Zhang Xiaoyin was stunned after being scolded. Weren’t the Lu family supposed to be easy to talk to?
She looked toward her sister-in-law, only to see the woman turn her face away, refusing to help her at all. Panic rose in her heart.
“I… I…”
Lu Jingyu spoke up and directly ordered her to leave.
“Comrade Zhang Xiaoyin, please leave immediately. Otherwise, we will call the police.”
“At that point, I can’t guarantee whose reputation will be affected more.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaoyin’s sister-in-law pulled her away. The two of them left in a miserable hurry.
Madam Xu Qinglin was truly furious. Seeing a crowd gathered at the gate watching the commotion, she worried that rumors would spread and affect her son’s relationship and the family’s reputation. So she calmly explained:
“A few days ago, I asked Hu Lanhua to introduce a partner for my third son.”
“She introduced that young lady from earlier.”
“We arranged to meet at the state-run restaurant, but my son waited there for over an hour and she never showed up.”
“When I found out, I told Hu Lanhua to forget it. I didn’t expect this to happen today.”
“That’s the whole story. Please don’t spread rumors.”
“Also, my third son brought his partner home today. Everyone, please disperse.”
After speaking, she escorted the neighbors out and closed the courtyard gate. A few neighbors who were close to the Lu family also comforted her, telling her not to be too angry.
Xu Qinglin said she wasn’t angry, but she was clearly still fuming inside. If this had happened on a normal day, she wouldn’t have been this upset—but today, her future daughter-in-law was already at home, and everything had turned into a mess.
After sending the neighbors away, she went back inside.
As soon as she entered, she saw her son holding his fiancée’s hand and patiently explaining things to her. For a moment, she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Her son, who had always kept a distance from girls—since when was he so proactive?
If she had known he could be like this, why would she have ever worried?
Her heart was filled with both surprise and relief. She exchanged a look with her husband.
Lu Yichen showed a knowing smile.
Her lips twitched slightly.
Seeing that someone was already explaining things to Zijin, she didn’t interfere further and turned toward the kitchen. Lu Jinghua, smiling, followed her to help.
“Mom, it looks like our family is getting ready for a wedding soon.”
Xu Qinglin glanced toward the living room and said softly, “Of course. It seems your younger brother has really met someone he likes.”
“The girl is only eighteen, and he already tricked her into talking about getting a marriage certificate the very first time they met.”
Lu Jinghua widened her eyes, then laughed.
“Mom, that really does sound like something he would do.”
“As long as it’s something he likes, he’ll do everything to get it.”
“But honestly, Mom, isn’t Zijin a bit too well-behaved? If that stubborn brat gets too forceful, she won’t end up crying, right?”
Xu Qinglin’s heart tightened for a moment.
“Then we’ll have to keep an eye on things and protect her a bit.”
“Our son is basically an old cow eating tender grass. If he still bullies her, that would be unacceptable.”
“Mm.”
“But all the men in our Lu family dote on their wives. Look at Dad, look at my brother—this brat will definitely be the same.”
Xu Qinglin’s lips curved up despite herself.
“True.”
Dinner was soon ready.
Seeing how thin her future daughter-in-law was, Xu Qinglin kept serving her a large bowl of food—braised pork and sweet-and-sour ribs piled high.
Lin Zijin looked at the bowl, feeling a little overwhelmed.
“Thank you, Auntie. That’s too much—I can serve myself.”
“Alright, alright, serve yourself too. Don’t be shy.”
“Mm…” Zijin forced a small smile and nodded.
She lowered her head and began eating slowly, carefully observing the atmosphere at the table.
Lu Yichen was worried that Lin Zijin might feel awkward, so he pulled his eldest son Lu Jingyao and youngest son Lu Jingyu into casual conversation.
Gradually, Lin Zijin began to adjust and felt much more natural than when she first arrived.
Lu Jingyu kept paying attention to her while also chatting with the family.
After the meal, Lu’s mother asked Lu Jinghua to go to the kitchen and cut some watermelon. Lu Jingyao had already gone back to work after lunch—he had specially taken the morning off.
After the watermelon was cut, Lu’s mother first handed a piece to Lin Zijin.
“Here, Zijin. Have a piece of watermelon to quench your thirst.”
Lin Zijin took it.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“No need to keep thanking me. We’re going to be family soon. Try it—this watermelon should be very sweet.”
She smiled warmly as she looked at Lin Zijin.
The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. Especially after what happened in the morning, she felt that this future daughter-in-law was perfect in every way.
After eating watermelon, they started discussing serious matters.
Xu Qinglin asked how her side felt, saying she planned to let the two of them get married as soon as possible.
Faced with the question, Lin Zijin didn’t quite know how to respond. After thinking for a moment, she said,
“Auntie, I’m still young and don’t understand many things.
As for the wedding…”
She turned to look at Lu Jingyu.
“Just let Jingyu and you and Uncle decide.”
Xu Qinglin gave her son a look.
“Jingyu, what do you think?”
“Dad, Mom, my opinion is—we’ve already registered our marriage, and Zijin is already part of the Lu family.
So we should hold the wedding early.
Both families can sit down together, pick an auspicious date, and do everything properly.
My only request is—sooner is better. I want to bring Zijin home quickly.”
Hearing this, Xu Qinglin glared at her son. When she used to talk about marriage, he would get annoyed immediately.
Now, however, once he met someone he liked, he wished everything could be done in a single day.
“Zijin, is this arrangement okay with you?
Tomorrow is a good day. Your uncle and I will come visit your family.
Then both families can sit together and choose a date for the wedding.”
“Alright, I’ll follow your arrangements. I’m fine with anything.”
“Good, then it’s settled.”
After staying at the Lu family a little longer, Lin Zijin went home. Lu Jingyu personally rode her back, since the two families lived quite far apart.
It took him over an hour by bicycle.
His own residence, however, wasn’t far from the Lin family—about twenty minutes by bike.
When they reached the alley entrance, Lin Zijin got off and looked at Lu Jingyu, asking softly,
“Did I perform… okay at your house today?”
Lu Jingyu raised his hand and gently brushed her hair—he had wanted to do that for a long time.
“You were amazing.
My family really likes you.
After tomorrow’s discussion between our families, the wedding will be soon. I’ll come to take you home very soon.”
His voice was very gentle, making Lin Zijin’s heart flutter.
“Okay… I’ll wait for you.”
She felt her heartbeat speeding up as she spoke.
“Alright, you should head back. I’ll go tell my family about this.”
“Okay, I’m leaving.”
After watching him ride away, she turned to go home.
But before she even reached the door, Lin Xue was already standing there, staring at her with deep resentment. She walked up close and whispered into her ear:
“Lin Zijin, I’m telling you—no matter how hard you try, it’s useless.
You’re definitely going to the countryside.”