Assistance from parents

The time I got back today was a little late.

He Li first took Miao Xiaoyu home before returning himself.

Although it was late, his parents hadn't gone to sleep yet!

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Mother He's voice came over... "You're back? Why are you returning so late?"

"Are you hungry? Should Mom go make you something to eat?"

"No need!" He Li closed the door, walked into the room, and shook his head.

Sitting on the sofa, he took out the clothes he and Miao Xiaoyu had bought for his parents at the mall earlier and handed them over: "Dad, Mom, these are clothes your son and future daughter-in-law specially bought for you."

"Take a look and see if you like them!"

Hearing this, Father He and Mother He smiled.

"You stinky brat, why are you buying clothes for no reason?"

"Your dad and I have more clothes in our closets than we can wear!"

"That's right!" Father He also nodded in agreement. "You're starting a business and don't have enough money lately. Your mom and I were just discussing whether we should take out some of the money we saved for your wedding to let you use first."

"Why are you still spending money so carelessly?"

"Dad!" He Li said helplessly. "I didn't buy all of it."

"Xiaoyu bought some for you two elders as well!"

"Your daughter-in-law is trying to show her filial piety, and you're unhappy about it?"

"Fine, I'll tell her tomorrow that you don't like them!"

Hearing this, Mother He quickly stopped him. "What are you talking about?"

"Of course, I love anything my daughter-in-law buys!"

Despite what she said, she couldn't help but ask, "How much did they cost? I can tell the material of these clothes is unusual!"

"Not much money!" He Li didn't dare say more.

He had ripped off the price tags right after buying them, knowing full well how much the older generation in his family rejected luxury goods. If he mentioned the price, they would definitely nag him into returning them.

If he just didn't say anything, there would be no trouble.

Sure enough, after He Li vaguely misled them, the two elders probably estimated the cost was only a hundred yuan or so and didn't think too much about it.

However, they brought up another matter.

"By the way, have things been going well between you and Xiaoyu these past few days?"

Hearing Mother He ask, He Li nodded: "Mhm!"

"We're mutually devoted to each other, so of course things are going great."

"What is it?" He Li was confused. Father He smiled: "Actually, your mom and I were planning to go out and travel for a few days. It just so happens that I have my annual leave coming up soon, giving me a few days of free time."

"And so?" He Li rolled his eyes.

He had vaguely guessed that his parents' sudden plan to travel must be related to the Qixi Festival.

Sure enough, Mother He's next words confirmed his suspicion... "Stinky brat, how can you still not understand?"

"The Qixi Festival is coming up soon."

"Your dad and I are going out to enjoy some couple time."

"When that time comes, you should invite Xiaoyu over to spend time with you."

"With your dad and me gone, the two of you won't have anything to worry about!"

As Mother He spoke, He Li immediately got a face full of black lines.

"Mom, you don't mean that you want Xiaoyu and me to..."

"Mom isn't thinking that way; you two are still young!"

"I just want you to spend a few days together to deepen your relationship."

"I hope you really mean that!"

...Early in the morning, He Li was woken up by the ringing of the telephone.

It was Wei Wei calling. Although she agreed to join the partnership yesterday, many game-related matters hadn't been discussed in detail yet. He Li's plan was to have her remotely assist with some of the programming for plants vs. zombies.

He Li planned to insert other elements into the game to make it faster and easier for him to rake in cash.

In addition, they would need to prepare servers later on.

Although this was just a standalone game... networking was necessary for making money.

For example... when selling skins!

A purely standalone game without account records would easily run into problems in these areas.

He Li didn't say much on the phone, simply telling Wei Wei the general direction of what needed to be done. After finishing the call with Wei Wei, He Li got up, washed up, ate breakfast, and returned to the studio.

They still had quite a lot of things to do next.

The game exhibition yesterday made them realize many existing issues in the game that needed fixing.

Coupled with follow-up content and other things... "Fortunately, we have another helper now. Although there's a lot to do, it will be much faster than doing it with three people!"

Sitting down, He Li opened his computer.

Miao Xiaoyu arrived a bit later today.

He Li couldn't help but ask for the reason.

Miao Xiaoyu leaned on the table and said helplessly, "I contacted my family yesterday, and they called me several times, so I didn't sleep well!" As she spoke, He Li understood what was going on.

Nine times out of ten, it was because Miao Xiaoyu had asked her family to take action against Nian Nian Pharmaceuticals yesterday.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but lean closer... "In the future, for things I can handle directly,"

"Don't trouble your family with them!"

He embraced Miao Xiaoyu's delicate body and whispered.

Hearing this, Miao Xiaoyu narrowed her eyes and nodded obediently.

He Li tidied her beautiful hair and continued, "If I rely on myself to solve all these problems, big and small, your family will surely look highly upon me in the future, and it will be easier for me to marry you, right?"

"Mhm!" Miao Xiaoyu's small face flushed red as she responded. Every time she heard He Li talk about wanting to marry her... she felt both shy and happy.

After all, this was probably what every girl... wanted most to hear from the person she loved.

"By the way, did Uncle and Auntie like the clothes from yesterday?"

After leaning against He Li for a while, Miao Xiaoyu suddenly asked.

He Li smiled and nodded, "How could they not like them?"

"After all, it was a gift from their future daughter-in-law."

"Also, I happen to have something to tell you!"

"Oh? What is it?" Miao Xiaoyu blinked her beautiful eyes.

He Li said with a smile, "How about staying with me for two days?"

"Oh... Huh???" Miao Xiaoyu instinctively nodded obediently, but suddenly reacted, widening her eyes, her face full of bashful shyness as she stuttered, "You... I... You said... I'm staying with you for a few days?"

"You heard right!" He Li nodded.

"This was originally my mom's idea."

"For the Qixi Festival, she and my dad are going out to travel for a few days."

"She figured it would be a good chance for you to come stay for a few days to deepen our relationship."

"I thought I should ask for your opinion first."

"If it's difficult for you, you don't have to come!"

"After all, we see each other every day..."

"I'll go!" Before He Li could finish, Miao Xiaoyu leaned closer and softly uttered two words.

He Li laughed upon hearing this. "You're really going?"

Miao Xiaoyu met his gaze, completely overcome with shyness.

"D-don't misunderstand!"

"I just... I just thought that after Auntie leaves, you won't have anyone to look after you or cook for you... So, so... I'm going in Auntie's place to take care of you!"

She found an excuse for agreeing.

Even though the excuse sounded completely fake.

After all, He Li was a grown man who didn't need looking after.

But seeing Miao Xiaoyu's small, blushing face, He Li didn't expose her, instead nodding along with her words: "Alright, it's settled then. You'll have to take good care of me when the time comes."

"Mhm!" Miao Xiaoyu nodded gently.

He Li patted her head and said nothing more.

He glanced at the warm sun gradually rising outside the window; it was beautiful.

Just like... the love between him and Miao Xiaoyu!

Coming back to his senses, He Li's gaze fell upon the open computer. He took a deep breath, cast aside the thoughts in his mind, and began to concentrate on dealing with the issues recorded at yesterday's game exhibition.

Miao Xiaoyu was still responsible for the art aspects, but compared to before, she seemed much happier today.

Her eyes were always crinkled with smiles, and she kept stealing glances at He Li beside her!

Occasionally, perhaps thinking of something, her face would show a slight blush, revealing a bashful demeanor...