QTIMP -Chapter 167 Character Persona – Love Brained (Part 38)

At that moment, voices came from the kitchen—her uncle and cousin speaking.

“Although Qiuqiu hasn’t been looked after much by us, she’s still been raised delicately. She doesn’t know how to cook, so someone has to learn. Otherwise, when the two of them form a family, what kind of situation would that be?”

Zhou Chengyu’s humble voice responded, “Uncle, you’re right. I’ll learn properly.”

Her cousin chimed in, “The oil shouldn’t be too hot—if it’s overheated, the stir-fry won’t have its aroma. Chop the green onions, ginger, and garlic into large pieces so they can be picked out while eating. Qiuqiu doesn’t like these things.”

“All right, cousin, I’ve got it.”

Then came the sizzling sounds and the whirring of the range hood.

Si Qiu realized she must have been set up; otherwise, how could it be that in such a short time, her family not only smoothly accepted him but now seemed to be completely on his side?

By the time she fully registered what was happening, they were already on the plane heading back to Beijing.

Si Qiu spun around abruptly and wiped Zhou Chengyu’s face with her hand.

“You tell me—what kind of love potion did you give my uncle and the others? They actually packed me up and sent me onto the plane!”

Zhou Chengyu took her hand in his, kissed it twice, and said, “What can I say? Everything I told them was just about our process of getting to know each other—not because I had a call with my grandfather! My grandfather’s credit is still reliable, so your uncle and aunt felt assured letting you follow me back to Beijing.”

Si Qiu pulled her hand back and twisted her body away from him.

“You political schemers are all black-hearted! You take advantage of the fact that I’m young and inexperienced to set traps for me. But uncle and aunt taking you to the kitchen to learn cooking… you don’t have some hidden thoughts about that, do you?”

Zhou Chengyu took her hand again. “That was a test and an acknowledgment from your uncle and aunt. I was thrilled, how could I have any other thoughts?”

He wasn’t just saying this to soothe Si Qiu; without her uncle’s family arranging things, who knows how long he would have had to remain her secret lover?

When they got off the plane, cars were already waiting. Si Qiu observed the motorcade, then glanced at the driver.

“You’ve been promoted again, huh?”

Zhou Chengyu pinched her nose. “Little clever one.”

“Even if I’m a little clever one, I still can’t escape your Five Finger Mountain,” she said, patting his arms that were holding her. But instead of loosening his grip, he held her even tighter.

“Qiuqiu, Grandpa and the others are waiting for us at home! The gifts for meeting have all been prepared, and I even bragged a bit. You wouldn’t let me be laughed at by the family brothers, would you?”

Si Qiu turned around and leaned into his embrace. “Zhou Chengyu, you must know what it means for me to go back and meet your family. Are you really sure? You know in our kind of family, once a commitment is confirmed, it’s not something you can easily back out from.”

Zhou Chengyu reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear. “You think I’m cutting off my own path, but in reality, I’m cutting off yours.”

Then he lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers. “Qiuqiu, now I’ll ask you in return—would you regret it? If you do, we’ll drive to your home instead; we won’t return to the Zhou family residence.”

No one noticed the nervousness in his heart as he asked that question. But the person with her forehead against his could clearly see the anxious uncertainty in his eyes.

Si Qiu slightly lifted her chin, leaving a kiss mark on his lips. “Zhou Chengyu, I can take risks—because even if the ending is terrible, I can bear it. But this terrible ending isn’t caused by me. If it happens, you might have to face my revenge. I wonder if you can handle that.”

Si Qiu looked at Zhou Chengyu seriously, and he could feel her sincerity too. He stepped back slightly and covered her eyes with his hand.

Then he leaned close to her ear. “If that day ever comes, any revenge you take on me will be what I deserve. Bringing you home was my way of telling you that I’m a very traditional man. The purpose of dating you is to marry you. The purpose of marrying you is to spend my life with you.”

The car drove into the Zhou family’s old residence. Since the New Year was approaching, everyone in the Zhou family was gathered. Even the second branch, living abroad, had returned with their twin sons.

Si Qiu wore a red knitted dress and held a small bouquet in her hands.

Zhou Chengyu, along with the staff following him, carried gift boxes. His mother, Madam Feng, immediately gave Si Qiu a hug upon seeing her.

Si Qiu handed her the flowers. Madam Feng covered her mouth, smiling in surprise. “Oh my, I’ve never received flowers from my son, but now I got flowers from my daughter-in-law. I’m so happy!”

She then held Si Qiu’s hand and began introducing the family members: her own eldest son Zhou Chengde, the second branch with their family of four, and when she reached the third branch, Xu Fenglun’s face turned a dark shade that could be described as bluish-black.

When Madam Feng introduced Si Qiu, Xu Fenglun ground her teeth and said, “That little girl is clever.”

Madam Feng rolled her eyes at her. “Third sister-in-law, don’t be so self-important. Xiao Wu is a good kid—any flaws he has are because of a mother like you. A perfectly good child, from career to personal life, has been delayed by you.”

Saying that, she took Si Qiu aside. The old patriarch silently sipped his tea, as if he hadn’t heard anything.

It wasn’t until Si Qiu bowed to him that he warmly invited her to sit beside him. But before long, the discussion had turned to when the two families’ parents should meet.

It seemed that ever since Zhou Chengyu brought her home once, everything had gone into overdrive.

When she came back to her senses, she was already holding the engagement bouquet and walking through the ceremony.

As for why it wasn’t a wedding, it was probably because she was still too young.

Regarding her “romance brain,” Si Qiu thought Zhou Chengyu’s was even more intense than hers. Her clinginess alone couldn’t satisfy his emotional needs.

Kisses, hugs, texts, calls—if he had any free moment, Si Qiu’s phone never rested.

Even when he was busy, he found ways to trick her into coming to be with him.

While others try to integrate into their partner’s life and social circle, Zhou Chengyu forced Si Qiu to be immersed in his life and work through his determined attitude and methods.

If Si Qiu had any matter to handle, she had to report to him first. Even if she was busy and couldn’t get there immediately, he would send his staff over.

It seemed like the only word in his life was “Si Qiu.”

Si Qiu set down her coffee cup. “What about you two? Really not going back? Won’t uncle and aunt come and kill me?”

Xu Duo and Chang Li shook their heads in unison.

“Don’t worry. My mom may be a little concerned, but my job right now is hard to come by, so she’s actually quite pleased.”

Hearing Xu Duo, Chang Li nodded too. “Exactly. It’s all thanks to your guy.”

Si Qiu waved her hand, about to say something, when her phone vibrated. She quickly picked it up, replied to the message, while the other three looked on teasingly.