I followed Chen Lu backstage, though it wasn't exactly backstage, but rather an area behind the hotel lobby with many small rooms. Chen Lu led me into one, which was a reception room. A middle-aged couple sat on two sofas. The woman, in a deep red qipao, was dignified and elegant, smiling at me. The man wore a gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking stern.
"These are my parents, hurry up and greet them, what are you waiting for?" Chen Lu whispered, nudging me.
"Oh, Mom and Dad, hello..."
As soon as I spoke, the man's expression became even more severe, and the woman's smile froze.
Chen Lu kicked me hard!
"Ah! I'm sorry!" I realized my mistake. "I was... too nervous. Uncle, Aunt, hello!"
The man frowned, pointed to the sofa next to him, and said, "Sit down."
"Yes, okay." I shuffled over and sat on the edge of the sofa, straightening my back, waiting for them to ask questions. Chen Lu, however, sat casually on the armrest of my sofa and rested her leg on mine. Her father repeatedly shook his head. I quickly pushed her leg down, urging her to behave. We weren't that close, and her actions made it seem like we'd been married for years. Wealthy people might place more importance on pre-marital etiquette and conduct.
"Xiao Wu," Chen Lu's mother began, "Don't be nervous. When you're nervous, it makes your uncle and me nervous too."
I nodded and forced a smile, not daring to reply.
"What do you do for work?" Chen Lu's father asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.
I glanced at Chen Lu, asking with my eyes, "How should I answer?"
"Why are you looking at me? Just tell the truth!" Chen Lu said nonchalantly.
"Oh, reporting to Uncle and Aunt, I work in the live-streaming industry, managing a live-streaming team."
Chen Lu nodded. "We do it together!"
"Oh, so you were the partner when she said she wanted to invest in live-streaming sales?" Chen Lu's mother guessed.
"Yep!"
Chen Lu's father didn't seem to disapprove of the industry. He leaned forward slightly and asked, "Lu Lu mentioned you two are classmates? High school or university?"
"University classmates, in the same class," I said truthfully. There was nothing to make up.
"Why didn't you ever mention him before?" Chen Lu's father asked Chen Lu. "I only knew of Song Lei."
"Uh, that's..."
"It's like this," I said, seeing Chen Lu falter and taking over. "When I was at school, I was quite introverted, and Chen Lu was more outgoing, with many friends and social activities. So, even though we were in the same class, we weren't very close. It was only recently, when I started live-streaming, that I reconnected with Chen Lu. And well, you know, we're young. I believe you both can understand."
Chen Lu nodded approvingly again, indicating I had spun a good tale.
Chen Lu's father's expression remained unchanged, but he uncrossed his legs and leaned back into the sofa. "I don't object in principle to young people dating. As long as you are happy, that's what matters. However, Xiao Wu, I need to remind you, if you are aiming for marriage, you must treat this relationship seriously. You can't be fickle, nor can you be impulsive. Don't rush into a decision you might later regret without thorough understanding. Do you understand what I mean?"
I nodded repeatedly. "I understand, Uncle. I will seriously pursue a relationship with Chen Lu. Of course, our goal is marriage. Otherwise, it would be irresponsible, wouldn't it? But if we truly aren't suited for each other, I won't force it."
Hearing this, Chen Lu's father's brow relaxed slightly. He motioned for me to have some tea.
Just then, Chen Lu's mother's phone rang. She answered, said a few "uh-huhs," and then said to her husband, "Xiao Song is here. But now Lu Lu has brought her boyfriend. Should we still meet him?"
Her voice was low, but since the room was quiet, I heard it clearly. From what I gathered, this "Xiao Song" seemed to have some connection with Chen Lu, perhaps a potential arranged marriage suitor.
"We still need to meet him," Chen Lu's father said calmly, glancing at me. "His father is, after all, the head of the foremost family in Guandong. We can't afford to lose face."
The head of the foremost family in Guandong? Such a prominent young master, would he be interested in Chen Lu?
Chen Lu pouted and said coquettishly, "I find him so annoying, I don't want to see him!"
"Didn't your father say we should give the Song family face? Let's meet him. Bringing Xiao Wu along will also make your stance clear," Chen Lu's mother said.
Suddenly, I felt used. Was Chen Lu deliberately bringing me here to act as a shield, to fend off this Young Master Song?!