Meeting The Parents (2)

Knock* Knock*

"Come in."

With their hands held together, Jiang Feng picked up his courage and pressed down the handle.

Entering the room, he then saw his parents already seated down at the table with arrays of drinks and dishes arranged on the table.

Pulling out the chair for Ling, Jiang Feng waited for her to sit before pulling out the seat next to her for himself.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang. I am Ou Yang Ling, Feng's girlfriend." Ling greeted as she introduced herself.

"No need to be this polite, dear. We're just here for a simple meal, as well as to take a look at our future in-law." Jiang Feng's mother replied with the corner of her lips stretching towards her eyebrows, her satisfaction apparent.

"How can I not be polite when facing the esteemed members of Jiang Family? Especially after everything Feng had done for me." Ling replied with a smile.

As if reminded of something, Ling suddenly reached for her bag and started looking through it, puzzling Jiang Feng's parents who were sitting opposite to her.

"This may not be much, but I've brought a box of tea leaves for Mr. and Mrs. Jiang. I hope it is to your liking."

Receiving the wooden box from Ling, Jiang Feng's mother allowed her curiosity to take advantage as she opened the box.

Just as the lid was lifted, a fragrant scent filled the room as a wave of chillness washed over the people in the room, making them feel refreshed. Jiang Feng's parents had their eyes widened to its limits, eager to know what kind of tea was it for the scent to be this intense.

However, when they saw its peculiar appearance, question marks arose as their eyes shifted to Ling.

"Miss Ling, what kind of tea leaves are these?" Jiang Feng's father inquired.

Seeing that she succeeded in catching their interest, Ling and Jiang Feng celebrated inwardly as they exchanged glances, excitedness flashing through their eyes.

"Well, from where I came from, we call this Spiritual Tea Leaves. Just its scent alone will revitalize a person, drinking it will produce more wonderous effects such as better-quality sleep. The elders in the village also said it could extend lifespan, not that it was proven by scientists to be true." Ling replied shortly.

"That's a surprise. I've never thought a beautiful and charming girl like you would come from a village." Jiang Feng's mother commented.

"You see, I was…"

While Ling talked to his parents, Jiang Feng's thoughts shifted elsewhere as he revised on the plan he made with Ling.

Knowing that his parents would question her background upon meeting, Jiang Feng and Ling spent a day fabricating a backstory for her. In the end, they decided to introduce her as a young lady born in a faraway village, but was brought to the cities before she could form memories about her birthplace.

To make it more believable, they portraited her coming from an ordinary family, with her parents tragically passing away in an accident.

When asked by Ling for the reason behind this play, Jiang Feng only said

"It would be harder for them to uncover the truth."

Days passed afterwards, with the plan now being put to use and executed magnificently. His parents were taking Ling's words as the truth as she continued to fabricate her past, unaware everything was made up.

"Wow, I'm amazed. To think you had such a history, I'm beginning to think it's my son who's lucky to have someone like you as his partner." Jiang Feng's mother praised.

"Not at all, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be living as lavishly as I am now."

Saying so, Ling eyed at Jiang Feng, her thoughts being as clear as day to him.

"I believe you two haven't had breakfast yet. Why don't we put aside this conversation and have a meal together first?" Jiang Feng's father suggested.

"Sounds fine to me." Jiang Feng quickly agreed.

With that, the four of them begun to ingest their meals. During the short moment of silence, the married couple would enthusiastically pick out a few dish and place them into Ling's plate while ignoring the dumbfounded Jiang Feng, which made Ling chuckle at his stupefied expression.

Once they were finished, both of the men laid back on the chair with their hands on their bellies, feeling fulfilled by the scrumptious meal they've just had.

Shaking her head at the lack of etiquette the two displayed, Jiang Feng's mother turned towards Ling with a smile on her face as she asked.

"If you two don't have any plans for the next hour or so, why don't you guys stay for some desserts?"

"That would be fine. Feng and I have no plans for the day except having a meal with Mr. and Ms. Jiang." Ling replied.

"Great, I'll order a few of the best-sellers for you to try."

Just then, Jiang Feng's father suddenly stood up from his seat, walking towards the door opposite to the one that they came in from while gesturing Jiang Feng to follow him.

Turning to look at Ling, his brows slightly raised as he tried to convey his words without speaking.

Understanding what he was trying to say, Ling lightly nodded back at him, signaling him to go without worries.

Now that he knew Ling would be fine alone with his mother, Jiang Feng left the room and followed his dad as they stood at the veranda.

"What is it, dad?"

Taking a seat next to his father, Jiang Feng asked as they both looked at the wilderness that seemingly had no end. His father didn't reply to that question, choosing to remain silent.

The silence permitted in the air, with occasional tweets resounding in the skies from the birds.

Just as things was starting to feel awkward, Jiang Feng's father finally spoke.

"How long have you guys been together?"

"Eh?"

"I said, how long have you guys been together?"

Feeling startled, Jiang Feng gave out an answer he and Ling agreed on.

"It's nearing two years by now, why?"

Listening to Jiang Feng's reply, his father let out a disappointed sigh and turned to him, staring into his eyes.

"Being your father, I could tell that was a lie. More importantly, if it wasn't for you reactions back inside, I might have believed what that girl said."

'Shit!'

Cursing inwardly to himself, Jiang Feng began to sweat as he panicked. However, he remained calm on the surface as he tried to come up with a cover for his lies.

"Just tell me the truth. I'll keep it away from your mother if that's what your worrying about." Jiang Feng's father's voice sounded again.

In the end, Jiang Feng gave up on the disguise and let out a big sigh. He then turned towards to his father with a defeated look, deciding to give him the truth.

"It's actually only for about two weeks."

"And you guys decided to become each other's partners within these two weeks?" Jiang Feng's father questioned with an eyebrow raised.

Unable to keep the lie up anymore, Jiang Feng could only nod in response.

"What about her background?" His father continued to ask.

"All of it was a lie as well. It's too complicated and unbelievable so we had no choice but to do so."

"…"

"…"

Feeling dumbfounded by the revelation his son made, Jiang Feng's father could only stare at him in disbelief. Trying his best to avoid eye contact, Jiang Feng lowered his head and kept quiet, spending the next few minutes in the same position.

"Then here's another question, do you really love her?"

Stunned by the question, Jiang Feng started contemplating about the question with seriousness.

At the same time, Ling, who was entertaining his mother, focused her attention on him through their soul link, nervousness gripping at her heart as he anxiously waited for his response.

Lifting his head up, Jiang Feng finally stared back at his father with determination shining in his eyes that had never been purer.

"Honestly, I don't know either."

"I've never experienced what it feels to fall in love, but I'm sure my feelings towards Ling isn't the same to the ones I have for others."

"I only met her recently, yet it feels like I've been with her for a lifetime. I can also feel her hopes of wanting to be with me since I first met her, and I just can't ignore it."

"So if you ask me if I love her or not, I can only say I do, and it won't change unless Ling says she wants to give up."

"Are you happy with this answer?"

Looking at his son, Jiang Feng's father could feel the honesty and feelings behind the words. A soft chuckle then escaped his mouth as he realized Jiang Feng's seriousness.

"I am, and I hope you will stay true to your words." He said as he stood back up, ready to head back in.

"Does that mean you approve of our relationship?" Jiang Feng asked as he followed behind him.

"Would it make a difference if I said no?"

"Then, can I make a request?"

"What is it?"

"Since Ling has been staying at a hotel, I was thinking she could move in with us to save expenses."

"That's fine. Help her pack and she can move in tonight. Of course, since she's your girlfriend, you guys will share the same room."

"Wouldn't that be too early?"

"Have you thought of that when you agreed to being her partner?"

"…"

"Enough chit chatting. Let's head back in. Desserts should have arrive already."

…

Inside the room.

"Hmm? What happened, Miss Ling?"

Noticing how Ling had a radiant smile that could captivate hearts on her face, Jiang Feng's mother couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Nothing much. I just happened to be reminded of some fond memories." Ling replied as she lifted the plate of dessert on the table.

"Is that so? It must have been with your precious ones for you to let out such a beautiful smile." Jiang Feng's mother chuckled at her response.

"It is."

Saying so, her eyes glanced towards the veranda, warmth spreading in her heart.