Chapter 97

After learning the truth and the details of the lottery incident, Sung Yuri didn’t know whether to be angry at being fooled by her three older sisters or to be grateful for their good intentions in helping her. She was lost in her thoughts for a long time when she suddenly reached out and pinched Zhang Chengyuan’s thigh, saying, “It’s all your fault. You must treat us four sisters well from now on.” If she wasn’t afraid of being seen by others on the way, she might have hugged Zhang Chengyuan and cried.

Hearing her words, Zhang Chengyuan naturally promised with sweet words.

Not long after, the two arrived at Zhang Chengyuan’s house. Sung Yuri was carrying a basket of fresh fruits she had just bought from the supermarket. Zhang Chengyuan first rang the doorbell, then took out the key to open the door. At this moment, Zhang Donghu, who had heard the doorbell, also came out from the house and walked to the yard to wait for them.

As soon as Sung Yuri saw Zhang Donghu, she recognized his robust figure and facial features that somewhat resembled Zhang Chengyuan, and knew that this must be Zhang Chengyuan’s father. She quickly took a few steps forward, bowed deeply, and greeted, “Uncle, hello!”

Today, Sung Yuri didn’t dress up in any special way. She wore the usual clothes of a young woman, with only a necklace given by Zhang Chengyuan and no other jewelry. Her face was lightly made up, but she looked both clear and dignified, giving a very good first impression.

Zhang Donghu glanced at Sung Yuri, finding her somewhat familiar but unable to recall her name. As someone who spent most of his time abroad, he naturally didn’t know much about domestic celebrities. By now, he had long forgotten that Sung Yuri had once visited his son when Zhang Chengyuan was seriously injured and hospitalized. He smiled and said, somewhat awkwardly, “Yes, hello! Hello!” He was extremely satisfied with Sung Yuri’s appearance and manners. If Zhang Chengyuan wasn’t his son and a good earner, he would have thought it a great pity for Sung Yuri to marry into their family.

Sung Yuri, sensing that Zhang Donghu didn’t recognize her, immediately introduced herself, “Uncle, my name is Sung Yuri.”

Zhang Donghu chuckled, “Yuri, Yuri, what a nice name, just like you.”

Hearing Zhang Donghu’s praise, Sung Yuri was overjoyed inside but still smiled modestly. Suddenly, she noticed the basket of fruits in her hand and hurriedly said, “It’s our first meeting, this is a small token of my appreciation, I hope you like it.” She bent down and handed the basket to Zhang Donghu. It was her first time meeting her in-laws, and she didn’t know what to do, so she just did what she thought was right.

Zhang Donghu took the basket and smiled, “Yes, I’m very satisfied! But next time, don’t bring anything.” He then handed the basket to Zhang Chengyuan and extended his hand to welcome Sung Yuri into the house.

After entering the living room and glancing at the furnishings and decorations, Zhang Donghu, somewhat at a loss, said, “Our house is old, and I’m often away, so it’s a bit shabby. Yuri, I hope you don’t mind.” Perhaps because he was too satisfied with Sung Yuri, Zhang Donghu, this big man, was worried that she might be dissatisfied with their family’s living conditions. After all, young people nowadays were more practical, valuing material conditions over spirit and character.

Sung Yuri quickly said, “Uncle, it’s fine, I don’t mind!” The more polite Zhang Donghu was, the more uncomfortable she felt.

Compared to Zhang Donghu’s awkwardness, Zhang Chengyuan, the son, was very calm, sitting on the side watching TV, letting Sung Yuri and Zhang Donghu talk. No matter how Sung Yuri performed or whether Zhang Donghu was satisfied or not, it wouldn’t change his mind.

Sung Yuri was very annoyed by Zhang Chengyuan’s indifference and secretly signaled him several times to help, but Zhang Chengyuan, seeing this, just smiled and turned his head away, occasionally interjecting a word or two. After several attempts, Sung Yuri had no choice but to muster her spirits to answer Zhang Donghu’s questions.

Today might have been the day Zhang Chengyuan saw Zhang Donghu talk the most and with the gentlest tone. Usually, Zhang Donghu spoke to him in a matter-of-fact manner, but today, he was courteous and polite to Sung Yuri, making her feel at ease after just a few minutes of unease.

They chatted for over half an hour, and it seemed they were getting along better and better, which made Zhang Chengyuan quite jealous. But at this point, even if he wanted to interject, no one would pay attention to him.

As they talked, Zhang Donghu suddenly said, “To raise such a sensible child, your parents must be very knowledgeable and well-mannered. I really want to meet them. How about we arrange a meeting in the next few days?”

Sung Yuri was a bit flustered and stammered, “That seems a bit too rushed. Chengyuan hasn’t even met my parents yet.” She turned to look at Zhang Chengyuan, signaling him to help quickly, and in her urgency, she even told a small lie.

Zhang Chengyuan was even more flustered. Sung Yuri’s parents had already met him and always treated him as a close junior to the four Fin.K.L girls, and they were quite nice to him. But if they knew he had deceived Sung Yuri, who knows what they would do to him? He hurriedly agreed, “Father, we can’t rush this. Let’s wait until I meet and gain the approval of Yuri’s parents before we proceed.”

Zhang Donghu thought for a moment and found Zhang Chengyuan’s words reasonable, so he didn’t insist on meeting in the next few days. Instead, he said, “You should hurry and meet Yuri’s parents and make a good impression. Don’t let them think you’re not good enough for Yuri. Also, I hope that when I return to Korea next time, I can have a good talk with them.”

Zhang Chengyuan thought Zhang Donghu’s next return would likely be around the next Spring Festival, which was about a year away. Although a year might not be enough to gain Sung Yuri’s parents’ approval, he decided to deal with it for now and nodded, “Understood, I’ll hurry.”

Next, Zhang Donghu changed the topic and continued chatting with Sung Yuri. Zhang Chengyuan, fearing that Zhang Donghu might ask some difficult questions, also actively joined their conversation.

When it was time for dinner, Sung Yuri proposed to treat Zhang Donghu to dinner, and he happily agreed, chuckling. Following Sung Yuri’s lead, the three went to a Korean restaurant that was still open during the Spring Festival. Although the restaurant was a bit quiet, they felt this atmosphere was more suitable for them. After all, both Sung Yuri and Zhang Chengyuan were public figures and were often surrounded by people when they went out. Now, with no one to disturb them, they could focus on enjoying their meal.

After dinner, Zhang Chengyuan and Sung Yuri left together, while Zhang Donghu wanted to have a drink before leaving. It was a very happy day for him. As he sipped his soju, he muttered, “Chengyuan’s mother, you’re going to have a daughter-in-law, and she’s a beautiful, kind, and well-mannered girl. Please bless them and let them live happily and peacefully!”

In Zhang Chengyuan’s car, Sung Yuri said to him, “Uncle is really kind, speaking gently and without any airs. He’s very handsome and very kind to me. At first, I was a bit worried and scared, but now I feel a bit reluctant to leave him.”

Zhang Chengyuan said, “Is he that good? I’ll definitely be even more handsome when I’m his age.” His tone was clearly a bit jealous.

“Even jealous of your own father, I don’t know what to say to you,” Sung Yuri said helplessly.

“Anyway, Yuri, you can only like me this man for the rest of your life!” Zhang Chengyuan emphasized.

“Then women are okay?” Sung Yuri joked.

Zhang Chengyuan thought for a moment and said, “If it’s Hyori and the others, it’s okay, but you can only like them, not fall in love.” He could feel the deep bond between the Fin.K.L members. If they could love each other for life, it would also help him stay with them.

Sung Yuri, annoyed, said, “What nonsense are you talking? I’m not a lesbian, how could I fall in love with them?” She pinched Zhang Chengyuan a few times.

After a while, Sung Yuri asked, “Chengyuan, do you want to meet my parents?” By “meet,” she meant meeting them as her boyfriend.

Zhang Chengyuan pondered and said, “Not for now. I’m afraid your parents might look down on me. I’ll wait until my career is more successful and I’ve earned more money. Ideally, I should buy a villa first, then we can meet.”

Sung Yuri immediately pinched his waist and said angrily, “How many more years will it take for you to buy a villa?”

Zhang Chengyuan laughed and said, “Yuri, are you eager to marry me?”

Sung Yuri glanced at Zhang Chengyuan, looked out the window, and pouted, “Who said I’m eager to marry you? You’re dreaming! It’s just a meeting with my parents.” Although she had privately decided to spend her life with Zhang Chengyuan, she hadn’t thought about marriage yet. For an artist, it seemed too early.

Zhang Chengyuan said seriously, “Yuri, I’m not ready at all right now. I don’t know how to face your parents. I’m too young, and my career isn’t stable yet. If I were your father, I wouldn’t easily entrust such an excellent daughter to me. So meeting now would be futile. Yuri, I hope you can give me more time. I won’t make you wait too long!”