The people who stayed in this neighborhood were basically either university leaders or professors. Plus, it was currently New Year’s and so there were people walking all around the neighborhood. When they met someone they knew, they would stop and exchange greetings. There was no need to mention how lively it was.

Not long after Dou Xiangling and Ian came out, they were faced with a group of people. Dou Xiangling greeted them and the other party suddenly asked, “Xiangling, is this your boyfriend? He’s really handsome.”

Ian had a handsome appearance and he gave off the air of nobility. Not to mention, when Dou Xiangling greeted them, he would give them a gentlemanly smile, which made everyone think in that direction.

Dou Xiangling blushed and hastily denied it. “No, he’s not. He’s a guest who came to my house to give a New Year’s greeting.”

Ian did not refute her either, but he looked at her with an affectionate gaze.

The other party revealed knowing expressions.

“Then we shall not disturb you two. Do remember to remind us when you are holding a wedding banquet in the future.”

Soon, the group left while smiling.

Dou Xiangling ended up turning red from head to toe.

Dou Xiangling turned to Ian and wanted to explain.

However, Ian spoke first. “See, everyone thinks that we are a couple. It proves that we are a good match.”

Having said that, he suddenly reached out and held her hand.

Dou Xiangling’s body stiffened and she subconsciously wanted to pull out her hand.

Ian grabbed her hand tightly and reminded her. “Someone is coming.”

Dou Xiangling subconsciously turned to look over and saw two elderly people walking side by side. She hastily greeted the two of them. “Professor Wu, Grandma Wu, Happy New Year.”

The two elderly glanced at their hands and revealed a smile at the same time.

Grandma Wu said, “It seems like Xiangling will be getting married this year. Good, good. This boy is really handsome. But after the both of you get married, will you be going abroad or remaining in M.Uni to teach?”

Dou Xiangling’s cheeks turned even redder.

She had not even agreed to date Ian and so how did they even reach the stage of getting married?

Ian revealed an extremely gentlemanly smile. “It’ll depend on Xiangling’s plans. If she is willing to live with me in my home country, we’ll go there and stay. If she wishes to remain in the capital, we’ll remain here.”

Dou Xiangling was surprised by his words and her eyes widened slightly.

Can this man be even more thick-skinned than this?

The two elderly people nodded their heads in agreement.

“Good, very good.”

“You two can slowly walk around. We’ll go and visit Headmaster Dou.”

Having said that, they left.

Dou Xiangling waited for them to walk far away and tried to pull her hand out from his grip. She wanted to have a talk with him.

However, someone else came over.

Dou Xiangling simply took him to a small park in the neighborhood.

There wasn’t anyone in the vicinity now. Dou Xiangling looked at Ian and said in a serious tone, “Ian, I don’t have the intention of finding a boyfriend for the time being.”

Ian looked at her with those tender and affectionate blue eyes of his. He pursed his lips and remained silent.

Dou Xiangling somehow had the feeling that she was bullying him. She bit her lips, lowered her eyes, and said, “I used to date a guy.”

“I know.”

Ian knew everything about Dou Xiangling and he said, “You must be rejecting me because of that guy. He doesn’t deserve you and since you’ve broken up, don’t think about him anymore.”

“I didn’t think of him.” Dou Xiangling furrowed her brows. She suddenly did not know how she should explain to him.

In fact, her feelings for Zhang Hanyu were very vague. Most of the time, she was asking herself why she had agreed to date him. However, it was a fact that they dated and it was also a fact that Zhang Hanyu had deceived her.

It was impossible to say that she did not receive any setbacks from this.

Ian stared into Dou Xiangling’s eyes for a few seconds before his gaze lowered to her lips.

Dou Xiangling usually doesn’t apply any lipstick. Most of the time, she would only apply a moisturizing lip balm and it made her lips look pink and tender, which was particularly enticing.

Ian suddenly pulled her arm and held her around her waist. He then held her chin with the other hand of his and lowered his head to kiss her on the lips.

Dou Xiangling was dumbfounded by the unexpected kiss.

She seemed to have been electrocuted and her mind that was about to clear up was once again in a daze.

The kiss was strong and overbearing, which was inconsistent with the usual image Ian gave off.

In the end, Dou Xiangling could only let him dominate the kiss.

When the both of them were about to have difficulty breathing, Ian released her and said in a deep voice, “Our kiss was very beautiful. So why can’t you agree to be my girlfriend?”

Dou Xiangling suddenly felt a tingle and recovered her senses after hearing his question. She did not know if it was due to anger or embarrassment, but she pushed Ian away and ran away with a blush on her face.

Ian looked at the woman who ran away and his lips slightly curved upwards.

Following that, he went chasing after her.

…

Dou Xiangling immediately regretted it when she reached home. She realized that those people she encountered while walking with Ian had come over and spread what they saw to her family members in an exaggerated manner.

The moment she entered the house, she was surrounded by her mother and aunts.

First Madam. “Xiangling. Mrs. Wu said that you have a boyfriend and that the both of you were holding hands. Is that true?”

Second Madam. “I told you that the boy is interested in our Xiangling. See, I got it right.”

Third Madam. “That child is good. He’s modest and polite. The only downside is that he’s a foreigner.”

Fourth Madam. “What does it matter if he’s a foreigner? As long as he’s good to our Xiangling and has a good character, nothing else matters.”

Third Madam. “You’re right. In any case, Xiangling is already quite old and it’s good to get married soon.”

Dou Xiangling who was only twenty-four and was described as old: “…”

This was her biological mother for goodness sake!

During dinner time, the way the Third Madam looked at Ian had changed into a gaze that was looking at her son-in-law.

“Ian, have some more.”

“Thank you, Auntie, you should eat too.”

“Hahaha…”

Dou Xiangling: “…”

When Zi Yi and Lu Jingye were leaving, the elders of the Dou Family each gave them a packet. In the end, the Third Madam even gave Ian a red packet.

When the three of them made their way outside, Zi Yi looked at Ian who was smiling like a fool, and said as if she could not take it anymore, “Can’t you put away that foolish grin on your face?”

Ian turned over the red packet he had received nth number of times before and pretended that he did not hear what she said, “This is the most precious red packet that I’ve ever received and I plan to keep it as a treasure.”

“By putting it in a safe?”

“No, no, no! Why are you so tacky? Of course, I’ll put it in my treasure room.”

“Oh~”

Zi Yi turned to Lu Jingye and said, “Ah Jing, let’s go and visit Ian’s treasure room the next time we visit Country M.”

Ian looked at her warily. “Don’t even think about it.”

Zi Yi grinned at him.

The three of them walked to their car and before Ian separated from them, he suddenly said to Lu Jingye in a serious tone, “Today, the Ouyang Family Head gave me a call and invited me out for tea tomorrow.”

In fact, Ian knew what the Ouyang Family was planning and he said, “Lu, you were too heavy-handed last night.”

Lu Jingye did not respond.

Zi Yi on the other hand, asked, “So you agreed?”

“How could I possibly agree?” Ian said, “I don’t want to get involved in this muddy water.”

What Ian didn’t expect was that his car had been blocked as soon as it reached the highway in the capital.