Chapter 470 - 218: Is There a Problem with Me Going on a Date with Your Mom?
Chapter 470: Chapter 218: Is There a Problem with Me Going on a Date with Your Mom?
With that, Shen Yuan pursed his lips and muttered, "Just innocent, childhood sweethearts."
Watching his parents walk into the bedroom, Shen Yuan couldn’t be bothered to wait at the door any longer. He took out his phone, accepted the two 200-yuan red envelopes, and then opened a food delivery app.
Looking at the dazzling array of takeout options, Shen Yuan finally just ordered some KFC.
He had just put down his phone when the bedroom door opened.
Shen Yuan looked toward the sound and was nearly blinded.
His parents’ outfits had completely shed their usual work-a-day look, replaced by a stylish, casual vibe that was totally different from their norm.
"Whoa! Where are you two going?"
Zhang Yuyan gave Shen Yuan a glare. "To eat, what else?"
"Whoa," Shen Yuan’s mouth fell slightly open. Seeing his parents, who had instantly leveled up their style, he blurted out, "Dressed so sharp? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you two were going on a date."
"What’s wrong with that?" Old Shen looked at Shen Yuan with a disdainful expression. "Is there a problem with me taking your mom on a date?"
Shen Yuan shook his head, not daring to say another word.
Zhang Yuyan ignored her son’s teasing and walked straight to the entryway, gracefully slipping on a pair of expensive-looking black ankle boots.
Old Shen followed close behind and naturally picked up Zhang Yuyan’s wool scarf, wrapping it around her neck for her.
Just when Shen Yuan thought his parents were about to leave, Zhang Yuyan linked her arm through Old Shen’s with practiced ease, her movements fluid and natural.
Old Shen, just as naturally, turned slightly to accommodate her, a faint, doting smile on his face.
Standing together under the light, they looked like a picture-perfect couple—so well-matched and pleasing to the eye.
Watching his parents’ blatant display of affection, completely oblivious to him, and then thinking about his own situation—eating takeout all alone tonight.
A strange, sour feeling inexplicably welled up in Shen Yuan’s heart.
He felt like a little kid who’d been given some pocket money and sent off to play by himself, forced to watch as his parents walked away arm-in-arm, abandoning him to find their own private world for two.
"Tsk."
Shen Yuan shook his head. ’Not envious at all.’
CLICK.
The door closed softly, shutting out the sight of the loving couple.
The world was so beautiful, and yet his parents were so heavy on the PDA...
’Whatever, I’m not going to think about it. I’ll just wait for Li Bao.’
Outside, Zhang Yuyan held onto Old Shen’s arm, saying smugly, "See? I told you the boy had plans."
Old Shen nodded. "You were right. But is it really okay for us to just leave like this?"
"Hah," Zhang Yuyan chuckled. "What’s the problem? They’re both adults with ID cards. Can you control them?"
"True." Old Shen nodded. "And if we go out, it’ll take some pressure off them."
"Come back late?"
"Sounds good. Where do you want to go watch the fireworks?"
The elevator doors opened, and the couple stepped inside.
...
Li Zhi sat on the sofa, watching her parents bustling about in the kitchen.
’I... kind of feel like a third wheel.’
"Dad, Mom, I’m going over to Shen Yuan’s house after dinner."
As soon as Li Zhi spoke, Old Li turned around in the kitchen, his gaze lingering for a moment on the tips of his daughter’s slightly reddened ears.
A knowing smile touched his lips, and his tone was calm. "Going to celebrate the New Year?"
Li Zhi felt her cheeks burn even hotter. She uncomfortably averted her gaze and nodded lightly. Old Li didn’t say anything more, just gave a simple "Mm," his forbearing gaze a silent approval.
Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart started beating even faster.
Before long, the fragrant aroma of food filled the air.
The family gathered around the dining table for their meal.
Outside the window, the winter night’s chill deepened, but inside it was warm and cozy, the steam rising from the dishes blurring the thin layer of frost on the glass.
The warmth of the home-cooked meal dispelled some of the subtle flutters in Li Zhi’s heart, allowing her to focus on the food before her.
When the meal was almost over, Xu Chan put down her chopsticks and said calmly, "Tomorrow is New Year’s Day. Your grandpa and grandma have been asking about you. We’ll go visit them tomorrow and come back the day after."
Li Zhi, who was busy shoveling food into her mouth, looked up and gave a quick nod. "Okay."
The girl focused on her meal, hiding the flicker of guilt that crossed her mind again at the mention of going out.
Old Li looked at his daughter’s obedient appearance and shook his head with a smile.
"By the way, tonight..."
Old Li paused, and Li Zhi’s fingers, holding her chopsticks, tightened unconsciously.
"Remember not to be out too late. We’re leaving at 9 a.m. tomorrow."
His voice wasn’t loud, but it landed firmly at the quiet dinner table, carrying the undeniable authority of a parent.
Li Zhi’s shoulders, which had just relaxed after agreeing to visit her grandparents, secretly tensed up again.
"Oh, got it."
She responded vaguely and quickly lowered her head, picking up her chopsticks and pretending to grab more food to hide her reddening face and the frantic fluttering in her chest.
’That idiot Shen Yuan...’
Watching Li Zhi bury her head in her food, Old Li and Xu Chan exchanged a look.
The couple both knew what their daughter was up to.
’Celebrating New Year’s Eve, of course.’
’The silly girl doesn’t even think. When has she ever celebrated New Year’s with Shen Yuan before?’
’She’s so dense.’
But the couple pretended they knew nothing.
After dinner, it was already past seven o’clock.
Li Zhi obediently got up, cleared her own bowl and chopsticks, and returned to her room.