The next day, Chen Lili came to Lu Changfu’s dormitory.
“I need some more time to think.”
After leaving those words behind, she walked away.
Her figure was still slender, but her back was straighter than when she had arrived.
Lu Changfu looked at the unsigned agreement on the table. He couldn’t tell whether he felt disappointed or relieved.
He put the agreement away and locked it in a drawer.
He hadn’t transferred the 200,000 yuan either.
The look on Chen Lili’s face, as though she were being forced to sacrifice herself, made him feel that if he gave her the money, he would look like a bully taking advantage of someone in desperate circumstances.
Although, in essence, that wasn’t far from the truth, he simply didn’t want to look at that bitter face right now.
Besides, he wasn’t the one in a hurry.
Chen Lili’s father needed the medical expenses.
She was the one with nowhere else to turn.
And besides… he didn’t owe her anything. If anything, she was the one who owed him.
“Let her stew for a while,” he told himself.
Let her figure things out on her own.
Let her come back and beg him herself.
If both sides were willing, then it would be a fair deal.
On the day the factory shut down completely, Lu Changfu received 37,000 yuan in severance pay.
He stood in the now-empty workshop, where only a few veteran workers remained to finish the final cleanup, and called his mother, Peng Jiali.
“Mom, I’ll be coming home in a couple of days.”
“Good, good, good!”
Peng Jiali’s voice was filled with anticipation.
“Lili’s coming back with you, right? I’ve already cleaned up the room!”
Lu Changfu paused, then walked outside the workshop to a deserted area and lowered his voice.
“Mom, there’s something I need to explain to you and Dad first.”
“What is it?”
Peng Jiali immediately became nervous.
“You and Lili… had a fight? I’m telling you, Changfu, you boys should be more considerate…”
“It’s not a fight.”
Lu Changfu interrupted her, carefully choosing his words.
“It’s just… Lili and I might not be a good match. Her family has had a lot going on lately, and her mind… isn’t really on our relationship either. We talked about it and decided it would be better for us to just be friends.”
There was silence on the other end for several seconds before Peng Jiali’s clearly disappointed and anxious voice came through.
“What? But… how did that happen? Weren’t things going well last time? Did you make her angry? Or does her family look down on us…”
“Mom, don’t overthink it.”
Lu Changfu’s voice was calm, carrying the certainty of someone who had already made up his mind.
“Things like relationships can’t be forced. Lili is a good girl, but our personalities probably aren’t compatible. But don’t worry. Your son is doing well now. How could I possibly have trouble finding a girlfriend?”
“You… you have a new girlfriend?”
Peng Jiali’s attention was successfully diverted, though her voice was still filled with disbelief.
“Mm. We just started dating. Her name is Song Liyuan. She’s a store manager at a clothing shop. She’s a really good person—warm, sensible, and good to me.”
Lu Changfu began painting a picture for his mother.
“She really likes your son. When she heard I was going home for the New Year, she was so happy. She’s been saying she wants to greet you and Dad for a long time.”
“Really?”
Peng Jiali’s voice immediately rose with excitement.
“How old is she? Where’s she from? Is she pretty?”
“She’s two years older than Lili. She’s from another province. And she’s… quite beautiful. She knows how to dress, and she has a sweet way of speaking.”
Lu Changfu tried his best to portray Song Liyuan as a “good future daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, and Mom, there’s another piece of good news…”
He deliberately hesitated.
“She… she might be pregnant.”
“Pregnant?!”
Peng Jiali’s voice suddenly shot up, filled with unbelievable excitement.
“What? You mean… she’s pregnant?!”
“We’re not sure yet. She just hasn’t gotten her period this month, and there are some signs.”
Lu Changfu lied without the slightest change in expression.
Making his parents happy and receiving the system’s rewards came first.
As for whether it was true or not… he was confident that he could handle things with Song Liyuan.
“She feels like something might be going on too, but she’s afraid of getting her hopes up. She said that when we get home, you can take a look at her, or we can go to the hospital and have her checked.”
“Oh my! Oh my goodness!”
Peng Jiali was so excited that she could barely form a coherent sentence.
“This is huge! This is wonderful news! Changfu! You child! How could you not tell me something this important sooner? Hurry! Hurry and let the girl talk to me! Mom wants to say a few words to her!”
“She’s at work right now, Mom. Tonight, okay? I’ll have her call you tonight.”
“Okay, okay, okay! Definitely! Mom will be waiting tonight!”
Peng Jiali readily agreed, her happiness practically overflowing from her voice.
As soon as the call ended, the system notification rang in Lu Changfu’s mind almost simultaneously.
[A peak in parental happiness has been detected due to the possibility of having a grandchild! This month’s “Filial Piety Pocket Money” reward has increased by 50%, and an additional 50,000 yuan has been issued! Keep up the good work and maintain their happiness!]
Lu Changfu looked at the additional 150,000 yuan that had just arrived in his mobile bank account, and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
See?
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
All that hesitation, crying, and emotional turmoil from Chen Lili was nowhere near as practical or effective as the simple news that he might have a child.
He immediately sent Song Liyuan a message.
“Call my mom tonight. You know what to say. Do well, and there’ll be a reward.”
Song Liyuan replied almost instantly.
“Don’t worry, Brother Lu! I’ll definitely make Auntie happy! ❤️”
That evening, Lu Changfu used WeChat to start a video call with his mother.
On the other side of the screen, Peng Jiali and Lu Jianguo were both gathered around the phone, their faces filled with unmistakable anticipation and excitement.
“Hello, Auntie! Hello, Uncle!”
Song Liyuan’s sweet and enthusiastic voice came through.
She had clearly dressed up carefully, wearing delicate makeup and a warm-colored sweater that complemented her complexion. With a bright smile, she waved at the camera.
“I’m Liyuan! I’ve heard so much about both of you from Changfu. I’m so happy that I finally get to talk to you today!”
Her warmth and openness immediately won them over.
Peng Jiali looked at the beautiful, sweet-talking “future daughter-in-law” on the screen. Thinking that she might also be carrying her grandchild, she smiled so widely that her teeth were showing.
“Oh, you’re Liyuan? Good, good, good! What a beautiful girl! And you have such a sweet mouth!”
Lu Jianguo also smiled honestly and nodded beside her.
“You’re the young one, Auntie! You look like Changfu’s older sister!”
Song Liyuan’s flattery came effortlessly.
“Changfu always says your cooking is especially delicious. I’m already craving it! I’ve been looking forward to going home and trying your cooking!”
“Then I’ll make it for you when you come home! I’ll make whatever you want!”
Peng Jiali had already automatically switched to calling herself “Mom.”
“Mom, don’t scare her.”
Lu Changfu chimed in at just the right moment, his tone affectionate.
“Right, right. Look at me. I’m just too happy.”
Peng Jiali wiped the corner of her eye and looked at Song Liyuan with even more affection.
“Liyuan, Changfu said… you’re not feeling quite yourself lately? You have to be careful on the journey, okay? If you feel uncomfortable at all, make sure you say something!”
Two appropriate blushes appeared on Song Liyuan’s cheeks. She shyly lowered her head, her voice becoming softer.
“Auntie… we’re not sure yet. I’ve just been having some… symptoms. Changfu insisted on telling you right away… I’m sorry if I made you worry.”
“Don’t worry, don’t worry! This is wonderful news! Wonderful news!”
Peng Jiali hurriedly reassured her.
“Whether it’s confirmed or not, you have to be careful! When you come home, Mom will make sure you eat well and build up your strength!”
They chatted for more than ten minutes before the video call finally ended amid Peng Jiali’s repeated reminders to “be careful on the way home.”
[Parental happiness level has stabilized at a high of 85%! Please maintain it!]
The system notification once again confirmed the effectiveness of his plan.
Lu Changfu was very satisfied.
Song Liyuan’s performance had been practically perfect—warm, sensible, socially adept, and willing to cooperate with him in “creating” pleasant surprises.
This was the kind of “girlfriend” he needed.
As for Chen Lili…
He remembered the last time he had seen her that day outside the factory office. She had come to collect her severance pay and settle her final salary.
When she saw him, she had avoided his gaze with a complicated expression, quietly called him “Brother Lu,” and then quickly walked away.
There had been no begging and no explanation.
Only her retreating figure, which still carried an unmistakable sense of unwillingness and frustration that made him uncomfortable.
Forget it.
Lu Changfu shook his head.
She might be putting on a brave front now, but that was only because she had just received her severance pay and still had some of the 100,000 yuan he had lent her.
Once the money ran out and the hospital started demanding payment, she would naturally know when it was time to lower her head.
The day before he was due to go home, Lu Changfu began packing his luggage.
He didn’t have much—just a few changes of clothes and his laptop.
As he was packing, his phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number. The area code showed that it was from the province where Chen Lili’s hometown was located.
He answered.
“Hello, is this… Lu Changfu?”
A tired, hoarse middle-aged woman’s voice came from the other end, carrying a strong local accent.
“I’m Lili’s mother…”
Lu Changfu’s eyes flickered. “Hello, Auntie. Yes, this is me. Is something wrong with Lili?”
“Lili… Lili didn’t contact you, did she?” Chen Lili’s mother spoke with a trembling voice, filled with anxiety and tears. “Her father was admitted to the ICU again yesterday. The doctor said he needs an imported medicine, and it costs several thousand yuan a day… The money we had left, including what we spent on the previous surgery and the money you lent us, is almost gone… We’ve already borrowed from every relative we could…”
“Lili went out yesterday to borrow money, but she still hasn’t come back. Her phone is unreachable either… I… I really don’t know what else to do…”
Lu Changfu listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping against the desk.
“Auntie, please don’t panic. Lili is probably trying to find a way to help.” His tone remained calm. “How about this? Send me the hospital’s account information and roughly how much is needed. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Really? Thank you! Thank you so much! You’re such a good person! Lili is so lucky to have a friend like you!”
Chen Lili’s mother thanked him repeatedly over the phone, almost as if she could kneel down in gratitude.
After hanging up, Lu Changfu looked at the hospital account information that had quickly been sent to his phone, along with the message: “Please prepare around 80,000 yuan for now.”
He didn’t immediately make the transfer.
Instead, he walked over to the window and looked down at the empty factory grounds.
Chen Lili had “disappeared”?
Did she feel too ashamed to come and ask him for help again, so she had gone out to find another way?
What could she possibly do?
“Friend”? “Lucky”?
Lu Changfu curled the corner of his lips.
He had never intended to be just her “friend.”
He closed the chat with Chen Lili’s mother and opened his conversation with Chen Lili.
The chat history was still stuck on the messages he had sent asking about her father’s condition and the transfer he had made previously.
He typed:
“Your mother just called me. I know about your father’s condition now. I have the money… but my conditions remain the same. Once you’ve made up your mind, come back and see me with the attitude you should have.”
He sent the message.
Then he switched his phone to silent, tossed it into his suitcase, and zipped it shut.
He wasn’t the one who needed to be anxious.
The next day, Lu Changfu boarded a bus back to his hometown with a simple suitcase, accompanied by a carefully dressed and visibly delighted Song Liyuan.
Throughout the journey, Song Liyuan kept her arm linked with his and rested her head on his shoulder. In a soft voice, she talked about how “nervous” and “excited” she was to go home and meet his parents.
Every now and then, she would touch her flat stomach and smile shyly, her eyes filled with hope.
Lu Changfu simply let her put on her act, occasionally playing along with a few words, though his own thoughts were elsewhere.
He glanced at his phone.
Chen Lili still hadn’t replied.
The bus gradually left the city behind, and the scenery outside the window slowly transformed into familiar fields and rolling hills.
The New Year was approaching, and the air itself seemed filled with an anxious longing for reunion.
His parents were waiting for him, filled with excitement at the thought of welcoming a “pregnant daughter-in-law.”
Song Liyuan was by his side, playing the role of the perfect “surprise.”
And Chen Lili…
Who knew where she was, struggling to find the money needed to save her father, torn with hesitation, or perhaps still clinging to that pitiful and ill-timed sense of pride she refused to let go of.
Lu Changfu closed his eyes.
The system panel quietly floated in his mind.
Parents’ Happiness Level: 86%.
Everything seemed to be moving in the direction that would make him “happy.”