Chapter 30: Was it possible... that it was still her first kiss?

Zhu Qing'an did not speak directly; her expression returned to normal as she continued to eat and interact with Zhang Qingyun. Meanwhile, her other hand was busy typing a message to Zhang Fan.

[I told my mother that we are dating.]
[And?]
[She doesn't approve of us being together.]

Zhang Fan did not reply to the message but looked up at Zhu Qing'an. She hurriedly continued to type.

[But my father is very supportive.]
[Brother, don't worry, I will find a way to convince my mother!]

Seeing that Zhang Qingyun was focused on her meal, Zhu Qing'an finally summoned the courage to sit beside Zhang Fan. Her body felt hot as she gripped his hand tightly and hugged his arm.

"Brother, I—I have been waiting for this day for such a long, long time."
"From my first year of middle school until now, twenty whole years."
"I like you, I really like you. Don't worry, I will definitely make my mother agree."
"Even if she doesn't, I am going to be with you!"

Zhang Fan was stunned. When Zhao Tiezhu had spoken about her earlier, it was clear that Zhu Qing'an liked him. He hadn't taken it seriously at the time, thinking such pure affection couldn't possibly exist. But looking at her now—this beautiful woman, with that look in her eyes and her flushed face—she was clearly like a young girl in the throes of first love, confessing to the boy she adored. He was almost certain this was her first relationship.

Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask, "Xiao'an, have you really liked me for so many years?"

Zhu Qing'an nodded repeatedly, her eyes turning slightly red. "You never came to the class reunions, so I went every year, just hoping to catch a glimpse of you."
"Last time you said you were married, my heart was shattered."
"But when I immediately heard the news that you had divorced, I was so happy! I was truly so happy..."

She blushed deeply, unable to continue, and buried her head in Zhang Fan’s chest. Her cascading hair fell onto his shoulders, tickling his face.

Zhang Qingyun, halfway through her meal, suddenly wore a look of utter confidence. "Dad, the lady isn't lying to you!"
"She really likes you, Yun'er can tell!"
"If Dad can be with such a beautiful, gentle, and kind lady, Yun'er would be so happy!"

Zhang Fan, still in shock, found himself helplessly rubbing his forehead at his daughter's words. "Now, little treasure, you're just a kid, what do you know about liking someone?"
"You can even tell that?"
"Who did you learn this from?"

Zhang Qingyun puffed out her chest, looking immensely proud. "That's because there are many boys who like me!"
"The way those boys look at me, and the tone they use when they talk to me—it's just like the lady!"
"Hmph, Dad, don't underestimate Yun'er!"

Hearing this, the two adults looked at each other and burst into laughter. Zhang Fan ate a few bites of meat, curious. "By the way, Xiao'an, what does your family do?"
"Is it just a security company? Or is there a wider range of industries?"

After all, with Zhu Qing'an's temperament and appearance, it was impossible for her to come from an ordinary family. Even a blind person could see that. A girl from a common background, even with a good education, could never possess the air of a wealthy heiress like Zhu Qing'an. A flower this confident could not grow in poor soil. Although she was shy in front of him, when she spoke to her subordinates, she was every bit the superior.

Zhu Qing'an’s eyes darted around. Fearing her background might scare Zhang Fan, she improvised. "Oh, my father runs a security company with many branches all over the world. As for other industries, he has invested in a few, but not that many."

Zhang Fan didn't press for details. He figured she probably just came from a relatively wealthy family. Money, to him now, had lost its meaning. The system provided a continuous stream of wealth. He wondered, though, would the money from the system cause inflation? He didn't know that every time the system "dropped" money, several unrighteous billionaires were left wailing on the ground, lamenting, "Where did my money go?" or "Damn thief, let me catch you and make you suffer!"

Zhu Qing'an breathed a sigh of relief. Her family's background was far too deep, with a legacy spanning thousands of years. They were an indisputable great clan. Worldwide, the family population that still maintained ties with the main branch reached over half a million. Even the economies of some developed nations were under the control of the Zhu family. It could be said that the five major families, including the Zhus, were the true masters of the Blue Planet. She was glad he hadn't probed further; she really didn't want to keep lying to him.

The meal ended quickly. Zhang Qingyun was reluctant to let go of Zhu Qing'an. As the time to part finally arrived, the little girl pouted. "Dad, you have to kiss the lady."
"I saw on TV that adults kiss before they say goodbye."
"Hurry up and kiss!"

It was clear the little girl was genuinely worried that such a beautiful lady wouldn't be able to stay with Zhang Fan. In her innocent eyes, as long as adults kissed, they were married.

Zhang Fan was so amused he was almost angry. *Mom, what kind of dramas are you showing Yun'er? How have you been raising her? She's only six, she's still a child!*

Zhu Qing'an, however, showed no resistance. Instead, she took the initiative to step in front of Zhang Fan, reaching out to gently wrap her arms around his back. She looked up, her face blushing to the roots of her ears, beautiful as the evening glow.

"Brother."
"I like you."

With a woman being this proactive, Zhang Fan would hardly be a man if he didn't respond. Their lips slowly met. The moment they touched, Zhu Qing'an felt as though her heart were melting. She leaned softly into his embrace. Soon, Zhang Fan realized the girl truly had no experience. There was not a hint of skill; he was doing all the leading, and she didn't even know how to respond. It was clearly her first kiss.

Zhang Qingyun hugged their legs in excitement, waving her little fists. "Yay! Mom! From today on, Auntie Xiao'an is Yun'er's mom!"

Zhu Qing'an was left dizzy with infatuation by Zhang Fan’s kiss. Fortunately, he was a gentleman and didn't let his hands wander, or she truly wouldn't have known what to do. Hearing the child call her "Mom" made her heart bloom. She had been accepted by both Yun'er and her brother!

"Alright, alright." Zhang Fan got into the car and, after motioning for Zhang Qingyun to get in, looked at Zhu Qing'an. "Shall I take you home?"
Zhu Qing'an shook her head hurriedly. "No, no, I have something to take care of, brother. You go home first!"

Since that was the case, Zhang Fan didn't insist. After waving goodbye, he took Zhang Qingyun home. Long after the car had disappeared, Zhu Qing'an still hadn't fully recovered. Everything that had just happened felt like a dream. She couldn't help but lick her lips, a smile on her face that was both adorable and alluring.

The female assistant who had been watching from the shadows was pale with fright. She hurried over, head bowed, and handed a phone to Zhu Qing'an with a troubled expression. "The Matriarch has been watching your every move through the video feed. Miss, it was the Matriarch's orders; I dared not disobey. Please don't blame me."

Zhu Qing'an’s expression returned to normal. She murmured an acknowledgement and took the phone. The middle-aged woman on the other end of the video call was livid.

"Zhu Qing'an! Get home this instant!"
"How could you be with an ordinary person with no background? Have you lost your mind?"
"You are the only daughter of the main branch of our Zhu family! All the sons of the world's elite—the young, talented prodigies—are lining up for you to choose from. Your cousin married into the British royal family, and your older cousin married the President of the United States."
"At the very least, you should be marrying a super-billionaire."
"And you! You're associating with a delivery driver who works on construction sites? You're going to be the death of me!"

Listening to her mother’s thunderous rage, Zhu Qing'an remained unusually calm, a spark of resolve in her eyes. "Mom, please don't say any more."
"I have waited twenty years for Zhang Fan. Do you know how I spent those twenty years?"
"The thought of my best years not being spent with him makes my heart feel like it's being cut by a knife."
"No matter what you say, I will not change my decision. I am going to hold a grand, unprecedented wedding and marry Zhang Fan in style!"
"As for royals or nobles, I don't care at all. I just like him!"

With that, Zhu Qing'an hung up. She smiled at the trembling assistant, who was terrified that the Matriarch would order her execution. "Don't worry, I won't let her implicate you."
"Let's go home. I have to finalize this."

The assistant didn't dare say a word. She couldn't for the life of her understand what attracted Zhu Qing'an to Zhang Fan. Although he was undeniably handsome—more handsome than any movie star—was this decision truly wise?

Meanwhile, in the capital, at the Zhu estate, the mother was driven to madness upon hearing that her daughter was returning by helicopter. She stared resentfully at the middle-aged man who was sitting in the living room, drinking tea and watching television.

"It's all your fault! Everything is your fault!"
"Back then, you insisted on sending the younger generation to grow up in an ordinary environment to temper them."
"Well! Look at it now! Our daughter has fallen for a commoner. Tell me, what are you going to do about it!"