Chapter 72
Lu Mingxiao opened the passenger door: "Come on in, Mr. Jiang, please."
Jiang Huaiyu suppressed a laugh: "Mr. Lu, you're too kind."
After he was seated, Lu Mingxiao closed the car door, went around to the back, and put Jiang Huaiyu's suitcase into the car.
As he started the car, Jiang Huaiyu turned her head to look at him.
"Things have changed, Brother Xiao. The last time I rode in your car, it was a bicycle. Now you've got a Cullinan."
"You even rode in my tractor before, remember?" Lu Mingxiao stared at the rearview mirror as he carefully drove the car out of the parking space. "Old Song's car is too wide, it's hard to drive. When I'm in a hurry in Beijing, I take the subway. After I got my driver's license, I only practiced driving occasionally during winter and summer vacations. Old Song is pretty carefree, letting me drive it like this..."
With a focused expression, he smoothly drove the car out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic flow of Shanghai.
It was a bit hot from the air conditioning, so Jiang Huaiyu unzipped her coat: "That's nice. Will you take me to practice driving tomorrow?"
Lu Mingxiao finally had a moment to free himself, and he took Jiang Huaiyu's hand and squeezed it.
"Jiang Xiaobao, that's enough! Who used to go to the racetrack all the time for fun? He Yan, that kid, has a bunch of beautiful girls with him, his WeChat Moments are so exciting, do you really need me to teach you to drive? Hasn't someone already been teaching you?"
"You've gone too far." Jiang Huaiyu laughed. "That was so long ago. You're like digging up old vinegar and taking a sip. Brother Xiao, you really love being jealous."
"Hmph~"
While waiting at a red light, he held that hand and kissed it.
Warm lips pressed against cool fingertips.
"Is my Jiang Xiaoyu really back? It feels so unreal..." Lu Mingxiao bit his lip and then released his finger: "Jiang Xiaobao, I missed you so much."
Jiang Huaiyu's eyes softened, and she pressed her fingertip against Lu Mingxiao's lips.
"Yes, I'm back."
...
When Jiang Huaiyu returned home, almost all four parents had tears in their eyes. A table full of dishes was laid out, and the six family members sat together in a happy reunion. No one deliberately talked about the current relationship between Lu Mingxiao and Jiang Huaiyu. For the two of them, the parents' tacit approval at this moment was enough.
The two women didn't sit together at the dinner table, and their interactions were quite restrained. Jiang Huaiyu was sandwiched between the two mothers, and Li Qing kept putting food on Jiang Huaiyu's plate, insisting that Jiang Huaiyu had lost a lot of weight.
Song Jingliang took a bite of the cold dish: "Hiss~"
Lu Chuan asked in surprise, "What's wrong, Brother Song? Does your tooth hurt?"
"No, no..." Song Jingliang struggled to control his facial expression: "This dish is really well made, you should try it!"
Lu Chuan was caught off guard and ate a large mouthful.
Lu Chuan: ...
You really are Lu Mingxiao's father; he inherited this wickedness from you.
After eating dumplings, with the Spring Festival Gala playing in the background, the family sat together chatting.
Li Qing said that the small courtyard is likely to be demolished in two years, so they did not sell it and entrusted it to Grandma Li's family to look after.
Jiang Huaiyu thought it was great. He said he wanted to go back and visit when he had time, as he really liked the courtyard.
Jiang Lan said that Jiang Huaining will graduate from high school this year, and her uncle's family plans to let her take the college entrance examination and study at a university in China. They are not comfortable sending their daughter abroad too early.
Jiang Huaiyu also agreed with her aunt and uncle's idea. Jiang Huaining was well protected and was still at an innocent and carefree age. It would be better if she became more mature.
Lu Chuan said...
Song Jingliang said...
...
Lu Mingxiao really couldn't sit still any longer. If they kept talking like this, would his little box still be able to work tonight?
He suddenly stood up.
All the parents turned to look.
Lu Mingxiao took a deep breath: "...I'm going to the restroom."
Honestly, he felt bad interrupting his parents' heartfelt conversation, but he really missed Jiang Xiaoyu.
He went to the bedroom and secretly put the two boxes and the small bottle into his coat pocket, zipped it up, and made sure they wouldn't accidentally fall out. If they did...
Haha, tonight's dumplings are filled with Lu Mingxiao's filling.
Hmm, they're not that big.
It was finally eleven o'clock when they started eating the New Year's Eve dinner. Jiang Lan asked the two children to wash their faces to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Lu Mingxiao went into the bathroom first. As he bent over to wash his face, the door behind him opened and closed again.
"Clatter—"
It's locked from the inside.
With his arm resting on the sink, Lu Mingxiao turned his head to look at Jiang Huaiyu, who had followed him in.
Jiang Huaiyu leaned against the door, arms crossed, and chuckled, "Brother Xiao, why are you so absent-minded tonight? Is there a nail poking you on the sofa?"
Bad fish.
Lu Mingxiao didn't bother to wipe his face. He took two steps over, braced himself with his arm, and trapped the person in his arms. Water droplets rolled down his jawline. He looked down at Jiang Huaiyu, a dark aura surging deep in his eyes.
"Why do you think I'm so absent-minded?" He lowered his head and slowly leaned closer to Jiang Huaiyu: "Tell me, where has my soul wandered off to?"
A long, slender finger gently pressed against her wet, thin lips.
Jiang Huaiyu looked up at him, her eyes slightly upturned and curved.
"Kiss gently, don't bite it, okay?"
Lu Mingxiao could no longer resist. He raised his hand, grabbed Jiang Huaiyu's nape, and lowered his head to kiss her.
Cool water droplets rolled down his forehead and landed on his lips, becoming hot again. Jiang Huaiyu raised her hand and hooked her arms around his neck, their lips and teeth entwined.
They stole each other's breath, and Jiang Huaiyu's breathing became disordered, making her feel dizzy. Lu Mingxiao's arm slid down, wrapped around Jiang Huaiyu's waist, turned her around, and placed her on the washing machine, wedging her between her legs, and continued with his head tilted back.
"Wait..." Jiang Huaiyu gasped, placing her hand on Lu Mingxiao's chest and pushing him away slightly: "No, Brother Xiao."
"Why not?" Lu Mingxiao nuzzled his nose against his, chuckling softly, "Remember our first kiss? You said my technique wasn't good enough. Now, is it good or not?"
“Okay…” Jiang Huaiyu cupped his face and kissed his forehead: “But don’t tease me anymore, I’m a little hot, and it would be too embarrassing if we went out and people noticed.”
Lu Mingxiao was also afraid of getting carried away with the kiss, so he put him down by holding his waist. "Okay..."
Jiang Huaiyu walked past him to wash her face, turning the water temperature down and patting it on her burning cheeks to cool it down.
The two of them came out of the restroom one after the other. Dumplings and glutinous rice balls were already laid out on the table. Li Qing brought out the dishes and looked at the two children: "Why did it take you so long to wash your face? Sit down and eat your New Year's Eve dinner. After you finish eating, Xiao Bao, go and rest. You must be exhausted after a day on the plane."
Lu Mingxiao: ...
Mom, we've all grown up now. We don't need to go to bed early and get up early anymore; we need some nighttime activity.
During the second meal, the two mothers had finished their family chats, and it was the two fathers' turn to inquire about their careers. Song Jingliang, in particular, asked a lot about the company's development. Lu Mingxiao, though a bit cheeky, actually hoped to gain Song Jingliang's approval, so he unusually spoke seriously and earnestly about future plans with Song Jingliang. Jiang Huaiyu didn't say much, only occasionally adding her own comments.
Li Qing and Lu Chuan didn't understand much, but that didn't stop her from being proud of her children. While listening, she deftly peeled shrimp and crabs, constantly feeding her two big boys.
The interval between the two meals was really short. Jiang Huaiyu ate a few glutinous rice balls and a few dumplings. In addition, Li Qing kept feeding him, so he was full very quickly.
Lu Mingxiao was still giving his work report, while Song Jingliang seemed to be in a good mood, nodding frequently.
Outside the window, fireworks kept going up into the sky. Jiang Huaiyu turned her head and glanced at them, then stood up without making a sound: "I'm going to check on Hu Zi in the small garden."
Li Qing instructed, "Put on your coat."
Jiang Huaiyu went to get his coat. His coat was hanging next to Lu Mingxiao's. He paused for a moment before taking Lu Mingxiao's coat instead.
Lu Mingxiao's clothes were a size too big, just big enough to tuck his hands back into his sleeves. He took the dog's treats, unzipped the pocket and put them in. His fingers touched a square, flat box, but he didn't pay any attention. He pushed open the balcony door and walked toward the doghouse in the corner.
Every year at this time, Tiger's food bowl is nowhere to be found. He has learned to push the heavy ceramic dog bowl into his kennel with his paws. When he hears footsteps, his pointed ears stand up and his tail tightens alertly.
It hadn't seen Jiang Huaiyu for a long time. It stood still, keeping alert, tilting its head to look at the tall man. Gradually, its tail began to accelerate. It let out a cheerful "woof" and then frantically pulled on the chain, trying to rush to Jiang Huaiyu's side.
Jiang Huaiyu walked over quickly and untied the chain.
The next second, he was pushed to the ground by the dog's head. Tiger buried his head in his arms like a puppy, whimpering and whining, his tail wagging like a propeller.
The puppy didn't know what studying abroad meant, nor did it know how big the earth was or how far away M country was. All it knew was that its little human would not come home for a very, very long time, so long that several winters had passed.
Jiang Huaiyu finally realized who Lu Mingxiao learned his flirting skills from. He hugged the dog wiggling its bottom in his arms and said, "Alright, alright, I've got you some snacks."
He took it out of his pocket...
One box set.
Tiger: "Awoo?"
Jiang Huaiyu, without changing her expression, stuffed it back: "You took the wrong one."
He reached into another pocket.
He took it out...
Lubricating fluid.
Tiger: "Woof woof!"
Jiang Huaiyu: ...
He covered the puppy's eyes, stuffed the thing back into his pocket, and this time finally managed to pull out the chicken breast jerky.
Another burst of fireworks rose into the sky. Tiger, who was happily eating, subconsciously glanced at his rice bowl. Jiang Huaiyu's ears were burning hot. She rubbed Tiger's ears, looked at the fireworks, and seemed to be deep in thought.
A moment later, he got up and went inside.
Mr. Lu's work report had come to an end, and he began to fidget again. He looked up and saw Jiang Huaiyu return, her hands in his coat pockets.
With a bang—
Lu Mingxiao blushed instantly.
Jiang Huaiyu didn't dare take his hands out of his pockets, secretly regretting that he hadn't zipped them up properly when he came in. He coughed lightly and looked at the parents.
"Dad, Mom, I want to go out and set off fireworks. I haven't been able to do this in the past few years abroad."
The parents had no objections, of course. Song Jingliang instructed the driver, "Lu Mingxiao, go, drive my car, and go to the city to buy some fireworks."
Jiang Huaiyu said, "I'll go with him, and I'll see what we want to do."
Lu Mingxiao wore Jiang Huaiyu's jacket; the sleeves were a little short, but overall it fit him fairly well. The two left the house one after the other without saying a word, creating a subtly awkward atmosphere.
As soon as I got into the car, the golden ambient lighting inside turned on, and a huge firework rose into the sky outside the car window.
Jiang Huaiyu then spoke up: "Brother Xiao, shall we elope? Let's set off fireworks all night."
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