Chapter 145 Family Reunion He strode forward with unwavering steps, day and night…
She thought that He Ming minded Lü Feng's lingering feelings for her. Little did she know that what he truly cared about was the past he had never had the chance to revisit.
It's hard to imagine that he could speak of "jealousy" so openly. His regret and his selfishness were laid bare before her.
This made Zhu Liushuang realize with absolute certainty that He Ming at this moment was no longer the "moon in the water, flower in the mirror" of her distant memories, but a living, breathing person. He had flesh and blood, rich emotions, and also a dark and gloomy side.
Most importantly, he truly loved her, and therefore he cared about everything related to her.
With teary eyes, she reached for his wrist, feeling the man's passionate and clear pulse.
"Why are you suddenly crying?" He Ming asked helplessly, wiping away the tears from her eyes.
Zhu Liushuang realized she had lost her composure and murmured softly, "N-nothing...it's nothing."
She was simply crying tears of joy.
She stumbled and struggled alone for many years on the path to falling in love with He Ming.
And the man in front of her did not disappoint her feelings.
From the moment he confessed his love to her, he took firm steps and rushed towards her day and night.
————
On New Year's Eve that year, the Zhu family's old two-bedroom apartment was filled with an unusual liveliness.
The happiest person was Gu Chunling.
Since her husband's unexpected death, her life has been exceptionally difficult.
Though she never said it aloud, she couldn't help but envy other families who had men to rely on. Especially during holidays, when she was alone at home with only her daughter, she felt an indescribable sorrow.
Over the past decade or so, there have been honest men who have shown her kindness. But she was either concerned about her daughter's feelings or worried about her illness, thinking, "Forget it, forget it," and ultimately she has persevered alone until now.
Now things are better. She's finally made it, and she no longer needs to envy other people's families. Her family now has a man who can help her in everything. He Ming is handsome, well-off, and considerate to his daughter. Most importantly, he's very perceptive. After spending the whole day together, Gu Chunling's satisfaction with her prospective son-in-law skyrocketed.
Her joy wasn't just felt deep inside, but it also radiated from her glowing face.
It was a day for family reunions, and the neighborhood was much noisier than usual.
The people upstairs and downstairs are all familiar faces, so it's inevitable that we'll bump into each other in the stairwell.
When they run into each other, the neighbors always ask, "Did Xiaoshuang bring her boyfriend home for Chinese New Year this year?"
Gu Chunling was all smiles and didn't hide anything, saying "yes" to everyone she met. After saying that, she didn't forget to praise He Ming a few times.
In less than half a day, everyone in Building 10 of Donghu Community knew the news that "good things are coming soon for the Zhu family."
As evening approached, everyone was busy at work, frying, stir-frying, and cooking, with the chopping boards making a loud "bang" sound.
The Zhu family was no exception. Zhu Liushuang and He Ming were in charge of cooking, and the two of them squeezed into the kitchen, working together quite well.
Gu Chunling, who rarely had a moment of peace, was still a little worried. She would occasionally walk to the kitchen doorway to peek out and ask the young couple if they needed any help.
Help was not needed. Zhu Liushuang chopped the side dishes while handing seasonings to He Ming. At the end, she did not forget to turn around and persuade her mother to go to the living room to rest.
After several rounds of persuasion, the New Year's Eve dinner was finally completed.
Dried bamboo shoots with old duck, stewed chicken, braised eel shreds, finely ground lamb tail, steamed yellow croaker, braised pork hock, pearl meatballs, stir-fried snow peas... Eight hot dishes for three people, plus a plate of cold lettuce shreds and a bowl of sweet and soft eight-treasure rice, symbolizing perfection.
I can't even remember the last time I had such a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.
Gu Chunling raised her sleeve and secretly wiped away her tears.
Zhu Liushuang came out of the kitchen and saw that there were only three sets of bowls and chopsticks on the round table, so she went back and took another set, placing it in the empty spot. That south-facing seat used to be where her father sat, and every year during the Lunar New Year, she and her mother would prepare it for him.
"Shuangshuang, take the bowls and chopsticks back." But as soon as she put them down, her mother pulled her away.
Zhu Liushuang was puzzled and looked confused.
Gu Chunling leaned closer to her and whispered, "A-Ming is here this year too, so don't set out your dad's dishes and chopsticks, it doesn't look nice."
“What’s wrong with that? He already knows…” Zhu Liushuang retorted.
She was only halfway through her sentence when her mother glared at her disapprovingly, stopping her from speaking. She had no choice but to put away the dishes and reluctantly walk to the kitchen.
He Ming, who was still washing pots inside, noticed that her expression was off, so he asked casually, "Shuangshuang, what's bothering you?"
Zhu Liushuang felt extremely wronged, but she held back and didn't say anything: "I'm not unhappy, I just choked on the smoke."
To let the smell dissipate, the kitchen window was kept open, so there was hardly any cooking smoke in the house. He Ming turned off the tap, looked carefully at the bowl in her hand, and asked, "Are these bowls and chopsticks for Dad?"
Zhu Liushuang straightened her eyes and stared blankly at him.
"How...how did you know?" she asked, her lips trembling in surprise.
The man took the bowl and chopsticks from her hands, his smile gentle: "That's not hard to guess, because my family has a similar habit..."
"We are both in the same boat," and because they had both lost loved ones, he could understand some of her behaviors at a glance.
“Ah Ming…” The wind was cold by the window, so she leaned against his chest, seeking warmth for a moment.
He Ming hugged her back and asked, "Why did you take it out and then bring it back?"
"My mom said...it doesn't look good..." Zhu Liushuang said in a muffled voice, "But such a big round table looks so deserted with only three sets of bowls and chopsticks!"
“Hmm, it’s rather quiet.” He Ming said thoughtfully, “Let’s put this set of bowls and chopsticks back, and take a few more sets, for my mom, and for my grandparents… so they can join in the fun.”
With someone backing her up, Zhu Liushuang immediately felt more confident.
She lifted her head from his chest, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Okay, take five more."
When the couple came out of the kitchen again, their hands were full.
He Ming held the bowl, while Zhu Liushuang took the chopsticks and spoon.
Ignoring Gu Chunling's surprised look, the two of them lined up the six empty bowls in order, and then neatly placed the other tableware on top.
"You... what is this...?"
“Mom, since it’s New Year’s Eve dinner, of course the whole family should eat together!” Zhu Liushuang walked behind her mother and put her arm around her shoulder. “Aming also thinks it’s better this way. So… we brought out Dad’s, Aming’s mom’s, and Grandpa and Grandma’s…”
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
Her mother was also on the verge of tears.
“Ah Ming… sigh…” Gu Chunling sighed, her hoarse voice scraping through her throat, “Good, good, they are all filial children.”
He Ming responded, though his heart was churning with turmoil, his face remained calm and composed.
————
The news was playing on the TV in the living room, and dazzling fireworks rose outside the window. The New Year's Eve dinner began amidst the clamor of firecrackers and drew to a close amidst the crackling fireworks.
After finishing the eight-treasure rice, He Ming handed a red envelope he had prepared to Gu Chunling: "Mom, I wish you good health in the new year."
Looking at the thick red envelope, Gu Chunling tried her best to refuse: "How can Mom accept red envelopes from you younger generation! Take it back, take it back, the sentiment is enough."
Seeing this, Zhu Liushuang became anxious and chimed in, "Mom—you should take it! If you don't, it means you're not satisfied with A-Ming..."
"Not at all... Ah Ming, Mom likes you very much!"
"Then hurry up and accept the red envelopes... Besides his, there's mine too." Zhu Liushuang urged, casually pulling out another red envelope from under the chair. "Mine isn't as thick as his, please don't mind!"
Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Gu Chunling had no choice but to accept it.
Clutching the two heavy red envelopes, she looked left and right, speechless for a moment.
Zhu Liushuang breathed a sigh of relief when her mother accepted He Ming's red envelope. With her task complete, she leisurely picked up a piece of pearl meatball with her chopsticks and ate it in small bites.
Suddenly, someone touched my elbow.
Zhu Liushuang turned her head and saw He Ming holding up another red envelope in front of her.
"Huh? How come you still have some?" she asked.
He Ming said to her, "This is for you... I wish our family members both health and happiness in the new year, and that you pass all your exams."
“But I didn’t prepare a red envelope for you…” Zhu Liushuang said with a bitter face, “Ugh—who’s the kind person who reminds me of the CPA exam next year during the New Year! I can’t take it anymore, I have to do a few more practice questions tonight…”
He knew she was joking, so he affectionately squeezed her hand and said seriously, "Shuangshuang, there's no need for reciprocity. I received a red envelope from Mom last night, and according to custom, you should also receive one from my family. Unfortunately... my mom isn't here. So I'm giving it to you on her behalf..."
He Ming's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but loud enough for the two people at the table to hear clearly.
His family situation was complicated, but even without his parents' help, he wanted to be courteous. Firstly, he didn't want to mistreat Zhu Liushuang; she should have the same treatment as other girls. Secondly, he hoped to use this incident to show Gu Chunling that he genuinely cared for her daughter.
"For Mom's sake, I'll reluctantly accept it!" Zhu Liushuang glanced at the empty seat opposite her and said seriously, "Mom, I've accepted your red envelope. Don't worry, I'll treat A-Ming well."
After the red envelopes were distributed, the remaining food on the table had almost gone cold.
After the three of them had eaten and drunk their fill, they got up to clear the dishes.
Gu Chunling had intended to take on the work, but seeing her daughter and son-in-law so inseparable, she consciously gave them space and refrained from joining in the commotion in the kitchen. She carried a small basket filled with steamed rice cakes and glutinous rice balls and went out to deliver them to several close neighbors.
The kitchen door was half-open, and two shadows could be vaguely seen standing side by side.
Steam rose from the pool as the man diligently washed the dishes with a loofah and dishcloth.
"How about we buy a dishwasher and put it here after the New Year?" He Ming shooed Zhu Liushuang aside and made her watch him wash the dishes.
"The kitchen is already so cramped, I'm afraid we won't be able to fit a dishwasher in it," Zhu Liushuang hesitated. "I read online that small dishwashers are pretty useless and not practical."
“Mom’s joints are deformed, it’s not good for her to get them wet.” This time, He Ming didn’t side with her. “After the New Year, I’ll have my friend who does renovations come over and take a look. We can install a built-in one.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but pour cold water on his enthusiasm: "She lives alone. Even if you install it for her, she won't be willing to use it...it's a waste of electricity!"
"Let's look around some more, maybe we'll just buy a smaller one. We'll pay the electricity bill for her..."
He Ming seemed particularly persistent about this matter. Zhu Liushuang couldn't bear to refuse his good intentions, so she didn't argue further and instead looked down at the message her best friend Tian Xingyu had sent her.
[Shuangshuang! Come on out! There's a Spring Festival Lantern Festival at the foot of Shoushan Temple tonight at 8 PM. There will be iron flower displays, river lanterns for blessings, lantern parades, and a fireworks show... After watching, how about we head straight to Shoushan Temple at midnight to be the first to offer incense?]
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Please!] I've been a bit busy lately, so my writing is slow. But I'll try my best to finish the main story by September!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
