Chapter 332: Unexpected Family Talk

Because you two, Mom and Dad, reminded me about this earlier, and today’s situation was inevitable anyway, so it’s not a surprise for me.

Lin Xiao Li thought to herself that Zheng Ran was just being Zheng Ran.

He didn’t think like ordinary people at all.

Lin Xiao Li rarely got serious, sitting up straight with a stern gaze: “So, Zheng Ran, you’re really sure you want to date four girlfriends at the same time? To be with all of them together?”

Dad, Lin Ying Jun, stayed quiet in the background because today’s events had caught even him, as a father, completely off guard.

When his wife first told him about their son having four girlfriends, it stunned him for half an hour.

Such things were just stories he’d heard about; seeing it happen in real life with his own son was a first.

And the person involved was his own flesh and blood.

If word got out, it would be unthinkable.

Lin Zheng Ran knew his mom was serious today, so he answered solemnly: “Yes, I’m sure.”

Lin Xiao Li frowned and turned to the four sitting nearby: “Xiao Qingqing, Wen Wen, Lily, and Jingshi, you all know about this, right? And you’re all okay with it? Willing to let Zheng Ran be so flirtatious?”

The four women blushed and nodded slowly, staying silent.

Lin Ying Jun marveled at how much charm his son had…

Especially Jingshi, the eldest daughter of the Jiang Family, a true goddess in the eyes of countless young people, yet here she was, allowing his son to do this…

Lin Xiao Li looked serious as she glanced back at her husband.

Then she continued: “Zheng Ran, you’re not a kid anymore, and in many ways, you know more than your dad and I do. You’ve already built a successful career at a young age, but you can’t treat girls like this. You have to be true and devoted to your girlfriends.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Mom, I’m genuine with all of them. Ever since we got together, I’ve treated them seriously, not playing around or thinking of leaving them.”

The four women nodded again.

Lin Xiao Li was baffled: “How can you say you’re not playing around when you’re dating four girlfriends? And they’re nodding along!”

She went on, surprised: “Besides, a person can only love one other person—that’s ingrained in human nature. Modern society doesn’t allow this kind of thing.”

“I know that’s the norm, but I’m not normal in this way. I really like more than one, and it’s not illegal—it’s just that we can’t get married officially, but we can still be together.”

“Not being able to get married—isn’t that a huge issue?” She looked at the four women again:

“I can overlook Zheng Ran having such flaky ideas, but why are you four okay with it? Why don’t you care? Isn’t this just messing with emotions? You won’t be able to marry in the end.”

Heqing looked up innocently: “Auntie, Lin Zheng Ran has never deceived us. He’s always been honest with us.”

The other three nodded.

Han Wenwen spoke up:

“And we all agree that a marriage certificate is just a piece of paper. What matters is the bond between people—it doesn’t break because of paper, and it doesn’t last just because of it. So, it’s not important. Brother Zheng Ran can still be with us without it.”

Lin Xiao Li grew even more astonished:

“Wait, hold on!” She waved her hand: “Forget the certificate for now! Xiao Qingqing, what did you mean earlier? Does that mean Zheng Ran told you from the start that he wanted to date several people? That he was upfront about it?”

Heqing said shyly: “Yes, he was straightforward. When we were about to get together, he asked if I could handle him dating two, because he also liked Lily. That’s how he confessed, and I agreed.”

“Huh? I don’t get it.”

Lily clenched her fist proudly: “He’s not lying. That’s exactly what happened. Zheng Ran told me before we were official that he wanted to date two at once, and I agreed, so that’s how it started.”

Lin Ying Jun was stunned and chimed in with his wife: “What about you, Wen Wen? Was it the same for you?”

Han Wenwen smiled: “Uncle and Auntie, by the time Zheng Ran and I got close, he was already with Xiao Qingqing and Lily, so I knew from the beginning.”

Jiang Jingshi added: “He asked me directly if I could handle him dating four, and I said yes.”

Lin Xiao Li was at a loss for words:

“Am I getting too old? Auntie just can’t understand how you girls think. Since you all really like Zheng Ran,

you shouldn’t even consider letting him like others. Wouldn’t you feel that way? Rivals in love can’t get along peacefully, right?”

Han Wenwen bit her lip and smiled:

“Actually, Uncle and Auntie, at first, we all wanted Zheng Ran all to ourselves and didn’t agree right away. But after going through so much together, that’s how we ended up here.”

Lily balled her fists: “We didn’t just jump into this. We thought it over carefully. Even though Zheng Ran’s a bit of a flirt, we’re all okay being his girlfriends at the same time!”

She added quietly: “As for getting along, there might be jealousy now and then, but even if Zheng Ran only dated one, that’d still happen, right?”

Lin Xiao Li suddenly stood up, speaking from an adult’s perspective:

“You four are being so foolish! Xiao Qingqing, Wen Wen, Lily—I’ve watched you grow up. And Jingshi, though we’ve only known each other a short time, I like you too. That’s why I’m truly thinking about your futures!”

She pressed a hand to her chest and said firmly: “As a mom, I shouldn’t doubt Zheng Ran, but how can you all trust him so completely without even a marriage certificate? Just blindly believe in him?!”

The four women looked at Lin Xiao Li standing there, glanced at each other, and then all stood up.

Heqing: “I believe in Lin Zheng Ran. I’ve always believed in him since we were kids.”

Lily: “I believe in him too. There’s no one more reliable in this world. If we can’t trust Zheng Ran, what good is a marriage certificate?”

Han Wenwen: “In this world, only Brother Zheng Ran is someone I’ve never doubted.”

Jiang Jingshi: “Auntie, if there was any doubt from the start, Zheng Ran and I wouldn’t be here today—not just in our relationship, but even with Zheng Shi Company. Any suspicion would have ended it.”

Their determined looks left Lin Xiao Li speechless for a moment.

Lin Zheng Ran stood up too, positioning himself in front of them like a steadfast anchor:

“Mom and Dad, I know this is hard for you to accept right away, but I’ve known these four for a long time—not just a day or two. Even Jingshi and I have been acquainted for nearly four years.

You should be able to see that if the five of us being together was a mistake or if there was any doubt in our feelings, we’d have gone our separate ways by now. Instead, here we all are, standing together.”