Meeting the Parents (Romance Plot)

While stock market investors and business owners across Japan were struggling with this unprecedented stock market crash, Nakayama Takuya stood leisurely at the international arrivals gate of Haneda Airport, frequently glancing at the flight information board.

On television news, analysts with somber expressions dissected the plummeting Nikkei Index, and the atmosphere on the streets was also gloomy.

But all of this seemed to have nothing to do with him.

With the China New Year approaching, the production team of Nakagawa Eri, who traveled to the other side of the strait to film "Cooking Master Boy," has finally returned to Tokyo in full force.

Not long after, a figure appeared in the crowd at the exit that caught Takuya's eye.

Eri was wearing a smart beige trench coat, pulling a suitcase, and looked slightly tired.

The moment she looked up and saw Takuya, the professional composure on her face was instantly melted away by a pure joy.

She quickly said a few words to her colleagues, then almost ran to Takuya, like a fledgling returning to its nest.

"Bang.

With a soft sound, Eri, carrying the dust of her journey and a long-lost fragrance, bumped into Takuya's arms.

Takuya took the suitcase from her hands and gently ruffled her hair with his other hand, enjoying the soft touch.

Welcome back.

His voice was deep and gentle, enough to soothe the weariness of the journey.

"Yes, I'm back."

Eri buried her face in his chest, gave a muffled reply, and greedily inhaled the reassuring scent emanating from him.

"Are you able to eat well in China? You've lost weight." Takuya stroked her back, his voice full of concern.

"No, there's so much more delicious food there than just what's in ' Cooking Master Boy.' It's just that the effect might not be as good in the show, so we didn't include it." Eri looked up, her eyes curving into crescents. "And the production is going much smoother. The people at China TV seem to have figured out the trick, and their coordination efficiency has improved a lot. We completed the filming of five episodes ahead of schedule in just three weeks. We also trained a group of local TV station staff, so next time we go, we can directly hand over the lighting and script supervisor positions to them, saving us some expenses."

She shared her achievements with great enthusiasm, and the gleam in her eyes brought Takuya more satisfaction than any number in a business plan.

"Wow, that's amazing! Looks like my Eri is already a top-notch producer who can stand on her own." Takuya chuckled and pinched her cheek.

"Hmph! Of course!" Eri along with his antics, giving a smug hum twice.

After Eri off at her doorstep, Takuya extended an invitation. "Come to my house for dinner tomorrow. My mom—ever since watching your first episode..."

I've been reciting it ever since.

"Huh? Won't that be too much of a bother?" Eri's tone was noticeably more nervous.

"If she finds out you're back and I didn't bring you back, I'll be the one getting in the way," Takuya joked.

The next day at noon, Eri, carrying a carefully selected gift, rang the doorbell of the Nakayama family's main residence with some trepidation.

The person who opened the door was Nakayama Miyuki.

"Oh! Eri- chan! You've finally arrived!"

The moment Nakayama Miyuki saw Eri, her eyes crinkled into slits with laughter. She grabbed Eri's hand, her enthusiasm making Eri feel a little overwhelmed.

"Come in, come in, it's cold outside. Is China? Are the conditions there very bad? Have you been bullied?"

A barrage of questions forced Eri to keep her composure as she was being led inside, replying politely, "Hello, Auntie, no, no, everyone has been very kind to me, everything is going smoothly."

In the living room, Nakayama Hayao was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. Hearing the noise, he looked up, and his eyes softened instantly when he saw Eri.

She handed over the carefully prepared gift.

Nakayama Miyuki received a Suzhou embroidery scarf, while Nakayama Atsuo received a set of top-quality West Lake Longjing tea.

What was given to Takuya was a small boxwood pendant carved with auspicious beasts.

"Auntie's embroidery was purchased during filming in Suzhou when she made a special trip to visit an embroiderer. Uncle's tea was a gift from a friend at a local tea factory in Hangzhou when we were filming there."

This gift was presented with great skill, clearly indicating its origin while also appearing sincere and unpretentious.

Nakayama Miyuki stroked the delicate embroidery on the scarf, admiring it dearly, but playfully scolded, "You came all this way, why bring a gift? It's too formal."

Even the usually stern and unsmiling president, Nakayama Hayao, showed a hint of approval in his eyes when he saw the simply packaged tea box, clearly quite satisfied with his well-educated and reasonable prospective daughter-in-law.

On the dining table was a lavish spread of dishes prepared by Nakayama Miyuki, almost covering the entire table.

She kept putting food on Eri's plate and enthusiastically recounted Takuya's childhood taste preferences, as if Eri were the mistress of the house.

After the meal, the real "test" was just beginning.

Nakayama Miyuki enthusiastically pulled Eri to sit on the living room sofa, and pulled out a thick photo album from somewhere.

"Eri, come here, Auntie will show you some stories about Takuya when he was little!"

Takuya, felt a chill run down his spine and sensed something was wrong. He quickly let out a desperate protest.

"Mom, let's not bring up those old stories anymore---"

Nakayama Miyuki completely ignored him, flipped to the first page of the photo album, and pointed to a photo that had already yellowed.

"Look at this picture. When he was five, he insisted on wearing my high heels, and he fell flat on his face in the hallway, crying so hard that snot bubbles were coming out of his nose."

"Pfft..." Eri looked at the little boy in the photo, wearing women's high heels and crying with his face flushed red. She couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand and laugh, her shoulders shaking.

Takuya rubbed his forehead, feeling his image was rapidly spiraling out of control.

"Auntie, Takuya was so cute when he was little."

"And this one too!" Nakayama Miyuki seemed to have found a kindred spirit, her interest rising even higher. She turned to another page. "At the elementary school opening ceremony, he insisted on going on stage to sing, but he got so nervous that he forgot all the lyrics. He stood there dumbfounded for three minutes, and everyone below burst out laughing."

Eri looked at the photos of those "unbearable" past events, covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes curving into crescents, occasionally glancing at Takuya who looked utterly hopeless beside her.

Takuya could only helplessly rub his forehead, completely giving up resistance and letting his mother reveal his dark past one by one.

The prospective mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were so engrossed in their conversation that Takuya, the person directly involved, felt like an outsider.

Nakayama Hayao was standing nearby, took out the box of tea that Eri had given him and brewed a pot of tea.

Savoring this Longjing tea, a rare find in Tokyo, Nakayama Hayao felt even more approval for his future daughter-in-law.

They chatted until evening before Eri prepared to leave, amidst Nakayama Miyuki's reluctant gaze.

Takuya escorted her to the door. Eri stopped, turned around to look at him, and blushed slightly.

"My mom watched the show too, and she really liked it. She kept praising me for being so clever." She paused, as if gathering her courage, "I'll be in Tokyo for the next few days. Would you like to come over for a visit? My dad would like to meet you too."

Takuya felt a warmth in his heart; he knew this was the most formal invitation he could receive.

He looked into Eri's expectant eyes and nodded with a smile.

"Of course. Please give my regards to your uncle and aunt; I'll pay them a visit tomorrow."