"Hey young man, what's your name?"
Zhu Yuan's father forced a polite smile as he asked.
"My name's Sol Mercer. Folks in the business give me face and call me Sir Sol," Sol waved his hand with good manners, adding, "But since you're Zhu Yuan's father and my elder, just call me Brother Sol."
"Haha, heh..." Zhu Yuan's father gave two dry laughs, the muscles on his face twitching slightly. "Young man, you're quite the comedian..."
He was already numb. Business? Sir Sol?
Did Zhu Yuan find herself a gang boss?!
Is that even an appropriate career?
Are you sure she didn't meet him because she arrested him first?
Zhu Yuan's father's stern eyes locked on his daughter, a faint killing intent glinting within them.
"Ahem~" Qingyi could barely hold back her laughter, her cheeks puffing up as the tea she'd just drunk almost sprayed out.
Zhu Yuan felt completely guilty, not daring to meet her father's murderous gaze or her mother's probing eyes.
Zhu Yuan's mother took a deep breath, calming her nerves before saying to Sol, "So, young man, where do you work?"
Sol coughed lightly and replied in a calm tone, "Me? I'm a part-time ACE Investigator with the Hollow Investigative Association. My main job is serving as the deputy of the Cunning Hares agency. You can check my record—it's all S-class cleared."
Zhu Yuan's parents exchanged a glance—he did look familiar. They'd seen him twice before in the news.
Once, in a hot headline about an ACE Investigator that ran for two straight days.
And another time, in a report about Canvas Street—where Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and this Sol had rescued the residents together.
Indeed, just as Sol said, his record was verifiable and his ability outstanding.
But compared to the handsome young man in the news, the killer-cowboy look before them was such a contrast that it took them a moment to connect the dots.
"I know your deeds," Zhu Yuan's mother said, her tone softening. "You're quite famous—you've helped a lot of people!"
Instantly, the tone of both parents relaxed.
Annoying as this young man was, Sol truly had skill—and he got things done.
"..."
Zhu Yuan tugged on Sol's sleeve nervously. This isn't how we planned it!
Sol brushed her hand away impatiently and scolded, "I'm talking to my father-in-law and mother-in-law. If you want to hold hands, wait a bit."
Zhu Yuan's face flushed red, her hand snapping back as if shocked by electricity. That's not what I meant!
"Heh heh."
Her parents chuckled, watching the two flirt, their irritation fading a little.
But then, Sol turned back to them and continued calmly, "Honestly, I'm not that capable. I just handle both the black and white sides of the business. Recently, I sent a few arms dealers to the station."
The parents' lingering smiles froze. Her father cautiously asked, "When you say arms dealers, you mean...?"
Sol said casually, "The same ones Zhu Yuan and little Qingyi caught a few days ago—about ten of them. The three of us, as husband and wife, worked together and easily took down those small fries."
"Tss!"
Zhu Yuan shuddered at the term, goosebumps rising all over her arms.
Qingyi's legs began to tremble too; she'd been laughing before, but now she was suffering just as much.
"..."
Zhu Yuan's father fell into stunned silence.
So, his daughter's recent great achievement was actually connected to Sol.
The danger they'd been so worried about—it was brought by Sol.
And could someone please explain what he meant by husband and wife—three of us?
Just when he had begun to warm up to Sol because of his ability and record, his heart went cold again.
"Uh... Miss Qingyi is a Public Security officer, right? And she looks... quite young..."
Zhu Yuan's father spoke with forced politeness.
Even that tiny Intelligent Construct? This man's got to have some perversion.
"Small but cute—I don't mind."
Sol clasped Qingyi's delicate hand affectionately, right in front of Zhu Yuan's parents.
"That's not what I meant..."
Zhu Yuan's father looked skyward, utterly defeated.
"Ahem." Qingyi cleared her throat, her eyes brimming with affection as she turned to Sol, her acting on full display. "Even though I'm an Intelligent Construct, I still have the right to pursue love. Sol, Zhu Yuan, and I will live happily together."
"That's right, exactly," Zhu Yuan said quickly, nodding despite her flushed cheeks. "It's just that you two never pressured me before, so I couldn't make up my mind. But since you're urging me now, I think living with Sol and Senior Qingyi wouldn't be bad at all."
Zhu Yuan's parents' vision darkened. So, this is our fault now?!
"And Sol said he has several beautiful sisters outside too. It should be lively with everyone living together, right?"
Zhu Yuan's eyes sparkled with nervous excitement—her acting clearly not on the same level as Qingyi and Sol.
Her parents, already dazed, only caught the key words: several beautiful sisters.
Could anything good come from that?
Forget morality or legality for a moment—how would they even schedule that? And would those women really treat their daughter kindly?
Zhu Yuan's father recalled all those trashy romance dramas he'd watched with his wife, and his stomach began to ache.
Just imagining his beloved daughter being neglected or bullied by other women made his heart break.
"Don't worry," Sol said, holding Qingyi's hand with one and Zhu Yuan's with the other, speaking with heartfelt sincerity. "No matter how many women there are, I'll treat you all equally. But for now, I don't want any children. If one comes along, it'll have to be aborted."
"No problem, I understand. Children are accidents—parents are true love!"
Desperate to escape this arranged date, Zhu Yuan threw all hesitation aside.
"Sol, you don't have to say that," Qingyi said tearfully, her voice trembling with emotion. "I know it's because I can't have children that you said it. You're such a good man. I don't need children to prove my place—because I know I'm more important to you than Zhu Yuan!"
Absurd!
Zhu Yuan's parents stared wide-eyed, completely dumbfounded.
In front of them, it was all abortions and love quarrels—what would it be like behind their backs?!
What kind of "good man" is this? Even if Sol were a capable beast, he still couldn't treat their daughter like this!
Zhu Yuan's father couldn't take it anymore. He was afraid he might commit a crime if this went on. "Zhu Yuan, I think you're still too young. Maybe we should reconsider the matchmaking..."
Zhu Yuan's eyes lit up, excitement bubbling inside her.
With Sol and Qingyi on her side, things were going perfectly.
Could it be that in less than thirty minutes, the matchmaking disaster that plagued her might finally be canceled?