Chapter 27: Lu Yan Clearly Possesses This Strength

Lu Yan opened the lunchbox to feed Anan as he replied, “Mm.” At this moment, the nurse had left for her meal, leaving only Shen Qingyi and a few others in the clinic.

Shen Qingyi tasted the pork ribs, surprised by how delicious they were. Was Lu Yan’s praise for her cooking genuine? She began to doubt herself.

Anan took a bite of the ribs, tender and savory, his eyes curving with delight. “Dad, is the auntie in your cafeteria really such a good cook?”

Lu Yan noticed his son’s enthusiasm and asked, “Do you like it?”

“Mm!”

“If you ever want to eat it again, you can ask your mom to bring you over.” With patience, Lu Yan fed Anan another piece.

Anan had a small appetite, and after eating half his meal, he couldn’t finish the rest.

Lu Yan stood, found a chair, and sat beside them, eating the leftovers.

Cheng Youqing stared in astonishment, but Shen Qingyi was unsurprised. At home, whatever she and Anan couldn’t finish, Lu Yan would always take care of.

After Lu Yan finished, he waited for Shen Qingyi and Cheng Youqing to finish, then went to collect the empty lunchboxes.

Cheng Youqing said awkwardly, “Let Qingyi wash them before you take them.”

After saying this, she realized she needn’t be so deferential—Qingyi was her daughter-in-law, and Lu Yan had no say here.

Shen Qingyi reached for the lunchbox in Cheng Youqing’s hand, ready to wash it, but Lu Yan took it from her. “After the IV, I’ll drive you home.”

Shen Qingyi didn’t refuse, “Alright, thank you!”

Hearing this polite and distant thanks, Lu Yan paused as he was about to walk out, but ultimately said nothing and left.

About half an hour later, Lu Yan drove his car to the medical office entrance.

The nurse came to remove the IV, and Shen Qingyi helped Cheng Youqing into the car, with Anan sitting beside them in the back.

As the car started, Anan’s eyes were full of excitement. He’d thought only Uncle Xia could drive, but now realized his father could, too.

Sitting in the back, Shen Qingyi could only see the man’s profile and his long, elegant hand resting on the steering wheel.

Years of indoor research had left his skin luminous and pale, and now the blue veins on the back of his hand were clearly visible.

At the curve, he laid his other hand atop the first, giving the wheel a gentle twist. The car turned smoothly and precisely, without the slightest jolt.

It matched his usual style—never needing much effort to accomplish anything with ease.

Just as he had effortlessly won his son’s heart.

The car stopped in front of Cheng Youqing’s house. Shen Qingyi helped Cheng Youqing out, with Anan following. Lu Yan got out, holding his son’s hand. “Go call Grandpa Cheng to come help Aunt Cheng.”

Shen Qingyi wanted to say there was no need, she could help Cheng Youqing inside, but Anan dashed into the house, shouting, “Grandpa Cheng, Aunt Cheng is back!”

At that moment, Cheng’s mother hurried out. “Oh dear, I just said I’d come get you after I finished cooking.”

Raising her head, she saw a tall young man standing beside the car. Cheng’s mother called out excitedly, “Lu Yan, Lu Yan!” Then she shouted into the house, “Old man, come out quickly, Lu Yan is here!”

Father Cheng hurried to put down his work and ran outside.

“Oh! It really is Lu Yan! Come in, come in!”

Shen Qingyi glanced at the man, her lips curving ever so slightly, holding Anan’s hand. She nodded gently to Father and Mother Cheng, then followed them inside.

Was it really necessary to make such a fuss?

Mother Cheng looked at Cheng Youqing, who was still standing dazed nearby. “Child, what are you waiting for? Come in!”

Inside, Mother Cheng, Xia Guifen, poured tea for Lu Yan. “Dinner is ready, stay and eat with us,” she said warmly.

Cheng Youqing laughed, “Mom, we’ve already eaten. Lu Yan brought food from his canteen—a pork rib and some stir-fried meat. We’re very full.”

Father Cheng, Cheng Gang, hurriedly pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Lu Yan, you’ve really gone to so much trouble.”

Lu Yan politely thanked Father Cheng for the cigarettes, but didn’t accept them. Instead, he smiled, “It’s no trouble. These years, I’ve been grateful for all you’ve done for Qingyi and her son.”

“Oh, child, why talk like a stranger? Your father and I have been friends for life, it’s only right. I heard you and Qingyi were tripped up by someone, which led to misunderstanding. Now that it’s resolved, you should live happily together—it’s better than anything else.” Cheng Yong waved his hand, his face full of satisfaction.

Lu Yan understood—Qingyi and the Shen family truly had deep ties. News of this spread quickly, and it seemed Qingyi genuinely believed the Cheng family were the best people in the world.

He hadn’t intended to bring the Chengs into his circle so soon, but when the opportunity came, it couldn’t be stopped. He allowed a faint smile to appear, “Uncle Cheng is right.”

Hearing Lu Yan’s agreement, Father and Mother Cheng were overjoyed. “That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful.”

Father Cheng asked a few questions about his work, which Lu Yan answered one by one.

At last, Lu Yan glanced at his watch and pretended to realize, “It’s getting late, I need to head back.”

Xia Guifen exclaimed, “What? Where are you going?”

Lu Yan smiled awkwardly, “Back to the family compound at the research institute.”

“You’ve been back for some time now. Since you’ve decided to live together, you should move in with Qingyi,” Xia Guifen said earnestly.

Lu Yan glanced at Shen Qingyi, giving her a considerate smile. “Qingyi has been busy lately, and hasn’t had time to prepare an extra room.”

Xia Guifen looked at Shen Qingyi, who sat silently nearby. “Qingyi, that’s your fault. Hurry up…”

Shen Qingyi: !!

Why had the topic suddenly turned to this? She was caught off guard.

Cheng Youqing nudged her with her elbow, “Anan is getting older. You can’t keep sleeping with him.”

Anan raised his hand, “That’s right, boys should sleep with boys when they grow up. From now on I’ll sleep with Dad.”

Still confused, Cheng Youqing watched as Lu Yan politely said goodbye to Father and Mother Cheng.

Once Lu Yan’s car had disappeared down the road, Xia Guifen sat beside Shen Qingyi. “Oh, Qingyi, let me tell you, you know what the Qian Guifen family is like—how can you let Lu Yan live with them?”

Shen Qingyi was a little puzzled, “He didn’t say he wanted to live here.”

Qian Guifen smiled, “You heard it today. You’re too honest, child. With someone like Lu Yan, if you don’t put in the effort, someone else will.”

As she spoke, she stuffed a handful of sunflower seeds into Anan’s pocket. “Go back and rest early. Tomorrow, prepare a room. No matter how you feel about him, at least let him come home.”

“Auntie!” Shen Qingyi felt it was all too sudden.

“Alright, listen to me. Lu Yan is really good. He hands his salary over to you, doesn’t he?”

Shen Qingyi nodded.

“He treats Anan well, right?”

“Mm!” Shen Qingyi couldn’t deny it.

“Then that’s all it takes. What we women want is a good life. Who cares who he thinks about? Isn’t that right?” Qian Guifen’s generation never believed feelings were that important. It was living a good life that mattered most.

Lu Yan clearly had that ability.