Xiao's Father and Xiao's Mother looked at their son with eyes full of warmth.
Xiao Chen, however, stood still in place. He mechanically asked, "You...how did you get here?"
Xiao's Father said, "Your mother desperately wanted to see our daughter-in-law and couldn't wait any longer. I had no choice but to take time off work to accompany her here."
After speaking, he pushed aside Xiao Chen, who was standing there dumbfounded, and walked into the house hand in hand with Xiao's Mother, the couple affectionately leaning on each other.
Xiao's Mother casually put her bag on the counter in the foyer and eagerly asked, "Son, where is Na Na?"
The corner of Xiao Chen's mouth twitched. "Ms. Qiao—" he said as he held up a thumb—"suddenly attacked and played me like a damn fiddle."
"Stop wasting time," Xiao's Mother pushed his hand aside. "Where is she?" She said suspiciously, "You didn't just make her up, did you?"
Xiao Chen let out a cold humph, ignoring her.
Xiao’s Father also came over. “Why don’t you give her a call? I made reservations at a restaurant. Have her come to lunch with us this afternoon so your mother and I can meet her."
"Yes, yes, yes," Xiao's Mother chimed in. "Give the girl a call and let your mother meet her."
"...Okay, okay."
But Xiao Chen made no move to make a phone call.
Xiao’s Mother grew impatient. “Call her!”
"Now?" Xiao Chen was exasperated. "She's still sleeping. Let's talk about it in a bit."
"Fine, but later you have to call her while I listen in," Xiao's Mother said. "To make sure you don't trick me. But even if you do try to fool me, don't worry—the main reason your father and I came on this trip is to find happiness for you."
Xiao Chen nodded perfunctorily.
After Xiao’s Father finished putting everything away, he said to Xiao’s Mother, “Dear, do you want to sleep a little more?”
“Of course I do. It wasn’t easy preparing this surprise for him,” Xiao’s Mother said with a yawn. “I need to rest some more.”
Without thinking, she headed straight for the inner room.
She had intended to go to the guest bedroom but Xiao Chen suddenly called out, "Wait!"
"What's the matter?"
"...Let me be honest with you," Xiao Chen decided to just come clean. "It's just—she's—"
He didn't know how to say it.
Xiao's Father asked, "What is it, son?"
Xiao Chen hesitated, glancing between his parents.
Finally he closed his eyes, steeled himself, and confessed, "My...my girlfriend is inside—sleeping." He added two heavy words in a daze: "Asleep."
Xiao's Father: "..."
Xiao's Mother: "..."
The couple looked at each other for a long time. Finally, Xiao's Mother took Xiao Chen's arm and led him aside. "How far have you gone with her?"
"We haven't gone anywhere. We're just spending the holiday together."
Since it involved privacy, they didn't ask too much.
But Xiao's Father still admonished, "Don't go overboard. Just have a good relationship. If you break up, I'll hold you accountable."
"...Hey, listen," Xiao Chen said in exasperation. "You two are my parents, aren't you? Even though my girlfriend is perfect, you're doting on her before even meeting her. Don't I have any self-respect?"
"Your mother believes in your taste," Xiao's Mother patted Xiao Chen's cheek. "Besides, it's already impressive you managed to find a girlfriend. Who are we to nitpick?"
Xiao's Father smiled indulgently. "Don't talk like that. Our son hasn't sunk that low yet."
Xiao Chen: "..."
Haha.
"Just rest for now. When she wakes up, I'll have her come out to briefly meet you two."
"No need," Xiao’s Father stopped him. "Since we came without notice, we don't want to startle the poor girl again. We'll meet her at lunch—”
Before he could finish speaking, there was a crisp "click" from inside the room.
—Yu Na had opened the door.
Xiao Chen's parents looked toward her in unison.
She had tied her hair in a casual low ponytail and was wearing the sweater and jeans from yesterday. She didn't have time to put on makeup, only splashing water on her face.
But her fair skin was tinged pink, her almond eyes slightly upturned, and her pupils dark and bright. Her lips were full and rosy.
Barefaced and natural, she was clean and beautiful. Everything about her exuded an aura of composure and remoteness.
From her temperament alone, it was clear she came from an affluent upbringing.
Yu Na walked over to them.
Xiao Chen was not the least bit afraid that she had suddenly opened the door. He put his arm around her shoulders in a carefree manner and asked, "Why are you awake already?"
Yu Na didn’t answer. Her heart was pounding nervously. She bit her lip and greeted Xiao Chen’s parents, “Hello, uncle and auntie.”
Xiao’s Father found the girl very pleasing at first glance. He hadn’t expected his son to find such a pretty girlfriend.
He had a gentle demeanor and returned the greeting repeatedly, “Oh! Hello, hello.”
Xiao’s Mother was delighted. “Is this Na Na?”
Yu Na nodded. “Yes. My name is Yu Na. I’m—” She glanced at Xiao Chen, her face growing a little hot. She admitted straightforwardly in a soft voice, “I’m Xiao Chen’s girlfriend.”
Xiao’s Mother happily walked over and nudged Xiao Chen aside to take Yu Na's hand. "You're so pretty! Your man sure lucked out in his past life!"
"...Oh," was Xiao Chen's only response.
Yu Na smiled bashfully, pressing her lips together.
Xiao's Father was refined and easygoing, while Xiao's Mother was knowledgeable and elegant. Though it was their first meeting, Yu Na could tell at a glance they were both successful.
Indeed, just as Xiao Chen said, they were very easy to get along with.
Yu Na also felt relieved. She explained, "Uncle, auntie, I didn't know you two were coming today, so I didn't get up in time. I'm really sorry."
"Oh, what's there to apologize for? You young people are busy with work. What's wrong with sleeping in during your vacation?" Xiao's Mother reassured her. "We're not a family of many rules. Let's just relax and enjoy ourselves."
Xiao's Father motioned for her to sit on the sofa. "Na Na, I heard from Xiao Chen you two knew each other before?"
Yu Na said, "Yes, uncle. But I was only a freshman when Xiao Chen was already a junior."
Xiao's Mother sat down beside her and asked, "I also heard you're Qiao Rui's homeroom teacher, right?"
"Yes," Yu Na answered in detail. "I started working there this September and was assigned to Qiao Rui's class."
Xiao's Father smiled. "Teaching is a great profession, educating the next generation. That Qiao Rui is not the easiest to handle either, so you have your work cut out for you."
"It's my duty. Actually Qiao Rui is very smart and has been improving very quickly lately."
With her delicate and gentle appearance, Yu Na was able to win the elders' favor right away. Moreover, her voice was soft and tender when she spoke.
After chatting for a bit, Xiao's Father said, "I made reservations at a restaurant. Let's the four of us have lunch together today, shall we?"
Yu Na looked at Xiao Chen first, then obediently nodded, "Okay, uncle."
Although Xiao Chen’s parents hadn't told him they were coming on this trip, they did inform the staff. The driver had been waiting downstairs. After sitting at Yun Bay Mansion for a while, they headed to the S Hotel without resting further.
As they were leaving, Xiao’s Mother looked back and smiled at Yu Na again, “See you in a bit, Na Na.”
“...”
Yu Na was all smiles while Xiao Chen was trying his best not to laugh.
After they left, Yu Na threw a punch at Xiao Chen's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me in advance your parents were coming today! I'm not prepared at all."
Xiao Chen was wronged by this accusation. "I didn't know either!"
