Liang Yu Feng frowned. Before anything was even set in stone, his daughter was already being promised away? Even if the other party were the children of Lin Mei and Xing Zheng, it wouldn't do. "What era are we in? Don't go back to the days of arranged marriages."
"This is called childhood sweethearts," Lan Lan said. "Aren't you afraid of your child being deceived by outsiders? This way, they'll be well-acquainted, and you won't have to worry."
Lan Lan was serious. The next day, she brought up the matter with Lin Mei. Lin Mei was naturally more than willing, but she didn't forget to remind Lan Lan of a harsh reality, "You're not pregnant yet."
Lan Lan was instantly rendered speechless. Let alone being pregnant, she hadn't even started preparing for conception. The matter of having a child was just something she had mentioned casually. Seeing Lan Lan fall silent, Lin Mei asked her, "Have you thought about having a child?"
"Actually, not yet," Lan Lan admitted truthfully. "But I definitely will in the future."
Lin Mei told her, "If you plan to have one, it's best to start preparing six months in advance. This way, the child's physical condition will be better. You'll also need to change your lifestyle habits, and you definitely can't drink alcohol."
Lan Lan hadn't looked into preconception knowledge before. After hearing so much from Lin Mei, she realized pregnancy involved so many considerations. Therefore, she went to the bookstore to buy a few books, intending to study them with Liang Yu Feng. However, before that, the wedding matters had to be settled.
Shortly after Lan Lan and Liang Yu Feng registered their marriage, Yu Ran and Lan Zhong selected several wedding dates for them. Afterward, the couple came to Nan Jiang. Liang Yu Feng and Lan Lan picked them up at the high-speed train station. For the sake of convenience in communication, Yu Ran and Lan Zhong stayed at Liang Yu Feng's villa.
Three dates were chosen: one in September and two in November. September would be too rushed. After some discussion, the wedding date was set for November ninth. Once the date was fixed, it was time to enter the preparation phase.
According to custom, the parents of both sides should meet. Previously, Lan Lan had told her parents about Liang Yu Feng's family situation, so they decided to visit Jiang Wan together at the sanatorium in Runcheng. Liang Yu Feng was probably not expecting Yu Ran and Lan Zhong to be so thoughtful. Upon hearing their plan, he was slightly surprised. "Thank you, Mom and Dad."
"You're too polite; it's only right," Yu Ran asked him, "Does your mother have any particular preferences? It's the first meeting; you can't go empty-handed."
Yu Ran and Lan Zhong's enthusiasm and thoughtfulness deeply touched Liang Yu Feng. In fact, in terms of family atmosphere, he and Lan Lan were not a good match. Most parents would not want their only daughter to find someone like him. But Yu Ran and Lan Zhong, after learning about his background, not only didn't disdain him but also showed such care for Jiang Wan. He felt that all his luck in life had probably been used up here.
Before going to Runcheng, Yu Ran and Lan Zhong prepared a gift for Jiang Wan and also brought some pastries they had made themselves. They hadn't notified Jiang Wan in advance, so Jiang Wan was very surprised to see them. Since returning from Nan Jiang last time, Jiang Wan hadn't had many episodes, and at this moment, her consciousness was very clear. Yu Ran and Lan Zhong stepped forward to greet her, and Jiang Wan politely responded to them.
Jiang Wan's demeanor was much as Yu Ran and Lan Zhong had imagined. Although she was simple, she possessed an academic air. Liang Yu Feng's appearance must have inherited from her; the mother and son looked particularly alike in their features.
"It's only after the two children got married that we're visiting for the first time. I hope you don't mind," Lan Zhong greeted Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wan quickly shook her head, "Not at all. You are very thoughtful. Please, sit down!"
Yu Ran opened the pastry box and said to Jiang Wan, "I heard Yu Feng say you like red bean cakes. Coincidentally, he and I have been idle recently and enjoy tinkering with food. Please try some."
In this day and age, nothing was more sincere than a handmade gift. Lan Lan's parents were so polite and thoughtful that Jiang Wan felt a pang of guilt. She recalled her previous obstruction of Lan Lan and Liang Yu Feng's relationship and apologized to Yu Ran and Lan Zhong, "I am truly sorry to both of you. I had some misunderstandings about Lan Lan before, which caused trouble for the two children. It was my fault."
"It's nothing," Yu Ran had heard Lan Lan talk about this matter before, and she didn't take it to heart. "Lan Lan was a bit flighty before, so it was understandable for you to worry. But now you can rest assured. Since she has decided to marry Yu Feng, she will definitely treat him well."
"Yes, I believe her," Jiang Wan nodded affirmatively.
Yu Ran and Jiang Wan got along very harmoniously. Both had good personalities and were around the same age. They had even attended university in the same city, so they had many common topics. Lan Lan and Liang Yu Feng, on the other hand, seemed a bit superfluous. However, seeing them get along so well, Lan Lan and Liang Yu Feng were very happy.
Jiang Wan couldn't go back to help them prepare for the wedding and felt a sense of guilt. Before leaving, she said to Yu Ran and Lan Zhong, "The wedding for the two children will be troublesome for you. I can't help much."
"How can this be troublesome?" Yu Ran had already treated Jiang Wan as a close friend. "Just take good care of yourself, and when it's time for the wedding, have them pick you up!"
Jiang Wan nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she said to Liang Yu Feng, "Feng Feng, you should also inform your father. After all, he is still your father."
Upon mentioning Xu Zheng Xi, the smile on Liang Yu Feng's face froze. Jiang Wan saw this and said, "If you're unwilling, then we won't mention it."
"We will inform him, please don't worry," Lan Lan finally took over the conversation.
Because Xu Zheng Xi had been mentioned, Liang Yu Feng's mood had been rather low since leaving the sanatorium. Yu Ran and Lan Zhong went shopping, while Lan Lan and Liang Yu Feng returned to the hotel together. Upon entering, Liang Yu Feng walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked outside. Lan Lan came to his side and stopped. "Are you still sulking about that remark?"
Liang Yu Feng didn't answer. Lan Lan was already accustomed to his awkward demeanor. "It's just informing him; it won't cost you anything." Lan Lan showed great magnanimity in this matter. Liang Yu Feng turned to look at her. "You don't blame him for what happened before?" Xu Zheng Xi had made things difficult for Lan Lan so many times, and last time he had caused trouble, almost separating them. Liang Yu Feng felt he couldn't let go of the matter. While he wouldn't seek revenge, he wasn't generous enough to invite him to the wedding. In the future, he didn't want Xu Zheng Xi to be involved in any matters between him and Lan Lan. He thought Lan Lan's thoughts would be similar to his, but he didn't expect her to agree to Jiang Wan's request.
"I won't blame him because he's not related to me by blood, and I don't care how he sees me. Because I don't care, I won't get angry even if he scolds me for three days and three nights." Lan Lan's words were like a sudden enlightenment for Liang Yu Feng. She was right. His current lingering resentment, his anger at the mention of Xu Zheng Xi's name, was ultimately because he still cared. Realizing this fact, Liang Yu Feng's expression became somewhat dejected. Perhaps he was not yet strong enough to overcome that shadow.