Meet the parents

That night, Ming Shuzhen and Ming Shuyan boldly posted a photo together on Moments.

Ming Shuzhen had hesitated, wondering if she should set it to private groups.

But with Ming Shuyan beside her, she didn’t want her to feel their relationship was hidden.

Besides, she’d already told her parents, so she decided to go public.

After posting, Ming Shuzhen looked at Ming Shuyan, fishing for praise. “When colleagues see this, they’ll lose it, right?”

“Probably not,” Ming Shuyan said, tucking her hair back, eyes on her phone. “They’ll just think we’re sisters celebrating New Year together. Nothing else.”

“Oh…” Ming Shuzhen felt a twinge of disappointment.

She studied Ming Shuyan, then called out affectionately, “Wife.”

“Hm?” Ming Shuyan looked up, eyes curving. “What’s up?”

“Oh.” When asked, Ming Shuzhen clammed up, shy.

She stepped forward, hooking her arm around Ming Shuyan’s, practically hanging off her. “Wanna go home.”

“Hm?” Ming Shuyan checked the time—past 1 a.m., but the streets were still lively.

“My place?” she offered.

“Mm.” Ming Shuzhen nodded absently.

…

They returned to Ming Shuyan’s apartment.

Ming Shuyan flicked the light switch, and the room lit up brightly.

Ming Shuzhen slipped off her shoes, plopped onto the sofa, shed her coat, and leaned back, fully relaxed.

“Sleepy?” Ming Shuyan drew the living room curtains.

“Mm.” Ming Shuzhen’s muffled reply came as she closed her eyes for effect.

Seeing her like this, Ming Shuyan chuckled, grabbing makeup remover and cotton pads from the bathroom.

She knelt by the sofa, gently wiping Ming Shuzhen’s face with the soaked pad.

Ming Shuzhen felt a cool sensation, then Ming Shuyan’s fingertips grazing her cheek, like a cat’s paw brushing by.

Too lazy to open her eyes, she let Ming Shuyan work.

She was thrilled tonight. Whether it was watching fireworks together, their suggestive Moments post, or the rings, it all felt so real.

As for the unease… it came from liking her too much, fearing loss.

Opening her eyes slowly, Ming Shuzhen looked at her, heart rippling again.

*Why do I like her so much?*

Ming Shuyan brushed her bangs aside, voice soft. “Want me to carry you to bed?”

“Mm…” Ming Shuzhen hummed lazily.

Ming Shuyan smiled, scooping her up.

It was Ming Shuzhen’s first time staying over.

She buried herself in Ming Shuyan’s quilt, nuzzling her head in.

Ming Shuyan gently pulled the quilt down. “How do you breathe? Not stuffy?”

Ming Shuzhen peeked out, grinning. “Hurry up and join me.”

“I’m gonna shower,” Ming Shuyan said.

“Huh?” Ming Shuzhen’s eyes widened, sniffing herself. “I haven’t showered. You mind?”

“Heh.” Ming Shuyan laughed. “One day’s fine.”

“Oh.” Ming Shuzhen rolled over, urging, “Hurry then.”

“Mm.” Ming Shuyan glanced at her, finding the nagging oddly endearing.

…

After her shower and drying her hair, Ming Shuyan found Ming Shuzhen asleep on the bed.

Smiling, she tucked her in, then slid in beside her.

The next morning, Ming Shuyan woke first, letting Ming Shuzhen sleep.

She handled some work, checked gifts for Ming Shuzhen’s parents, and sat in the bedroom, waiting.

Around noon, Ming Shuzhen stirred.

Rubbing her eyes, she rolled over, looking at Ming Shuyan on the armchair. “Morning, wife.”

“Morning.” Ming Shuyan sat beside her. “Feeling okay?”

Ming Shuzhen shook her head. “No alcohol, just stayed up late. I’m fine.”

“Mm.” Ming Shuyan smoothed her hair, petting her forehead like a kitten.

For New Year’s, dumplings were a must, but Ming Shuyan also made porridge, unsure if Ming Shuzhen wanted solid or liquid food.

Ming Shuzhen, of course, chose dumplings, sprawling on a dining chair, biting into one and swallowing it quickly.

“Slow down, don’t choke,” Ming Shuyan said.

“Sigh, so good,” Ming Shuzhen exclaimed.

Ming Shuyan chuckled, lately finding herself more easily amused.

The ring, new from last night, felt odd on her finger.

She smiled, handing her phone to Ming Shuzhen. “Here’s the gift list for your parents. Anything to remove?”

Ming Shuzhen glanced at the long list, first thinking it was excessive, then realizing Ming Shuyan wouldn’t skimp.

“Looks good,” she said, patting her hand. “Wife, my parents will love you.”

“Really?” Ming Shuyan’s first reaction was worry.

Knowing her concerns, Ming Shuzhen rubbed her palm, squeezing it. “No matter what, I want to be with you.”

*

The previous night’s fireworks left a faint sulfur smell in the air on New Year’s Day.

Ming Shuzhen, arm in arm with Ming Shuyan, stood at her family’s door. “Ready?”

Ming Shuyan nodded. “Ready to face the music.”

“Ugh, don’t say that.” Ming Shuzhen swatted her playfully, mindful of the door separating them from her parents.

They entered, an assistant bringing in the gifts and leaving.

“Mom, Mom!” Ming Shuzhen called loudly. “I brought her!”

Wu Yuanchu, hearing them, emerged from the kitchen, feigning surprise. “Oh, hello,” she blinked, adjusting to the scene. “It’s… Xiaoyan, right?”

“Yes, just call me Xiaoyan. Hello, Auntie, Uncle.” Ming Shuyan’s heart was in her throat.

Only Ming Shuzhen seemed at ease, dragging Ming Jianchang from the kitchen. “She’s here, say hi.”

Like a schoolboy, Ming Jianchang wiped his hands on his apron, stuttering, “Uh, um, sit, sit.”

“Sure.” Ming Shuyan perched primly on a sofa corner.

“So many gifts,” Wu Yuanchu noted, glancing at the gift boxes by the entrance.

“Didn’t know what you and Uncle like, so I picked a variety,” Ming Shuyan said politely.

“Oh.” Wu Yuanchu, at a loss, glanced at Ming Shuzhen, then back. “Thanks, you shouldn’t have.”

“No trouble.” Ming Shuyan matched her politeness.

Sensing awkwardness, Ming Shuzhen jumped in. “Mom, didn’t you say you had a red packet?”

She winked, urging Wu Yuanchu to bring it out.

Wu Yuanchu glared at her, then at Ming Jianchang.

He scurried to the study, returning with a thick red envelope.

Ming Shuyan glanced at Ming Shuzhen, asking if she should take it.

Ming Shuzhen was direct. “My parents gave it to you, take it. New Year’s and Little New Year—happy holidays.”

Stealing Wu Yuanchu’s line, she earned a look. Wu Yuanchu thought, *This girl, never so disloyal before.*

Ming Shuyan accepted the envelope sincerely. “Thank you, Uncle, Auntie. My first red packet.”

First red packet? Ming Shuzhen looked at her.

Growing up, she’d received countless red packets for holidays and milestones.

Hearing Ming Shuyan say this, she felt a pang.

Wu Yuanchu exchanged a glance with Ming Jianchang.

Before Ming Shuyan’s visit, they’d quizzed Ming Shuzhen about her background, work, and life.

Prepared as they were, meeting her, they found her well-mannered and composed.

As intellectuals, Wu Yuanchu and Ming Jianchang liked Ming Shuyan’s evident intelligence and grounded nature.

Hearing this was her first red packet, Wu Yuanchu’s sympathy surged, opening the floodgates of conversation.

Seeing them hit it off, Ming Shuzhen joined Ming Jianchang in the kitchen.

For New Year’s and to welcome Ming Shuyan, he’d prepared a feast.

In the kitchen, Ming Shuzhen nudged him. “Dad, what do you think? You two satisfied?”

Ming Jianchang glanced at her, still prepping ingredients. “You sure it’s her?”

“Absolutely,” Ming Shuzhen nodded firmly. “Completely sure.”

“What if she’s not as serious?” He knew his daughter—sincere, kind, no games.

But others? Who knew if they were pretending or might change?

As Wu Yuanchu had said, they trusted Ming Shuzhen’s heart, but how could they ensure the other’s? Same-s*x relationships lacked legal protections and faced societal judgment—could both stay committed?

“Dad,” Ming Shuzhen blinked, “you said if I treat her like family, you and Mom won’t worry. But that takes time—five, eight years. You wouldn’t believe quick claims of inseparability.”

“So, give us those years to prove it. See if we stick together, okay?”

Ming Jianchang sighed. “She agreed to come home. How much more can we let go?”

Ming Shuzhen grinned, happily helping him.

“Since when do you cook? Showing off now?” He shooed her. “Go keep your girlfriend company.”

“Got it!” Ming Shuzhen flashed a big smile, leaving.

In the living room, Ming Shuyan and Wu Yuanchu were chatting animatedly.

As a businesswoman, Ming Shuyan was articulate, and she vibed with Wu Yuanchu, finding plenty to talk about.

Seeing them get along, Ming Shuzhen relaxed.

Dinner eased everyone’s worries.

As they left, Wu Yuanchu packed leftovers for Ming Shuyan. “Pillow doesn’t take care of herself. I worry—her dad and I are healthy now, but we can’t always look after her. I fear she’ll meet someone unkind.”

Ming Shuyan understood. “Don’t worry, Auntie. I cook and enjoy housework. Pillow won’t suffer with me.”

Her calm gaze reassured Wu Yuanchu, who felt this steady woman wouldn’t do anything bad.

“But housework should be shared for fairness,” Wu Yuanchu smiled.

Seeing them to the car, Ming Shuzhen waved from the passenger seat. “I’ll message when I’m home.”

Wu Yuanchu and Ming Jianchang waved as the car drove off.

In the car, Ming Shuzhen glanced at Ming Shuyan, feeling content. “How was it? Mom didn’t grill you?”

“Mm.” Ming Shuyan drove, answering, “Auntie’s great. Meeting them, I see how you grew up.”

“How’d I grow up?” Ming Shuzhen’s eyes widened.

Ming Shuyan laughed. “Spoiled, obviously.”

She glanced at her, winking. “Now the baton’s mine.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll spoil you too.”

“Ugh.” Ming Shuzhen shook her shoulders. “Ming Shuyan, you’re so cheesy.”

Back home, Ming Shuzhen sent a message to the family group, then saw Wu Yuanchu’s reply.

“Pillow, you’re grown, with your own ideas. Mom and Dad won’t interfere much. We can only guide you partway; the rest, we’re sad we can’t walk with you. We fear you’ll be bullied, misjudge people, hide your grievances, or be unhappy.”

“Today, meeting Xiaoyan, she’s a good, pitiable girl. She can care for you, and I’m relieved. But people are unpredictable. Protect yourself—if you’re wronged, come home. We’ll always protect you. We’re not fully on board, but as you said, you need time to prove your choice. We’ll give you that. We don’t say more, fearing Xiaoyan might feel resentful, which could affect you.”

“Your life is yours. We won’t be the ones to dampen it. Society can be harsh—ignore others’ words about you two, and don’t let Xiaoyan get caught in negative opinions. Choosing a love different from the norm brings pressure. Don’t mind others’ judgments. Mom and Dad will always be your shield.”

Wu Yuanchu sent a flurry of messages. Ming Shuzhen read them carefully, glancing at Ming Shuyan emerging from the kitchen.

“I put Auntie’s dishes in the fridge. We’ll reheat them tomorrow. Staying over or going home?”

Ming Shuzhen looked at her, lips moving, barely hearing her.

In her mind, a quiet thought: *Thank you, Boss.*