Chapter 392 - 229: Mother-in-Law Gives Jiang Yixia’s Hand to Lu Fan to Hold

Chapter 392: Chapter 229: Mother-in-Law Gives Jiang Yixia’s Hand to Lu Fan to Hold

Jiang Yixia turned and walked out of the kitchen, standing at the entrance to the main hall and looking at Lu Fan.

He was sitting on a chair, looking at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.

"Time for tea," she gestured.

Lu Fan turned his head, smiled at her, and said, "Alright."

The afternoon sun was pleasant. Pan Lanfang was airing out quilts in the courtyard, while Jiang Guoqiang was busy in the kitchen.

Lu Fan and Jiang Yixia sat in the main hall drinking tea, making small talk.

Jiang Yixia looked down at the tea leaves rising and falling in her cup and suddenly asked, "Are you really going to help at the flower shop tomorrow?"

Lu Fan nodded. "I am."

Jiang Yixia hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well... then come early. The shop has a new shipment of flowers that need to be sorted, and I can’t handle it all by myself."

Looking at her, Lu Fan immediately agreed, "Okay."

That evening, Pan Lanfang cooked a whole table full of dishes.

There was braised pork belly, steamed fish, scrambled eggs, a vegetable soup, and a stewed chicken.

Lu Fan ate with great relish, praising as he ate, "Auntie, your cooking is better than any professional chef’s."

Pan Lanfang was grinning from ear to ear, continuously placing more food on his plate. "If you like it, eat more. Come over often in the future, and I’ll cook for you every day."

"Xiaolu, come, have a drink with your uncle." Jiang Guoqiang was also in high spirits. He poured a glass of liquor and handed it to Lu Fan.

Lu Fan took the glass and replied with a smile, "Alright. A toast to you, Uncle."

The two of them clinked glasses and downed the liquor in one go.

Jiang Guoqiang’s face was flushed as he clapped Lu Fan on the shoulder. "Xiaolu, come over often from now on. Think of this place as your home."

"I will, Uncle."

Jiang Yixia listened from the side, eating with her head down, but a faint smile had appeared on her face.

By the time they finished dinner, the sky had already grown dark.

Lu Fan stood up, preparing to leave.

Pan Lanfang grabbed his hand, reluctant to let go. "Xiaolu, don’t leave tonight. Just stay here. Jiang Ming’s room is empty, and the bedding is all clean."

Lu Fan glanced at Jiang Yixia, but she turned her face away and said nothing.

Pan Lanfang chuckled. "Her silence means she agrees. It’s settled, then."

"Alright, then. Thank you for the trouble, Auntie," Lu Fan said with a smile.

Pan Lanfang waved her hand dismissively. "What trouble? We’re all family here, no need for such formalities."

She turned to go make the bed, and Jiang Guoqiang went to the courtyard to bring in the quilts.

Once again, the two of them were left alone in the main hall.

Jiang Yixia stood by the table, clearing the dishes with her head lowered.

Lu Fan walked over, intending to help, but she dodged him slightly. "No need. You can just sit."

Lu Fan didn’t move, just stood beside her and watched.

She washed the dishes very slowly, rinsing a single bowl several times.

The sound of the rushing water covered the beat of her heart.

"Yixia," he suddenly called her name.

Jiang Yixia didn’t turn around, her hands pausing for a moment. "What is it?"

"What did you think about what your mom and dad said today?"

Jiang Yixia placed the bowl in the cabinet, wiped her hands, and turned to face him. Her face was a little red, but her tone was calm. "I... I don’t know."

Lu Fan smiled, not pressing the issue further.

He knew that her "I don’t know" really meant "I know."

She just needed more time.

He reached out and gently took her hand.

This time, she didn’t pull away.

The night grew deep. Jiang Yixia lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

She recalled his smiling face in the hospital corridor earlier today when he’d said, "What, you miss me?"

She recalled how boldly he had held her hand in the main hall, refusing to let go.

She recalled his earnest expression at the kitchen door when he asked, "What did you think?"

She buried her face in her pillow, her ears burning.

’Our relationship has progressed so quickly over the past few days. Although, for the most part, I’ve just been passive. But in terms of physical contact, it’s already similar to how things were back when our relationship was still ambiguous. But now there’s a very serious problem: what if Mom and Dad find out that Lu Fan is Silu and Sifan’s biological father? How would they react then? And my daughter, Silu, has already forgiven Lu Fan. But what about my son? He’s always been so strong-willed. Would he be able to forgive his own biological father?’

Thinking of this, Jiang Yixia couldn’t help but worry.