89: Chapter 89: Women are not allowed to stay in college

Father Meng personally saw his old classmate out before returning to the dining table, his expression inevitably a bit awkward.

"Xiao Shuai, I'm really sorry about today, it was supposed to..." As he spoke, Father Meng raised a glass of wine, intending to offer an apology.

Zhao Xiaoshuai quickly stopped him. "Please don't do that. We're all family, so there's no need for apologies. If you keep this up, I'll have to punish myself with three drinks first."

Father Meng's expression softened, clearly pleased. The entire atmosphere at the table relaxed once again, feeling like a true family dinner.

According to the original plan, the Meng Family parents were going to probe Zhao Xiaoshuai's background first.

But after Gao Wenqiang's scene, they had basically learned everything they needed to know.

Now, the only remaining issue before them was marriage.

"Xiao Shuai, you're not getting any younger. When do you plan to marry Wenwen?"

The Meng parents had known for a while that Zhao Xiaoshuai was thirty years old.

If it were anyone else, they would never have agreed to let their daughter marry an older man eight years her senior.

But Zhao Xiaoshuai had won over the two elders of the Meng Family with his character and kindness, making the most difficult part of this first hurdle nonexistent from the start.

This question was within Zhao Xiaoshuai's expectations. "Uncle and Auntie, for personal reasons, I don't plan on getting married. But rest assured, Wenwen will have everything she should have."

Meng Mother originally had a very good impression of this "benefactor" she was meeting for the first time, but hearing this, she couldn't help but furrow her brows.

"How can you not get married! The biggest event in a girl's life is marriage. If you don't marry, what does that make our Wenwen!?"

Father Meng was also somewhat stunned; this outcome was clearly something he hadn't anticipated. He grew suspicious—could this man already have a family and want their precious daughter to be a mistress?

"Why not get married? Xiao Shuai, tell me honestly, you don't already have a family, do you?"

Hearing this, Meng Mother reacted strongly. "Even though you've been kind to our family, you can't play with our Wenwen's feelings!"

Zhao Xiaoshuai was about to explain, but Meng Yawen beat him to it.

"Dad, Mom. What era is this? It's long since been the case that young people must get married."

"Haven't you heard that saying?"

"The only time a marriage certificate is useful is when you're getting divorced, and even then, it's only useful for dividing assets."

"I'm not after Xiao Shuai's money, so there's no need to marry."

"We've already discussed this matter, so don't worry about it."

The two elders of the Meng Family looked in shock at their daughter, who was siding with an outsider.

Her parents were fighting for her rightful rights, so why was their own daughter the first to jump out and object?

Zhao Xiaoshuai also opportunely checked his marital status through Fuqianbao and showed his phone to the Meng elders.

"Rest assured, Uncle and Auntie, I'm single and have never been married."

Fuqianbao actually has many convenient features; it can not only check marital status but even divorce records and overseas marriage status—if actively registered.

The Meng elders finally felt a bit more at ease.

"Young people these days really think differently from us. A major life event like marriage, and they just decide not to do it?"

Father Meng was more well-informed. "The state has even issued policies where children born out of wedlock enjoy the same rights as those born in it. It's a form of indirect encouragement. Times really have changed."

Seeing an opportunity, Meng Yawen spoke up again.

"Dad, Mom, I know you're worried about me getting the short end of the stick and that it's all for my own good."

"But haven't you seen? I have a car and a house now, and these assets are all under my own name. This is the security Xiao Shuai has given me."

"Besides that, Xiao Shuai gave me nearly a hundred thousand in pocket money before, and I haven't even finished spending it. He's tried to give me more several times, but I refused."

"Think about it, your daughter has no worries about food or clothing, and my livelihood for the rest of my life is secured. I'm happy every day being with the person I love. What else is there to worry about?"

Her words struck a chord with Father Meng and Meng Mother. Thinking about it, their daughter had been benefiting in every way so far, without losing out on anything.

To put it bluntly, if she ever stopped liking Zhao Xiaoshuai in the future, even if they broke up, the wealth already in her hands would belong entirely to her.

One could say the initiative was entirely in their daughter's hands; there really was nothing to worry about.

But then again, looking at their daughter who was constantly speaking up for her boyfriend, the two elders still felt a bit uneasy.

They say a married daughter is like spilt water, but this daughter hasn't even married yet, and she's already siding with someone else's family!

It seemed their daughter hadn't escaped without loss; at least her heart now completely belonged to someone else.

The two elders sighed. "Your affairs, you decide for yourselves. As long as he is always good to you, your parents won't say anything."

Father Meng suddenly looked at Zhao Xiaoshuai seriously. "I'm entrusting Wenwen to you. But if you ever fail her in the future, I won't let you off!"

Zhao Xiaoshuai was sensible and immediately raised a glass. "Dad, don't worry. If Wenwen is ever unhappy in the future, you can hold me fully accountable!"

After sharing a drink and confirming the relationship, the atmosphere at the table became casual.

"Xiao Shuai, you might not get married, but what are your plans for the wedding?"

For Zhao Xiaoshuai, this question was the second hurdle.

His parents could attend one wedding, but what about a second or third time?

If his parents found out he was planning to juggle several women, then Old Zhao's long-retired Seven Wolves belt would have to make a comeback.

"I'm not interested in ceremonies like weddings that are overly performative."

"I'm more inclined towards a private wedding for just the two of us—taking photos, traveling, and so on. As long as we're happy and don't have to exhaust ourselves, it's fine."

"Privately, it would be enough for my parents and you two to meet, have a meal, and get to know each other."

In modern society, quite a few people don't hold weddings, though most will hold a thank-you banquet to collect gift money.

Excluding those material needs, the sense of ritual for marriage alone really isn't valued that much anymore.

However, while there might be many weddings, he only has one pair of parents, and this problem must eventually be solved; it cannot be avoided.

Although Zhao Xiaoshuai couldn't think of a solution now, it didn't mean the future Zhao Xiaoshuai wouldn't.

Trust in the wisdom of his future self!

Besides, he didn't have a next target yet. By the time it came to discussing marriage with another girl, who knew how long that would be?

"Holding a wedding is a massive hassle. We'd be better off using that time to go out and have fun."

Meng Yawen also didn't have much of a desire for a tedious and exhausting wedding; she had seen many complaints online about how tiring it was to hold a wedding, as if it were just a performance for others.

Although she had a small expectation for that kind of romance in the spotlight, she was satisfied hearing they could have a wedding for two.

She had already begun planning it in her heart.

Seeing their daughter like this, the Meng elders could only smile bitterly.

"This daughter might as well be married off already."