"Father, sorry for bringing Brother Shuai here like this. But since today everyone was present here, I thought to take the chance to introduce him … as my boyfriend."
Feng Yi Lan announced and her words like that pushed everyone to dumbfounded-ness. Qi Shuai's eyes suddenly turned wide as snapping in horror, he turned to look at the woman on his side in disbelief.
"L-LanLan, what are you saying? Did you even take a look at how have I appeared here today? Do you think this way is suitable?" He asked, holding consciousness about the way he has come dressed up here. Though introducing their relationship to the elders has not been in his any near plans, still, he had never thought it to be this way.
For heaven's sake, he has rushed here in his casual joggers and hoodie. And he has never heard of a man coming to meet his girlfriend's family like this.
"Brother Shuai, just believe me for now." Feng Yi Lan didn't bother to explain to him at the moment. She knew she was being unfair to not pan out and discuss with him first. But when did the situation allow her to think about it? If she had not taken this bold step today, she was sure that later her mother would have created hundreds of ways to force her to the blind date and then to the wedding. And at that time, she would have no escape.
So, to counter her mother and dispel her plans, Feng Yi Lan had only one way. Attack her in the way that she was least expecting. And here she was. She was sure that not in the wildest dreams her mother would have thought that she would bring Qi Shuai here to introduce to everyone today itself. Just after she threw a challenge on her face.
"Feng Yi Lan, what are you saying?" Zhen Qinrou was informed after Yi Lan had already stated about her and Qi Shuai in front of everyone. So, rushing from her room she appeared in the hall immediately to not let the girl spoil her plans. "Your father is here to meet the family how can you begin such talk at a moment like that." She said before glaring at her daughter with a warning.
But to her glares, Feng Yi Lan remained all unfazed as if she was no more afraid of her. "What so wrong in talking to my father and other relatives here, Ma? I am just being transparent about my love life and relationship with others. After all, whatever happened with my brother and Li Xue today has been an eye-opener to me. What if later they even stood against my relationship with Brother Shuai? I can't take a risk in that. So, I have taken the opportunity to introduce him to everyone."
She said holding firm on the hands of the man on her side, before turning to look at her father to ask with an expression of innocence. "Father, is introducing him to you so wrong? I still remember that when I was fifteen, you promised to support me in my love life. Did you forget that promise over years?"
She said clearly using her childish games from years. Where Zhen Qinrou gritted her teeth in exasperation, on the side, Feng Yu Hao could only purse his lips at his daughter. Feng Yi Lan was the youngest of his three and has considerably received more pampering than the other two. Although Shufen was still the dearest in his heart, Feng Yi Ran and Feng Yi Lan were also the daughters whom he couldn't deny for anything.
Feng Yu Hao looked at his daughter before turning to look at Qi Shuai. His expressions were hard to read through. "Shuai, whatever Yi Lan is saying, is it true? Are you and her truly in a serious relationship?" He asked and Qi Shuai didn't know how to respond. He was the best friend of Shufen and Yi Lan was Shufen's younger sister, would it be considered inappropriate to hold a relationship like that?
He was not sure, so except for silence at the moment, he had nothing to say. But on the side, Feng Yi Lan was not like him. She knew the threats coming, so at the moment like this in no way she was having any other thought than to save her relationship with the man.
"Father, why are you asking him like that? Do you think that I would lie regarding it in front of so many people? Definitely, we have the relationship." She said, scooting closer to the man but Feng Yu Hao's eyes stared still at Qi Shuai as if expecting him to say first and make the things clear.
"Shuai, I want you to say." He asked with his tone a bit stern at the young man.
Qi Shuai wasn't scared of revealing the truth. It's was just that he wasn't sure of the implication his confession like that would bring to Yi Lan. After all, the matters related to a woman always get sensitive if not handled properly.
He turned to look at Feng Yi Lan, only to find her looking at him with desperation. "LanLan, are you sure that you want this? What if …" He wanted to ask once and make sure of the things but before he could complete, Feng Yi Lan blinked her eyes in haste, relaying a hint to him.
"Brother Shuai, believe me. This is our chance and stepping back might make us lose each other once again." She said and in her desperate eyes, Qi Shuai stared deeply before turning to look back at the elders.
Keeping his stance confident and eyes serious, he nodded looking at Feng Yu Hao to say, "Yes, Uncle Feng. Whatever Yi Lan has said is right. We have been dating for more than a month now while I have had her in my heart for more than six years. I am both serious about her and our relationship. I hope you would support us in our decision as well." He said all in one go, but kept his diction and pace well in his words, before downing his head in a respected bow.
Although whatever he said was very normal for a boyfriend to say for his girl in front of her family, for some reason, still it moved Feng Yi Lan to tears, which she held well in her eyes without letting it fall off.