Liang Zhirou resisted the urge to ask more questions, led Chen Lu inside, and proactively helped him hang up his coat.
Chen Lu felt a little awkward. In previous years, his family would always be lively and bustling at this time of year, and there would always be a festive atmosphere at home.
Liang Zhirou's family was quite different.
To sum it up, everything is the same as usual; we'll live today the same way we always do.
Normally it would be fine, but now all the neighbors are having family gatherings, and you can faintly hear laughter every now and then. Compared to the festive and lively atmosphere around us, my home feels even more lonely and desolate, making me feel suffocated.
I don't dare to think about how Liang Zhirou has managed all these years. Seeing other people's families so lively and happy, this silly girl must be very envious...
Chen Lu suddenly felt a sense of relief that he had made it through.
Xiao Xunfang smiled faintly on her slightly weathered face, "Xiao Lu, what brings you here?"
"Auntie, is there any food for me?"
“You can come anytime!” Xiao Xunfang said bluntly, but the doubt in her eyes did not diminish at all. “But during the New Year, are your parents happy for you to come here…?”
Chen Lu sighed dejectedly, "They're very happy about it. I only came here because I was homeless."
Did you have a fight with your parents?
"We didn't argue, I was just busy today and didn't have time to go to my grandfather's with them." Chen Lu shrugged. "They didn't tell me beforehand that they were leaving, maybe they don't want me as their son anymore. I'll stay with your family from now on!"
"You're just trying to fool your aunt." Xiao Xunfang smiled, and stood up from the sofa with her hands on her back. "Go wash your hands. If you're hungry, eat with Zhirou first, and your aunt will cook you a couple more dishes."
Chen Lu quickly moved closer to let Xiao Xunfang continue sitting, and said helplessly, "I'm not some kind of VIP, why would I ask you to add more food for me? Things are different now. Back then, I would bring you things every time I came, but look, I don't bring anything now, so why are you being so polite with me?"
He couldn't possibly accept such treatment; he wasn't arrogant enough to have his mother-in-law light his cigarette like Vincent did.
Now he knew who Liang Zhirou inherited her occasional stubbornness from; after several attempts to persuade her, he still couldn't convince her.
However, Chen Lu was genuinely taken aback when he sat down at the dining table.
Because it's really simple.
It's strange to say it's simple, since the two of them have two dishes and a soup, they definitely can't finish it no matter how much they eat.
The main reason is that the cooking process is similar to what Liang Zhirou usually does for him, so it doesn't feel like Chinese New Year at all.
After confirming that Chen Lu hadn't argued with his family, Liang Zhirou was genuinely happy and no longer as quiet as she had been before Chen Lu arrived.
Xiao Xunfang returned to the kitchen, determined to cook the last dish herself, leaving only her and Chen Lu sitting together at the table.
"If you had told me in advance, I would have made more of your favorite dishes," Liang Zhirou whispered into Chen Lu's ear.
"It's okay, I love whatever you make."
"But my mom made it all today."
Chen Lu cleared his throat. "I love to eat that too."
Liang Zhirou glanced at the kitchen before quietly resting her head on Chen Lu's shoulder and scoffing, "You just know how to pick the nice things to say."
The girl closed her eyes contentedly, completely immersed in the peaceful atmosphere.
Thank God for granting her another happy event at the end of the year.
Seeing the girl's carefree expression, Chen Lu couldn't resist teasing her, so he whispered, "Remember to dress up nicely tomorrow, my grandpa might be coming to see you."
Liang Zhirou was indeed startled, almost standing up abruptly. She looked at him nervously, "Huh? Really?"
"It's fake," Chen Lu said with a smile.
He stopped laughing the next second.
He took two steps back, chair and all, and quickly pointed towards the kitchen, saying, "If you dare bump into me, I'll tell Auntie!"
Upon hearing this, Liang Zhirou glanced at the kitchen again, suppressing the urge to headbutt him.
Turning around, she saw Chen Lu sticking his tongue out at her.
"......"
Liang Zhirou puffed out her cheeks in anger and irritation, glared fiercely at Chen Lu, and then suddenly threw herself into his arms and remained motionless.
And then there are those who, while puffing up in anger, throw themselves into your arms.
Chen Lu was absolutely charmed by her cuteness.
"Are you angry?" After a moment, Chen Lu asked with a smile.
He felt that he was sometimes quite strange. He would grimace in pain if he took a rocket headbutt, but he would feel uncomfortable all over if he didn't get headbutted by this silly guy every now and then.
"Hmm, I'm angry." Liang Zhirou gave a muffled "hmm," and like a cat, she rubbed her head against him from side to side, still burying her face in his arms.
Chen Lu reached out and tucked the girl's hair, which was drooping down her face, behind her ear. "If you're angry, why are you running into my arms?"
"Because I'm a good-for-nothing..."
Liang Zhirou snuggled closer to Chen Lu and said aggrievedly, "My brain feels that I should be angry because you made me angry, but it also feels that I miss you so much."
Chen Lu has been particularly busy these past few days, so the two of them have had much less time together.
"Keep an eye on my mom, and tell me when she comes out."
"Liang Zhirou, you're angry right now," Chen Lu reminded her to have the professional demeanor of a girl. This silly girl doesn't even know how to be angry properly.
"Oh dear, if we have another baby next time, I won't be able to hold you anymore," Liang Zhirou muttered softly, while hugging her a little tighter.
Chen Lu suddenly had an urge to take this silly boy home right then and there.
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