readytorunbook Chapter 56: Building Favorability Yourself
Chapter 56: Building Favorability Yourself
The next morning, as soon as Shen Yanqiu went downstairs, she was met with two eager gazes.
His heart was pounding, but he remained outwardly calm, smiling as he greeted Zhu's parents: "Dad, Mom, good morning!"
Wishing Mom her gentle greeting: "Good morning, Yueyue, come down for dinner."
After a moment's hesitation, Zhu's father continued, "Good morning, Yueyue, come and eat."
Similarly, Shen Yanqiu preferred Zhu's mother's tone and the radiant maternal love she exuded.
Sitting down next to Zhu's mother, she instructed, "Watch your feet. It's only been a short time; don't walk so much."
Shen Yanqiu, being obedient, should agree.
I was so overwhelmed with happiness yesterday that I forgot I needed a wheelchair today.
Actually, he had been able to stand up and walk since the cast was removed, but he always did it secretly. This time, he stood up openly, and he was still a little guilty.
Zhu's father, being considerate, didn't ask any more questions. He just diligently handed her chopsticks and picked up food for her, glancing at her from time to time, especially her lips and neck, as if searching for something.
"Ahem!" Mother Zhu glanced at him, her expression full of warning.
Shen Yanqiu pretended not to know anything as they were exchanging veiled glances, but in reality, she was very flustered.
I was so careful yesterday, but they still found out. What should I say next? Lie or tell the truth?
He was caught in a mental struggle and didn't notice that both his parents had put down their chopsticks.
"Yueyue, did you sleep well last night?" Zhu's mother asked him.
Here it comes, here it comes, Mom is asking me, how could I lie to Mom?
Faced with Zhu's mother's concerned expression, Shen Yanqiu felt a little ashamed and replied softly, "It's fine."
Zhu Mingchuan didn't wait for any preamble and went straight to the point: "Yueyue, where did you go last night?"
Shen Yanqiu didn't feel as burdened in front of him. Since he already knew she had gone out, there was no need to hide it anymore.
"Going out to play!"
Of course he knows they went out to play; he's just asking where they went!
"where?"
"Outside!"
Where is it outside?
"Not at home!"
The two engaged in a question-and-answer session, seemingly exchanging ideas, but in reality, none of their remarks hit the mark.
The conversation stalled. Zhu's mother couldn't bear to look at Zhu Mingchuan. She had already said she would ask him herself, so why was he in such a hurry?
"Don't you have to go to work? Go on!"
Zhu Mingchuan was unwilling to give up, but his daughter ignored him and his wife was trying to drive him away. Helpless, he had no choice but to leave reluctantly.
Even as he left the house, he was still thinking: I'm determined not to work overtime today, I'll definitely be back early!
The atmosphere immediately became warm and cozy after Zhu Mingchuan left.
Zhu's mother watched her daughter eat with a beaming smile, her eyes full of tenderness.
Shen Yanqiu waited for Zhu's mother to ask her questions, but even after she finished eating and was about to go upstairs, her mother still didn't ask a single question.
Shen Yanqiu stopped in her tracks as she was about to go upstairs. Looking at Zhu's mother, she felt even more guilty.
He walked over to Mother Zhu, and without saying a word, just looked at her and smiled.
Seeing him like this, Zhu's mother chuckled, tapped his head with her finger, sighed, and said, "You little rascal, you always know how to soften my heart."
Shen Yanqiu didn't mean it that way at all. He just felt really sorry for Zhu's mother. Who knew that Zhu Tingyue often acted like that too? No wonder Zhu's mother looked so doting. More than a month has passed, and she still hasn't noticed anything unusual about "Zhu Tingyue".
He didn't dodge or avoid the question; the apology in his eyes touched Zhu's mother's heart. She took his hand and led him into the yard.
"Do you know you were wrong?" Zhu's mother said as she walked.
Shen Yanqiu thought her tone was so gentle. She had never heard Zhu Tingyue speak to her in such a tone before. Were they really mother and daughter?
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have sneaked out and made you worry."
His apology was sincere, and since his mother didn't want to hold it against him, she felt even more affection for him.
"Your dad and I aren't blaming you, it's just that it's not safe for a girl like you to go out alone so late at night." Then, the tone shifted, "Is he really that good?"
Shen Yanqiu's attention was focused on the first half of the sentence: "I hope Mom doesn't blame me." He knew that Mom was the best mom in the world!
As soon as the second half of the sentence came out, he answered without thinking, "Yes, very good!"
He admitted it frankly and openly, leaving Zhu's mother speechless. She had thought she would have to explain herself, but now it seemed she had been overthinking things.
"How wonderful?"
The couple doted on their daughter as she grew up, showering her with love. She wouldn't fall in love with someone just because of what they said.
“Uh,” Shen Yanqiu stammered, annoyed that she had blurted it out. Looking at her mother, she saw that she was still smiling at her, without any sign of blame.
He felt relieved; perhaps this was an opportunity. Being in a good position meant he had the advantage, and this was a chance to improve his image in front of his future mother-in-law—a move that was unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated!
“He’s great in every way! He’s smart, caring, ambitious, and always goes along with me. I’m very happy with him.”
Shen Yanqiu praised herself without reservation, showing no embarrassment whatsoever for her words.
Seeing the happiness on his face, Zhu's mother could hardly contain herself. She knew her daughter truly loved him, but she still had to tell her something: "You should love someone who is inherently a good person, not just someone who is nice to you."
Shen Yanqiu was stunned for a moment. What does it mean to be a person who is good from the start?
Zhu's mother explained with a smile: "He's a good person in general, which means he's responsible, has principles, is devoted in relationships, and is hardworking and ambitious. He might only be good to you in certain aspects; you don't know how he is in other ways."
"Oh! I see. If you're good in yourself, you have to be good in every aspect—that's what a well-rounded warrior is! I'll remember that!"
He suddenly realized something, and the conclusion he drew left Zhu's mother speechless. But upon closer reflection, it made sense; after all, everything had to be perfect.
"I think he has the potential. Just watch and you'll see. He'll definitely satisfy you!" Shen Yanqiu confidently assured him.
Zhu's mother still didn't believe it: "Is Xiao Shen really that good?"
Look, he's even calling himself "Little Shen" now! He's made a good impression on me, keep it up!
"Yes, yes! It's fine, don't worry. Don't you know whose daughter I am!"
The pride in his words made Zhu's mother laugh heartily; this was exactly what her daughter was like.
"Alright, alright, your dad and I will wait and see what kind of brilliant and upright person Yueyue likes. We'll make your dad pale in comparison and make him sad!"
Zhu's mother's words were full of teasing towards Zhu Mingchuan, which Shen Yanqiu was used to. The couple's relationship was so good that Zhu Tingyue couldn't even get a word in edgewise.
Despite Zhu Mingchuan's doting affection for his daughter, she actually ranks after Zhu's mother.
In Zhu Mingchuan's heart, his wife comes first, and his daughter can only come in second! His daughter is right, but his wife is even more right!
If I disagree with my daughter, she has to be right! If my daughter disagrees with my wife, then my wife has to be right!
Shen Yanqiu felt that she had found a good role model. Zhu Mingchuan was her benchmark, and she would definitely follow his example in the future!
"Since we're free today, why don't you invite Xiao Shen over for dinner?" Zhu's mother suggested.
"He...he seems to have to go to work today?"
Shen Yanqiu felt that this was developing too fast, and that Zhu's mother's ability to accept things was too strong. She had only praised her a couple of times, and now she was allowed to come to their house for dinner?
"Oh, right. When he's not busy anymore, you can invite him over. While you're at it, ask him what he likes to eat, and I'll have someone prepare it in advance. Speaking of which, hospital work is quite busy, all day long..."
Shen Yanqiu's mind went blank. He couldn't hear what Zhu's mother was saying at all. Only the word "hospital" kept playing in his mind.
Who's at the hospital? Xiao Shen? Shen Yanzhen?