Jiang Wan was pleasantly surprised. She put down her water glass and started eating the noodles. Liang Yufeng stood by, his gaze never leaving Lan Lan.
Lan Lan's demeanor towards Jiang Wan was almost identical to how she interacted with her own parents, even more attentive than when she was with them. Her parents were healthy and didn't require such care, and Liang Yufeng had never expected Lan Lan to look after Jiang Wan. Given her personality, she wasn't the type to be a traditional "good daughter-in-law." However, her current state greatly surprised him.
He hadn't asked Lan Lan to cook noodles for Jiang Wan, yet she not only cooked them but also personally served them.
It was evident that Jiang Wan was also very pleased. It was the first time she had eaten noodles cooked by Lan Lan, and she praised them enthusiastically, "They're delicious. I can't believe you learned to make them just because I mentioned it casually."
As Jiang Wan complimented Lan Lan's talent for cooking, Lan Lan smiled and said without false modesty, "I think so too. If I had chosen to be a chef back then, Michelin restaurants would have been mine for the picking."
Seeing her lift her chin with pride, Liang Yufeng's lips curved upwards unconsciously. He supposed it was her bold and proud demeanor that attracted him. They were completely different types of people. It wasn't wrong for similar types to be drawn to each other, but those who were the opposite of oneself held a stronger attraction, dangerous and addictive.
This addiction of his had lasted for seven or eight years, unshakeable, and instead, he had fallen deeper and deeper.
"Fengfeng, take me back," Jiang Wan said to Liang Yufeng after chatting with Lan Lan and finishing her noodles. She requested to return to the nursing home. Lan Lan instinctively tried to stop her, "No, you've only been out for less than two days."
"It's better to go back," Jiang Wan said with a smile. "I don't know when I'll have an episode again. Being able to spend my birthday with you and Fengfeng, and eating the cake and noodles you made, has already made me very happy. I'm very content."
"Runcheng is beautiful. You two are busy with work usually, so take these few days to have fun. I won't disturb your time together." The clear-headed Jiang Wan was always so considerate.
Lan Lan understood her intentions but was reluctant to send her back so soon. However, the final decision rested with Liang Yufeng. After some thought, he agreed to Jiang Wan's request, and that evening, they sent Jiang Wan back to the nursing home.
Liang Yufeng went to find the doctor to report on Jiang Wan's condition over the past two days, leaving Lan Lan to stay with Jiang Wan in the ward.
After Liang Yufeng left, Jiang Wan took Lan Lan's hand and said, "Lan Lan, Fengfeng will be entrusted to you from now on."
"I don't know how much longer this body can last. He never had an easy life since he was young, and there weren't many people who cared about him. I'm very happy that he met you. You are truly a good girl..." Jiang Wan's words were filled with sincere gratitude towards Lan Lan.
Lan Lan felt embarrassed by her words. Jiang Wan saw her as Liang Yufeng's salvation, but she didn't realize that she herself had once deeply hurt Liang Yufeng. She felt she didn't deserve such a title, yet couldn't explain, so she could only nod.
Jiang Wan asked, "Can you promise Auntie one thing?"
"Please tell me," Lan Lan replied.
"Before I leave, I want to see you and Fengfeng have a child." This had been Jiang Wan's wish for many years. She had said similar things before, but Lan Lan hadn't paid much attention. However, the situation was different this time. Jiang Wan's tone, like she was giving final instructions, made Lan Lan have to take it seriously.
"Auntie, don't say such unlucky things," Lan Lan told her. "You're still young, there's no 'leaving' or anything like that. Better days are ahead."
Jiang Wan smiled faintly, not responding directly. "Then did you promise?"
"Actually, I haven't considered having children for now." Things like this couldn't be agreed to casually. Lan Lan could have given a perfunctory promise and not followed through, but she didn't want to disappoint Jiang Wan, so she told her her true thoughts.
Jiang Wan didn't blame her upon hearing this. Instead, she reflected, "You're right. At this stage, we should focus on our careers. I was selfish to impose my own wishes on you..."
"It's okay, I understand what you mean," Lan Lan said. "Let's let nature take its course."
When Liang Yufeng returned from the doctor, Lan Lan and Jiang Wan had just finished their conversation, so he was unaware of what they had discussed in his absence.
By the time they left the nursing home, it was completely dark. Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng hadn't eaten yet. They returned to the city and chose a restaurant.
Liang Yufeng had initially wanted to go home, but if they went home, he would be the one cooking. Lan Lan, thinking he was already tired today, proactively suggested eating out.
They went to a noodle shop, a very approachable and down-to-earth place. There weren't many people at night, and their order arrived quickly. When they were dating in college, Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng often ate at such roadside stalls. Neither of them had airs, but Liang Yufeng's appetite was clearly not good today, likely due to Jiang Wan's situation.
"Let's visit Auntie once a month from now on," Lan Lan suggested. "Keep her company, take her out for some good food, anything."
Liang Yufeng was surprised. "Do you have the time?"
Everyone knew Lan Lan was a workaholic. She wouldn't waste time on anything meaningless. He had never expected her to share this "responsibility" with him.
"If you have time, I have time," Lan Lan teased. "I can't be busier than CEO Liang, can I?"
Although her words were teasing, Liang Yufeng was moved. A pang of bittersweet emotion surged in his chest, and his gaze grew increasingly complex. He wasn't dense; he had seen all the changes in Lan Lan these past few days.
The first time he brought her to the nursing home to meet Jiang Wan, although Lan Lan was polite to Jiang Wan, she was fundamentally resistant to the matter because she didn't want to enter his life.
Later, when she proactively visited Jiang Wan, it wasn't because of him, but because Jiang Wan was good to her.
However, these past few days were clearly different. Her learning to make a cake for Jiang Wan's birthday showed her change.
"Why are you staring at me?" Lan Lan asked, eating her noodles and feeling Liang Yufeng's gaze. She slowed down her movements. "Eat yours. I won't take care of you if your stomach hurts tonight."
She still remembered his stomach issues. Liang Yufeng couldn't help but overthink. He obediently picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
With two more days left on their itinerary, Lan Lan looked up fun places in Runcheng that evening and arranged a packed schedule for the next two days. Liang Yufeng completely followed her lead. They spent two days eating, drinking, and having fun before returning to Nanjiang.
At three in the afternoon, they emerged from the airport. Liang Yufeng pushed Lan Lan's luggage, while Lan Lan held a coffee, walking beside him.
As they reached the exit, they ran into Xu Zhengxi. Xu Zhengxi spotted Lan Lan immediately and, without concealing his displeasure, glared at her sternly.
Lan Lan's gaze met his, and she could only lament their ill-fated encounter. Before she could discuss anything with Liang Yufeng, Xu Zhengxi stopped in front of them.