Chapter 63

On New Year’s Eve, Lu Yun and He Cheng’an, just like before, wore new clothes and made dumplings. He Cheng’an also took Lu Yun out for a stroll, treating him to snacks.

However, because it was the New Year, He Cheng’an didn’t buy Lu Yun any sour candied hawthorn, but instead slipped some candy into Lu Yun’s pocket.

Lu Yun felt that after the New Year, he would probably regain the few pounds he had lost.

That evening, during dinner, Lu Yun was the person who found the most coins in his dumplings. He thought this probably meant that both he and He Cheng’an would have good fortune, especially since all the money He Cheng’an earned was for Lu Yun.

While watching the Spring Festival Gala, Lu Yun had started to feel drowsy. However, when the host mentioned Zhao Benshan’s name, he suddenly perked up, excitedly exclaiming, “Zhao Benshan, it’s Zhao Benshan!”

Lu Yun hadn’t seen Zhao Benshan in last year’s gala, so this was probably his first appearance on the Spring Festival stage in the 1990s. Although Lu Yun had watched many of Zhao Benshan’s skits, she felt that in the coming years, the program she would look forward to the most at the Spring Festival would still be Zhao Benshan’s performances.

This time, Zhao Benshan’s skit was titled “Blind Date,” which Lu Yun had never seen before. She was focused and attentive, and the Lu family, drawn in by Lu Yun’s excitement, also watched the program with great interest. After one skit, Lu Yun couldn’t even count how many times they had laughed.

As the Spring Festival Gala hosts began their countdown, Lu Yun officially entered the year 1990.

Throughout the Spring Festival, Lu Yun was extremely busy, but this kind of busy was different from usual; it was fulfilling and lively. They went to relatives’ homes for meals, and relatives came over to their house to eat. Everyone discussed the developments of the past year, the events that had transpired, and various family matters.

Lu Yun was happy because he didn’t have to study. This feeling made Lu Yun feel like he was on a winter or summer break from school, joyful and carefree, able to play without worries.

—o—o—o—

On the fourth day of the New Year, Lu Xiang’an was set to bring his girlfriend over, and he left early in the morning.

Lu Yun was still a bit sleepy, resting in He Cheng’an’s arms.

He Cheng’an noticed that Lu Yun was about to be disturbed and gently patted him, softly telling him that they still needed to wait a little longer for them to return. Lu Yun then fell back asleep.

Lu Xiang’an’s girlfriend was named Zhou Nuan. She worked in an office at a candy factory; her father was the factory director, and her mother was the supervisor there. She also had a younger brother who was still in middle school and would probably go on to university in the future.

Zhou Nuan had a somewhat spoiled appearance, clearly showing that she was doted on by her family. When she and Lu Xiang’an arrived, she immediately spotted the small car outside.

Zhou Nuan asked, “Whose car is that?” She was a bit surprised, glancing at the small car while inquiring of Lu Xiang’an.

Lu Xiang’an replied, “It’s my sister’s and my brother-in-law’s.”

This made Zhou Nuan even more surprised, as if she were pondering something.

After Lu Xiang’an led Zhou Nuan into the courtyard, Zhang Meili and Lu Dong, who were busy in the kitchen, came out.

The group exchanged pleasantries, and they all appeared to be quite cordial. Once inside, Zhou Nuan asked Lu Xiang’an where his sister and brother-in-law had gone, wanting to greet them.

Lu Yun heard the commotion from inside the house.

When Lu Yun and He Cheng’an came out of their room, Zhou Nuan smiled brightly upon seeing them. Calling them sister and brother-in-law felt just right; unlike calling parents, which could only happen after marriage.

Zhou Nuan directly addressed them as sister and brother-in-law. Lu Yun handed her the prepared red envelope, saying, “Sit down, Eldest Brother, the lychees we brought back earlier—make sure to give them to your sister-in-law; we saved them just for her.”

Lu Yun chatted with Zhou Nuan for a bit and found that the girl was indeed sweet-tongued, exceptionally so, and much better than Lu Yun had expected.

“I had heard that the factory flower of the Cotton Textile Factory was stunning, but now that I see you in person, I realize they weren’t exaggerating at all,” she said.

When it was time for lunch, Zhou Nuan offered to help set the table, but Zhang Meili stopped her, saying, “You, who’ve been pampered at home, shouldn’t have to do these things. We can’t let you do that! Once you and Xiang’an are married, you won’t be living with us anymore, but for now, let Xiang’an handle these chores. He can learn from his brother-in-law.”

The meal was filled with warmth and cheer.

When it was time for Zhou Nuan to go back, Lu Yun asked He Cheng’an to drive Lu Xiang’an to drop Zhou Nuan off.

As for her future sister-in-law, Lu Yun could only say that Lu Xiang’an liked her for a good reason.

After all, everyone had their own shining points as well as shortcomings due to their personalities; no one could be perfect.

Lu Yun simply hoped that the Lu family could maintain the harmonious relationship they had now.

Moreover, Zhou Nuan had undoubtedly put in a lot of effort too. If she didn’t marry Lu Xiang’an, she might end up marrying a university student, the son of a factory director, or someone else who looked quite glamorous, enjoying a life with a husband that many would envy.

Zhang Meili asked Lu Yun, “What do you think?”

Lu Yun replied, “Well, she definitely likes my Eldest Brother; it just depends on how they’ll get along in the future.”

Hearing Lu Yun’s words, Zhang Meili laughed, saying, “Look at you, I didn’t know you were so mature.”

—o—o—o—

Lu Yun had made plans to meet with Sister Sun and some colleagues from the Cotton Textile Factory on the sixth day of the New Year. In the office, Xiao Chen had even given Lu Yun a wedding invitation. Additionally, Lu Yun learned that they had a new male colleague in the office, the only man there, who was young and capable.

As the group exited the restaurant, Lu Yun spotted He Cheng’an waiting outside for her. They exchanged smiles, and after saying goodbye to Sister Sun and the others, Lu Yun left with He Cheng’an.

On the eighth day of the New Year, Lu Yun and He Cheng’an arranged to meet with Han Jiangang and Li Ling again. Han Jiangang had made quite a bit of money working with He Cheng’an, and he was also Li Ling’s brother-in-law. According to Li Ling, he was so jealous of them that it made him feel frustrated.

Han Jiangang appeared to be a bit sturdier than before. He said to He Cheng’an, “The work I’m doing now is more than enough for me. If there’s anything else you need me to do, just let me know. To be honest, I have quite a bit of free time these days.”

After saying this, he shyly ran his hand through his hair.

He Cheng’an smiled, “There are indeed some tasks I need your help with. I plan to make some tremella soup, but I haven’t selected the product source yet. During this time, I need you to run some errands. I’ve already written down where you need to go, and when the time comes, you can bring some tremella back for me.”

Han Jiangang quickly replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely handle this well for you.”

—o—o—o—

After the fifteenth day of the New Year, Lu Yun felt more relaxed and returned to her previous routine. He Cheng’an had rented a storefront in the suburbs, preparing to open a second offline store. Lu Yun’s shop was also getting ready to open, and in addition to that, Lu Yun was busy continuing her studies.

Lu Yun was still a bit overwhelmed with her workload, so she later discussed with Zhang Meili and Lu Dong about calling Zhang Yuan over from the county to manage the store in the provincial city. Zhang Meili and Lu Dong were busy enough with the store in the county, and they had hired another server to help out.

With Zhang Yuan coming over, Lu Yun was able to focus more on her studies, especially since she was preparing for the upcoming college entrance examination.

Lu Yun initially thought her future days would be filled with intense study sessions, but He Cheng’an was concerned that she might feel too much pressure.

Previously, when Lu Yun mentioned wanting to take the college entrance exam, He Cheng’an would excitedly say that their Ah Yun would soon be a college student. However, he had recently started to frequently comfort her, telling her that it was okay if she didn’t get in.

On the weekends, when Lu Yun wanted to study at home, He Cheng’an worried she might get bored, so he drove her to the library, allowing her to study there while he went back to the store to continue working. They agreed that he would come back to pick her up later.

While searching for books in the library, Lu Yun spotted Li Chunxia sitting at a table, deeply focused on her work. Li Chunxia noticed Lu Yun too, and at first, Lu Yun thought they wouldn’t need to acknowledge each other as before. However, Li Chunxia stared at Lu Yun for a while, a look of unwillingness on her face, before she finally walked over and stood next to Lu Yun, watching her.

Li Chunxia said, “You have such a beautiful face; it’s truly enviable.”

Lu Yun frowned and replied, “Be clear about what you mean.”

As they exited the library, Li Chunxia took the initiative to say, “Do you know why I divorced Chen Zhiqiang? Because he was flirting with a woman in a nightclub and even had a physical relationship with her. That woman looked somewhat like you; I think the profile is the most similar.”

Lu Yun was taken aback for a moment, then furrowed her brows tightly, not expecting that the reason for Chen Zhiqiang and Li Chunxia’s divorce was this.

Li Chunxia said, “You don’t need to pity me. It was my choice, and I’ll bear the consequences myself. Besides, if it weren’t for Chen Zhiqiang’s family investing so much in me, I doubt I would have been able to get into college in the future. Now that I’m divorced, I received a sum of money and a monthly alimony for my daughter.”

Lu Yun asked, “Why are you telling me this?”

Li Chunxia shrugged. “No particular reason; I just wanted to say it. Maybe it’s for the sake of my pathetic pride. I figured I could gain something from the Chen family’s resources. At most, I’ll just be a second wife in the future, and as for my daughter, there will be people to help take care of her.” She glanced at Lu Yun and added, “I won’t say more. I’m heading back.”

Lu Yun wanted to say something but ultimately didn’t.

When He Cheng’an arrived to pick Lu Yun up, she thought about mentioning Chen Zhiqiang’s situation.

However, after considering it, she decided against it. Who knew what He Cheng’an might do if he found out? So she kept the matter to herself.