Page 19 of How to Avoid a Billionaire

Ryder bowed as well. “Hen gaoxìng rènshì ni.”

Her mother clapped. “Perfect pronunciation. It’s good to meet you too, Ryder. Come inside, please.”

They headed into the living room, and Melanie sighed in relief. The first hurdle had been passed. As her father and Ryder moved ahead, her mother hooked her arm with Melanie’s. “He’s cute, sweetheart. Is he your boyfriend?”

Melanie didn’t get a chance to answer because a small sound from her father sent her mother scurrying off to get tea. She returned a few minutes later, and Melanie poured for everyone. Ryder accepted his. He waited for Melanie’s father to encourage him to drink and took a sip. A second later, the questions began.

“How old are you, Mr. Neyland?” her father asked.

Melanie suppressed a groan.

“Thirty-five, Mr. Cai, and please call me Ryder.”

“And how much money do you make?”

“Bà ba!” Melanie squeaked.

Somehow, Ryder deflected her father’s innate curiosity and penchant for asking whatever popped into his head. Ryder impressed her by offering the fruit basket to her parents using both hands and in complimenting them on the house and her mother’s outfit. Soon they sat around the table on their knees, and Melanie peeked over at Ryder to see him deftly using chopsticks without a problem.

“Báijiu,” her dad called, and her mother brought in the alcohol. She set the small ceramic container next to Melanie’s dad and added four shot glasses. Her dad poured for each of them, and Melanie, her mother, and Ryder waited for her father to offer a toast. He raised his glass, and they imitated him. “Suíyì!”

Melanie wondered if her dad used this toast because he thought Ryder might not like the alcohol so he didn’t need to drink all of it in one gulp. Ryder did anyway. Her dad poured more, and this time Ryder raised his glass. His eyes twinkled as he glanced at Melanie and then back at her dad. “Wàn shòu wú jiang.”

Longevity and health. This man is good. He’s definitely getting some tonight.

Her dad nodded his approval. Eventually, they were able to say their good-byes, and Melanie promised to visit again soon. Her dad insisted she bring Ryder, which meant he liked him.

“So?” Ryder asked when they were on the road.

She rolled her eyes at him, suppressing a grin. “You did all right.”

He chuckled and tapped her nose. She ducked away.

“Are you fluent in Mandarin?”

“No, I know the basics to get by.”

“You seemed to follow him pretty well.”

“I could guess a lot at the beginning when he spoke too fast. You might remember he switched to English early on.”

“Yeah, that’s when you convinced him you weren’t a bai chi.” When Ryder looked stumped, she grinned. “An idiot.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Song.”

She glanced at him, and he touched her face. Her heart skipped a beat.

“That’s what your dad called you.”

“It’s my middle name.”

“It’s beautiful, like you.”

She looked away. Letting him get too deep inside her would be a mistake, and yet it felt like tonight she’d done just that. What she meant to be a sort of payback had backfired. “Do you want to come over tonight?”

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