After a few minutes, Zhang Chunling brought a big bowl of chicken soup to the table and called the two people in the living room over for dinner.
Su Lexuan and her mother, Zhang Chunling, took their seats.
Shen Lang sat next to his burly father-in-law.
Zhang Chunling handed Shen Lang a pair of chopsticks and poured him a drink with a warm smile, saying, "Little Shen, our family is from Guangdong and doesn't cook much. I'm not sure if these dishes are to your taste."
[1: If you can't cook, you're full of yourself; if I'm not satisfied, who knows what will happen!]
[2: Can't cook? Simple, just keep your hair up and don't look back. I'll teach you how to do it!]
[3: Ah, it's all a mother's flavor, there's no rank here. Just don't complain if I eat a lot later.]
"It's all just a mother's flavor," Shen Lang said, taking a drink and pouring another for Su Lexuan. He joked with a smile, "Just don't complain if I eat too much later."
[Ding! Zhang Chunling's affection for the host has increased by 3 points, current 6 points. Keep it up!]
[Ding! Su Zhendong's affection for the host has increased by 2 points, current 4 points. Keep it up!]
"Eat up, eat up. If you finish, Auntie will make more for you," Zhang Chunling said cheerfully, waving her hand.
She was very pleased with the polite and considerate boy her daughter had brought home and was planning to keep Shen Lang for dinner later.
Su Zhendong's increased affection wasn't because of the compliment, but rather Shen Lang's small gesture of pouring Su Lexuan a drink.
Su Zhendong, who had been in the logistics industry for many years, had seen countless people. He could read anyone's true nature after spending some time with them.
This is a skill many self-made bosses have.
Since Shen Lang entered the house, Su Zhendong had been observing the articulate young man. Shen Lang's first impression was slick and smooth-talking, making Su Zhendong think his daughter was being duped.
However, when Shen Lang intentionally went easy during the arm wrestling and then comforted Su Lexuan when her hand was hurt, Su Zhendong started to see Shen Lang as someone who knew how to handle situations and understood some social nuances.
Now, Shen Lang was chatting happily with his mother-in-law and still pouring drinks for his daughter. This unassuming action not only showed that Shen Lang had a cool head but also that he treated Su Lexuan very well.
"Hmm..." Su Zhendong sighed slightly, coming to terms with the situation. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, lit one, and handed the whole pack and lighter to Shen Lang. "How about it? Have one."
His seemingly indifferent attitude was actually a preliminary sign of acceptance.
Su Zhendong was a true old-school character, a seasoned veteran. When he was fighting for territory in logistics, he often had violent confrontations with competitors and even served time in prison.
If he wanted to make friends, he wouldn't use polite formalities or ask about hobbies. He preferred using cigarettes and alcohol as social tools, a style he maintained from the old days.
In today's social scene, many men still meet this way.
"Have one."
Shen Lang knew this was Su Zhendong's way of showing goodwill, so he expertly opened the pack and took a cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, Su Zhendong teased, "Oh, you smoke, huh?"
"Yeah, but I don't smoke much," Shen Lang said, a bit awkwardly, as he placed the cigarette behind his ear, wondering what was up with his future father-in-law. "Is it really that funny to you? I'm just here to win over your daughter."
"Really, you met my daughter when she just started college?" Su Zhendong asked, his tea spraying out as he tried to process this.
Shen Lang awkwardly scratched his head. "Um... yeah, sort of?"
Su Zhendong was about to say more, but Zhang Chunling gave him a look that silenced him.
"So you knew each other for that long?" Zhang Chunling's expression changed from cloudy to clear. "And what exactly do you do as a 'network writer'?"
"I write novels online," Shen Lang explained.
"Wow, so you're a big-time writer?" Zhang Chunling said, impressed. "How much do you make in a month?"
While many people read novels, few know the salary of online writers. When they meet a network writer in real life, they usually ask:
How much do you make a month? Do you have social security? Have you published anything?
Of course, these are just casual questions from ordinary people. When a mother-in-law asks, she's indirectly inquiring about your financial situation and whether her daughter will have a stable future with you.