Cheng Zhirang paused for two seconds, then still calmly and steadily said, "I’m an actor, a public figure exposed to the cameras. Privacy in life is a tricky, long-discussed issue in the entertainment industry. I’m sorry that I genuinely cannot change this big direction for now.

However, many fans are rational, and they won’t excessively focus on our lives. Only those who are not very rational, like paparazzi, would take some misleading headlines and use our photos to hype things up. As long as we have a clear conscience, no matter how much they hype, it won’t affect us.

Also, if she and I had met and started dating under normal circumstances, then I could still protect her. But we met and fell in love on a show, in front of a national audience, so the attention is bound to be high, and it’s impossible to have a completely invisible relationship.

Sorry, Uncle, this matter can only be avoided as much as possible. If you need me to promise it won’t happen again... I can’t promise that for now."

Mu Zhi knew this issue is unsolvable in today’s entertainment industry and wasn’t intentionally making things difficult for him. Seeing him carefully ponder before speaking, with speech calm and organized, made him half satisfied.

But at the same time, there was still half the worry.

The age difference between him and Mu Qiu is slightly large, and he’s so calm, his emotions are not easily seen. Such a person is difficult to handle, and Mu Qiu might not be able to hold him down.

"Since you can’t guarantee that, then..."

Before he could finish, Mu Qiu furrowed her brows and interrupted, "Dad, he’s just here for a meal. Why are you asking so deeply? It’s not like we’re getting married, you don’t need to interrogate so thoroughly."

Seeing a guy walking with her and can’t help but interrogate, even about genetic disease history; this habit of her dad’s is really not good.

Mu Zhi let out a typical elder’s reproving "tsk" sound, just about to speak, when Cheng Zhirang cut him off again, speaking first.

"It’s okay, it’s normal. Uncle wants to ask, so he should. Not asking would make one nervous."

If her dad really followed her words and didn’t ask, wouldn’t that be worse? He’d just be a stranger here for a meal.

Mu Qiu pouted and boldly spoke without hesitation, "What, you want to get married?"

Cheng Zhirang paused, the hand on his leg slightly moved.

Mu Zhi directly patted her, "How are you talking?! What’s all this about marriage, do you even know what shame is? Forget it, you better go help your mom in the kitchen! Quickly!"

"Oh." She was driven to the kitchen again, to listen to Yuan Chun’s lecture.

But because of what she just said, Mu Zhi didn’t bring up in-depth topics again like before, instead steered the conversation towards hobbies and work of both parties.

It really turned into a casual chat.

This time, Cheng Zhirang took the initiative to bring up deeper topics.

He smiled warmly and, pretending to be inadvertent, asked, "Uncle and Auntie, are you planning to stay in Hai City for a few days? If you’re not too busy, my parents would like to invite you to our home for a meal."

Mu Zhi paused in his action of holding the teacup: "You informed your parents of our visit?"

"It’s just that when Qiuqiu called me, I happened to be with my parents, but considering that inviting without preparing isn’t good, so they wanted to find a time within these two days to invite you over for a meal."

His words are easily believable, and there’s no need to lie about such a matter. Mu Zhi had no reason not to believe it, and he already started contemplating the real significance of this meal.

Cheng Zhirang maintained a sincere and gentle tone throughout, leaving ample time for him to consider, unaffected even if he received a polite refusal.

"There’s really no need for the meal. You’re just dating. Today, having you over was simply to see what Qiuqiu’s boyfriend is like. Thank you for taking care of Qiuqiu during this time, there’s no other meaning. Us going over also isn’t necessary."

"Just like your thoughts, Uncle, my parents also just want to meet Qiuqiu again, they very much want to invite you all to sit down for a meal. After all, we’re in a relationship, it’s good to know each other. And don’t worry, Uncle, the meal will be at my place, not my parents’ place, and no paparazzi can take photos."

Mu Zhi said nothing, lowered his head in thought.

His and Mu Qiu’s little habits are the same, after all, they are father and daughter, and they often have the same reactions.

For example, when Mu Qiu encounters something she can’t decide on immediately, she likes to lower her head and sort it out clearly. Once she’s thought it through, what she says then is set in stone and can’t be changed.

If you want to change her mind, you can only do it during this period of contemplation and guide if necessary.

His gaze flickered, and he lowered his voice to add, "Uncle, you can’t come here and not let us show some hospitality, can you? That wouldn’t be polite. My parents just asked if there’s any particular local dish you want to try."

That seems right too, give and take, it’s reciprocity. They invited Cheng Zhirang over for a meal, and the other side wants to invite them in return, that’s the style of people who pay attention to etiquette.

This is a form of respect.

"Alright then, if I’d known you were with your parents, I should’ve invited them over as well." There’s no point in specifying only one person to come, needlessly offending people.

Mu Zhi sipped his tea and said, "We’re only here for two or three days, so tomorrow then. Please pass on my regards to your parents for the trouble."

"Then tomorrow night it is. Uncle and Auntie can have a relaxed morning, and I’ll come to pick you up around 4 PM. By the way, Uncle, is there anything you and Auntie don’t eat?"

"No, there isn’t."

Cheng Zhirang smiled, "Then I’ll have my mom prepare some local Hai City dishes for you to try, Qiuqiu quite likes a few of them."

Mu Zhi nodded.

And so, without the parents of the Cheng family and Mu Qiu knowing, the two decided on a meeting of both sets of parents for the next evening.

After chatting a little more, Cheng Zhirang received a phone call, apologized to Mu Zhi, and went to the floor-to-ceiling window to answer.

It was Assistant Liang calling, saying someone online had posted candid photos and recordings from last night with Qing Rong in the parking lot, and the buzz was rising. He glanced at the set of photos, two of which showed Mu Qiu wearing Qing Rong’s hat, with her face not clearly visible.

There were also a few photos of him standing face to face with Qing Rong, with a smile on his face.

As for the recording, he listened to the full version, only the sentence about Mu Qiu and Qing Rong talking about typing was slightly clear, the earlier sounds couldn’t be made out even when amplified, likely due to the person secretly recording being far away, and their voices low, so nothing was captured.

The rise in buzz is normal, just unsure if it’s a normal rise, or if someone is pushing it behind the scenes.

He told Assistant Liang to keep a close watch, and if anyone is found trying to add fuel to the fire, to directly find dirt on them to publish.

He was in no mood to deal with this now.