Chapter 144: You Two Go Get Married Right Now
Trees are sparse in the Northwest, with loess plateaus everywhere.
The sun was also merciless.
Consequently, places like this were usually deserted in the afternoon.
Su Zhaozhao had also deliberately picked a less crowded spot to stand. If there were too many people, she wouldn’t have wanted to stay.
Besides, she wasn’t afraid of the sun. She didn’t tan or get sunburned at all; a simple application of spiritual spring water was all it took to fix it.
But seeing Su Zhaozhao’s little face, flushed red from the sun, Xie Huaizheng’s heart still ached for her.
"Are you scared stiff? Why are you standing here all alone instead of going back?" Because he was angry, his tone was unintentionally harsh.
He spent eight to ten hours training under the sun every day and thought nothing of it.
But Su Zhaozhao was different. Her skin was fair and delicate. She had only been in the sun for a little while, and she already looked like this.
’I wonder if she’ll get a sunburn.’ At that thought, Xie Huaizheng grabbed Su Zhaozhao’s hand and started walking toward the guesthouse.
But Su Zhaozhao grabbed Xie Huaizheng’s arm, stopping him.
"No, wait. I... Just listen to me." Su Zhaozhao decided it was better to explain everything to Xie Huaizheng right here and now.
It was also a chance to see his problem-solving skills.
’If I’m really going to marry him, he’ll have to be the one to take care of everything. Including if his parents object...’
"Xie Huaizheng, I met an auntie from Beijing today. Was that your mother?" Su Zhaozhao asked.
Xie Huaizheng nodded. "Yes."
’He already knew who I was talking about?’
"Then I’m doomed. Zhou Chengguo came looking for trouble today, and I beat him up. She saw me. I was originally planning to give her the impression that I was a gentle, proper lady, but who knew she’d end up seeing me hit someone."
Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but bury her face against Xie Huaizheng’s chest and cover it with her hands.
She was on the verge of a breakdown.
In the novel, the male lead’s mother was angered so badly by the villainess’s family that she fell gravely ill.
But after she transmigrated into the book, she had probed Xie Huaizheng several times, and he always said his family didn’t know about that situation.
Now that she saw his mother, she was indeed very healthy, with a rosy complexion—she didn’t look sick at all.
This set Su Zhaozhao’s mind at ease.
But the thought of his mother seeing her violently beat up Zhou Chengguo made her wonder what the woman must think of her now.
Xie Huaizheng paused for a moment, then an involuntary smile touched his thin lips.
"So, you little fool, you were just worried about your image, so you hid here, too scared to go back?"
The man raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes fixed on Su Zhaozhao. ’How could anyone be so silly? At the same time, he was angry. She wasn’t worried about her own safety, but about saving face unnecessarily? This girl usually seems so smart. How can she be so dense right now?’
Xie Huaizheng couldn’t resist pinching Su Zhaozhao’s nose. "My mom isn’t some kind of monster. So what if she saw you? Are you worried she won’t let you marry into our family because of it?"
"I’m just a little embarrassed."
Su Zhaozhao was only impolite to elders she disliked. Toward kind elders, she would always be proper and courteous.
Just like with the Zhou Xiaoyun couple and Zhang Jingshu.
’Xie Huaizheng’s mother must be a good person, just like him.’
That was why Su Zhaozhao had wanted to leave a good impression on the elder.
But she never expected her image to be shattered right after their first meeting.
This was probably the first time Xie Huaizheng had seen Su Zhaozhao so embarrassed.
He found it utterly amusing.
But he knew she was anxious inside. After all, this was her first time meeting his parent.
Xie Huaizheng reached out and hugged Su Zhaozhao tightly.
His large hand stroked her soft hair, as if he were soothing a cat.
"Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. My mom is a great person. She’ll understand what you did. You were just trying to protect yourself."
"Besides, I’m the one marrying you, not her. As long as we live a happy life together, that’s all that matters. Even if she disagrees, she’ll have to agree."
"Really?" Su Zhaozhao calmed down a little.
The truth was, she was just nervous because this was her first time meeting his parent.
"Actually, she was quite worried about you. She regretted not coming out with you, afraid you might be in danger, so she sent me to find you."
So that was how it was.
Su Zhaozhao relaxed. It seemed Xie Huaizheng’s mother was just as good a person as he was.
There wasn’t much description of the male lead’s mother in the novel, only that she was chronically ill. The female lead, with her golden finger fully activated, learned many skills, including the ability to cure illnesses.
She had completely cured the male lead’s mother’s sickness.
The male lead’s whole family was extremely grateful to the female lead.
But now, Xie Huaizheng’s mother looked incredibly healthy, completely different from the novel.
’Then the female lead’s ability can’t be used on the male lead’s mother anymore.’
’Oh well. My transmigration has already changed so many things from the novel. I don’t need to worry about how the plot progresses at all.’
Su Zhaozhao paused, looking at Xie Huaizheng in surprise. "Wait, so you’re saying your mother already knew I was your girlfriend?"
"Yes. So don’t be scared. Come on, I’ll take you back."
Xie Huaizheng took Su Zhaozhao by the hand and led her back to the guesthouse.
Huang Jiqin was still waiting on the balcony. When she saw Su Zhaozhao, a brilliant smile lit up her face. "Little Su—oh no, I should call you Zhaozhao. Are you alright? Is everything okay?"
Su Zhaozhao shook her head.
"Who was that man? Oh, dear, I’m so sorry. I was frightened just now. I should have stayed with you. How could I let a young girl like you handle that big man all by yourself?"
Huang Jiqin had been worried sick this whole time.
Thankfully, Su Zhaozhao was safe and sound; otherwise, she would never be able to forgive herself.
Hearing Huang Jiqin say this, Su Zhaozhao realized she had been overthinking things.
Actually, she wasn’t usually like this. It was just that her concern had clouded her judgment...
She liked Xie Huaizheng, so she cared too much about what his family thought.
"It’s okay, I’m very capable. I took him straight to the police station."
Xie Huaizheng turned his head to look at Su Zhaozhao. "Zhaozhao, don’t worry about the rest. Leave it all to me."
’Thankfully, Zhaozhao wasn’t hurt. A person like Zhou Chengguo really can’t be left to cause more trouble.’
Su Zhaozhao nodded.
But after a moment’s thought, she added, "He still owes Qiaoqi a lot of money. I’m worried it’ll be a problem if he can’t pay it back."
Wen Xiaoqi’s family wasn’t well-off. That bit of extra money would make their lives much more comfortable.
"Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."
Huang Jiqin stood before the two of them, watching her son—who was usually so cold, arrogant, and untamable—now looking at Su Zhaozhao with such warmth and gentleness.
Even his voice had softened a degree, as if he were afraid of scaring Su Zhaozhao.
An enormous smile bloomed on Huang Jiqin’s face, her eyes crinkling until they nearly disappeared.
’Well, I’ll be,’ she thought.
’This girl is beautiful, has a great personality, and is gentle but with an inner strength.’
’Standing next to my son, they’re a perfect match—a talented man and a beautiful woman, a golden couple, a match made in heaven...’
’And from the looks of it, Su Zhaozhao isn’t the type of girl with no mind of her own. She’s most likely given serious, calm consideration to marrying Xie Huaizheng.’
Huang Jiqin was overjoyed.
"I don’t think we should waste any more time. Why don’t you two go register your marriage right now?"