The film and television city starts from the courtyard

Mo Xiaomin was skeptical of Zhao Shucheng's words, so when Zhao Shucheng opened the bedroom door and didn't see anyone, she couldn't help but look at Zhao Shucheng.

Zhao Shucheng pointed towards the wardrobe, already covering his forehead, feeling that today was truly unlucky.

When Mo Xiaomin opened the wardrobe door and saw Xiaoxue huddled inside, awkwardly smiling at her, she didn't know how to respond for a moment.

She had prepared herself mentally, thinking that at worst she would see a girl with disheveled clothes and question Zhao Shucheng, but she didn't expect that the person inside was not at all what she had imagined.

"Hello!"

Xiaoxue walked out awkwardly and said, "Hello."

Zhao Shucheng said, "Don't just stand there, Xiaoxue, come out too. Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Mo Xiaomin."

Xiaoxue came out of the closet and looked Mo Xiaomin up and down. Seeing that the other girl had long hair, she realized that she was not the short-haired girl her mother had described. She immediately understood that what Zhao Shucheng had said before was true.

This made her even more curious about Zhao Shucheng. After all, it's not something most people can do—to date two girls at the same time and get along so harmoniously.

"Well, I won't bother you any longer, I'll be going now."

Mo Xiaomin smiled and saw Xiaoxue off before turning back to Zhao Shucheng and saying, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"I already told you, she's my aunt's daughter."

"Really?"

"Of course, why would I lie to you?"

Mo Xiaomin looked at Zhao Shucheng suspiciously and said, "Really? I don't believe it. The way she looks at you doesn't seem like she's just your aunt's daughter."

Zhao Shucheng said with a smile, "Okay, I admit it, she likes me, but I've already told her I have a girlfriend, so I've already rejected her."

"Alright, you pass."

Mo Xiaomin didn't want to investigate the truth of the matter, and she understood that it was unlikely that Zhao Shucheng and Xiaoxue had anything going on, otherwise he wouldn't have let her see Xiaoxue.

"By the way, you called me before and talked about the party, what exactly happened?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "This is what happened: Teacher Zuo's daughter, Xiaoxiao, started dating, and then..."

Hearing Zhao Shucheng explain his thoughts about Xiaoxiao and Zuo Yongbang, he nodded and said, "I see. No problem, I can come. But wouldn't so many people put too much pressure on them?"

"How could that be? It was just a normal gathering. We were also helping Xiaoxiao evaluate her boyfriend. If she can't even handle this much pressure, I think it's better to break up sooner rather than later."

"Alright, by the way, Amy, shall we come too?"

"Of course, Amy will definitely come."

Mo Xiaomin looked at Zhao Shucheng and asked, "So how are you going to introduce us then? We can't just make our relationship public, can we?"

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it. If you feel it's inappropriate, you can say it's your best friend and let her come to the party."

"You're willing to do that? If Amy gets angry because of this, I won't help you appease her."

"Don't worry, Amy and I have already agreed that in front of others, you are just a good friend. Only our friends know about our relationship."

Before we knew it, the day of the gathering arrived.

Luo Shuquan arrived early because his home was downstairs from Zhao Shucheng's.

While the two were chatting, they heard the doorbell ring. Zhao Shucheng quickly went to open the door and found it was Xiaoxue.

"Xiaoxue, why are you here?"

"My mom told me that your family is having a gathering today, so I thought I'd come and join in the fun. Aren't you welcome?"

Zhao Shucheng said with a smile, "Of course not, but the problem is, I've already told your mom about the gathering today and asked her to come help with the cooking. What are we going to say when your mom arrives?"

"There's nothing wrong with saying this, let's just tell the truth."

Luo Shuquan looked at Xiaoxue from the side, then at Zhao Shucheng, and felt that Xiaoxue's visit here was not simply to attend a party.

Xiaoxue also thought it was a good idea. As long as she could attend today's gathering, her mother could think that she and Zhao Shucheng were friends, and her appearance here would not seem out of place.

Zhao Shucheng, however, felt this wasn't a good idea. After all, Mo Xiaomin had seen Xiaoxue at home before and was already suspicious. Amy was also coming this time, and if she saw Xiaoxue, it would definitely cause trouble.

Unfortunately, before Zhao Shucheng and the others could figure out their strategy, Xiaoxue's mother arrived, more than half an hour earlier than usual.

Xiaoxue's mother opened the door and came in, seeing Zhao Shucheng and Luo Shuquan sitting on the sofa, and her daughter cracking sunflower seeds.

For a moment, she wondered if she was mentally unstable and had entered the wrong room, so she even looked up to check the room number.

"Xiaoxue, why are you here?"

Although Xiaoxue had already made up her mind to go all out, she was still very nervous when she actually faced her mother. She said, "Um, I, I lost something here last time."

Zhao Shucheng suddenly covered his forehead, thinking that Xiaoxue was incredibly clever. After all, in her mother's memory, Xiaoxue had only visited Zhao Shucheng's house once, and that time she hadn't even come inside. How could she possibly have lost anything?

"Xiaoxue, don't lie to Auntie. Auntie, Xiaoxue knows that my family is having a party today, so she wanted to come and join in the fun."

"How can that be? Xiaoxue, this is your mother's employer's house. Don't come here and cause trouble. Go back quickly!"

"How did I cause trouble? Why can't I attend the party?"

Zhao Shucheng said, "Auntie, since Xiaoxue is already here, and it's not a formal gathering today, just a small get-together with my friends, it's fine for Xiaoxue to join in since we're all young people."

Xiaoxue's mother hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay, Xiaoxue, you can help me with the chores later."

As they were talking, someone knocked on the door again. Luo Shuquan went to open it and saw a middle-aged man standing in the doorway wearing a tracksuit, a baseball cap, and sunglasses.

Hey, who's up, man!

Seeing Zuo Yongbang like this, Luo Shuquan was momentarily confused and didn't know how to respond.

Zuo Yongbang was disappointed when he didn't get the response he expected. He went into the house and saw Xiaoxue, her mother, and Zhao Shucheng sitting calmly. He asked curiously, "What's going on?"

"That's exactly what you see!"

Zuo Yongbang, however, leaned close to Zhao Shucheng and whispered, "That's not what I'm asking about. I'm asking about her. What's going on? You invited Mo Xiaomin and Amy, so what's her situation?"

"This is Auntie's daughter, she's here to attend our gathering, it's that simple!" "Really?" Zuo Yongbang was skeptical, especially after seeing the way Xiaoxue looked at Zhao Shucheng. It didn't seem like she was just there to attend a gathering.

"Why not?"

Xiaoxue seemed to know that she had just met Zhao Shucheng's friends, and for a moment she couldn't find anything to talk about, so she could only huddle up next to her mother.

"Mom, let me help you!"

Xiaoxue's mother said with some worry, "What can you do to help? You're lucky if you don't cause trouble. Besides, it's a friend's gathering today. What are you doing meddling here? What if Xiaobai's girlfriend comes later and sees you, and they misunderstand?"

"What can we do? We'll just have to deal with it. I'm just here to have fun. If they're overthinking it, that's their own business."

Zuo Yongbang said with some concern, "Why hasn't Xiaoxiao arrived yet? Has she not found the place?"

Zhao Shucheng rolled his eyes and said, "Impossible. She might have gone to the wrong place, but Xiaoxiao would definitely find her way here. If you're really worried, go down and take a look. Maybe the boy is afraid to face you and is about to run away."

Although Zuo Yongbang did not believe Zhao Shucheng's words, he still prepared to open the door to see if Xiaoxiao had arrived.

Unexpectedly, just as the door opened, the elevator doors opened as well, and Xiaoxiao and Asheng stepped out. Asheng was marching in a square formation, a style often used during military training, while Xiaoxiao beside him chanted, "One, two, one; one, two, one; one, two, three, four..."

Zhao Shucheng and Luo Shuquan naturally heard the sound coming from the doorway. Curious, they peeked out and saw Xiaoxiao and Asheng.

Xiao Xiao and A Sheng walked up to Zuo Yongbang and shouted, "Halt!"

She looked him up and down, then, somewhat confused, at Luo Shuquan who had already reached the door, asked, "Is this my dad?"

"Seems to be!"

Xiao Xiao then pointed to Zuo Yongbang and said calmly, "This is my dad!"

Ah Sheng saluted and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Commander!"

Zhao Shucheng couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this, and said, "Wait, Xiaoxiao, is your boyfriend still a new recruit?"

"no."

"Then what are you doing?"

Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes at A Sheng and whispered to Zhao Shucheng, "He's a little nervous about meeting my dad, so he's using this method to ease his tension."

"Okay, you're the one with the ideas."

Zhao Shucheng, glancing at Zuo Yongbang and A Sheng who were still exchanging pleasantries, said, "Alright, stop talking at the door. Come in and sit down. Once everyone's here, we can officially begin."

A-Sheng and Zuo Yongbang sat awkwardly on the sofa watching TV, neither of them knowing what to watch or what to say.

Xiao Xiao, however, acted as if nothing had happened, leisurely wandering around the house, sometimes playing with Zhao Shucheng's toys, sometimes fiddling with a book, and sometimes going to the kitchen to watch Xiao Xue and her mother cook.

Xiaoxue also looked at Xiaoxiao curiously. Although she already knew that Xiaoxiao was Zuo Yongbang's daughter, she was still somewhat surprised when she actually saw her.

Xiao Xiao noticed Xiao Xue's curiosity and, after looking her over, leaned closer to Zhao Shucheng and whispered, "Wow, Xiao Bai, you've changed girlfriends again? Did you break up with your previous one?"

"No, Xiao Min will be here later, you'll find out then."

"Seriously? You're going this far. Your ex-girlfriend hasn't broken up with you yet, and your current girlfriend is at home. You're letting them meet up. Aren't you worried they'll start fighting?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Xiaoxue is my daughter. She's here to help out and attend the party. What are you thinking about all day? Can't you stop thinking about love and romance and be a little more healthy?"

"Tch, you can only fool children with that. The way she looks at you doesn't seem innocent."

Zuo Yongbang didn't want the awkward situation to continue, and in order to ease the tension, he took out a cigarette, but couldn't find a lighter.

Upon seeing this, Ah Sheng immediately took out a lighter from his pocket and lit it for Zuo Yongbang with both hands like a servant.

Zuo Yongbang took a deep breath, feeling a little more relaxed. Suddenly realizing something, he turned to look at A-Sheng and asked:

"You smoke?"

"Oh, no, no, I don't smoke. This was prepared especially for you."

Zuo Yongbang said slowly, "Oh, smoking is bad, but I have no choice."

"Yes Yes."

Zuo Yongbang had originally intended to talk to Asheng in an equal manner, but now their relationship was not only not equal, but the power dynamic had become even more pronounced. Asheng's trembling silence and Zuo Yongbang's quiet smoking made the atmosphere even more awkward.

Just then, the doorbell rang again, and Ah Sheng and Zuo Yongbang both stood up, feeling the atmosphere become much more relaxed.

When Zhao Shucheng went to open the door, he saw Mo Xiaomin and Amy standing at the door, carrying some cooked food.

"Xiao Min, Amy, why didn't you call me before you came? I could have come downstairs to pick you up."

As he spoke, Zhao Shucheng took the items from their hands and prepared to take them to the kitchen.

"Hi, I came in Amy's car and took the elevator up. It wasn't far, so I didn't call you."

Seeing that almost everyone had arrived, Zhao Shucheng smiled and said, "Okay, everyone's here. Let me introduce you. This is Mo Xiaomin, my girlfriend. This is Amy, and this is..."

When Xiaoxue's mother heard Zhao Shucheng's words, she looked at Mo Xiaomin and whispered to Xiaoxue, "Actually, that short-haired girl is also Xiaobai's girlfriend, but don't let it slip later, and don't offend anyone."

Xiaoxue simply looked at the few people in the distance and nodded silently.

A short while later, Xiaoxue's mother finished cooking and took Xiaoxue's hand to leave.

"It was too rushed today. I just cut up the cooked food that Xiaobai's girlfriend brought and that's all we made. We'll be leaving now."

When Zhao Shucheng and the others heard this, they saw Xiaoxue being pulled away and noticed the pleading look in her eyes.

Zhao Shucheng said, "Auntie, since Xiaoxue is here to attend the gathering, it's fate that we met. Besides, Xiaomin and Amy are only a few years apart from Xiaoxue. Having more friends means having more options. Why don't you let Xiaoxue stay? If you're worried, I'll drive Xiaoxue home later."

"No need for that, Xiaoxue. Just don't drink alcohol later, and go home early."

Seeing that there were many girls there, Xiaoxue's mother wasn't worried about her daughter being in danger. She also wanted Xiaoxue to get closer to the others, hoping that she might be able to get a better job, so she agreed.

Xiaoxue breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that her mother had finally agreed and had already left.

But when she turned around and saw Zhao Shucheng sitting between Mo Xiaomin and Amy, chatting and laughing, she felt a strong sense of resentment, as if something of hers had been stolen. (End of Chapter)