111: Chapter 111 Everyday Life

...Even if you miss me, you can't come over right now.

It was already past midnight, and after turning off his phone, Zhang Shan prepared to go to sleep.

This was likely the first time in a while that he was sleeping alone.

It felt a bit strange and unfamiliar.

He decided to take this opportunity to get some good rest.

He had been overexerting himself lately, and even with his nuclear-powered stamina, he felt a hint of exhaustion.

Some things really shouldn't be indulged in too excessively.

But then again.

If a fragrant bowl of white rice is placed right in front of you, surely no one could resist eating it, right?

Unless... you truly can't get it up anymore.

The next day, Zhang Shan woke up early. He went for a three-kilometer run first, had breakfast, and then headed out.

He planned to visit his parents today and, while he was at it, drop some hints.

He'd tell them his novel had caught the eye of investors who wanted to acquire the copyright, or something like that.

That way, they would have some mental preparation.

Otherwise, if he suddenly pulled out millions to buy them a house, it would probably scare them straight.

As for the rest, he would just say he started a media company with a friend to do live streaming, and it unexpectedly took off.

Once it was successful, making money wouldn't seem so abrupt.

As for what comes after that, he hadn't thought that far ahead yet; he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

Zhang Shan had his driver drop him off at the street corner next to his parents' restaurant, then got out and walked into the restaurant.

As for the driver, that was, of course, hired for him by Mu Qingwan.

Usually, he worked as a driver at the company, but whenever Zhang Shan had something to do, he became the boss's driver.

Walking into the restaurant, Zhang Shan noticed that the waiter, Xiao Wang, wasn't there.

He didn't think much of it and walked straight to the kitchen door.

His mother, Liu Xiumin, heard the commotion and walked out from inside, with Old Zhang following close behind.

Seeing it was her son, Liu Xiumin's face immediately lit up with a smile: "Xiao Shan is here! Come, sit down. Have you eaten yet...?"

His mother always gave him the same greeting whenever she saw him; she was just afraid he wasn't eating well on his own.

"I just ate. Where did Xiao Wang go? How come I don't see him?"

"Oh, business hasn't been great lately, so your dad and I thought having a waiter was a bit of a waste, so we let him go."

Zhang Shan wasn't surprised. With business being slow, they definitely needed to cut expenses.

"Letting him go is fine. It's hard to do business right now, so reducing expenses means earning a bit more," Zhang Shan said, agreeing with his mother.

"Exactly. Hiring a waiter costs several thousand a month. By the way, son, how have you been lately?"

As Liu Xiumin spoke, she shot a fierce glare at Old Zhang. Zhang Shan naturally knew what that was about.

It was definitely because his dad was sentimental and didn't want to fire Xiao Wang, but in the end, he was suppressed by his mother.

Hearing his mother ask about his situation again, Zhang Shan immediately said: "I'm doing great, Mom! Let me tell you, my novel..."

Zhang Shan told his mother the excuse he had prepared, and hearing it, she praised her son repeatedly for being successful.

Then she glared at Old Zhang again and said: "What did I tell you? My son is amazing. Now you don't have to worry anymore, right?"

Old Zhang just smiled without saying anything, his eyes filled with relief as he looked at Zhang Shan.

Although he had agreed to Zhang Shan quitting his job, he had actually been quite worried inside.

After all, that novel thing didn't sound like a very stable way to make a living.

But having just heard Zhang Shan say that someone wanted to buy some copyright, and that if it went through he could earn over a million, he was completely reassured.

He had worked hard for most of his life and hadn't saved up a million, yet his son could get that much just by selling some copyright.

He really was successful.

Much more successful than he, Old Zhang, was.

After taking a dig at Old Zhang, Liu Xiumin turned to Zhang Shan and said: "Son, I mentioned you when I was on a video call with your Aunt Qiu a couple of days ago."

She told me she has a relative's daughter who is incredibly beautiful, just 24 years old and a fresh graduate, and she wanted to introduce her to you."

"I've seen the photos, she really is beautiful, and since we know the family background, you can't go wrong."

"What do you think? Why don't you go meet her?"

Hearing his mother bring up finding a partner again, Zhang Shan immediately felt a headache coming on.

And judging by her tone, it seemed she wasn't just talking about it; she had probably already promised the other party.

What a headache.

The key thing was that he had a girlfriend now.

Actually, he had several.

This put him in a bit of a difficult spot.

Seeming to read Zhang Shan's thoughts, Liu Xiumin continued: "Look, you're not young anymore; it's really time to find a partner. While your dad and I are still young, we can help you take care of the kids later on."

"Let me tell you, I've already promised Aunt Qiu. You have to go whether you want to or not. This isn't me asking for your opinion; I'm formally notifying you."

"Go meet her tomorrow. Who knows, you might just hit it off, right?"

Seeing his mother display the authority of the head of the household, with Old Zhang nodding frantically in agreement behind her,

Zhang Shan sighed helplessly and could only agree: "Fine, I'll go, okay?"

It was just one look anyway; he could come back and just say he wasn't interested.

Seeing Zhang Shan agree, Liu Xiumin beamed with joy.

She immediately opened her phone and sent a photo to Zhang Shan.

"Son, take a look. Isn't she beautiful? Your mom's taste is definitely impeccable."

Zhang Shan opened the photo and took a look. She was indeed very beautiful.

The woman in the photo was wearing a simple white T-shirt that was stretched tight across her chest, which, by his estimation, could at least rival Miaomiao's.

Uh, sorry, just a habit, a habit.

Zhang Shan's gaze moved up, and an exquisite face appeared before his eyes.

She truly had willow-leaf eyebrows and cherry lips; anyone who saw her would have to take a second look.

Add to that a pair of smiling eyes and a tear mole at the corner of her eye.

How should he put it?

There was a hint of allure within her purity.

Based on Zhang Shan's level 5 experience, this level of beauty could rival Little Bear's.

Holy crap, such a beauty, and she's actually being introduced to me as a blind date?

Zhang Shan looked at his mother in disbelief.

Seeing the shock on her son's face, Liu Xiumin immediately became smug and said with a smile: "Hehe, how is it? Pretty, right? Let me tell you, it's only because Aunt Qiu and I are such close friends that she's introducing her to you. You rascal, you should be secretly thrilled."

Hearing his mother's words, Zhang Shan couldn't help but smile bitterly.

What do I have to be thrilled about?

I could bring home someone even more beautiful than her in a heartbeat, okay?

The reason he was surprised was that a beauty of this level would end up having to go on blind dates.

There must be some reason for that.

Either there's something wrong mentally, or something wrong physically.

Regardless, a normal person wouldn't end up needing to go on a blind date.

But there was no way he could say that to his mother.

It wouldn't hurt to go see her and find out what's actually going on.

After finishing the conversation about the blind date, Zhang Shan helped out in his family's restaurant for a while.

Then, after having lunch, he was kicked out by his mother.

Returning home, looking at the empty bed, Zhang Shan suddenly felt a sense of emptiness and loneliness.

The house was too big; that was the only downside.

Hmm, it was time to taste the dish known as Yuyuan.

And that little girl, Peach, she must be missing him so much it's driving her crazy, right?