Chapter 1427: Are We Together? (Part 1)

Mrs. Xiao’s words made sense, but this wasn’t what Xiao Rou wanted.

Marriage is a choice, but love is a feeling of excitement.

She didn’t want a marriage without love.

This was the thought that flashed through Xiao Rou’s mind at that moment.

At one time, she hadn’t thought this way.

Since childhood, the concept Xiao Rou was exposed to was to live a peaceful, secure life.

Things that were risky or thrilling were not to be done.

Much like now, Li Chen was that person to her—no risk, no thrill.

He was fond of her, and spending time together might develop certain feelings. Moreover, the Li Family’s conditions were slightly better than the Xiao Family’s, but the gap wasn’t insurmountable—they were well-matched socially.

Furthermore, both families knew each other’s background, knowing there were no inexplicable troublemakers in the family, nor were there any bad things that needed to be hidden.

If Xiao Rou and Li Chen really worked out, the mother-in-law relationship wouldn’t face much trouble. All in all, it seemed like an extremely secure choice.

But Xiao Rou didn’t want this. She knew she could get along with Li Chen, but the person she liked was Zhou Qi.

"Rourou? Rourou? Are you listening to what mom is saying?"

Mrs. Xiao’s voice came over again, and Xiao Rou snapped back, still earnestly saying to Mrs. Xiao, "Mom, I really don’t like Li Chen."

"Why don’t you like him? What’s wrong with Ah Chen? He’s good-looking, has a good education, a stable job. Look at your shop—you never know which day it might fail. If you both have stability, we feel comfortable letting you do your thing."

After Xiao Rou finished speaking, it wasn’t Mrs. Xiao but Mr. Xiao who responded, his tone still somewhat sharp. Xiao Rou frowned; she understood this was just her father’s way of speaking and not really him being angry at her.

But Xiao Rou felt a surge of irritation in her heart. Suitable, suitable, suitable—marriage has to be suitable, but is just suitable enough?

She didn’t like Li Chen, so what was the point of it being suitable?

Marry Li Chen while thinking of Zhou Qi in her heart?

What is that? It’s a big joke for both her and Li Chen.

Xiao Rou didn’t confront Mr. Xiao, simply keeping her head down, not speaking.

Mrs. Xiao’s gentle persuasion came again, and Xiao Rou listened, still not speaking.

Until the car was parked in the apartment parking space and the three got out, Mr. Xiao said, "Isn’t there someone managing your shop? Don’t go tomorrow. It’s rare to have a weekend—spend some quality time with Ah Chen."

These words hit a nerve of Xiao Rou, and she spoke without hesitation, "I don’t want to."

"What did you say?"

"I... I don’t want to."

Mr. Xiao’s assertiveness hadn’t changed due to the previous incident. It was his personality of decades, deeply rooted.

So now hearing Xiao Rou defying him without hesitation, Mr. Xiao’s face immediately turned stern.

Xiao Rou felt a tremor in her heart, but some words she had to clarify.

Now she didn’t want to argue with Mr. Xiao; he was angry, and arguing wasn’t a wise choice. Xiao Rou quickly threw down a sentence, "I have things to do tomorrow, I’m going back to my place."

After saying that, she turned and ran.

Mr. Xiao shouted loudly behind her, but Xiao Rou didn’t care; instead, she ran out of the apartment complex more vigorously and jumped into a taxi to leave.

This was the second time Xiao Rou had resisted her parents’ will. Though she felt a bit uneasy, she believed she was right.