Part 2Wallpaper Boy

I stood at the door, and before I even rang the bell, it opened.

"Is that Zoe? Come in, come in."

The woman in front of me was beaming.

I realized who she was and smiled back.

"I'm Zoe Lin, nice to meet you, Mrs. Zhong."

"Just call me Auntie. Who knows, you might need to change that title soon."

She couldn't stop smiling, but I hesitated, afraid to take a step forward.

She took my hand and shouted toward the kitchen.

"Zhong Shuwen, go get your son out here."

Huh? Son? The professor's son is here too?

Wait, why are they inviting me to a family dinner?

The professor wiped his hands and trotted out.

"Okay, honey."

I almost laughed.

Didn't expect Professor Zhong to be henpecked.

The next second, the smile froze on my face.

The professor bellowed, "Son, I brought your girlfriend home."

"Come out!"

Girlfriend?

Me?

Student turns into daughter-in-law?

This can't be happening!

Professor, you can't just randomly assign a daughter-in-law!

Is this my punishment for academic patchwork?

But didn't he know I had a boyfriend...

A sudden realization hit me, before I could process it.

"What girlfriend?"

"I don't have..."

A familiar voice spoke and then stopped abruptly.

I saw a profile, and out of reflex, I pulled the hat in my hand back onto my head.

I wanted to cry.

Who would have thought Professor Zhong's son's last name was Jiang?

If I'd known, I wouldn't have been too lazy to wash my hair last night.

I didn't even change clothes earlier.

I took off my jacket.

I was only wearing a white cotton tee and plaid pants.

Now I realized I looked like I was in pajamas.

Can I find an excuse to escape?

Is there a crack in the wall I can crawl into?

My head sank lower and lower.

I envied turtles, they could shrink into their shells.

The dreaded thing happened.

"I was wondering why you kid never wanted to come back. You didn't even tell me and your mom you were dating. If I hadn't seen Zoe's wallpaper yesterday, we'd still be in the dark."

My ears burned.

"Wallpaper?"

"Yeah, I saw it with my own eyes, you have to treat Zoe well."

Professor, please stop talking.

I'm about to lose my dignity.

Max tilted his head, raised an eyebrow, and said each word deliberately.

"Oh? Zoe Lin, my girlfriend?"

Dragging out the strange ending sound.

I was the one who unceremoniously dumped him back then.

Someone tell me, how do I resolve such an awkward situation?

I steeled myself, looked up, and met Max's narrowed eyes.

I greeted him with a dead heart.

"Hello, boyfriend, what a coincidence."

My smile must have been ugly, even Mrs. Zhong noticed something was wrong.

"You two know each other so well, why are you greeting each other like that?"

"Is it too sudden? Don't be nervous, we're just too happy, a bit impatient."

I was stunned, seeing Mrs. Zhong's expectant look.

Suddenly I felt this lie couldn't continue.

I took a deep breath, ready to explain.

I was pulled into a strong embrace.

"Mom, Dad, you scared her."

"I didn't mean to hide it from you, you guys are just too gossipy."

The professor's mouth twitched, couldn't help but instruct.

"Zoe is still a student, don't always take up her time in the future."

I thought about the excuses I made to the professor yesterday and before.

I slowly looked up to meet Max's confused eyes, smiling awkwardly.

"Um..."

Before I could explain, the professor asked curiously again.

"Where did you two go play yesterday, she forgot her phone, and you didn't help her get it."

I couldn't hold it in anymore.

Professor, why do you believe everything I say?

I answered quickly, "Professor, we went hiking yesterday, and had a picnic."

"Picnic? Where? Your mom said she wanted to have a picnic a few days ago."

The smile froze on my face, why is there a follow-up...

"At..."

My brain searched rapidly.

I hate that I usually don't browse local forums, don't know anything.

Max spoke up and saved me, "Old man, you ask too many questions."

"I'll take her to wash her hands."

Mrs. Zhong pushed the professor, "Why so many questions, go serve the food."