Lin Rouxi pulled Ye Chen out of the female dormitory and onto the street.
"Let's catch a taxi," she said, glancing around for one.
"No need," Ye Chen replied. "I brought my car. Let's take that."
"…You have a car?" Lin Rouxi followed him with curiosity in her eyes.
They walked to the school parking lot, which was filled with expensive vehicles owned by rich students. Ye Chen stopped in front of a sleek silver sports car and pressed the key fob. The car lights blinked as the doors unlocked.
Lin Rouxi blinked. "This… is yours?"
Ye Chen nodded casually. "Yeah. Just got it today, actually."
She stared at him, baffled. "What exactly do you do for a living, Ye Chen?"
"Sell fruit," he answered with a straight face.
Lin Rouxi was speechless. "…You expect me to believe you bought this selling fruit?"
But she shook her head and gave up. "Forget it. Let's go. My mom's probably waiting."
They got in, and Ye Chen hit the gas. Lin Rouxi grabbed the seatbelt tightly as the car surged forward, weaving smoothly through traffic at high speed.
"Slow down!" she shouted over the roar of the engine.
"Relax. I've got this," Ye Chen said, easing up a little on the pedal.
During the drive, Lin Rouxi quickly coached him. "Okay, listen. Just act like you're really my boyfriend, alright? Be natural. Smile. Call me 'dear' or something once in a while, but don't overdo it."
Ye Chen smirked. "Yes, dear."
She shot him a look, blushing slightly.
Ten minutes later, Lin Rouxi's phone rang. After a brief conversation, she turned to Ye Chen.
"Change of plans. My mom's not at the hotel—she's waiting at a restaurant nearby. I'll guide you."
Ye Chen nodded and headed toward the location she gave him. It wasn't a fancy place, but it was busy and welcoming. He found a parking spot and the two stepped out of the car.
As they walked toward the entrance, Lin Rouxi whispered, "Alright, now remember—we're a couple, okay?"
Ye Chen leaned closer and smiled. "Of course, sweetheart."
Her face turned red again. "Don't enjoy this too much…"
She linked her arm with his, and they walked into the restaurant like a picture-perfect pair. Scanning the tables, Lin Rouxi spotted her mother and led Ye Chen over.
"Mom!" she greeted.
At the table sat a graceful, well-dressed woman—Sui Xi—and beside her, a neatly suited young man who looked about Ye Chen's age.
"You're finally here," Sui Xi smiled. "Come, sit."
Ye Chen and Lin Rouxi sat side by side. She kept her arm linked with his.
"Mom, this is Ye Chen, my boyfriend," Lin Rouxi introduced. "Ye Chen, this is my mother."
"Nice to meet you, Auntie." Ye Chen extended a polite hand.
Sui Xi returned the gesture with a warm smile. "Likewise."
Then she gestured toward the man beside her. "This is Hu Jun, the son of my old friend from university."
"Hello," Hu Jun said, offering a hand to Lin Rouxi.
She shook it briefly. "Nice to meet you."
Once everyone was settled, Sui Xi called over a waiter and ordered. While they waited for the food, she began asking questions about Ye Chen.
"So, Ye Chen, how long have you been dating my daughter?"
Ye Chen smiled. "A few weeks now. Rouxi is… special."
Lin Rouxi turned slightly pink again and squeezed his arm under the table.
"And what do you do for work?"
"I'm selling peaches at the moment," Ye Chen said calmly.
There was a pause.
Then Hu Jun let out a laugh. "You sell fruit? What, you think that's enough to take care of Rouxi?"
Ye Chen didn't even blink. "More than enough."
Lin Rouxi frowned. "Hu Jun, that's rude. I don't care what Ye Chen does—he treats me well, and that's what matters."
Hu Jun was stunned by her sharp tone.
Sui Xi stayed quiet for a moment, observing.
"And you, Hu Jun?" she asked, turning the spotlight.
"I'm currently the general manager at my father's company. Eighty thousand a month," he added smugly.
"Impressive," Sui Xi nodded politely.
Still, as she glanced between the two men, her eyes softened slightly when they rested on Ye Chen. Calm, respectful, unfazed by the insult—and most importantly, someone who clearly had her daughter's affection.
She didn't say it, but Sui Xi had seen enough to begin forming her own opinion.
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