About twenty minutes later.

Xu Ye took Chen Qingqing away after all.

Old Zhang and Old Xu had only just gotten back, and if they really were going to eat at home there was no telling when the meal would actually happen. Anything that formal would only make Chen Qingqing more uncomfortable, and Xu Ye could already see she was on pins and needles, so he quickly found an excuse and took her out of there.

Old Zhang clearly hadn't had enough of it. Her mind had already run ahead to a happy retirement at home, minding grandchildren…

Once they were in the car Xu Ye protested his innocence. "I really did not know they were coming back today."

Chen Qingqing's head was a mess. She still hadn't caught up with herself.

She had imagined a great many versions of meeting the parents, and not one of them was anything like today.

It was just… too mortifying.

They weren't home, and I went to his place with him anyway, and then his mom and dad saw us…

At that thought she punched Xu Ye's arm a dozen times or more, then gave the same spot a vicious pinch.

Xu Ye laughed. "All right, it's over and done with. Isn't this better as it is?"

Chen Qingqing asked quickly, "Your mom and dad weren't home and I went over anyway. Are they going to think—"

"They won't."

Xu Ye knew what she was trying to say. "When I get home tonight I'll tell them I tricked you into coming."

"You did."

"Haha." Xu Ye reached over and pinched her cheek, then drove off to find somewhere to eat.

By the time Xu Ye had eaten, taken Chen Qingqing home and gotten back himself, it was eight thirty in the evening.

He had barely sat down on the sofa before Old Zhang and Old Xu settled in on either side of him. She said, beaming, "When are you bringing her over again? Today was too rushed. Otherwise Mom would have kept her for a meal no matter what."

"Mom, you're such an…