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Before Cheng Simin called in the afternoon, Shi Ying was downstairs at his grandfather’s old apartment building, showing off their new car to the elderly couple.
The car—a Red Flag H9—had been picked up from a 4S dealership in the provincial capital the previous week. That morning, they had just completed the registration process in Banshan. The ownership certificate and vehicle registration were both in his grandfather’s name, and the license plate featured the numbers “0628,” representing his grandmother’s birthday.
Shi Ying meticulously demonstrated all the car’s features inside and out, then respectfully handed over the vehicle registration, insurance policy, and keys to his grandfather. He joked that borrowing the car for over a hundred days was now being returned in an upgraded form—”a flawless return.”
Cai Yuefeng’s initial reaction was one of astonishment. She refused to accept the gift, claiming it was too extravagant. She repeatedly urged Shi Ying to return the car and keep the money for himself. When he explained that a registered car couldn’t be returned, she suggested he quickly list it on a second-hand trading website to sell it at a discounted price.
His grandfather clutched the shiny new car keys tightly, though he echoed his wife’s reluctance with polite refusals. Still, his actions betrayed his excitement—he kept running his hands over the majestic Red Flag emblem on the hood and slipping into the driver’s seat to pat the smooth leather upholstery. Leaning out of the driver’s window with a sly grin, he asked hesitantly:
“Manman, such a fine car? For me, an old man to drive? Surely not?”
“What’s wrong with that? This car suits you perfectly—it looks dignified and grand.”
“Oh my, Red Flag is such a prestigious brand! Isn’t it incredibly expensive?”
“Not at all. Domestic cars are more affordable than foreign ones.”
Shi Ying knew his grandfather would adore the gift. As a child, whenever military parades aired on TV, his grandfather would sit on a small stool, eyes glued to the screen, marveling at how luxurious the national leaders’ vehicles were. Back then, Red Flag sedans weren’t available for private orders. Now, with Shi Ying about to make money, he felt he was fulfilling one of his grandfather’s youthful dreams.
“Is that so? Hehe. Then let me take a spin around the block? You two can ride along and test it out.”
“Ah, I may not have been blessed with a daughter’s fortune, but I’ve certainly been blessed with a grandson’s! Manman, no matter what others say, your grandfather hasn’t loved you in vain.”
If only Old Huang—who always mocked him for raising an ungrateful brat and died of lung cancer last year—were still alive, he’d drag him down from his wheelchair to see the Red Flag sedan his grandson bought him!
Beaming with joy, his face crinkled with wrinkles, his grandfather beckoned his wife and Shi Ying to get into the car.
Cai Yuefeng shot him a sharp glare, scolding him by his full name: “Li Huaiqing! Get out of there! A gift worth hundreds of thousands, and you have the audacity to accept it? You’re still a Party member—are you forgetting your principles in your old age?”
The old man clicked his tongue, thinking, How many more years do I have left? Once I’m gone, this car will still belong to Manman. At most, I’m just borrowing it for a few years—it won’t affect my integrity as a Party member, right?
Seeing the two about to argue, Shi Ying quickly intervened, wrapping an arm around his grandmother’s shoulders to soothe her.
“Grandma, it’s not hundreds of thousands. Cars are cheap these days, and the government has incentives. With a down payment of thirty or fifty thousand, you can finance the rest. Besides, I’m sharing some good news with you. Tomorrow, I’ll receive a dividend from the winery. Forget about cars—even the villa my mom wants, I plan to purchase next week.”
“Goodness! Such a big dividend? The winery must be doing well!”
Excited to engage, his grandfather almost forgot to open the door and nearly climbed back through the window.
“Of course! I originally planned to surprise my mom after transferring the villa title. So, please accept the car without arguing. Our lives are flourishing and getting better every day.”
“Yuefeng, look—it’s a happy occasion! As elders, we shouldn’t dampen the kids’ spirits.”
His grandfather stepped out of the car, grabbed his wife’s hand, and rubbed it vigorously, patting her back to calm her.
Cai Yuefeng frowned, her cloudy eyes trembling slightly, but she couldn’t detect any signs of hesitation on Shi Ying’s face.
Though uneasy, she chose to believe her grandson was talented and exceptional. Perhaps there were people who recognized the potential of their family’s “thousand-mile horse.” Gradually, she relaxed, stopped scolding her husband, and clasped her weathered hands together—a silent acceptance.
As the three drove around the streets in the new car, Cheng Simin called.
Shi Ying didn’t avoid the situation and immediately answered. The call lasted only three minutes, but as soon as he hung up, his grandmother exchanged a knowing glance with his grandfather. Before she could speak, the old man eagerly jumped in.
“Manman, are you dating someone?”
Having lived through their youth, they understood that even casual conversations between couples carried a unique tenderness. Shi Ying’s tone during the call wasn’t the same playful manner he used with them—it sounded softer, almost affectionate.
“Mm-hmm. You know her—it’s my elementary school desk mate. Surname Cheng.”
“Ah? Oh... that’s wonderful!” His grandfather hadn’t expected Shi Ying to admit it so quickly. Pulling the car back to the residential area and parking it under the building, he glanced at his wife’s expression before turning back to ask, “Then bring her over sometime so your grandma and I can meet her?”
“Sure. After the house matters are settled next week, I’ll discuss it with her.”
Shi Ying’s response indicated he was serious about the relationship.
Older generations valued simple pleasures and focused on two major life events: establishing a career and starting a family. Though they considered themselves progressive and often read books and newspapers, understanding that today’s youth prioritized self-improvement and independence, they still believed having a supportive partner during tough times was invaluable.
After getting out of the car, Cai Yuefeng wanted to chat more about Shi Ying’s girlfriend and invited him upstairs for dinner.
“Have you told her everything about our family? Is she okay with it?”
“Yes. She’s more open-minded than me. In fact, she encouraged me to relax.”
“That’s good. Tell her not to feel burdened. Your mom’s doing well lately—her work is going smoothly. Sometimes, when she finishes early, she even cooks for us. Today’s groceries were bought by her—she’s almost fully recovered and won’t delay your plans.”
“Let me know in advance when you plan to visit. Tell me what you like to eat, and I’ll prepare more. Plus, I’ll give a big red envelope—your grandma’s pension is overflowing. It increased again last month!”
“Got it. I know you’re a pension tycoon. I’ll bring her over to freeload—eat and take home leftovers.”
Shi Ying laughed, his eyelashes curving with amusement. Behind him, his grandfather locked the car and leaned over to ask, “It’s windy outside. Let’s go upstairs and talk. You haven’t seen your mom in a while, right? She probably misses you.”
“Next week, after the house is settled, I’ll come over. We’ve already planned to go to the hot springs tonight. I’ve been busy lately and haven’t seen her. I’m heading over to pick her up now.”
Dating naturally took precedence over dining with the elderly. Cai Yuefeng immediately waved him off, urging him to leave. “Then next time—our meals can wait. Hurry up, young man, don’t keep the girl waiting.”
Hearing his grandson was going on a date, his grandfather nodded approvingly and even handed over the car keys.
“Take the new car for your date—it’s yours to borrow for now.”
“No need.” Shi Ying jingled the old Xia Li car keys. “This one works perfectly. Cheng Simin likes your car. She said you keep it clean, well-maintained, and it has a retro charm.”
Not to mention the huge dent I accidentally put in Grandpa’s old car.
“Tsk, look at this girl—she’s extraordinary, with great taste. Next time, I must have a proper chat with her about my car.”
His grandfather rambled on, but his grandmother found him tactless. Dragging him by the arm, she steered him toward the building entrance.
Shi Ying hopped into the Xia Li, returned to Huanghe Garden, went upstairs to change clothes, and, seeing there was still time, decided against knocking on the neighbor’s door. Instead, he drove to a flower shop.
At 6:30 PM, Cheng Simin arrived punctually. As the elevator doors opened, she scanned the dim underground parking lot, spotting the red Xia Li. Without hesitation, she smiled and jogged toward Shi Ying.
Both had dressed up for the occasion—coincidentally, neither had consulted the other, yet they both wore warm earthy tones.
Cheng Simin paired a scholarly-looking corduroy jacket with a creamy white skirt, while Shi Ying sported a rugged oil-waxed jacket, balancing his mischievous vibe with a fitted cashmere sweater.
Through the car window, Cheng Simin’s breath hitched as soon as she saw Shi Ying’s striking face smiling at her.
They had frequently video-called over the past two weeks, usually before bed, lying lazily on their pillows, chatting casually about mundane topics. Cheng Simin had almost forgotten how sharp and refined Shi Ying’s features were.
Her gaze shifted to the large bouquet of flowers on the passenger seat, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Suddenly, the reality of being in a relationship hit her. Opening the car door, her demeanor was almost shy and bashful.
She softly thanked him, placed the roses in the backseat, and restarted the car. Only then did she get the chance to observe his profile while he drove.
Chen Xiaofen’s words from earlier that day had long vanished from her mind. At this moment, Cheng Simin’s heart raced, her palms sweaty. Despite her disdain for her physiological attraction, there was no denying it—before dating, she was a staunch defender against male charm; now, she was utterly smitten by her boyfriend’s looks.
Her wandering thoughts drifted to inappropriate imagery. After admiring his face and hands, her gaze began to wander further down Shi Ying’s body.
To be fair, Shi Ying’s chest muscles felt better than the squishies she made. As a diligent artisan, she should strive to replicate that sensation for her customers. She mentally named the design “Spring Limited Cherry Mochi.”
By the time they reached the highway, Cheng Simin was blatantly staring at his crotch. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Shi Ying finally broke the tension with a hoarse plea: “Can you tone it down a bit?”
Cheng Simin furrowed her brow and softly commented, “Shi Ying, I noticed something different about you since you returned from your business trip. You’ve changed.”
“Really? How?”
Shi Ying quickly reviewed his preparation steps: showered, shaved, blow-dried his hair, applied deodorant, sprayed cologne, and even used a rinse-off face mask. He thought he hadn’t missed anything.
Cheng Simin sighed melodramatically, turning away with a melancholic tone: “You seem more masculine now. Before, you exuded a youthful charm, but now…”
She trailed off, but Shi Ying immediately recognized this as Cheng Simin’s classic move—a verbal tease.
He turned to her with a frosty smirk: “Now I have a sense of husbandliness, right? Complimenting my enduring charm? What should I do? A man’s prime is fleeting—you should marry me quickly before others start eyeing me. After marriage, I promise to let you ‘ruthlessly crush my flowers’ every night—I won’t resist.”
This vulgar joke instantly dissolved the lingering awkwardness from their two-week separation. Cheng Simin burst into laughter, nearly falling off her seat. Her cat-eye makeup fluttered as she nodded solemnly, saying, “Alright, baby. Don’t worry—I’ll take responsibility for you soon. To show my sincerity, I’ll spoil you all night tonight.”
Shi Ying chuckled at the word “baby,” mimicking her tone playfully: “Alright, baby—if you’re spoiling me, do it thoroughly. Don’t be stingy—people will be disappointed otherwise.”
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