Chapter Seven: Dad—So, You’ve Got a Girlfriend?

Afternoon classes were in session. The history teacher spoke passionately from the podium, and the lesson passed quietly, but Cheng Feng’s thoughts were anything but calm.

He sat at the far end of the first row on the left, next to the window, while the class monitor...

In principle, top students should occupy seats at the very front, but Xia Qingyao, thinking of her classmates, suggested those spots be reserved for students with poor eyesight. Her vision was excellent, so she voluntarily took the last seat in the second row.

That made her Cheng Feng’s desk neighbor.

Gao Qiang had clearly not reported the beating incident; most likely, he intended to take revenge himself. If word got out, it would only tarnish his reputation.

But after Xia Qingyao witnessed it, hiding the matter was futile. She had certainly filed a report, and calling in parents was inevitable.

Sure enough, as soon as the bell rang for the end of class, before the history teacher had even packed up, the homeroom teacher entered from the front door. “Cheng Feng, come to the office.”

“Bro Cheng, what have you gotten into this time?” Chen Yue asked, curious. Cheng Feng waved him off, indicating it was nothing serious, then, under the gaze of the entire class, followed the teacher out.

In the office, the homeroom teacher called Cheng Feng’s father, handed him the phone, and said, “Tell your father yourself what you did.”

Cheng Feng was straightforward; he took the phone and put it to his ear. “Dad.”

Since crossing over, he hadn’t spoken to his father. From his memories, he knew the original owner hadn’t either; his father often worked late, so they rarely communicated.

“Your teacher says you caused trouble. What happened?” his father’s voice came through the receiver, tinged with emotion. It wasn’t the first time his son had made life difficult.

“Just a fight,” Cheng Feng scratched his face.

“And the reason?”

“That guy had his eye on my girlfriend, came looking for trouble, so...”

Halfway through, Cheng Feng choked on his words, cursing himself inwardly. He’d carelessly let slip the matter of his girlfriend. If his father pressed for details, how would he explain Jiang Qian?

What was he supposed to say, that his son had befriended a female vampire?

His father’s spirits suddenly rose, though he focused, for now, on the fight. “Is that so? So, how badly did you beat him?”

“He couldn’t take it. One knee and a kick, and he was out cold.”

His father exploded, “You went too easy on him! Next time, handle it like they do in ‘Smoking Out the Enemy.’ Win the fight, and I’ll make you braised pork when you get home.”

Cheng Feng’s eyes lit up. “Why didn’t you say so before?”

“By the way, you just said you got a girl—”

“Beep!”

Cheng Feng quickly hit the hang-up button, then nonchalantly returned the phone to the homeroom teacher. The teacher, who had overheard the whole exchange, was left with a face full of disbelief.

“I’m done, teacher. May I go now?”

The homeroom teacher, seated behind the desk, rubbed his brow. “You may go, but let me be clear: this incident goes on record. There must not be a next time.”

“Okay,” Cheng Feng replied, respectfully but perfunctory.

...

That evening, the dinner table was laden with dishes—three courses and a soup, including a tempting plate of braised pork.

His younger sister, who was in her first year of middle school, finished classes earlier than Cheng Feng, now in his last year of high school.

Usually, after school, she would visit the nearby market to buy groceries, then cook at home herself. She’d always been like a little adult, stepping into the role of mother from a young age.

Cheng Feng had never learned to cook in his previous life, nor had the original owner bothered to try, which made him feel a bit embarrassed as an older brother each mealtime.

Today, Father Cheng had specially requested to leave work early so he could have dinner with Cheng Feng.

“Cough, cough.”

Hearing his father’s cough, Cheng Feng knew what was coming.

While eating, Father Cheng started, “So, you finally understand. Tell me, when did you start dating?”

Cheng Feng tried one last time to dodge, “The signal was bad then. You misheard.”

“Who are you fooling? I’m not senile yet. Hurry up and explain yourself.”

Cheng Feng tentatively asked, “Dad, you’re not against me dating young, are you?”

Most parents would object, fearing it would hinder grades and future prospects.

If his father objected, he could immediately say he’d break up, neatly solving the girlfriend problem.

Yet Cheng Feng heard an unexpected answer.

“Against it? If I stop you now, will I have to nag you to find a wife after you graduate from college?” Father Cheng spoke like a man of experience, raising his bowl to sip his soup. “Of course, you can’t neglect your studies. Just be sensible and take it slow.”

Cheng Feng was deeply moved; few families were so understanding. What a pity this wisdom had come at the wrong moment.

Unfortunately, his relationship with Jiang Qian was one of enmity. Whatever so-called romance there had been ended last night when she killed him. How could he introduce her to his father?

What Jiang Qian thought of him was a mystery—probably just as food.

If his father knew his son’s girlfriend was a vampire, he’d be heartbroken.

“That’s right! So, when will you let us meet your girlfriend?” His sister propped her chin on her hands, elbows on the table, her face brimming with curiosity and anticipation.

Girlfriend? Cheng Feng wanted to quip: in this era of fast-food romance, how many first relationships actually last until marriage? That would be true love.

And even true love is mostly crushed by reality—hope within hopelessness.

He eyed his sister’s excitement with suspicion. “Why are you so eager?”

His sister innocently raised a slender finger. “Hehe, if you get married, this house becomes my territory!”

...

Cheng Feng and his father exchanged glances, seeing the same reluctance in each other’s eyes.

Reluctance to shatter their pure, innocent sister’s misconceptions—she’d misunderstood, and in the end, she would be the one to marry.

Silently, they continued eating. Father Cheng, lost in thought, suddenly said, “Xiao Feng, be careful when you’re dating.”

Cheng Feng didn’t catch on at first. “Careful?”

“Do I need to give you a lesson?”

“No! No need!”

“What are you two talking about?” his sister asked.