Luo Bisheng's Adam's apple bobbed.
"You're not suitable." Those words landed heavily on the table, sending a ripple across the coffee in the cup.
He did not lower his head.
Cheng Huan's father looked at him, and he looked back. Coffee and desserts separated them. On the surface, they were still civil enough, but their eyes were full of hostility.
Wang Xiaoliang sat up straight.
He nearly blurted out-What makes him unsuitable?
But he swallowed the words.
The tendons in Luo Bisheng's neck stood taut, his chin jutting slightly forward. He looked tough. But beneath the table, his hands were clenched on his knees, his fingertips white.
I can't fight back for him. I need to let her father lay everything out. Then I can dismantle it point by point.
"Sir, what do you think makes him unsuitable?" Wang Xiaoliang kept his tone level. "Tell us. Whatever we can change, we'll change. Bisheng has tremendous potential to grow."
Cheng Huan's father set down his cup. Its base clinked against the saucer.
"You can't change it."
"How do you know if you won't tell us?"
"Family background, education, looks."
Three terms, without so much as a breath between them.
"You tell me how you're going to change those."
Wang Xiaoliang did not rush to respond.
Cheng Huan's father continued.
"Huanhuan's mother and I have worked at a central state-owned enterprise for thirty years. Stable jobs, a comfortable life. Huanhuan has never wanted for anything growing up."
This was about their comfortable family circumstances.
He turned to Luo Bisheng.
"And you? I hear you started working as soon as you entered college. Stopped asking your family for money in your third year. I don't need to ask any more about your circumstances, do I?"
The corner of Luo Bisheng's mouth twitched.
"That's