"How can we say this? Will Xiaolei be able to accept this news?" He Xiaolei's mother was still full of worry.
“I want to call Dongqiang over. With him by Xiaolei’s side, she will feel better when she hears the news and has someone she trusts and can rely on by her side.”
"You really think highly of Fang Dongqiang?"
"Yes, I have a pretty good impression of him; he seems quite composed."
“Okay! I also think that continuing to hide it is not a solution. Xiaolei should be with him now. She said she was going to meet up with friends at noon, and she met up with friends again yesterday. How can she meet up with friends every day? I didn’t call her out on it.”
He Xiaolei is indeed with Fang Dongqiang. After half a year of missing each other, how could a brief meeting yesterday be enough?
After dinner, it was too cold outside, so the two of them stayed in Fang Dongqiang's rented room.
Fang Dongqiang sat on the edge of the bed with He Xiaolei in his arms and put He Xiaolei's hand inside his down jacket.
He Xiaolei leaned against Fang Dongqiang's chest, her hands wandering over his waist and back, while Fang Dongqiang was still thinking about his suspicions from earlier that day.
Fang Dongqiang cupped He Xiaolei's face in his hands and examined her closely, thinking about Fang Jingming's appearance.
He Xiaolei raised her head, the corners of her mouth turned up, and her eyes crinkled. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Fang Dongqiang frowned. What exactly was the relationship between He Xiaolei and Fang Jingming's family?
"Fang Dongqiang!" He Xiaolei shouted, pulling her hands out of his clothes. "What's with that expression? What kind of boyfriend frowns when looking at his girlfriend?"
"Me," Fang Dongqiang smiled, pulled He Xiaolei's hand back, rested his chin on her shoulder, and his warm breath brushed against her ear. Fang Dongqiang didn't know how to explain his expression.
"Why are you frowning at me?" He Xiaolei asked in a soft, nasal voice.
Fang Dongqiang couldn't explain it, so he leaned over and kissed He Xiaolei on the lips. The kiss made him feel hot inside, and he put his hand inside Xiaolei's clothes.
No, if this ambiguity continues, he might really end up doing *that*. He needs to figure out his questions first. Fang Dongqiang took out his clothes and straightened them for He Xiaolei.
"Dongqiang, what do you want to do?" He Xiaolei asked, knowing the answer already.
Fang Dongqiang's face flushed, and he avoided her gaze. "Xiaolei, it's cold, I'll take you home early. Your parents will be looking for you later."
He Xiaolei pouted, "I should have told my mom I'd be back a few days later, and then I'd stay here with you until a few days later before going home."
"Xiaolei, are you going to visit relatives during the Chinese New Year?"
"Why are you asking this all of a sudden? You're acting strange tonight! What's wrong, Dongqiang?"
"No, it's nothing!" Fang Dongqiang looked around.
Something's wrong with you!
"Because I've met your father, I wouldn't dare have any improper thoughts about you. It's too late and I'm afraid they'll worry. If I send you home early, they'll feel at ease and can let you come over every day."
“Yes, Dongqiang,” He Xiaolei whispered, leaning closer to Fang Dongqiang, “I thought we’d…”
"What can you do?"
"Thank you for respecting me." He Xiaolei breathed a sigh of relief.
Fang Dongqiang escorted He Xiaolei to the intersection, watched her walk over, and went into her house before turning to leave.
"Dad, Mom, are you still waiting for me?" He Xiaolei pushed open the door.
"Xiaolei, are you sure you've decided on Dongqiang?" He Xiaolei's parents sat on the sofa and asked directly without saying anything else.
"Yes!" He Xiaolei nodded vigorously.
"Okay, we got it. Tomorrow is Friday, we'll invite him over for dinner."
"Huh?" He Xiaolei stood frozen at the door. "Mom and Dad, I can't get used to your attitude all of a sudden!"
He Xiaolei's mother pulled her over to sit next to her, saying, "Xiaolei, as long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Your parents support whoever you like. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters!"
"Yes, you are the best mom in the world!" He Xiaolei rushed into her mother's arms, then went over to hug her father, "The best dad in the world."
Seeing their daughter's excited expression, He Xiaolei's parents exchanged a secret glance. What would Xiaolei do when she found out tomorrow?
"Xiaolei, go to your room and rest. Get up early tomorrow and go grocery shopping with Mom."
"Okay! I'll talk to Dongqiang first." He Xiaolei skipped to her room.
"Xiaolei, let Dad talk to him. Dad has his number. We'll invite him to our house. The adults will go and invite him."
"Oh, does it have to be this grand?" He Xiaolei shook her head and smiled.
Hearing He Xiaolei close the door, she asked, "What time is it now? Should we talk to Dongqiang tonight, or tomorrow?"
"9:30, tonight! We need to make things clear to him before he comes to our house tomorrow."
“Okay, call him.” He Xiaolei’s mother watched from the bottom of the stairs, not letting He Xiaolei come down and hear.
"Dongqiang, this is Xiaolei's dad," He Xiaolei's dad put his hand to his mouth to hide his voice, "Oh, we're almost there. Hmm, Xiaolei has already gone back to her room. I have something I want to talk to you about. Let's meet somewhere."
"Okay, okay, I'll go there right now." He Xiaolei's father hung up the phone.
“I’ll go with you!” He Xiaolei’s mother came over from the stairwell.
"No need, Xiaolei is home, and you're home too. I'll just talk to him as we agreed."
He Xiaolei's mother took the earmuffs and scarf and handed them to her father.
Fang Dongqiang and He Xiaolei's father arrived at the teahouse around the same time. When the glass door opened, a damp, cold wind swept into the room, and the warm aroma of tea wafted out.
They found a corner spot.
"Dongqiang, I've called you out so late, so I'll get straight to the point."
"Yes, Xiaolei's dad, you go ahead."
"Xiaolei's biological parents are Fang Shugen and his wife."
"Huh?" Upon hearing this news, Fang Dongqiang's pupils were filled with disbelief and astonishment. Even the stray hairs on his forehead seemed to freeze, and his whole body was as if the pause button had been pressed.
"You're surprised too, aren't you?" He Xiaolei's father looked at him.
Fang Dongqiang nodded. "Xiaolei herself doesn't know, right?"
“She doesn’t know. We plan to tell her tomorrow. We thought you would be here too. We just told Xiaolei to invite you to our house for dinner tomorrow.”
“He just texted me about this. You told me on the phone not to tell her we were meeting tonight, but I didn’t.”
“I discussed it with Xiaolei’s mom and I, and I’m telling you this first so you have a general idea of what Xiaolei’s reaction will be tomorrow. Xiaolei said she’s committed to you.”
Fang Dongqiang lowered his head.
“I also have a good impression of you, so I hope you can be here tomorrow too. I’ll tell you the whole story later. If Xiaolei is willing to admit it, we need to find out what’s going on with Fang Shugen. This matter will be quite a bit of trouble for your family.”
"No, no, Xiaolei's matter is my matter."
A few curled leaves of Longjing tea floated in the white porcelain teacup, and wisps of steam rose from the rim. Fang Dongqiang held the cup with both hands, listening to how He Xiaolei got to her current home.
As night deepened, stepping out of the warm, cozy teahouse, a damp, chilly wind, carrying a hint of moisture from the river, brushed against my face.
"Dongqiang, I've kept you up so late. Get some rest. Come to my house after get off work tomorrow."
"Okay, Xiaolei's dad, I'll come over tomorrow."
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