MY - 58

Lu Nandu was a little surprised to see Liang Sirong when he pushed the door open.

“Mom,” he walked over to them. “Why are you here?”

Normally, Lu Nandu wouldn’t have a good expression or be in high spirits after his treatment with Xu Qingzhou.

But today, it was as if he had just come out after having a drink, and his mood was not affected at all.

Liang Sirong’s eyes curved into a smile. “It seems you’re in a good mood today.”

Lu Nandu stopped in front of the two of them. In the sunlight, the man’s skin was a little pale, but his complexion was not bad.

He had always been thick-skinned. Even though he knew that Liang Sirong would know he was happy because Jiang Xi was there, he wasn’t the least bit embarrassed.

He smiled and said mischievously, “I am.”

After saying that, he brazenly glanced at Jiang Xi. Seeing that Jiang Xi was also looking at him, he grinned at her.

He was being silly.

Jiang Xi looked away.

Liang Sirong saw his happy face and smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you this happy.”

When Lu Nandu was sick, he didn’t show much negative emotion. During the years he wasn’t getting treatment, he had his own place both abroad and in the country.

At night, he would return to an empty cage.

The ghosts would sleep during the day and wake up at night.

He was like a trapped beast, isolated and helpless, licking his wounds alone in the dark.

By day, he would have already hidden his shackles, wearing a smart suit, moving freely through the crowd and making things happen.

He spent most of his time in his private space, trying not to affect or trouble others. But as an elder who understood Lu Nandu’s personality, even if Lu Nandu’s expression didn’t change much, Liang Sirong could still tell if he was in a good or bad mood.

Just like now, Lu Nandu was clearly in a good mood.

Liang Sirong reached out and pulled him to sit next to her. After scrutinizing him, she said, “You’ve lost weight.”

Lu Nandu began to talk nonsense. “Don’t I look good after losing weight?”

Liang Sirong was amused. “You child, you’re talking nonsense. It’s better to gain some weight.”

Jiang Xi didn’t interrupt their conversation and poured herself a cup of tea.

Lu Nandu casually asked Liang Sirong why she was there.

Liang Sirong said, “You haven’t been home for more than a month, and you won’t let me come see you. I was a little worried. It just so happens that I’m going to see your grandma and grandpa today, so I stopped by to see you.”

Yucheng, this southern city, had a warm climate all year round, with only a few cold days. Liang Sirong’s parents had moved here from the north to enjoy their retirement in this city.

Lu Nandu had only met Liang Sirong’s parents a few times. The two elders also had some complaints about him and didn’t like him, but Liang Sirong still referred to them as “grandma and grandpa” in front of him, treating him as her own.

Lu Nandu asked her, “Are you going today?”

Liang Sirong nodded. “I’m their only daughter. They called me a few times on the way here to ask if I was coming. They’re probably waiting for a long time at home.”

“Why don’t you stay for a meal before you go?”

“No. I was just a little worried and stopped by to see you,” she said, then glanced at Jiang Xi next to her and smiled. “Now it seems I don’t have to worry. You have to take better care of yourself.”

“I’m very healthy,” Lu Nandu said. “I haven’t had a fever or a cold in years.”

Lu Nandu had never had any physical problems. No matter what he did, he was fine.

Liang Sirong said to him, “That’s the best.”

Xu Qingzhou pushed the door open and came out of the inner room. He paused when he saw Liang Sirong, but quickly recovered. This change happened in less than a second.

He had a gentle smile on his face and greeted her politely, “Mrs. Lu.”

Liang Sirong nodded in greeting.

She glanced at the time and said to Lu Nandu, “It’s getting late. I’m going back.”

Lu Nandu said, “Why don’t you stay for a meal before you go?”

Liang Sirong laughed. “Oh, please. You’re probably secretly hoping I’ll leave soon.”

“I have to clarify. I’m not. If you stay here for a month or two, not only would I not object, I’d be ecstatic. Why would I want you to leave?”

Liang Sirong pinched his face. “Your mouth is so sweet.”

Xu Qingzhou had already walked over and asked, “Mrs. Lu, why don’t you stay for a bit longer?”

Liang Sirong looked at him and stood up. “No, my driver is waiting outside. I’ll come again when I have time.”

Xu Qingzhou didn’t try to keep her. He politely curved his lips. “Then take care.”

Liang Sirong nodded and said to Lu Nandu, “Let’s go.”

Jiang Xi didn’t stay long either. After saying goodbye to Xu Qingzhou, she left with them.

Lu Nandu was going to walk Liang Sirong to the alley. Jiang Xi stopped when they reached Lu Nandu’s door.

Liang Sirong had some things she didn’t feel comfortable saying in front of Jiang Xi. Jiang Xi knew that Liang Sirong probably wanted to talk to Lu Nandu privately.

She said, “I won’t go out.”

Lu Nandu leaned in and asked her, “Are you tired from sitting all morning?”

“No.” She glanced at him.

Liang Sirong’s eyes curved into a smile. She said to Lu Nandu, “You child, your elders are still here. Can you please be a little more restrained?”

Lu Nandu put his hands in his pockets and stood up straight, smiling. “Okay.”

Jiang Xi’s gaze moved away from him and looked at Liang Sirong. “Take care.”

Liang Sirong nodded. “Thank you for everything during this time.”

Jiang Xi said truthfully, “I didn’t do anything. It’s no trouble at all.”

Liang Sirong smiled at her and said to Lu Nandu, “Let’s go.”

Lu Nandu hummed, and glanced at Jiang Xi. “You go inside first.”

Jiang Xi nodded.

Lu Nandu walked Liang Sirong to the alley. A black car was parked on the side of the road.

Lu Nandu glanced at the car window, then looked at Liang Sirong. “Are you really not going to stay for a meal before you go?”

Liang Sirong patted his hand. “I won’t disturb you two. You should hurry up and win over that girl. You’ve been thinking about her for years. It’s time for you to get married.”

When she said that, Lu Nandu frowned slightly.

In this kind of prominent family, children never had the freedom to choose who they married. When they came of age, they would be married off for the family’s interests.

Although Grandpa Lu hadn’t said anything yet, Lu Nandu knew very well that he was always looking for a suitable candidate.

Liang Sirong saw him frown and said, “Frowning causes wrinkles.”

Probably knowing what he was thinking, Liang Sirong added, “There’s nothing to worry about. Things will work out in the end. Your grandpa isn’t an unreasonable person.”

Lu Nandu looked at her. “I think you’re the one who’s worried.”

Liang Sirong’s expression froze for a moment.

Lu Nandu laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring her home to you.”

The awkwardness from a second ago had disappeared from Liang Sirong’s face. She smiled. “You’d better keep your word. I’m very fond of this girl.”

Lu Nandu laughed at her. “There’s nothing you can do even if you’re not. She’s the only daughter-in-law you’ll ever have.”

Liang Sirong laughed at him. “What a childish temper.”

After saying that, she shooed him away. “Alright, alright, I should be going. It’s time for lunch. You should go back and eat.”

Lu Nandu didn’t leave immediately. “Okay.”

The driver had gotten out of the car and was standing by it when Liang Sirong came out.

Liang Sirong walked over, and the driver opened the back door for her.

After she got in, Liang Sirong rolled down the car window before the car started and said to Lu Nandu, “Go inside.”

The car quickly disappeared around the corner of the street.

Lu Nandu turned around and strolled back home.

Jiang Xi wasn’t planning on ordering takeout today and went to the kitchen.

There was only one pot and an induction cooker.

It was obvious that Lu Nandu didn’t cook often and hadn’t been here for a long time.

There were a few boxes of instant noodles in the cabinet. Jiang Xi checked the expiration date. They hadn’t expired.

That pot was probably what Lu Nandu used to cook noodles.

Jiang Xi took out two boxes and put them on the counter. After thinking about it, she reached up and took out another one.

She poured water into the pot and put it on the induction cooker.

The lighting in the house was average, and the kitchen was dim. Jiang Xi stood by the counter, watching the water in the pot gradually steam up.

The sound of the door opening came from the living room. Jiang Xi didn’t turn around.

She knew Lu Nandu would come in.

Jiang Xi watched the water in the pot bubble.

A moment later, a warm body approached her from behind. The man’s arms were strong as he hugged her from behind.

Jiang Xi warned him, “Lu Nandu.”

Lu Nandu lowered his head and rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice weak.

“Big sister, can I just hug you for a little while?”

“Just for a second.”

Jiang Xi said to him, “Don’t pretend.”

After saying that, she nudged him. “Move away. I’m cooking noodles.”

“No,” Lu Nandu held on to her and wouldn’t let go. “Your hands can move. I’m not in your way.”

Jiang Xi was exasperated by him. “Aren’t you annoying?”

“Shouldn’t that question be for you?” Lu Nandu pushed his luck, rubbing his head against her cheek. “You know best whether I’m annoying or not.”

Jiang Xi: “You are pretty annoying.”

Lu Nandu suddenly asked her, “If I’m a little more well-behaved, will you like me a little more?”

Jiang Xi was silent.

After a brief silence, she spoke. “Then you wouldn’t be you.”

“Lu Nandu,” Jiang Xi called out his name. “Your aunt told me about what happened.”

Lu Nandu was stunned.

Jiang Xi could feel the arms around her waist tighten.

He was nervous.

The water in the pot on the counter boiled, and steam filled the air.

Jiang Xi said, “All of this has shaped your personality. This is who you are. There’s no ‘what if’.”

“If there had to be a ‘what if’, we wouldn’t be standing here together right now. We might not even know each other.”

You wouldn’t have come looking for me, and I wouldn’t have liked you.

We would have been two parallel lines our whole lives, living our own new lives, not knowing each other, and having our own lovers.

There would be no story between the two of them.

Lu Nandu knew Jiang Xi was comforting him, and the arms hugging her tightened a little.

Neither of them spoke for a while. After an unknown amount of time, Lu Nandu’s warm breath brushed against her ear.

“I,” he said. “don’t know when I’ll get better.”

“Take it slow,” Jiang Xi took the instant noodle box and opened it. “We have a lot of time.”

“There are still decades left in life,” Jiang Xi said. “Even if you don’t get better, it’s not a big deal. Just think of it as having a dream every night.”

Don’t see all this as pain. If you can’t solve it, just take it as a loss and a few more nights without sleep.