92 RESPECT YOUR DECISION

In the old Zhong Residence, three people were elegantly having their breakfast, and the ambience was quite harmonious. However, each of them had troubling thoughts and concerns brewing in their mind. Finally, when the breakfast concluded, Zhong Tian and Chu Ling exchanged a subtle look.

Then, Chu Ling nodded and turned to their daughter.

"Mian'er, your father and I have been talking about your situation." She spoke in a cautious tone.

The three of them understood 'the situation' quite well. However, no one dared to mention it explicitly. There had been subtle hints over the years, but Zhong Mian had pretended not to notice anything. Now, it seemed that her father and mother had become tired of subtlety and decided to face the issue head on.

"What do you mean, mother?" Zhong Mian asked in a gentle voice, but her hand grasped her glass of water tightly in her grip.

"We are worried that you will be alone when you are older. We are your parents, and we do not want you to suffer when we are gone. Otherwise, we will not rest in peace." Chu Ling took out her ultimate move, the guilt card.

She was determined not to be derailed. If she continued to talk in euphemisms, they would never move forward with the discussion.

"One of my old friends has a son who is about your age. We will set up a meeting for you two. If it is successful, we can proceed to the formalities." Zhong Tian joined in without finesse.

Zhong Mian placed her hands on her lap and tightened them into fists. She felt frustrated and a little angry. It was not that she could not see her parents' good intentions. It just felt like a betrayal to her, suggesting a blind date setup.

"Am I getting in your way?" She asked in a gentle tone.

As a refined woman, she did not display her temper inappropriately. She always spoke calmly even when the flames of fury were burning in her heart. Her manners had been instilled in her by a strict finishing teacher in Europe when she was still a teenager.

"You cannot keep putting this off indefinitely. You will meet with this man. I have checked up on him, and he is a good fit for you." Zhong Tian responded in a strict tone.

Zhong Mian did not become flustered. After all, she was a seasoned businesswoman. She could face even her father's temper head on without fear. She had dealt with countless unreasonable people. Her only point of weakness was her little brother.

"You promised not to interfere with my marriage matters as long as I supported the company. I lived my entire life thinking about the Zhong family business. If you cannot avoid interfering in my personal life, my only choice is to come by here less often. It seems that an old spinster like me is an eyesore." Even though her words were self-deprecating, she still sounded unflustered and refined.

"Are you threatening us?" Zhong Tian asked loudly, losing his temper.

Zhong Mian did not shrink back.

"Why would I threaten the parents I love so much? I am thinking of you. I come here often to bring you comfort, especially after Feng'er stopped dropping by regularly." Her lips tightened. "But it seems that I just trouble you by reminding you that I am an old unmarried daughter."

She had been overlooking the nudges, whispers and insinuations by her parents every time she was around. However, she could not ignore their attempt at setting her up. For a proud and elegant lady like Mian, it was a huge insult.

"Mian, do not think of it as interference. We are just worried. You are no longer a young woman. If you want to have children, you have to get things started as soon as possible." Chu Ling spoke with a soft persuasive tone after seeing that the entire conversation was turning sour.

"I am sorry. I understand your good intentions. But I would like you to honour our agreement and not be involved in these affairs." She paused. "The Zhong family does not need connections through marriage, and we are no longer bound by traditions. I just want to have a chance to do things in my own way."

Zhong Tian wanted to insist on the matter, but his wife touched and squeezed his hand. As a mature woman, she knew which battles could not be won. It was better for their daughter to do her own things than to disappear.

She did not want Mian to be distant like Feng. Though he was still a filial son, their relationship had not recovered since the Jian Ru incident. She had attempted to explain their logic for drugging him, and he had nodded in understanding. However, as a mother, she could see that he no longer trusted her wholeheartedly.

If Mian became like this, it would be too much. For now, they would have to take the loss.

"We will respect your decision, Mian." Chu Ling said with a sigh.

The family continued chatting casually for a few minutes before Zhong Mian left the house. The two elders watched her get into her red sports car and drive off at a shocking speed with complicated expressions.

When Zhong Mian exited the old residence, she slowed down the car and dialled a number. She smiled as the person on the other end of the line picked up the call.

"Good morning, Mian." The voice sounded groggy and tired.

"Good morning. Have you had a chance to sleep?" She asked with a concerned frown.

"I just came back. There was a major accident last night and some patients ended up in my emergency room. But I will not be needed until tomorrow evening." The other person spoke with an audible smile.

"You should get some sleep." Zhong Mian spoke softly.

"How did your overnight visit with your family go? You sound a little off."

"It is nothing big." She paused. "They want to set me up with someone."

"What do you mean?" The response sounded less groggy and a little angry.

"Are you jealous?" Mian laughed in an uncharacteristic way.

"Of course, I am. This would not be an issue if you gave me a public name." The words were spoken with childish anger.

"You know why we can't do that. If word gets out, you might be found and mobbed by the media. I won't let anyone harm the people I love." She paused. "But I also don't want to wait anymore. Let me think of something."

After a few more words, Zhong Mian hardened her resolve. She needed to talk to her brother.