It had just rained lightly, and the cement ground gleamed with a damp, dim light. The street was deserted, and the roasted chestnuts on the street corner were steaming under the dim light, their sweet aroma mingling with the smoke from the coal stove.

A few pedestrians and bicycles and motorcycles returning home late occasionally passed by, their bells echoing far into the empty streets before quickly disappearing into the night.

The next day when Fang Dongqiang arrived at work, he told Fang Meihao that he was going to Xiaolei's house for dinner. "You're meeting the parents so soon! Go to your second aunt's place at noon and ask her to prepare some things for you. I'll go back home after get off work at noon and get a box of tea for you to take with you."

"No need, I'll buy it myself."

"Take it with you. We're just leaving it here and not drinking it. When we go to your father-in-law's house, we should give him something presentable."

At noon, Fang Dongqiang went to Fang Meili's place. "You're meeting the parents so soon!" Fang Meili said the same thing. Then, she immediately looked at the shelves and said, "It's your first time there, so you have to be presentable."

Fang Meili packed the cigarettes and alcohol. "Second Aunt, how much?"

"This means your second aunt supports you!"

"No, if you don't want the money, I'll buy it from another store." Fang Dongqiang took out the money from his pocket.

“Meili, you must accept the money. You and Meihao will be busy with Dongqiang’s marriage plans from now on,” Fang Damiao said from the side.

"Of course, Mei Hao and I will arrange Dong Qiang's affairs."

"Okay, Auntie, you can settle the money first."

"Okay, okay, let me check the purchase price." Fang Meili flipped through the notebook.

"Dongqiang, when you go to Xiaolei's house, you need to be quick with your mouth and hands," Fang Damiao instructed Fang Dongqiang from the side.

"Okay, I understand." Fang Dongqiang thought for a moment but still couldn't help asking, "Why don't our family and Hua Hua Jingming's family have a good relationship?"

Fang Meili put down the form she was holding. "Dongqiang, why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Oh, I was just asking casually. They mentioned Jingming the other day." He Xiaolei's father had instructed that he didn't know if He Xiaolei would acknowledge her biological parents, so he told Fang Dongqiang not to say anything yet, but to ask Xiaolei's opinion before making a decision. If Xiaolei didn't acknowledge them, then they would drop the matter. If Xiaolei was willing to acknowledge them, then Dongqiang's maternal grandparents would go and talk to Fang Shugen's family.

"Shugen's mother is a terrible person; we all hate her," Fang Meihao said, pursing her lips.

"Our family isn't related to his family, is it?" Fang Dongqiang asked tentatively.

“What could his family have to do with him? They’re from the same village and share the same surname.” Fang Meili came up to Fang Dongqiang. “Dongqiang, you’re going to your girlfriend’s house for dinner tonight to meet her parents. Focus on your own affairs first. It’s not like you’re marrying the daughter of the Shugen family.”

Fang Dongqiang remained silent, deciding to talk about it after returning from Xiaolei's house.

He Xiaolei's parents came home early from get off work to cook, and He Xiaolei helped in the kitchen, arranging the cold dishes in advance.

"Let's go to the front gate and see if Dongqiang has arrived yet. The three of us are all here. When he comes over, there's no one in front," said He Xiaolei's father.

“Okay, I’ll go. Dad, you cook the seafood, Mom, cook these dishes. You can all cook your own specialties,” He Xiaolei said, washing her hands.

"Okay, we'll all do our best." He Xiaolei's parents had tense faces, their expressions showing a hint of nervousness.

"Dad, Mom, why do I sense that you two are nervous too?"

"This is Xiaolei's boyfriend's first time visiting our home!"

He Xiaolei smiled, pursing her lips, "Don't be like that, Dongqiang will be nervous too. Didn't Dad meet him before?"

"Okay, go ahead and meet Dongqiang."

"Okay!" He Xiaolei skipped over and opened the gate to the courtyard, then sat in the living room to wait.

He Xiaolei's parents exchanged a glance, both taking a breath to calm themselves down, as they were about to tell her the truth they had kept hidden for so many years.

Fang Dongqiang, carrying tea, cigarettes, and alcohol, leaned forward at the door and called out, "Xiaolei!"

He Xiaolei rushed out and met Fang Dongqiang's gaze. This was the first time Dongqiang had come to visit, and He Xiaolei remembered this scene vividly.

Looking at He Xiaolei's innocent and bright smile, Fang Dongqiang felt a little heavy-hearted.

He Xiaolei's house has a small courtyard in front, with a brick wall at the bottom and an wrought iron railing on top. The courtyard is planted with flowers and plants, and the living room is inside the courtyard. The kitchen and dining room are at the back.

He Xiaolei ran over and took Fang Dongqiang's arm. "My parents are cooking in the kitchen. Let's go to the back."

"Dad, Mom, Dongqiang is here."

"Xiaolei's dad, Xiaolei's mom!" Fang Dongqiang stood awkwardly at the kitchen doorway, carrying some things. "This is for you."

"Dongqiang, you're too kind! You brought so much stuff." He Xiaolei's mother came over.

"I'll put it here." Fang Dongqiang placed the items on the sideboard.

"Okay, okay! Uh, Xiaolei, it'll be ready soon. You stay here, Dad and Dongqiang can go sit in the front."

He Xiaolei's father and Fang Dongqiang went to the front living room.

“Dongqiang,” He Xiaolei’s father patted Fang Dongqiang’s thigh, “as soon as you came over, I asked you to talk about such a big thing.”

"Xiaolei's dad, I will talk to Xiaolei properly."

He Xiaolei's father poured Fang Dongqiang a cup of tea. He sat on the sofa with his legs apart, elbows resting on his thighs, fingers interlaced, and a solemn expression on his face.

"Dongqiang, Dad, dinner's ready!" He Xiaolei ran over and called out.

The table was laden with dishes, fish, shrimp, seafood, and a balanced mix of meat and vegetables. "Xiaolei's dad, Xiaolei's mom, you've cooked so much, you're too kind!"

"Dongqiang, these are all my parents' specialties. Try their cooking."

"Dongqiang, don't be shy, help yourself to whatever you like."

"good!"

The meal was somewhat awkward; it lacked the stiffness and embarrassment of a first visit, but it also lacked a certain liveliness. He Xiaolei's parents were preoccupied with their own thoughts, while Fang Dongqiang pondered the secret he needed to reveal.

He Xiaolei was completely unaware that both people on either side were close to her, chatting about everyday things, their eyes filled with joy.

After dinner, He Xiaolei's father said, "Xiaolei, take Dongqiang to your room and sit down."

"Huh?" He Xiaolei was quite surprised. It was the first time her boyfriend had come to her house, and her father had told her to take him to his room.

He Xiaolei was surprised that Fang Dongqiang would go upstairs to her room, wondering if anything was left lying around.

"Okay, let's go, Xiaolei, let's go to your room and sit for a while," Fang Dongqiang said to He Xiaolei.

"Huh? This?" He Xiaolei was still confused.

“Go ahead!” He Xiaolei’s mother said.

Fang Dongqiang grabbed He Xiaolei's hand, and He Xiaolei hurriedly walked ahead of him.

Fang Dongqiang turned around and nodded to He Xiaolei's parents.

"What's going on today? Why do we have to go to the room?" He Xiaolei whispered in Fang Dongqiang's ear as they reached the top of the stairs.

"Let's talk in the room."

Reaching the door of He Xiaolei's room, he said, "You stand here, I'll go in and take a look."

“Okay!” Fang Dongqiang stood at the door.

He Xiaolei rushed in, hurriedly pulled back the blankets and spread them out, then stuffed the clothes on the chair into the closet in a ball. She glanced around again, checking if her underwear and socks were still out in the open. Everything was fine, and it wasn't messy.

"Come in!"

Fang Dongqiang went in and closed the door, then reached out and pulled He Xiaolei into his arms.

"You're so bold, even in my own home~" He Xiaolei pressed her face against his chest.