A reborn mother longs for her daughter's happiness.

Chapter 157 Visiting the Boyfriend's Parents Again

At noon, Li Shiqing's stomach rumbled right on time, as if protesting its owner's procrastination. She stretched and turned to Zhang Chen at the next workstation, jokingly saying, "Zhang Chen, do you think my stomach has a timer installed? It starts rumbling precisely at mealtimes."

Zhang Chen stood up with a smile, and casually picked up his coat: "Let's go, my young lady, I'll take you out for a good meal today to reward your 'hardworking' stomach."

The two walked out of the company side by side. The afternoon sun was warm and pleasant. Li Shiqing took a deep breath and sighed, "It would be a shame not to go on a picnic in this weather."

Zhang Chen raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin: "A picnic? I'll take you this weekend, but for today, let's fill our stomachs first."

The two arrived at their usual small restaurant. As soon as they sat down, Li Shiqing skillfully picked up the menu and started ordering while muttering, "I love this sweet and sour pork ribs; and this Mapo tofu is perfect with rice. Zhang Chen, take another look and see what else you want to order."

Zhang Chen smiled and pushed the menu back: "You ordered all my favorite dishes, I have no objection."

As soon as the food was served, Li Shiqing couldn't wait to pick up a piece of pork rib, take a bite, and squint her eyes in satisfaction: "Mmm~ It's so delicious. This pork rib is sweet and sour, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I feel like I could eat two big bowls of rice."

Zhang Chen couldn't help but laugh as he watched her wolf down her food. "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you. By the way, my parents invited you over for dinner this weekend. Are you free?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shiqing almost choked on her ribs. She quickly drank some water to calm herself down: "What? Go to your house for dinner? This is too sudden."

Zhang Chen quickly patted her back and comforted her, saying, "Don't be nervous. My parents like you very much. They kept praising you when we ate at the hotel last time."

Li Shiqing frowned, looking worried: "But I'm not ready yet. It's my first time visiting your house, what kind of gift should I bring? And I don't know how to get along with your aunt and uncle. What if I say the wrong thing?"

Zhang Chen smiled and held her hand: "Don't worry at all. My parents are very easygoing people. Just act like you normally would. As for the gift, we'll go pick one out together after dinner. We're sure we'll find something suitable."

Li Shiqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, since you've put it that way, I'll bite the bullet and go for it. But you have to tell me about your parents' preferences beforehand, so I'll have a better idea of ​​what to expect."

Zhang Chen patted his chest confidently: "No problem! My dad loves drinking tea and knows a lot about all kinds of tea; my mom loves growing flowers, and she's practically turned our balcony into a little garden."

Li Shiqing's eyes lit up: "Then I know what to give! I'll buy Uncle a box of the finest tea and Aunt a few pots of expensive flowers, how about that?"

Zhang Chen gave a thumbs up: "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! I knew you could come up with a great idea."

After get off work, the two went straight to the mall. At the tea counter, Li Shiqing was dazzled by the wide variety of teas: "Zhang Chen, with so many kinds of tea, which one is better? I know nothing about tea."

Zhang Chen leaned closer and examined it carefully: "My dad usually likes to drink Pu'er tea. I heard that this kind of tea has the effect of lowering lipids and losing weight, and it's good for the body. Let's buy this one; this brand has a pretty good reputation."

Li Shiqing nodded and said to the sales clerk, "Then I'll have a box of this Pu'er tea. Please pack it nicely for me."

After buying tea, the two went to the flower market. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a riot of colorful flowers, their fragrance filling the air. Li Shiqing, like a cheerful little bird, flitted between the stalls: "Wow, these flowers are so beautiful! Zhang Chen, come and see, which flower is suitable to give to Auntie?"

Zhang Chen looked around and pointed to a pot of Phalaenopsis orchids, saying, "This Phalaenopsis orchid is nice. The color is bright and the flowering period is long. My mom will definitely like it."

Li Shiqing walked over and gently touched the petals: "It's really beautiful, I'll take it. Boss, how much is this Phalaenopsis orchid?"

After some haggling, Li Shiqing successfully bought the orchid. The two carried the gift and took a taxi to Zhang Chen's house. On the way, Li Shiqing's heart raced, and her palms sweated with nervousness: "Zhang Chen, I'm still so nervous. What if I don't do well and your parents don't like me?"

Zhang Chen squeezed her hand and encouraged her, "Don't worry, you're so cute, my parents will definitely like you. And with me here, just make yourself at home."

Finally arriving at Zhang Chen's house, Li Shiqing took a deep breath and composed herself. Zhang Chen rang the doorbell, the door opened, and Zhang Chen's mother greeted them with a beaming smile: "You've finally arrived! Come in quickly, the food is almost ready."

Li Shiqing quickly handed over the gift and said sweetly, "Auntie, this is a small gift I brought for you and Uncle. I hope you like it."

Zhang Chen's mother accepted the gift and said happily, "Oh, you've come all this way, no need to bring a gift, you're too kind. This orchid is so beautiful, I just happen to need one."

As Li Shiqing entered the living room, Zhang Chen's father also came out of the study. Li Shiqing quickly greeted him, "Hello, Uncle."

Zhang Chen's father smiled and nodded: "Okay, okay, please sit down. I heard you brought me some tea, I must try it."

Everyone sat in the living room and chatted for a while, and Li Shiqing gradually relaxed. Zhang Chen's parents were very kind and approachable, completely different from what she had imagined.

Soon after, Zhang Chen's mother brought the food to the table. The table was full of sumptuous dishes, all of which looked and smelled delicious.

Looking at the delicious food, Li Shiqing couldn't help but swallow hard: "Auntie, the dishes you made look so delicious, my mouth is watering."

Zhang Chen's mother smiled and said, "Eat more if you like it. These are all home-style dishes. Try this braised pork; it's Zhang Chen's favorite."

During dinner, Zhang Chen's father suddenly asked, "Shi Qing, how are you feeling working at your mother's company? Is work going well?"

Li Shiqing put down her chopsticks and answered earnestly, "Uncle, I feel very happy working at the company. My colleagues take good care of me, and I can learn a lot. President Li is also very capable. I have gained a lot working under my mother."

Zhang Chen's father nodded: "That's good. Young people need to learn more and accumulate more experience. Zhang Chen is usually a bit careless and has caused you a lot of trouble at the company, hasn't he?"

Li Shiqing glanced at Zhang Chen and said with a smile, "Zhang Chen is very serious about his work, and he has a lot of ideas. He often comes up with good suggestions and has helped me a lot."

Zhang Chen smiled smugly to the side: "Dad, don't worry about me, I'm doing very well at the company."

Zhang Chen's mother smiled and said, "You two work in the same company, so you should take care of each other and learn from each other. If Zhang Chen bullies you, just tell Auntie, and Auntie will teach him a lesson for you."

Li Shiqing quickly waved her hand: "Auntie, Zhang Chen is very good to me, he won't bully me."

The meal ended in laughter and conversation, and Li Shiqing felt much closer to Zhang Chen's parents. After dinner, everyone sat together in the living room watching TV. Zhang Chen's mother held Li Shiqing's hand and chatted casually: "Shiqing, what do you usually like to do?"

Li Shiqing thought for a moment and said, "Auntie, I like reading books, watching movies, and occasionally going out with friends."

Zhang Chen's mother said with a smile, "He has similar hobbies to Zhang Chen. He also likes watching movies, and every time a new movie comes out, he insists on going to see it."

Zhang Chen scratched his head sheepishly, "Mom, please don't expose my past."

After chatting for a while longer, Li Shiqing checked the time and decided it was about time to go home. She stood up and said to Zhang Chen's parents, "Uncle, Aunt, it's getting late, I should go back now. Thank you so much for your hospitality today."

Zhang Chen's mother quickly said, "Are you leaving so soon? Come visit again next time you have time, don't be so formal."

Zhang Chen's father also said, "Yes, from now on we'll treat this place as our own home and come anytime."

Li Shiqing felt a warmth in her heart and nodded: "Okay, Uncle and Aunt, I will."

Zhang Chen drove Li Shiqing home. On the way, Li Shiqing said happily, "Zhang Chen, I'm so happy today. Your parents are so kind. I thought I would be nervous."

Zhang Chen smiled and said, "I told you, my parents would definitely like you. Now you can rest assured, right?"

Li Shiqing winked mischievously: "Okay, I'm not worried. But next time I go to your house, I'll have to behave well and try to make your aunt and uncle even more satisfied."

Hand in hand, they walked under the moonlight, their happy laughter echoing in the night sky. This trip to Zhang Chen's house for dinner not only brought Li Shiqing and Zhang Chen closer, but also allowed her to feel the warmth of Zhang Chen's family. She looked forward to the next gathering and to spending many more wonderful moments with Zhang Chen.