CHAPTER 605: CHAPTER 363: DISAPPOINTMENT

While the furniture was being unloaded, Zhou Zhenhai’s wife, Li Mei, arrived with their seven-and-a-half-year-old son, Zhou Jing, carrying several shopping bags.

Li Mei was about forty years old, of average height, with delicate facial features and small dimples at the corners of her lips when she smiled, a very graceful woman.

Seven-and-a-half-year-old Zhou Jing was a chubby little boy, adorable with a combination of both his parents’ good looks. Upon seeing Luo Lian, he shoved the shopping bags into his mother’s hands and lunged at her, calling out "Sister, Sister."

Luo Lian smiled with her eyes and mouth, opened her arms to hug the little chubby boy, and after helping Li Mei and others with introductions, she pinched Zhou Jing’s chubby body and scolded him with rounded eyes: "Jingjing, didn’t I tell you to lose weight? How did you get even chubbier?"

Zhou Jing looked earnestly at Luo Lian: "Sister, I did lose weight, really, I haven’t been eating KFC or McDonald’s recently, don’t believe me, ask my mom."

Li Mei smiled helplessly: "Indeed, he stopped eating KFC and McDonald’s, but instead switched to eating barbecue, and demands it for every meal, throwing a tantrum if he doesn’t get it."

Luo Lian affectionately pinched Zhou Jing’s nose: "You little glutton, you will become a big chubby kid, and see if Miaomiao will still want to marry you!"

Zhou Jing puffed out his little chest proudly: "Sister, you’re out of touch. I like Ding Ziwei now, and she’s even chubbier than me."

Luo Lian looked at him with a straight face: "Kid, you move on quickly. Just a month ago, you told me you liked Miaomiao. You need to be loyal from now on, you get me?"

"You two..." Li Mei shook her head, not knowing what to say to the pair.

"Jingjing, come, let Sister Xing Nong give you a hug." Xing Nong, who had been eager for a while, approached the little chubby boy with a big smile and outstretched arms.

"Hello, Sister Xing Nong." Zhou Jing was amiable, turning around to hug Xing Nong and planting two kisses on her cheek.

Luo Lian laughed mischievously: "I haven’t had the chance to introduce you two. This little fatty’s hobby is kissing beautiful sisters, quite similar to your taste."

"That’s right, I like fragrant beautiful sisters." Zhou Jing cooperated, wrapping his chubby arms around Xing Nong’s neck and refused to leave her embrace.

Watching Xing Nong’s face get covered in saliva, Yaoguang struggled to hold back her laughter: "Qiu’er, you finally found a kid who doesn’t dodge you."

Xing Nong’s eyes swiveled mischievously: "Jingjing, take a good look at these beautiful sisters. Who’s your favorite?"

Zhou Jing’s big eyes circled each of the sisters’ faces, his small hands cradling Xing Nong’s cheek and giggling: "I like all the sisters, but Sister just said to be loyal, so I still like Sister Xing Nong the most." And with that, he administered two more kisses.

Watching Xing Nong’s face become helplessly coated in saliva from the little chubby boy’s kisses, who would’ve thought that even Xing Nong could meet her match, haha... Luo Ye, Yaoguang, and Luo Lian couldn’t help but laugh.

Li Mei came over with washed fruit, scolding her son: "Jingjing, you’re too heavy to cling onto the sisters like that. Come eat some fruit with them."

Jingjing obediently slid down from Xing Nong’s embrace and reminded her: "Sister Xing Nong, remember to play with me after eating fruit."

Luo Lian feigned sadness: "You don’t care about Sister anymore now that you have Sister Xing Nong?"

"Sister..." Zhou Jing rolled his eyes slyly, sneaking up to Luo Lian’s ear to whisper something, making her glance at Xing Nong with a smile and peel an orange for the little chubby boy: "Alright, I agree."

Xing Nong leaned toward Luo Ye with a puzzled look on her face, "Lianlian, what did you agree to? Don’t plan any dirty tricks on me."

Luo Lian spoke with a serious tone, "Not at all. Little Jingjing said he would listen to me, be devoted, and start having eyes only for Sister Xing Nong from now on. When he grows up, he wants Sister Xing Nong to be his bride. He also explained his reason: he adores the banana scent on Sister Xing Nong. Since he can’t eat bananas, at least he should be allowed to savor their aroma."

"Qiu’er, you’ve been quite popular lately," Yaoguang giggled, "Congratulations!"

"Congratulations my foot!" Xing Nong retorted, tossing a banana peel at her, "You’re the one who’s been popular!"

"Sister Xing Nong, throwing things around is not what good children do, be good..." Zhou Jing handed over half of his orange to Xing Nong, "Here, eat this, it’s quite sweet."

Luo Lian teased, "Oh, look at Jingjing being so caring towards his future wife."

Zhou Jing puffed out his small chest, full of righteous pride, "A man should cherish his wife; that’s what my dad says."

"What are you talking about? Not even food can stop your chatter!" Li Mei, who had washed some dates and brought them over, looked at Luo Lian with a scolding gaze, "Lianlian, is this how you teach your younger brother?"

Luo Lian invited her to sit down with a smile, "Auntie, relax, take a seat and rest for a while."

"Jingjing, take the fruit to your dad and uncles," Li Mei sent her son away with a task, her hands clasped together in silence.

Seeing this, Luo Ye quickly got up, but Luo Lian pressed her back down and looked at Li Mei, "Auntie, these friends are all trustworthy. Whatever you have to say, please feel free to speak."

"Well... I’ll be direct then. Emma has been calling Zhenhai a lot lately. It’s not that I’m overthinking, but...it’s just been too frequent, sometimes two to three times a day." Li Mei looked earnestly at Luo Lian, "I’ve always treated you like my own daughter, so I think it’s natural to help you, but with her, it’s just for your sake, and nothing to do with Emma."

"I understand." Luo Lian paused, "Don’t worry, I will talk to mom about this, and you should trust dad too. He’s not a fickle man."

"Lianlian, I hesitated for a long time about whether to tell you or not," Li Mei sighed, "But with Jingjing being so young, for his sake, I must nip any potential threat in the bud. Zhenhai is soft-hearted, and it’s really inappropriate for me to say much. I just hope you won’t blame me."

Luo Lian took a deep breath, "I won’t allow anyone to destroy this happy family, no one is allowed, not even a chance. Jingjing absolutely cannot lose either his father or mother!"

...

On the way to the nursing home, Luo Lian silently gazed out the window, and Xing Nong hesitated before taking her hand, "Lianlian, don’t worry, cheer up."

Luo Lian patted her hand and said nothing, continuing to stare blankly at the passing scenery.

Luo Ye glanced at her through the rearview mirror, "Lianlian, didn’t we agree not to keep things bottled up inside?"

Luo Lian finally turned to look at him and sighed, "Luoluo, you don’t understand, I... I’m really disappointed. I was genuinely grateful when mom agreed to my request so readily.

But now I realize that I was just being wishful. Her real intention was to use me to rekindle things with dad."

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Nu’an’s first watch is here, it’s been a busy day, so I’m uploading this now. There are two more updates to come; today, there will be three updates from Nu’an—as promised. (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to come to Qidian (qidian.com) and cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)