and bright, an object of admiration for all. In contrast, he was just her assistant, occasionally acting as a driver. In front of outsiders, he was always just a foil, easily overlooked.
The two of them, by all appearances, were not a good match.
At this moment, Fu Zheng suddenly felt discouraged and began to doubt himself constantly. Was it a wrong decision to keep her by his side in the name of love?
In the future, if she regretted it, would she blame him?
But he couldn't bear to give up so easily. "Yingying, I will strive to improve. You can't leave me..."
His sudden act of coyness stirred a trace of heartache in Su Ying. "Silly boy! When did I ever say I would leave you..."
She simply didn't want to step into the temple of marriage yet.
She loved freedom.
"Give me some more time," Su Ying coaxed, stroking his head.
Fu Zheng didn't argue with her but hugged her obediently.
However, deep down, he secretly vowed that he couldn't continue like this. Perhaps he should make himself stronger as soon as possible. He didn't mind being her assistant, but he wanted to be her support even more.
The next day, upon returning to the company, Fu Zheng, after much deliberation, conveyed his thoughts to Su Ying.
"Which department do you want to transfer to?" Su Ying was slightly surprised. Fu Zheng had studied management in college, and having him as a little assistant by her side was indeed a waste of his talents.
After a moment's hesitation, Su Ying decided to let him go.
She had no intention of suppressing him.
If he had something he wanted to do, she would fully support him.
"I want to go to the marketing department," Fu Zheng replied, taking a deep breath.