First, then, love.

She wasn't nitpicking; she genuinely found it strange.

Logically speaking, a family with a top-tier family background like the He family...

There are many rules.

The elders' desire for control is definitely not small.

My son went on a blind date, got engaged, and went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get his marriage certificate.

This is such a big deal.

He Zheng managed to handle it all by himself.

This is illogical.

He Zheng turned his head and met her eyes.

"Are you angry?" he asked calmly. "Do you feel that the He family doesn't value you?"

"no."

Shu Yao crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.

"Just curious. Isn't this kind of high-society behavior supposed to involve all the relatives throwing a trap, then throwing a check in my face and telling me to leave?"

He Zheng chuckled softly, his chest heaving.

"Watch less mindless TV dramas."

When the light turned green, he released the brake and stepped on the gas.

"My own brother, He Feng."

Looking at the road ahead, He Zheng began to explain in a low, calm voice.

"He's currently in the Gobi Desert in Northwest China, conducting a closed-door red-blue force-on-force exercise with live ammunition. All communications are cut off, and right now he doesn't even know if I'm married or not."

Shu Yao was stunned.

A real-life military exercise.

There's really nothing we can do about this.

"The old man had shrapnel in his leg from fighting in his younger days. It hurts every autumn. He's currently staying at the Northern Military Region Sanatorium, which is far away and he can't afford to travel," He Zheng continued.

"As for my mother."

When his mother was mentioned, He Zheng's long fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

"Ms. Shen Minghua flew to Europe overnight last week to discuss the finalization of an overseas acquisition deal. It was an urgent matter, and she couldn't leave."

Shu Yao raised an eyebrow.

A strong, independent woman.

Cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

That reason is indeed quite compelling.

She nodded, indicating her understanding.

"So you just went ahead and did it without telling her? She hasn't even seen what her daughter-in-law looks like, yet she dared to send over those engagement gifts?"

He Zheng glanced at the rearview mirror and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"She has seen it. Aunt Zhang sent you your photo, and after taking a look, she made up the engagement list ten minutes later."

He Zheng paused, then turned his gaze to the rushing street scene outside the car window.

"She called me five times last night, asking if I had run away when we got our marriage certificate this morning."

"..."

Shu Yao remained silent.

What kind of image does she have in her mother-in-law's eyes?

Is she a female con artist who might run away from her wedding at any moment?

"I received another call from her when I came out just now." He Zheng gripped the steering wheel again with both hands.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the acquisition?" Shu Yao asked casually.

"No." He Zheng turned to look at her. "She just landed; she landed at the city's airport ten minutes ago."

Shu Yao sat up abruptly, her eyes widening.

"What do you mean? Isn't she in Europe?"

"The negotiations are over, and once the contract is signed, I'll fly back immediately."

He Zheng spoke in a flat tone, as if he were saying that the weather was nice today.

"My dad had an expanded meeting in the province this morning. After the meeting, he sent his driver to pick her up."

Shu Yao was a little slow to process what was happening.

"Where should we take her?"

He Zheng didn't answer. He turned on the turn signal and drove off the main road.

We drove onto a quiet, tree-lined avenue with tall plane trees on both sides.

He looked straight ahead, his voice steady.

"If they were all home," He Zheng suddenly changed the subject.

"On the day of the blind date, there's no need to go to a coffee shop."

Shu Yao was taken aback.

"Where to?"

He Zheng glanced at her, his eyes revealing an air of self-righteous arrogance.

"Just tie you up with a rope, stuff you into the car, and drive you back to the military compound."

He was stating a barbaric fact.

"The people the He family has their eye on can't escape."

Shu Yao felt a chill run down her spine for no apparent reason, and goosebumps rose on her arms.

bandit.

This whole family are bandits.

Shu Yao glanced at the road sign outside the window.

This isn't the way back to the art center, nor is it the way back to her home.

"Where are we going now?"

She suddenly had a bad feeling and her fingers instinctively tightened around the seatbelt.

"I'm not going back to orchestra rehearsals?"

"No, I've already asked for leave for you." He Zheng stepped on the brakes, and the car stopped in front of an ornate iron gate.

Shu Yao turned to look at him, her pupils dilating slightly.

"He Zheng, don't tell me..."

"right."

He Zheng turned off the engine and removed the car key.

He turned his head, his dark eyes fixed on her pale face.

"Genting Club, to meet my parents."

*

The carriage was deathly silent.

Shu Yao stared wide-eyed at the imposing, ornate iron gate outside the car window.

Two security guards in black suits and white gloves stood on either side of the gate.

His posture was upright.

There was no signboard on the door, only two small gold-plated characters engraved on a discreet piece of obsidian next to it: Cloud Top.

The city's most mysterious and exclusive private club.

A strict membership invitation system is implemented.

Even having money doesn't guarantee entry; you need a prestigious background to back you up.

Shu Yao gasped, her throat tightening.

"He Zheng, are you crazy?" She turned her head, her voice cracking and trembling noticeably. "Who did you just say you were going to see?"

He Zheng rested one hand on the steering wheel and turned to look at her.

"My dad, my mom," he said calmly.

"Now?!" Shu Yao raised her voice, almost cracking.

"Yes, now." He Zheng glanced at his watch. "They arrived ten minutes ago and are waiting for us in the private room."

Shu Yao's mind exploded with a "boom".