Chapter 320 - 205: Lu Fan: A Direct Showdown?! I’m the Child’s Father

Chapter 320: Chapter 205: Lu Fan: A Direct Showdown?! I’m the Child’s Father

The four of them sat in the living room.

Pan Lanfang looked at Jiang Yixia, then at Lu Fan, unable to hide the smile in her eyes.

She cleared her throat and was the first to speak. "Xiaolu, let me tell you, my daughter is a truly wonderful young woman. Don’t be fooled by how quiet she usually is—she’s very thoughtful. She’s been running that flower shop all by herself for years and has never once complained about being tired."

Lu Fan nodded, his gaze falling on Jiang Yixia. "I can tell," he said seriously. "Yixia is a hard worker."

Jiang Guoqiang chimed in from the side, a hint of pride in his voice. "Isn’t that the truth? She’s been sensible since she was a little girl. We never had to worry about her studies, and she was always quick with her chores. Later, even though... well, she went through a lot, but she never complained to us."

Listening to her parents praise her one after another, Jiang Yixia’s face gradually turned red.

She lowered her head, unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.

Seeing her flustered expression, Lu Fan’s lips curved into a slight smile. He said deliberately, "Auntie, Uncle, now that you mention it, I’m even more impressed with Yixia. Beautiful and capable—you don’t find many young women like that these days."

Jiang Yixia lifted her head and shot him a glare, her eyes clearly saying, "You better shut up."

"Besides, the moment I saw her today, I felt a special connection. It must be fate," Lu Fan continued with a smile, pretending not to notice her glare.

Hearing this, Pan Lanfang was so happy she couldn’t stop grinning. "Yes, yes, exactly! Fate! Xiaolu, you really have a good eye."

Jiang Guoqiang also nodded in satisfaction, his gaze toward Lu Fan growing more and more fatherly.

Listening from the side, Jiang Yixia’s face was as red as a ripe tomato.

She stole a glance at Lu Fan. The guy was all smiles, chatting with her parents and making them incredibly happy.

’Such a smooth-talker.’

She silently grumbled to herself.

...

After chatting for a while, Pan Lanfang stood up and took a couple of steps toward the kitchen before stopping. She turned back, a hint of annoyance on her face. "Oh, silly me. I was so busy talking, I forgot the vegetables still need to be picked."

As soon as he heard that, Jiang Guoqiang immediately chimed in, his tone making it sound like the most natural suggestion in the world. "Then have Yixia take Xiaolu to the garden to pick some fresh ones. Our vegetable patch is right behind the house. It’s not far."

Jiang Yixia froze, about to refuse, but Pan Lanfang was already pushing her with a smile. "Yes, yes! Daughter, you take Xiaolu. Pick whatever you want to eat. Pick plenty, and I’ll make something delicious for you all tonight."

"Auntie, I couldn’t possibly. Yixia just got back, how could we make her work?" Lu Fan stood up, his words polite but his face holding a smile. "But then again, I’ve never picked vegetables before. It’ll be a new experience."

Jiang Yixia shot him a helpless glare, but she couldn’t say anything in front of her parents. She could only stand up reluctantly and head outside.

Lu Fan followed behind her, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

The two of them left the house, one after the other, and walked along the small path behind it toward the vegetable garden.

The evening breeze was light, cool and silky against their skin.

The clouds on the horizon were dyed orange-red by the setting sun. In the distance, the mountains were faint silhouettes. The occasional birdsong only served to emphasize the tranquility of the small village.

Jiang Yixia walked ahead, her pace a little fast, as if trying to shake off the person behind her.

Lu Fan wasn’t in a hurry. He followed at a leisurely pace, his eyes fixed on her back.

She was wearing a light gray knit sweater today, her hair tied up loosely, revealing a sliver of her fair-skinned nape.

The way she walked was still so graceful—her back straight, her steps light, just like when they were younger.

He suddenly remembered many years ago, when they had just gotten together. She used to like walking ahead of him like this, deliberately picking up her pace, then looking back at him with a smile and saying, "Hurry up!"

Back then, there was a light in her eyes, and her smile was so sweet.

He quickened his pace to catch up with her and asked softly, "Why are you walking so fast? It’s not like I’m going to eat you."

Jiang Yixia’s steps faltered for a moment. Without turning her head, she said, "The sooner we finish picking, the sooner we can go back."

"What’s the rush? Your parents are dying for us to spend more time out here. Did you see the look your mom gave us? She looked like she wanted to tie us together with a rope." Lu Fan laughed, his tone teasing.

The tips of Jiang Yixia’s ears turned red. She didn’t reply, but her pace slowed noticeably.

Of course she knew what Pan Lanfang was thinking.

From the moment Lu Fan had walked through the door, her mother’s eyes hadn’t left him. She was pleased with everything she saw, as if she wished she could settle their marriage on the spot.

She stole a glance at Lu Fan. He was smiling as he looked at the wildflowers by the side of the path, looking completely at ease.

’He sure is relaxed.’

The vegetable garden wasn’t far; they arrived after a few minutes’ walk.

It was a small plot of land, neatly tended by Jiang Guoqiang.

Rows of vegetable beds were planted with all sorts of seasonal produce.

The greens were a vibrant, glossy color, the radishes revealed their plump white tops, and there were a few rows of garlic sprouts, looking full of life.

Jiang Yixia squatted down and began to pick the vegetables.

Her movements were practiced. With a gentle pinch of her fingers, a tender green leaf would fall into her hand.

She placed the picked vegetables neatly in the basket. It was clear she was used to this kind of work.

Lu Fan watched from the side for a moment, then squatted down as well, trying to imitate her.

But he was clumsy, pinching with too much force and yanking up the whole plant, roots and all.

"What are you doing?" Jiang Yixia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at his innocent expression. "That’s called weeding, not picking vegetables."

Lu Fan put down what was in his hand and said with a shameless grin, "Well then, why don’t you teach me?"

Jiang Yixia knew this was his style. She sighed, picked up a leaf, and demonstrated. "Look, you do it like this. Pinch it just a little above the root, and do it gently so the leaf doesn’t break."