This person is clearly a male protagonist in a female-oriented novel, yet he is excessively lucid.

After uploading the last patent application document, Yu Chenzhou breathed a sigh of relief, stretched to relieve the fatigue from sitting for a long time, and casually picked up his phone on the table to check the time.

The numbers on the screen were clearly displayed; it was almost 8 p.m.

He ran his fingertips along the edge of his phone, and Xiao Yilin's image instantly flashed into his mind. He thought that even if she was working overtime, she should have finished her work by now.

Without hesitation, he dialed Xiao Yilin's number and pressed the call button, wanting to ask her exactly what time she got off work so he could go pick her up in advance.

After all, Yu Chenzhou really doesn't have much else to do besides waiting for Xiao Yilin to come back.

The call was quickly connected, but Xiao Yilin's voice on the other end was somewhat unclear and rushed. She only said "I'll be back soon" before hanging up.

Hearing the busy tone in his ear, Yu Chenzhou paused, his fingers holding the phone hesitating, and muttered to himself:

Was she still busy with work? Otherwise, why would she hang up the phone so quickly?

What Yu Chenzhou didn't know was that Xiao Yilin was, at this moment, busy in some ways, but not so busy in others.

She wasn't busy with work, but rather dealing with her mother's constant questioning.

During the day, her father, Xiao Tianhe, went to the company to look for her. After returning home, he told her mother, Song Shuwan, about her situation in detail.

She especially emphasized that "Xiao Yilin is ready to have a child," her tone full of relief that her daughter's life-long happiness was settled.

Song Shuwan has always been wholeheartedly in favor of her daughter dating, or even getting married and having children as soon as possible; she has long been looking forward to holding her grandson.

But she had a bottom line: she had to meet her future son-in-law in person.

Although Xiao Tianhe had already told her a general overview of Yu Chenzhou's family background, job, and character.

But seeing is believing, and without actually meeting the person or talking to them, she always felt uneasy.

So at this moment, although Xiao Yilin was in her office with her computer screen lit up, she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

She was being cornered at her seat by her mother, Song Shuwan, who had come to the company specifically for this purpose, and was enduring her mother's relentless questioning.

"Mom, aren't you being too impatient?"

We only didn't use contraception once, and there's no guarantee she'll get pregnant. It's still far from certain, why are you in such a hurry?

Faced with her mother's relentless gaze, Xiao Yilin had no choice but to put down the documents in her hand, helplessly take her mother's arm, gently shake it, and soften her tone to act coquettishly.

"Hmph, I'm only in a hurry because it's for your own good!"

Song Shuwan gently tapped her daughter's forehead, her tone tinged with reproach.

"Given your current age and physical condition, all aspects are perfectly mature, making it the golden age to have children."

I was your age back then, and I believed your father's sweet talk, which led to the birth of you, my little girl.

Linlin, since you two are both ready to have a child, it means your relationship is solid enough. What else do you have to worry about?

Tell Mom the truth, is there something you're worried about?

Or is it simply pre-wedding anxiety at play?

While complaining about how she was "fooled" by Xiao Tianhe back then, Song Shuwan took her daughter's hand and held it tightly, her eyes full of concern as she asked her daughter.

"No, Mom, really!"

Xiao Yilin gently rested her head on her mother's shoulder and continued to explain in a coquettish manner.

"Didn't Chen Zhou and I just get back together not long ago?"

We've been apart for so long, we need some time to adjust to each other again, to nurture our relationship, and to prepare ourselves mentally.

"Keep talking nonsense!"

Song Shuwan didn't believe it at all, rolled her eyes at Xiao Yilin, and spoke with absolute certainty.

"Don't forget, Mom has been through this before, and I can't hide your little schemes from you."

Your dad is so oblivious, he usually doesn't notice things. Do you think I don't know you, your mom?

Given your personality, after finally getting back together with a man you've been longing for for almost four years and winning him over, you would be eager to finalize everything immediately. How could you possibly be dragging your feet like this?

There's definitely more to this than meets the eye. If you tell me the truth, maybe Mom can help you figure something out.

As Song Shuwan spoke, she gently squeezed her daughter's palm, her eyes filled with the certainty that "I have already seen through everything," and continued to press for answers.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yilin paused, her head resting on her mother's shoulder. The coquettish expression on her face gradually faded, her expression darkened slightly, and a hint of barely perceptible grievance flashed in her eyes.

She was silent for a few seconds, as if she had made up her mind, then gritted her teeth and said in a low voice:

"His mother...doesn't like me."

"Oh! So that's what happened!"

Song Shuwan suddenly realized and slapped her thigh.

"No wonder you were so angry when you came back from his house back then. You barely ate anything when you got home. When I asked you, you wouldn't tell me. It turns out you suffered this grievance at his house."

Seeing the conflicted and aggrieved expression on her daughter's face, Song Shuwan recalled her daughter's unusual behavior after returning from the Yu family years ago, and then she finally realized what was going on and quickly asked her.

"Does Yu Chenzhou know about this?"

What did he say? The key question is, whose side was he on?

"Shen Zhou knows that he has always been on my side and even made a special promise to me that he would communicate well with his mother."

When Yu Chenzhou was mentioned, Xiao Yilin's aggrieved expression instantly disappeared, replaced by a sweet smile and a softened gaze.

"But I'm still a little worried. After all, she's his mother. I'm afraid that even if he's on my side, it will be difficult for him in the long run, and I'm also afraid that I will never get along well with his mother."

Seeing the undisguised sweetness and tenderness in her daughter's eyes when she mentioned Yu Chenzhou, Song Shuwan instantly understood.

My daughter is truly deeply involved in this relationship and can't extricate herself from it.

In fact, the mother and daughter have very similar personalities; they are both the type who, once they've decided on someone, won't easily let go.

Back when she was with Xiao Tianhe, her family strongly opposed it, feeling that Xiao Tianhe was penniless and couldn't provide her with a good life. But she disregarded her family's objections and resolutely married Xiao Tianhe.

Fortunately, Xiao Tianhe lived up to her trust and expectations. Over the years, he worked hard and built his business into a large one, giving her a stable and prosperous life.

He remained consistent in his feelings, treating her as well as he had when they first met.

"Silly girl, what's there to worry about?"

Song Shuwan gently patted her daughter's hand, her tone becoming firm.

"Here's what you do: take some time to visit his house again and have a good talk with his mother to see what his parents' true attitude is."

Anyway, most young people nowadays don't like living with their parents after getting married. If things don't go well, you can always settle down in Shanghai.

The conditions in our Shanghai are so good, it's convenient for you to live and work here. You can just go back for holidays in the future.

When mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law see each other less and have less contact, there will naturally be fewer conflicts, and even if there are minor frictions, they will not escalate.

You can't delay this any longer. Once you've met his parents and talked things through, arrange for him to come to our house so your dad and I can meet him.

Song Shuwan made the final decision, looking at Xiao Yilin with a serious expression and a resolute tone that left no room for refusal.

"But...but I'm still a little scared..."

Xiao Yilin bit her lower lip. She wanted to say something more to express her concerns, but when she met her mother's stern yet expectant eyes, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Finally, he had no choice but to lower his head and obediently reply:

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

"That's more like it."

Seeing that her daughter had agreed, Song Shuwan's expression softened considerably, and her tone became gentler.

"Alright, stop worrying about those troublesome things at the company. Let your dad arrange for someone else to take care of them."

Your most important thing right now is to take good care of your health. Now that you're planning to have a baby, you're not allowed to stay up late working overtime anymore, understand?

"Understood……"

Xiao Yilin hung her head, looking like a wilted eggplant, and replied listlessly.

She had originally planned to focus on her career while she was young, but now having a baby is the most important thing. At least until she is confirmed to be pregnant, she has no choice but to obey.

"That's a good boy."

Song Shuwan smiled with satisfaction, reached out and gently pinched Xiao Yilin's cheek, speaking in a doting tone.

"Let's go, Mom will take you home first. I'll go home myself after I've settled you in."

"mom!"

Xiao Yilin felt a little embarrassed by her mother's affectionate gesture, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She gently struggled, protesting that her mother was spoiling her like a child, while at the same time she couldn't help but wag her arm around her mother's in a spoiled manner, her eyes full of dependence.

Afterwards, the mother and daughter walked out of the office arm in arm, chatting and laughing, and passed through the company's office area.

When they arrived at the company's main gate, Song Shuwan's personal driver had been waiting respectfully by the car for a long time. Upon seeing them come out, he quickly stepped forward and opened the car door.

The car drove smoothly for a while and soon arrived at the entrance of Songjian Yuefu residential area where Xiao Yilin lived.

As the car slowly entered the residential area, Song Shuwan looked around through the car window. She saw lush greenery, clean and tidy roads, and pavilions and waterside terraces scattered in a well-organized manner, creating a very quiet and elegant atmosphere.

She couldn't help but nod, praising:

"I didn't realize this kid had such good taste. The neighborhood he chose is really nice; it must be comfortable to live in."

"Of course, look who your boyfriend is."

Upon hearing her mother praise Yu Chenzhou, Xiao Yilin immediately raised her chin, proudly raised her eyebrows, and spoke with a tone full of boastfulness.

But as the car approached her building, she panicked and quickly said to the driver in the front seat:

"Master Liu, that's enough for now. I'll walk the rest of the way back myself. Please don't drive any further, or we might run into him right now."

She secretly thought to herself, if Yu Chenzhou accidentally saw her getting out of her mother's luxury car, wouldn't her family background secret, which she had kept hidden for so long, be completely exposed?

Seeing her daughter's anxious expression, Song Shuwan shook her head helplessly, rolled her eyes at her, and then instructed the driver in the front seat:

"Old Liu, stop the car and let her get off here."

She naturally knew what her daughter was thinking; she simply wanted to keep a low profile in front of Yu Chenzhou and didn't want him to think she was a rich young lady who depended on her family.

The car came to a smooth stop, and Xiao Yilin quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the car door, and prepared to get out.

Just as she stepped out of the car, she heard her mother calling her from inside. Turning around, she saw Song Shuwan leaning out, earnestly instructing her:

"Linlin, if you're sure you're pregnant, you must tell me and your dad right away, okay!"

Xiao Yilin smiled helplessly, waved to her mother, and solemnly promised:

"Don't worry, Mom! I'll definitely tell you right away, and I promise you'll be the third and fourth people to find out!"

She knew in her heart that she would be the first to know, Yu Chenzhou the second, and her parents would naturally be the next people to find out.

Watching Xiao Yilin turn and walk into the residential area, Song Shuwan signaled the driver to start the car.

The car restarted and headed home.

Song Shuwan leaned against the car window, watching the lights flash by outside, her gaze softening as she casually sighed:

"Sigh, time really flies! In the blink of an eye, Linlin has grown up and is about to become a mother. I'll be holding my grandson soon too. Time really waits for no one!"

His tone was full of emotion and anticipation for the future.