Jinxiu Garden is an old neighborhood, and the Cheng Family villa has also seen many years, but it is well-maintained, with lush greenery and flowers exuding a rich aroma, filling the air with the essence of life.
Beside a four-season osmanthus tree, Bo Jinlan answered a call.
"Something up?"
"Tonight at 8, Awu's new movie premieres. I got two VIP couple's tickets. You coming?" his friend Xu Fenglai asked.
Bo Jinlan: "No."
"Don't worry, I picked these couple's seats specially. They're really private with curtains on the sides, so no one will see us." Xu Fenglai clicked his tongue. "Or do you have other plans tonight?"
A breeze wafted by, carrying the light, refreshing scent of flowers and grass.
Bo Jinlan looked back toward the living room.
Jiang Yaoyao was chatting with the old man, her lips curled upwards, her eyes gleaming, vibrant and enchanting like the bright spring of March.
"Mm." The man's lips curled slightly. "Meeting the girlfriend's family at her place."
!!!
Xu Fenglai was shocked: "Fuck, when did you get a girlfriend? Weren't you one of the single dogs drinking with me last night? If you don't want to go to the couple's seats, just say so. Do you need to use such a crappy excuse to reject me?"
"Find someone else." After speaking, Bo Jinlan hung up.
Turning around, he noticed a stern figure in the corridor that hadn't been there before.
Cheng Runzhi had a cigarette in his mouth, his eyes were narrow, and his thin lips were curved in a mocking smile: "That's a quick change of address for you. Weren't you always calling my dad 'chief' or 'old man'? Now suddenly he's 'grandpa'?"
Bo Jinlan's expression remained indifferent: "If you're jealous, I can call you 'uncle'."
Cheng Runzhi: "..."
How had he never noticed this kid had such thick skin?
Only a year younger than him, and he's calling him uncle... How can he even bring himself to say it?
...
Dinner was exceptionally lavish.
Coming to the dining room, Jiang Yaoyao glanced around and naturally took the seat next to Bo Jinlan.
The old man Cheng looked at the handsome young pair and happily instructed his son to open some wine to celebrate.
Now, even the sight of alcohol made Jiang Yaoyao nervous, reminding her of her past mistakes...
"Grandpa, I have to get up early tomorrow to catch a flight, so I won't join you for drinks."
Old man Cheng frowned: "You've barely come back, why are you leaving so soon? Stay a few more days!"
"I have to go back to classes," explained Jiang Yaoyao.
"It's almost National Day, will missing a few days matter? Besides..." old man Cheng smiled, "it's not easy for young lovebirds like you to meet. Shouldn't you take the opportunity to spend time together? Jinlan, am I right?"
Bo Jinlan, who was pouring wine for the elder, caught the corner of his lips in a smile: "Right."
Jiang Yaoyao lifted her foot and kicked him.
Bo Jinlan: "..."
He said nothing, his handsome, composed face still held a smile, as he merely glanced at her lightly.
That look...
Jiang Yaoyao hurriedly cooed in a soft, whiny voice: "Grandpa, I returned in secret this time, even my aunt doesn't know, and I didn't get leave from school..."
"Just have Jinlan ask for you." old man Cheng said decisively, "Since it's the holiday, it's the perfect time to have both families meet and settle your marriage plans..."
"I'm not getting married!" Jiang Yaoyao stated hastily.
The passion that had just ignited in old man Cheng was quickly quenched; he furrowed his brow: "Why not get married? Jinlan isn't getting any younger either..."
"But I'm only twenty, still a child, plus I haven't even finished college yet. It's too early to get married," Jiang Yaoyao hinted frantically with her eyes.
Yet Bo Jinlan, as if he hadn't caught her signals, kept the corners of his lips slightly upturned, gaze fixed on the wine glass in front of him, not even looking at her...
Jiang Yaoyao was furious.
Was this because she had just kicked him?
Now he's on strike and not acting?
Such a petty dog of a man!
Luckily Cheng Runzhi spoke up: "Dad, marriage is a serious matter, not something to be taken lightly. I really think it needs to be approached with caution..."
"Did you use caution back then? Have you figured out what marriage is all about?" old man Cheng glared at him, "Didn't your wife dump you? Now I have to schedule an appointment in advance even to hug my grandchild, Taotao. What right do you have to be handing out advice here?"
The marriage failure, Cheng Runzhi: "..."
Damn, he never should have spoken today!
"Grandpa." Jiang Yaoyao had to step in, "Anyway, I don't want to get married right now, so don't push me."
Old man Cheng looked at her, his gaze complex.
In the end, he nodded: "Alright."
Jiang Yaoyao breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly pleased the old master by putting a piece of rib in his bowl.
The elder Cheng signaled, "You also give Jinlan some."
Jiang Yaoyao had no choice but to give a piece of rib to 'someone' as well. "You eat more," she said.
Bo Jinlan did the same, picking up the chopsticks, "You eat more too."
The two of them serving each other food made the old master's face light up with an auntie's smile.
But Cheng Runzhi only felt awkward.
Just yesterday, Bo Jinlan had been aloof and seemed to show no interest in women, and today he was showing public affection with his niece right in front of him...
**
After finishing the meal, everyone moved to the living room.
First Bo Jinlan kept the old master company by watching military news, then they played chess, and afterwards, a war drama...
Glancing at the time, Jiang Yaoyao began to cough.
With a smile on his handsome face and a teacup in hand, 'someone' was only concerned with discussing the military land battle strategies with the old master...
Jiang Yaoyao was getting anxious, she took out her phone and started sending WeChat messages:
[It's 9 o'clock, why aren't you going home yet?]
[Hurry up and go home!]
[Bo Jinlan, don't pretend to be dead!]
[Check your phone right now! *&@*%￥#]
...
Until a "rumble" of thunder sounded from outside.
"Is it raining?" Elder Cheng asked.
Cheng Runzhi looked at his phone, "The meteorological station just issued a yellow warning: heavy rainfall tonight, with northwest winds at force four to five."
"Driving in such heavy rain isn't safe." Elder Cheng surprisingly said, "Then Jinlan, don't go. Stay over for the night."
Jiang Yaoyao's eyes widened, "But, isn't that inappropriate?"
"What's the problem?" The elder's thoughts were very open, "Jinlan is your boyfriend, and besides, your upstairs room is all clean and ready…"
Jiang Yaoyao attempted to struggle, "But he doesn't have a change of clothes…"
"Runzhi can lend him some," Elder Cheng looked at his son, "Although you are shorter than Jinlan, and not as well-built as him…"
Cheng Runzhi: "......"
"No need," Bo Jinlan interjected in a warm, deep voice.
Jiang Yaoyao's eyes lit up.
Bo Jinlan glanced at her, lips slightly curving: "I have spare clothes in my car, and toiletries too."
Jiang Yaoyao: "......"
"That's great," Elder Cheng stood up smiling, "Jinlan, come with me to the study."
"Alright."
Jiang Yaoyao sat there, so angry that the palms of her hands hurt from pinching.
Was this guy addicted to acting?
He was actually going to stay over?
Wouldn't that mean sharing a room with him again, sleeping in the same house...
"Yaoyao."
"Yaoyao!"
Jiang Yaoyao snapped back to reality, "What's the matter, Uncle?"
Cheng Runzhi looked at her, his gaze probing, "Do you really like Jinlan?"
His features were sharp, his eyes deeply set and piercing when he looked at someone.
Jiang Yaoyao panicked inside but nodded quickly.
"If a young girl like you agrees to be a girlfriend because a man persistently courts her..." Cheng Runzhi's tone was tentative.
"I really like him," Jiang Yaoyao declared, "Otherwise, I wouldn't be with him… right?"
Cheng Runzhi: "..."
He asked again, "Does the Bo Family know about the two of you dating?"
Jiang Yaoyao shook her head, "They don't."
"Is that Jinlan's idea?" Cheng Runzhi narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah," Jiang Yaoyao straightforwardly passed the buck.