Chapter 29.2

Fan Qi explained, “Dad, Ah Qian is sometimes really busy. I can’t always wait for him to cook for me, so I learned to cook for myself! Besides, my mom also told me that it’s not good for Ah Qian to always take care of me. Don’t I have a dad, a mom, a grandmother, and a brother?”

“Such a good girl,” Chen’s mother said happily, looking at Fan Qi before turning to Chen’s father. “Do you think she’s gained weight?”

Chen’s father adjusted his glasses and took a careful look. “She has gained a little weight. But she looks better than before.”

Gained weight…? Fan Qi heard her dad and mom’s remarks and turned to Chen Zhiqian, who was bringing over the radish and egg stir-fry, hoping he’d say something to set the record straight.

Chen Zhiqian reached out and pinched Fan Qi’s cheek. “You’ve been eating more recently, but sometimes a bit too much. The flesh on your face is showing up now.”

Ah? Being confirmed like this made Fan Qi want to cry.

Seeing her expression fall, Chen’s mother quickly hugged her. “Nannan^[1]“囡囡” (nān nan) is a Southern Chinese term of endearment, often used by elders to affectionately refer to a daughter or young girl, similar to “sweetie” or “baby girl.”, both your mother and I were worried. After you left, there was no one urging you to eat like at home. We were afraid you might lose weight and look too thin. Now, I can tell your mother that not only have you not lost weight, you’ve gained some. She’ll be able to sleep well tonight.”

“Being a little fatter is better, it’s healthier,” Chen’s father added.

Fan Qi finally realized that the body she was in was similar to her previous life on the surface, but the core was different. In her past life, she never gained weight!

Chen Zhiqian poured tea for his parents, and Fan Qi made a pancake with shredded potatoes and beef strips for his mother. “Mom, try this.”

“Good girl, you eat too,” Chen’s mother said with a sense of comfort, as though seeing her child grow up.

Chen Zhiqian cut to the point. “Dad, Mom, how come you didn’t even give us a call when you came over? What’s the point of coming here to film a TV show?”

“This guy… what should I even call him?” Chen’s father was clearly angry.

“Did Liu Xiangnian come to Shanghai to see you?” Chen Zhiqian asked.

“Yes! He sent his subordinates to Shanghai, found the Overseas Chinese Association, and had them contact our principal. And right away, they started talking about donating five million Hong Kong dollars to the school. They wanted our leaders to convince me. Damn, we’ve run into that scoundrel!” Chen’s father couldn’t hold back a curse.

“He even came to our hospital, same thing, donated a building and told our leaders he was my father-in-law, and that I should go home and talk to your father about it,” Chen’s mother shook her head. “Half the day went by, and the TV crew came for an interview. They wanted to do a show to highlight that blood is thicker than water, that forty years of separation can’t sever the father-son bond. Think about it, all the city leaders, the leaders of your father’s school, our hospital and the school were all lined up to persuade us.”

Hearing this made Fan Qi feel sick. “Isn’t this moral blackmail? The problem is, Liu Xiangnian has no morals!”

“Exactly! He’s using money to pressure us. What does his money have to do with us? He’s ridiculous, totally warped!” Chen’s mother continued to curse.

Chen’s father ate his pancake and took a sip of water. “Anyway, I’ll tell you both, if we acknowledge him, we might as well not go to Qingpu to sweep your grandmother’s and great-grandfather’s tombs during the Winter Solstice or Qingming.”

“I know, we won’t do that,” Chen Zhiqian said, recalling how his father couldn’t control his emotions in his past life and ended up arguing with Liu Xiangnian. Although his father had the moral high ground, the situation was intentionally edited to make his father’s impassioned words seem like an offense to a dying elder, painting him as rude, uncultured, and unfit to be a role model.

“Dad, you’ve been through this yourself. This person actually harmed our grandmother and you. It’s one thing not to meet, but if we do, it’s natural that emotions will get out of control. But he donated to the school and even invited the TV crew. And you’re a university professor—if you lose control in front of a sick elder who wants to pass on the family business, and it gets aired on TV, what do you think will happen?”

“So, because he’s dying, it’s okay?” Chen Qinxian couldn’t control himself when talking about this person. “Your grandmother’s already dead.” As soon as this person was mentioned, Chen Qinxian couldn’t keep his composure. “Even when I was only five, I still clearly remember that image. I went to Fan Garden with my mom and saw a woman in a brocade cheongsam pushing a little girl in a princess dress on the swing. In my memory, this guy could really talk, and when he spoke to my mom, I don’t remember what he said, I just remember his mouth moving—he looked like someone who would only appear in my nightmares.”

“Dad, this is what I think. He donated money, and he’s using the leaders to pressure us. We’ll just speak clearly and separately about public and private matters. You and mom, when you go in, represent the school and hospital to thank him with a bow…”

Fan Qi listened as Chen Zhiqian spoke with his parents, and she originally wanted to suggest to Chen’s father that they tell the Overseas Chinese Association: “Don’t advise others to be kind unless you’ve experienced their hardships,” but after hearing Chen Zhiqian’s approach, it was clearly on a whole different level than what she had thought. She almost wanted to stroke her chin in agreement but then felt a pimple and instinctively reached to pop it.

Chen Zhiqian, while speaking, didn’t forget to look at her. “Don’t pop your pimple.”

Under his gaze, Fan Qi lowered her hand and continued listening.

Once Chen Zhiqian finished explaining his thoughts, Chen’s father looked at him with a sense of pride, like a father watching his grown son. “Got it. It’s almost time, let’s head over.”

Fan Qi and Chen Zhiqian accompanied their parents to the hotel, which was actually part of the Liu family’s business. Since they had to stay with the TV crew and the Overseas Chinese Association colleagues, the couple had no choice but to stay there.

Perhaps they had already given prior notice, as when they presented their IDs for check-in, the lobby manager immediately approached them, smiling broadly and bowing. “Young master, young mistress, the room is ready. Please follow me.”

A person with a head full of gray hair being called “young master”? Chen’s mother couldn’t help but laugh. “Professor Chen, didn’t expect this, did you?”

Chen’s father shook his head. He said to the manager, “Sir, I’m sorry, I won’t be staying in this room. Please give me a room with a double bed, and charge the room at the standard price. Also, it’s more appropriate to call me Mr. Chen.”

The lobby manager looked awkward. “But the boss specifically ordered this.”

Chen Zhiqian stepped forward. “Please check with your boss. If there’s an issue, we’ll find another hotel to stay in.”

The lobby manager went inside to make a phone call, and after a while, he came back. “Mr. Chen, you may check in now.”

After check-in, Fan Qi and Chen Zhiqian accompanied their parents to the room. When they opened the door, they found it was a large suite with a balcony and living room, facing the sea.

Well, they paid the price of a standard room but got a suite. Never mind, no need to dwell on that. The elderly couple put their things down, and Fan Qi walked to the balcony, gazing out at Victoria Harbour. Chen Zhiqian asked, “Shall we take mom and dad out for Cantonese food tonight?”

“Sure!” Fan Qi remembered what she had said earlier. “I really have gained weight.”

Chen Zhiqian looked at her carefully, and as he did, an image of her lying down with her belly exposed flashed through his mind. He compared the difference between the first night and last night, then heard her say, “Tell me the truth.”

“It’s a bit. Just a little, there’s more flesh on your belly,” Chen Zhiqian replied honestly since she wanted the truth.

Fan Qi looked down at her belly, then looked up at him. “How do you know there’s more flesh on my belly?”

He hadn’t thought much before he said it, but now Chen Zhiqian realized his mistake. Just as he was about to explain, Chen’s mother came over. “Ah Qian, Nannan, we need to go now.”

“We’re coming.” Chen Zhiqian pulled Fan Qi inside.

The elderly couple watched as the two young ones whispered to each other on the balcony. It made them happy. Seeing their son holding Fan Qi’s hand, they exchanged a knowing smile.

Fan Qi, not getting an answer, felt like a cat scratching inside her chest. How did he know? In the elevator, she glanced up at Chen Zhiqian with her eyes asking.

Chen Zhiqian’s expression remained indifferent. Was he trying to act aloof?

Fan Qi, her mind racing, turned to Chen’s father and said, “Dad, next time you call, if I tell you that Ah Qian is taking a shower, just hang up and wait for twenty minutes before calling back.”

She got halfway through her sentence when Chen Zhiqian’s grip tightened on her hand. He lowered his head and warned, “Don’t say it.”

Fan Qi blinked her pretty eyes, trying to ignore his warning, but then Chen’s mother suddenly reacted. “He won’t run out shirtless, will he?”

Fan Qi hadn’t expected Chen’s mother to be so bold in her assumptions. At least, the original scene still had a towel involved, and this was taking it further.

Chen Zhiqian released his grip on Fan Qi, his face turning bright red.

Seeing her son in such an embarrassed state, Chen’s mother sighed in exasperation. “You’re just like your father. What’s there to be shy about? There’s no one else in the house. It’s not like your wife hasn’t seen you before. As long as it’s not for other women, it’s fine.”

Chen’s father cleared his throat. “Alright, stop talking about this. Let’s be serious in front of the kids.”

The elevator arrived at the fifth floor and the doors opened. Chen’s mother grabbed Chen’s father’s arm. “Chen Qinxian, explain to me, where have I been inappropriate?”

“Shh,” Chen’s father hushed her. “The leaders are coming.”

The camera crew followed the leaders into the room, and the leader smiled. “Professor Chen, Professor Xue.”

“Ah Qian, Xiao Qi, this is Deputy Director Zhang from our district’s Overseas Chinese Association.” Chen Qinxian then introduced his son and daughter-in-law to Deputy Director Zhang. “This is my son, Chen Zhiqian, and his wife, Fan Qi.”

Deputy Director Zhang looked at Chen Zhiqian and Fan Qi and said, “Your son and daughter-in-law really make a perfect couple!”

“Hello, Director Zhang,” Chen Zhiqian shook his hand, and Fan Qi followed suit.

“Mr. Liu Xiangnian is already waiting in the reception room,” Deputy Director Zhang said to Chen Zhiqian. “Your father went through a lot in his youth, and we all understand that. But this… has historical reasons. Now Mr. Liu wants to repair the father-son relationship. Xiao Chen, as a grandson, you need to act as a mediator to resolve any misunderstandings between them.”

“Director Zhang, every family has its own difficulties, and some things can’t be explained in a sentence or two. The younger generation really has a hard time interfering in the matters of the older generation,” Chen Zhiqian gently declined.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Zhang was about to persuade him further, but when he saw Liu Xiangnian already standing there, looking at Chen Qinxian with loving eyes, he stopped.