Chapter 17: Since We’re Both Getting Married, Why Not Plan the Weddings Together

What he didn’t know was that after Jiang Xiaoci entered the alley, she didn’t go into the house right away. Instead, she stood behind the gate in the courtyard for a while. Only after confirming that he had truly left did she smile and finally walk inside.

She actually… felt a bit reluctant. Even though this was only their second meeting, and their first official date.

But Lu Zhoushan was truly different—gentle, considerate, elegant, and very attentive to her. He was far better than she had imagined.

Even though the blind date was out of necessity, and the idea of marriage was a reluctant compromise, if the person was him, it suddenly didn’t feel so forced. In fact, there was even a touch of anticipation.

She walked into the house with a smile the entire way, clearly in a great mood.

Jiang Decai and his wife, worried since their daughter hadn’t returned this late, had been waiting for her in the living room the whole time.

When they saw her walk in, with a smile that she couldn’t hide no matter how hard she tried, the couple exchanged a glance—both knowing exactly what that meant.

Mother Jiang stepped forward to ask, “Xiaoci, why are you back so late? Was it cold outside?”

Jiang Xiaoci took her mother’s hand. Her usually fair and tender face was now slightly flushed, looking especially lovely.

Feeling her daughter’s warm hand and seeing her bright complexion, Mother Jiang was finally reassured.

Jiang Xiaoci said, “Mom, we went to listen to music and dance, so I got home a little late. But don’t worry, it was a proper dance hall. Also… you don’t have to wait up for me so late in the future.”

Even she hadn’t realized—she was already thinking about “the future.”

As she spoke, she sat down on the sofa, and Father Jiang couldn’t help but ask, “So how did things go between the two of you today?”

Though he had an idea already, he still wanted to hear it from his daughter directly.

As Jiang Xiaoci took off her scarf, she remembered how he had gently helped her adjust it earlier, and her cheeks grew warm again.

“Dad, Mom, things went really well. He’s a very nice person, and he took good care of me. I think he’s… really quite wonderful.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but smile again.

That smile, falling into the eyes of her parents, filled them with joy.

They were people who had experienced life. It was obvious—when their daughter spoke about the man, her tone and expressions were filled with genuine fondness. She clearly liked him.

Mother Jiang glanced at her husband and smiled, “That’s great. Looks like our Jiang family’s happy occasion is just around the corner.”

Jiang Xiaoci sat between her parents, holding their hands on each side. Rarely this cheerful and certain, she said, “Dad, Mom, I believe our family is blessed. We’ll definitely get through the hard times and see better days.”

Jiang Decai and his wife squeezed her hands and nodded firmly. “Yes, we definitely will.”

If not for heavenly blessing, how else could their daughter have met such a good man so quickly after a blind date? As the saying goes, “Rare is a man who’s both priceless and true-hearted.”

The family was overjoyed.

Meanwhile, the Lu family’s old residence was equally full of joy. Old Master Lu and Old Madam Lu were still up, unusually waiting for Lu Zhoushan in the sitting room.

Since the elders were still awake, Lu Yuanshan and his wife had stayed up with them too, though Old Madam Lu eventually waved them off, saying their presence was annoying and might irritate the younger son when he returned.

Lu Zhoushan had never liked people meddling in his affairs. Only the old folks could talk to him and have him actually listen.

So, in the end, only the eldest grandson Lu Yaozu remained, still keeping the elders company.

When Lu Zhoushan returned late, there was no sign of his usual cough, and even his footsteps seemed lighter than usual.

Then they looked at his face—those slightly upturned lips—and the old couple exchanged a knowing glance.

Old Madam Lu was the first to speak, “Zhoushan, how did things go with the girl?”

Coming back this late—things clearly hadn’t gone badly.

Lu Zhoushan looked at the old man and woman, then glanced at the chair beside the parlor where his eldest nephew, Lu Yaozu, was seated. From that setup, he understood everything.

He sat on the sofa and leaned back habitually. “She’s a good person. I admire her. Other than her, I won’t look at anyone else.”

As usual, concise and to the point.

Lu Yaozu’s gaze turned cold. His sickly little uncle’s blind date had progressed that fast? That just made him… furious!

He’d assumed a man in such poor health would be rejected, and he was looking forward to the embarrassment. But now that things had gone smoothly, all his satisfaction was wasted. How could he not be upset?

The two elders were overjoyed. Old Madam Lu happily rubbed her hands together. “Wonderful, wonderful! Looks like we’ll have a wedding in the Lu family soon!”

Even Old Master Lu, who rarely smiled, looked pleased. “Zhoushan finally showed some sense and initiative for once.”

Lu Zhoushan chuckled and shook his head. It seemed his parents had worried themselves sick over his marriage—so much that even words like “sense and initiative” came out.

He hadn’t wanted the blind date, nor the marriage, but now… if the person was her, it really didn’t seem so bad.

In fact, he was starting to look forward to it.

Old Madam Lu looked at her youngest son, then at her eldest grandson. Despite their age difference, both were fine young men in their prime.

She couldn’t help but say cheerfully, “Looks like we’re about to have double happiness in this house. Old man, didn’t we hear from the eldest that Yaozu has a girl he likes too, and even proposed already?”

Old Master Lu nodded and looked at Yaozu. “Yes, that’s right. You said you proposed before. So, what did the girl’s family say?”

Lu Yaozu’s expression stiffened. The memory of Jiang Xiaoci’s blunt rejection still burned. Just thinking about it made him furious.

Such a humiliating experience—there was no way he would admit it in front of his sickly uncle. For the sake of his pride, he’d rather lie.

His eyes flickered, and he forced himself to say, “Uh… her family already agreed. We’ll be getting married soon.”

But his expression wasn’t quite right. Lu Zhoushan narrowed his eyes and stared at him for a moment. His gaze was sharp. When Lu Yaozu looked back in surprise, Lu Zhoushan casually lowered his eyes again, back to his usual lazy, indifferent self.

The two elders also noticed something off about their grandson, but didn’t dwell on it—just assumed he was embarrassed talking about his engagement.

Old Master Lu was pleased. “Zhoushan, you need to speed things up too. You can’t let your nephew get married much earlier than you. Aim for double weddings!”

Old Madam Lu chimed in, “That’s right. Since you’re both getting married, why not plan the weddings together? Zhoushan, you’ve got to keep pace!”

Whatever Lu Yaozu was feeling—complicated, on edge, like sitting on pins and needles—Lu Zhoushan was in a fine mood. Thinking of every little moment spent with that girl over the past two days, he couldn’t help but smile and agree, “Alright.”