"Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?" Ye Jinmeng hurriedly got down from Shi Shuning.
The two of them were really glad now that they had changed into the casual clothes provided here before coming to the Sky Garden. If they were still only wrapped in bath towels, goodness knows what her parents would have thought seeing them like this.
Ye Junli gave Ye Jinmeng a meaningful look and lightly coughed, "Ahem, we've been here the whole time."
Indeed, after Gu Qi called Ye Junli out, the couple went straight to the Sky Garden. On the southernmost side of the rooftop there were two loungers where the pair laid to sunbathe and enjoy the scenery.
They heard Shi Shuning and Ye Jinmeng come up but had no intention of calling out to disturb the young ones. By chance, Ye Jinmeng and Shi Shuning did not look in their direction either and went straight to sit on a swing.
And so, the married couple overheard the secret between the two young ones.
Ye Junli was afraid that the wretched Shi Shuning would do something indecent to his precious darling, which was why he spoke up.
Upon hearing this, Ye Jinmeng's little face instantly turned red. Ah! Caught red-handed dating secretly by parents, what should I do? Please advise, urgent!
Shi Shuning glanced at Ye Jinmeng, who had her head lowered with a hopeless look. He held her hand and said, "Uncle, Auntie, I..."
But before he could continue, Ye Junli interrupted him.
"My dear girl, go back with your mother first. I have something to discuss with your Shi Shuning."
Ye Jinmeng panicked. Could it be that Daddy is going to beat Brother Shuning?
"Dad, actually..."
"My dear, come, go with Mother." Gu Qi walked over with a smile and put her arm around Ye Jinmeng's shoulders to lead her out.
Gently, she said: "Don't worry. Your father just wants to talk with Shuning. Let's go down first and wait for them."
Ye Jinmeng looked back at Shi Shuning and saw him nod. Only then did she follow Gu Qi out.
After the two left, Ye Junli looked at Shi Shuning and glanced around. He went over and sat down on a bench.
Shi Shuning followed behind Ye Junli. After Ye Junli sat down, he lowered his head and stood silently in front of him, as if awaiting judgement.
Looking at the young man before him, Ye Junli could not help but sigh. "Sigh, take a seat."
Ye Junli did not expect his still underage darling girl to be taken advantage of by this shameless pig called Shi Shuning so soon.
Amongst these young ones, the one he looked down on most was in fact Shi Shuning. Not to mention comparing with the slightly older Ye Jinchen or Shi Shu'an, even He Junting who was the same age was much steadier than him.
If it were not for Shi Shuning's significant changes and progress these past few years, Ye Junli would never have agreed to let Ye Jinmeng get so close with him.
"When did you start having feelings for my Mengmeng?" Seeing Shi Shuning's excitement earlier, Ye Junli knew it was not just a fleeting impulse.
Shi Shuning sat up straight and answered earnestly: "I...have liked her for a very long time, since I was in high school or even earlier."
Ye Junli: ...This beast! My little girl was still in middle school at that time!!!
Sensing a hint of pressure, Shi Shuning quickly explained: "Uncle, I started liking Mengmeng very very early. But I was young at that time and thought it was the kind of liking a brother has for a sister.
Later when I matured psychologically in high school, I disliked other boys getting close to Mengmeng. Only then did I realize my feelings for her were not just those of a brother for his sister. I want to take care of her for life."
Upon hearing this, Ye Junli recalled something and raised his brows. "So, your sudden motivation and improvement was because of Mengmeng?"
Shi Shuning nodded.
"Back then I was aimless. I knew I was not outstanding compared to others. I also knew I was not good enough for the excellent Mengmeng.
But I liked her. I wanted her to be carefree when she's with me. I wanted to give her only the best. If I didn't work hard and relied only on my family, even if I would still have food and shelter, that's not the life I envisioned for Mengmeng."
"So I was determined to study hard. After getting into Ocean University, in order to become even better and grow faster, I joined the army."
"Uncle, please believe me. My feelings for Mengmeng are not impulsive. What I desire is lifelong commitment."
Seeing the serious look on the young man as he pledged this to him, Ye Junli sighed helplessly.
"I asked to speak with you not because I wanted to break you two lovebirds up. As long as you two have feelings for each other, your Auntie and I would not object to you dating."
"But Mengmeng has just turned 18 this year and she's still schooling. I hope you can exercise some restraint and not do anything too out of line."
Oh dear, his pure darling girl cannot be taken advantage of so quickly!
Shi Shuning's eyes lit up. He stood up straight and assured: "Please rest assured, Uncle. She is indeed still young. I will not do anything inappropriate. I will wait for her to grow up!"
Ye Junli snorted coldly through his nose. Hmph, so you know she's still young yet you dared to take advantage of my little cabbage!
"However, there's one thing I must make clear. Dating is one matter, marriage is another. I won't interfere with you dating but in the future, you must prove your worth to me through your achievements, regardless of what job you do after graduating.
Otherwise, even if you have great rapport, I will not agree to you marrying in the future!" Ye Junli said solemnly.
"I understand, Uncle. I will not let you down. I will work hard!"
On the other side...
Ye Jinmeng held onto Gu Qi's arm anxiously. "Mom, what do you think Daddy and Brother Shuning are talking about?"
Gu Qi lifted her other hand and rubbed Ye Jinmeng's head, amused. "Don't worry, they definitely won't split you two up."
Ye Jinmeng's face turned red again instantly.
"Mom~ Stop teasing me. Brother Shuning and I have just started dating..."
Gu Qi looked at her daughter's little face and marveled to herself, "Oh my, my baby girl whom I cradled in my arms has grown up so quickly, she's already at the age of dating."
Gu Qi stopped and looked seriously at Ye Jinmeng. "My dear, remember what Mother said. You two are still young. Daddy and Mommy do not object to you dating but you absolutely cannot do anything too intimate. There are certain things you should only do when you truly understand what love and responsibility means, alright?"
Ye Jinmeng had read many messy novels online and naturally understood what her mother was referring to. Looking into her eyes earnestly, she nodded.
"I understand, Mom."
"Good girl." Gu Qi rubbed Ye Jinmeng's head again and pulled her along to walk.
"Let's go find Wenwen."
After the mother and daughter left, Ye Junwen walked out from the corner with a gloomy expression.
"Shi Shuning, I really didn't expect that you would have this kind of intention towards Mengmeng. How outrageous! This cannot do!"
