Chapter 5 Reality

"Mom, what are you babbling about?" Li Jingming's heart skipped a beat, and he replied somewhat helplessly, "I'm still a student, of course I should prioritize my studies."

"I'm very open-minded, I don't mind if you date while in university," Chen Sisi hinted meaningfully, "There are quite a few nice girls at your school, you could get to know them."

The university that Li Jingming attended was the prestigious private university in the Imperial Capital— Tenglong Academy.

It was also notoriously an elite school in Hua Country. This academy, founded jointly by four major families of Hua Country, offered education from kindergarten to university and even postgraduate levels.

Tenglong Academy was a unique presence in Hua Country, where most of the students were children of high-ranking officials and of wealthy family backgrounds.

Of course, there were also a number of special admission students who relied on scholarships to get by.

The nice girls Chen Sisi mentioned were definitely the wealthy daughters studying at the academy.

Li Jingming couldn't help feeling repelled, "Mom, please just stop."

Chen Sisi frowned, "Jingming, I'm not trying to force you into anything, I just hope your future can be a bit smoother."

What Li Jingming loathed most was his mother talking about these things, as if his future marriage was a mere transaction.

"Jingming, this is my minimum requirement," Chen Sisi looked at Li Jingming, speaking earnestly, "You're young now and don't understand what role your other half will play in your life."

"I come from a humble background and can't provide you with any help. If your other half also comes from an ordinary background, you will have a hard time in the Lai family."

Her realistic words slowly drained the color from Li Jingming's face, turning him somewhat pale.

Chen Sisi did not press him further, "Think about it yourself! And even if you really don't like Zhong Niangyao, there's no need to burn bridges so completely."

"This Zhong Niangyao likes you, and she's an idiot. You just have to sweet-talk her a bit, and you can string her along, making her devoted to you without a second thought."

Li Jingming was silent and did not respond, but his expression had softened from the initial resistance.

Seeing the change in her son's demeanor, Chen Sisi didn't continue. Sometimes pressing too hard wasn't a good thing.

In the hospital room—

Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong were intently watching Zhong Niangyao, who was half-reclining on the hospital bed, with burning gazes.

Faced with such stares, Zhong Niangyao couldn't help but start to wonder if she had given anything away.

"Grandpa, Grandma, why are you looking at me like that?" Nianyao gave a calm smile.

"It's nothing, just that we feel, Yaoyao, you've really grown up," Old Sir Zhong couldn't help wanting to wipe away tears, "Finally knowing how to open your eyes and choose a man."

"Grandpa!" Nianyao felt somewhat speechless, "Do I really look that disappointing to you?"

"Do you think you have such good judgement?" Old Madam Zhong immediately retorted, "When you were chasing after Li Jingming, where was this awareness then?"

Nianyao couldn't help but facepalm and then strained to defend herself, "I was young then, didn't understand things, got dazzled by pretty looks!"

"Can good looks be eaten as food?" Old Sir Zhong couldn't help but reach out and gently tap Nianyao's forehead.