Although Song Mianfeng went downstairs, his heart remained upstairs, and he couldn’t sit still in the living room, pacing back and forth.

Su Jieyi found it somewhat amusing. “Your father just talked to him for a few minutes, can’t you sit still?”

Song Mianfeng obediently sat down on the sofa, stayed put for a few seconds, then couldn’t help asking, “Mom, what do you think dad and Yin Zhen are talking about?”

“How would I know what they’re talking about,” Su Jieyi said with a smile as she lowered her head to knit, “Maybe they’re checking the household registration.”

“Isn’t checking the household registration usually done by the mother-in-law?” Song Mianfeng said, “How come you’re so unconcerned, not asking anything.”

Suo Jieyi finished knitting a row and then picked up the knitting sign, pretending to tap his head with it.

Song Mianfeng laughed and dodged. “I’m just kidding.”

“Don’t worry about what your dad talks about with Yin Zhen,” Su Jieyi said, “let me ask you, his family is in City B, and his grandparents are getting older. What are your plans for the future?”

Suo Jieyi had heard about Lu Yin Zhen’s family background from Song Shaochen, and aside from feeling a little emotional, she didn’t think there was much difference between children raised by grandparents and children raised by parents.

Moreover, Lu Yin Zhen’s grandparents had raised him so well.

“You said it yourself, his grandparents are getting older.” Song Mianfeng paused, not being too direct with his words, “I thought I would go to City B to accompany him for these few years, and then…” He paused again, not stating his intentions too directly, “In the future, he can come over again.””

Song Mianfeng continued, “But Yin Zhen said we could live separately for a while, so although it’s a bit hard, we can take care of both sides.”

“He’s a filial child,” Su Jieyi brushed a strand of hair that fell on her ear, somewhat satisfied with this answer, “Do his family members know about your relationship?”

Song Mianfeng’s heart sank a little. He hadn’t fully realized that all the questions about Lu Yin Zhen should have fallen on him. “Um…actually, when I was in City B, I already visited his house.”

Upon hearing this, Su Jieyi seemed slightly absent-minded.

It seemed like yesterday when Song Shaochen invited Lu Yin Zhen to their home as a guest, but in the blink of an eye, both had already met each other’s parents.

The children had indeed grown up and started planning for the future.

She regained her composure and gave a gentle smile, “Well, are his family members easy to get along with?”

“They’re all pretty good,” Song Mianfeng said slowly, “His grandfather looks a bit stern when he doesn’t speak, but he’s actually easy to get along with, and his grandmother is very kind. She even raised a beautiful Persian cat.”

“What about him?” Su Jieyi looked at him and asked softly, “Is he good to you?”

“Mom…” Song Mianfeng knew Su Jieyi was worried about him, but this kind of question, which felt like a private conversation, was somewhat embarrassing. Neither giving a good answer nor a bad one was appropriate, “Why do I feel like you’re treating me like a daughter, even talking about marrying and returning home after marriage?”

Su Jieyi gave him a light glare, “Stop talking nonsense.”

“Mom, rest assured, he treats me well.” Song Mianfeng smiled, “Besides, we’re both grown men, who can bully whom?”

…

Song Zhanyue came back a little later, bringing some fresh fruits. After entering, she greeted everyone one by one and then sat down on the sofa.

Seeing that Song Zhanyue had returned, Su Jieyi put down her knitting and went to the kitchen to cook.

Song Zhanyue leaned over to quietly speak to Song Mianfeng, “So, what did mom and dad ask? Didn’t give Yin Zhen a hard time, did they?”

Sitting close to Song Mianfeng, Lu Yin Zhen could hear the siblings’ whispering clearly, although they tried to maintain a serious expression on their faces, their feelings were quite complicated…

Song Shaochen sat not far away, flipping through the newspaper expressionlessly.

However, with the TV sound covering, he might not have heard anything.

Song Mianfeng glanced at Song Shaochen’s direction, lowered his voice, “You ask him yourself.”

Song Zhanyue reached across Song Mianfeng and nudged Lu Yin Zhen’s arm.

Song Mianfeng raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. “Why are you asking him?”

“Just doing some research in advance,” Song Zhanyue said, gripping his arm and whispering, “I’ll also want to bring my boyfriend home in the future.”

Lu Yin Zhen turned to look at her. “It’s pointless to ask.”

“Huh?”

Lu Yin Zhen said calmly, “In the future, your boyfriend will not only face your parents but also two brothers.”

Song Zhanyue: “???”

Song Zhanyue was stunned, her eyes widened, and she forgot to lower her voice, “Brother, are you guys bullying me like this?”

“How is this bullying you?” Song Mianfeng laughed, “And, you’ve just started dating. Isn’t it too early to think about meeting the parents?”

Song Shaochen shook the newspaper and looked up at her, “What about you, do you want to bring your boyfriend home too?”

Song Zhanyue blinked and quickly shook her head, “No, I don’t want to.”

Afraid of getting involved, Song Zhanyue hardly spoke during the meal, being quiet and obedient.

The dinner went relatively smoothly. After dinner, Su Jieyi tidied up the dishes and went to the kitchen to wash them. Song Zhanyue wanted to help, but she couldn’t get the dishes away from Lu Yin Zhen.

This was the first time Song Mianfeng had seen Lu Yin Zhen doing these things, and he was afraid Suo Jieyi would inquire about the family background later. So, he also squeezed into the kitchen to help.

Suo Jieyi found it amusing but didn’t say anything.

After washing the dishes, Suo Jieyi washed some fruits and brought them out on a fruit plate.

Song Zhanyue was asking Lu Yin Zhen if the last WeChat moment Song Mianfeng posted was about him winning at mahjong. Lu Yin Zhen responded with a simple “yes.”

“In the future, we won’t be short of people at our card table,” Song Zhanyue smiled at Song Mianfeng, “Brother, from today onwards, you’ll be isolated by us.”

“I’ve always been isolated by you guys at the card table, haven’t I?” Song Mianfeng grabbed a green grape, which was quite sweet, then took two more and naturally fed them to Lu Yinzhen.

Suo Jieyi glanced at Lu Yin Zhen, who calmly held Song Mianfeng’s hand and accepted the grape into his palm. Suo Jieyi then looked away.

Lu Yin Zhen felt relieved.

Song Mianfeng, however, didn’t understand and looked at him somewhat unhappily.

When Suo Jieyi sat down with her knitting and knitting needles, Lu Yin Zhen whispered to Song Mianfeng, “Auntie was watching us just now.”

“So what?” The suppressed voice and breath tickled his ear, and Song Mianfeng murmured softly, “What’s wrong with me feeding my boyfriend a grape?”

Lu Yin Zhen pinched his palm. “Behave.”

Song Mianfeng behaved and took an apple to peel.

After cutting the apple into several pieces, removing the core, and arranging them on the fruit plate, Song Mianfeng took a piece and fed it to Lu Yin Zhen’s mouth when neither his parents paid attention, whispering softly, “Open your mouth, or I’ll kiss you.”

Lu Yin Zhen smiled helplessly and opened his mouth to eat.

Song Mianfeng grinned and took a piece for himself.

The TV was on with a variety show, but Song Zhenyue had no interest in watching. She was pinned down by her own brother’s public display of affection, even though she had already eaten dinner and was full, she still felt compelled to swallow.

…

As the evening approached, Suo Jieyi’s hand-knitted sweater grew a bit longer. She looked up at the clock on the wall and asked, “Are you going home tonight, or?”

This was the first time Lu Yin Zhen had officially visited as Song Mianfeng’s boyfriend, and he was inevitably a bit restrained, although he didn’t show it much, Song Mianfeng still noticed. Afraid that staying overnight would make Lu Yin Zhen more uncomfortable, Song Mianfeng said, “Let’s go home. It’s also troublesome to tidy up the room.”

Song Zhanyue chimed in, “Then I’ll go with Brother and catch a ride.”

Suo Jieyi nodded, “Okay, you two go back. Drive safely.”

When they came, Lu Yin Zhen drove, but now they had to drop off Song Zhanyue, so Song Mianfeng said, “I’ll drive. I’m more familiar with the road.”

Lu Yin Zhen had no objections and handed him the car keys, taking the passenger seat himself.

Song Zhanyue usually sat in the passenger seat when riding with Song Mianfeng, but now that her brother’s boyfriend was present, she could only sit in the back seat, holding her phone, feeling aggrieved, and complaining to her boyfriend.

Song Mianfeng glanced at her in the rearview mirror and reminded her, “Don’t use your phone in the car.”

Lu Yin Zhen was also looking at his phone, but when he heard this, he paused in replying to the message and put his phone away.

Song Mianfeng saw his actions and smiled.

After dropping off Song Zhanyue and returning home, it was already past ten o’clock.

After taking a shower, Song Mianfeng came out and saw Lu Yin Zhen sitting on the small balcony outside the bedroom, talking on the phone.

Lu Yin Zhen was sitting very relaxedly on the two-person swing chair, his long legs resting on the ground, and the swing chair swayed slightly, with his body following suit, looking very happy.

Song Mianfeng walked over quietly and sat down next to him on the swing chair.

The swing chair was designed for two adults, so it didn’t feel crowded with two men sitting on it. However, due to weight considerations, it made a slight “creak” sound when swaying.

Song Mianfeng was in a good mood, and the “creak” sound turned into a rhythmic tune, playing a merry loop in his mind.

Lu Yin Zhen hugged Song Mianfeng’s shoulder and laughed genuinely. “I just talked to my grandfather on the phone.”

“I could tell,” Song Mianfeng turned his head to look at him, his eyes filled with tender amusement. “Why are you so happy?”

“After meeting your parents, our relationship has received the approval and blessing of your family,” Lu Yin Zhen said slowly, “I’m very happy.”

He rarely showed such joy, and as he spoke, his eyes and eyebrows were filled with laughter. Even his tone was light and cheerful.

Song Mianfeng smiled and leaned against his shoulder, his lips moving close to his ear. “Are you so happy just from meeting my parents?”

“If I do something else—” Song Mianfeng was well-versed in the art of teasing and breaking off mid-sentence, creating a sense of anticipation. He then moved away from Lu Yin Zhen, looking at him with a slight lift of his beautiful eyebrows, his tone enticing.

A cool breeze blew by, not dispersing the ambiguous atmosphere, but instead making Lu Yin Zhen’s heart sway and ripple endlessly.

“What?”

He looked at him, his heart and eyes filled with him, then he smiled and curved his lips. “Do some things that are hard to resist.”

…

^[1]Author’s note:

Please imagine for yourselves what those irresistible things might be.