144: Two million

Liu Tianbao paced anxiously outside the door, unable to help but complain, “Mom, why aren’t they opening the door after so long? Could they be deliberately avoiding us?”

“Tianbao, don’t rush. Maybe they’re not awake yet. Just be patient and wait a little longer.”

Mrs. Liu patted her son’s arm reassuringly, a comforting smile on her face.

She then turned and whispered to her husband, “Old Liu, remember, be polite when you see them later. Once the bride price is settled, there will be plenty of benefits.”

“I know, I’ll talk to them properly.” Mr. Liu adjusted his collar.

Just as the family was each lost in their own thoughts, the Villa’s front door clicked open.

Chen Li stood at the doorway, looking at the family of three before him—Mrs. Liu held a fruit basket, her face adorned with a warm smile;

Mr. Liu stood awkwardly beside her; even Liu Tianbao, who usually only played games, had uncharacteristically put away his phone, looking well-behaved.

Mrs. Liu spoke first: “Xiao Li, so you and Xiao Nan live here? Why didn’t you tell us when you came home? Auntie was so worried.”

Chen Li forced a smile: “Uncle and Auntie, please come in.”

As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. No matter how unwilling he was, the necessary courtesies still had to be maintained.

Following Chen Li’s invitation, the three stepped into the Villa, immediately stunned by the sight before them.

The high-ceilinged living room, the gleaming marble floor, the luxurious crystal chandelier—everything showcased the owner’s wealth.

Liu Tianbao’s eyes widened as he looked around, wishing he could engrave every detail into his mind.

“My goodness...”

Mrs. Liu gasped, her fingers unconsciously clutching the corner of her clothes.

She had lived most of her life and never imagined she would step into such a grand house.

A thought grew wildly in her mind: how wonderful it would be to live here. This was her son-in-law’s home, which, rounded up, was also her home, wasn’t it?

At this moment, Liu Nansheng finished her work and walked out of the kitchen. Seeing them in the living room, her expression immediately turned cold.

“What are you doing here?” There was no warmth in her voice.

“Xiao Nan, what kind of talk is that?”

Mrs. Liu quickly stepped forward, trying to take her daughter’s hand, but Liu Nansheng turned sideways to avoid her.

“We came specifically to see you. If you don’t want to marry Wu Li, then don’t. You can come home anytime.”

Liu Nansheng curled her lips into a cold smile. She knew her mother too well.

Suddenly becoming so agreeable, these feigned words—it was clear she had her eyes on Chen Li’s large Villa and wanted to gain more benefits.

Chen Li politely greeted them: “Come, please sit down.”

Despite his inner displeasure, he maintained basic politeness for Liu Nansheng’s sake.

As soon as they sat down, Mrs. Liu impatiently cut to the chase: “Xiao Li, since you two are already living together, when do you plan to get married?”

Her face was wreathed in smiles, but her eyes kept surveying the spacious and bright living room.

“We don’t plan to get married. We’ll just live like this.”

Before Chen Li could answer, Liu Nansheng interrupted directly, her tone crisp and decisive.

“Child, what nonsense are you talking about? What kind of way is it to not get married?” Mrs. Liu immediately straightened her face.

She turned to Chen Li, trying to get an answer from him: “Xiao Li, isn’t that right? When you have children in the future, our whole family can move here to help take care of them.”

“Yes, Xiao Nan, when you have children, you’ll always need a helping hand.” Mr. Liu quickly chimed in.

Marriage? Having children? These sudden questions made Chen Li momentarily dazed, and several familiar figures involuntarily flashed through his mind.

Who should he marry? He subconsciously began to ponder in his heart.

Liu Yu and the others at the Hot Spring Villa, giving them money was enough, so they were naturally not within consideration; Shen Qing and Tang You didn’t have deep feelings either.

Thinking carefully, the people he was most closely related to now were Meng Yu, Gu Qingcheng, and Liu Nansheng, who was right in front of him.

Meng Yu, this girl, although her appearance wasn’t the most outstanding, her personality was truly good.

Since they got together, she never pried into his private affairs, giving him ample space.

Nominally his girlfriend, she was so sensible that no fault could be found, always making things convenient for him.

Gu Qingcheng and Liu Nansheng were both top-tier beauties, and both genuinely followed him.

Given their personalities, they would certainly be devoted to him in the future.

Thinking of this, Chen Li couldn’t help but be lost in thought.

“Don’t worry, we won’t trouble you.”

Liu Nansheng’s clear, cold voice interrupted his thoughts, “And we won’t get married.”

She had already made up her mind: as long as her parents were still intent on using her to exchange for a bride price, she would never marry.

Anyway, for her, marriage was just a formality. Being able to stay by Chen Li’s side was enough.

“Xiao Nan, how can you say that!”

Mrs. Liu was so anxious she almost jumped up, nearly blurting out everything in her heart, “If you don’t get married, then how can...”

Seeing her daughter’s firm attitude, she turned to Chen Li: “Xiao Li, how can it work without marriage, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, Auntie is right.” Chen Li casually agreed.

“See, Xiao Li is still sensible.”

Mrs. Liu immediately beamed, thinking she had gained support.

She rubbed her hands, finally stating the real purpose of her visit today:

“Um... Xiao Li, since you’re getting married, according to the customs of our hometown, this bride price... it still needs to be given, right?”

As she spoke, her face was covered in a fawning smile.

Chen Li found it amusing.

After going around in such a big circle and making so many preparations, it turned out they were still thinking about the bride price.

It was truly difficult for them, putting on such a long act.

“Yes, it’s proper.” Chen Li agreed verbally, but felt incredibly ironic inside.

Hearing Chen Li say this, Mrs. Liu’s face immediately broke into a brilliant smile, and she looked at Mr. Liu with unconcealed joy.

The two exchanged a knowing glance, as if they could already see the huge sum of money falling into their pockets.

In their view, as long as Chen Li nodded, Liu Nansheng’s attitude didn’t matter at all.

“Then, Xiao Li,” Mrs. Liu rubbed her hands, her face full of fawning smiles.

“Since you’re so straightforward, Auntie just has two small requests. See if they’re suitable, okay?”

Her eyes darted around as she spoke, as if the Villa and everything in it already belonged to her.

“Please speak, Auntie.” Chen Li remained impassive, wanting to see how shameless she could get.

“Last time we had dinner together, Auntie said that the bride price was mainly to see your sincerity.”

Mrs. Liu carefully chose her words, slowly guiding, “After you get married, we will return all this money to you. You understand this, right?”

“I understand. Please continue.” Chen Li nodded, but sneered inwardly.

“It’s like this, we want a two million bride price. Then, after you get married, our whole family will move here to live and help you look after the house.

Of course, the bride price money will definitely be returned to you; you can rest assured about that.

We just want to see how much you value our Xiao Nan. It’s just an attitude, a formality, you understand Auntie’s meaning, right?”

She finished in one breath, staring nervously at Chen Li, afraid of missing any expression on his face.