"Clang..."
The door was opened, and a dignified middle-aged man entered. m..oΓg
"Old Ling, you're back. Come over quickly, let me introduce you." Xie Baolian walked over, took out slippers, and accepted the briefcase.
Li Haochen and Murong Yanran stood up. They had already learned from Xie Baolian that her husband was named Ling Hanfeng.
Murong Yanran also started when she heard the name, giving Xie Baolian a surprised glance, but saying nothing.
The moment Ling Hanfeng saw Li Haochen, he froze. "Liangliang..."
Xie Baolian beside him nudged him, and he snapped back to reality. He stepped forward and took Li Haochen's hands. Through their touch, Ling Hanfeng felt his body tremble, just like Xie Baolian had done before.
"It's Haochen, right? Your Aunt Lian talks about you to us every day. Please, sit down."
At this moment, Ling Hanfeng didn't look like a high-ranking mayor at all, but rather as amiable as an ordinary father.
"Old Ling, this is Haochen's girlfriend, Murong Yanran."
"Hello, Uncle Ling!"
"Murong?" Ling Hanfeng glanced at Murong Yanran. Her attire and her innate temperament were definitely not something from an ordinary family.
"From the Murong family?" Ling Hanfeng asked tentatively.
A flicker of pain crossed Murong Yanran's eyes, and she nodded gently in response.
Ling Hanfeng was somewhat surprised, and looked at Murong Yanran again with a complex expression, saying nothing more.
After introductions, Xie Baolian and Murong Yanran went into the kitchen to busy themselves, while Ling Hanfeng and Li Haochen drank Gongfu tea and chatted.
"Haochen, your Aunt Lian said you opened two coconut jelly shops?"
Li Haochen poured Ling Hanfeng a cup of tea. "Yes, Uncle Ling. I also have to thank Aunt Lian for her help."
"Is my wife doing anything improper behind my back?" Ling Hanfeng's tone became slightly cautious, his expression unchanged. "Help? Your Aunt Lian is just a minor civil servant, how much help can she provide?"
"If it weren't for Aunt Lian's help, I wouldn't have known how many times I'd have to go to the administrative center..."
After Li Haochen's explanation, Ling Hanfeng also breathed a sigh of relief. After their conversation, Ling Hanfeng, who had met many people, was quite pleased with Li Haochen.
Not arrogant or impatient, gentle and refined, a person with potential – this was Ling Hanfeng's inner assessment of Li Haochen.
"Dinner is ready!"
"Oh, we have fish today? Haochen, I'm benefiting from your presence. Let me think, it's been about five or six years since..."
Xie Baolian's old face blushed, and she quickly put a piece of chicken into Ling Hanfeng's mouth, saying coquettishly, "Still can't shut your mouth, can you?"
"It's not that exaggerated, five or six years..."
Xie Baolian shot a murderous glare at Li Haochen, who quickly ate a piece of green vegetable to calm his nerves.
"Hehe, I'm quite busy with work, and your aunt doesn't know how to prepare fish."
Ling Hanfeng put a piece of the fish's back meat into Xie Baolian's bowl. "Your Aunt Lian doesn't debone fish. I always pick out the back meat for her, and I can only gnaw on bones."
However, there was no hint of complaint or dissatisfaction on Ling Hanfeng's face. Anyone could tell he was full of happiness and love.
"Uncle, you're showering me with affection so unexpectedly."
"Eat up." Xie Baolian picked a chicken leg for Li Haochen and rolled her eyes at him. "Besides, you're not single either, so why worry about being showered with affection?"
"⊙﹏⊙...!"
What kind of warm scene would be complete without the accompaniment of wine?
They weren't drinking the Moutai that Li Haochen bought, but rather Golden Ice Valley. Murong Yanran didn't drink, opting for a bottle of coconut milk. She actually wanted to drink, but seeing her potential in-laws, she decided against it to maintain her image.
"It's a rare gathering, let's toast!"
"Cheers..."
"This fish is quite fresh and sweet. Haochen, where did you buy it? I'll buy some back tomorrow so someone won't say they haven't eaten fish for years."
Ling Hanfeng, who had just picked up a piece of fish back meat to give to Xie Baolian, heard this and, hey, popped it directly into his own mouth, chewing with relish. "It really is good."
Xie Baolian, who was already holding her bowl, ready to receive the fish, saw this. On the surface, she remained as calm as water, but inwardly... tsk tsk tsk, he was in for a rough night.
It was rare to have such affection at this age, which made Li Haochen and Murong Yanran envious.
"Aunt Lian, this fish wasn't bought. I caught it by the dock. Wasn't I telling you I was fishing when we video called last night?"
Xie Baolian's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Really? Then I'll go with you tomorrow. See if I can catch ten or eight catties to shut his mouth."
Ling Hanfeng quickly picked up a piece of fish back meat for Xie Baolian, lest she still be thinking about the fish meat he hadn't given her earlier.
"Okay, if you want your skin to be as dark as mine, hahaha!"
"Uh... then... forget it. Old Ling, you hold on for another thirty years or so. When I get to the underworld, I'll learn how to butcher fish, and I'll provide enough for you then."
"Pfft..." Ling Hanfeng's mouth twitched, and black lines floated across his face!
Actually, when Ling Hanfeng mentioned that Xie Baolian couldn't debone fish earlier, Li Haochen had taken note. He thought to himself that he would bring over any big fish he caught in the future, naturally, after it was processed.
The simple and warm family dinner ended with everyone having a good time, lasting until past eight o'clock. The amount of alcohol was just right, and the mood was lively.
After the meal, Murong Yanran naturally took the initiative to clear the table and wash the dishes. Xie Baolian watched with joy in her heart; her future daughter-in-law was truly considerate, and she was extremely satisfied.
After drinking tea and chatting about family matters for a while, they proposed to leave. As they departed, Li Haochen and Murong Yanran were loaded with gifts, including tea leaves, tea cakes, and wine. They were clearly not ordinary items. If Li Haochen had smoked, they might have had to make several trips.
From the moment they ordered a ride online, Murong Yanran had been frowning, a hint of worry appearing on her face.
Because during the recent casual chat, Ling Hanfeng had mentioned one or two things about the Murong family having some trouble lately.
"Haochen, do you think I should make a phone call and ask?"
Li Haochen held Murong Yanran's small hand and smiled gently. "Don't you already have the answer?"
Murong Yanran nodded, resting her chin on her hand as she looked out the car window.
Upon returning home, Liu Zijun was not yet back. Li Haochen went inside, and Murong Yanran returned to her room, holding her phone, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar phone number as she paced back and forth.
After about ten minutes, she finally made up her mind, dialed the number, and waited nervously, thinking about what she should say after the call connected.
"Hello, why are you calling?" Murong Hongyan was surprised to see Murong Yanran's call. He hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
"Dad... are you doing well recently?"
"I'm fine. And, I... I'm no longer your father. Don't call me for anything in the future."
"Husband, whose call is it?"
Murong Hongyan covered the phone's receiver. "Oh... it's nothing, just a wrong number."
"That's all... click, click, click!"
Murong Yanran listened to the series of busy signals from her phone, bit her lip, and tears flowed silently...!