Chapter 16

After a while, it was just the right time to go for a walk.

The two drove to Swan Lake Park.

Hand in hand, they strolled along the lakeside path. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow on the path.

As they walked, Zou Shuqing said softly, “I never thought I would be with you. Even now, it feels like a dream.”

Wang Ming looked straight ahead and let out a gentle sigh. “Yeah, it feels like a dream to me too.”

Dating Zou Shuqing felt like a dream, and his System felt even more surreal.

But everything was real.

The surface of the lake shimmered, and a few small boats drifted leisurely in the center.

Looking at the boats on the lake, Wang Ming suggested, “How about we go boating?”

Zou Shuqing nodded with a smile. “Sure.”

They rented a small boat and slowly made their way toward the center of the lake.

Wang Ming was in charge of rowing, while Zou Shuqing sat at the bow, admiring the scenery around the lake.

A gentle breeze blew, causing Zou Shuqing’s hair to flutter softly. She looked as beautiful as a fairy in a painting.

The System had rated Zou Shuqing’s looks at 93. Wang Ming felt it was a bit harsh-if not a perfect score, she should at least be a 99.

Zou Shuqing watched a group of lake geese gliding across the water, imagining her future days with Wang Ming.

At the stern, Wang Ming was so captivated by Zou Shuqing that he lost focus, absentmindedly paddling the oars.

Suddenly, the sound of an engine came from behind their boat.

Wang Ming turned his head to look.

Before he could see clearly, a Motorboat sped toward them and, with a loud “bang,” crashed violently into their small boat.

The huge impact caused their boat to tip high to one side and instantly lose balance, throwing both of them into the lake.

Fortunately, they were both wearing life jackets, so there was no danger.

After falling into the water, Zou Shuqing quickly surfaced, instinctively choking on a couple of mouthfuls of lake water.

Her hair clung wetly to her face, her eyes filled with terror.

Wang Ming, not far away, spat out the lake water from his mouth.

He steadied himself and swam desperately toward Zou Shuqing. Once he reached her, he asked anxiously and loudly, “Are you okay?”

Zou Shuqing shook her head, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m fine, just got a scare.”

Wang Ming breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you’re okay.”

He reached out and held Zou Shuqing, guiding her toward the nearby boat.

After helping Zou Shuqing onto the boat, Wang Ming struggled to climb up himself.

He looked Zou Shuqing over carefully, making sure she was truly unharmed, before turning angrily toward the Motorboat that had caused the accident.

The Motorboat was turning around and slowly heading toward their boat.

A man stood at the steering wheel at the bow, his face full of guilt as he shouted, “Are you guys okay? I’m really sorry, I lost control of the speed and direction just now.”

At that moment, a woman stepped out from under the boat canopy, walked to the bow, and whispered to the man:

“I told you not to go so fast. Now look what happened!”

Zou Shuqing was instantly stunned.

Wang Ming’s eyes widened in shock.

The woman on the boat was actually Zou Mengmeng!

Zou Shuqing felt her mind go blank, completely at a loss, even forgetting to breathe.

Zou Mengmeng turned to look at their boat. At first, she was slightly taken aback, thinking she had seen wrong. She rubbed her eyes vigorously with both hands.

Looking again carefully, there was no mistake-it really was her mother and Wang Ming!

She opened her mouth wide in disbelief and cried out, “Mom?”

Zou Shuqing was still in a daze. Wang Ming steadied himself and rowed closer to Zou Mengmeng’s boat.

Once the two boats were close, Zou Shuqing finally spoke slowly, “Mengmeng…”

Zou Mengmeng looked astonished. “Mom, why are you with Wang Ming?”
She racked her brains but still couldn’t figure out how the two of them ended up together, let alone imagine that they were actually dating.

Wang Ming turned to look at Zou Shuqing, saw her gently shake her head, and even give him a look.

Wang Ming understood instantly and decided to take care of her feelings by not revealing the truth for now.

He explained to Zou Mengmeng, “Our company is planning to enter the clothing category. Coincidentally, your mom was invited to be a freelance designer for our company.

The boss asked me to meet with the designer in person to discuss the work details and compensation.

Your mom saw I was feeling down after a breakup, so she suggested we go boating to talk about work while getting some fresh air.”

Zou Mengmeng thought for a moment, then questioned:

“My mom never takes outside jobs, and you’re just an employee. How could it be your place to discuss work?”

The man on the motorboat spoke up, “Mengmeng, is this your mother?”

Zou Mengmeng nodded.

The man hurriedly waved at Zou Shuqing on the small boat, his tone polite:

“Auntie, hello, I’m really sorry. It’s our first meeting and it’s already like this. I apologize.”

Zou Shuqing’s expression was calm as she replied, “It’s fine.”

She steadied herself a little and said to Zou Mengmeng, “That’s how it is. I’m currently in a partnership with Wang Ming’s company.”

Zou Mengmeng frowned, reluctantly nodding.

Wang Ming glared at the man at the bow, his eyes full of anger.

Even though he and Zou Mengmeng were no longer together, seeing this man still made his blood boil.

Judging by his clothes, he seemed to be doing quite well.

The man at the bow continued to warmly invite, “Auntie, please come aboard our boat.”

Wang Ming retorted irritably, “Our clothes are soaked through. Do you have new clothes on your boat? Or a dryer? Are you going to dry them for us?”

Zou Mengmeng also snapped angrily, “Just seeing you annoys me! Mom, next time let someone else handle the handover, don’t bother with this guy. Our family should draw a clear line with him.”

Zou Shuqing pinched her thigh tightly, afraid of giving herself away, and just nodded lightly.

But Zou Mengmeng wouldn’t let it go: “Mom, get on my boat. Let him row back by himself. So stingy, even the boat he rents has to be rowed with oars.”

Zou Shuqing was about to explain that she liked rowing too, but Wang Ming cut in first:

“Zou Mengmeng, you really aren’t her biological daughter-so sharp-tongued and vain.

You haven’t learned a single one of Zou Shuqing’s virtues. I just don’t get it, shouldn’t you have picked up something by now? You really don’t deserve to be her daughter.”

The man on the motorboat shouted angrily at Wang Ming, “Kid, how dare you talk about my girlfriend like that? Are you looking for trouble?”

Zou Mengmeng also yelled, “You’re the one who doesn’t deserve it! You don’t even deserve to live! Mom, get on, I don’t want to see this guy anymore.”

Zou Shuqing hesitated a little. Wang Ming turned to look at her, and after they exchanged a glance, Zou Shuqing spoke decisively:

“I’m not going. I want to go ashore with Wang Ming. We still have things to discuss.”

Zou Mengmeng had no choice but to remind her, “Then remember, Mom, stay away from him in the future. It’s better not to earn money from their company.”

The man waved and said, “Next time we meet, I’ll be sure to prepare a proper gift to apologize. Goodbye, Auntie.”

Wang Ming said disdainfully, “Get lost. Who wants your stuff?”

Zou Mengmeng was so angry she gnashed her teeth, wishing she could push Wang Ming into the lake. She snapped, “What business is it of yours what happens in our family?”

Wang Ming took a deep breath and said with a sinister smile, “Oh, sorry, I guess it’s too early for family education now.”

He rowed the boat, gradually heading off into the distance.