After Yang Chengbi finished listening to his daughter's speech, he looked lovingly at He Tianran, who had turned away and rubbed his eyes quietly. She stroked the back of the child's head. He seemed to be trying his best to maintain a normal demeanor in social situations. Yang Chengbi smiled shyly.
The woman joked to her husband:
"Did you understand what the children just said?"
Cao Fengyao sighed, pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and shook his head:
"It's cloudy and foggy. It's like those romantic TV dramas on TV now. It's too far away from me and I can't understand it. In short, I don't understand it very well."
Yang Chengbi smiled and asked accurately:
"Then did you understand what your daughter just said?"
Cao Fengyao glared at his wife. Didn't he just agree that his elbows should not be bent? Upon seeing this, Cao Aiqing hurriedly picked up the vegetables and put them into his father's bowl, and said obediently:
"Oh, Dad~~We are telling the truth!"
Cao Fengyao was caught between these two women. He was really in a dilemma. At present, neither his daughter nor his wife could unite with him.
"Yes, you are telling the truth, and I understand it. If you stand with this boy today, it's because he doesn't love you anymore. But Qingqing, don't forget, after this boy left last time, you I still vividly remember what I said to my father."
Cao Aiqing blushed and looked at her parents, who understood and smiled. Among the people present, He Tianran was the only one who didn't understand.
"Let's eat."
Not letting his daughter continue to be embarrassed, Cao Fengyao picked up the chopsticks again and spoke again.
After some previous questions and answers, He Tianran's spirit gradually relaxed. He had passed the most difficult stage of meeting his parents this time, but this did not mean that Father Cao and Mother Cao's "inspection" of him was over. .
Especially Cao Fengyao, he thought about how his father-in-law made things difficult for him in the past, not only to test his knowledge, but also to test his character. He spent a lot of effort to marry Yang Chengbi, and now it is his turn to be the father-in-law. Now that I am a human being, I finally feel the feeling of having my cabbage swallowed by a pig. How can I give up so easily and let He Tianran go?
He thought for a moment and said, "Xiao He, Qingqing said just now that you are already working. Is it an internship?"
"right."
"In your company?"
"No, my father arranged for me to join Sequoia Capital. I am currently working with an uncle, doing odd jobs and learning investments from him."
He Tianran answered respectfully.
"Ah, that is really a rare opportunity. You should seize it..."
"Yeah, I understand, thank you Professor Cao for your concern..."
"..."
"..."
After answering this sentence, the two men were silent for a while.
What Cao Fengyao was thinking was, Huh? What did my father-in-law ask me in the past?
What He Tianran was thinking was that he was a little nervous. What would Professor Cao ask me later?
Fortunately, at this time, Cao Aiqing gave He Tianran a look. The girl looked at the gift they brought when they came. He Tianran understood and stood up immediately and said:
"By the way, Professor Cao, this time I came over and brought you and your aunt some bottles of wine. How about we try it?"
After he left the table, he took out two high-end wines, one red and one white, from the plastic bag he brought and handed them to Yang Chengbi. The future mother-in-law looked at them and said:
"You should take it out early. You men can drink white wine. I will try it when the red wine wakes up. Xiao Ai, mom can make an exception for you today. Do you want some?"
"Okay~"
Cao Aiqing nodded obediently.
Yang Chengbi stood up and brought the wine glass. He Tianran unpacked the liquor and filled it up with the bottle in both hands for Cao Fengyao.
And while he was pouring wine, Yang Chengbi suddenly asked:
"Hey Xiaohe, what were you and Fengyao talking about in the living room just now?"
"Well……"
He Tianran thought about how to speak. After all, the question just now was not suitable to be mentioned during a meal.
Fortunately, Cao Fengyao didn't mind this and took the initiative to say:
"Just now he asked where our cat was. Ai Qing had told him before."
Cao Aiqing, who was picking up vegetables, paused with his chopsticks, a bit of sadness appearing on his face.
Upon hearing this, Yang Chengbi glanced at her husband reproachfully, but also sighed and recalled:
"Think about it, Bodhisattva has been in our house for more than ten years, right? I remember that Xiao Ai bought it when he was a child. How old is he specifically?"
"Six years old, because I happened to be in the first grade at that time and got full marks on my first exam."
Cao Aiqing added.
Yang Chengbi smiled and said: "Yes, fourteen years. The Bodhisattva has blessed our family for fourteen years. Now that little Ai Qing has grown up, she will have to rely on herself outside in the future."
"Okay~!"
Cao Aiqing raised her little face, showing her playful side in front of her parents.
"Of course, if you can't rely on yourself, you can also rely on Xiao He~"
Yang Chengbi patted He Tianran on the shoulder.
"Mom~!!"
Listening to the conversation between their mother and daughter, He Tianran found it very interesting. Having such a wife and daughter showed how happy Cao Fengyao's family was in normal times, but He Tianran did not dare to tell his future mother-in-law what he said, at least. Right now, my father-in-law is still eyeing me covetously...
He Tianran raised his wine glass and the two men touched it. He asked, "Professor Cao, I'm actually quite curious, why is a cat named 'Bodhisattva'?"
After finishing the glass of wine, Cao Fengyao let out a light "tsk" and started talking.
"I was busy with work at that time, and I spent less time with Qingqing and others. I remember that I was studying in Dunhuang that year. When Ai Qing called me to talk about home affairs, I happened to finish watching the picture of Guanyin Bodhisattva listening to the Dharma in Cave 57. I remember this very clearly. Ai Qing told me that I had bought a cat at home. He asked me in a sweet voice what name he should give me. I thought about it for a while, turned around and looked around, and said that I might as well call him 'Bodhisattva'. Well, I wish little Ai Qing to grow up healthily. As a cat, I keep him at home as a gift. I didn’t expect that the Bodhisattva really stayed with Qing Qing for fourteen years."
"I see."
After He Tianran listened carefully, he felt sweet in his heart when he saw Cao Aiqing looking at him with a smile.
He knew that Cao Fengyao's ability to tell these details about his family's past could be regarded as a little bit of trust in him, which meant that he, an outsider, was slowly integrating into this family.
However, Cao Fengyao didn't keep him happy for long. It was probably as he was talking that he came up with an idea to test He Tianran, so he casually asked:
"By the way, Xiao He, let me test you. Do you know where Guanyin Bodhisattva came from?"
"..."
It's from India.
He Tianran almost blurted out, but luckily he stopped the car as he spoke.
If you can answer this question, you will definitely get extra points, but if the answer is too thin, it is better not to say anything. However, the context of religious history is too complicated, and He Tianran is definitely not able to go straight up and trace the prototype. He is capable, not to mention that the person sitting next to him is a master of history. Since he can ask the question, he must already have the answer in his mind. If he answers the question head-on, it's okay. If he says it wrong, he can only do the same thing.
However, Brother Tianran is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Let’s not talk about how valuable this librarian is. Regarding this question, he returned to his area of strength and was still able to answer fluently.
So, what are his strengths?
Tell a story!
He paused and said without thinking:
"Professor Cao, I don't know much about official history. It's just that after thousands of years of development after Buddhism was introduced to China, a lot of history has been integrated with our folk customs and entertainment. For example, after you asked this question , I thought of a play in our traditional opera called "Avalokitesvara Gains the Tao", and I thought I might be able to answer your question from the perspective of folk entertainment."
"Oh? Come and listen."
Cao Fengyao became interested. He did not expect that He Tianran, who studied finance, could really talk to him about this issue.
The eyes of several people focused on He Tianran. He looked around, cleared his throat, and said vividly:
"The general content of this play is that Guanyin was a third princess named Miaoshan in her previous life. One day, her father, King Miaozhuang, chose a son-in-law for Miaoshan. Miaoshan was devoted to Buddha and was definitely not willing, so he left the palace. He ran away and became a nun at Baique Temple.
Now, her father was no longer happy and forced Miaoshan to return to the secular world. Miaoshan saw the suffering in the world and aspired to save all sentient beings, so he refused to do it. King Miaozhuang thought that you were a good princess and if you don't do it, you should do it. Nun, doesn’t this bring shame on the royal family?
So, in a fit of rage, he executed his daughter. "
Hearing this, Cao Aiqing said "ah" and said, "Then this King Miaozhuang is a little confused, so he has his daughter executed?"
He Tianran said with a smile: "I ignored some plots, but this is the result. In fact, many stories in ancient times are not telling you logic, but conveying an idea to you, so from our modern perspective, I feel What was unreasonable seemed new to the ancients.”
Yang Chengbi was also curious: "What happened next? Since this play is called "Guanyin Achieves Taoism", Guanyin can't just...well, go, right?"
"Of course it's not over yet."
He Tianran continued:
"This is such a wonderful person. He had great ambitions to save all sentient beings. The gods in the sky were watching, so he didn't die in the end.
However, later King Miaozhuang burned down Baique Temple, which was a big taboo. Soon after, he contracted a strange disease and needed the hands and eyes of his relatives to cure him.
Hands and eyes, they are really just things that can be chopped and gouged out. If they are gone, they are really gone. Prince Miaozhuang and his relatives are unwilling. At this time, only Miaoshan stands up and offers his hands and eyes to heal his father.
After that, King Miaozhuang became clear-sighted and finally saw the true face of the ministers around him. His relationship with Miaoshan eased and he finally became a loving father and a filial daughter for a period of time.
Later, after the death of King Miaozhuang, his soul went to hell to be judged. Because of the evil he had done during his lifetime, he was sentenced to eternal life. When Miaoshan knew the news, he hung a rope around his waist, and then he hung a rope around his waist. He went to hell to avenge his father, saying that the burning of Baique Temple was not his father's intention, but a trick of a traitor. He hoped that the Buddha would remember his filial piety and forgive his father.
However, the laws of heaven do not allow it and the methods are the same. Such evil people will certainly not be spared lightly.
At this time, Miaoshan said that if the Buddha refused to agree, she could bear the punishment on behalf of her elderly father.
The judge upheld the original verdict, and the Buddha stopped trying to persuade her. Miaoshan cut off the rope and fell into the abyss for her father. But after she fulfilled her words, a lotus platform slowly rose from the depths of hell, and Miaoshan was seen sitting upright. On top of that, just like this, the wonderful and good people have attained the Tao, achieved the right results, and have been granted the title of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, who saves suffering and saves people from suffering. "
After He Tianran finished speaking, everyone was immersed in the story. This answer may not be as brilliant as Cao Fengyao's standard answer, but it can also be called a new approach and a very clever answer.
"Looking at this story now, it certainly seems to be a bit of loyalty and filial piety, and moral kidnapping."
Yang Chengbi recalled the details of the story and gave his evaluation.
Cao Fengyao nodded:
"Yes, there are quite a lot of folk stories like this. Take this play as an example, Jingyue Huangmei Yuchuankun. The plots performed in each place are different, but as Xiaohe said in the middle, the plot is different. Remove the dross from these stories, which are nothing more than traditional thoughts such as loyalty, filial piety, brotherhood, and abandonment. This proposition is too grand. It can be said in a deeper or shallower way, but no matter how society develops, today's People can still understand the truth behind it."
The middle-aged man made a concluding speech and looked at He Tianran with a slightly satisfied look. After all, they were not arguing about right or wrong at the beginning. The fact that He Tianran could tell this story represented what he had in mind. He really has something, and this kid is honest when he should be honest, and lively when he should be lively. This is really rare.
With Cao Fengyao's initial approval, He Tianran seemed much more natural in the subsequent exchanges.
As mentioned before, aside from family background and appearance, compared with Guo Huai and Shen Qiuxu's strengths, He Tianran seems to have nothing. Only his character and temperament are favored by Cao Aiqing. But when it comes to reality, it is not Because of the distance, the latter two could only be thrown off the track by He Tianran.
Today's Tianran brother needs to be good-looking, well-educated, nice to talk to, dare to act, act, speak, and think. He can put aside his family background. Just talking about the prospects of his career, it is really within reach. And the light.
Finding such a He Tianran as a son-in-law is more than just a golden turtle son-in-law. He is directly fishing out the little white dragon. The words "riding a dragon to become a son-in-law" are put on He Tianran. It can be said that he is well-deserved. There is no exaggeration.
Of course, as parents, Cao and Yang felt that the most important thing was that Cao Aiqing liked it.
The four of them had a meal until after ten o'clock in the evening. He Tianran chatted a lot during the meal. From the tense atmosphere at the beginning to the laughter at the end, Yang Chengbi became more fond of He Tianran the more he looked at him. Cao Fengyao kept a straight face from the beginning. , in the end I could only listen to He Tianran's gossip with a smile on his face.
After dinner, the Cao family had the habit of taking a walk after dinner. Since it was a bit late, they went to the community below for a walk.
…
…
"You didn't drink much, did you?"
"It's not bad. I'll wake up a lot after I come out for a bit of air. How can I be like this?"
In the garden of the community late at night, the square dance organized by the community had just ended, so most of the people walking were middle-aged people or elderly people in groups of three or two, couples, and sisters passing by while chatting. You can hear some laughter from time to time along the way.
Cao Fengyao and Yang Chengbi walked in front. The middle-aged man held his hands behind his back in a graceful manner. His wife naturally took his arm and walked forward slowly. The young couple followed them a few meters away, whispering.
"When you feel like you're done walking, call a driver. If you're drunk, don't drive yourself."
Cao Aiqing asked with concern.
He Tianran nodded: "Well, by the way, will you go back to school tomorrow weekend?"
"I... it's hard to say."
The girl looked embarrassed. If she didn't go home on weekends, she would spend a two-person world with He Tianran. But since she fell in love, she went home much less often, which made her parents complain, so this time It is indeed a bit difficult to come back and want to leave the next day.
He Tianran was not impressed after hearing this. He rolled his eyes and smiled:
"It's okay. The principle I have always adhered to is that there are always more solutions than difficulties. At worst, I will drive over to find you to go out and play, and then send you back in the evening. Anyway, I will be fine tomorrow, and meeting the parents is the first time. Are you afraid of the second time? Maybe I can get another meal!"
Cao Aiqing couldn't help but feel happy when she heard his nonsense, but she was too shy to show it, so she could only give him a look and murmur in a low voice:
"You are the only one who is thick-skinned..."
Seeing the beauty's shy look, He Tianran's heart moved, like a cat that couldn't bear to be scratched, and couldn't help teasing her again. He also whispered in a low voice:
"Hey Ai Qing, the chicken soup our mother made today is really delicious. Do you know how to cook it? If so, can you make it for me to drink in the same way in the future?"
Cao Aiqing lowered her head and couldn't even see her toes. At this moment, her parents were a few meters away from them. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest. He Tianran was still unyielding and sounded like an annoying machine to her ears. Repeater:
"Can you do it? Can you do it? Can you do it?"
"Yes! Oh, you are so annoying!"
"Haha~"
The evening breeze is cool and the heart is rippling.
He Tianran did not continue to tease the girl, but straightened his back, put his hands behind his back, and slightly touched Cao Aiqing with his right arm. When the girl raised her head and looked at him, he smiled and looked at the middle-aged couple walking in front of him. The couple raised their chins.
The girl immediately understood the meaning and looked at He Tianran's bright eyes, which were shining as if there were two stars embedded in them.
Then, she mustered up the courage to secretly imitate her mother, reaching out her hand, passing through her lover's arm, and holding each other together...
There was no sound at this time, the parents walked slowly in front, and the two people behind were like two children imitating their parents. They were clumsy, young, and afraid of being discovered or making any noise.
They learned so step-by-step, but they seemed to be similar. Every time they looked at each other, they caught a hot and strong feeling in each other's eyes——
firm.
A kind of determination that can keep going.
He Tianran lowered his head and sang softly in Cao Aiqing's ear:
"Love is just one word, I only say it once, you know I can only express it with actions~"
Cao Aiqing almost laughed at his deliberately low and off-key voice. She pretended to be angry and pinched the tender flesh of his arm hard. He Tianran immediately took a breath of cold air.
The girl looked at his funny look of enduring pain but not daring to say a word, and then turned to look at the backs of her parents not far away. She felt that the people around her were so real and vivid, and an incomparable sense of happiness filled every inch of her heart. Corner, which made her say this sincerely:
"The Peony Pavilion is finally over."
However, after hearing this, He Tianran had no reaction for a moment...
Cao Aiqing thought her boyfriend just didn't know how to answer, but when she shifted her gaze to He Tianran's face again, the other person's expression revealed a kind of... confusion.
"What..."The Peony Pavilion"?"
He Tianran was confused.
At the moment when Cao Aiqing was surprised, Yang Chengbi in front slowly turned her head and noticed the intimate behavior of the young couple behind her. She smiled and tugged on Cao Fengyao, motioning him to look back.
Cao Aiqing felt guilty and subconsciously wanted to withdraw her hand, but He Tianran suddenly tightened his arms, preventing her from running away.
The look he looked at her was so upright that it gave the girl a fearless power in her heart.
"Cough~"
Ahead, a slight cough from Cao Fengyao interrupted Cao Aiqing's thoughts. She thought her father would let the two separate. Unexpectedly, the middle-aged man looked at them for a few seconds. Seeing that neither of them had any intention of shrinking, he finally smiled bitterly. Overdone.
"Forget it, I can't take care of your daughter forever."
"She is not your daughter~"
"Hey~"
Amidst such banter, the old couple raised their feet again and moved forward slowly.
"Let's go, don't stay still, let's follow."
He Tianran shook his arm, waking up Cao Aiqing who was still standing there, staring at the backs of his parents.
The girl came back to her senses, looked at her lover beside her and smiled, holding his hand even tighter, she nodded heavily:
"Um!"
(End of chapter)
