Chapter 120 Relatives
In order to reward my parents for the stress they have been under these days and to have a good New Year, Lin Yan took the initiative to cook a sumptuous meal himself and asked me to help him.
To be honest, this is the first time I have participated in cooking from such a close distance and throughout the entire process (before I just washed the vegetables at most). Looking at Lin Yan wearing an apron, skillfully chopping and stir-frying vegetables, the stove fire reflecting his focused profile, and even fine beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, I suddenly felt an indescribable throbbing in my heart.
For some unknown reason, I put down the garlic in my hand, gently hugged him from behind, and put my face against his broad back.
"I think," I whispered, my voice filled with a sense of dependence and pride I wasn't even aware of, "it's still our boss Lin. He's capable of both housework and cooking. Is there anything you can't do?"
Lin Yan didn't stop moving and laughed softly. The vibration of his chest was transmitted to me through his back: "Why are you so sweet today? You praise me so much, it's like you married me."
I laughed too, rubbing my face against his back. "It's not impossible, actually. It doesn't matter what you call me, as long as I'm mine."
Hearing this, Lin Yan turned off the stove and turned around, his hands still stained with oil. He looked down at me, his eyes a mixture of playfulness and seriousness: "This isn't insignificant. This determines... who's 'on top' and who's 'down there' when we cook from now on."
I was stunned for a moment, not realizing it. "Huh? Is there a need for proper positioning when cooking?"
Lin Yan raised his eyebrows, reached out and patted my butt lightly, saying, "I mean this 'cooking'."
My face flushed instantly, and I punched him in the face in embarrassment. "...Of course this is a private matter! Who wants to discuss this with you?"
Lin Yan lowered his head, smiled, bit my lips, and said in a domineering and sticky tone: "Anyway, no matter what, you are my wife."
I hugged him back helplessly and sweetly, burying my burning face in his arms: "Okay, okay, my dear husband~ Hurry up and cook, Mom and Dad must be hungry."
After working for a long time, a table full of delicious dishes was finally served.
Lin Yan's cooking skills have obviously improved a lot. My dad praised the food highly. He looked at Lin Yan with such satisfaction, as if he was looking at his own son.
"Chen Rui," my dad took a sip of his wine and smacked his lips, "You have good taste! If you had married a wife, I might not have had the good fortune to enjoy this treatment!"
I nearly choked on my saliva and helplessly held my forehead. "Dad...you're giving in already? I bought you off with just one meal?"
I've discovered that my dad can be shockingly realistic at times, and frighteningly open-minded at times.
"As a person, you should be realistic." My father said, as if he had seen through life. "Focus more on what you have gained, and don't dwell on what you have lost. Life is for yourself, and the most important thing is to live comfortably."
I couldn't help but give him a thumbs up: "You are so enlightened!"
Even my mother, who usually has no expression, couldn't help but smile and glanced at my father: "Old Chen, I didn't expect you to say such sensible things."
My father raised his chin proudly and said, "This is the wisdom of the working people! I, your husband, have lived for decades, too!"
Lin Yan also smiled and filled my dad's glass with wine: "Dad, I'm satisfied that you and Mom approve of me. I will definitely treat Ruirui well and be filial to you two elders."
"I love hearing that!" My dad slapped his thigh happily. "We just need to live a good life behind closed doors as a family. Why should we care about what outsiders say?"
The whole family laughed together, and the house was filled with long-lost liveliness and warmth.
In the afternoon, the task of purchasing firecrackers and fireworks fell on Lin Yan and me.
We held hands and went to the largest market in the county.
The place is full of the festive atmosphere of the New Year, with crowds of people and the sound of various hawkers. It is quite fresh and interesting for people who have lived in the city all year round.
However, two grown men walking hand in hand in the bustling market still seemed a bit eye-catching in this relatively conservative small county town.
Many eyes were cast towards us, some were curious, some were surprised, and of course there were also some that were scrutinizing and malicious.
Whenever he encountered an unfriendly look, Lin Yan would glare back without hesitation. His cold expression was quite intimidating, and usually the other party would look away in disappointment.
As I was walking, I suddenly felt a peculiar gaze. It was not a look of pure curiosity or disgust, but more like a look... with a bit of surprise and inquiry.
I looked up subconsciously and saw an old lady with gray hair who looked to be in her seventies or eighties. She was being supported by a middle-aged woman and was standing in front of a stall selling dried fruits. She looked at me without blinking.
The old woman's face looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. Before I could say anything, the old woman raised her hand tremblingly and called softly, "Is it... Xiao Rui?"
I was stunned for a moment and asked hesitantly, "Are you...?"
"I'm your great aunt!" The old woman smiled kindly. "I haven't seen you for so many years. You've grown so big... I almost didn't recognize you."
I tried hard to search my memory, it seemed like a distant relative from my mother's side?
"Aunt...you actually recognized me?" It seemed like we hadn't seen each other for many years.
"I can't forget, I can't forget," my great aunt waved her hand, her eyes soft. "Your eyes are exactly the same as your mother's when she was a child... When your mother was a child, I took care of her for a while."
I nodded quickly. "No wonder you look familiar... How are you feeling lately?"
"I'm an old man, what else can I do? I'll just make do with my life." My aunt smiled and turned her gaze to Lin Yan, who had been standing quietly beside me. She asked with a hint of doubt, "Xiao Rui, who is this...?"
My heart tightened. I was just thinking about how to introduce myself so that the old lady would be more receptive. Unexpectedly, Lin Yan had already taken half a step forward and spoke very naturally and frankly, with a respectful tone: "Hello, Auntie, I am Chen Rui's boyfriend, Lin Yan."
I was practically petrified! He just said it out loud like that?!
Not to mention how "explosive" this matter itself is, I am afraid that the old man will not be able to accept it for the time being, what should I do if something else happens!
As expected, my aunt was stunned. She lowered her head and muttered to herself, "Oh...it turns out that what Chen Jianguo said...is true..." There was not much emotion in her tone.
My heart sank. Sure enough, the gossip had already spread.
Unexpectedly, the aunt raised her head, looked at Lin Yan carefully, and nodded, her tone quite kind: "It's Xiao Lin... This child is so handsome!"
I:"……"
This reaction was totally unexpected!
For a moment I didn't know how to respond and felt so embarrassed.
Lin Yan was very calm and responded with a smile: "Yes, Auntie, Ruirui and I have been together for three years and we have a good relationship."
"Okay, okay... pretty good."
My aunt nodded and looked between the two of us. She really didn't seem to have much aversion.
I finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly invited her, "Aunt, since we've met, why don't you come over to my house and have a seat? I'll let Lin Yan cook you a few more of his signature dishes."
"Oh no, no," my aunt waved her hand. "I just came here for the feast and stopped by the market on the way. I didn't expect to run into you. Your parents...are they all right?"
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
"Alas..." My aunt sighed softly, "Ever since your mother...had a disagreement with her family and lost contact, I've contacted her privately a few times. I knew you got into a good university and later went on to graduate school. You've made a lot of progress."
I was a little surprised: "...My mother never told me these things."
I know my mother has a bad relationship with her family, but she never mentions the specific details.
"Your mother... is just like that. She keeps everything to herself, speaks little, and thinks a lot."
There was a look of nostalgia and heartache in the eyes of the great aunt, "Her first half of life... was too hard."
My heart ached, and I whispered, "Aunt, I know..."
"After she gave birth to you, she wasn't feeling well both emotionally and physically. I even went to help take care of you for a while."
My aunt looked at me with loving eyes, "But you have been a well-behaved child since you were young, never making any noise or fuss, and you are very easy to take care of."
She paused, her tone becoming more earnest. "Xiao Rui, I'm not telling you this to make you feel guilty or anything. I just want you to know that some things of the older generation will inevitably affect the next generation. If you sometimes feel that... fate is not so fair to you, why not try to think about it from a different perspective? Maybe you can see things more clearly."
I lowered my head, my nose a little sour: "Aunt, I don't feel it's unfair... I can understand my mother, she is just that kind of person..."
At this moment, Lin Yan, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up. His voice was gentle but firm: "Aunt, please forgive me for being frank. Although Ruirui's mother has experienced a lot of hardships and deserves sympathy, objectively speaking, she has indeed not fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother."
I looked at Lin Yan in astonishment. I didn't expect him to say it so directly.
Lin Yan pushed his glasses and continued calmly, "I'm sorry, I may be an outsider to the Chen family. But as Chen Rui's lover, there are some things I have to say. Ruirui's success today, his admission to such a good university, and his positive outlook on life, are almost entirely due to his own self-awareness and hard work."
He looked at me, his eyes filled with heartache and pride. "He's never complained about his family of origin. Instead, he's always felt sorry for his parents. He even felt guilty for letting them suffer because of his choices. He's done well enough."
After hearing what Lin Yan said, the aunt was stunned. After a while, she murmured, "Xiao Rui...you...it's not easy for you..."
"But that won't happen in the future," Lin Yan held my hand, his tone firm, as if making a solemn promise, "From now on, he won't be the only one here. His family is my family. We will definitely work hard to give Chen Rui's parents a better life and make up for the grievances they have suffered over the years."
My eyes instantly turned red and I bit my lips hard to prevent the tears from falling.
My aunt looked at our tightly clasped hands, then at Lin Yan's firm and reliable eyes, nodded heavily, her voice choked with sobs: "Good children... all of them are good children... people who have been educated think differently... Xiao Rui, I'm relieved that you've found a good home."
I nodded vigorously, my voice choked but firm: "Don't worry, Aunt! I, Chen Rui, will definitely get better and better in the future! Let my parents and I live the best life possible!"
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