"We'll tell them you picked me up from Zhou Nian's place early this morning," Jiang Yue Kai said, not wanting Lin Jing Chu to be scolded, as she wasn't afraid herself. For now, it was best not to let her parents know about this matter. "And you gave me a Valentine's Day gift this morning, so we're together now."
Lin Jing Chu steered the wheel, smiling as he asked, "Is this a criminal suspect colluding to fabricate testimony?"
Jiang Yue Kai chuckled along, "Mm, we're accomplices."
After discussing it for a while, their story was practically watertight. Upon arrival, Lin Jing Chu and Jiang Yue Kai got out of the car together.
Despite their agreement to keep things hidden, Jiang Yue Kai's gait betrayed her. Lin Jing Chu saw her limping and couldn't help but worry, "Wait, why don't we go see a doctor?"
"No, I'm fine," Jiang Yue Kai felt mortified just thinking about it. "My legs are just weak, everything else is perfectly fine."
Lin Jing Chu: "They'll see it anyway if you're like this."
Jiang Yue Kai: "It's okay, I'll just say Zhou Nian and I went to the gym."
In just a few seconds, she had concocted a plausible excuse.
Lin Jing Chu suddenly fell silent, staring intently at her. Jiang Yue Kai looked at him, puzzled, "Why are you staring at me?"
"You're very good at lying," Lin Jing Chu realized something abruptly. "You were lying to me a while ago too, weren't you?"
Thinking back to the talk about friends outside and people she liked, it was full of loopholes...
Jiang Yue Kai hadn't figured out how to tell Lin Jing Chu about this yet. She cleared her throat, "Let's go inside. My parents must have seen us. Staying outside for too long will arouse suspicion."
Lin Jing Chu didn't press further and returned home with her. Upon entering, they indeed saw Lan Lan and Liang Yu Feng sitting on the sofa. Liang Yu Feng was peeling an orange for Lan Lan, a scene Lin Jing Chu and Jiang Yue Kai were accustomed to.
Upon seeing Lin Jing Chu, Liang Yu Feng said coolly, "You're here." Lan Lan, however, was overjoyed and warmly invited Lin Jing Chu to sit, "Jing Chu, come sit, have some fruit."
"Thank you, Godmother," Lin Jing Chu took Jiang Yue Kai's hand and sat down with her.
Liang Yu Feng, who was peeling the orange opposite them, immediately stopped what he was doing upon seeing this. His face, already lacking expression, became even more stern.
Aside from when they were young and foolish, this was the first time Lan Lan had seen the two children holding hands. She smiled, perhaps there was good news to share with her.
Lan Lan raised her eyebrows at them, her gaze falling on their clasped hands, "You two, what's going on?"
"Godmother, Godfather, Yue Kai and I are together now," Lin Jing Chu announced the news solemnly. "I will treat her well."
Lan Lan believed this implicitly, "Congratulations, after all these years, there's finally good news."
Lan Lan had always hoped they would get together, and for her, this was undoubtedly good news.
As for Liang Yu Feng, his mood was much more complicated.
Lin Jing Chu had grown up under his watch. His abilities and character were far superior to others. By all accounts, he should have been an ideal son-in-law candidate.
However, as a father, he only wished for his daughter to stay by his side and didn't want her to date. Therefore, he was much more critical when looking at Lin Jing Chu.
"Dad, aren't you going to bless us?" Seeing Liang Yu Feng remain silent for a long time, Jiang Yue Kai took the initiative to ask.
Liang Yu Feng could only say, "As long as you're happy."
"You don't like Brother Jing Chu being your son-in-law?" Jiang Yue Kai asked.
Liang Yu Feng: "..."
"Don't ask him," Lan Lan interjected to speak for Liang Yu Feng. "Your dad wishes you'd never date and would cling to him like you did when you were little."
Lan Lan recalled how, when Jiang Yue Kai was little, Liang Yu Feng wished he could hold her in his arms every day, taking her everywhere, even to the bathroom. The father and daughter were like conjoined twins. At the time, she had even been jealous of her daughter.
Recalling these memories, Lan Lan's tone also became a little wistful. She said deliberately, "Your dad wants you to be his reborn little lover forever."
"I never said that." Hearing this familiar tone, Liang Yu Feng could no longer remain as calm as before. If Lan Lan was upset, he couldn't afford to offend her.
Jiang Yue Kai, having witnessed such scenes since childhood, exchanged a look with Lin Jing Chu. They both smiled.
Lin Jing Chu suddenly understood why many people said that if you win over the mother-in-law, you've essentially won over the father-in-law.
With Lan Lan's "escort," Liang Yu Feng wouldn't make things too difficult for him, even if he had reservations.
Moreover, Liang Yu Feng didn't actually have any objections to Lin Jing Chu.
After Lan Lan's words, Liang Yu Feng also began to face the issue squarely. His considerations were not entirely the same as Lan Lan's.
Liang Yu Feng asked Lin Jing Chu, "What are your plans for the future?"
"I'll stay at the university for graduate studies," Lin Jing Chu replied. "My father has a position reserved for me, so I'll be studying and interning at the same time."
Lin Jing Chu's plans were very clear, and Liang Yu Feng had no objections, merely reminding him, "Yue Kai might go abroad for a few years."
"Mm, I know," Lin Jing Chu said. "If my schedule permits, I'll go abroad to pursue a doctorate with her while she's in grad school. If the company is too busy, I'll fly out to see her for a few days each month."
Lin Jing Chu didn't make any absolute promises, but in fact, he was certain that as soon as Jiang Yue Kai went abroad to study, he would go with her.
However, he didn't want to put too much pressure on Jiang Yue Kai, so he phrased it differently. But both Liang Yu Feng and Lan Lan understood.
Furthermore, Liang Yu Feng discerned that Lin Jing Chu had likely been considering this matter for a long time.
Liang Yu Feng appreciated people who had plans for their lives. His beliefs hadn't changed over the years; if you love someone, you must consider the future. Therefore, his gaze towards Lin Jing Chu softened considerably. "It's good that you've thought it through. You two can discuss the specifics yourselves."
This attitude was clearly different from before. Lin Jing Chu nodded obediently, showing great respect.
Afterward, Liang Yu Feng added, "You've just started dating, so you should know what's appropriate and what's not."
"Yue Kai is young. If she acts impulsively out of confusion, you can't join in her recklessness."
Liang Yu Feng was practically saying, "Don't touch my daughter inappropriately."
Lan Lan couldn't quite listen to it anymore and tugged his arm, "Alright, you worrywart father. Don't you trust Jing Chu's character?"
"Please rest assured," Lin Jing Chu said. "I will be responsible."
He didn't promise not to touch her, only that he would be responsible.
Lan Lan's eyes showed a hint of admiration. As expected of her godson, he knew how to speak.
"Oh, right," Liang Yu Feng suddenly remembered something. "Yue Kai, didn't you go to Zhou Nian's place last night? Why did you come back with Jing Chu this morning?"
As expected, the question had finally arrived. Fortunately, they had rehearsed beforehand.
Jiang Yue Kai calmly replied, "Last night, Zhou Nian and I had some fruit wine, and then I texted Brother Jing Chu. It was Valentine's Day, after all."
"Then we got together, and he came to pick me up this morning," Jiang Yue Kai's answer was flawless.