Chapter 195: Hereditary Love Brain

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Hereditary Love Brain

In the coffee shop, Meng Wei studied Lu Tingting, who was cupping her coffee, and asked with concern, "You’ve lost a lot of weight, and you’ve gotten a bit tan. You must have suffered a lot in Menghai, huh?"

"Don’t even ask..."

Lu Tingting poured out all her troubles, telling Meng Wei about her life in Menghai.

Meng Wei rested her chin on one hand, listening intently, while her other hand held a spoon, restlessly stirring her coffee.

It was a sign of her impatience.

She didn’t want to hear any of this. She only wanted to know Lu Cheng’s attitude toward Jiang Moli, whether he regretted his marriage and wanted a divorce, and whether she still had a chance.

When Lu Tingting finally paused, Meng Wei eagerly seized the opportunity to ask about Lu Cheng. "Tingting, how has your third uncle been lately?"

Lu Tingting looked at her. "Sister Weiwei, you’re not still hung up on my third uncle, are you?"

Meng Wei forced a smile. "Even though things didn’t work out between your uncle and me, we still grew up together. I’m just asking out of concern, as a friend."

In the past, Lu Tingting might have believed her.

But after tasting the bitterness of unrequited love herself, Meng Wei’s intentions were completely transparent to her.

"Sister Weiwei, you need to get over my third uncle. His marriage with Jiang Moli is solid; you don’t have a chance. You’re a great catch, you could find any man you want. Why do you have to be the bitch who tries to break up a marriage?"

The word "bitch" almost made Meng Wei lose her composure.

"I’m not trying to interfere in your uncle’s marriage. I just think someone like Jiang Moli doesn’t deserve him."

"But my third uncle adores her. He absolutely adores her. He does the laundry, serves her meals, sweeps the floor... he’s practically worshiping her like a goddess."

Nothing could have been a bigger blow to Meng Wei.

A man as proud and cold as Lu Cheng was actually capable of being so gentle, considerate, and caring toward a woman.

If her rival had been more outstanding or brilliant than her, she could have accepted it.

But it had to be a malicious, good-for-nothing woman like Jiang Moli.

It was a truth she simply couldn’t accept.

When Lu Deyao got home from work, the first thing he saw were two bamboo poles of clothes drying in the courtyard, clearly brand new.

Among them were two men’s shirts, and he could tell from the fabric and style that they were for him.

Lu Deyao walked in, feeling cheerful.

Ma Hongmei was in the kitchen making dinner, and Jiang Moli was helping An Hui wind balls of yarn.

He changed his shoes and sat down on the sofa to help untangle the yarn.

"Are all those clothes drying in the yard new from today? You even bought some for me?"

An Hui looked at him as she wound the yarn. "I noticed your shirts were getting a little tight around the waist, so I bought you two in a larger size. Bring them in and try them on. If they don’t fit, Hongmei can alter them."

Lu Deyao looked down at his own waist, then went into the courtyard to bring in all the new clothes.

The new shirts fit quite well, but Lu Deyao didn’t look very happy about it.

...

Having greedily drunk two extra bowls of pear soup the night before, Jiang Moli was woken up at the crack of dawn by a full bladder.

After using the toilet, she was about to go back to her room for a bit more sleep when she suddenly heard the living room door open.

It was still dark out; even the ever-diligent Ma Hongmei wasn’t up yet.

’Who could that be?’

Puzzled, Jiang Moli went to the living room and saw Lu Deyao tiptoeing toward the bedrooms.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

Lu Deyao gave a dry laugh. "Couldn’t sleep, so I went out for a walk."

Jiang Moli eyed his tank top, shorts, and sneakers suspiciously. "Were you out exercising?"

Seeing that Jiang Moli had seen right through him, Lu Deyao decided to come clean.

"Well, I’ve put on some weight recently and my clothes are getting tight. I figured I should exercise a bit and lose some of this fat."

Realization dawned on Jiang Moli. "Oh, losing weight! That’s great."

He had expected his daughter-in-law to laugh at him for trying such things at his age, so he was very happy when she approved.

"Don’t tell your mom about this. I don’t want her nagging me."

Jiang Moli said, "You can’t keep this a secret. If you keep running out before dawn every day, Mom is bound to find out sooner or later. She might even get the wrong idea and think you’re up to something shady. Hey, I have an idea that will let you exercise openly without Mom nagging you."

"Let’s hear it."

"Our military region could hold a sports meet for military families. Officers and their families can all participate. If you sign yourself up for the 3000-meter race, you’ll have a reason to practice running every day, right?"

Lu Deyao clapped his hands. "What a great idea! Moli, you’re the sharp one. When I get to the office this morning, I’ll have them draft a proposal for the event."

Jiang Moli grinned. "Dad, you’re suddenly so concerned with your image. You’re not having a second spring, are you?"

Lu Deyao was so startled he waved his hands repeatedly. "I’m not, I haven’t, don’t talk nonsense! I’m an officer, after all. I have to maintain a good image. Being a pot-bellied official gives the public a bad impression."

He paused, then added, "And your mom doesn’t like it either."

Jiang Moli teased, "That last part is the real reason, isn’t it?"

Lu Deyao, caught up in the moment, decided to reminisce with Jiang Moli about the old days.

Back then, An Hui was young and beautiful, the belle of the field hospital, with more suitors than she could count.

His strongest rival was the commander of the neighboring 163rd Division’s artillery regiment.

The man outranked him and didn’t have any children to weigh him down, so Lu Deyao hadn’t held out much hope.

But who would have thought that An Hui would find the artillery commander short and stout, not to mention balding, and choose the tall, handsome him instead?

That’s why, for all these years, he had been very deliberate about maintaining his image, terrified that An Hui would start to find him unattractive too.

After learning the real reason behind Lu Deyao’s weight loss efforts, Jiang Moli was sure of one thing.

Being a fool for love ran in the Lu Family.

...

Today was the day of Jiang Moli’s interview with the arts troupe.

After breakfast, she went back to her room and changed into the plaid jacket and black trousers she had bought yesterday, paired with a light blue shirt underneath. She had braided her hair into a single plait that hung down her back.

Dressed like this, she instantly had the look of a state employee.

When she came out to the living room, Lu Deyao, An Hui, and Ma Hongmei all praised her for how nice she looked.

An Hui reached out to adjust her collar, saying worriedly, "Maybe I should go with you after all."

Jiang Moli smiled. "No need. I’m a grown woman. I won’t get bullied."

An Hui looked her over. "I’m worried you’ll bully others. An office isn’t like home. Don’t speak without a filter, and don’t get into fights with people."

"I’ll try my best to keep a low profile."

Lu Deyao comforted An Hui, saying, "Don’t worry too much. Moli’s sharp; she knows how to handle herself."

Jiang Moli and Lu Deyao left the house together.

The arts troupe was right next to the military region headquarters. If she really got into the troupe, she could bum a ride from Lu Deyao every day. The thought was quite pleasant.

"Moli, don’t be nervous when you meet the leadership later. Just answer what they ask, and if they don’t ask, don’t say too much, okay?"

"Dad, do you know Yang Lijiong?"

Lu Deyao thought for a moment. "The name sounds a bit familiar. I think I’ve heard it before."

"She’s the deputy head of the song and dance troupe."

Lu Deyao’s face cleared with recognition. "Oh. What about her? You know her?"

"I do. She almost became your daughter-in-law, you know. Too bad I beat her to it."

"..."

Watching Jiang Moli’s figure disappear into the arts troupe building, Lu Deyao couldn’t help but feel worried.

With his daughter-in-law’s feisty personality, surely she wouldn’t get into a fight with that Yang woman, right?

But on second thought, she wasn’t *his* wife. Why should he be the one to worry? If she really caused trouble, he’d let that little brat of a son deal with it himself.

Although the arts troupe’s security wasn’t as strict as the military headquarters, all visitors still had to register at the entrance.

Jiang Moli was busy filling out the registration form when a familiar voice came from above her. "What are you doing here?"