Meeting the Parents
Gu Qingcheng held Lin Zimo's hand tightly, the two of them long since accustomed to the gasps of awe from the crowd around them, paying it no mind.
They slipped into the car, and as Gu Qingcheng briefed Lin Zimo on key details and aligned their story, her mother's call came through.
"Hello, Mom. I just got off the plane and we're on our way back."
Gu Mom's voice probed cautiously from the other end. "On the road already? Did you bring your boyfriend back with you?"
Gu Qingcheng glanced at Lin Zimo beside her, scrolling on his phone, a smile flickering in her eyes.
"Yeah, I brought back the boyfriend you've been dying to meet."
Gu Mom's tone softened instantly, laced with delight at the words.
"You little rascal, what are you saying... Is he there with you?"
Gu Qingcheng caught the hint right away—her mom wanted to chat with the boyfriend. With perfect timing, she replied, "He's right here. I'll put it on speaker so he can say hi."
"Oh, yes, yes, perfect!" Gu Mom agreed eagerly, her laughter bubbling over.
Gu Qingcheng switched to speaker and held the phone between them. "Zimo, say a few words to my mom."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she silently mouthed a warning: Be careful what you say—don't blow our cover.
Lin Zimo watched her icy beauty of a face pull off that adorable expression and chuckled soundlessly, flashing an OK sign.
Composed and neither arrogant nor servile, he said, "Auntie, hello. I'm Lin Zimo, Qingcheng's boyfriend."
Gu Mom paused for a beat at the distinctive, pleasant male voice, then responded warmly. "...Oh, hello. Lin Zimo, right? Nice name, great voice—sounds refined just from that."
A good voice always left a favorable impression, and Gu Mom was already pleased with her prospective son-in-law's.
"Zimo, how long have you and our Qingcheng been dating?"
Gu Qingcheng quickly flashed five fingers. Lin Zimo nodded knowingly. "Auntie, it's been five months."
"Five months already? That's good, very good. You must know each other well by now."
Gu Mom mused thoughtfully, then added, "It's about time to start thinking about marriage."
Gu Qingcheng, mid-sip of water, choked hard at that.
"Cough cough cough—" She hacked violently, tears streaming from her eyes.
Lin Zimo was stunned too. How badly did Gu Qingcheng's mom want her married off? They hadn't even met in person, just a quick phone chat, and marriage was already on the table?
The moment her coughing subsided, Gu Qingcheng blurted, "Mom, what are you talking about? Marriage isn't something to rush like that!"
Her parents were clearly desperate for grandkids.
Gu Mom realized she'd jumped the gun and backpedaled. "Alright, drive safe. We'll talk more when you get home. Your dad's calling me—gotta go." She hung up without waiting for a reply.
Gu Qingcheng sighed helplessly. She could already picture the relentless nagging about marriage at home.
Lin Zimo was floored.
Damn, they'd planned to fend off the marriage pressure, but the opening move jumped straight to wedding talks.
Totally absurd. Who knew how wild the rest of it would get?
Shencheng Bay.
The Bai Lixing and Bai Liyue twins had slipped into their new dresses, buzzing with excitement as they headed upstairs to find Brother Lin.
But after waiting ages with no sign of him, they realized Lin Zimo and Gu Qingcheng weren't home.
Identical gorgeous faces fell in disappointment, their sparkling eyes dimming.
Hand in hand, they trudged dejectedly back downstairs.
Meanwhile, in Su City.
Lin Zimo and Gu Qingcheng stepped out of the luxury car.
Before them loomed a massive, ancient Su-style mansion—elegant and timeless.
The grand gates stood imposing, adorned with intricately carved dragon-and-phoenix motifs that spoke to the family's prestigious status.
Lin Zimo stared in awe for a moment. "A Su-style garden mansion! Gu Qingcheng, your family is old-money aristocracy?"
These classical Su-style estates were tourist attractions most people paid to visit.
Damn, her family just owned one outright.
Only top-tier power players with wealth and influence could afford that.
Gu Qingcheng, who'd known him so long, finally saw genuine surprise on his face. Pleased and a bit smug, she lifted her chin. "This is just the old family mansion. We have similar estates in every major city."
Leaning in close, she whispered, "Make me very satisfied these seven days, and I'll gift you a Su-style villa. Deal?"
Lin Zimo whispered back, "I'll make sure you are."
Suddenly, Gu Qingcheng frowned. "Huh? Why's the parking lot next door so full? Is something big happening at home today?"
She led him inside, and as they reached the courtyard, they spotted over a dozen people in the living room, all eyes locking onto them.
Gu Qingcheng looped her arm through Lin Zimo's and called out calmly, "Dad, Mom, I'm home. Second Uncle, Little Uncle, everyone."
Seated at the head was Gu Zhen, hair streaked with white but still strikingly handsome.
His deep, piercing eyes—sharp and stern—fixed on Lin Zimo. "Qingcheng, this is the boyfriend you brought back?"
The kid was even more handsome than he'd been in his youth. No wonder she dodged the blind dates.
But he'd thought she was single and set them up anyway—had to follow through now.
Gu Qingcheng clung to Lin Zimo's arm. "Yes, Dad. This is my boyfriend, Lin Zimo."
A young, handsome man nearby chuckled lightly. "Miss Gu, if you like this pretty-boy type, you could consider me too."
A tall, burly guy shot back, "Don't talk nonsense. Miss Gu said she likes men with eight-pack abs like me."
"As if—with your looks, she'd ever go for you..."
The blind-date prospects started sniping at each other.
...
Lin Zimo had braced for weirdness, so he stayed cool and greeted Gu Zhen politely. "Uncle, hello." Poised, respectful, unflappable.
Gu Mom, elegant in a qipao, her face radiating warmth, barely glanced at her daughter before zeroing in on Lin Zimo.
High looks, tall and fit, refined aura, great voice—this son-in-law was a keeper.
"Zimo, right? Such a handsome young man." Her voice brimmed with joy.
"Auntie, hello!" Lin Zimo, gifts in hand, bowed courteously.
Gu Mom shared her daughter's beauty but in a gentle, nurturing way—Gu Qingcheng was the icy type.
"Wonderful, come on in. No need for all these gifts."
Gu Qingcheng shot her mom a resentful look, feeling dethroned as the favorite.
Lin Zimo set the gifts down to Gu Zhen's stern voice. "Being my son-in-law isn't easy. Now that Qingcheng's back, you lot—head to the courtyard and spar. Pull your punches, no injuries."
Now it clicked: not just meeting the parents and dodging marriage talk, but fighting these suitors too.
Gu Qingcheng eyed Lin Zimo worriedly and whispered, "You said you're the perfect boyfriend who solves all my problems. Taking them down won't be an issue, right?"
The Gu Group owned martial arts dojos, so a son-in-law needed fighting skills.
System detects emergency situation. Integrating God-Level Ancient Martial Arts skill into host. 1v30? No problem.
Lin Zimo heard the system prompt and replied calmly, "Relax, I've got this."
"Good luck then. Be careful, don't get hurt." Gu Qingcheng sat by Gu Zhen.
The burly suitors cracked their knuckles, itching for action.
A knockout like Gu Qingcheng—gorgeous, stacked, rich, powerful? Any guy would kill to marry her, even as a kept man.
The tallest, beefiest one stepped up first, eyeing the pretty boy. "Me first—I'll take you out."
The handsome youth couldn't stand it and charged with a fist.
The rest piled in at the first move, turning it into a free-for-all brawl.
Civilized rules: no weapons, no injuries, no property damage.
Chaotic, but no real destruction.
Lin Zimo blinked at the tangled mess. These guys went from zero to brawl in seconds!
Suddenly, a scruffy, hulking brute swung a savage fist at him, grinning triumphantly.
This pretty boy looked scrawny—one punch and he'd be begging.
But his grin froze.
Lin Zimo stood relaxed, sidestepping effortlessly as the fist whistled past, not even grazing a hair.
"What the fuck?!" The brute gaped, disbelieving.
Lin Zimo was surprised too. Post-system integration, that wild haymaker looked like slow-mo—he dodged with style.
The brute gritted his teeth. "Must've been my imagination, bad form. This time, you're done, pretty boy!"
He roared and lunged.
But just as he closed in, Lin Zimo's agile kick sent him flying back into the fray.
Bam!
Gu Qingcheng's eyes lit up at Lin Zimo's heroic flair, her posture shifting to one of regal poise.
Gu Mom nodded approvingly—this son-in-law checked all the boxes.
Second Uncle, a martial arts buff, looked impressed. "Lin Zimo's quick as hell, kicking a bigger guy like that. Not bad."
Gu Zhen eyed him with approval.
"Aaaagh!"
The brute crashed into sparring youths, toppling them in a heap.
"Ow! What hit me?!" One went down seeing stars.
He looked up—a person?!
"Holy shit! Who's chucking people around?!"
"No weapons allowed! Who fights dirty, using a guy as a projectile?!"
They grumbled, climbing up sore but unhurt.
The flung brute clutched his gut, staggering up and pointing at Lin Zimo. "He kicked me into you! That punk fights dirty!"
"No way—he's skinnier than you and tossed you?"
"Big guy's right—I saw it too."
Shocked and pissed, they glared at Lin Zimo.
Already jealous of his looks and closeness to Gu Qingcheng, now this? Tossing people like weapons? Unforgivable.
One bellowed, "That smug bastard! Everyone, pile on—take him out first!"
"Wang Long's right—eliminate him."
"Been itching to smash him. Let's go!"
Under Wang Long's lead, they paused their infighting, fists clenched, circling Lin Zimo.
Lin Zimo stayed chill, thinking, Don't box yourselves in, guys.
Gu Qingcheng shot up, anxious. "They're ganging up 'cause they're jealous he's hotter. No fair..."
She moved to intervene, but Gu Zhen held her back.
"Dad?"
"Hold on. Watch."
Gu Zhen settled her, eyes expectant on Lin Zimo.
Gu Qingcheng sat, noticing Lin Zimo's calm amusement amid the encirclement.
He smirked. "Group beatdown? Bring it."
"I'll take you all solo!"
Rage exploded.
Arrogant prick!
Over a dozen here, most trained fighters. This twig dared boast?
Even top dog Wang Long wouldn't claim 1v7 like that.
"Pretty boy! If I don't beat you till you piss yourself, I'll spell my name backward!"
Muscular Wang Long charged first.
Others followed.
Lin Zimo's gaze turned oceanic depths, fearless as a hunting panther—focused, lethal.
Battle erupted.
No chit-chat. He whirled like a tornado, dodging heavy punches from Wang Long and the pack, countering with surgical strikes.
"Aaaagh!" Wang Long got a black eye instantly.
Lin Zimo's hits flashed like lightning—untouchable speed.
They roared, banking on numbers.
But he danced through the circle.
Bam!
Bam!
Bam!
Fluid, brutal impacts.
"Ow! We said no face shots!" A brute wailed, face pummeled.
"My pretty face—it's crooked!" A handsome guy howled.
"My eyes!" Wang Long sobbed, sporting twin shiners.
A dozen couldn't touch him—knocked askew amid screams.
Others backed off, spooked.
Lin Zimo rampaged harder, feral.
A passing dog got smacked—Woof woof!
Seconds stretched eternally, pulse-pounding.
The mob panicked—they were the prey now. Numbers meant nothing.
"How's he so fast?!"
"Fuck this—I'm out! Not me! Ow!"
"I'm just the bodyguard watching! Wrong guy!"
Last man down, Lin Zimo stood tall—hair tousled sexily, breathing steady.
He scanned the moaning heap. "Still want that group thing?"
Silence. His aura crushed them.
Terror and awe.
Not bulky, but a monster!
Lin Zimo eyed panda-eyed Wang Long.
Wang Long flinched. "N-nope!"
No major injuries, but it hurt—faces wrecked, humiliation maxed.
Only Lin Zimo stood.
He smiled at Gu Zhen and Gu Qingcheng.
Gu Qingcheng gaped, thrilled. She'd figured he knew some martial arts, but this? 1vMany, unscathed.
This man! Too hot!
Thump thump thump—her heart raced. She was smitten.
Gu Mom beamed—fit, strong; perfect match.
Gu Zhen hid shock behind calm. "Impressive, young man."
Second Uncle: floored.
Suddenly—a shadow lunged at unguarded Lin Zimo.
"Lin Zimo!" Gu Qingcheng cried, alarmed.
Wang Long leaped, smashing a vicious fist at his back.
Lin Zimo, exposed, couldn't turn in time.
Bam!