Chapter 101 (Ruan Yōu and Fu Jiazhan) 一 Meet YōuYōu’s parents as her boyfriend
Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu, upon learning the news of Ruan Yōu’s love affair, spent the whole night in distress without sleep.
The taste of having the family’s princess taken away by a pig was unpleasant.
The next morning, Father Lu and Mother Lu, who learned from little princess Lu Xuan that Ruan Yōu was dating Fu Jiazhan, appeared at Gu’s house.
Very well.
The time to enjoy the joke of a friend has come.
Some time ago, Lu Xuan’s involvement in a romantic relationship had reached a point where she didn’t even want to return home. Father Lu and Mother Lu were so worried that they could formed “川” on their foreheads. Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu “magnanimously” advised them not to be angry, stating that young people were like this. In doing so, they actively demonstrated the joy of “finding pleasure in others’ misfortune.”
Now the tables have turned, and it’s their turn to watch.
Father Qi and Mother Qi did not have this intention. They were simply surprised by the love affair between Fu Jiazhan and Ruan Yōu. When they heard that Father Lu and Mother Lu were coming, the two retired people did not want to be left behind, so they followed.
Mother Fu did want to come and help her son, but she was stopped by a text message just as she was leaving.
Gu’s house was particularly lively today.
When Ruan Yōu arrived, there were several people standing in front of the western-style building near the musical fountain.
The wheels of the car slowly stopped, and the figures outside the car window became clearer.
In the small garden ahead, Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian were tending to flowers and plants. Gu Youqian stood upright, handing scissors to his wife and taking the weeds from her hands. Ruan Liuyu’s expression was calm.
Lu’s parents and Qi’s parents were chatting on the side, and when they saw the car approaching, they all smiled and looked over. However, Gu Youqian and Ruan Liuyu maintained their original postures.
Ruan Yōu felt something was wrong and grabbed Fu Jiazhan’s sleeve, whispering, “I’ll help you later.”
Fu Jiazhan sat upright, his gaze falling outside the window. The closer they got to Gu’s house, the more stiff his back became.
“No need,” he clenched his hands, hiding the sweat in his palms, and deliberately spoke softly to Ruan Yōu, “I can handle it.”
Ruan Yōu wanted to say something else but vaguely felt a hot gaze swirling around her. When she looked forward一一
Gu Fuchen had a numb expression.
一一”My sister is showing affection in front of me.”
Except for Wen Juxi, everyone else seemed to be smiling ambiguously at the two of them.
Ruan Yōu silently withdrew her hand as the butler took two steps forward to open the door. After getting out of the car, she headed straight for Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian, saying, “Dad, Mom~”
As the saying goes, never hit a smiling person in the face.
Ruan Yōu showed an unusual joy as soon as she got out of the car, smiling like a sunflower and infectiously happy. Ruan Liuyu couldn’t stay angry.
Ruan Yōu tilted her head, playfully calling out again, “Mom~”
Ruan Liuyu sighed, helplessly nodded her head.
“Let’s go, Let’s go, it’s so cold outside.” She linked arms with Ruan Liuyu and led her mother towards the house, saying this while walking.
The small living room on the first floor was close to the rear garden, with a great view from the French windows. Normally, family meetings or chats with friends involving Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian would take place here.
Outside the French windows, the spring scenery was enchanting, with a flowing lake behind the small garden. The beauty carried a poetic charm, and the mood would unconsciously lift.
Tea was already prepared in the small living room. Ruan Yōu obediently sat next to Ruan Liuyu, handing her mother her favorite black tea and serving coffee to Gu Youqian with a very pleasant attitude.
Gu Fuchen sat next to Gu Youqian, facing Ruan Yōu, with a wide mahogany coffee table between them.
The seat next to her was empty. While offering Ruan Liuyu some snacks, she looked up and surveyed the entrance.
The small living room was clean and bright, with plenty of sunlight. The spring scenery outside, bathed in the clear and bright light of the living room, cast shadows on the figures at the entrance.
Fu Jiazhan’s handsome jawline was tense. He wore a midnight blue sweater, and his index finger discreetly pinched the hem of his clothes. Behind the apparent calmness and gentleness was the uneasiness of meeting the parents as a boyfriend for the first time.
He had been to Gu’s house many times before, but the familiar courtyard and the tidy small living room now seemed judgmental and unfamiliar to him.
He raised his eyes.
Inadvertently, he collided with a graceful smile.
Almond-shaped eyes curved, reflecting the spring sunlight, and a smiling gaze looked at him tenderly.
Fu Jiazhan remembered the scene a moment ago when she suggested helping him but was rejected, feeling a bit awkward as he tilted his head.
Meeting the parents was even more challenging than he had imagined.
Fu Jiazhan pursed his lips and politely spoke, “Uncle Gu, Aunt Ruan.”
Then he turned his head, “Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, Uncle Qi, Aunt Qi.”
Lu Jin, Lu Xuan, Jiang Huai, and Qi Zhiyan chuckled lightly, skipping this step and gracefully choosing seats.
Only he, who had elevated from being a good friend of the Gu family to Ruan Yōu’s boyfriend, turned what was a very ordinary meeting for Lu Jin, Lu Xuan, Jiang Huai, and Qi Zhiyan into a grand scene for Fu Jiazhan’s first meeting with the parents.
Ruan Yōu secretly poked the empty seat next to her, signaling him to come over.
And the entire room had only that one empty seat.
Fu Jiazhan reluctantly took his seat.
Just as he sat down, Ruan Yōu, with smiling eyes, lifted a bowl of her favorite almond tofu, openly displaying her affection for him, “The most authentic almond tofu, try it.”
Under the peculiar gazes of Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian, Fu Jiazhan quickly took it and dared not keep it for more than a second before putting it back on the coffee table.
But Ruan Yōu’s actions didn’t stop there.
As soon as Fu Jiazhan placed it down, she shifted her position, reducing the distance between them from ten centimeters to 0.1 millimeters, sitting beside him as if no one else was around.
Fu Jiazhan quickly moved two centimeters away, lowering his voice, “Sit properly.”
“I’m sitting properly.” Ruan Yōu said confidently, holding his hand firmly. When Fu Jiazhan struggled again, she glared at him.
One was determined to openly show her affection for her boyfriend, while the other, in front of his future father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law, behaved meekly and cautiously, fearing the slightest overstep.
Ruan Yōu insisted on helping, but Fu Jiazhan refused.
The sneaky actions of the couple were noticed by Ruan Liuyu, Gu Youqian, and Gu Fuchen, and the three of them all sighed simultaneously.
Initially, Ruan Yōu had planned to let Fu Jiazhan work hard on his own, persuade her parents, but suddenly changed her mind just over ten seconds ago.
Fu Jiazhan, who was always calm and meticulous, stood at the door like a big fool, walking almost hand in hand and foot in foot, somewhat cute and a bit amusing.
Gu Youqian deliberately put on a serious face, “Yōuyōu, don’t squeeze, come sit here.”
On the long sofa, Ruan Yōu and Fu Jiazhan squeezed into the corner, leaving two-thirds of the space empty.
Ruan Yōu obediently said, “Oh,” and when she moved a little to the side, she still held onto Fu Jiazhan, who at this moment just wanted to keep a distance, and make a good impression on her future father-in-law, future mother-in-law, and future brother-in-law.
Ruan Liuyu put her hand on her forehead, wanting to say something but stopped herself.
Mother Lu chuckled, “I heard some time ago that Jiazhan has someone he likes. I thought it was a joke, but it turns out to be our Yōuyōu.”
When it came to liking someone, Fu Jiazhan’s expression visibly relaxed.
“Yes, it’s Yōuyōu.”
Ruan Yōu lowered her head, and her fluffy bun danced lightly with her slight movements.
Subtly revealing her current joy.
She sneakily glanced at Fu Jiazhan, and when their eyes met, she quickly looked away, secretly delighted as her fingertips lightly tapped on her knee.
The cute bun head swayed with a hint of pride.
Ruan Liuyu rubbed her forehead, “Is your mom not coming today?”
Fu Jiazhan nodded, speaking to Ruan Liuyu with a slightly tense voice, “She encountered something unexpected today. She’ll visit next time.”
Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian felt relieved in their hearts.
If Mother Fu were to come, considering the relationship between their two families, they wouldn’t have the chance to ‘question’ Fu Jiazhan in this small meeting. Faced with the potential strong attack from Yōuyōu and Mother Fu, this matter might just pass by like that
Seeing her daughter’s sweet smiling face, Ruan Liuyu contemplated for a while, not knowing what to say.
The daughter’s happiness was hidden in her eyes; she would never let her daughter be unhappy.
Gu Youqian’s heart was twisted in pain.
Over twenty years ago, he had snatched his wife from his in-laws’ hands just like this. As fate would have it, karma was bound to catch up.
If his daughter enjoyed being in a relationship, it would make her happy, and they wouldn’t be reluctant to prevent anything. However, one thing was crucial.
Gu Youqian said with a heavy tone, “Yōuyōu, love is like a war. It’s crucial to master the right to speak; otherwise, you’ll end up being led by the nose.”
Although he said it to Ruan Yōu, he was also indirectly advising Fu Jiazhan.
Their daughter from the Gu family must not suffer any grievances in love. Whatever she said was final, and she must be the priority at all times.
Ruan Yōu scratched her head and muttered softly, “Why haven’t I seen you go to war.”
Gu Youqian replied, “Of course not. The only winner is your mom. I’ve been losing for many years.”
Lu Xuan teased, “Uncle Gu, does that mean you are a representative of three good husbands1?”
Gu Youqian smiled with hidden accomplishments.
It’s just the basic qualities of a good man.
Fu Jiazhan straightened his back, his voice deep and solemn, seeming to make a promise and even more serious, “Uncle, I will learn from you and lose for many years.”
Outside the window, the warm sunshine of spring transmitted each word to Ruan Yōu’s ears, bringing infinite warmth and the unique sweetness on him.
Ruan Yōu’s lips curled up, sitting properly, and her agile eyes looked at him several times.
Gu Youqian was at a loss for words.
The future son-in-law’s words were sweeter than he was back then.
Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian had nothing to say.
It was the old housekeeper who came over to say that lunch was ready. Ruan Yōu was still hungry, like a deflated heart-shaped balloon, “Can we finish the meeting after eating? I’m starving.”
Ruan Liuyu: “Okay, okay, let’s go eat.”
Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian both understood that if Yōuyōu wanted to be in a romantic relationship, Fu Jiazhan was undoubtedly the best choice.
He liked her enough to protect her.
Of course, they hoped their daughter’s life would be fulfilling.
If she believed that love could make her life more fulfilling and enjoyed the sweetness of the present moment, they couldn’t object.
Parents have always been like this.
Watching her settle down and pursue her dreams.
Ruan Liuyu and Gu Youqian were absent from her life for a full twenty years, the most crucial years to accompany her growth. They had lost that and couldn’t regain it now.
Finding their daughter was their wish for the first half of their lives; ensuring her happiness and joy, worry-free from now on, is their current wish.
Fu Jiazhan stayed until the dinner ended.
At seven in the evening, Ruan Yōu tentatively said to Ruan Liuyu with her coat in hand, “Mom, I’ll go see him off.”
Ruan Liuyu looked at her for a while, then nodded after a moment.
“Go ahead.”
Ruan Yōu smiled, put on her coat, and quickly disappeared.
Outside the music fountain, water splashed, and the lights cast a shadow.
Fu Jiazhan heard the light footsteps behind him and stopped.
On the cool ground, his tall figure was reflected.
A few meters away, a shadow happily ran towards the tall figure, like a light swallow, landing securely in his arms.
“Successfully crossed the tribulation, are you happy?”
Ruan Yōu raised her head and asked him with a smile.
The air was fresh after being wet by the water, and the surroundings were clear and quiet. Fu Jiazhan lowered his head and chuckled, stroking her hair that had been wet by a drop of water, her forehead resting on his chin.
The temperature intertwined with the dim streetlights as they embraced.
Shadows under the lights, one tall and one short, slowly overlapped.
Above, a fountain blinked incessantly, bursting open above like fireworks.
“Mmm.”
“Happy.”
“The happiest day.”
Ruan Yōu nestled in his arms, chin against his chest, raising her head.
A pair of apricot eyes stared at him without moving.
Fu Jiazhan uncomfortably covered her eyes.
Ruan Yōu chuckled, “You seem nervous today.”
Fu Jiazhan pursed his lips and said seriously, “You’ll be nervous when you meet my mother in the future.”
Ruan Yōu snorted.
“Won’t.”
“Auntie really likes me.”
Fu Jiazhan chuckled and said nothing.
“Are you busy tomorrow?”
He silently changed the topic.
Ruan Yōu shook her head, her eyes shining brightly.
Bright enough to make people want to hide her.
“Where are we going?”
- 三好丈夫 (sānhǎo zhàngfū) Three good husbands are good sons, good husbands, and good brothers. (I’m not sure if the meaning is correct, please do tell me if you guys know) ↩︎