Starting Check-in Reward: Tomson Riviera

Chapter 299: Chapter 276: Men Don’t Cherish What They’ve Gotten?

Tang Jing’s tone then shifted. "I know Xiaoxi has many bad habits," she said, "but I hope you’ll be patient with her. If she ever does anything really wrong, please talk to us first. And if things truly don’t work out, just send her back home."

"But please, promise me you’ll never let her feel wronged."

Tang Jing looked at Ye Ling, her eyes filled with a look of earnest pleading.

In that moment, she wasn’t the wife of Ning International’s chairman, but simply a mother worried about her daughter’s future marriage.

Ye Ling was visibly stunned. To be honest, while he had braced himself for many possibilities, he had never expected her to say something like that...

"Auntie, please rest assured. My goal is the same as yours: we both want Ruoruo to live a happy life. When she’s happy, I’m happy."

Ye Ling said solemnly.

Hearing this, Tang Jing visibly relaxed. She didn’t doubt him or think he was just paying lip service.

In fact, she had already done some research on Ye Ling before this, even finding out a few details about his and Ning Ruoxi’s trip to Yazhou.

For example, how Ye Ling had bought Ning Ruoxi a magnificent piece of jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels worth five million!

From things like this, she could sense that Ye Ling probably wasn’t just playing around...

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bought such expensive jewelry. But as a mother, she couldn’t help but say these things to him regardless.

"That’s good."

Tang Jing nodded, her gaze toward Ye Ling growing even friendlier. "By the way," she asked with a smile, "I heard from Xiaoxi that you’re from Pingjiang?"

"Yes, that’s right."

Ye Ling nodded.

"So when are you two planning to get married?"

Tang Jing’s question was so sudden it left Ye Ling completely stunned.

"There’s no need to hide it. I’m speaking from experience; I can tell you two have already taken that step," Tang Jing explained, seeing the astonishment in Ye Ling’s eyes.

’Seeing how lovey-dovey they were in the living room just now, there’s no way I’d believe nothing has happened between them.’

Understanding dawned in Ye Ling’s eyes. ’Ah, so that’s why?’

"My apologies, Auntie," Ye Ling said, a little sheepishly.

’Even if times are more open now, this is still my future mother-in-law...’

"Alright, that’s all a matter for you young people."

Tang Jing said, waving her hand.

’Truthfully, she was a little bothered that Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi had taken that step so soon. But it’s already happened, so what’s the use in being bothered by it?’

’What’s done is done!’

"Actually, the reason I came today was firstly to pay my New Year’s respects to you and Uncle, and secondly, to discuss the matter of our engagement," Ye Ling said, clearing his throat as he revealed his intentions.

"Hmph! Engagement?" A scoff echoed from the second floor.

Ye Ling turned to look and saw Ning Tianliang walking out of the study with a cold expression. Ning Ruoxi trailed behind him, and when she saw Ye Ling looking, she playfully stuck out her tongue in a disarmingly cute gesture.

"What are you scoffing at?"

Before Ye Ling could say a word, Tang Jing shot a glare at Ning Tianliang. "It’s the New Year. Don’t you dare stand there with that long face."

"I’m just not happy about it..."

Ning Tianliang muttered sullenly after his wife glared at him.

’His prize cabbage had been nabbed by a pig. How could he possibly be happy?’

’Happy? As if!’

"If you’re unhappy, then go back to the study."

Tang Jing rolled her eyes at Ning Tianliang before turning back to Ye Ling. "Xiaoling, don’t mind him. Your uncle is just like that—his bark is worse than his bite."

"It’s alright."

Ye Ling rubbed his nose.

’The important thing right now is... Tang Jing is taking my side?’

’Looks like all the prep work Ning Ruoxi usually does with her mom has really paid off!’

Ye Ling turned to look at Ning Ruoxi, who was also stealing glances at him. When their eyes met, she pursed her lips, giving him a look that was clearly asking for praise.

"So, let’s hear it. What are your marriage plans?" Ning Tianliang said, pulling Ning Ruoxi down to sit beside him as he looked at Ye Ling.

After sitting down, Ning Ruoxi discreetly scooted a little closer to Ye Ling. Ning Tianliang, of course, noticed this small gesture, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart was completely extinguished.

’That’s it, the cabbage is really gone!’

"Ruoruo and I are both still in school, so my thought is to get engaged first. It would be a promise to Ruoruo and also give you and Uncle peace of mind. Then, once we graduate, I’ll formally marry her and bring her into my family."

As he spoke, Ye Ling took Ning Ruoxi’s hand and turned to her. "Of course, this is just my plan. The final decision is still up to Ruoruo."

Instantly, all eyes turned to Ning Ruoxi.

Ning Ruoxi’s face flushed crimson. She lowered her head slightly and murmured, "I have no objections."

"Then it’s settled. We’ll find a time for our families to meet and finalize the engagement details," Tang Jing declared decisively.

Ye Ling was stunned. ’That easy?’

’He thought they would have some conditions!’

But on second thought, it seemed perfectly logical.

After all, he and Ning Ruoxi had already come this far. Marriage was only a matter of time, so an engagement was even less of a hurdle.

Ning Tianliang, off to the side, was also visibly taken aback. He clearly hadn’t expected Tang Jing to be so decisive and quickly tugged on her sleeve.

"Xiaoxi, dear, why don’t you show Xiaoling around the house? Your father and I have something to discuss. We’ll call you when dinner is ready," Tang Jing said, glancing at her husband before turning to Ning Ruoxi.

"Oh, okay!"

Ning Ruoxi nodded, linking her arm through Ye Ling’s as she stood up. "Come on, I’ll show you my room."

"How could you just agree like that? It’s too rushed!"

Ning Tianliang muttered in a low voice, frowning after the couple had entered the room.

"What do you think? They’ve already reached this point, what else are we supposed to do?" Tang Jing retorted irritably.

At her words, Ning Tianliang fell silent.

’Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi were in Yazhou for so long... There’s no way he’d believe nothing happened between them...’

"I just feel like that kid is getting off too easy."

Ning Tianliang said with a sigh.

In truth, he wasn’t really against Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi’s relationship—otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed Ning Ruoxi to stay in Modu by herself last time. It was just that he was having a hard time accepting it so suddenly.

’That damn brat... did he really go and steal his precious cabbage?’

"This day was bound to come," Tang Jing sighed as well.

Honestly, she felt much the same as Ning Tianliang. She had doted on her only daughter since she was a little girl; how could she possibly bear to let her go?

But she knew Ning Ruoxi’s personality very well. That little girl was incredibly stubborn!

...

Meanwhile, Ye Ling followed Ning Ruoxi into her room.

"So, this is my room!" Ning Ruoxi said with a grin, closing the door and flicking on the light.

"I didn’t realize you had so many stuffed animals."

Ye Ling remarked with a light chuckle as he scanned the room.

Compared to Ye Ling’s room, Ning Ruoxi’s was definitely much more ’girly.’ The main color scheme was pink, and there were stuffed animals of all sizes in every corner and piled on the bed.

"Hehe, I got those when I was little," Ning Ruoxi said, sticking her tongue out playfully. She grabbed a big teddy bear, flopped onto the bed, and hugged it. "Ahh, so comfy!"

Ye Ling sat on the edge of the bed, a smile spreading across his face as he watched her.

’This girl... It’s like she’ll never grow up.’

"Ruoruo, did your dad say anything to you just now?"

Ye Ling asked, having suddenly thought of something.

"He didn’t ask much..."

Hearing this, Ning Ruoxi sat up. "He just asked about my trip to your family’s home, and about our time in Yazhou," she said, sticking her tongue out.

"I get the feeling your dad isn’t too happy with me right now," Ye Ling said, rubbing his nose.

"It’s not just a feeling. He really isn’t happy with you." Ning Ruoxi paused for a moment before adding comfortingly, "But you don’t have to be so nervous. It’s normal. He just needs some time to cool off."

"I’m still going to marry you," Ye Ling said, his gaze softening as he pulled Ning Ruoxi into his arms.

"Hmph!"

Ning Ruoxi huffed playfully, pushing him away. "I’m having second thoughts now."

"Second thoughts about what?"

Ye Ling scratched his head, looking at Ning Ruoxi in confusion.

"I read online that men stop cherishing you once they have you. I regret letting you have me so soon," Ning Ruoxi said with a pout.

’The more I think about it, the more I feel like things with Ye Ling really did move too fast...’

’Has it only been half a year?’

’And we’re already about to get engaged!’

"How could I not? My baby is so adorable..."

Ye Ling pulled Ning Ruoxi back into his arms, burying his face in her hair and whispering, "I will always cherish you."

"Hmph! So in the end, it’s just about my looks, is it?"

Ning Ruoxi retorted with a pout.

"I won’t deny that’s part of it. There’s a saying online: ’Love begins with looks, deepens with talent, and endures because of character...’"

Ye Ling chuckled, then added, "And the fact that we’ve been together this long without a single fight... I think that’s what true love is."

"You’re just a smooth talker."

Ning Ruoxi pouted, her cheeks flushing as she lowered her head.

"Actually... I can be even sweeter."

As he spoke, Ye Ling gently tilted her chin up and kissed her.

The sudden kiss made Ning Ruoxi freeze for a second before she hurriedly pushed him away.

"What are you doing? My parents are right outside!"

Ning Ruoxi said, glaring at him irritably.

’This guy... where was all this courage a minute ago?’

"Very sweet."

Ye Ling simply licked his lips and said with a satisfied smile, ignoring her protest.

"Jerk."

Ning Ruoxi pushed him away irritably.