My Landlord is an Idol Singer - Chapter 176

“Son!”

“Mom, how come you actually have time to call me?” Gu Zhinan chuckled. The last time they’d talked, he had been the one to call home. Back then, Chen Ru only chatted a bit before saying she was busy and didn’t have time for him, leaving Gu Zhinan speechless.

He had originally thought it was enough to just set up a small supermarket for his parents so they could live comfortably. But his mom said his dad was actually enjoying it, constantly hanging around with the shop owner next door, bragging, and even sneaking a few drinks!

Learning bad habits in old age? No way!

Gu Zhinan was shocked. He’d have to find time to go home and give his dad a good talk. His dad, Gu Zhi, never used to drink. And now, just from running a supermarket, he’d gotten into it? Don’t tell him the supermarket’s alcohol stock has been suffering under his dad’s “care!”

“Mom just missed you, is that so wrong? You don’t want me to call you?” Chen Ru sounded a little upset. Gu Zhinan quickly softened his tone.

“Of course I’m happy! I just didn’t expect Mom would take the initiative to call me!”

“That’s more like it. Handsome, how’s life lately? Eating and sleeping on time?”

“Yep, I always eat on time.” Gu Zhinan glossed over the “sleeping on time” part. Exactly what time counted as “on time” anyway?

“Have you found a girlfriend yet? Let Mom see her?”

“???” Mom just dropped the big bomb! Cold sweat ran down Gu Zhinan’s back. “No… I’m still young. Why get a girlfriend so soon?”

“I see.” Chen Ru sighed, then changed her tone, coaxing him like a child.

“Mom could introduce you to a girl. She’s got a great figure, and big up top. Interested?”

“Uhh… what???” Gu Zhinan nearly dropped his phone. He couldn’t believe his mom just said that. Mom, are you sure about this… really that big?

“What’s with the ‘uh’?”

“N-nothing… Mom, are you in a bad mood? Did dad make you mad? Next time I’m home I’ll scold him for you!” That had to be it, Chen Ru was acting way too strange! Last time she only mentioned it casually, and now she wanted to actually set him up?

“Your dad didn’t annoy me. He’s probably hanging out with that new buddy he met next door. Forget him. But I’m serious! I’ve seen the photos, really pretty! And she studied abroad!” The more Chen Ru talked, the more excited she got, and her tone even carried a sly edge.

“So, Handsome? Want to go on a blind date?”

“I can’t go home right now… maybe later? Besides, I’m only 22!” Gu Zhinan didn’t want to reject his mom outright. After all, she meant well.

Chen Ru waved her hand at her husband, who had just returned to the counter, shooing him away so she could keep talking. “22 isn’t young anymore, once your birthday passes, you’ll be 23. I was already tricked into marrying your dad when I was 22! And the girl’s in Hangzhou, really close to you. Just find some time to meet her, treat it like a little trip.”

“….” This felt like a setup. “Mom, where did you even get this match from?”

“Oh, from one of my supermarket regulars. She said she has a daughter studying in Canada, and I said I have a son working outside. One thing led to another, and now, bam, a blind date.”

On the other end, Gu Zhi’s voice came through the phone speaker, full of disdain and a snort. He clearly wasn’t pleased. People date freely these days! Blind dates? Pfft. Still putting on airs, he got smacked on the shoulder by Chen Ru. “Go, go, go, go clean the shelves!”

“Tch!”

“…” Hearing his dad’s attitude, Gu Zhinan broke out in a cold sweat. Nervously, he stammered, “Mom… are you sure she’s, uh… big?”

“Of course! Great figure. I’ll send you her photo later. Oh, and I already showed her mom your photo. You should find time in the next couple of days to meet her in Hangzhou.” Chen Ru sounded like she knew exactly what he was thinking.

“Uh…” But in three days, he was supposed to appear on Masked Singer! “When?”

“The day after tomorrow, around noon.” Chen Ru added, “If you don’t have time, you can delay it.”

“No need! The day after tomorrow’s fine!” Gu Zhinan rushed to agree. No way he was dragging it out. Better to get it over with, just meet her, check if she really was “big,” and then say goodbye!

“Alright! I’ll tell her mom.” Chen Ru nodded. After a pause, she said softly, “You won’t blame mom for arranging this, will you? Honestly, it was just a chance. I casually mentioned you, and it turned into this.”

Gu Zhinan sighed and muttered, “How could I blame you? You just want your son to find a big-chested wife, right?”

“Not just that! She has to treat you well too!” Chen Ru quickly added, afraid her son would be blinded by looks. “Listen, son, not every pretty woman is a good person! You need to be careful, don’t get tricked by a pretty face!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m almost immune to pretty women by now. Anyway, no one’s prettier than—oh, never mind, I’m busy, I’ll go!” He suddenly cut himself off, leaving Chen Ru confused, but she assumed he really was busy.

“Alright then. Remember to come home for your birthday, mom will celebrate it for you. I’ll send you the girl’s photo later, and I’ll ask her mom how best to get in touch.”

“Okay, thanks, beautiful.”

“You’re welcome!” Chen Ru hung up, cheerful.

Meanwhile, Gu Zhi came back after tidying the shelves, still doubtful. “You really think Zhinan has a chance with that girl?”

“Why not?” Chen Ru snorted.

“She’s got a master’s from Canada, back in Hangzhou working as a corporate executive, bright future ahead. Why would she like your son?”

“What’s wrong with my son? Did you forget that he gave you a million from his writing royalties?” Chen Ru snapped.

“Don’t tell me you told them he makes a million a month from novels!” Gu Zhi looked at her in shock, worried she really might have.

“Of course not. I just said he’s a writer, makes several hundred thousand a year, and he funded this supermarket. That’s enough.” Chen Ru wasn’t stupid. You don’t reveal everything to strangers.

“That’s fine then. Just a little lower than their family’s finances.” Gu Zhi nodded. Chen Ru blinked in surprise and asked how he even knew their financial situation. Turns out, Gu Zhi proudly admitted he’d been hanging around that family’s neighborhood recently, chatting with locals until he pried the info out of them.

Chen Ru was dumbfounded. So her husband already knew their background inside out, while she was still calling that woman her “sister” without a clue? “If her personality’s good, fine. But if she’s not, then even if she’s gorgeous, I won’t let our son suffer.”

Leaving those words, Gu Zhi snatched a bottle of liquor from the shelf and walked out.