Chapter 27

He Cheng’an took over twenty minutes to resolve everything.

Not only did they refund the entire amount for their stay, but the hotel manager personally came over to apologize to Lu Yun.

In the end, they arranged a car to take Lu Yun and He Cheng’an back.

Zhang Hao was just about to take a break when he heard some commotion outside in the yard.

A young man, not afraid, walked directly over and was surprised to see He Cheng’an coming back with Lu Yun. He paused for a moment, then quickly called out, “Sister-in-law!” After that, without needing He Cheng’an’s help, he began to tidy up the somewhat messy room.

Zhang Hao said, “Sister-in-law, it’s not usually like this around here. We’ve just been too busy lately and haven’t had time to clean up. It looks a bit messy; please, sit down, and I’ll tidy up in no time.”

He worked efficiently, and while he was busy, he remembered to bring out the leftover oranges for Lu Yun to eat.

He Cheng’an comforted Lu Yun and said, “I’ll go tidy up my room. You’ll stay in my room tonight, and I’ll sleep with Zhang Hao. The two rooms are just in front and behind each other, and the soundproofing isn’t great here. If you need anything, just call me, and I’ll hear you.”

Even though it was a strange place in the provincial city, a strange accommodation without a television or heating, Lu Yun felt at ease. Perhaps it was because this was He Cheng’an’s place, or maybe it was simply because he was there.

Lu Yun sat at the table, holding an uneaten orange, looking around at the signs of He Cheng’an’s life in this space.

He Cheng’an added some coal to ensure it was warm before he went inside to clean up.

By the time Zhang Hao finished his tasks, He Cheng’an still hadn’t come out.

When Lu Yun gently pushed the door open and entered, He Cheng’an was changing the bed linens. A fresh scent of soap filled the room.

He Cheng’an was always alert; when Lu Yun pushed the door open, he stopped his movements to look over.

The room had been swept, and even the table had been wiped down. There was a slight chill in the air, likely because He Cheng’an had just opened the window for ventilation when he came in.

Lu Yun said, “Let me help you change the duvet cover.”

He Cheng’an smiled and said, “It’s still a bit cold in the room. I can manage on my own, just wait outside; it’s warmer there. If you want anything, just tell Zhang Hao.”

He added, “These chores aren’t troublesome.”

That night, Lu Yun thought she would be unable to sleep, but lying in He Cheng’an’s bed, holding the thermos he had prepared for her, she soon fell into a drowsy slumber. After a long day, she was indeed quite tired.

He Cheng’an stood outside against the wall, gazing at the starry night sky. Perhaps it was because it had just rained, the stars seemed to twinkle more brightly than usual.

Hearing no movement inside the room, he went to Zhang Hao’s room, planning to squeeze in with him for the night.

After pouring He Cheng’an a cup of hot water, Zhang Hao asked, “What happened? I thought you were going to stay with my sister-in-law? How come you came back together?”

He Cheng’an recounted the events, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he said, “She said I work hard for my money, and I have to refund it.”

—o—o—o—

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Zhang Hao woke up and prepared to get out of bed. He Cheng’an told him to keep the noise down in the yard before putting on a thick coat and heading out with some money.

At the convenience store, He Cheng’an bought a toothbrush, a cup, a new towel, a ceramic basin, and soap. The towel was pink, the basin was red, and the soap had a lemon scent.

Then, he bought some motion sickness pills, hawthorn, and candy from the store. Feeling that it wasn’t enough, he also picked up some licorice soda, worried that Lu Yun might get carsick and would need something to help her feel better during the ride.

After leaving the convenience store, He Cheng’an carried his purchases to buy breakfast. He got mung bean porridge and soup dumplings, along with some fried dough sticks and savory pancakes, and he didn’t forget to grab some pickled vegetables to go with the meal.

Lu Yun slept soundly, and when she woke up, she lay in bed drowsily, only realizing what had happened the day before when she opened her eyes. After getting up and dressing, she stepped outside.

Zhang Hao finally dared to act normally, saying, “Sister-in-law, you’re awake!”

Lu Yun nodded, recalling that it was Friday, likely due to the recent routine of working. However, she remembered that she had called home yesterday. They probably knew she wouldn’t be going back and would help her take leave, or Sister Sun might have noticed her absence from work and would help too.

Once she figured it out, Lu Yun felt reassured.

He Cheng’an had washed the ceramic basin before pouring cool water into it for Lu Yun. He then started adding hot water from the kettle on the stove, getting the temperature just right.

He also filled the cup with water using the same method and squeezed some toothpaste onto Lu Yun’s toothbrush.

Standing by, He Cheng’an used the warm water to wash Lu Yun’s towel. “Tomorrow is the weekend, so there’s no rush to go back, but your family must be anxious. After breakfast, I’ll take you to the bus station. You should be able to reach the county town before noon.”

Seeing Lu Yun finish washing up, he quickly wrung out the towel. His strength was considerable, so the towel came out half-dry and warm, making it perfect for drying her face.

Lu Yun suddenly asked, “He Cheng’an, don’t you think I’m a hassle?”

He Cheng’an thought he must have said something wrong and replayed his earlier words in his mind. He earnestly explained, “I didn’t mean to suggest you should go back right after breakfast. I’m just worried your family will be too worried.”

He was also worried that they might dislike him because of this, but he didn’t voice that concern.

He continued, “I can go with you to make a call back home, and in the afternoon, I can accompany you to the bus station too. I’ve never thought you were a hassle, not at all.”

Lu Yun smiled lightly. “Hurry up and wash the towel; it’s time for breakfast.”

Compared to Lu Yun’s explanation, having He Cheng’an wash the towel made him feel more at ease.

He Cheng’an replied, “Okay, I’ll wash it now.”

With that, he placed the towel into the basin and began washing it.

—o—o—o—

In the 1980s, it was common for people to bring their own breakfast items, such as soy milk in thermoses or steamed buns and fried dough sticks in lunch boxes. Plastic food containers had yet to become widespread, and very few people used them; occasionally, one might see some foam takeout boxes.

When Lu Yun was a child and went to fast-food restaurants, the containers there were mostly the same style of foam boxes, though they eventually fell out of favor.

Lu Yun thought that bringing her own container to buy food was quite good—clean and hygienic, and importantly, it was very eco-friendly. The only downside was that it was a bit of a hassle since she would have to wash the container after eating.

She finished all the mung bean porridge that He Cheng’an had bought, along with five soup dumplings and a few bites of pickled vegetables.

Feeling somewhat full, she noticed that Zhang Hao and He Cheng’an were eating more than she was.

While He Cheng’an ate quickly, he did so elegantly, but Zhang Hao was different. He felt a bit shy in front of Lu Yun and ate rather hastily.

When Lu Yun saw Zhang Hao devouring his food quickly, he caught her gaze and immediately started eating more slowly. She laughed and said, “You should eat more.”

Zhang Hao quickly took a big bite and replied, “Got it, sister-in-law.”

After that, he smiled and added, “As long as you don’t dislike me.”

Lu Yun hadn’t expected that one day she would be able to get along like this with Zhang Hao. She had thought it would take considerable effort to win his genuine acceptance.

However, Lu Yun also understood that Zhang Hao’s attitude was largely because of He Cheng’an; otherwise, he wouldn’t have felt the need to act that way.

Zhang Hao was part of He Cheng’an’s circle and was capable in his own right; otherwise, He Cheng’an wouldn’t have felt comfortable letting Zhang Hao take care of Lu Yun.

After finishing their meal, He Cheng’an took Lu Yun to the bus station.

Initially, he had intended for them to take the bus together, but it was rush hour, and the buses were too crowded. Some people couldn’t even manage to get on.

So, He Cheng’an rode his bicycle with Lu Yun to the bus station, but fortunately, it wasn’t too far.

When they arrived at the bus station, He Cheng’an helped Lu Yun onto the bus before stepping down himself.

As the bus was about to start, He Cheng’an stood beneath the window, and the two exchanged silent glances until the sound of the engine starting broke the stillness. Lu Yun waved her arm at him.

Sitting next to Lu Yun was an older woman, who couldn’t help but reminisce as she observed Lu Yun and He Cheng’an together.

—o—o—o—

Upon returning to the county town, it was just in time for lunch.

When Lu Yun arrived home, she found the whole Lu family there: Zhang Meili, Lu Dong, and even Lu Xiang’an, who usually ran off on weekends.

Lu Yun had prepared herself for the conversation about having found a partner in the provincial city, but she still felt a bit nervous upon seeing them.

Zhang Meili asked, “You’re back?”

Lu Yun stepped forward and linked her arm with Zhang Meili’s. “Yes, I’m back! How about I make some sauerkraut and vermicelli for us to share?”

Zhang Meili replied, “I thought you’d be back only in the evening.”

At that moment, Lu Yun felt that He Cheng’an’s image had grown even taller in her mind. She smiled broadly, saying good things about him: “I actually wanted to explore the provincial city a bit more, but He Cheng’an insisted I return after breakfast. He said all of you would be worried.”

Lu Xiang’an told He Cheng’an’s background to his Zhang Meili early in the morning.

While Zhang Meili was somewhat satisfied with He Cheng’an, she was less pleased with his parents.

He Cheng’an’s parents had divorced, and both remarried and had children again.

His mother had a daughter who was always preoccupied with dating and had already cycled through three or four partners.

His father had a son who was even more reckless; he was good-looking but rather irresponsible. Several girls had threatened to go on hunger strikes after breaking up with him, but he remained indifferent, claiming that love should be free and that if someone no longer liked another, they shouldn’t feel obligated to stay together.

Not to mention the numerous troublesome relatives.

Although it was said that He Cheng’an didn’t keep in touch with them, blood was thicker than water.

If they wanted to find He Cheng’an, he really couldn’t completely ignore them.

It was heard that He Cheng’an’s parents had once had a good relationship, but no one knew why they divorced.

Zhang Meili had married Lu Dong and endured the hardships that came from dealing with in-laws and relatives, so she didn’t want her daughter to go through the same.

Initially, she thought Lu Yun had found a good partner and was pleased, but it turned out to be otherwise.

Zhang Meili told Lu Yun everything she knows about He Cheng’an and awaited her response.

Lu Yun replied, “Mom, I understand what you mean, but since I’ve already told the family, it means I intend to be with him. Besides, you’ve said yourself that they hardly keep in touch, right?”

She urged Zhang Meili to sit down with her. “Think positively! If I really end up with He Cheng’an, it means I won’t have to live with the in-laws. At most, I would only see them occasionally.”

Zhang Meili replied, “Seeing them occasionally is still too much for you. There’s no need to answer me right away. Tomorrow, your second aunt is bringing her daughter-in-law and grandson to town, and they’ll be staying with us for a few days. If you’re still determined to be with He Cheng’an when you see your Aunt tomorrow, I won’t say anything more.”

When Lu Yun glanced at Lu Dong, she noticed he had a guilty expression, as if he had done something wrong.

Lu Yun said, “Then we’re on the same page.”

Zhang Meili urged Lu Yun to go back inside, but as Lu Yun was leaving, she called her back, “Where are you going? It’s time for lunch!”

Zhang Meili added, “It can only offer comfort; at least it’s better than Chen Zhiqiang.”

At the mention of Chen Zhiqiang, Lu Yun felt a bit down.

If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have gone to the provincial city this time.

She had thought Chen Zhiqiang had something important for her to see in the provincial city, but it turned out he just wanted her to see He Cheng’an in a difficult situation.

Feeling displeased, she said, “How can Chen Zhiqiang compare to He Cheng’an?”

Zhang Meili said, “Yes, yes, yes, who could compare to your partner?”

Realizing that Zhang Meili was teasing her on purpose, Lu Yun nodded in agreement. “Mom, you’re right; no one can compare to my partner.”

Zhang Meili was momentarily at a loss for words.

Lu Xiang’an hurriedly finished his meal.

He had been waiting at home for Lu Yun all morning, and now he needed to head out.

Lu Yun quickly set her bowl down and followed him outside.

“Brother, what’s going on?” Lu Yun asked.

Lu Xiang’an replied, “Isn’t it because of you? When has Mom ever let Dad’s relatives stay at our house? She just wants you to face some hardship. If you endure it and still want to be with He Cheng’an, they might finally agree. Poor Dad, though—he probably doesn’t dare speak loudly at home these days.”

He looked at Lu Yun and continued, “Don’t blame Mom for being overbearing; it’s really because of He Cheng’an’s family situation. They worry you’ll suffer. If He Cheng’an turns out to be foolish, you’ll have plenty of problems ahead.”

Lu Yun had been listening, but when she heard Lu Xiang’an’s last comment, she playfully hit him. “You’re the one who’s foolish!”

Lu Xiang’an mimicked Lu Yun’s earlier tone, “Yes, yes, yes, it’s me who’s foolish.”

He then added, “You haven’t even married yet, and you’re already defending him. I won’t talk to you anymore; I’m heading out!”