WIFTY - 59

Her home is so warm.
No wonder she’s so kind.
—Zhang Lurang

Two days later, it was Sunday.

Zhang Lurang had already agreed on a time with Su Zaizai and arrived early in the morning to visit her family.

He stood at the door for a moment, his brows carrying a hint of nervousness.

The next second, Zhang Lurang curved his lips slightly and pressed the doorbell on the right side of the door.

Almost simultaneously, the door opened from the inside, and Su Zaizai popped her head out.

She cheerfully grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside.

Zhang Lurang stood at the entrance, glancing inside.

A middle-aged man sat on the sofa, his gaze turning toward them, a gentle smile on his face.

The middle-aged woman walked out of the kitchen, holding a plate of fruit. She happened to see Zhang Lurang and smiled, “Lurang’s here? Come sit.”

Zhang Lurang had just finished taking off his shoes and switched into the indoor slippers that Su Zaizai handed him. He then walked over to the coffee table.

He extended his hand, offering the gift he brought along. His tone was respectful and humble: “Uncle, Auntie, hello.”

Su Zaizai’s father stood up, took the gift from his hands, and placed it on the coffee table: “Sit down.”

Zhang Lurang nodded and sat on the adjacent sofa.

Su Zaizai sat quietly beside him like a little shadow.

There was a brief silence.

Zhang Lurang thought for a moment, about to say something.

Suddenly, Su Zaizai’s mother, who had been silent, leaned close to Su’s father’s ear and whispered, “He looks better than in the photos.”

Su Zaizai immediately spoke up: “Mom, you’re too loud.”

Hearing this, Zhang Lurang froze for a moment, his face heating up.

The initially somewhat awkward atmosphere instantly eased quite a bit.

Su’s father’s voice carried a hint of amusement as he poured a glass of water and placed it in front of him: “I heard from Zaizai that your family is in City B?”

“Yes,” Zhang Lurang thought for a moment and added, “My parents are there. I live in Z City with my uncle.”

“Will you return to work in B City in the future?” Su’s father asked casually.

Zhang Lurang had already thought about these questions and directly replied: “No, I’ll still work in Z City after graduation and settle down there.”

“Do your parents know?”

“They do. I’ve talked to them, and they agree.”

Su’s father seemed to have no more questions and sighed: “Our precious pearl underfoot has finally found someone.”

Hearing this, Su Zaizai couldn’t help herself: “Dad, how can you talk like that.”

Zhang Lurang focused entirely on the phrase “precious pearl.” He paused, then said earnestly: “I will take good care of her.”

Afterward, Su’s parents started chatting about other topics, mostly about Su Zaizai’s childhood.

Zhang Lurang listened attentively, his lips curving upward throughout.

After lunch, thinking the two elders might want to rest, Zhang Lurang didn’t want to disturb them for too long and excused himself.

Su Zaizai changed her clothes and went out with him.

On the way, Zhang Lurang was rather quiet.

Su Zaizai blinked and said earnestly: “What’s wrong? My parents really like you.”

He didn’t know what to say, staring into the distance with no expression on his face.

After a while, Zhang Lurang spoke: “Do you think I did well?”

Su Zaizai didn’t know what he meant by this and only felt that he was seeking praise and approval.

She enthusiastically praised him: “You were absolutely perfect, the ideal son-in-law. Superb! Anyone would think you’ve met hundreds of parents before.”

Zhang Lurang’s lips twitched slightly.

He turned his head, lowering his gaze to look at her, his eyes filled with smiles and anticipation.

“Then do you have experience now?”

Not expecting him to say this, Su Zaizai was momentarily stunned and nodded dazedly.

“Meet my uncle next week?” Zhang Lurang licked his lips and continued, “In a few days, you may have interviews, so there won’t be time to go to B City to meet my parents. Let’s wait until winter break or next summer vacation.”

His tone was somewhat urgent, making Su Zaizai a bit overwhelmed.

“How about winter break? We’ll go when you’re free.”

Seeing his expression, Su Zaizai suddenly raised her lips, unable to suppress her smile.

She looked at Zhang Lurang and said earnestly: “Okay.”

Both were trying their best to integrate each other into their lives.

What could be better than that?

________________________________________

During the winter break the following year, Su Zaizai went to B City with Zhang Lurang before the New Year.

Zhang Luli had just returned from abroad a few days ago.

The once-empty house suddenly became lively with a few more people.

Because of this, Zhang’s parents seemed to be in a good mood.

After dinner, everyone sat on the sofa chatting.

Zhang’s mother smiled and held Su Zaizai’s hand, asking: “You and Arang are both juniors now, right? He said he plans to start working directly. What about you? Will you pursue graduate studies or work?”

Su Zaizai lowered her head and thought for a moment, saying: “I also plan to start working directly.”

Zhang Lurang picked up the teapot on the table, slowly pouring tea, and emphasized again: “Both our workplaces are in Z City, and we’ll settle there in the future.”

Zhang’s father didn’t raise any objections but simply said: “Remember to come home when you have time.”

Hearing this, Zhang Lurang’s movements paused for a moment, and he softly responded: “Mm.”

Beside them, Zhang Luli picked up a cup of tea and took a small sip: “I’ll be back in a couple of years. Brother, when are you getting married? Do you want me to be the best man? Afraid I’ll steal your spotlight?”

Zhang Lurang thought seriously: “Then forget it.”

A burst of laughter erupted in the living room.

After a while, Zhang’s mother pulled Su Zaizai toward the bedroom, saying: “Zaizai, come. Let me show you pictures of Arang when he was little.”

Zhang Lurang instinctively stood up, wanting to follow.

Zhang’s father suddenly called him back, stiffly saying: “The tea is gone.”

“Brother, don’t be so clingy.” Zhang Luli made a disgusted face.

Zhang Lurang furrowed his brow, said nothing, and sat back down.

He murmured softly, his expression somewhat puzzled.

“Would she mind?”

“Based on my experience, girls don’t like it when boys are too clingy.”

Zhang’s father, rarely speaking up, added: “That’s true.”

Zhang Lurang licked his lips and said in a low voice: “She probably likes it, though.”

________________________________________

In the room, Zhang’s mother led Su Zaizai to sit on the edge of the bed and took out two thick photo albums from the bookshelf.

She was in high spirits, flipping through them until she reached one photo. She pointed and laughed: “Arang and Ali are only a year and a half apart in age, so many people used to ask me if they were twins.”

Su Zaizai glanced at the photo.

Zhang Lurang appeared to be around seven or eight years old in the picture, his mouth stretched almost to his ears. Zhang Luli stood beside him with an identical expression. At first glance, they indeed looked strikingly similar.

Su Zaizai had never seen such an exaggerated expression on Zhang Lurang before.

It seemed to be contagious, and she couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly.

“Arang used to dislike studying so much,” Zhang’s mother reminisced. “He would play outside with his classmates until seven or eight o’clock every day. Even when his younger brother wanted to join him, he wouldn’t let him.”

“Later, when his younger brother started skipping grades in fourth grade, our mindset, along with his father’s, began to change. Arang’s personality also gradually shifted.”

“When his younger brother got admitted to University B at fifteen, it even made the news.”

Su Zaizai listened silently, taking in her words earnestly.

“Many relatives called to praise us. I didn’t know what to think at the time. His uncle told me repeatedly, but I didn’t feel like I had done anything wrong.”

“After Arang went to college, he never came home once.” Zhang’s mother’s voice grew choked as she stared at the photos in the album. “Ali hasn’t either. I thought he was close to me, but he never calls me.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she finally couldn’t hold back, covering her eyes with one hand.

“It turns out… I’ve always been doing everything wrong.”

Su Zaizai placed her hand over hers, unsure of what to say: “Auntie…”

“My two children have never been happy because of me and their father.”

“I thought I gave them a good life, but it turns out that wasn’t the case…”

“It seems only me and their father thought it was good…”

Su Zaizai’s nose tingled, and she gently patted her back.

“Auntie, Zhang Lurang has become really wonderful now.”

“You don’t need to be sad. Everything will be okay.”

Everything will be fine.

________________________________________

It was getting late, so Su Zaizai bid farewell to Zhang’s parents and prepared to return to the hotel.

Zhang Lurang took his father’s car keys, and together they headed out.

Once they got into the car, Zhang Lurang didn’t start the engine immediately.

After a moment of silence, he couldn’t help but ask: “What did my mom tell you?”

“She didn’t say much. She showed me your childhood photos.” Mentioning this, Su Zaizai widened her eyes. “Lurang, your mouth was huge when you were little!”

Zhang Lurang: “… “

He glanced at her and started the car.

Su Zaizai leaned her elbow against the car window, watching the scenery blur past.

The sky had already darkened, bringing with it a sense of oppression.

In the midst of the heavy atmosphere, Su Zaizai suddenly spoke up, asking softly: “Do you still blame your parents?”

Hearing this, Zhang Lurang clearly froze for a moment but soon replied: “Not really.”

It wasn’t about blame, nor could it be called forgiveness.

But perhaps… they could never truly grow close again.

Su Zaizai didn’t offer any opinion and changed the topic.

“Let’s not have kids in the future, okay?” she joked half-heartedly.

Zhang Lurang didn’t say anything, seemingly waiting for her next words.

“Because I’ll definitely only favor you.”

Upon hearing this, the corners of Zhang Lurang’s lips curved upward, and he responded: “Then he (or she) would truly be neglected by both parents.”