Chen Feng noticed that Guo Mengyao hadn't replied for a long time. After taking a closer look at what he had sent earlier, he realized it might have been a bit too harsh, quite heart-wrenching.

Indeed, no one likes hearing the truth, especially women.

After thinking it over, Chen Feng still felt somewhat guilty. After all, she was his high school classmate for three years, and had secretly liked him since then. Now they even have a substantial relationship. Marrying her is impossible, but maintaining a relatively intimate relationship is something Chen Feng doesn't mind.

Plus, he's invested quite a bit in her company, and if their relationship becomes too strained, the business partnership won't work.

So, after hesitating for a while and seeing that Guo Mengyao still hadn't replied, Chen Feng deliberated for a moment and sent another message: [If it's really tough to explain to your parents, I can pretend to be dating you, and it's fine even to meet them. But we must understand in our hearts that we aren't really in a relationship. Do you understand?]

This time, after about ten seconds, Guo Mengyao finally replied with a large raised middle finger emoji.

Seeing this, Chen Feng smiled. Although this response wasn't good, it was better than no response.

So, Chen Feng promptly sent a silly smile emoji.

This time, Guo Mengyao didn't reply for several minutes. Chen Feng decided to put it aside for now.

The situation between him and Guo Mengyao wasn't what Chen Feng wanted, but if he didn't address it, Guo Mengyao might still harbor unrealistic fantasies about him.

To avoid misleading her and himself, although his previous words were harsh, they should help Guo Mengyao let go of her unrealistic expectations.

He's also made some concessions for Guo Mengyao. Previously, he pretended to be the boyfriend of Lin Yujiao, Sun Xiaorui, Liu Ying, Wu Mengting, even Jin Xinyan, to meet their parents. The safety factor was much higher because if they "peacefully broke up" later, their parents live further away and don't know much about his family background, so there wouldn't be any trouble.

But Guo Mengyao's parents live in the same county as his parents, share the same dialect, and can easily find out about his family's situation, even if he and Guo Mengyao "peacefully broke up" in the future. Her parents could easily cause trouble at his hometown, which would be very problematic.

So, he's taking some risks to help Guo Mengyao.

If Guo Mengyao doesn't need his help, that would be ideal, and Chen Feng hopes she can handle it herself.

Unfortunately, while Chen Feng was searching for pool shade canopies on his phone, just about ten minutes later, he received a message from Guo Mengyao.

[When can you go back home?]

Seeing this message, Chen Feng sighed in disappointment and replied: [The day after tomorrow is my aunt's 60th birthday. I need to go back for it.]

[Okay, either come back tomorrow to meet my parents, or meet them the day after tomorrow. Is that alright?]

[It's alright, but I must state first that you shouldn't spread this around, especially in our classmate group. The fewer people know, the better. I won't even tell Qin Zhen.]

[You're so annoying.]

[I know my words aren't pleasant now, but I'm also worried you'll get too involved and delay yourself.]

[Don't pretend to care. I know you, don't I? You're probably having fun in Xiu Zhou, definitely thinking I'm old and have a kid. If you don't fancy me, just say so.]

[I truly don't look down on you, it's just that I really don't want to be in a relationship right now, let alone get married.]

[Let's see when you'll decide to date or get married. You can't stay unmarried forever, can you? You're already thirty, and you don't even have a kid. What a failure!]

[That depends on fate. Don't be mad; being friends and lovers is just fine. We can be relaxed and not awkward. If you want to progress further and talk about marriage, you really scare me.]

[You won't die from fright.]

Guo Mengyao's words were sharp, clearly still agitated, and Chen Feng didn't want to continue the unpleasantness, so he typed: [Then I'll meet your parents the day after tomorrow. I have things to attend to now, we'll talk later.]

After sending that message, Chen Feng put away his phone and headed out.

After spending a few days in the Red Demon Country, he felt like quite a bit of time had passed, and now back here, he didn't feel like staying home all day. He wanted to go out for a walk, relax, and refresh.

Driving along, he reached the East Lake Villa, parked the car, and strolled along the East Lake embankment.

The weather today was quite nice, no rain, and the temperature was just right; not too cold or hot, attracting quite a few people to the lakeside.

Watching the people coming and going, and the beautiful lakeside scenery, his mood brightened considerably.

After walking for about ten minutes, Chen Feng found an open-air bench by the lake, sat down, and gazed at the gently rippling East Lake, gradually calming his mind and clearing his thoughts.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but the ringing from his phone suddenly woke him.

Picking up the phone, he saw it was a call from Anna, which made Chen Feng frown.

Anna also returned with them to the Rabbit Country, but she was hired by Vivian. In Shanghai, she and Vivian's group got off the plane and stayed in Shanghai with them.

Calling him now likely wouldn't be good news.

Sure enough, after the call connected, when Chen Feng asked what was up, Anna said that Vivian was planning to visit Xiu Zhou in a couple of days, and wanted everyone to get together. If possible, she'd like Chen Feng and Qin Zhen to accompany her while she visited Xiu Zhou.

Certainly, Chen Feng internally refused, and openly declined: "That's really not convenient, I'll be going home in two days, to celebrate my aunt's birthday. Additionally, there are other matters there to handle, so I'll need to stay a few days, just coincidentally avoiding your visit. Please apologize to Vivian for me."

"That's too coincidental! Are you for real?" Anna expressed doubt.

"I assure you it's true. I have no reason to lie." Chen Feng answered frankly, not deceiving anyone.

"Alright then. Does Qin Zhen have time?"

"He's a policeman and has to work. He probably doesn't have any spare time either." Chen Feng, loyal as ever, helped Qin Zhen out too. Knowing Qin Zhen's disposition, he wouldn't be interested in joining them in Xiu Zhou either, and obviously, Qin Zhen also has work commitments.

"You're making me suspect that you guys just don't want to meet us?"

Chen Feng thought silently that she guessed right. With Vivian being a wealthy heiress, both he and Qin Zhen had no desire to entertain her, especially since currently Vivian is targeted by her father's business rivals, and who knows what kind of assault or kidnapping might occur.

Even though this is Rabbit Country, known for good public order, being around Vivian would certainly bring trouble.

"You really don't need to be this suspicious. I genuinely have business to attend to, and Qin Zhen truly has to work."

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