RED Chapter 71

Chi Feiran tightly gripped his phone, suddenly feeling like the words he just heard might be his own hallucination.

However, after those words left his father’s mouth, Chi Jun seemed to relax a bit. His once slightly stooped back straightened slowly as he said to his son, “You are my son, Chi Jun’s son. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Even though there was still some disagreement in his heart, just as Xie Man had said, must his son experience the same hardships he had endured?

Was what he thought was good, really good?

Chi Jun said, “Dad wants you to live well, to be happy. No matter which path you choose in the future, I’ll support you.”

Even if he chose wrong, it didn’t matter, because he would always be there.

Chi Feiran’s eyes began to burn, and as he lowered his head, tears streamed down. He didn’t know what to say; all he could do was softly call out to Chi Jun, “Dad…”

Chi Jun could hear the thick nasal tone in his voice and couldn’t help but feel heartbroken. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Isn’t this supposed to be a happy moment?”

However, Chi Feiran couldn’t hold back. The tears he hadn’t shed yesterday all burst forth now. The suppressed anxiety and sadness erupted, and holding his phone, he murmured something he didn’t even understand himself.

Chi Jun listened to him, his voice thick with emotion, repeatedly calling out “Dad,” saying “I’m sorry” and “thank you.” His heart ached, and tears flowed down his own cheeks.

The call lasted a long time, but the content was limited, more like an outlet for both parties’ emotions.

When Chi Jun finally calmed down, wiped his tears, and comforted his son a few more times, he felt a bit embarrassed and hung up the phone.

Although he didn’t cry in front of his son again, crying over the phone felt like it diminished his dignity as a father.

On the other end, Chi Feiran felt awkward after hanging up.

He could withstand the emotions he showed when he cried just now, but facing his mom and Emmett’s gaze now, it felt difficult. After all, in their eyes, he was still young, but Chris knew he was already in his twenties…

Chris met his younger brother’s gaze, then looked away, indicating that he hadn’t seen anything just now.

Chi Feiran: “…”

Xie Man took out a tissue to wipe her son’s face, feeling relieved. Fortunately, Chi Jun loved his son a bit more.

Emund cleared his throat, breaking the awkward atmosphere. “It seems we can meet Mr. Rong?”

Chi Feiran: “…Maybe not.”

He just couldn’t today! How could he face anyone looking like this after crying so much!

Edmund didn’t know if he was being deliberately obtuse. “Why not?”

Chi Feiran felt he must be doing it on purpose, murmuring softly, “I don’t want to meet him like this… it’s too embarrassing…”

The mom couldn’t hold back and laughed, then the stepdad couldn’t hold back either. Chi Feiran immediately turned to Chris, if Chris laughed at him too, he would be upset!

Chris managed to hold back, but the look he gave his younger brother was quite meaningful.

Chi Feiran remembered the last time he cried in front of Chris, and Chris had said, “Why do you keep crying? Aren’t we already university graduates?”

Chi Feiran: “…”

Forget it, what else could he do besides being more open-minded…

In the end, they didn’t invite Rong Jin out that day, just the few of them had a meal together.

When Rong Jin received the invitation the next day, Chi Feiran felt a bit hesitant. It felt quite embarrassing to suddenly invite him to meet the parents like this, so after the invitation, he quickly added, “If you feel it’s not appropriate, you don’t have to come!”

How could Rong Jin possibly feel it’s not appropriate! Even if it’s as friends meeting the parents, it’s still meeting the parents!

Rong Jin was ecstatic inside, but he managed to keep his composure outwardly, maintaining just the right tone with a smile, “There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Parents want to know what kind of friends their children have, it’s normal. I’m happy to be invited.”

He was so happy, he felt like doing somersaults…

Chi Feiran silently added in his heart, it’s not about knowing what kind of friends, it’s about knowing what kind of future daughter-in-law…

Chi Feiran still felt a bit awkward, a bit inappropriate. He felt like it was a kind of one-sided blind date. “Rong Ge, are you really not reconsidering?”

Rong Jin was puzzled, “What’s there to reconsider? Oh, by the way, I’ll bring the gift over.”

Well, he should also prepare a gift for Feiran’s family, no matter what, he had to make a good first impression!

In the end, it was settled. Xie Mom dressed up before meeting, showing how much she valued this meeting.

On the other side, Rong Jin dressed even more impressively than the future mother-in-law. If it weren’t for needing to pick a gift and running out of time, he would’ve invited his previous styling team to fuss over him.

But without the styling team, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting to appear perfectly in front of his beloved’s family, so he chose to call Chang Haoying as his strategist.

Chang Haoqing advised him, “Brother, they just want to meet their son’s friend, not to evaluate a daughter-in-law. Can you relax a bit?”

Rong Jin said, “Regardless of what they think, this means something different to me.”

Chang Haoqing: “…”

Chang Haoqing gave up struggling: “Okay, okay, okay, whatever you want to do, I’ll accompany you. I won’t sleep tonight!”

But Rong Jin said, “That’s not necessary. I still need to sleep tonight, or else I’ll have dark circles.”

Chang Haoqing, seeing his serious expression, took a few deep breaths before swallowing back the swear words that were about to come out of his mouth. Fine, it’s not easy having a one-sided crush. He’s still his brother, he should be more understanding… There’s nothing to it…

No matter how Chang Haoqing was tortured by Rong Jin, when Rong Jin appeared in front of Feiran’s family, he was dressed quite nicely.

The casual suit was somewhat formal but not excessively so. The irregular collar shirt underneath softened his originally sharp aura. Most importantly, the pair of yellow diamond cufflinks on his sleeves sparkled.

Feiran noticed them almost immediately and couldn’t help but feel a bit happy.

With that bit of happiness, he introduced his family to Rong Jin, who greeted them politely one by one.

Setting aside everything else, Rong Jin’s appearance was difficult to fault. Even Xie Man and Edmund, who were accustomed to seeing beauties, couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.

Although they had already seen Rong Jin’s information, seeing him in person allowed them to better appreciate the impact of his appearance.

Both elders couldn’t help but think, no wonder their child liked him…

A person with such appearance, even if they had many flaws, could drive countless people crazy. Not to mention being patiently and gently treated by such a person. It’s normal to like them.

Rong Jin felt the gazes of Xie Man and Edmund, but he pretended not to notice. When greeting Chris, his tone shifted from respectful to the elders to affectionate with a friend, “Chris, nice to see you again.”

But Chris’s current mood was quite different from the last time they met. Last time it was to see his younger brother’s friend, but this time it was to see his sister-in-law… a male sister-in-law…

He couldn’t help but feel awkward now. It seemed like all the good impressions from last time were overturned. He couldn’t help but scrutinize Rong Jin with his eyes. Rong Jin was almost ten years older than Ethan, and taller than Ethan, yet Ethan liked him…

Rong Jin: “…”

Why did it feel like his big brother was looking at him with such a cold gaze? Didn’t they have a good relationship from fighting together before? Or did he misinterpret something?

Chris kept a straight face and shook hands with him. “Nice to see you again.”

Well, his expression didn’t show any sign of happiness…

Rong Jin felt a bit puzzled, but since he and Chris weren’t really close, he could only pay attention inwardly.

Xie Man had many things she wanted to say to Rong Jin. After they were seated, she smiled and said, “Mr. Rong, Ranran said you’ve always taken good care of him.”

Rong Jin shifted his attention away from Chris and smiled as he replied, “Auntie, just call me by my name. Feiran is a junior I have high hopes for. Naturally, I pay more attention to him, but ultimately, it’s his own effort.”

As he spoke, he placed the gift he brought on the table and said, “It might seem too formal to give gifts on our first meeting, but I still think it’s appropriate to bring something.”

The gifts Rong Jin brought weren’t particularly valuable. In the presence of such a family, even the most valuable gifts would probably be ordinary, so he focused on the thoughtfulness instead.

Xie Man naturally accepted whatever Rong Jin brought, and when she saw Rong Jin giving a big bag to her son, she couldn’t help but look over curiously.

Feiran was curious too. “What’s this?”

Rong Jin said, “Exam materials.”

Feiran thought he misheard. “What?”

Rong Jin replied very honestly, “Aren’t you preparing to apply to film school? I just organized some materials for you, including written tests and interviews. You should find them useful.”

Feiran opened the bag and indeed found it filled with files and CDs, it seemed to contain all kinds of audiovisual materials…

Feiran’s heart was trembling. In that instant, he felt that he and Rong Jin were on completely different levels psychologically.

He was thinking about how to get physical with the other person, while the other person was thinking about how to improve his learning and professional standards…

Feiran thought to himself, he really fell for such an excellent person…

Meanwhile, Rong Jin secretly observed the expressions of the other three. He felt that as a friend who encouraged children to strive for progress, he shouldn’t be disliked by parents no matter what, right?

Feiran clenched his fists secretly, feeling that he must work hard and not disappoint Rong Jin’s efforts. He declared, “Rong Ge, I will definitely study hard!”

Rong Jin reassured him, “Don’t be nervous. I’m giving you these just to help you prepare mentally for the exams. I know your abilities, you’ll definitely pass.”

As Rong Jin spoke seriously, Feiran felt even more ashamed of his thoughts of getting physical with him. It seemed quite unprogressive…

Meanwhile, Rong Jin applauded himself inwardly, feeling that his role as a good senior was truly well-established.

Author’s note:

Rong Rong: I’m really smart.