Chapter 37

Every time He Cheng’an returned, Zhang Meili would prepare a lot of food.

Sometimes, when she was busy, she would go out to buy some marinated dishes or food made from outside, while also cooking a few dishes herself, putting together a feast.

This time, when He Cheng’an came back, Zhang Meili and Lu Dong just happened to be free. The two of them busied themselves in the kitchen for half a day, and the dishes they prepared made everyone who saw them cooking in the kitchen envious.

There were boiled sliced pork, flavorful eggplant, crispy pork belly, as well as braised tofu and spicy stir-fried squid.

The soup was winter melon soup, and they also had canned peaches and cold tossed cabbage.

Each time He Cheng’an visited, he always brought a lot of things, especially meat and fruits. Zhang Meili and Lu Dong had taken the opportunity to make a few extra dishes, but they also noticed that the items He Cheng’an brought were always the kinds that Lu Yun liked to eat or things he thought they would enjoy.

Once the meal was ready, Zhang Meili and Lu Dong called Lu Yun and He Cheng’an to eat.

—o—o—o—

Inside the room, Lu Yun handed He Cheng’an the books and shampoo he had bought for him. Holding the things Lu Yun had given him, He Cheng’an tightly embraced Lu Yun.

Upon hearing Zhang Meili calling them to dinner, Lu Yun gently nudged He Cheng’an.

“Hey Cheng’an, it’s time to eat,” Lu Yun said.

Lu Yun, with her slender figure, was cradled in He Cheng’an’s arms. After a soft hum, he whispered, “Don’t think I look silly when I smile, okay? Is that alright, Ah Yun?”

“You can be silly, but you still look good. Is that okay?” Lu Yun replied.

He Cheng’an smiled and responded, “Mm.”

—o—o—o—

During the meal, everything was the same as before. In fact, the Lu family had already bought a special chair for He Cheng’an to sit on.

While they sat together, Lu Dong and Zhang Meili asked He Cheng’an when he would be returning to the provincial city.

It was then that He Cheng’an recounted to them what he had previously discussed with Lu Yun.

Lu Dong said, “If there isn’t too much to pack, just bring it over, and we can help you. It won’t be tiring. If you need to pack more later, just let us know.”

He Cheng’an remembered what Zhang Hao had said when he returned. Zhang Hao mentioned that he could have his family help with the packing and that they could finish it in a few busy days.

He had not expected to hear Lu Dong offer to help in this way after coming back. He glanced at Lu Yun, who thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

Zhang Meili chimed in, “I was thinking the same thing. It’s hard to find suitable people to help right now, and it won’t be tiring if we all work together. If we can’t finish, I’ll see if there’s anyone in our courtyard who can help out.” After saying this, she added, “We are all family, so don’t be polite with us. After Ah Yun marries you, you’re making our relationship too formal.”

He Cheng’an smiled and replied, “Thank you, Aunt. Zhang Hao’s family can also help out, and if you assist as well, we’ll definitely finish it, so there’s no need to rush.”

As he spoke, he was already thinking about what gifts to buy for the Lu family members. He felt that the food he was eating was better than any meal he had ever had.

He Cheng’an stole a glance at Lu Xiang’an, who looked quite happy and was cheerfully eating his meal. “Alright, then I’ll finish work early to come back and help.”

Lu Yun picked up a piece of boiled pork for He Cheng’an. “Eat up.”

He Cheng’an replied, “Mm, I’m eating. Aunt and Uncle’s cooking is especially delicious; it’s the best I’ve ever had.”

When Zhang Meili heard He Cheng’an’s words, she thought he was deliberately complimenting her and Lu Dong to make them happy. Nonetheless, she felt pleased and smiled, saying, “I can’t cook as well as those chefs in restaurants.”

“It’s definitely better than them.” He Cheng’an said.

—o—o—o—

On the way back, Lu Yun went out with He Cheng’an.

They had become familiar enough that He Cheng’an didn’t need to come over each time. Every time he left, the Lu family would go to see him off.

Sometimes, He Cheng’an would return alone, while other times, Lu Yun would accompany him to the entrance of the alley.

He Cheng’an would watch Lu Yun head back, and if Lu Yun escorted him to the alley, he would make sure to walk her back afterward.

Lu Yun remembered what Zhang Meili had said about needing to understand her reasons for being with He Cheng’an. She could fully grasp why He Cheng’an claimed that Zhang Meili and Lu Dong’s cooking was the best; she had thought the same way when she was younger.

However, as she grew older, she no longer found those dishes appealing. They were not prepared with the same love as the meals Lu Yun wished her divorced parents would make for her. She didn’t want to share meals with them.

Even her own desire to learn to cook stemmed from this realization. She wanted to make food for herself, knowing that at least when others had their meals, she could also enjoy the food she prepared for herself.

But now, the act of cooking seemed to carry a different significance.

“He Cheng’an,” Lu Yun called.

He Cheng’an looked at Lu Yun as she continued, “Although I don’t often cook, I can make meals for you in the future. I can cook delicious food, okay?”

He Cheng’an felt a slight tremor in his heart at her words, and he looked at Lu Yun, softly calling her, “Ah Yun.”

That night, memories long sealed away seemed to resurface. Lu Yun reflected on the past, thinking about how she had always believed that if her parents remained in love and hadn’t divorced, it would have been so much better if they had stayed together, just as before. She had once felt pity for herself, but now her heart ached for He Cheng’an.

He was just as unfortunate as she was, perhaps even more so. If it weren’t for her “crossing into a book,” his fate would have led him to prison for her sake.

That night, Lu Yun took a long time to fall asleep.

—o—o—o—

The next morning, when Lu Yun got up, she found breakfast prepared by Lu Dong. Today, it wasn’t the usual malted milk and porridge or the fried dough sticks bought from outside. He had already set the breakfast on the table, waiting for Lu Yun to come out and eat.

When Lu Yun arrived, both Lu Dong and Zhang Meili were there. Lu Yun smiled and said, “I heard that when parents treat their son-in-law well, he will, in turn, treat their daughter even better.”

Zhang Meili replied, “You child, hurry up and eat. At first, I didn’t like He Cheng’an, but look at how well he treats you. Even if I don’t like his family, he is considerate and capable.”

Lu Yun sat down and said, “That’s true.”

As New Year’s Day approached, the Cotton Textile Factory distributed benefits, which were quite generous, including oil, flour, and some apples.

If it had been before, Lu Yun would have thought about having Lu Dong or Lu Xiang’an come to pick up the items, but in the past few days, He Cheng’an had been picking her up and dropping her off from work every day. So, it was convenient for He Cheng’an to help her carry the items back.

—o—o—o—

In the afternoon, the deputy director of the office came to find Lu Yun and asked what program she was preparing for the Cotton Textile Factory’s New Year’s party.

Lu Yun quickly declined.

She had been really busy lately. The ingredients for the spicy skewers were plentiful, and after work, Lu Yun would go to select good ingredients, negotiate prices, and arrange for them to deliver the vegetables to her spicy skewers shop every day.

Additionally, she had to deal with various seasonings and decide on the recipes. Sometimes, she would also visit the shop that was currently being renovated.

The deputy director noticed that Lu Yun seemed to have lost a few pounds but did not press her further. He asked the other people in the office about their plans for the party, but they all seemed disinterested, only wanting to watch the Cotton Textile Factory’s New Year celebration.

As the deputy director left, he found it strange how none of the office staff seemed to have any enthusiasm; the atmosphere in the office was quite harmonious.

At the end of the workday, Lu Yun glanced at the seemingly listless Xiao Sun, who was probably still worried about her boyfriend’s dowry issue.

After a pause, Lu Yun said to Sister Sun, “My boyfriend keeps buying me things. Now, every time he comes to my house, he brings a lot of stuff back with him. Even when I tell him not to buy things, he insists that he likes me and wants to spend money on me, acting as if he’s the one making sense.”

After saying this, she didn’t continue speaking and instead went to put on the red scarf that He Cheng’an had bought for her.

Xiao Sun glanced up at Lu Yun but remained silent.

Once Lu Yun had been gone for quite a while, Sister Zhou from the office looked at Xiao Sun and said, “Lu Yun is just being kind, telling you this for your own good. Isn’t your family also against that boyfriend of yours? I don’t think you two are suited for each other. You don’t want to regret it after getting married, right? But that’s just my opinion; if you think differently, just ignore what I said. In the end, it’s your life, so think for yourself.”

After saying her opnion, she also left the office for the day.

—o—o—o—

When Lu Yun arrived outside the Cotton Textile Factory, she saw He Cheng’an waiting for her after work. Before she could say anything to He Cheng’an, she noticed Li Ling riding over.

Li Ling had no idea that Lu Yun and He Cheng’an were together.

She parked her bike and called out, “Cousin, cousin-in-law!”

After saying this, Li Ling felt a bit at a loss for words.

Before coming over, she had told Han Jiangang that she was going to find Lu Yun. When Han Jiangang asked her about He Cheng’an, she had mentioned that he was her future cousin-in-law, but she hadn’t expected to see He Cheng’an and call him that so directly.

Li Ling smiled at He Cheng’an and quickly turned to Lu Yun, asking, “Cousin, are you going to participate in the Cotton Textile Factory’s New Year’s party this time? If you are, I’ll come over!”

Lu Yun replied, “I won’t participate; I’ve been a bit busy lately.”

Li Ling had come over to ask Lu Yun about the event and to suggest going shopping together, but since He Cheng’an was there, she decided not to invite Lu Yun to go out. She said, “Then I won’t go to the factory to watch the New Year’s party. Just let me know when your shop opens.”

After saying that, she turned to leave but was stopped by He Cheng’an.

He Cheng’an took out some money and handed it to Li Ling. “This is your ‘cousin-in-law’ renaming fee; here you go.”

Li Ling: “………”

“Let’s wait until you two get married to talk about that,” she said before hopping back on her bike and riding away. Lu Yun stood to the side and couldn’t help but laugh.