Chapter 453 - 430: Wang Ming Pays a Visit (Part 2)

Chapter 453: Chapter 430: Wang Ming Pays a Visit (Part 2)

Wang Ming said politely, handing over the gifts he was holding.

"It’s no problem, it’s no problem. Work comes first, work comes first," Shen Jianjun said quickly.

He now knew that Wang Ming’s mother was the vice president of a major company. The movie she was involved in was a recent box-office hit, a massive project worth over a billion yuan. He couldn’t bear the responsibility if his daughter’s affairs affected her work.

Shen Jianjun took the pile of gifts and glanced at them casually, his heart immediately skipping a beat.

Two bottles of exquisitely packaged Maotai, two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, two bricks of a tea he had never heard of, two jars of honey, two boxes of cordyceps, and two boxes of ejiao.

One look at these gifts and it was obvious they were very expensive—far beyond what an ordinary person like him could afford to enjoy.

However, it also showed that Wang Ming’s mother placed great importance on his daughter.

"Yingying said you haven’t had breakfast yet. These are freshly boiled dumplings. You two should eat them while they’re hot, or they’ll get cold," Ye Qiuju said, her hands clasped over her apron.

"Okay, thank you, Auntie."

Shen Ying secretly tugged on the corner of his shirt, and Wang Ming, taking the hint, followed her to the dining table and sat down.

"Hurry and eat," Shen Ying whispered.

Even without her telling him, Wang Ming knew that if he could act more relaxed, their conversation would be less strained.

"Did you make these dumplings yourself, Auntie? They smell amazing," he said sincerely after taking a bite.

Although they were just traditional pork and chive dumplings, the skin was thin and the filling was generous. One bite filled his mouth with savory juices, and the flavor was rich and intense.

Hearing this, a smile spread across Ye Qiuju’s face.

"If you like them, have some more. Eat slowly, there’s more in the pot. I’ll get you another serving if it’s not enough."

"Yes, please," he nodded without hesitation. It had been a long time since he’d had such delicious handmade dumplings, and he was genuinely a little hungry.

Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Shen Ying breathed a small sigh of relief. ’He’s handling this pretty well.’

"If Yingying hadn’t come home and told us yesterday, we would have never known you two were dating," Ye Qiuju said with a smile.

Wang Ming looked slightly embarrassed. "I should have visited last year, but I was too busy and couldn’t get away. Before I knew it, a whole year had passed," he said apologetically.

"It’s no problem, no problem. Now is good too."

Ye Qiuju went to the kitchen and brought out two small dipping-sauce dishes, placing them in front of the pair. She then pulled up a chair for herself, sat down, and asked with a broad smile, "Yingying told me you two were high school classmates but went to different universities, is that right? For you two to get together despite the distance, it must be fate."

Hearing her mom talk about her, Shen Ying shyly lowered her head and quietly ate the dumplings in her bowl. She couldn’t bring herself to join this part of the conversation.

"You’re in the Imperial Capital now, right?"

"Yes, I’m usually studying and working at the same time, so my schedule is quite packed. That’s why she’s usually the one who comes to visit me during her winter and summer breaks."

Ye Qiuju glanced at her daughter. Shen Ying had already told them this last night.

"To have achieved so much before even graduating is truly remarkable," Shen Jianjun suddenly remarked with emotion.

"Uncle Shen, I’ve just been very lucky," Wang Ming said humbly.

He wasn’t entirely wrong. If Jiang Xia hadn’t dragged him on board back then, his mind would probably still be filled with online games, and his future would have been destined for failure.

Shen Jianjun was speechless. He didn’t believe a single word of the ’luck’ explanation.

Good luck might let you win the lottery, but could it make someone the director of a billion-yuan box-office hit?

Even now, with his limited imagination, he couldn’t fathom how a university student could be associated with a famous, big-name director.

He earned enough in a year to support an ordinary family for a lifetime, reaching the pinnacle of life at such a young age. His daughter finding such an outstanding young man for a boyfriend—that was the real luck.

Wang Ming ate one dumpling after another, and soon his plate was empty. Ye Qiuju turned, went into the kitchen, and scooped another serving for him.

"Thank you, Auntie."

"You’re welcome. Eat slowly," Ye Qiuju said with a gentle smile.

"By the way, Xiao Wang, I was wondering... Yingying goes to school in Yu Du. How does she participate in the work usually?" Shen Jianjun suddenly asked.

Wang Ming swallowed the dumpling in his mouth and explained simply, "This is the information age. For now, she’s handling our online operations. Whenever the company has a new project, she’s responsible for promoting it online using her computer."

"Oh, I see."

Shen Jianjun nodded, still a bit bewildered. He didn’t know much about computers, only that many students liked to play games online. He never imagined his daughter could actually earn money with a computer.

"And you...?"

"I was an art student, and I’m majoring in animation in university. At the company, I mainly work as the animation director for *Cat and Mouse*," Wang Ming answered honestly.

"You mean the *Cat and Mouse* that’s on TV all the time? I’ve seen it. It’s pretty funny," Shen Jianjun said with a chuckle.

He could have never imagined that he would one day be under the same roof as such a major director—one who, if all went well, would become his son-in-law.

’Life really is unpredictable.’

"Xiao Wang, you’re back this time to stay through the New Year, right?"

Wang Ming shook his head and gave a wry smile. "I’d love to stay that long, but my mom only gave me three days off. The movie is about to be released, so I have to go back and help the team with promotions."

"I see. Well, your career is definitely more important," Shen Jianjun said.

This was a matter concerning hundreds of millions in box office revenue, after all. Besides, if a company asked him to work overtime during the New Year and offered him ten thousand yuan for it, he would agree without a second thought.

Anything related to money was a big deal.

Family reunions could happen anytime.

After the delicious dumplings, Wang Ming spent the entire morning at Shen Ying’s home. Her parents treated him like a VIP, lavishing him with good food and drinks the whole time.

After this initial meeting, however, Shen Ying’s parents had an excellent impression of Wang Ming. He didn’t have that arrogant air about him, nor did he show any sign of looking down on their family. Even as a major director, he was polite and well-mannered in conversation.

For a first meeting, both sides had a pleasant conversation.

For lunch, Ye Qiuju prepared a table full of her specialty dishes, constantly putting the best pieces into Wang Ming’s bowl, afraid he wasn’t eating well.

Faced with his future mother-in-law’s enthusiasm, Wang Ming had no choice but to accept it all, much to Shen Ying’s amusement as she giggled beside him.

’The kind of warm family atmosphere I’d imagined for so long has finally become a reality.’

’This is so nice.’

She turned her head, looking at Wang Ming with a fond smile. ’This dummy... how can he be so wonderful?’

"Uncle, Auntie, I’ve booked a table at the Fenghua Hotel for tonight. I’d like to invite you to join me," Wang Ming said earnestly.

Ye Qiuju’s heart tightened slightly. She thought Wang Ming didn’t like her cooking. Pursing her lips, she asked tentatively, "Xiao Wang, is my cooking not to your taste?"

Wang Ming shook his head. "No, Auntie, your cooking is delicious. It’s just that I came back alone this time and have to leave in a few days. It’s only right that I treat Jiang Xia’s parents and Yanwan’s parents to a meal."

Shen Ying quietly added from the side, "Dad, Mom, Jiang Xia is the company’s owner, and Yanwan’s father is the owner of Gaoyuan Toys. The two families are related by marriage. Also, both of them have accepted Wang Ming’s mother as their godmother."

Hearing this, the old couple was startled. They looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

’A high-class dinner like that... Is it really appropriate for two simple country folk like us to attend?’

"Xiao Wang, why don’t you all go ahead? Shen Ying’s father and I won’t join you," Ye Qiuju said hesitantly.

Wang Ming smiled. "Uncle, Auntie, please don’t overthink it. Yingying is my girlfriend, and those elders have already met her. We’ll all be one family in the future."

In truth, his reasoning was simple. Since his mother hadn’t come with him this time, he wanted the other elders to act as witnesses and also to lend some support to the occasion.

"Well... I..."

Ye Qiuju looked at Shen Jianjun. As a simple woman, she didn’t understand these things, so she decided to leave the decision to her husband.

Shen Jianjun considered it for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and agreeing.

"Alright, Xiao Wang. We’ll do as you arrange."

’For our daughter’s happiness, it doesn’t matter if we two old folks go and make a fool of ourselves.’

...