Many had asked him why he liked Lan Lan, a woman who had once "failed" him. He wasn't short of admirers, so why was he fixated on her? He thought this must be the reason.
In some ways, the two of them were complete opposites. People are easily attracted to those similar to themselves, but even more so to those who are entirely different. Once that attraction begins, it becomes impossible to break free.
Her passion, her initiative, her vibrant life force, her unhidden ambition – these were all things he had never possessed. Back then, he had a good impression of her, but he never dared to pursue her, convincing himself it was "impossible."
But she was different. Even when others said something couldn't be done, she wouldn't give up. Her soul radiated confidence from the inside out. When he looked at her, she was always shining.
As Liang Yufeng was lost in thought, he heard Lan Lan's impatient voice again, "Do you agree or not?"
"I'll try my best," Liang Yufeng replied.
"Not 'try your best,' you must!" Lan Lan was displeased with his ambiguous attitude and continued, "Life is so short. Whatever you want, go for it. Whatever you want to say, say it. That's how you truly live."
She rarely spoke such "inspirational" words, but the principle was sound. This was why she had always been a proponent of seizing the moment. She was especially like this with her parents. Whenever she saw Mr. Yu and Mrs. Lan, she would immediately hug them and affectionately say, "I love you."
Unable to withstand Lan Lan's "lecturing," Liang Yufeng finally agreed to her proposal. Lan Lan told him, "You have to say it so I can hear it. If I don't hear it, it doesn't count."
Liang Yufeng: "..."
The rehabilitation center had been notified in advance that Liang Yufeng would be picking up Jiang Wan that morning. Therefore, her belongings had already been prepared.
Although Jiang Wan's mental state was currently stable, she still needed to take her medication. In addition, the caregiver brought two tranquilizers, just in case. Seeing the two syringes, Lan Lan couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.
She hadn't yet seen Jiang Wan during an episode. It must be quite severe.
Liang Yufeng seemed unfazed by this. The doctor hadn't even taught him how to administer the injections, suggesting he must have done it countless times before.
Despite the pleasant environment of the rehabilitation center, staying there year-round eventually leads to a desire to leave. Jiang Wan was very happy after getting into the car. Lan Lan sat with her in the back, and they chatted.
Upon returning home, Liang Yufeng settled Jiang Wan into the master bedroom. Jiang Wan looked around the house and asked with a smile, "Fengfeng, is this your and Lan Lan's new home?"
Liang Yufeng didn't comment. Jiang Wan then held Lan Lan's hand and said, "Lan Lan, do you like it? Has Fengfeng been good to you lately? Has he bullied you?"
"No, we're doing quite well," Lan Lan replied with a smile, her tone very gentle. "Auntie, I bought some small pastries yesterday. Would you like to try some?"
"Oh, yes. Do you have any rose crisps?" Jiang Wan asked. "I love Runcheng's rose crisps the most."
"Yes, we do." Liang Yufeng had bought several boxes of rose crisps yesterday. Lan Lan had teased him then, wondering why he liked such "feminine" things. Liang Yufeng hadn't refuted it at the time. She hadn't expected they were for Jiang Wan.
After tasting the rose crisps, Jiang Wan's face lit up with a smile. She was very happy, and her smile hadn't stopped since leaving the rehabilitation center.
At noon, Jiang Wan even took charge of cooking. Lan Lan then realized that Liang Yufeng's culinary skills were actually inherited from Jiang Wan. The food Jiang Wan made was even tastier than Liang Yufeng's. She prepared sweet and sour pork ribs, winter melon and pork ribs, mock crab, and blanched greens.
Mock crab, a traditional home-style dish from Nanjiang, is not easy to make well. Jiang Wan's mock crab was astonishing, and Lan Lan praised it highly after tasting it.
Jiang Wan was overjoyed and said to her, "If you like it, I'll teach Fengfeng how to make it for you."
Liang Yufeng also looked at Lan Lan and asked, "Do you like it?"
Liang Yufeng's attitude put a little pressure on Lan Lan. "It's alright. There's a private kitchen in Nanjiang that does a decent job." Her implication was that he didn't need to learn.
However, Liang Yufeng seemed not to understand and began asking Jiang Wan for details about cooking. As mother and son chatted about cooking, Lan Lan found herself unable to join in.
After lunch, Jiang Wan felt sleepy and went upstairs to rest. Lan Lan, who didn't have a habit of napping, sat downstairs in a daze. Liang Yufeng, after washing the dishes, also sat down.
Neither of them spoke, just sat quietly side by side. The weather on Qingming was not good, overcast and gloomy, but the atmosphere at home was warm.
Lan Lan was lost in thought for a long time, then suddenly remembered something. "You haven't told Aunt Jiang 'I love you' today yet, have you? Don't forget what you promised me."
Liang Yufeng replied, "Mm," "I remember. I'll say it later."
"Go for it, I believe in you, young man." Lan Lan patted his shoulder with mock seriousness, encouraging him with the tone of someone experienced.
Liang Yufeng, making conversation, started chatting with her. "Do you often say it to your parents?"
"Yes, it's always been our family's habit," Lan Lan said. "When I was little, my parents often told me how much they loved me, and I loved them too. If you have love, you must express it, otherwise, life is too stifling. Some people never properly express their love to the people they love in their entire lives. I think that's a real pity."
That's why, once she developed feelings for someone, she would express them without hesitation, especially in love, even if it came and went quickly.
Lan Lan's words indeed stirred a certain impulse in Liang Yufeng. He looked at her sparkling eyes, his heart trembling, and almost said those three words to her.
But he realized he still didn't have that much courage. During their past relationship, he had said "I love you" a few times, but only during chats. Lan Lan, on the other hand, almost had "I love you" on the tip of her tongue. Every night before ending their conversation, she would say: "Going to sleep, goodnight, I love you."
Even on the eve of their breakup, she maintained this habit, which also gave him quite a misconception.
The only time Liang Yufeng personally said "I love you" to her was when she proposed breaking up. He was about to lose her and, in his panic, blurted out those three words.
Thinking back to the past, Liang Yufeng had to admit that Lan Lan's words just now were very true. When he truly wanted to express himself, it was often too late.
"Thank you," after a long silence, Liang Yufeng found his voice.
"Thank me for what?" Lan Lan was confused by his sudden thanks. Had she done anything?
Liang Yufeng said, "No one ever told me about this before."
"Well, now someone has," Lan Lan teased him. "Don't you think I'm not so bad for you after all?"
Jiang Wan's birthday was tomorrow. To give Jiang Wan a birthday surprise, Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng got up at six o'clock. Jiang Wan had taken a sedative the night before and would usually wake up around nine.
After getting up early, Lan Lan began preparing the cake in the kitchen, while Liang Yufeng prepared the longevity noodles for breakfast. They busied themselves separately, occasionally chatting and handing things to each other, looking more and more like a married couple.