Liang Zhirou suddenly remembered that the kitchen tap was still running. She covered her mouth with a few fingers, turned around, and then quickly ran back.

Her ponytail swayed behind her, and her slippers pattered on the floor.

Xiao Xunfang was amused by her clumsy appearance and was helped by Chen Lu to sit down on the sofa.

This was Xiao Xunfang's first time here.

After sitting down, she looked around with great interest, unable to resist wanting to see what her daughter and future son-in-law's temporary home looked like.

Although both are two-bedroom apartments, this one is much smaller than the one in Yihe Yayuan, and the walls are noticeably older than the newly renovated one there.

Despite its old appearance, everything was spotless, and a refreshing fragrance filled the air.

The sounds of washing pots and pans constantly emanated from the kitchen, occasionally mingling with the sound of running water.

The bed sheets and their clothes were drying on the balcony, swaying gently in the breeze and sunshine.

A gray kitten peeked out from the balcony, tilted its head cutely, looked her up and down, and then quickly pulled its head back in.

The environment is very cozy.

If I had to find a word to describe it, it would be "very down-to-earth".

They look like a young couple living their lives together.

The two bedrooms were right next to each other, both doors were open, and both looked quite tidy, with sheets and blankets draped over them.

At first glance, the couple seemed to be keeping to themselves.

However, she didn't believe her precious daughter would obediently sleep in her own room.

Xiao Xunfang knew perfectly well that Liang Zhirou was just a foolish cabbage eagerly offered up to someone else.

Thinking of this, she suddenly smiled and said softly, "Auntie came to see you and also to discuss something."

Chen Lu breathed a sigh of relief.

Judging from the aunt's peaceful expression, she wasn't there to punish him for stealing cabbage.

"You didn't even tell me you were coming. It wouldn't have been trouble for me to pick you up."

"Why did I make you come all this way?" Xiao Xunfang smiled faintly on her wrinkled face. "I'm fine now, so I came by myself."

"Your recovery is much better than the doctor predicted," Chen Lu muttered in a low voice, pointing to the balcony. "In a while, you might even be able to go square dancing with those old ladies."

"Oh dear, I saw it when I was taking a walk. A group of people were twisting and turning... The auntie couldn't do that dance, and I felt that the loudspeaker was really disturbing. I'm happy just taking a walk in the park every morning."

Chen Lu curled the corners of his mouth, thinking it was a pity that not every square-dancing auntie was as kind-hearted as Aunt Xiao.

Otherwise, so many people wouldn't be calling the police every day because of the noise.

While the two were chatting, Liang Zhirou finished cleaning the kitchen and brought over two cups of hot water, gently placing them on the table.

Looking at the two people sitting on her left and right, she hesitated for a moment, then quietly sat down next to Chen Lu.

Chen Lu and Xiao Xunfang pretended not to see it, but they were secretly pleased with themselves.

The reasons for laughing are all different.

Seeing that the two of them were both smiling at her, Liang Zhirou lowered her head shyly and quickly changed the subject:

"Um... Mom, what do you want to discuss?"

Xiao Xunfang's smile faded considerably, and her hands, which were resting on her lap, unconsciously clasped together. "I want to go home... to be with your father."

Her tone was soft, as if she were testing the waters.

As people get older, they tend to enjoy discussing various matters with their children.

Not to mention that she doesn't actually control the finances at all right now.

Liang Zhirou suddenly stopped in her action of taking off the hair tie. The upper half of her hair was fluffy and spread out, while the ends were still tied up.

Seeing this, Chen Lu reached out and helped her take the hair tie off her hair, then casually put it on his own hand.

Because he often combs Liang Zhirou's hair, it has become an unconscious action for him.

Sometimes she even accidentally brings her hair tie to the office.

The girl's long, black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, but she remained motionless, frozen in place.

“But…” Liang Zhirou hesitated for a moment, “But your leg hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

"I'm much better now, aren't I?"

Xiao Xunfang asked in a soft voice.

Chen Lu quietly patted Liang Zhirou's shoulder and asked softly, "Auntie, why do you suddenly want to go back? It will be inconvenient for us to visit you then."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xunfang slightly raised her face, tears glistening in her eyes.

“I haven’t visited Zhirou’s father in over ten years… It’s not convenient for Zhirou to go back these past few years, and she might not even visit him once a year. He must be lonely.”

Liang Zhirou pursed her lips. She was not good at persuading others, let alone having this feeling herself, so she could only lower her head and keep fidgeting with her fingers.

The last time she went back, Chen Lu took her back, and the two of them pulled weeds for a long time.

Even if you pulled them out very cleanly last time, they've probably all grown back in a huge clump by now.

Just thinking about that little mound of earth still sitting there all alone, surrounded by weeds.

She suddenly felt like crying too.

If her father were alive, he would surely resent her.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Xiao Xunfang sniffed hard and forced a smile, saying, "It's not like I won't come back after you get married!"

She smiled and leaned in, pulling Liang Zhirou into her arms.

"Mom only wants to go back and stay for a year or two. She will come back to take care of her grandson in the future. Children are only cute for a few years. Such a good job cannot be taken away by Aunt Wang."

"Mom! You're talking nonsense again..."

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