The pushover offended a top-tier boss

The next day, the Ye family started preparing early in the morning.

Mr. Ye cleaned the shop inside and out spotlessly, even scrubbing the steps at the entrance. Mrs. Ye went to the market a day in advance to buy groceries, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat, filling the refrigerator to capacity.

Ye Zhenzhen helped tidy up the house.

"Mom and Dad, you don't need to be so nervous. Meng Chen's parents aren't high-ranking officials."

Meng Chen's family lived in the next county. His father was an electrician, and his mother didn't have a stable job. She would occasionally do cleaning work to earn some pocket money. There was also a younger sister in college.

"We still need to prepare properly; it's a matter of etiquette." Ye's mother shooed her out of the kitchen. "Go change into something nice; don't wear this old sweater."

Ye Zhenzhen returned to her room, changed into the light pink sweater and white velvet skirt, and then put on the light purple rabbit fur coat.

When she came out, Ye Zhenzhen felt inexplicably uncomfortable again.

I've decided to change it anyway.

"Oh, this outfit is so beautiful! When did you buy it?" Ye's mother couldn't help but ask.

"I bought it a few days ago," Ye Zhenzhen explained. "I'll go get a different set."

"No! Wear this!" Ye's mother called out to her. "This dress looks to be of good quality, and it makes her look elegant. Oh my, my daughter looks like a rich heiress on TV in this."

Ye Zhenzhen couldn't help but smile after being praised by her mother.

If you don't want to change it, then don't change it.

It's just an outfit.

By the way, did he not take the money for the clothes?

Anyway, she turned it over and I forgot to put it away, so it's not her fault.

Ugh, I don't want to think about that anymore...

Around 11 a.m., Meng Chen and his family arrived.

Meng Chen's father wore a dark gray cotton-padded coat, his hair was partially bald, and he carried two bottles of wine and a box of tea. Meng Chen's mother wore a dark purple cotton-padded jacket, had curly hair, and carried a fruit basket. Meng Chen walked at the very back, holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Uncle and Aunt, you must be tired from your journey." Ye Zhenzhen greeted them with a smile.

Meng Chen handed her the flowers, smiling a little embarrassedly: "These are for you."

Ye Zhenzhen took it; although it was red roses and black veil, which are straight men's favorites, it was still a thoughtful touch.

"Thank you, I like it very much."

The two families sat down in the living room, tea was poured, and melon seeds were laid out. The atmosphere was quite harmonious at first.

"These two, after all these years, still have such a good relationship." Mother Meng smiled, her eyes crinkling, as she looked at Ye Zhenzhen and Meng Chen sitting together.

"Yes," Meng's father chimed in, "so since Chenchen is graduating soon, we might as well set the date for their marriage."

"Yes, yes, that's what we meant too." The Ye couple nodded in agreement.

At the dinner table, toasts were exchanged, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

"We really like Zhenzhen. She has a good personality and is very beautiful," Meng's mother said, holding Ye Zhenzhen's hand affectionately. "We will definitely treat her like our own daughter from now on."

"Mengchen is a good boy, cultured and sensible," Ye's mother said with a smile. "We will definitely treat him like our own son."

"Come on, in-laws, let's have a drink together!" Father Meng raised his wine glass, his face flushed.

After a few drinks, the conversation gradually turned to business.

"Speaking of marriage," Meng's mother put down her wine cup, cleared her throat, "we've saved up 300,000 yuan for the down payment on the two children."

Mother Ye nodded and continued, "We only have this one daughter, so we're preparing a dowry of 200,000 yuan."

Ye Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment.

She knew her parents didn't have a high income. Over the years, they had supported her education, cared for her grandparents in their old age, and lived in the county town. It was already quite an achievement for them to save 200,000 yuan.

She glanced at her mother, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart.

"That's perfect," Meng's father smiled, "Now the money for the renovation is covered."

There was a moment of silence on the table.

Mr. Ye put down his chopsticks and coughed. "This 200,000 yuan is Zhenzhen's own money, and we don't care how she spends it. But if she uses this money for renovations, then the house must be registered in both names."

Meng Chen quickly replied, "Of course, Uncle."

Mencius' mother's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her smile.

"Zhenzhen, your aunt and uncle would like to help you as much as possible," she sighed, her tone tinged with difficulty, "but as you know, Chenchen's sister is still in school, and his grandfather suffered a stroke and takes medication regularly, which is quite expensive. We are just an ordinary family, and we really can't afford to help. Please understand."

She added, "We only have Chenchen as our son. We'll work hard for a few more years and save up for you. It will all be yours sooner or later."

Ye Zhenzhen lowered her head and didn't say anything.

Mother Ye continued, her tone still polite: "We understand, no family is extremely wealthy. So we won't ask for too much in terms of betrothal gifts, 88,000 will be fine."

Mencius' mother's smile froze.

"Huh? We still need a bride price?" Her voice rose a little. "My dear in-laws, I'm not saying this to be mean, but bride prices are an outdated custom from the old days. Who still does this when young people get married these days? It's like selling your daughter."

Mother Ye's face darkened: "What are you saying? Selling your daughter? Whose daughter is worth 88,000?"

"The bride price and dowry are matters of reciprocity," Ye's father said, his tone hardening. "If you don't want a bride price, then we won't provide a dowry either."

"That house can't be registered in Zhenzhen's name," Meng's mother interrupted, her tone resolute.

Ye Zhenzhen's hands clenched tightly under the table.

"It's not that we're saying this," Meng's mother glanced at Ye Zhenzhen, then at Meng Chen, her tone carrying a subtle sense of superiority, "but Meng Chen is a PhD. A PhD is different from a master's degree. When he graduates and looks for a job, many companies can arrange employment for him and his spouse as well. We're not bragging, but with his qualifications, countless young women are chasing after him."

"My family doesn't care!" Mr. Ye slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"Uncle, please don't be angry." Meng Chen quickly stood up.

"Mom, what nonsense are you talking about!" Meng Chen turned around and glared at his mother.

Ye Zhenzhen could no longer hold back and questioned Meng Chen, "Meng Chen, you knew about the bride price all along, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

She had told Meng Chen long ago that there would be a bride price for marriage in their area, with some families paying 20 or 30 yuan, and those with better conditions paying even more.

Most families spend 88,000 yuan, for good luck, which is considered the lowest in their area.

Meng Chen looked at her, his face full of guilt: "I'm sorry, baby, it's just that my family's financial situation is really bad... Wait for me to graduate, wait for me to earn money, I'll give you all my money, it's only 88,000, right? I can earn that in less than a year. Don't let this little bit of money ruin our harmony."

"Yes," Mencius' mother chimed in, her tone slightly sarcastic, "It's not worth ruining the harmony between our two families for such a small amount of money."

"This little bit of money?" Mother Ye sneered. "Then why don't you come up with some yourself?"

The meeting ended unhappily.

After Meng Chen's family left, Ye Zhenzhen sat on the sofa, hugging a cushion, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad, I didn't know it would turn out like this..." she said, choking back tears.

She felt she had embarrassed her parents.

They felt guilty, having prepared for so long, buying new clothes, cleaning the house, and cooking, only to be met with this.

"Why don't you apologize to your parents?" Ye's mother sat down next to her and put her arm around her shoulder.

Mr. Ye sat opposite him, lit a cigarette, and said nothing.

"Zhenzhen," Ye's mother patted her hand, her voice very soft and gentle, "you need to think carefully about your relationship with Meng Chen."

Ye Zhenzhen looked up at her mother through teary eyes.

"We used to like him quite a bit; he's steady and knows how to care for people." Mrs. Ye paused, "It's just that his parents seem a bit difficult to get along with. Eighty-eight thousand isn't a huge sum of money, and we could afford it for you. It's just their attitude..."

"You need to think this through," Mr. Ye said, stubbing out his cigarette. "You've been together for five years, and you're reluctant to break up. But if you really get married, you need to make Meng Chen show his stance. You also need to keep an eye on things over there; you can't let them do whatever they want. Besides, try to minimize contact in the future, live far away, and you'll only see each other a few times a year. That will save you a lot of trouble."

"Or, let's think about marriage again. Don't force yourself."

Ye Zhenzhen buried her face in the cushions and did not answer.

Her mind was in a mess.

She had always thought that her life with Meng Chen would be smooth sailing, and that they would live a peaceful and happy life together. It turns out that beneath the surface of their seemingly ordinary life lay so many cracks she had never noticed before.

Meanwhile, in the secretary's office.

Chen Zheng paced around the eighth floor several times before finally losing his temper.

These past few days, the air pressure on the entire eighth floor has been frighteningly low. Zhou Huaijin has a stern face every day. Secretary Lin is on vacation, Ye Zhenzhen has run away, leaving him alone to suffer in this oppressive atmosphere.

"Brother," Chen Zheng pushed open the office door and mustered his courage to speak, "Why don't we call Ye Zhenzhen back? Brother Lin isn't here either, and you can't manage without an assistant."

Zhou Huaijin was reviewing documents and didn't even look up.

"Should I give her a call?" Chen Zheng asked tentatively.

Zhou Huaijin remained silent.

Chen Zheng took this as tacit agreement.

If I didn't want to, I would have shut him up long ago.

Chen Zheng took out his phone, found Liu Jian's number, and dialed it.

"Professor Liu, this is Chen Zheng. Excuse me, is Teacher Ye Zhenzhen at school now?"

Liu Jian was stunned for a moment on the other end: "Teacher Ye? Is Teacher Ye back? School's already on winter break."

"Winter break has started?"

"Yes, all the students and teachers have left. The teacher on duty said that Teacher Ye came by a few days ago."

Chen Zheng hung up the phone, hesitated for a moment, and then dialed Ye Zhenzhen's number again.

It rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

"Feed?" Ye Zhenzhen's voice was muffled and nasal, as if she had just been crying.

"Sister Ye, why are you leaving? The boss is too busy, you should come back to work soon."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

This Chen Zheng seems unaware of her relationship with Zhou Huaijin.

She's feeling unwell right now and doesn't want to talk to him.

He said angrily:

"I'm not going!"

After Ye Zhenzhen finished speaking, she hung up.

Chen Zheng stared at the phone that had been hung up on, stunned for several seconds.

Of course, the people around them heard it too.

Chen Zheng shrank back: "Brother, Ye Zhenzhen... she's back in our hometown."

Zhou Huaijin maintained his impassive expression, turned a page of the document, and said in a calm voice:

"Get out."

"Okay." Chen Zheng turned and left.

"etc."

Chen Zheng stopped.

"We're going to inspect Nanjing County tomorrow afternoon. You'll be driving with me."

"Okay," Chen Zheng replied, then suddenly remembered something.

He had checked the schedule; Nanjing County was the day after tomorrow.

He glanced at Zhou Huaijin again, but didn't dare to ask.

Forget it, you can't mess with heartbroken old men.