Chapter 57

Yang Xiaoshuang's mother booked a private room, and Hao Meng felt it was a bit wasteful. It was just a regular meal, after all. Including himself, there were only four people—Yang Xiaoshuang and her parents. Was it really necessary to be so 'luxurious'? But since she was the one treating, he didn't say much.

When Hao Meng saw Yang Xiaoshuang's mother, he was a bit taken aback. Standing next to Yang Xiaoshuang was a woman who looked a bit like her, probably in her early thirties, not looking like she was in her forties at all.

"Is this your sister?" Hao Meng asked tentatively, not quite sure.

Yang Lan smiled and said, "You must be Hao Meng. I often hear Xiaoshuang talk about you at home. I'm Yang Lan. Since there are no outsiders today, just sit down and don't be too formal!"

"This is my mom!" Yang Xiaoshuang pouted and made a kicking gesture.

"Hello, Auntie!" Hao Meng smiled. "I didn't expect you to be so young. The two of you look like sisters."

After everyone was seated, Hao Meng asked curiously, "Is your husband not coming today?"

Yang Lan was taken aback, and Yang Xiaoshuang gave him a fierce glare, as if scolding him. Hao Meng scratched his head, not sure what he had said wrong.

"Xiaoshuang hasn't told you about our family situation, has she? I divorced her father a long time ago, and he has already immigrated abroad." Yang Lan smiled, not showing any discomfort.

A single-parent family?

"Sorry, she didn't tell me," Hao Meng apologized. He had thought Yang Xiaoshuang's parents were treating him today, but he didn't expect that the little girl was living alone with her mother!

"It's fine!" Yang Lan smiled, not seeming to mind. "It's not a secret. Let's order some dishes and chat while we eat!"

After they finished ordering, Yang Lan asked, "Are you from Shicheng, Xiao Hao?"

"Yes!" Hao Meng nodded and smiled. While the other person was sizing him up, Hao Meng was also observing her. She was well-preserved, not looking like a mother with a teenage daughter at all. The signs of aging were barely visible, with only faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, hard to notice unless you looked closely.

"Then what is your current job, dealing with used phones?" Yang Lan asked curiously.

"Not exactly. Used phones are just part of my business. I have a partnership in an electronics market in Lianhuachi, and I recently started a tech company. I also deal with some used appliances on the side," Hao Meng smiled.

Yang Lan frowned slightly, but didn't show it on her face. "It sounds like you have a lot of different things going on. Can you manage all these businesses?"

She remembered her daughter saying he used to collect scrap!

"It's manageable. I don't usually handle the electronics market much," Hao Meng smiled, looking at her. "I wonder what you do, Yang Lan?"

"I work at a car sales company as a manager," Yang Lan didn't hide her profession. She had invited Hao Meng out today to meet him and get to know him. Additionally, she wanted to give him a warning not to have designs on her daughter. Before coming, she thought Hao Meng was a young man in his late twenties.

"By the way, I checked out the neighborhood where Xiaoshuang is renting. It happens to be in the jurisdiction of a police station managed by an old subordinate of my second brother, so safety isn't a concern," Yang Lan said, as if remembering something.

"Yes, the neighborhood is quite safe!" Hao Meng nodded in agreement.

The meal went well, and everyone was happy.

After leaving the hotel, Yang Lan insisted on driving Hao Meng back, despite his protests.

Yang Lan's car was a white Q5. From the conversation during the meal, it was clear that Yang Xiaoshuang's mother had some influence in Shicheng.

But Hao Meng didn't think too much about it, as it was none of his business.

"Here we are. This is my used appliance store. Would you like to come in for a bit, Yang Lan?" Hao Meng pointed to the store sign and smiled.

Yang Lan looked outside and shook her head with a smile. "It's late today. Maybe another time!"

"Alright, drive safely!" Hao Meng didn't insist and got out of the car.

On the way home, Yang Lan smiled and asked, "This Xiao Hao doesn't seem too old, right?"

Yang Xiaoshuang looked out the window and said, "He's 21!"

"Do you like him?"

"Ah?" Yang Xiaoshuang's face turned red, and she turned to look at Yang Lan. "Mom, what are you saying? I have no relationship with him. We are just business partners. Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you!" Yang Lan nodded and smiled. "But this Xiao Hao is not bad. He's young and has already started his own business, which shows he has some ability."

"Mom, I know what you're thinking. I really have no relationship with him. I said I wouldn't date early, and I won't. Even if I did, I would definitely tell you," Yang Xiaoshuang pouted, knowing that Yang Lan was suspicious about her and Hao Meng.

"Do you know why I don't oppose you opening an online store or living in your studio, and not coming home?" Yang Lan asked softly.

Yang Xiaoshuang's eyes twinkled, and she said playfully, "Of course, because Mom trusts me!"

Yang Lan smiled. "Trust is one part of it. The other part is that I don't want to keep you in a cage. I'm afraid you might rebel against me. You are my only one. Without you, I have nothing."

"I won't be like that!" Yang Xiaoshuang's voice had a touch of coquettishness.

Yang Lan smiled and focused on driving, not saying anything more. But Yang Xiaoshuang started telling her about her online store, how many orders she got each day, how much she earned per order, and how some customers were unreasonable, giving bad reviews even when her service was good.

"Running an online store can only be a hobby. I won't interfere during the summer, but after school starts, you need to focus on your studies. Earning money is secondary. The most important thing is to get into a good university, understand?" Yang Lan interjected, seeing that her daughter really cared about her little online store.

"Relax, I'm a beautiful, talented girl. When have I ever made you lose face in my studies?" Yang Xiaoshuang lifted her head confidently.

"Shameless! Who praises themselves as beautiful?" Yang Lan laughed and scolded her. The two often teased each other, which is why they were often mistaken for sisters outside.