Chapter 11: A Chance Encounter at the Restaurant

"Mom, Dad, why did you come over at this hour?"

Chen’s father and mother exchanged a look, then Chen’s mother said, "Isn't it because of you?"

Chen Xiao was confused. Because of me? What about me?

"You're already 25, and you still don't have a partner. Your father and I are worried sick! Look, your Auntie Wang has a neighbor's daughter, about your age, and they say she's a real beauty. We thought we'd set you two up."

Chen Xiao said helplessly, "What year do you think this is? Still playing matchmaker? Besides, I'm 25, not 52. Is there really a need to be this anxious?"

Chen’s mother glared at him. "You child, watch your mouth! I'm telling you, several of my colleagues are about my age and they're already holding their grandchildren. You need to step up and make me proud!"

Chen Xiao sighed. "Wanting a grandchild is simple. You don't have to be married to register a child's birth these days!"

His joke startled his mother. "How can you have such thoughts? You've only been in society for a few years and you've already picked up bad habits. Look at you—don't you need someone to keep an eye on you?"

"Alright, Xiaoxiao, the reason your mother and I came over is mainly because the girl Auntie Wang introduced requires the man to have a house and a car in Jiangzhou. So, we came to discuss it with you. We’re prepared to use our savings over the years to pay the down payment for you, and we'll help pay off the mortgage slowly later!"

Housing prices in Jiangzhou are currently over 30,000 per square meter. For an average working-class family, this is almost their entire life's savings just to pay a down payment, turning their child into a mortgage slave for the next 20 years.

Chen’s parents were worried that their son wouldn't be able to find a wife in Jiangzhou without a house, so they wanted to come early and solve the housing issue for him.

Chen Xiao knew his parents probably didn't have much money saved. Not to mention that he now had a system and houses weren't an issue at all, even before that, he had no intention of being a "parasite" on his parents. They had worked hard their whole lives and deserved to enjoy themselves; their children shouldn't be a burden to them anymore.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry about me. My job is going very well. I just closed an order yesterday, and the commission alone is hundreds of thousands!"

Chen’s father and mother looked at each other in shock. Hundreds of thousands? The two of them had only saved a few hundred thousand in their entire lives, and their son claimed he made that much yesterday.

They had no idea that Chen Xiao hadn't even factored in the system's bonus rewards yet.

After confirming repeatedly that it was true, Chen’s mother said happily, "I knew our Chen Xiao was outstanding since he was a child! Handsome and kind-hearted, he was bound to succeed. Look how young he is, and he can already earn hundreds of thousands at once!"

Chen’s father also laughed heartily. "Xiaoxiao has always been great. In that case, we can buy a bigger house!"

Well, they were stuck on the house topic and couldn't get out of it.

"Dad, Mom, trust me. Give me one year. If I can't buy a house with my own ability by then, I'll ask for your help. For now, I really want to rely on myself!"

Chen Xiao used a stalling tactic. If he couldn't buy a house in a year, he might as well run headfirst into a block of tofu!

He didn't mention the small apartment he already had; otherwise, it would be hard to explain where the money came from.

Finally, Chen’s father made the call. "Alright, Xiaoxiao is grown up and has his own ideas. We won't buy the house for now. We'll tell your Auntie Wang. If you two get along, we can buy a house anytime!"

Chen’s mother added, "That's fine, but Chen Xiao, you must meet the girl next week. Seize the opportunity; it's not easy to find a good girl these days."

After having dinner with his parents and dropping them off at their hotel, it was past 11:00 PM when Chen Xiao returned to his place. He remembered he still hadn't paid back the money to the person across the hall. She probably already thought he was untrustworthy, especially since the property management lady had painted such a "vivid" picture of him yesterday!

He thought about knocking on her door to pay her back, but decided it wasn't appropriate; she must have been asleep by now. He'd just catch her tomorrow morning.

After a shower, he lay in bed, and his mother kept sending him messages, teaching him secrets to successful matchmaking. Chen Xiao found it strange—didn't his parents have a free-love marriage? Where did they get this experience? Then, he realized with a start: his mother must have watched too many TV dramas. No wonder those tactics sounded so familiar.

Because of all the chatting, he went to bed late. Since the next day was Saturday, Chen Xiao didn't wake up until 10:00 AM. After washing up, he went to knock on the door across the hall, but there was no answer after a long time. She must have already gone out.

At noon, Wang Jing called to invite him to lunch. It was almost 12:00, so Chen Xiao headed out to meet him. The restaurant was at Wansheng Plaza, not far from the company.

Ever since Wang Jing resigned from Feng's Robotics, he heard the company's funding issues were resolved and had thoughts of returning. Inviting Chen Xiao out today was his way of testing the waters.

Chen Xiao despised this kind of behavior—running away when the company was in trouble, and wanting to come back when things were good!

No company would be short of people like that.

But as a colleague, Chen Xiao just chatted about whatever came up. Whether Wang Jing returned or could return wasn't his decision to make.

The Sichuan restaurant was doing well, and it was already packed by noon. Wang Jing enthusiastically poured Chen Xiao a glass of watermelon juice and laughed, "Brother, how are things with you and Yuan Kai?"

Chen Xiao smiled. "Same as always. Let's not talk about him!"

To be honest, Yuan Kai had no way to target him right now. After all, he had brought in a 5-million-yuan order, which was the company's lifeline. Based on that alone, Yuan Kai couldn't affect Chen Xiao at all within the company.

"Brother, do you think I should go back?"

Chen Xiao pondered for a moment. "It depends on how you see it. The company is still in a difficult spot. Although the funding issue has eased, you know how R&D is—it's sometimes a bottomless pit. You never know when it will show results!"

Wang Jing nodded. "That's true. But it's not easy to find work outside right now. President Feng is still very friendly to employees and willing to give newcomers a chance!"

That was true. Even when employees resigned voluntarily, Feng Feifei still provided compensation despite the difficult circumstances. She could be called a conscientious entrepreneur. If her company could grow, following her wouldn't be a bad choice.

"By the way, brother, I heard that starting next month, salaries will be cut to 4,000. Is that confirmed?"

Chen Xiao nodded. Feng Feifei had already confirmed this; she wouldn't change her mind.

"Ah? That's so low. After paying rent, the remaining money won't even cover food. From now on, I'll only be able to smoke 5-yuan packs of cigarettes!"

Chen Xiao said, "So you should consider it carefully. Of course, the commission has increased. As sales staff, we mainly rely on commissions, don't we?"

"Hey, Chen Xiao, look, there's a beauty at the table next to us. Damn, she's gorgeous—way prettier than those big stars. So much class! She's glanced over here a few times!"

Chen Xiao looked in the direction he indicated and froze. The person at the next table was none other than his neighbor from Hairun Mansion!