Chapter 28

On Saturday, Lu Yun stayed at home for the whole day.

In the evening, she went to cook, and the fish-flavored shredded pork she made made Lu Xiang’an eat two bowls of rice on her own.

If it hadn’t been for Lu Dong’s quick actions at the end to scoop up the remaining rice, Lu Xiang’an might have eaten even more.

Watching them, Lu Yun smiled as she ate.

They were her family, and Lu Yun felt a warmth she had never felt before.

Even though Wen Nuan no longer had memories of her as a Female Supporting Character, there were times when Lu Yun felt it was a pity. Yet, she also felt a sense of satisfaction; after all, she had already gained so much.

When Zhang Meili brought fruit into Lu Yun’s room, Lu Yun was not surprised at all.

She intended to have a good talk with Zhang Meili, but she didn’t say a word more, which made Lu Yun want to laugh.

Lu Yun asked, “Mom, are you upset that I want to be with He Cheng’an?”

While speaking, dhe had already thought of countless reasons to persuade Zhang Meili.

Zhang Meili rolled her eyes but looked somewhat gentle as she replied, “You think I married your dad for fun? If you don’t think it’s hard, I won’t stop you.”

She sat down next to Lu Yun, patted her hand, and spoke earnestly, “He Cheng’an’s family isn’t any better than Chen Zhiqiang’s. When I was with your dad, your grandma told me that at worst, I could go home in the future. I’ll tell you this: if you’ve really made up your mind, even if it doesn’t work out later, you can always go back home.”

It took Lu Yun a while before she replied: “He’s different from Chen Zhiqiang.”

In Zhang Meili’s view, whether it was the same as Chen Zhiqiang or different could not be summed up in a single sentence; it would have to reveal itself in the days to come.

She did not mention this, but she even thought that Lu Yun was much more resolute than she had been at that time.

When she decided to be with Lu Dong, she had hesitated several times before making up her mind.

She even went on blind dates and ultimately, seeing Lu Dong’s pitiful expression, she steeled herself and agreed.

It was already winter, and the pink mosquito net that He Cheng’an had given Lu Yun still hadn’t been taken down, though it had been washed once and was quite clean. Lu Yun felt accustomed to sleeping under it. Lying in bed, she couldn’t help but think of He Cheng’an and her life since her reincarnation.

She had crossed over in the summer, and now it was late November, almost December.

—o—o—o—

That night, He Cheng’an couldn’t sleep.

After taking a shower and getting ready to rest, the bed was filled with a faint fragrance that lingered from Lu Yun.

He thought about whether the Lu family had any good impression toward him and recalled how Lu Yun had said he worked hard for his money, urging him to return it, which made him chuckle.

The next day, he woke up for the first time since arriving in the provincial city, nearly past nine o’clock. Usually, he woke around six to head to Seagull Garden.

After getting ready, He Cheng’an went to Seagull Garden. When Zhang Hao saw He Cheng’an arrive, he hurried over and gestured for him to go to the terrace. He Cheng’an understood that Zhang Hao wanted to discuss something, so he nodded.

Soon, the two stood together on the terrace.

Zhang Hao said, “The day before yesterday, our renovation team’s Old Chen took leave to go home. When he returned, he told me someone was inquiring about you.

He said he heard that some people were asking about you a while back. He dug a bit deeper, and while he didn’t find out who was asking earlier, he did learn yesterday that it was someone named Lu Xiang’an. I remember that my sister-in-law’s eldest brother is named Lu Xiang’an. Do you think the Lu family is looking into you?”

As he spoke, he felt somewhat uneasy.

Zhang Hao knew quite a bit about Lu Yun. Moreover, Lu Yun’s eldest brother had the same name ending with the character “An,” just like He Cheng’an, so Zhang Hao wouldn’t mistake it.

He also knew that Lu Yun had already informed his family about his relationship with He Cheng’an, and the Lu family certainly had reasons to inquire about He Cheng’an’s background and character.

Previously, when Zhang Hao went on blind dates, the person he met wanted to know practically everything about him, even what he did at the age of three.

He Cheng’an pressed his lips together and replied, “I understand.”

—o—o—o—

Early Sunday morning, Lu Xiang’an had already left, even clearing out his room. He changed the bedding to some he no longer needed and packed away important items before heading out. Watching Lu Xiang’an flee, Lu Yun found himself wanting to run as well, after all, who would want to face troublesome relatives? However, Lu Yun couldn’t escape; after all, they had come this time because Zhang Meili wanted him to gain some “experience.”

When Li Hong arrived with her daughter-in-law and grandson, she smiled as she handed over the items she had brought from the countryside to Zhang Meili. “When I was coming over, my mother-in-law said that you all have a hard time living in the city. Now she’s following the province’s rules, so she doesn’t want as much support money from you each month. She said that when I come over, I mustn’t just eat and live for free.”

Lu Yun stood by, watching as Zhang Meili opened the bundle, revealing some pickled vegetables from the countryside and some dried green beans.

Being a professional food blogger, Lu Yun could tell at a glance that the dried green beans were old, not freshly sun-dried from this year, but leftover from the previous year.

Zhang Meili looked at the three mouths waiting for food, smiled at Lu Yun without saying a word, but inside, she was so angry she wanted to kick them out right then and there.

The money she and Lu Dong sent home every month wasn’t much, but it was considered a high amount in the countryside. Lu Dong rarely returned home, and Zhang Meili didn’t want to put him in a difficult position.

However, to Li Hong, this turned into them considering Zhang Meili’s feelings. Zhang Meili received the money, but she got no appreciation for it. If she didn’t prepare well, Li Hong could easily find fault.

At that moment, Zhang Meili recalled an incident from long ago. She had gone with her second sister-in-law to a neighbor’s house in the countryside, and she had bought bananas.

When they reached the front door, her sister-in-law had taken the initiative to help carry them. Later, Zhang Meili discovered that the family had assumed the bananas were bought by Li Hong until the very end.

This was something she couldn’t even address; it had happened so long ago that if she tried to explain it now, it would make her seem petty. If Li Hong mentioned it again, she would forget about it, or it might seem like she only wanted to help Zhang Meili carry things.

There was no way to resolve the situation. After that, Zhang Meili learned a lesson; when giving gifts, she would make sure to carry the things she bought herself.

Li Hong knew that the one in charge of the Lu family was Zhang Meili, and her words were directed at her. Just as she was about to sit down, she heard Lu Yun speaking from the side.

Lu Yun said, “Second aunt, these things look like good items.”

Li Hong beamed with a bright smile. “Of course! The dried green beans I sun-dried this year were all picked out for you. I didn’t take any that didn’t look appetizing.”

She felt even more satisfied looking at the delicate and seemingly weak Lu Yun.

Lu Yun continued, “It wouldn’t be right for us to take advantage of you. It wouldn’t feel good to mention it. Plus, the house is a bit crowded. My eldest brother even moved out for you to stay here. How about this: I can have my dad take you to the market to sell these things, and then would it be okay for you to stay in a guesthouse?”

She appeared gentle and lovely, her voice pleasant and her speech methodical, as if she were reasoning with them. “This way, my eldest brother won’t have to crowd at his friend’s place, especially since the weather is getting cold.” As she spoke, she revealed a worried expression for Lu Xiang’an.

Li Hong was left speechless.

Zhang Meili laughed and quickly packed up the items Li Hong had brought. “That’s true; how could we take advantage of your second aunt? Why not just stay at the guesthouse? I’ve heard that the guesthouse has hot water available twenty-four hours a day and even a TV. It would definitely be more comfortable than staying here.”

Li Hong immediately smiled in response. “You see, sister-in-law, how could I do that? I’ve come to the city, so how could I feel right not staying with you? Why would I go to a guesthouse?”

Lu Yun directly asked, “Dad, how much do you think we could sell these things for?”

Lu Dong indeed knew this and recognized that it was time for him to step up.

He held up a hand to indicate a number: two yuan.

These items were all old; although there was a lot of it, when added together, it amounted to only two yuan.

Staying at the guesthouse would cost at least three yuan per night, and the value of these items wasn’t even enough to cover one night’s stay.

Lu Dong said, “That’s not enough to stay at a guesthouse, second aunt. You’re exaggerating a bit with those claims.”

Li Hong responded, “You see, you’re really taking this seriously.”

After saying that, she quickly changed the subject to talk about her in-laws and Lu Dong’s parents.

Once Lu Yun returned to her room, Zhang Meili followed her in. Seeing Lu Yun silent, Zhang Meili understood what she wanted to say.

After thinking for a long time about the plot of the novel and the bits and pieces of her life since crossing over and meeting He Cheng’an, Lu Yun said, “I really dislike these situations, but I’m not afraid.”

Her expression became brighter. “I’ll only feel more heartache for him, and I’ll only want to treat him better. If I really didn’t want to be with him, just thinking about his face might make it impossible for me to do those things. I even think, can I have the ability to shield him from the wind and rain?”

This was also why, despite her parents’ doubts about whether a marriage could truly last in love, she chose to be with He Cheng’an, believing they had a future together.

Zhang Meili replied, “Alright, I understand.”

With Li Hong living with her daughter-in-law and grandson at the Lu family home, and with Zhang Meili no longer someone to be trifled with, she made a large bowl of the dried green beans Li Hong had brought over that evening.

She also served a plate of the pickled vegetables, actively helping Li Hong with her food during dinner.

Meanwhile, Lu Dong commented that Li Hong’s favorite dish was dried green beans stewed with potatoes, encouraging her to eat more.

Li Hong, hoping to save money during her stay, also knew it was best to keep the peace for now.

As for Li Hong’s daughter-in-law, she was aware that she needed to follow Li Hong’s lead. Even though Li Hong’s grandson had some mischievous tendencies, he was kept in check by his mother.

When they returned to rest, Zhang Meili said to Lu Dong, “I think they could get married.”

After a moment of silence, she added, “I just don’t know if He Cheng’an treats her well. If I had known earlier, I should have set her up with a matchmaker and found her a decent, ordinary guy from a good family who likes her. Living a simple, happy life would have been so nice.”

Lu Dong replied, “I wonder when we will meet him.”

Zhang Meili responded, “I’ll ask her about it. Speaking of which, tomorrow I’ll go find Li Ling. Li Ling is close with Ah Yun; he must know something about He Cheng’an. And if Li Ling doesn’t know, then He Cheng’an wouldn’t have been able to attend the wedding banquet last time.”

Lu Dong nodded, “Alright, let’s ask Li Ling.”

—o—o—o—

On Monday morning, Lu Yun went to work as usual. When she arrived at the office, Sister Sun quickly approached her to chat. Lu Yun had taken leave on Thursday afternoon, and the Lu family had come to request another leave for her on Friday. Sister Sun hadn’t seen Lu Yun for several days.

During the weekend, Sister Sun had bought some really nice apples that were both crunchy and sweet. She planned to buy some more after work and asked Lu Yun if she wanted to join.

Hearing Sister Sun mention that her son had eaten two of them, Lu Yun was convinced they must be delicious, especially since Sister Sun’s son was only in kindergarten and managed to eat two at once.

Just as they were chatting, Li Xiaohong came over.

Li Xiaohong looked better than before, with a sparkle in her eyes.

Seeing Li Xiaohong, Lu Yun remembered that He Cheng’an would always ask Li Xiaohong to pass something for her.

She said to Sister Sun, “I’ll step out for a moment and be right back.”

With that, she stood up and headed out.

Li Xiaohong said, “Your boyfriend is here; he’s waiting for you outside the Cotton Textile Factory. I ran into him just now, so I came to help him find you.”