Chapter 304: The Backbone of the Family
Lu Chun'e took a long time to say "hmm" and nodded, feeling a little shy and at a loss.
Wen Wan didn't say anything, just said: "It's fine, if you like it, just be happy with it, just don't make yourself feel wronged."
It seemed like nothing was said, but Lu Chun'e felt inexplicably relieved.
"I like him. Based on the time we've been together, I think he's pretty good. But I need to get to know him better. Sister-in-law, I've remembered everything you said! I'll get to know him better, discover his flaws, and then see if I can accept them and live with him for the rest of my life despite them."
Wen Wan: ...
Zhou Mingli: ... He couldn't help himself and knocked on the door: "Do you need my help?"
Wen Wan nodded: "Of course we need it! Come on, Chun'e has already stewed the meat and steamed the rice, but since you rarely come here, this one dish is definitely not enough. Here are some eggs and some vegetables I stockpiled. You can help us cook them. Let us take advantage of Chun'e's influence and see your cooking skills!"
Since he has come to her door to be ordered around, why should she be polite?
It was freezing cold, and washing vegetables was uncomfortable even with hot water.
Zhou Mingli nodded and went into the kitchen. She pulled Lu Chun'e directly and ran to the living room.
Lu Chun'e was still looking outside: "Sister-in-law, is this not a good idea?"
Wen Wan pulled her in and closed the door to prevent the cold wind from blowing in.
"Why is it not good? Didn't you just say that you want to get to know him well and find his shortcomings? Let him try cooking! How can a man not know how to cook? Are you looking for you just to cook for you for the rest of your life? What if you have an inconvenience? Should you find a partner or a maid? If you don't look at anything else, just look at your brother. We do laundry and cooking together. When he has time, when has he ever let me touch the water?"
After saying that, he suddenly asked, "How far have you been with him? Have you ever been to his house?"
Lu Chun'e shook her head. "Not yet. He said he'd come over first. Our house is far away, and you and your brother are considered elders here. This is a formal visit. Then I'll go with him to the compound to meet Mr. Zhou. When I have summer vacation, he'll accompany me back to Xinxi."
"Are you going back for the New Year?"
Lu Chun'e nodded: "Well, you and brother don't have time to go back. I have to go back when I have time. It's been almost a year since I left. I was a little afraid at first, but if he accompanies me, I think it's okay."
Wen Wan nodded: "That's fine. With his job, he doesn't have much time for this. If you really like her and want to get closer to her, then go back with her and bring her home to see."
"It just so happens that I was talking to your brother a few days ago about sending clothes and money back home. If you go back, just take the money with you and send the clothes."
Lu Chun'e said: "No need, I'll take them all!"
"Trains are incredibly crowded in the winter, so pack as little as possible. You've got a huge bag of things for your parents and Donglin, and you'll have to bring your own change of clothes when you go home. It's just too much stuff! Zhou Mingli can just take care of you, why would he have to look after your luggage?"
Lu Chun'e nodded: "That's fine." After that, she sighed: "With my brother's job, I don't know when I can have a long vacation to go home and visit him."
Wen Wan didn't say anything for a long time before she said, "There will always be a chance. Or, we can buy a bigger house in the future and let our parents come here too."
Lu Chun'e laughed: "They won't come! They can't easily leave the place they are used to."
Wen Wan didn't respond. She just said that and had no intention of living under the same roof with the old couple again.
Cooking is not a difficult thing for Zhou Mingli. Lu Chun'e has cooked the meat, so he just needs to watch the fire. When it is almost done, his dishes will be ready.
Lu Chun'e couldn't sit still in the living room, and after being dragged by Wen Wan for a while, she finally went to the kitchen.
Although he couldn't help, Zhou Mingli felt particularly good with her watching over him.
The food was not yet cooked when Lu Dongping came back from get off work.
Wen Wan pulled off the blanket, dropped the book, and ran out, pulling him into the house: "Come on, keep your voice down, I want to tell you something."
Lu Dongping followed her into the house, confused.
Wen Wan helped him brush off the snow on his body, and then stuffed the hot water bottle into his hands.
"Chun'e is back."
Lu Dongping looked at her doubtfully: "Where are they?"
"In the kitchen! Zhou Mingli came with her."
Lu Dongping frowned slightly: "What do you mean?"
Wen Wan couldn't bear to see him frowning and looking serious, so she reached out and pinched his eyebrows, pulling them to the sides. "You're just talking about dating, and today we're officially visiting."
After saying that, she reached out and pinched the corner of his mouth: "What's the matter? Why don't you smile? Why are you so tense?"
Lu Dongping was frustrated by her and squeezed her hand with amusement: "Okay, tell me, is this Zhou Mingli reliable or not?"
Wen Wan objectively analyzed the situation with him, "It's been years since we last met, so I can't say for sure. But his appearance is undoubtedly excellent, and he's a perfect match for Chun'e. As for his style, I've asked my father and uncle about it before, and they both spoke well of him. I think overall, he shouldn't be too far off. If you want to get to know him better, you have to get to know him better. That depends on Chun'e herself; we can't help."
Lu Dongping sighed, "I hope he's a good person." Then he stood up and said, "I'll go say hello."
Wen Wan worriedly advised: "Be nicer and don't make things difficult for Chun'e."
Lu Dongping squeezed her hand helplessly: "I know." After that, he let go and went outside. After a while, Lu Chun'e came in from outside.
"Is the meal ready?"
Lu Chun'e nodded: "I'll be ready soon." Then she asked Wen Wan: "Sister-in-law, have you told my brother? I think his face looks a bit scary."
"Don't worry, no matter how scary it is, Zhou Mingli can't be scared." As he said that, he moved the table to the side, wiped it, put the chairs in place, and then took out a bottle of wine from the cabinet.
"Want a drink? I have to go back to school later. I have classes tomorrow."
Wen Wan said, "After all, this is my first official visit. How can I not have some wine? Let's talk about whether to drink or not. Let's talk about it later."
Lu Chun'e nodded: "I'll come over on Saturday. Let's go back to the compound. I haven't seen Dandan for a long time."
Wen Wan agreed: "I haven't been back for a long time. Last time, my dad brought me here to play for the whole afternoon. I happened to make cotton-padded clothes for grandma and dad, so I sent them back together."
As they were talking, Zhou Mingli came in with the dishes. Wen Wan and Lu Chun'e hurriedly got up to help.
The meal for four people was too rich.
Braised short ribs, braised tofu, pickled cabbage, shredded potatoes, and green onion and egg soup.
Regardless of the taste, first of all, it looks very good.
Wen Wan's impression of Zhou Mingli improved slightly. After all, if a man could cook, it would be easier for a woman. As for whether he could cook in the future, that was beyond anyone's control. It all depended on Lu Chun'e's ability and how she trained him.
"Would you like to drink?" she asked Lu Dongping.
Lu Dongping said, "Have a drink." Then he looked at Zhou Mingli.
Zhou Mingli nodded: "Drink some." He could drink quite a lot, but he was prepared to get drunk.
It’s my first time here, so how can I not raise my glass and try my best?
Lu Dongping didn't let him drink more, but just raised his glass as a token of his appreciation. It wasn't the weekend and he still had classes tomorrow.
After dinner, we chatted for a while and then urged people to leave.
It's so easy to talk that it seems a little unreal.
Zhou Mingli didn't drink much, but he felt dazed and drunk.
It took him half a day in the car to come back to his senses: "Does this count as having passed the first level?"
Lu Chun'e glanced at him and asked, "What do you think?"
Zhou Mingli chuckled: "Your brother is not fierce at all!" He had seen this before. The first time he met his brother-in-law, the other party looked like he wanted to kill him.
Lu Chun'e snorted: "When did you get the illusion that my brother is so fierce? He never makes things difficult for anyone! How could he make things difficult for you or me?" The rest of her words sounded like the buzzing of a mosquito, so only she could hear them.
Zhou Mingli came over and rubbed her ears to tease her: "What did you just say? Speak louder!"
Lu Chun'e pushed his head to the side: "Sit down before you talk!"
Zhou Mingli was pushed over by her and then came closer.
His shamelessness is outrageous.
"I'm telling you, my brother isn't being easygoing; he's just afraid of putting me in a difficult position. If you're mean to me, he'll definitely beat you up, believe it or not? Even though you've been in the military for all those years, my brother's a wild man, and you might not be able to withstand a beating from him. He's the easiest person to talk to in our family, but he's also the hardest to mess with."
From childhood to adulthood, the backbone of the family has never been her father, but her brother.
"Lu Donglin and I were raised by my brother, but he raised himself."
The car was silent for a moment before Zhou Mingli said, "Chun'e, I swear in the name of a soldier that I will never let you down in this life."
Lu Chun'e glanced at him and said, "Don't make random vows. Life is lived out. No promises can guarantee a good outcome. Anyway, if you're okay, I'll follow you. If you're not okay, I won't let myself get hurt. We're in this day and age, and it's not the right time for someone to hang themselves on a crooked tree their entire life."
Zhou Mingli gritted his teeth, but couldn't help himself and reached out to pinch her face quickly: "Don't even think about it, you'll be with me for the rest of your life!"
"Drive, drive, it's so cold outside."
Zhou Mingli didn't want to move, so they all went back to their respective schools and we wouldn't see each other for several days.
He took off his military coat and put it on her: "You won't be cold now. Talk to me again!"
There was still his body temperature on the coat, and Lu Chun'e felt as if she was wrapped in a huge furnace.
"Don't make trouble, be careful of catching a cold, put it on quickly."
After tugging twice, he pulled his hands free and returned the coat to Zhou Mingli: "I'm going back to the compound to see Dandan on Saturday. Are you coming back?"
"Of course I will. Wherever Chun'e is, I must be there."
Lu Chun'e had a profound understanding of what it meant to be thick-skinned. When a man gets thick-skinned, there's no limit to how thick-skinned he can be.
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