"What nonsense are you talking about?" Wendy Parker was a little angry too. "Aaron Meng, yes, we grew up together, but there has never been anything between us. What gives you the right to accuse me like this? Whether I have a boyfriend or not is none of your business, isn't it?"
Aaron Meng looked shocked, as if he'd just been hit hard. He stared at Wendy Parker and said, "Wendy, you've changed! Has the flashy world out there blinded you? Is that why you don't like me anymore?"
"Are you crazy?" Wendy Parker suddenly stood up. "What does any of this have to do with you? Aaron Meng, let me remind you one last time: we're just plain old high school classmates, nothing more! Anyone else can judge me, but you have no right! If we'd ever dated, maybe you could say I'm dazzled by the outside world. But in three years of high school, I said less than ten words to you! What position do you even have to criticize me? Just because you liked me, I have to respond? If I like Daniel Wu, does Daniel Wu have to respond to me? If he doesn't, does that make him a jerk? If I like Wang Sicong and he ignores me, does that mean he's fickle? Aaron Meng, wake up, okay? Love isn't some game. Who are you trying to impress with this lovesick act? You're not an actor, so who do you think you'll move? You're just moving yourself!"
Aaron Meng's face instantly turned pale.
"That's all I have to say." Wendy Parker grabbed her bag and said, "Please don't bother me anymore! We all live in this small town, and we run into each other all the time. If we fall out, it's going to be awkward for everyone! Go date whoever you want, fall in love with whoever you want, just don't come messing with me, okay?"
With that, Wendy Parker stormed off in anger.
Her little brother was hiding in the seat behind at Wallace, covering his face with a napkin.
He knew this was going to happen!
Even though Aaron Meng never confessed openly, his attitude over the years made things pretty clear.
But his sister was right, too.
Well, he never confessed, did he?
If you don't confess, how would anyone know?
He used to think his sister's emotional intelligence was zero, but it turns out Aaron's isn't much better!
Ahhh, guess it's hopeless now, huh?
What Wendy Parker didn't know was that after she rejected Aaron Meng, he went home, bought a dozen beers, and got completely wasted.
When Aaron Meng's family saw him, they knew something was wrong. After asking, they found out Wendy Parker had turned him down.
The Meng Family was instantly upset.
They'd only agreed to let their son wait for her all these years because the families had been neighbors for so long.
But now that Wendy Parker went to college, she thought she was too good for the Meng Family.
How could they accept that?
So Grandma Meng paid them a visit.
Grandma Meng was no pushover. She came over, but she didn't scold anyone or blame Wendy. Instead, she sat down and started chatting with Mr. Parker and Mrs. Parker.
"We've all been neighbors here for years. I remember when your parents and I moved in, almost at the same time. I even joked with your mom that if we had kids, we should become in-laws, so the families would stay close, and the kids wouldn't have to worry about which side to visit for the holidays. But we both ended up having sons, so that idea just faded away," Grandma Meng said to Mr. Parker. "Even though our families didn't become in-laws, neighbors are better than distant relatives, and our relationship has always been good."
Mr. Parker nodded, "That's right, Aunt Meng, you're absolutely right. Neighbors are better than distant relatives, and us old neighbors always look out for each other."
"Exactly! Just the other day, when my legs were bothering me, I asked you to go to the city and buy me that massage chair," Grandma Meng laughed even brighter. "That's a friendship worth more than gold!"
Mrs. Parker was touched too. "That's true. The kids have all grown up and moved out, so it's just us old neighbors left now."
"It's normal for young people to go out and make their way in the world. But in the end, people always come home," Grandma Meng said after making her presence felt. "My grandson is a good, dutiful kid. He's honest and just wants to take care of his parents and me. He says if he goes too far, he can't look after the family. Just the other day, his company gave out some benefits—laundry detergent, hand soap, shower gel, towels, soap, all kinds of stuff. He brought everything home! Now we won't have to buy those things for a whole year. The salary might not be as high as outside, but the perks are good. Around here, you don't spend much, so he saves most of his money!"
"Aaron's a quiet kid, not great with words, but he's honest. No tricks. Look at the neighbor's son in the next community—looks all fancy, dresses up, but what's the use? Just two years after getting married, they're already getting divorced because he had someone else outside. People who are plain and steady might not stand out, but they're reliable!"
Mr. Parker and Mrs. Parker exchanged a glance and finally understood why Grandma Meng had come over.
They couldn't really say anything, so they just agreed, "Yes, yes, yes."
"I only have one grandson. We've worked hard our whole lives, all for our kids. Aaron's been working for four years and already saved up a hundred thousand. Plus, his parents have set aside two hundred thousand for him—he could buy a place in our county anytime. I've saved up a bit too, just to help the kids out in the future. At my age, money doesn't matter, you can't take it with you. It's not much, but it's something—ten or twenty thousand at least. Besides, our house is paid off, the car is paid off, we don't really have any debt."
"My son and daughter-in-law are still young, they can keep earning. I'm old, but I can still help take care of the kids," Grandma Meng said cheerfully. "You all know us, you can ask around—my grandson's got a good reputation, lots of girls want to date him. But he's stubborn, once he likes someone, that's it, he'll never change his mind. Our family is strict about morals. Whoever he marries, he'll never do anything to let her down."
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"You're parents too, so you must understand. It's always more reassuring to have your kids close by!" Grandma Meng took a sip of tea and said, "Since we've talked this far, I'll just be direct. Now that Wendy's back, and my grandson's conditions are all laid out, what do you think—would you consider a match? Don't worry, if Wendy marries into our family, we're very open-minded. She can visit her parents whenever she wants, stay as long as she likes. We're all old neighbors, living in the same community—what's the difference?"
Mr. Parker and Mrs. Parker were a little ashamed to admit it, but they were tempted.
It's true.
If their daughter got married, she could come back anytime, and if she had kids, both sets of grandparents could help out. That would be great!
And if the kids moved far away, they wouldn't be able to see them as often.
Mrs. Parker couldn't help but ask her husband, "Should we think about it?"
When Grandma Meng saw Mr. Parker hesitating, she quickly smiled and said, "I'm just mentioning it, whether it happens or not, it won't affect the friendship between our families. That's all, I won't say more. I should get back and check on my grandson. That silly kid—so stubborn—just because Wendy said she didn't remember him, he's all upset and drinking at home!"
Mr. Parker and Mrs. Parker felt a little embarrassed. "Wendy's not great with words. We'll make sure to talk to her about it."
"No, no, Wendy's a wonderful girl—I really like her. I just came to chat, that's all. Well, I'll be going now! See you, see you, no need to walk me out!" Grandma Meng left the Parker house, smiling.
Mrs. Parker said, "This is such a mess. Honestly, I've watched Aaron grow up, too—he's got great qualities. He's good-looking, hardworking, dependable. If it weren't for Alex, I'd really think Aaron would make a great son-in-law."
Mr. Parker sighed and said, "Yeah. If our family could measure up to Alex, I would've... Well, forget it. Let's not aim too high. Since the Meng Family came to talk, as parents, we should try to bring the kids together. All these years, so many people tried to set Aaron up, but he turned them all down. That kid really is honest."
"Alright, when Wendy comes home, I'll talk to her," Mrs. Parker decided.
That afternoon, Mrs. Parker pulled Wendy into her room. "Sweetie, be honest with me—there's really nothing going on between you and Alex, right?"
Wendy looked horrified. "Mom, what are you talking about? Didn't I already make it clear? Alex and I are just boss and assistant, it's absolutely not what you think!"
"Alright, I believe you," Mrs. Parker said straightforwardly. "Since you two aren't a couple and there's no chance, what do you think of Aaron Meng?"
Wendy immediately fell silent.
"We've lived in the same community and on the same street as the Meng Family for decades. We know each other well, not just the family's reputation but also Aaron's character. Your dad and I really like him—what do you think? You have to get married someday, so instead of picking someone whose background you don't know, why not choose someone you do?" Mrs. Parker said.
For some reason, the image of Alex's smile flashed through Wendy's mind, and she felt even more resistant.
She didn't want to be with Aaron Meng.
She didn't even want to be with any man.
"Mom, I'm still young," Wendy protested.
"You're not that young. All your classmates are married with kids," Mrs. Parker said. "When I was your age, you'd already been born."
"Here's the deal: you two sit down and have a calm talk." Mrs. Parker decided for Wendy. "And don't bully Aaron, you hear me?"