Chapter 16 – Might As Well Just Break Off the Engagement

Lu Chen had originally wanted to say there was no need.
But for some reason, when he looked into her eyes, the words changed in his mouth.
“Alright, that works too.”

“Nuonuo, come here! Let me introduce you,” Cheng Wanying said warmly as she pulled Xu Nuo over and introduced Lu Feng. “This is your second brother, Lu Feng! Just like your second sister-in-law, he’s a worker too. She works at the textile factory, and he’s at the machinery plant.”

“Hello, Second Brother.”

When Lu Feng saw Xu Nuo, a flash of surprise lit his eyes. “Hello, Nuonuo! Mom, our third brother sure is lucky, getting such a beautiful fiancée.”

Cheng Wanying huffed, “Isn’t that the truth? But that brat doesn’t know what’s good for him. With such a good girl lined up, he still insists on dragging things out and talking it over first.”

While they were chatting, a man sitting on the sofa had been staring at Xu Nuo the entire time. His gaze was so direct it made people uncomfortable.

Even though Xu Nuo tried to ignore him, it was hard to pretend he wasn’t there.

“This is Zhang Man’s eldest brother, Zhang Qiang,” Cheng Wanying said briefly, introducing the man.

She had never liked Zhang Man’s older brother, but since he was technically family now, she kept her mouth shut.

“Xu Nuo, is it?” Zhang Qiang grinned lewdly. “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”

Xu Nuo didn’t respond, only offering a faint smile.

“So when’s the wedding between Xu Nuo and Lu Cheng?” Zhang Man asked, cradling her child. “Have they set a date?”

“Not yet. We’re letting them spend time together first, let them build some feelings,” Cheng Wanying explained.

“Isn’t Lu Cheng’s leave almost over?” Lu Huaizheng chimed in.

“About a week left,” Cheng Wanying answered, then added, “Lu Chen’s leave ends around the same time too.”

Lu Huaizheng nodded slowly. “I think Lu Cheng can go ahead and file a report with the unit now. Once it’s approved, Xu Nuo can apply for a marriage certificate.”

“I agree,” Cheng Wanying nodded.

Zhang Man then asked, “So when’s Lu Cheng coming back? What’s he off doing today? Is he joining us for dinner?”

“Who knows?” Cheng Wanying sighed at the mention of her son.

Even now that his fiancée had arrived, he still wasn’t willing to settle down and get married.

He kept saying he wanted to get to know her first. But honestly, Cheng Wanying could tell—Lu Cheng just didn’t like Xu Nuo.

It was pretty obvious. When a man liked a woman versus when he didn’t, the difference was clear as day.

That afternoon, while Xu Nuo was in the kitchen helping Aunt Lin cook, Zhang Man quietly pulled Cheng Wanying aside.

“Mom, does Lu Cheng just not want to marry her?” she asked softly.

“You noticed too?” Cheng Wanying was a little surprised.

“He told his second brother.”

Lu Feng had called home twice, and Lu Cheng happened to answer both times.

Hearing Lu Cheng’s low mood, Lu Feng suspected something was wrong and asked about it. Sure enough, it was about the engagement.

Lu Cheng had been resisting the engagement from the start. He clearly didn’t want to accept his betrothed from childhood.

Lu Feng told all of this to Zhang Man.

And after thinking it over, she brought her brother Zhang Qiang with her to visit the Lu family today.

“Those two brothers sure are close,” Cheng Wanying sighed deeply. “But I’ve been watching these past couple of days—Xu Nuo’s actually a really good kid. She even knows some medical skills. When Yi Yi got sick, it was thanks to her that the baby’s okay. And don’t forget, her mother once saved our lives. Now that she’s come to fulfill that old promise, can we really just turn her away?”

“So, you’re planning to make Lu Cheng just suffer through it?”

“It’s not really about suffering or not,” Cheng Wanying replied. “That girl’s pretty, has a good temperament—even if she’s from the countryside, so what?” She cared more about character than background.

“Mom, actually… I have an idea,” Zhang Man said.

“You? What idea could you possibly have?” Cheng Wanying snorted. “Lu Cheng is as stubborn as a mule. Once he’s set on something, not even nine oxen can drag him back. What could you do?”

Zhang Man leaned closer and whispered, “I brought my brother with me today. What do you think of him? If Xu Nuo and my brother end up together, wouldn’t Lu Cheng be off the hook?”

Cheng Wanying shot her an odd look that made Zhang Man feel a little guilty.

“Mom, don’t look at me like that. I’m just thinking of helping both Lu Cheng and my brother. If this works out, it’s a win-win,” Zhang Man said with a smile.

But in her heart, Cheng Wanying thought: Your brother? What kind of person is he?

Wasn’t he just a loafer? Nearly thirty years old and still without a proper job or career.

He’s dated countless women, gotten one pregnant, and just abandoned her like it was nothing. What kind of man does that?

If it hadn’t been for Lu Feng insisting on marrying Zhang Man, Cheng Wanying would never have allowed someone like Zhang Qiang to set foot in her house.

“No, absolutely not,” Cheng Wanying rejected immediately. “Your brother’s almost thirty, and that girl’s only eighteen! He’s practically a whole generation older. It’s inappropriate.”

“Older men know how to care for someone, Mom. Just let me try, okay?” Zhang Man persisted.

“No means no. Don’t try anything. That girl has high standards—I can tell. She came here for Lu Cheng. Trying to match her with someone else? Not appropriate. Don’t bring this up again,” Cheng Wanying said firmly.

Zhang Man sighed, disappointed. “Then Mom, just keep an eye out. If you meet any suitable girls, help my brother find someone.”

Cheng Wanying agreed with a nod.

Upstairs, Lu Chen was on his way to his room when he passed by Lu Feng’s door and noticed it was slightly ajar.

The conversation inside drifted out through the gap.

When he heard Zhang Man suggesting setting Xu Nuo up with Zhang Qiang, Lu Chen’s expression darkened, and a frown crept onto his face.

But upon hearing that Cheng Wanying had rejected the idea outright, the tension in his brows slowly eased.

He didn’t pause any further and walked right past the door.

It was a little past six when Lu Cheng finally arrived home—just in time for dinner.

At the dining table, Zhang Qiang leaned toward his sister and muttered, “So? I like that girl. She’d make a great sister-in-law.”

Zhang Man immediately frowned and subtly shook her head: It’s not happening.

Zhang Qiang was clearly disappointed, but since he was at someone else’s home, he couldn’t show it.

“Alright, all the dishes are here—let’s eat!” Aunt Lin announced, placing the final dish—braised pork ribs—on the table.

With everyone gathered, it was the perfect time for Xu Nuo to speak up. She cleared her throat and said, “Excuse me, everyone, I have something I’d like to announce.”

Before she could continue, Lu Cheng quickly jumped in, “Wait, I have something to say too.”

“What’s going on?” Lu Feng teased. “Are you two about to announce a wedding? You’re really in sync, huh?”

Lu Chen, who had just raised his chopsticks, paused and looked up at Xu Nuo.

Cheng Wanying assumed Xu Nuo was finally ready to settle the marriage: “Good girl, go ahead, say what you need to say. We’re all listening.”

Xu Nuo nodded slightly, looked straight at Lu Huaizheng and Cheng Wanying, and said, “Uncle Lu, Aunt Cheng, I’d like to dissolve the engagement with Lu Cheng. I don’t intend to marry him.”

Lu Cheng’s heart skipped a beat—twice. Then he beamed. “That’s great! That’s exactly what I was going to say. I don’t want to get married either. So, let’s just call it off!”