Chapter 75: Give You an Inch and You Take a Mile!

What do women like most?

There's only one answer.

Saying one thing but meaning another.

Zhao Fusheng had known for a long time that women are born actresses, but watching the two women—one big, one small—in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh that this saying was absolutely true.

Zhao's mother chatted cheerfully with an old neighbor about everyday matters, occasionally praising Fan Baobao, who was holding her arm, for being sensible and well-behaved. The implication was clear: "I've found a satisfactory daughter-in-law; you can be jealous all you want." Meanwhile, Fan Baobao, listening to people praise her for becoming a big star, humbly and cautiously expressed that no matter what she did, she was still a child raised in this neighborhood and would never forget her roots.

Watching the two leading ladies—mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—showing off their acting skills, Zhao Fusheng blinked, feeling like he was about to fall apart.

Fortunately, seeming to realize it was getting late, Zhao's mother ended her "catch-up" with the neighbor contentedly and happily dragged her son and Fan Baobao straight to the market.

At the market, whenever they ran into a familiar vendor, she would smile and introduce Zhao Fusheng and Fan Baobao: "This is my son, and this is his girlfriend."

Then the other person would cooperatively say something like, "Oh, your son is so handsome. Wow, his girlfriend is also beautiful, just like the actress in the ad..."

Then Zhao's mother would happily buy a little bit of food.

Throughout the walk, Zhao Fusheng's mouth kept twitching. After all, with the mentality of an adult, even though the other person was his mother, he still felt terribly embarrassed.

But Fan Baobao seemed unfazed, as if she was already used to it.

Taking advantage of his mother crouching down to pick fish, Zhao Fusheng tugged at Fan Baobao's sleeve and whispered, "What's going on? Don't you feel awkward?"

"A little at first, but I'm used to it now! Besides, Auntie treats me like a celebrity, and I'm happy to go shopping with her. What's there to be embarrassed about?" Fan Baobao said without looking back.

Then she half-crouched and said sweetly, "Auntie, I think this one is bigger..."

"Really? Then let's go with Baobao's choice. Boss, we'll take this one." Zhao's mother said loudly to the fish seller. "Clean it for me, please. It's for a patient."

"You've got it, ma'am." The vendor agreed, scooping up the fish and starting to clean it.

Zhao Fusheng blinked, watching his mother and Fan Baobao standing side by side. Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation. If before, his involvement with the Fan family had been driven by a sense of responsibility and instinct, now he felt that what he had done was right.

Anything that makes parents happy is a good thing.

As for the issue between him and Fan Baobao, there was plenty of time; they could deal with it later.

People say men are hypocritical, and Zhao Fusheng thought that sometimes this was true.

Or to be more precise, everyone has the potential to be a liar. It's just that if we expose certain unspeakable dirty thoughts deep inside, we become despicable villains. But conversely, if we can hide our thoughts appropriately, we become courteous gentlemen.

So, humans are born liars, because no matter what we do, it's actually a process of self-deception.

Between a good person and a bad person, perhaps there's only a single thought, or just a few seconds of choice.

"What are you thinking about? Take this."

At that moment, his mother's voice rang out. Zhao Fusheng looked up and saw his mother handing him a plastic bag with fish.

He quickly took it and looked at his mother: "Mom, do you often bring Baobao to buy groceries?"

"Yeah, your dad is so clumsy, he can't even buy groceries properly. Every time, Baobao and I have to come." Zhao's mother walked along, looking at Fan Baobao with satisfaction. "Baobao is so sensible. Sometimes I wonder, why weren't you a girl? How nice it would be to have a daughter."

Fan Baobao smiled upon hearing this and said, "Auntie, don't you already have two daughters now..."

"Right, right, right. I have two daughters now." Zhao's mother laughed heartily, clearly very pleased with Fan Baobao's obedience.

Where Zhao's mother wasn't looking, Fan Baobao silently made a face at Zhao Fusheng and flashed a smile.

Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly. No wonder this woman became a big star in her past life; when it came to making people happy, he couldn't catch up to her even on horseback.

The three of them toured the entire market. In the end, Zhao Fusheng's hands were full of bags, while Fan Baobao and Zhao's mother had empty hands. According to Zhao's mother, Baobao was going to be a star; how could she do heavy work?

As for herself, what was the point of having a son?

Facing the two most terrifying women in his first twenty years of life, Zhao Fusheng had no way to fight back. He resigned himself to being a porter, obediently following his mother and Fan Baobao upstairs.

Back home, Zhao's father, sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, was startled when he saw his son's state. He stood up, walked over, took the groceries from Zhao Fusheng's hands, gave him a comforting look, and went straight into the kitchen.

Zhao Fusheng was somewhat moved, thinking that his dad wasn't standing by idly this time; he really was his biological father.

But just then, Zhao's father's voice came from the kitchen.

"Son is grown up now. From now on, let him go grocery shopping with you more often."

In an instant, Zhao Fusheng's worldview experienced a violent shock. At that moment, he really wondered if he had encountered fake parents.

His parents were cooking in the kitchen, Li Yuan was in the inner room accompanying Fan Beibei as she slept, and Zhao Fusheng helplessly looked toward the sofa, where Fan Baobao was watching TV.

"Have a seat, don't be shy." Fan Baobao glanced at Zhao Fusheng and said with a smile.

Zhao Fusheng rolled his eyes, too lazy to bother with this crazy girl. Ever since the ad she filmed became a hit, Fan Baobao had been spiraling out of control in the direction of being a show-off.

He walked over and sat down on the sofa. Just as he picked up the remote to change the channel, Fan Baobao glared at him: "I want to watch a TV drama."

"What's so good about TV dramas? Watch the news." Zhao Fusheng said grumpily.

"Zhao Fusheng, do you believe I'll ask Auntie to teach you a lesson?" Miss Fan decisively pulled out her trump card.

"Have some class! What kind of skill is it to always call the parents?" Zhao Fusheng glared at Fan Baobao. "If you've got guts, let's play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins gets to decide."

Fan Baobao's eyes rolled, and she actually nodded: "Fine. Rock, paper, scissors."

Each of them hid a hand behind their back. Zhao Fusheng stared at Fan Baobao's arm, wondering what she would throw.

Scissors?

Rock?

Paper?

Then, the next moment, they both extended their hands at the same time.

Smack!

A crisp sound.

"I was just being polite, and you took it seriously. Seriously..." Fan Baobao muttered, picked up the remote, pressed a button, and started watching her drama.

On the other side, Zhao Fusheng covered his reddened hand, on the verge of tears.

He should never have trusted that girl Fan Baobao!