The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 153. Is it important to be well-matched in social and economic status? (Part 2)

Chapter 153: 153. Is it important to be well-matched in social and economic status? (Part 2)

"They say no one knows a daughter better than her mother, and the reverse is just as true," said Fang Tong once she saw her mom’s expression and guessed what she was thinking. "Actually, we’ve been dating for several years now, but I didn’t tell you earlier because I was afraid you’d say I wasn’t focused on my career."

Fu Fanghua smiled, "Hey, I’m not one of those old-fashioned parents. It’s just dating, what’s there to hide?"

Seeing that her mother truly bore no resentment, Fang Tong also relaxed.

Fang Chengzhi didn’t say much about his daughter dating; he only mentioned, "Tongtong, you should have told Daddy about your boyfriend earlier. Then, Daddy wouldn’t have agreed to Uncle Li’s proposal. Now look at this mess. Uncle Li must think that I’m playing games with him."

Fang Tong felt somewhat guilty and quietly explained, "Actually, I had been planning to find a time recently to tell you and Daddy about him and to bring him over for you to meet. It’s just that before I could, you guys..."

Fang Chengzhi also realized he was at fault, so he didn’t say much more. "It’s all right. I will call Uncle Li later and explain things. I’m sure Uncle Li will understand. But you can’t do this again."

Fang Tong blinked and smiled mischievously, "Definitely won’t happen again."

"Tongtong, what does this boy do?" asked Fu Fanghua.

"He and I are from the same school, in the same year but different majors. He studies computer science, and he’s currently working at Junlan Group. After graduation next year, he will officially sign a contract with Junlan."

Fu Fanghua nodded. Having been admitted to B University proved at least that the boy was intelligent; his educational background was acceptable. Furthermore, being able to stay at Junlan suggested he had good abilities. She looked somewhat pleased and continued, "What does he look like?"

"He is tall and handsome," Fang Tong said, his eyes shining with a smile. "Standing beside your daughter, we look just like a perfect match made in heaven."

Fu Fanghua playfully glared at her, "What girl talks about herself like that? Shameless."

Fang Chengzhi also chuckled. He wasn’t particularly concerned about the boy’s looks. If his high-standard daughter chose him, his appearance surely couldn’t be bad. Since they had been together for several years, his character must also be decent.

"Invite him over sometime," suggested Fang Chengzhi.

Fang Tong nodded, "Okay." School was already on break, but Ding Minghui was still interning, and his company didn’t have early holidays, so he was still in Beijing. She thought about calling him tomorrow to ask when he would be free—the iron is hot for striking after all.

But it was Fu Fanghua who thought of another question, "Tongtong, what does his family do? Are they Beijing folk?"

Fang Tong responded, "He’s from G province, his home is in the countryside."

Fu Fanghua’s smile faded as she exchanged a glance with Fang Chengzhi, asking, "What do his parents do?"

Fang Tong chuckled, "Mom, you’re investigating them."

Fu Fanghua smiled. "I’m just asking casually, after all, when our family marries off a daughter, we need to know what the other party does, right?"

"His parents are just ordinary farmers. They own a few acres of land, and that’s how he managed to afford university," Fang Tong shared the details Ding Minghui had told her. Since her mother asked, she didn’t see it as a secret worth keeping.

Fu Fanghua’s smile completely disappeared, but Fang Tong didn’t notice this as she continued, "Mom and Dad, when are you free recently? I can bring him over for you to meet."

Fu Fanghua had put down her chopsticks, saying slowly, "Tongtong, it’s fine for a young girl to date around, but if you are talking about marriage, social and economic backgrounds should not be too disparityed. If not pair-matched, the difference in each family’s conditions should not be too great, otherwise, marriage will bring plenty of trouble."

Fang Chengzhi didn’t say anything, but he clearly agreed with his wife. He didn’t expect his daughter to marry into a wealthy family, but at least the man should have a house and a car. Although their family wasn’t extremely wealthy, their conditions were perfectly decent, and their daughter had grown up pampered, never having suffered the slightest hardship in terms of clothing, food, housing, or transportation.

Listening to his daughter, it seemed the boy came from a rural background, even struggling to gather funds for university. Given such circumstances, even if he were exceptionally capable, could he really buy an apartment soon in the cost-heavy Beijing? If he couldn’t afford a home, would they expect their precious daughter to live in a rented place, squeezing into buses and subways?

Even if Fang Tong herself was willing, they as parents could not accept it.

The sudden shift in her parents’ attitudes left Fang Tong stunned. She looked at her mother. "Mom, what era are we in that we’re still talking about matching social ranks?"

That was such an outdated notion. Now it was the era of free love; even naked marriages were happening.

Fang Tong’s view was simple; in her eyes, marriage should be about marrying for love, not settling due to material needs. A life like that wasn’t a marriage—it was a grave. And she would rather starve than live a loveless married life.

Seeing Fang Tong’s nonchalance, Fu Fanghua patiently explained, "Tongtong, you’re still young and might not understand. Once you’re married, you’ll get it. Dating is about two people’s mutual affection, but marriage is different. Marriage involves two families. Let’s not talk about other things; tell me, if you marry him, you have to buy a house, right? With his family’s situation, can they afford a house in Beijing?"

"He can’t afford it now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to in the future. He’s very capable at his job, already being recognized by his bosses. In a few years after graduation, he’ll be able to buy a house in Beijing," Fang Tong earnestly tried to speak well of Ding Minghui in front of her parents.

But Fu Fanghua wasn’t convinced, "A few years? Three, five, or ten years? Tongtong, you’re a girl; how many years of your youth can you afford to wait?"

"We could get married first and then buy the house. It’s okay if we start with worse conditions and rent someone else’s place."

So naïve, Fu Fanghua thought, glancing at her husband for him to speak.

Catching his wife’s gaze, Fang Chengzhi spoke after a moment of consideration, "Tongtong, your mom and dad aren’t the kind of people who despise the poor and love the rich, but your mother is right. Marriage isn’t just about the two of you. If it were just about dating, then your mom and dad would absolutely not object. But for marriage, with their family’s conditions, it’s just not possible. It’s not just about financial resources, but also about aligning in mindsets and values."