Film and Television World Life Record

"Just look at Su Mei, you were so beautiful when you were young, no less beautiful than anyone else. Why did you end up alone now? Don't let Taozi follow in your footsteps!"

After saying this, before Xue Sumei could have her outburst, Lan Caiping stood up with a smile.

"Oh dear! I've been here quite a while now, I should go home and make something delicious for my Weiwei!"

"Sumei, don't worry about the peaches. See you later."

He waved and walked away with a smile.

Chapter 77 Ultimatum

Xue Sumei watched her leave, wanting to lash out but unable to, she was so angry!

But there's nothing we can do; the peaches just aren't up to par!

We don't aspire to be rich wives, but it's infuriating that someone like Xiao Li, who has such good conditions, is still dragging things out. When will he finally stop bothering us?

No, we have to urge Taozi; her relationship with Xiao Li can't be delayed any longer.

If the two of them really don't end up together, she'll be busy finding a new blind date for Taozi. Her daughter is so outstanding, she can't possibly stay single forever!

……

On the other side, Yang Tao, Wei Wei, and their male best friend Jiao Yang, three childhood friends who grew up in the same compound, were having coffee and chatting together.

Jiao Yang said, "Taozi, you've been acting strange lately. Is something going on?"

Yang Tao seemed to realize something, her face flushing slightly: "No...no!"

Jiao Yang said, "Your reaction is too strange. You said there's nothing wrong."

Lan Weiwei chimed in, "Yes, Peach, if you have a boyfriend, bring him over to meet us so we can help you choose."

Yang Tao was speechless, unsure how to explain. Seeing Lan Weiwei, who seemed to enjoy watching the drama unfold, she began to shift the focus.

"Weiwei, let's not talk about me. What about your boyfriend of over two years? Didn't we agree to meet him? It's been two years and we haven't even seen him once."

Jiao Yang chimed in, "Yeah! Weiwei, when are you going to introduce us to that boyfriend of yours who's even more handsome than Tony Leung?"

Lan Weiwei was stunned when she saw the criticism turn against her.

He stammered as he explained, "Zhuang Yan is just busy! He's always flying around, so we don't see each other often. I'll introduce you two when he comes back in a while."

Yang Tao laughed and said, "That's settled then, Weiwei. This time, we'll definitely see the magnificent woman you've been praising as a flower, and see what she really looks like. You're so captivated by her that you don't even want to bring her out to see us."

Lan Weiwei said guiltily, "Definitely, definitely. I'll bring him to meet everyone when I have time."

Just as Lan Weiwei was about to change the subject, Yang Tao's phone suddenly rang. She took it out and looked at it, her face immediately falling. She gave Jiao Yang and Lan Weiwei a bitter smile: "My mom!"

Jiao Yang: "It's definitely because they're pressuring us to get married!"

Lan Weiwei: "Maybe it's to set Taozi up on a blind date."

Yang Tao patted her forehead, glared at her two best friends, and answered the phone.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"Peach, where are you?"

"I'm having coffee with Jiao Yang and Weiwei right now!"

Xue Sumei's tone suddenly turned serious as she asked, "What about Xiao Li? When did you two settle down? It's been over a month!"

Yang Tao said helplessly, "We're dating! Don't rush me, give me more time, these things can't be rushed!"

"What do you mean 'don't rush me'?" Xue Sumei said earnestly, "Taozi, tell Mom the truth, did you two break up? Is it because you're acting out of your old habits and deliberately ignoring Xiao Li?"

Yang Tao quickly said, "Mom, no, we're still seeing each other! We have a pretty good relationship."

Xue Sumei said, "It's been so long, and you're still dating? You're dragging your feet. Xiao Li is a good person, and he's a good catch. Can't you put in a little more effort and get along with him properly?"

"If you really can't get along, Mom won't force you. We'll find someone else. With your great qualities, Peach, I don't believe you can't find someone!"

Yang Tao smiled wryly and said, "Mom, really, there's no need. Li Mu and I get along very well. Can you just leave it alone for now?"

Xue Sumei retorted angrily, "How can we not care? Look at your age! You'll be thirty-two next year, already considered an old maid. How much longer do you want to wait?"

"Your Aunt Lan came to our house today and raved about Weiwei's boyfriend! She said he's a high-level executive and a successful person! Mom doesn't expect you to find someone like that. We don't compare ourselves to others. Xiao Li is just fine. But you've been putting it off until now with such low expectations. How can Mom be at ease?"

Yang Tao thought to herself: No wonder she suddenly called and got angry today. It turns out Aunt Lan came to my house again. These two old best friends are always comparing themselves to each other and neither of them will admit defeat, which makes her suffer as well.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glare at Lan Weiwei, making her feel guilty and quickly lower her head.

"Mom, I know. I'm just trying to find the right feeling. Relationships can't happen so suddenly. Give me time."

Xue Sumei said, "Have I given you not enough time? If you don't take the initiative, do you expect your boyfriend to fall from the sky?"

“Peach, let me tell you, this feeling you’re talking about doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. You can’t stand still and wait; you have to actively move forward and actively seek it out.”

"During this process, the two spent a lot of time together and had more contact with each other, and gradually developed feelings for each other."

"If you really don't feel anything, then it proves you're not a good match. Don't waste time, break up quickly. You're not young anymore, you can't afford to waste any more time. Let's find someone new."

Yang Tao stroked her delicate forehead: "Mom, I understand what you mean, I need to be more proactive. I'll call Li Mu and ask him out in a bit, now you can rest assured."

Xue Sumei was still worried and said, "It's not enough for just the two of you to talk. When will you invite him over for a meal, and also invite your sister and brother-in-law to come and give him their opinion?"

Yang Tao said helplessly, "Okay, I'll try my best!"

Xue Sumei said, "It's not 'try our best,' it's 'definitely.'"

Yang Tao smiled wryly and said, "Okay, okay, I promise you."

Xue Sumei was satisfied then, gave Yang Tao a few more instructions, and hung up the phone.

Yang Tao put away her phone, and Jiao Yang winked and said, "Taozi, what's going on? Who is Li Mu? Don't change the subject!"

Looking at Jiao Yang and Lan Weiwei, who were both very curious, Yang Tao could only explain in a low voice, "He's just a friend."

Jiao Yang said in disbelief, "Just friends? That's impossible! I overheard the phone call just now. You two have been dating for a while now, and your aunt is urging you to make your relationship official!"

"Peach, you can't lie! Are you trying to hide your boyfriend from us like Weiwei did?"

Yang Tao blushed slightly: "It's not even close to being settled yet. Besides, we haven't known each other for long and are still trying to date. My mom keeps urging me to get to know her, it's so annoying."

Jiao Yang said, "You can't blame your aunt. Think about it, you haven't been in a relationship for years. You're not young anymore, and you don't even have a boyfriend. How can your aunt not be worried!"

Yang Tao said helplessly, "I know, I'm a leftover woman now, it's just that I haven't found the right one yet!"

Jiao Yang said, "Since you've decided to find a boyfriend, you need to change your mindset. I know you were hurt in your last relationship, and for the past two years you've been averse to dating, and even averse to men who approach you."

"But now things have to change. Not every man is a jerk; there are still many good men. Don't close yourself off; open your heart, reach out, and feel things to find true love."

Lan Weiwei added, "Yes! Peach, we've all been so worried about you not dating for the past few years."

"Now that you've finally met someone you're willing to date, and your aunt is satisfied, we can't let things fall apart."

Yang Tao nodded helplessly: "I know, I know... When did you two become more nagging than my mom?"

……

Chapter 78 Begin to close the net

Yang Tao felt confused after she and Jiao Yanglan parted ways.

During her time with Li Mu, she had developed feelings for him and even tacitly approved of the growing relationship, not ruling out taking things further.

However, Li Mu's attitude towards her has been lukewarm lately, and he doesn't seem to be making the most of the situation. Naturally, she won't take the initiative either, and their relationship has been progressing slowly.

In addition, she has recently encountered some problems at work. She has been working at this hotel for six years and will be renewing her contract with the hotel in a few months.

In such cases, the hotel will usually renew the contract several months in advance. Many of her colleagues who signed contracts at the same time have recently renewed their contracts with the hotel one after another.

She was the only one left, and the hotel hadn't shown any intention of renewing her contract early.

This made Yang Tao feel annoyed and even led her to some speculations, but she couldn't believe it and quickly banished the thought from her mind.

As the hotel lobby manager, she worked diligently and devoted all her energy to the job for the past six years, showing a deep affection for it.

Their performance has always been outstanding, earning them recognition as an advanced and excellent employee every year.

Yang Tao thought silently, "The hotel shouldn't be so cold and inhumane."

Work-related issues naturally affected their relationship, which was another reason why their relationship progressed slowly.

……

Li Mu recently resigned. Since achieving financial freedom, his job at Shangdong Club has become dispensable to him.

The reason I'm staying here is because of the atmosphere, the professional training facilities, and the many coaches I can exchange ideas with, so I can try my best to master all the skills I've learned.

Now, after months of hard work, I've achieved my goal and there's no need for me to continue coaching here.

However, after resigning, Li Mu obtained a platinum card from Shangdong Club, becoming a VIP customer and still able to enjoy the club's professional facilities and high-quality services.

Without a job, I can devote more time and energy to training.

That day, Li Mu left the Shangdong Club, recalling the solution he had been pondering for a long time, and then thinking of Deng Jiajia's voluptuous and alluring figure, a small flame flickered in his heart. He turned the car around, not returning to the hotel, and drove towards Deng Jiajia's residence.

No sooner had they arrived than Deng Jiajia rushed over, tears streaming down her face, and buried her face in Li Mu's arms, sobbing softly.

Li Mu was taken aback, then patted her smooth back and comforted her, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Deng Jiajia sobbed twice more, then looked up with teary eyes, her pitiful appearance making one's heart ache.