Chapter 284 - 193: Introducing a Girlfriend to Lu Fan? Lu Fan Angrily Retorts

Chapter 284: Chapter 193: Introducing a Girlfriend to Lu Fan? Lu Fan Angrily Retorts

Her voice was quiet, but her words were as sharp as needles.

The color drained from Pan Lanfang’s face. Her lips trembled, but when she tried to speak, no words came out.

Lu Fan’s expression darkened.

He looked at Aunt Wang and said coolly, "Aunt Wang, I’m well aware of the family’s situation. What’s wrong with being a divorcee with a child? Is there some rule that says she can’t find happiness?"

Aunt Wang was left speechless. She forced a smile and said, "Alright, alright. You’re young, you know best. I was just giving you some friendly advice. Take it or leave it."

With that, she turned and walked away, muttering as she reached the gate, "No good deed goes unpunished. You’ll live to regret this."

The courtyard fell silent.

Pan Lanfang stood there, the rims of her eyes red, her hands trembling.

Lu Fan walked over to comfort her. "Ma’am, don’t take it to heart. What people like her say isn’t worth worrying about."

Pan Lanfang looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Xiaolu, we’re the ones who’ve caused you trouble. You came here with a clean slate, and now the whole village is gossiping about you..."

Lu Fan shook his head and said earnestly, "Ma’am, please don’t say that. I enjoy helping you and sir. It’s what I want to do. I don’t care what anyone else says."

Pan Lanfang looked at him, and her tears finally fell.

When Jiang Guoqiang came back at noon, Pan Lanfang had already composed herself.

But her eyes were still red, and Jiang Guoqiang could tell something was wrong at a glance.

"What’s wrong?" Jiang Guoqiang asked.

Pan Lanfang shook her head and said it was nothing.

Jiang Guoqiang looked at Lu Fan, who gently shook his head, signaling him not to ask any more questions.

Jiang Guoqiang seemed to understand. He sighed and didn’t press the issue.

The atmosphere during lunch was a bit subdued.

Pan Lanfang had made several dishes, but she ate very little herself, continuously placing food in Lu Fan’s bowl.

"Xiaolu, eat up," she said, picking up another piece of braised pork and placing it in his bowl.

Lu Fan smiled and said, "Ma’am, don’t just serve me. You should eat too."

Pan Lanfang nodded, lowered her head, and took a few bites of rice. Suddenly, she looked up at Lu Fan. "Xiaolu, there’s something I want to say to you."

Lu Fan put down his chopsticks and looked at her intently. "Please, go ahead."

Pan Lanfang hesitated before speaking. "Xiaolu, you’re a good boy, I can see that. We’ll always cherish how kind you’ve been to us. But... I can’t drag you down."

Lu Fan chuckled. "Ma’am, what are you talking about?"

Pan Lanfang’s eyes reddened again. "You heard them—the village gossip. You’re a young man with a bright future. Getting too close to old folks like us will ruin your reputation. In the future... maybe you should visit less."

Listening from the side, Jiang Guoqiang also sighed and lowered his head, not saying a word.

Lu Fan was silent for a moment, then said seriously, "Ma’am, please listen to me."

Pan Lanfang looked up at him.

Lu Fan said, "I lost my mom when I was little, and then my dad passed away too. I’ve been fending for myself out in the world all these years, and to be honest, I’ve never really known what a family feels like. But coming here these past few days... You cook for me, sir works alongside me, we all sit and talk and eat together... It puts my heart at ease."

He feigned a look of sorrow. "If you tell me not to come anymore, where else will I ever find a feeling like this?"

At that, Pan Lanfang couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Jiang Guoqiang’s eyes reddened as well. He reached out and patted Lu Fan’s shoulder, choking out, "Good boy, good boy..."

Lu Fan looked at the two elders, smiled, and said, "So, ma’am, please don’t chase me away. I don’t care about that gossip, really. All I care about is that you and sir are doing well. Being able to come here for a hot meal and a chat with you both... that’s more than enough for me."

Through her tears, Pan Lanfang started to laugh.

She wiped her eyes and nodded repeatedly. "Okay, okay, okay, I won’t chase you away. You can come whenever you want. I’ll make you delicious food every day. From now on, if anyone dares to gossip about you behind your back, I swear I’ll rip their mouth off!"

Lu Fan laughed. "Alright, ma’am, I’m holding you to that! It’s a deal!"

Jiang Guoqiang laughed too, wiping the corner of his eye. "Come on, come on, let’s eat! The food’s getting cold."

The atmosphere finally eased.

The three of them sat around the table, eating and laughing together like a real family.

Jiang Guoqiang then took out his homemade rice wine and poured a cup for Lu Fan.

"Come, Xiaolu, let’s have a drink, just the two of us," Jiang Guoqiang said, raising his cup.

Lu Fan took it with both hands, nodding. "To you, sir."

The two men clinked their cups and drained them in one go.

Pan Lanfang smiled from the side. "You two take your time drinking. Eat more food."

The meal lasted over an hour, the atmosphere warm and lively.

Jiang Guoqiang was getting a little tipsy. He grabbed Lu Fan’s hand and said, "Ah, Xiaolu, you’re a good kid. I like you."

Lu Fan smiled and replied, "Sir, I like you too."

Watching from the side, an idea in Pan Lanfang’s mind grew more and more insistent.

She wanted to speak up several times, but she felt the timing wasn’t right and forced herself to hold back.

...

「Meanwhile, at Jinling University.」

Jiang Silu was sitting in her dorm room, staring blankly at her computer.

Today was the day the final results of the Garden Cup Design Competition were to be announced. She had been so nervous all morning that she hadn’t done anything but stare at the webpage, refreshing it constantly.

Song Miaomiao was by her side, comforting her. "Don’t be nervous. You’ve totally got this."

Jiang Silu gave a wry smile. "That’s not a sure thing. Every single one of the finalists is good. I’m just worried I’m going to drag down my senior teammates."

"No way! Your creative talent is amazing. Besides, your dad even sent you that collection of outstanding case studies to give you ideas. You’ll definitely win an award," Lu Yao encouraged from the side.