To My Dear Mr. Huo

As soon as he turned around, he met Shi Mengwan’s gaze, and his expression darkened.

“If you still acknowledge me as your father, I won’t allow you to be with him.”

“Dad.” Shi Mengwan was at a loss for words. She couldn’t help but turn around to look at Mother Shi. “Mom, look at Dad –”

She had wanted to stop Father Shi from chasing her away earlier, but she didn’t expect to be a step too slow.

She took a few steps forward and was about to open the door for Zhan Haoze. Father Shi stood at the door. He stood there and refused to budge. “Don’t open the door.”

“Dad.”

Shi Mengwan was anxious. Seeing that the father and daughter were about to clash, Mother Shi quickly stepped forward and pulled the door open. Although she said she was going to pull the door open, she was only trying to dissuade her daughter first.

“Wanwan, you must be tired from the car ride this morning. You should go and rest first.”

Shi Mengwan’s mother winked at Shi Mengwan. Now that Father Shi was in a rage, it was better not to confront Father Shi directly.

“But –”

Before Shi Mengwan could finish her sentence, she saw Father Shi snort while still facing the door. From that attitude of his, he appeared to have no intention of making way.

“Dad, Mom.”Shi Mengwan had a headache. “I still have to go back to Lin City to work. You guys aren’t going to lock me up at home and not let me go out, right?”

“The studio is all yours. Take a few days off. Just treat it as staying at home with your mom and me.”

Father Shi looked at Shi Mengwan. “Besides, don’t think that I don’t know that you guys can still work online. You have WIFI at home. You can just stay at home for the next few days.”

“Dad, how can you do this? I’m an adult now. How can you restrict my personal freedom?”

“I’m not restricting you. I’m doing this for your own good. If you still acknowledge me as your dad, you have to agree to break up with that Zhan guy. As long as you break up, I’ll naturally let you go back.”

“Dad, can you be reasonable?”

Shi Mengwan didn’t expect that after saying so much, she wouldn’t be able to move Father Shi at all. She really didn’t know what to do.

“I’m unreasonable? Let me tell you, I’m doing this for your own good. That woman surnamed Chen’s family background is better than ours, right? That Zhan guy even looks down on her. He said that the engagement would be annulled, so do you think he’ll be loyal to you for the rest of his life?”

“I believe him.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t believe him.” Father Shi had the same opinion as Mother Shi in this regard.

He was too out of her league. Since ancient times, people of equal status marrying each other had been the way. If that Zhan guy could make so much money and his conditions were so good… He really wasn’t a good match.

“Dad, you haven’t even interacted with him before, yet you’re saying this. Aren’t you being too rash?”

“Rash? I’m being rash for your own good.”

Father Shi’s attitude was firm. Shi Mengwan was very helpless.

After Shi Mengru washed the dishes and was about to go to school, Father Shi, preventing Shi Mengwan from going out, was still blocking the door.

Shi Mengru went up and looked at Father Shi with a fawning expression. “Dad, it’s fine if you block sister. I still have to go to school.”

Father Shi glanced at his little daughter, but in the end, he opened the door and let her go out.

Outside the door, Zhan Haoze was still standing there. When Shi Mengwan saw him, her toes moved.

But before she could take a step, Father Shi slammed the door again. He turned around and glared at Shi Mengwan.

“Don’t even think about going out today, I said so.”

“Dad.” Shi Mengwan really didn’t know that her own father had such a stubborn side.

The sun was also very bright in the courtyard. Shi Mengwan’s courtyard door was the kind of iron door that could often be seen in the countryside. There was nothing to block it.

The sun was so bright, so even though Zhan Haoze was a big man and he wasn’t afraid of the sun, since he was standing outside the courtyard, it made Shi Mengwan’s heart ache a little.

“Dad, just let him in. If there’s anything, just let him in and talk about it, okay? He’s just standing outside, so aren’t you afraid that the neighbors will gossip?”

“What gossip?” Father Shi was stubborn. “If he’s afraid of being gossiped about, he can leave. If he doesn’t stand there, won’t there be no gossip?”

Shi Mengwan felt a headache coming on. She looked at Father Shi and finally nodded. “Alright then, let him stand there.”

She turned around and walked into the house. Such an easy compromise stunned Father Shi for a moment, but he immediately became even angrier.

He turned to look at Mother Shi. “What is she doing? Throwing a tantrum at me? Throwing a tantrum?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mother Shi looked at the father-daughter battle and felt a little helpless. “You keep her sweetheart outside, but you don’t allow her to have a little temper?”

“She can’t stand to see her sweetheart being wronged, so she can let me, the father, be wronged, right?”

Father Shi’s words stunned Mother Shi for a moment, and she immediately reacted. She laughed. But she was afraid that Zhan Haoze would hear her outside, so her voice was very soft.

“Are you jealous?”

Father Shi’s old face turned red. “Who’s jealous?”

“How are you not jealous?” Mother Shi’s smile became even brighter, and she touched Father Shi’s arm. “You’re unhappy that your daughter is about to run away with another man, not to mention that your daughter is protecting her lover. She doesn’t give you any face at all –”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Father Shi was a little embarrassed. He glared at Mother Shi. “No matter what, I won’t like such a man. I don’t agree. Hmph.”

After saying this, he also entered the room. When he entered the room, he realized that Shi Mengwan had actually returned to her room. She ignored him and didn’t even think of saying anything nice. His face turned even darker.

Shi Mengwan was in the room and looked at Zhan Haoze downstairs from the window. Unfortunately, his body was blocked by the door and she couldn’t see him. After thinking for a while, she took out her phone and sent him a message.

“The sun is high, go back to the car and sit down.”

Zhan Haoze took out his phone and smiled when he saw the message. “It’s okay, I can’t back out at this time. I have to show your father my sincerity in wanting to marry you, right?”

Shi Mengwan was a little speechless when she saw his reply. Looking at the word “marry you” on the message, she replied, “Didn’t you make a mistake? You should show me your sincerity first, right? After all, you didn’t even propose marriage to me.”

“Then I’ll propose now and you’ll marry me. Is that okay?”

“That’s it? I’m not going to agree.”

“Then how will you agree?”

“What do you think? No matter what, I don’t want to marry you like this.”

“You should rest for a while. When you wake up, maybe your father will let me in.”

“Dream on.” Shi Mengwan didn’t doubt her father’s determination at all. “If you stand there for so long you turn into stone, maybe my father will agree to let you in.”

“Then why don’t we make a bet? Let’s see if your father will let me in when you wake up from your afternoon nap.”

“Let’s make a bet.” Shi Mengwan didn’t believe it at all. When she replied to the message, the corners of her mouth curled up, and there was faint mirth in her eyes. “If you lose, what will you do?”

“If I lose, I’ll listen to everything you say.”

“Okay.” In Shi Mengwan’s opinion, Zhan Haoze was bound to lose.

“If I win, you’ll marry me.”

Shi Mengwan looked at Zhan Haoze’s message and was a little speechless. How could she lose? She wouldn’t lose.

“Okay. I’m going to take a nap now. If you can really get my dad to let you in, I’ll marry you.”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

After replying to the message, Shi Mengwan really went to sleep. At first, she couldn’t fall asleep. Hearing that there was no sound outside, she thought that Zhan Haoze must still be standing outside. For some reason, she was in a good mood.

While she was sleeping soundly, Shi Mengwan’s voice woke her up.

“Get up.”

For a moment, Shi Mengwan didn’t understand where she was. She sat up and looked at Shi Mengwan.

“Mom?”

“Yes. Since you’ve woken up, go downstairs and talk about your marriage with Zhan Haoze.”

“…” Shi Mengwan blinked. “Mom, what are you talking about?”

“Since you’re awake, go downstairs. Zhan Haoze is downstairs. Come down first. Let’s discuss what you plan to do about your marriage.”

Was there something wrong with her ears? What did Mother Shi say?

“My marriage to Zhan Haoze?”

“Is there someone else?” Mother Shi flicked her forehead. “Alright, hurry up. I’ll call your second uncle and third uncle to come over for dinner tonight. It can be considered as letting Zhan Haoze meet our relatives.”

What kind of turn of events was this? Shi Mengwan couldn’t understand it now. After Mother Shi went out, she quickly got up and took the shortest amount of time to tidy up herself. After changing her clothes, she hurried downstairs.

When she went downstairs, she realized that the atmosphere downstairs was a little strange.

Besides Father Shi, Mother Shi, and Zhan Haoze, there was also Grandma Shi? She was very surprised as to how Zhan Haoze entered the door. However, before that, she greeted Grandma Shi first.

“Grandma?” Although she wasn’t very close to Grandma Shi, she still had to be polite.

“Wanwan’s back? It’s so hot today, why didn’t you sleep more?” Grandma Shi seemed to be in a particularly good mood today. Seeing that Grandma Shi wasn’t giving her the cold shoulder like before, Shi Mengwan was surprised.

“…” This sudden burst of enthusiasm made Shi Mengwan feel flattered. She just stood there and didn’t move.

Grandma Shi had already come forward and pulled Shi Mengwan’s hand. “Wanwan, look at you. Why didn’t you tell Grandma that you found a boyfriend? You should have brought him back a long time ago.”

Shi Mengwan blinked as Grandma Shi held her hand and looked at Zhan Haoze.

—— My Grandma let you in?

—— It was your dad who let me in.

—— impossible. My dad was already lenient enough for not hitting you. How could he let you in?

—— Your dad is right there. Do you want to ask him?

Their gazes met in the air. In a few moments, they understood the meaning in each other’s eyes.

Shi Mengwan bit her lip. Before she could look at Father Shi. Grandma Shi had already pulled her hand and sat down by the side.

“It’s good that you’re here. I was just talking about how to handle this banquet.”

Shi Mengwan realized that she couldn’t keep up with Grandma’s train of thought. Why did she suddenly jump to the banquet?

Sure enough, she hadn’t said anything yet, but Father Shi’s face sank first. “Mom, who said we’re going to hold a banquet? Don’t add to the mess. I haven’t agreed to Wanwan’s marriage yet.”

“What did you say?” Grandma Shi’s expression changed as she glared at Father Shi. She was displeased. “What nonsense are you talking about? You don’t even agree to such a good son-in-law? Tell me, what kind of son-in-law do you want? Huh? Don’t tell me you want your daughter to marry a President?”

“Mom.” Father Shi’s face turned green. “It’s not like that. He –”

“I know. He was engaged before. So what if he was? Forget about getting engaged. Even if he got married, can’t people remarry after the divorce?”

“Mom?”

Father Shi had been Grandma Shi’s son for many years. How could he not know that his mother was particularly good at twisting the facts?

“Haoze told me about his situation on the way. How big of a deal is it? Isn’t it just an engagement? Since it’s broken off, it means they’re not fated. Now that he’s going to be with Wanwan, it means he and Wanwan are fated. Don’t you think so?”

Father Shi had a headache. She was already calling him Haoze. He was furious, yet she was his own mother. There were still an “outsider” around, so he couldn’t argue with Grandma Shi in front of outsiders.

On the other hand, it was rare for her mother to be on the same side as her mother-in-law. “Yeah, people’s relationships still have to depend on fate.”

“Look, since your wife says that, it means our Wanwan and Haoze are fated.”

“Haoze, don’t you think so?”

Zhan Haoze nodded in agreement. “Yes, Wanwan and I are fated.”

“That’s right.” Grandma Shi looked at Zhan Haoze with satisfaction. “Oh right, what’s the genus of Haoze?”

“I belong to the Dragon.”

“Look, look, look.” Grandma Shi’s eyes lit up as she looked at Father Shi. “Haoze belongs to the year of the dragon. Wanwan belongs to the year of the horse. A dragon and a horse are a perfect match.”

Pfft. If Shi Mengwan was drinking water, she definitely would have spit it out.

She looked at Grandma Shi and realized for the first time that her grandmother was also a talent.

“Mom, what era is it? Do you still believe in this?” Father Shi was even more annoyed with Zhan Haoze now, but he couldn’t lose his temper.

“Why not? Look at the Zhao family at the east end of the village. Someone in the family born in the year of the dragon married someone born in the year of the tiger. They fight with each other every day. What did the fortune-teller Zhang Banxian say? He said that the best match for someone born in the year of the dragon is to marry someone born in the year of the horse. They are a perfect match. They are a perfect match.”

Shi Mengwan had a hard time holding back her laughter. She couldn’t help but look at Zhan Haoze and realized that he was listening to Grandma Shi’s nonsense seriously. She couldn’t help but rub her forehead. This was really…

“Haoze, don’t you agree?”

“Yes.” Zhan Haoze wasn’t impatient at all. On the contrary, he agreed. “I’ve asked a few friends who studied metaphysics before, and they also said that Wanwan and I are a good match.”

Shi Mengwan lowered her head and didn’t want to look at Zhan Haoze anymore.

How come she didn’t know that Zhan Haoze could actually talk nonsense with a straight face?

“That’s what I said. Since that’s the case, let’s settle things as soon as possible.”

Grandma Shi thought about it. “This year is a good year. You know that, right? It’s best to get married this year.”

“I think so too. If possible, I hope to marry Wanwan as soon as possible.”

“You child, I can tell that you’re a good person at first glance.” Grandma Shi smiled like a flower. Shi Mengwan really couldn’t stand it anymore, but the two in front of her were still going on.

“How about this, I’ll let Zhang Banxian see which day is suitable.”

“Okay, we’ll listen to Grandma.” Zhan Haoze nodded. “We can also get engaged before we pick a good day.”

“Mom.” Father Shi couldn’t take it anymore. “I haven’t agreed yet.”

“Why won’t you agree?” Grandma Shi stood up as she looked at Father Shi. “When I told you not to marry Wanwan’s mother in the past, weren’t you the one who told me that now, marriage is free and love is free. You said the times are different now. You told us parents not to interfere with our children’s marriage? Why are you interfering with Wanwan’s marriage now?”

“I –” Father Shi was speechless.

“Wanwan, let me ask you. You brought Haoze back, right?”

“Yes.” Shi Mengwan had endured it very hard just now, but now it was even harder.

“You like him and he likes you too. You guys are together of your own free wills, right?”

“Yes.” Shi Mengwan ignored Father Shi’s ugly expression and nodded vigorously.

“Look –” Grandma Shi spread out her hands. “Isn’t it already done? Marriage is free, love is free. You said it.”

“Mom –” Father Shi’s head was about to explode.

“Alright, it’s settled then.” Grandma Shi made the decision on the spot. “Wanwan, accompany Haoze around the town. I’ll discuss it with your dad and see how your marriage will be handled. Also, I’ve made the decision tonight to have your second uncle, third uncle, and your aunt come over for dinner. Also, let him acknowledge his new relatives.”

“Got it, Grandma.” Shi Mengwan wasn’t surprised at all since Mother Shi had said that earlier.

She held Zhan Haoze’s hand and walked out a little quickly. She was really afraid that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn’t be able to control herself.

It had been so long, but this was the first time she realized that her grandmother had such a powerful function.

She did have some questions to ask Zhan Haoze. So, she didn’t care about Father Shi’s fierce and sharp gaze and left the house with Zhan Haoze.

After she slept for a while, the sun outside wasn’t that big anymore. The clouds covered the sun and a gust of wind blew over. Not only was it not hot, but it was also cool.

Shi Mengwan breathed in the familiar fresh air of her hometown. She turned around and looked at Zhan Haoze. “Tell me, how did you do it?”

Zhan Haoze didn’t answer her question. He just pinched her palm. “Don’t worry about how I did it. Did I win today?”

Although she was very unwilling to admit it, he really won. Shi Mengwan nodded. “Yes. You won.”

“So, you’re going to marry me?”

“Tell me first, how did you do it?”

“A lure,” Zhan Haoze threw out two words. Shi Mengwan blinked and thought of Grandma Shi’s personality. “What benefits did you promise my Grandma?”

Without waiting for Zhan Haoze to answer, she suddenly raised her hand. “No, tell me first. How did you know to find my Grandma?”

She didn’t believe that Zhan Haoze didn’t have a helper. The biggest possibility was – “My sister, right? She must have told you to look for my grandmother.”

“Smart, it was your sister.” Zhan haoze smiled. He was quite satisfied with this future sister-in-law. “She told me to look for her grandmother.”

Previously, Grandma Shi had a bad relationship with Mother Shi, and she was angry that Father Shi didn’t want to listen to her and adopt a stepson. Therefore, she had been taking turns to live with her second uncle and third uncle.

After receiving Shi Mengru’s guidance, Zhan Haoze quickly went to look for Grandma Shi. Of course, Shi Mengru was the one who brought him along.

When Grandma Shi heard that he was Shi Mengwan’s boyfriend, she listened to Shi Mengru’s introduction. She didn’t even take her afternoon nap, but she was suddenly energized.

She chatted with Zhan Haoze for a while. After Shi Mengru left, she tried to beat around the bush and listened to Zhan Haoze’s conditions.

She was sure that he was a rich mand. How could she let such a good man go?

It was rare that Shi Mengwan was lucky enough to meet such a good man. Grandma Shi was very happy.

More importantly, Zhan Haoze generously agreed to many of Grandma Shi’s conditions.

“What did you agree to my Grandma?”

“Nothing.” Zhan haoze looked at Shi Mengwan’s beautiful side profile and avoided answering the question. “To be able to marry you, I think any condition is nothing.”

“Zhan Haoze.”

That was because he didn’t understand what kind of person Grandma Shi was.

If he dared to agree to those conditions, Grandma Shi would have a way to ask for more in the future like a bottomless pit.

“Don’t worry. Grandma WAS still very reasonable. It WAS really nothing.”

Grandma Shi was reasonable? Shi Mengwan blinked her eyes and couldn’t believe her ears. “Zhan haoze, what condition did you agree to my grandma? If you don’t say it, I won’t marry you.”

“It’s really not a big deal.” Zhan Haoze stopped and rested his forehead on Shi Mengwan’s forehead. As he looked at her face, there was some gentleness in his eyes.

“I told you, those are nothing.”

No matter what price he had to pay, he was lucky to be able to marry her.

And after getting those promises from him, Grandma Shi would naturally think of a way to persuade Father Shi.

He didn’t have any intention of using money to bribe anyone, but if such a move worked, he didn’t mind doing it.

Moreover, although Grandma Shi seemed unreliable, this time, she really wasn’t the one who suggested it. It was Zhan Haoze who took the initiative to agree.

He vaguely knew that Shi Mengwan and Grandma Shi didn’t have a good relationship. He also knew that after so many years, there were some things in Shi Mengwan’s heart that she couldn’t forget.

If he could get Grandma Shi to agree to their marriage with just a little money, and it could even make their relationship better, then why wouldn’t he do it?

Zhan Haoze’s words made Shi Mengwan feel a little moved. She looked at Zhan Haoze, then suddenly tiptoed and kissed him on the lips.

“Thank you, Zhan Haoze.”

Her actions made Zhan Haoze smile. Obviously, he was very satisfied with her initiative, but he said, “That’s it? Your thank you gift is still so insincere.”

Shi Mengwan’s face turned red. “What else do you want?”

“Nothing, I just want to remind you. Remember that you lost to me. Also, you have to marry me.”

Shi Mengwan pulled her hand back and took a big step back. “I’m not going to do that. You haven’t even proposed, so I’m not going to marry you.”

“Not going to marry me?” Zhan Haoze narrowed his eyes and chased after Shi Mengwan.

Shi Mengwan quickly ran away. The two of them chased after each other on the road not far from the Shi family’s house until Shi Mengwan met someone she knew.

After Shi Mengwan brought Zhan Haoze around the town and brought him back home, she realized that although Father Shi’s expression was still ugly, but he didn’t say anything about chasing Zhan Haoze out.

He looked at Zhan Haoze with a displeased gaze.

“You, come with me.”