Chapter 4: You Lead the Way

Lu Fan returned to the urban-rural fringe area with Bai Shuang. Passing by a small convenience store, he called his parents to tell them they could come over in the afternoon.

After hanging up, he handed the shop owner three mao and noticed Bai Shuang sneaking glances at a string of lollipops resting on the counter. Without hesitation, Lu Fan took one and hung it around her neck.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

Startled, Bai Shuang quickly shook her head. “I’m not craving it, not at all.”

“It’s fine, I have money. You can crave it, but you can only have one a day. By the way, have your baby teeth all fallen out yet?”

Bai Shuang bared her teeth and said, “The front ones are new, but many at the back haven’t fallen yet.”

“Since your new teeth have grown in, you should eat less candy. If they get cavities, it’ll be a lifelong problem.”

Lu Fan then took off the lollipops, tore off two sticks, put the rest back on the counter, and grabbed a handful of dried figs, some monk’s meat jerky, and several pieces of Tianshan bubble gum from the box above.

Finally, he took two peanut milk ice pops from the fridge.

The total came to thirty-six mao.

He stuffed Bai Shuang’s pockets full and kept a pack of dried figs and monk’s meat for himself.

He used to eat these snacks often as a child and hadn’t expected to see them again.

The two of them licked their ice pops as they headed back to the Bai household.

After a brief moment of getting comfortable, Bai Shuang, no longer guarded, pointed to a crack between bricks where a small stone was lodged and said, “Our house key is hidden here.”

Just as Lu Fan was about to retrieve it, he saw Liu Yue’e riding a bicycle turn into the alley.

Seeing Lu Fan, Liu Yue’e jumped off her bike from a distance and walked over, still a bit awkward.

“Auntie, you’re off work?”

“I didn’t go to work today. I went to the matchmaker’s to settle Da Ni’s marriage talks and returned the gifts others had brought.”

Lu Fan felt pleased; his future mother-in-law seemed courteous, which boded well for their future relationship.

“Mom, look at the snacks big brother bought me,” Bai Shuang said, proudly holding out her bulging pockets.

Liu Yue’e glanced at Lu Fan and whispered, “You don’t need to spend money when you come here next time.”

“Heh, it’s nothing. Bai Shuang, share some snacks with Mom. Kids should know how to share.”

Bai Shuang generously replied, “Mom, take some yourself.”

“Mom won’t eat it. You eat it, but don’t finish it all at once.”

“Okay!”

Once inside, Liu Yue’e hurriedly tidied up, set out a small stool for Lu Fan to sit on, and poured him a glass of water.

Lu Fan waved her off and said, “Auntie, don’t be formal. From now on, I’ll treat this place like my own home. Just let me know if there’s any work to do.”

Saying that, he sat down, pulled out the pack of dried figs from his pocket, tore it open, and bit into a few.

The sweet and sour taste was just as he remembered.

Curious, he glanced at the packaging and immediately cursed inwardly. Damn it, it was actually shredded radish.

Those little rascals were deliberately tricking children!

Buying a pack of dried figs for a dime seemed worth it, but getting a few strips of radish for the same price felt like a rip-off. It was false advertising.

Liu Yue’e saw Lu Fan sitting down so casually, eating snacks without a hint of politeness, and felt somewhat relieved.

But the next moment, Lu Fan’s words made her tense again.

“My parents said they’ll come by this afternoon. You and Bai Lu will be home then, so please talk to them.”

“Mm!” Liu Yue’e nodded softly and hurried to prepare some food.

“No need. They know you’re busy and won’t be eating here.”

“Oh! Are your parents intellectuals?”

Lu Fan smiled. “Not quite. My mom graduated from night school, about college level. My dad retired from the military and then transferred to civilian work. His education is about elementary school level now.”

“That would be junior high nowadays. Back then, elementary school was four years and junior high was two.”

“Heh, senior elementary is still elementary,” Lu Fan scoffed.

Liu Yue’e was quiet for a moment before saying, “I also graduated from senior elementary.”

Lu Fan was taken aback but didn’t continue the conversation.

They chatted a while longer before Liu Yue’e got up to cook. After preparing the meal, she still had to deliver it to the hospital.

Watching her busy figure, Lu Fan felt the weight of her hardships—not only caring for patients but raising two children.

She worked during the day and did odd jobs like trimming threads at night.

Having a seriously ill family member could destroy any household.

Lu Fan’s resentment toward her selling her daughter lessened considerably.

Liu Yue’e quickly stir-fried two dishes: cucumber with scrambled eggs and lightly stir-fried shredded potatoes. She didn’t have time to eat herself, leaving half for Lu Fan and packing the rest to take to the hospital.

Just as she was about to leave, Lu Fan stopped her, took the lunchbox, and said, “You eat here with Bai Shuang. I’ll take the food.”

“That wouldn’t be right!”

“You’re being polite with me again!” Lu Fan narrowed his eyes but then softened at the thought of her as his future mother-in-law.

His career later grew considerably, managing hundreds of people, and his personality was somewhat dominant. Having just come back, he wasn’t ready to change that yet.

After sending Lu Fan off, Liu Yue’e watched his cycling figure disappear down the street, feeling grateful to have a capable man in the family.

Some people reveal their true nature at a glance.

This son-in-law was generous and decisive; he would surely give her daughter a good life.

She felt happy for Da Ni.

…

After delivering the meal, Lu Fan brought Bai Lu back with him.

Bai Lu sat sideways on the back seat, hands gripping the edge tightly, her upper body stiff and straight, fearful of accidentally touching Lu Fan’s back.

Riding through the city was complicated, with frequent sudden brakes.

Each time, Bai Lu had to adjust her posture, sit upright, grab Lu Fan’s clothes, or even hold onto his waist to keep steady.

After being jolted several times by the girl’s softness, Lu Fan finally thought of a solution.

Whenever approaching an intersection, Bai Lu would jump off the bike before he braked.

Then, when Lu Fan started moving again, she’d jump back on.

Sitting sideways made it easy to hop on and off, but the force every time she got on made Lu Fan wobble, forcing him to ride crookedly for a bit before regaining control. Once, he nearly rode into a flowerbed.

After a few intersections, Lu Fan almost ran the front wheel into a pedestrian’s crotch.

He looked at Bai Lu and said, “You’re a rabbit in the zodiac, right? Can you stop hopping around? Just sit properly; I can hold you.”

“Oh! I won’t jump anymore.”

Scolded, Bai Lu twisted her fingers, feeling a bit wronged, then lightly settled on the back seat.

Seeing her pitiful look, Lu Fan said helplessly, “If you don’t like sitting behind, then sit in front.”