Chapter 391 - 229: Mother-in-Law Hands Jiang Yixia’s Hand to Lu Fan

Chapter 391: Chapter 229: Mother-in-Law Hands Jiang Yixia’s Hand to Lu Fan

The car stopped at the entrance of the inpatient building.

Chen He had already opened the trunk and was putting the luggage inside.

Before getting in the car, Pan Lanfang held Lu Fan’s hand, looking him up and down with growing satisfaction. "Xiaolu, you’ve worked so hard these past few days. Once I’m back home and all better, I’ll make you something delicious."

Lu Fan smiled and replied, "Okay, I’ll be waiting for your call."

"Daughter, you ride in Xiaolu’s car. Your dad and I will ride with Xiaochen," Pan Lanfang said, turning to Jiang Yixia.

Jiang Yixia wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but Pan Lanfang was already in the car with the door shut.

She had no choice but to glance at Lu Fan. He pulled open the front passenger door and said cheerfully, "Get in."

The cars pulled away from the hospital, heading toward Qingshan Village.

Pan Lanfang sat in the back seat, gazing out the window, in high spirits.

She patted Jiang Guoqiang’s hand and whispered, "Look, aren’t they great together?"

Jiang Guoqiang glanced out the window. Jiang Yixia was in the passenger seat, and Lu Fan was saying something to her. Her head was lowered, her ears bright red.

He smiled but didn’t say anything.

When they arrived at Qingshan Village, the cars stopped at the gate to their courtyard.

Pan Lanfang got out of the car, took a deep breath, and sighed contentedly, "It’s good to be home."

Lu Fan carried the bags into the courtyard while Jiang Guoqiang went to boil water for tea.

Pan Lanfang sat down in the main hall, pulled Lu Fan’s hand, and had him sit beside her.

Jiang Yixia was about to go help in the kitchen, but Pan Lanfang stopped her. "You sit down. Let your dad go."

Jiang Yixia had no choice but to sit down on the other side, her head lowered, lost in thought.

Pan Lanfang looked at her, then at Lu Fan, and suddenly said, "Xiaolu, there’s something I want to say to you."

"Go ahead," Lu Fan said with a nod.

Pan Lanfang held his hand, her tone growing serious. "I’ve done a lot of thinking these past few days in the hospital. Yixia, this child of mine... she’s had a hard life. She’s been getting by on her own all these years and has never once complained to us. She acts tough, but she has a soft heart and shoulders all her burdens by herself."

She paused, her eyes turning a little red. "I can tell that you’re good to her, and that makes me happy."

Pan Lanfang patted his hand and continued, "I’m not some old-fashioned traditionalist who insists on arranged marriages, but there are some things I have to say. As for Yixia, if you’re truly good to her, then take her hand."

As she spoke, she pulled Jiang Yixia’s hand over and placed it in Lu Fan’s palm.

Jiang Yixia’s face instantly turned red. She tried to pull her hand back, but Pan Lanfang held it fast, shooting her a glare. "Don’t move."

Lu Fan held her hand. It was small, soft, and slightly cool to the touch.

He didn’t let go, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Jiang Yixia kept her head down, her ears as red as cooked shrimp, but she didn’t struggle anymore.

Pan Lanfang looked at their joined hands and smiled with satisfaction. "Now, that’s more like it."

Jiang Guoqiang came out with the tea, saw the scene, and froze for a moment before breaking into a smile as well.

He placed the tea on the table, sat down next to Pan Lanfang, and cleared his throat. "Xiaolu, I’d like to say a couple of things, too."

Lu Fan looked up at him.

Jiang Guoqiang wrung his hands, looking a little embarrassed, but he spoke anyway. "Yixia, this child... she’s been strong-willed since she was little. She suffered a lot in the past. As her father, I wasn’t capable enough to help her. From now on... from now on, I’m entrusting her to you."

After he finished speaking, he picked up his teacup and took a sip to hide his awkwardness.

"Uncle, please don’t worry. I will definitely treat Yixia well," Lu Fan said, nodding with a serious tone.

Jiang Guoqiang grunted in acknowledgment and said no more, but he couldn’t suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth.

Pan Lanfang looked at their clasped hands, then at Jiang Yixia’s crimson face, and her heart swelled with delight.

She stood up and said, "I’m going to make dinner. Xiaolu is eating with us today."

"Okay, I’ll help you," Lu Fan said cheerfully.

Pan Lanfang pushed him back down into his seat. "No, no, you just sit. Your uncle can help."

Jiang Guoqiang followed her into the kitchen.

Only the two of them were left in the main hall.

Jiang Yixia kept her head down, not daring to look at Lu Fan.

Her hand was still in his, her palm growing sweaty.

Lu Fan didn’t speak either, just holding her hand and gently caressing her fingers.

After a long moment, Jiang Yixia spoke in a small voice, "You... let go."

"Nope. Your mom told me to hold it." Lu Fan refused to let go, tightening his grip slightly instead.

Jiang Yixia glared at him. Though she was at a loss for words, her retort lacked any real force. "So you just hold it because my mom told you to? If my mom told you to jump in a river, would you do that too?"

Lu Fan laughed. "If you jump with me, I will."

Jiang Yixia was so exasperated she laughed. She pulled her hand back and stood up. "I’m going to help in the kitchen."

She quickly walked into the kitchen, leaving Lu Fan sitting alone in the main hall, smiling to himself.

In the kitchen, Pan Lanfang was chopping vegetables.

Seeing Jiang Yixia come in, she put down her knife, grabbed her hand, and whispered, "So? Did you two hold hands just now?"

Jiang Yixia’s face reddened again. "Mom, weren’t you the one who put my hand in his? How could you?"

"What about me? I’m doing this for your own good. I’ve observed this kid, Xiaolu. He’s reliable. If you’re with him, I can rest easy," Pan Lanfang said cheerfully.

Jiang Yixia lowered her head and said nothing.

Pan Lanfang patted her hand and said earnestly, "Daughter, I know you have things on your mind, but the past is the past. You have to look forward. Xiaolu is good to you, so you should accept it. You’re over thirty now. If you don’t find a partner soon, what will you do all by yourself when I’m gone?"

"Mom, I know," Jiang Yixia said softly, looking up at her.

Only then did Pan Lanfang’s smile return. "As long as you know. Go on, go have tea with Xiaolu. Don’t leave him sitting there all by himself."