On Friday, all the guests had packed up their things.
Jiang Lan had a violin, a suitcase full of clothes, and three beautiful dresses she bought from the program group.
The dresses were all covered with dust bags and took up quite a lot of space. Besides these, there were also three books for exams, gifts from fans, and things she bought in Yunnan Province. That was all.
Yu Wanqiu also had a lot of things to take. There was a vase, a hat given by Jiang Lan, gifts sent by fans, and a diamond given by Lu Shuangchen.
She thought it wouldn't be much, but when she started packing, it turned out to be a big box.
Shen Xingyao had already asked her assistant to take back the birthday gifts from fans. She and Du Wanzhou planned to go to the hotel today, watch the fireworks on West Street tomorrow night, and then return to Shenzhen on Sunday.
Chen Hao would come to pick them up.
After going back, they would rest for two days and then enter the filming crew. Du Wanzhou was her assistant and would go with her.
During the time in the program group, there were no work arrangements. Even when shooting magazines or being the host of "Form a Group for You", Du Wanzhou didn't need to do much.
But after entering the filming crew, there would be a lot of things for an assistant to do. For example, buying meals, sending milk tea and small desserts to the people in the same group, paying attention to the time of each scene, keeping an eye on others to prevent someone from secretly causing trouble, and also having a good relationship with the fan support club... It wasn't just following Shen Xingyao and doing nothing.
Du Wanzhou privately asked Shen Xingyao's former assistant how to handle these problems. It was quite troublesome. Du Wanzhou couldn't help but sigh that being an artist was not easy. Sometimes she suddenly had an impulse to persuade Shen Xingyao to go home, let Chen Hao go to work, and they could go shopping and buy things, which would be so cool.
But Du Wanzhou quickly suppressed this impulse. What she thought was good wasn't necessarily good. It was one thing to feel sorry for her own "child". Since Chen Hao supported Shen Xingyao's work, what reason did she have not to support it?
Did she want to be like Li Jia, making the house in a mess and then being happy?
Du Wanzhou thought she should just be a good assistant. When Shen Xingyao paid her, she could go shopping and buy things.
How much could ten thousand yuan do? Du Wanzhou thought it was enough for many meals of spicy hot pot skewers. She discussed with Shen Xingyao to have another meal before leaving. Otherwise, she didn't know when they would come to City B next time.
Shen Xingyao agreed, "It's not difficult to have a meal, but we can't eat as full as last time."
Last time, after the physical examination, they went to eat spicy hot pot skewers. Since they didn't eat much in the morning and waited in line for a long time, they ate until their bellies were round and couldn't even walk.
Neither of them ate at night and they also did an hour of yoga.
Now Du Wanzhou didn't even want to eat abalone and lobster. She just wanted to have another meal of spicy hot pot skewers. "Okay, let Chen Hao go with us. He'll pay the bill."
Aunt Zhao was also packing up. There were several sponsors for the program, such as Yuexiang, VIK, and some washing products. The guests could take away some of the products sponsored by the sponsors.
Aunt Zhao took five boxes of milk, five boxes of yogurt, a big box of laundry detergent, and a box of soap. The sponsored clothes were high - end luxury brands, so she didn't take them because she wouldn't have a chance to wear them.
However, Chen Shuyun picked out a suit in a milky - tea color, which made her look very young.
Apart from the suit, Chen Shuyun also took two sets of skin - care products. VIK mainly targets pregnant women, but since pregnant women can use them, ordinary people surely can too.
On the program, Chen Shuyun used this set of VIK products, and they had a great moisturizing effect. After taking nearly two months off, Chen Shuyun's complexion was much better than when she first came.
Her dark circles had faded, and her skin was no longer as dull as before. Most importantly, Chen Shuyun didn't feel as tired as she used to. She felt extremely relaxed, a feeling she had never experienced before.
She thought to herself that she should have joined this program earlier.
At noon, Little Xuan's father and Little Xuan would come to pick them up and take them home. Little Xuan's father was a very honest man with a soft heart. He would listen to both Aunt Zhao and Chen Shuyun.
He often found himself in a difficult position between the two women. However, Chen Shuyun, as his daughter - in - law, was impeccable. She was filial and never talked back. At most, she would just nag at him a little, and Little Xuan's father never got angry with her.
There were quite a lot of things to take back, so Little Xuan's father drove over.
Little Xuan was studying at Jinhua No.1 High School. After a whole summer of extra classes, he only had a one - week vacation. Even during the vacation, he still had to study at home. Today, the family planned to go out and have some fun this afternoon.
It was estimated that his classmates all knew that his grandma and mom had been on TV.
Little Xuan felt a bit guilty. In fact, he thought that there was no need for Chen Shuyun to quit her job, nor for his grandma to take care of him. He could have lived on campus. Commuting between home and school was not as convenient as living in the school dormitory.
Both his mom and grandma were very good to him, and Little Xuan hoped that they would stop arguing.
Fortunately, his grandma and mom had made up.
The Xu family had a villa in City B. Li Jia planned to go back to the villa first. As for Zhang Lin, Li Jia thought that Zhang Lin could go wherever she wanted, as long as she didn't follow her home.
The Xu family didn't want Zhang Lin. Where else could she go?
Li Jia had also thought that as long as Zhang Lin apologized, for the sake of Xu Yi and the baby in her belly, she could forgive Zhang Lin. But look at what Zhang Lin had said. Did she really think Li Jia was jealous of her? Was she joking? Jealous of someone who married into a wealthy family just because of her looks?
It was ridiculous. Li Jia didn't take any of the sponsored items. The Xu family didn't lack such things.
Zhang Lin silently packed up her things. She didn't bring much. She planned to go to a hotel at noon and then go through the divorce procedures in the afternoon.
Li Jia probably didn't know about this yet. Even if she did, she would probably clap her hands in glee and tell Xu Chaoyang to make Zhang Lin leave the family with nothing.
How wishful they were thinking.
After packing up, Zhang Lin went to say goodbye to Zhang Tian. She was the first one to leave.
Zhang Lin wanted to say a proper goodbye.
The people from the program group, including the director, the executive, the assistants, and the other guests, had all helped her a lot. Even strangers with no relation to her were willing to offer a hand. But during the seven years she had lived under the same roof as Li Jia, she just couldn't warm the heart of this cold - blooded woman.
Zhang Lin said, "I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble during this time."
Zhang Tian waved his hand indifferently. He wasn't stupid. Zhang Lin wasn't very popular, and there were a lot of negative comments about Li Jiating online. If it really affected the show, he wasn't sure if he would offer help. "Don't talk about it being troublesome, Ting. Ting has a long way to go in the future. There's no need to do anything for that kind of person, right? You're definitely better off than her."
Zhang Lin nodded. "Anyway, thank you very much, and also thank the program staff. Then I'll leave first."
Zhang Lin pulled her suitcase and took a taxi at the community entrance. She called Xu Chaoyang and said calmly, "I'm out. Your mom..."
Xu Chaoyang said, "Did she say something again? Don't take it to heart, Xiaolin... Let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau this afternoon."
He was really sad. Although he understood that even after the divorce, they would still live together as before, but without legal protection, Xu Chaoyang just felt uneasy.
He was really annoyed with Li Jia now. She had messed up their nice family. What was she after?
But Li Jia was his own mother. What could he do?
Even if he divorced Zhang Lin, he wouldn't find another woman. So what was Li Jia after? Why couldn't she just let them live in peace?
After hanging up the phone, Li Jia called again and complained that Zhang Lin was impolite and had become too big for her boots.
Xu Chaoyang pressed his temples and said, "Mom... Can you just... Forget it. I'll hang up if there's nothing else."
...
Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Li Jia felt that having this son was no different from not having one. His heart was completely taken by Zhang Lin.
Aunt Zhao and Chen Shuyun also came to say goodbye to Zhang Tian. "Thank you so much, Director Zhang, for taking care of us during this period."
It takes a lot of courage for ordinary people to participate in such variety shows. Aunt Zhao was constantly scolded by netizens at the beginning. Zhang Tian edited the conversation between Chen Shuyun and her supervisor in this episode, as well as the scenes of Chen Shuyun at work in the last episode.
It was very harmonious. Zhang Tian hoped that the mother - in - law and daughter - in - law wouldn't have any more conflicts in the future.
"Live a good life. Call me if there's anything in the future," Zhang Tian thought that every family had its own way of living and it was no good to compare with others. That's why he chose ordinary people for the show.
Maybe when the audience watched the rich and famous on the show, they thought those people had everything perfect, no worries, and no shortage of money, and no messy things. In fact, it wasn't the case. There were many editing techniques, and what was presented to the audience might not be the real situation.
The ordinary people's group was actually much more real.
Moreover, although Du Wanzhou and Shen Xingyao, Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan got along well, they were just a minority.
Zhang Tian said, "The show is very popular. You may not be used to it when you first get home, but it will be okay after a while."
Since they were ordinary people, after returning to real life, they might be recognized by people on the street. They had to wait until the show's popularity faded.
They definitely wouldn't work in the entertainment industry in the future. Chen Shuyun could earn quite a lot from her sales job. She just needed to work hard.
Zhang Tian said, "I hope Little Xuan will get excellent results in the college entrance examination next year. Remember to invite me to his school entrance banquet."
Zhang Tian had several events on his schedule. There was the full - month banquet for Zhang Lin's child, Ting; the promotion banquet for Little Xuan; and Jiang Lan's wedding. He would definitely go to the wedding banquet.
The program crew also had a celebration dinner that evening, which was only for the internal staff of the crew.
The program had become a huge hit and made a lot of money. The staff had been working for two months, almost working overtime every day and even living at the program crew's place. So, they were going to have a good meal today.
The eighth episode had already been edited and would be broadcast at 10 p.m. sharp.
Chen Shuyun said, "Sure, thank you."
Aunt Zhao smiled shyly. "I've caused you so much trouble these days. I..."
Aunt Zhao glanced at Chen Shuyun. Would she talk less from now on?
Zhang Tian saw the two of them out and said, "Don't thank me. Thank your daughter - in - law. She's had a tough time over the years."
After Chen Shuyun left, Shen Xingyao and Du Wanzhou also went out. Shen Xingyao didn't plan to participate in the third season and felt a bit guilty.
"I hope A Mother - in - law's Arrival will have a third season, a fourth season, and a fifth season!" Shen Xingyao hoped that Zhang Tian's variety show would be extremely popular.
Standing at the villa door, Du Wanzhou looked back. The first season wasn't filmed here. They had just been having fun back then. In the second season, she had gained a lot. "Sweetie, let's go."
Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu packed up their things and took a few photos of the fourth - floor area.
Their rooms, the computer room in the middle, the kitchen, and the balcony. They probably wouldn't come to this place again.
They had cleaned the rooms very thoroughly. Jiang Lan took one last turn around and didn't find anything she had forgotten.
Yu Wanqiu suddenly felt a bit reluctant to leave. The final double - interview wasn't recorded because Zhang Tian thought it was unnecessary. There was no need to record for Zhang Lin, and the other guests had already said everything they wanted to say.
The interviews would be put as extras on Tencent Video and also on Weibo.
Yu Wanqiu remembered when she first entered the program crew. At that time, she thought she couldn't get along with Jiang Lan.
There was an age difference of more than twenty years. It seemed that mothers - in - law and daughters - in - law were natural opponents. But unexpectedly, they got along quite well.
Yu Wanqiu had learned a lot, such as the sincerity of the young people and being less hypocritical. Jiang Lan's attitude towards life... Such a life was quite good.
Yu Wanqiu felt that she didn't just accept this daughter - in - law; she had come to accept Jiang Lan as a person.
Just like on the first day they came, the two took the elevator downstairs. Yu Wanqiu said, "When does school start? I'll send you to school and take a stroll around the campus of Qinghua University."
To be honest, Yu Wanqiu had never sent Lu Yicheng to school. Lu Yicheng had been independent since childhood. His school was close to home, and with his relationship, he always looked forward to the start of school and didn't need them to send him.
She might as well send Lu Yicheng off too.
Jiang Lan nodded. "I'll go back to school on the 2nd and start classes on the 3rd. I'll have weekends off. I'll visit you on weekends and bring you food. Don't worry."
Yu Wanqiu said, "Where did you buy that roast chicken last time? Ask Lu Yicheng to bring one back for me when he comes home."
She couldn't forget the taste of the roast chicken. Most importantly, Yu Wanqiu was worried that Lu Yicheng wouldn't be well - received at the Jiang family's door. It was his first time visiting. Although it wasn't for a marriage - related discussion, girls are different from boys. No parents would be happy to see their well - raised daughter with a boyfriend.
Yu Wanqiu said, "How about I go with you to see you off?"
She had a pleasant chat with Xie Yunzhen last time.
Jiang Lan said it wasn't necessary. "Let Lu Yicheng send me. I've already called my mom."
Today she was taking her "pig" (boyfriend) home. She had done all she could, and the rest was up to Lu Yicheng.
"My parents are very easy - going. Don't worry, Teacher Yu."
Xie Yunzhen changed into a more formal outfit today. She went to the market early in the morning and bought fish and a pork knuckle. There were plenty of vegetables in summer, so she also bought cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, and potatoes.
Xie Yunzhen didn't ask about Lu Yicheng's taste. When she mentioned it to Jiang Baoguo, he looked unhappy. "Just having something to eat is enough. Do we still need to consider his taste? If it weren't for Lanlan's sake, I'd just make two cornbread buns. I'm sure this young master has never eaten cornbread buns."
Xie Yunzhen sighed. They still had to prepare properly. At least eight dishes should be made; otherwise, people would think the Jiang family was a poor host.
There would be a pork knuckle, a stewed fish, a roast chicken, and Jiang Lan's favorite clear - soup meatballs, along with two cold dishes and two stir - fried dishes.
Xie Yunzhen planned to cook by herself. Her cooking wasn't very good, but Lu Yicheng had tasted all kinds of delicious food. If he said the food she cooked was bad at the dinner table...
Then he might never come again.
Jiang Baoguo took out a bottle of wine he had kept for many years. He had always been reluctant to drink it and originally planned to open it when Jiang Lan brought her boyfriend home.
Although he said he'd let Jiang Lan's boyfriend eat cornbread buns, the couple really couldn't do such a thing.
Yu Wanqiu had taken good care of Jiang Lan on the show. It would be inappropriate to make things difficult for Lu Yicheng.
Jiang Baoguo went to work in the morning and took half a day off in the afternoon. On his way home, he also bought cola and ice cream.
He got home almost at noon, but Jiang Lan hadn't returned yet.
The house was filled with the aroma of the food. Jiang Baoguo snorted. "What time is it? Why isn't she back yet?"
Xie Yunzhen had been busy all morning and was overwhelmed. "Jiang Lan just called and said they were on the way. It'll probably take another half an hour. Quick, come and take a look at this fish. It's all broken!"
Jiang Baoguo had to fix it.
Jiang Lan was still on the road. There was a traffic jam, and it seemed they had encountered paparazzi.
A car had been following them.
Like Chen Shuyun and the others, Jiang Lan was an ordinary person. Xie Yunzhen was a teacher, and Jiang Baoguo was a wage - earner. They were all ordinary people. If they were photographed, it might affect their normal lives.
Lu Yicheng said, "I'll drive around a few more times to shake them off. If it doesn't work, we'll go back and change the car."
Lu Yicheng looked very well - behaved today. He had his hair cut the day before yesterday, and he got a short haircut.
It was similar to the hairstyle required in high school, looking extremely refreshing, just like a high - school boy.
Such a haircut might be a disaster for others, but Lu Yicheng was handsome, and it actually looked quite good on him.
He was wearing a white T-shirt on top, grayish-green work pants below, and sneakers.
He took a shower again this morning and smelled a bit fragrant. When Jiang Lan asked him if he had sprayed perfume, Lu Yicheng said no. "But I changed my body wash. It has a more subdued and mature scent. I'm afraid Teacher Xie will think I'm unreliable like this."
Jiang Lan said that Teacher Xie would be more amiable towards male high school students, so Lu Yicheng could only come up with this method.
He wasn't wearing his glasses, which could prove that he had good eyesight. The car he drove was an ordinary commuter car that wouldn't attract a crowd to gather around and point at it when parked downstairs. It was low - key enough.
Lu Yicheng was already nervous, and then he encountered paparazzi following him, which made him even more nervous. "Baby... Will Teacher Xie not let me in?"
"If she won't let me in, please speak up for me. Do I have to make three visits like Zhuge Liang? Will she only let me in on the third try?" Lu Yicheng drove around the streets for a few laps, successfully shaking off the following paparazzi, and then re - navigated to Jiang's residential area.
Jiang Lan was holding back her laughter so hard that she started coughing. "No, she'll let you in for Teacher Yu's sake."
Lu Yicheng said, "Then for my mom's sake... I'm your boyfriend. I don't need to rely on Yu Wanqiu's face."
It would be him who would marry Jiang Lan in the future. Why should he rely on Yu Wanqiu's influence?
Jiang Lan said, "Just tell me if you want to go to my home. If you do, what's wrong with borrowing Teacher Yu's influence?"
Thinking about it this way, it seemed quite reasonable. Lu Yicheng said, "Then I'll borrow it first and get in the door first."
Lu Yicheng didn't sleep well last night. He thought of several possibilities, such as Teacher Xie not letting him into the house, or suddenly testing him on an English grammar point while talking. Xie Yunzhen taught English. Would she communicate with him in English the whole time?
Would Teacher Xie have also taken minor courses in Russian or German and then secretly tell Jiang Lan in another language that her boyfriend was no good and she should break up with him as soon as possible?
The whole family communicating in a foreign language while he was the only one who couldn't understand.
Or maybe she would suddenly give him an English test paper and grade it on the spot.
Lu Yicheng's English was quite good. He had passed the CET - 4 and CET - 6 with high scores.
Did he need to take the TEM - 8? He hadn't even brought his CET certificates.
"You don't understand me. Sigh."
Netizens knew that this was the last episode today. Marketing accounts had posted on Weibo, and they had been squatting in the villa area early in the morning, taking pictures of Chen Shuyun and the others leaving.
The first to leave was Zhang Lin, followed by Li Jia. Li Jia left half an hour after Zhang Lin. The mother - in - law and daughter - in - law didn't leave together. Moreover, Zhang Lin seemed to go directly to a hotel.
This was really strange. After finishing the program, she didn't go home, and Xu Chaoyang didn't come to pick her up. Going directly to a hotel, what kind of operation was this?
Moreover, Du Wanzhou and Shen Xingyao also went to a hotel. They didn't go home either.
The Chen family wasn't in City B, so it was normal for them not to go back.
The last to leave were Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan.
Lu Yicheng came early and waited outside the villa for half an hour. When putting the luggage away, he opened the trunk, and it was filled with stuff.
Yu Wanqiu got into another car. The marketing accounts directly claimed that the driver was Lu Shuangchen without getting a clear shot of the driver's face.
[Rabbit Group: After the recording of "Mother-in-Law Is Coming", Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng went to meet her parents. Yu Wanqiu and Lu Shuangchen returned to their love nest together. [Pictures][Pictures]]
[Rabbit Group: Zhang Lin went back to the hotel alone. Li Jia returned to Jingting Shengyuan. [Pictures]]
[Rabbit Group: Shen Xingyao and Du Wanzhou went straight to the hotel after finishing the program. Chen Hao was not seen. [Pictures]]
Fans watched with great interest.
...
[There are so many things in the trunk. Number Six is going to meet his girlfriend's parents. Mr. Lu is here too. I'm just over the moon as a fan of both of them!]
[Congratulations!]
[He's sending his girlfriend home and taking the chance to meet her parents. It's probably not about proposing marriage for Mr. Yu. Mr. Yu keeps his word and is a tough guy.]
[They've been dating for more than three years. It's time to meet the parents.]
[I'm a bit confused about who should go. But since Lu Yicheng is going to meet the parents, shouldn't her good friend go too?]
[The CP I've been shipping has finally come true. Sure enough, marriage is the only solution.]
[This is so sweet. The future son-in-law is finally going to visit.]
[Today is the last episode. I'm really going to miss it.]
[I hope they'll always be happy.]
[What on earth is going on with Zhang Lin? I'm so confused.]
[I don't know. Xu Chaoyang wasn't seen. Why doesn't she go home?]
[I'm guessing there won't be any shots of Li Jia in the eighth episode either.]
[No matter what, I'll support Zhang Lin. I just love looking at beautiful women. [Winking emoji]]
[Beautiful sister, just focus on yourself. You don't need any lousy men.]
[Forget about the others. I'm waiting for good news about the son-in-law meeting the parents.]
Whether Lu Yicheng would get good news or not, he drove the car to Jiang Lan's apartment building. Jiang Lan's family lived on the third floor. From downstairs, there was nothing to be seen.
Lu Yicheng took a deep breath. "Baby, give me a hug. I'm nervous."
Jiang Lan was just happy to be going home and wasn't nervous at all. What could she say? She could only say, "Don't be nervous."
It wasn't a matter of just saying not to be nervous. Lu Yicheng took the things out of the trunk. He couldn't carry them all at once. "Come on, just give me a hug. After we go up, you have to keep your distance from me. Don't touch me, and don't kiss or hug me. It won't look good if your parents see it."
Jiang Lan had never kissed or hugged him before. What nonsense was Lu Yicheng talking about? It seemed he was really nervous.
She gave him a perfunctory hug. "Okay, okay. Don't be nervous."
Lu Yicheng was still nervous. He carried the milk and wine, as well as the throat lozenges he bought for Xie Yunzhen. He would come down to carry the rest - the rice, flour, oil, and tea - later.
Among them were also a silk scarf and a diamond necklace that Yu Wanqiu sent for Xie Yunzhen.
Anyway, he had prepared everything he could think of.
Lu Yicheng took a deep breath. "Let's go upstairs. Wait a minute. Should you knock on the door or should I? Which foot should I step into your house with first?"
Jiang Lan said, "Are you crazy? Which foot to step with? Besides, I know as much about my home as you do. Asking me is useless."
She didn't remember anything. Hearing her, Lu Yicheng wasn't afraid of being kicked out.
Lu Yicheng seemed to be in a bit of a muddle. "It's okay. I can do it. I'm not nervous. My name is 'Not Nervous'."
The staircase in the old residential area was a bit narrow. Lu Yicheng walked behind Jiang Lan and they climbed up to the third floor. Just as Jiang Lan was about to ring the doorbell, Lu Yicheng said, "Wait a minute. Let me check my clothes."
Jiang Lan looked up at him. His clothes were fine, but his forehead was sweating from nervousness. "You look handsome. Let me wipe the sweat off your head."
Jiang Lan took out a tissue and wiped the sweat off Lu Yicheng's forehead.
Lu Yicheng didn't even have time to savor the feeling of his girlfriend wiping his sweat. "Baby, I want to discuss something with you. If Uncle and Aunt say something bad about me later, don't stand up for me, okay? The more you stand up for me, the less they'll like me. If you act a bit tough on me, they'll feel sorry for me. Please."
Jiang Lan rolled her eyes. "As if I'm always tough on you usually."
"Just act a bit." Lu Yicheng took a deep breath. "Ring the doorbell. You do it."
The doorbell rang, and Lu Yicheng felt his heart pounding along with the sound of the doorbell.
But...
The door didn't open.
He tightened his grip on the handle of the gifts. "Why didn't it open? Do you have the key?"
"Maybe they're in the kitchen. Ring it again," Jiang Lan said. After the second ring of the doorbell, there were footsteps behind the door.
Jiang Baoguo slowly opened the door. When he saw Jiang Lan, he couldn't help but smile. Then his gaze turned to Lu Yicheng, and the smile immediately disappeared.
Lu Yicheng said, "Uncle, hello. I'm... I'm Lu Yicheng, Jiang Lan's boyfriend. I brought Jiang Lan home today and came to see you guys by the way. Hello."
Jiang Lan: "..."
Jiang Baoguo: "..."
Jiang Lan glanced at Lu Yicheng. Was he being stupid? Lu Yicheng forced a smile. How embarrassing. Why did he say he wasn't nervous just now?
There was a moment of silence in the air. Jiang Baoguo twitched the corner of his mouth. "Alright, come in."
"Your mom is cooking. Why are you back so late? It's already one o'clock," Jiang Baoguo said. He didn't have much experience in getting along with his daughter's boyfriend. The young man seemed quite smart on TV, but why did he act so stupid now?
Jiang Lan said, "Don't even mention it. We ran into paparazzi. We walked around the streets for several rounds to shake them off."
Jiang Lan found a pair of slippers for Lu Yicheng. "Change your shoes."
Lu Yicheng put down the gifts and tentatively said, "There are still some things in the car. I'll go and get them. I'll be back soon."
Jiang Baoguo said, "Alright, sit down and have a glass of water first. It'll be time for dinner soon. Don't be so busy."
Lu Yicheng thought Jiang Baoguo was hinting that he came late and made Jiang Lan hungry on the way. So he sat on the edge of the sofa. "Uncle, I'll come earlier next time."
Jiang Baoguo: "?"
Jiang Baoguo coughed. "Lanlan, pour a glass of water for Xiao Lu. I'll go and see if the food is ready."
Lu Yicheng waved his hand at Jiang Lan, indicating that he didn't need water. He wasn't thirsty at all. "Should I go to the kitchen to say hello to Teacher Xie?"
Jiang Lan pointed to the kitchen. "She's coming out. You don't need to go over."
Xie Yunzhen came out with the dishes in her hands. Lu Yicheng sprang to his feet at once and greeted, "Hello, Auntie. I'm Lu Yicheng, Jiang Lan's boyfriend."
Xie Yunzhen placed the dishes on the table, sized Lu Yicheng up for a while, then calmly withdrew her gaze. "Well, go wash your hands and have dinner. Lanlan, take him to wash his hands."
Lu Yicheng thought to himself, trying to find some silver lining in the situation, that Teacher Xie was really doting on Jiang Lan. She even asked Jiang Lan to take him to wash his hands.
However, this showed that Teacher Xie attached great importance to hygiene, and he had to strive in this regard.
The two of them went to wash their hands. Jiang Baoguo said to Xie Yunzhen, "He seems a bit dull, kind of stupid."
Xie Yunzhen replied, "Don't scare him. It's his first time here. Be more friendly."
Jiang Baoguo retorted, "Me? Scare him? I don't even know what to say to him. We have nothing in common. And you, as a teacher, don't bring your school - style here at home."
"Need you tell me? Let's have dinner," Xie Yunzhen said as she laid out the chopsticks and bowls. The table at home was a square one, with a stool on each side. There were a total of eight dishes. Xie Yunzhen asked, "Lanlan, serve some rice for Xiao Lu. I don't know how much he eats."
Lu Yicheng wanted to say he'd do it himself, but this was Jiang Lan's home. He said, "Just a little more than yours."
Lu Yicheng didn't dare to look around, but from what he'd glimpsed, he thought the home was extremely warm and cozy. He sat next to Jiang Lan and did whatever she did.
Xie Yunzhen said, "It's not a grand meal. Help yourself to whatever you like. Just treat it as your own home."
Lu Yicheng gave a smile and said, "It's already very sumptuous. I usually eat boxed lunches at the company. Thank you for your hard work, Auntie."
Lu Yicheng glanced at Jiang Lan and then followed her to pick up a piece of chicken.
Xie Yunzhen nodded and said, "Eat more. My cooking is just so - so. Usually, it's Lanlan's father who does the cooking."
Lu Yicheng thought that when Xie Yunzhen said this, she was hinting at something. "Teacher Xie, don't be modest. I think your cooking is really delicious. I can cook too. My specialties are pickled fish with sauerkraut and braised pork. I'll let you taste my cooking skills some time."
It was a perfect answer as he both praised Teacher Xie's cooking and showed that he could cook in the future.
Xie Yunzhen looked at the chicken in Lu Yicheng's bowl. Since he sat at the table, except for the rice she steamed, the other dishes weren't her cooking. How could he tell her cooking was good?
Jiang Lan picked up another piece of chicken.
Xie Yunzhen said, "Try the other dishes."
Lu Yicheng said okay and quickly picked up some fish and stir - fried beans with pork. Xie Yunzhen had cooked home - style dishes. The fish was stewed, and the beans were stir - fried with pork. Jiang Lan glanced at him and quietly observed his expression after he finished eating.
Even Jiang Baoguo stopped using his chopsticks. Lu Yicheng took a bite of the beans. The taste was a bit light. He took a mouthful of rice and then ate the fish. The fish wasn't well - seasoned. To be honest, the cooking was just ordinary.
But these were the dishes made by Xie Yunzhen herself.
"Teacher Xie, it's so delicious! This stewed fish is so tender. The fish meat doesn't fall apart, and the taste is fresh but not greasy. And the beans, they're so full of the flavor of the meat. They're so yummy." Lu Yicheng then picked up some pork knuckle. Anyway, he ate everything on the table except the roast chicken.
Xie Yunzhen's eyes showed a hint of a smile. Jiang Lan thought Lu Yicheng was really amazing. When Xie Yunzhen made the bolting rice, the taste was just so - so and not as good as the roast chicken, yet he didn't eat a single bite of the roast chicken.
Xie Yunzhen said, "Jiang Lan, don't just eat meat. Have some vegetables. Look, Xiao Lu isn't picky about food."
Lu Yicheng was holding the bowl and eating. He picked up a chopstick - full of stir - fried green beans and said, "Teacher Xie, the bolting rice you made is really delicious."
Now Jiang Lan didn't think highly of Lu Yicheng. "Mom, I'm eating," she said.
Jiang Baoguo cleared his throat and said, "Let's have some wine. Can you drink?"
Lu Yicheng replied, "I don't usually drink much, but I can have a little. Uncle, let me pour the wine for you."
During the meal, Lu Yicheng ate two bowls of rice and an unknown amount of dishes. He also drank two small cups of wine. After the meal, he even offered to help clear the table. Xie Yunzhen told him to go to the living room and have a chat with Jiang Baoguo. "Jiang Lan, come and clear the table," she said.
Jiang Lan didn't eat much. She ate a lot of roast chicken and only half a small bowl of rice. Lu Yicheng glanced at Jiang Lan and finally obediently went to the living room to talk with Jiang Baoguo.
Xie Yunzhen asked Jiang Lan to wash the dishes and the pot. She glanced at her daughter and asked, "Are you full after eating so little?"
Jiang Lan said, "It's okay. Someone was being so enthusiastic. I didn't feel right competing with him. Otherwise, ordinary people can't compete with me."
Xie Yunzhen smiled helplessly. "He's an honest boy," she said.
It was different from what she had thought. Lu Yicheng didn't have the airs of a young master. He could cook, ate everything, and wasn't picky. He seemed quite honest.
Xie Yunzhen had been a class teacher for many years and could tell at a glance whether a child was honest or a trouble - maker.
However, what Lao Jiang said was also right. He was a bit silly, just blindly complimenting. She wasn't unaware of how her cooking was.
As for other aspects, she needed to observe more.
"Find out if there are any digestive tablets later," Xie Yunzhen was afraid that Lu Yicheng would overeat.
Jiang Lan glanced from the kitchen towards the living room. Lu Yicheng was sitting upright.
Jiang Baoguo was making tea. Lu Yicheng said, "Uncle, do you also like drinking tea? I brought two packs of tea in the car. I'll bring them up for you later."
"You make tea so well. The tea soup is clear," Lu Yicheng leaned forward slightly, looking very serious.
"You also drink tea. Young people usually like milk tea," Jiang Baoguo gave Lu Yicheng a detailed introduction to the art of tea - making. Lu Yicheng listened so attentively and chimed in from time to time, making it hard for Jiang Baoguo to stop talking.
After drinking two small cups of wine, Lu Yicheng's face was a bit red.
Jiang Baoguo said, "Try this tea. It's just ordinary tea leaves."
The Lu family was wealthy, and this tea must be far inferior to the tea in the Lu family.
Lu Yicheng took a sip. "It's a bit hot. There's a bit of sweet aftertaste after the bitterness. It's good tea. Uncle, I only have a superficial understanding. Don't take it to heart if I say something wrong."
Jiang Baoguo smiled and said, "If you're sleepy, go and lie down for a while. You can't drive after drinking."
Lu Yicheng said, "I'm not sleepy. I'm very energetic. I'm not sleepy at all. I'm so happy talking to you."
