Chapter 71 Meeting the Parents 2

Chapter 71: Meeting the Elders (Part 2)

After dropping off Yushui, He Yuzhu rode his bicycle straight to the agreed meeting spot with Song Jinfeng.

From a distance, he saw Song Jinfeng steadying her bicycle as she looked around anxiously.

He Yuzhu pedaled hard for a couple of strokes, pulled up right beside her, and stopped.

"I'm so sorry, have you been waiting long?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Not at all, I only just got here a moment ago," Song Jinfeng replied.

He Yuzhu knew she had actually been waiting for a while, but since she didn't bring it up, he didn't feel it was right to press the issue.

"Shall we get going then?" He Yuzhu suggested.

"Alright, but please accompany me to buy a few things first," said Song Jinfeng.

He Yuzhu glanced at the items already strapped to her bicycle's carrier: "Didn't you already buy things? Why do we need more?"

"These are for my master and his wife," Song Jinfeng explained. "We just need to go buy some assorted pastries."

"Very well, where should we go?"

"Let's go to Daoxiangcun."

Together, He Yuzhu and Song Jinfeng went to Daoxiangcun to buy pastries, and then stopped by the department store for some Mickey Mouse candies. Only then did they ride toward his master's house.

Leading Song Jinfeng to his master's residence, He Yuzhu pushed the gate open first, wheeled his bicycle inside and parked it properly, then came back out to help Song Jinfeng bring her bicycle in as well.

He picked up the gifts Song Jinfeng had bought and escorted her toward the living room.

The master's wife was in the courtyard kitchen prepping vegetables. Hearing the commotion, she came out to take a look. Seeing He Yuzhu carrying packages and leading a young woman inward, she hurried over with a warm smile. "Zhuzi, this must be Jinfeng, right? How lovely!"

"Yes, this is Song Jinfeng," He Yuzhu introduced. "Jinfeng, this is my master's wife; you can just call her Master's Wife."

Song Jinfeng greeted her with poised confidence, "Master's Wife."

"What a poised and graceful young lady," the wife praised.

Master Fan Dakang was deliberately resting at home today. Hearing the voices, he also walked out from the inner room, followed by Yushui, Xiaohu, and Fan Yao.

As soon as Yushui saw Song Jinfeng, she chimed in, "Sister-in-law!"

Xiaohu and Fan Yao joined in the fun right away, chorus-calling, "Sister-in-law!"

Hearing these titles, Song Jinfeng blushed, a bashful warmth spreading across her cheeks.

Noticing her embarrassment and wanting to spare her any awkwardness, the master's wife shooed the three younger ones aside. "Go on, go on with you all, go play somewhere else."

He Yuzhu continued the introductions, gesturing toward Fan Dakang. "This is my master. You can just call him Master."

"Master," Song Jinfeng greeted respectfully.

Fan Dakang nodded with a smile, "Ah, come on in, come inside and sit down."

The group entered the house and seated themselves around the table.

Song Jinfeng brought forward the gifts she had brought. "I wasn't quite sure what you both liked, so I just picked up a few things at random. Master, Zhuzi mentioned that you aren't particularly fond of alcohol, so I managed to find a purple clay teapot for you. I hope you like it."

Fan Dakang accepted the teapot, his eyes gleaming with appreciation. "My child, you put a lot of thought into this. I truly love this teapot."

Song Jinfeng then produced a buffalo-horn comb and handed it to the master's wife. "I wasn't sure what to get you either, so I chose this comb. I hope you won't mind it."

"A buffalo-horn comb is wonderful, it's so practical for combing hair," the master's wife said, delighted.

Turning her attention to the three younger ones, Song Jinfeng said, "These pastries and candies are for you. There are also hair ribbons here—you can divide them amongst yourselves."

The three of them chorused together, "Thank you, Sister-in-law!"

Song Jinfeng's face flushed red once more.

"Alright, the time is just about right. I'll go make lunch for everyone," the master's wife said, standing up to head to the kitchen.

"Let me come help you in the kitchen, Master's Wife," Song Jinfeng offered immediately.

"No need, I can manage on my own. Zhuzi, keep Jinfeng company," the master's wife insisted.

"Master's Wife, let me do the cooking instead," He Yuzhu interjected, standing up. "You stay here and chat with Jinfeng; I'll have things ready in no time."

"That works too, off you go then. I've already washed all the vegetables," the master's wife conceded.

He Yuzhu got up and headed to the kitchen to prepare the midday meal.

Master Fan Dakang also retreated to the inner room, leaving the living room to the master's wife, Song Jinfeng, and the younger ones.

The master's wife picked up a plum and handed it to Song Jinfeng. "Jinfeng, have some fruit. Zhuzi brought all of these over; they're exceptionally sweet."

"Thank you, Master's Wife, I can help myself," Song Jinfeng replied politely.

Shortly after, the master's wife began inquiring about Song Jinfeng's background. Learning that both of Song Jinfeng's parents had passed away in the line of duty, a wave of deep sympathy washed over the older woman. "Child, you've had a truly hard life. Zhuzi hasn't had an easy path either. After the two of you marry, you must take good care of one another."

"Don't worry, Master's Wife, I will take good care of both Zhuzi and Yushui," Song Jinfeng promised sincerely.

"You must take good care of yourself, too; mutual care is key. If Zhuzi ever dares to bully you, just come straight to me, and I'll settle the score for you."

"Understood, Master's Wife."

After chatting for a while longer, Song Jinfeng wandered into the kitchen to check on He Yuzhu's cooking progress.

Hearing footsteps, He Yuzhu turned his head and saw Song Jinfeng standing in the doorway. "Why did you come in here? The kitchen gets so smoky with cooking grease."

"I just wanted to come check on you. Is there anything I can help with?"

"Not really, I can handle everything myself. Stand a bit further back, make sure the oil doesn't splatter on you."

"It's fine, I cook for myself all the time—even if my food isn't nearly as delicious as yours."

"As long as it tastes good to you, there's no need to compare it to a professional's cooking. When I'm home by myself, I usually just whip up something simple too."

Seeing the two of them chatting so harmoniously while cooking, enveloped in a warm, domestic atmosphere, the master's wife decided not to go over and disturb them.

Perhaps working as a man-and-woman team made the labor feel effortless, because before he knew it, He Yuzhu had finished preparing all the dishes.

"Alright, everything is done. We can carry them out to the table now," He Yuzhu announced.

He was just about to call Fan Yao and Yushui to help bring out the dishes when Song Jinfeng stopped him.

"Let me carry them," she volunteered.

"This is your very first time visiting, having you carry the dishes out feels a bit improper, doesn't it?" He Yuzhu hesitated.

"There's nothing improper about it. We're going to be family soon, there's no need to be so formal."

With that, Song Jinfeng picked up a plate of food and walked toward the living room.

When the master's wife saw Song Jinfeng actively helping to serve the food, her approval of the young woman grew even warmer.

She hurried over to take the dish from Song Jinfeng's hands and placed it on the table. "That Zhuzi is something else, how could he let a guest like you carry the dishes?"

"Master's Wife, I insisted on doing it myself," Song Jinfeng smiled. "Besides, since we'll be family soon, it's only right that I pitch in."

Hearing Song Jinfeng say this, the master's wife felt an even greater surge of joy in her heart.

With Song Jinfeng lending a hand, the table was laden with food in no time.

At that moment, the eldest sister Fan Ting and Zhou Jianye returned, bringing young Yuanchao along with them.

"How come you're only just getting back now?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Apologies, apologies, I was held up by some matters at the bureau," Zhou Jianye explained apologetically.

He Yuzhu introduced Zhou Jianye to Song Jinfeng. "You've already met my eldest sister and little Yuanchao. This is my brother-in-law, Zhou Jianye."

Song Jinfeng greeted the eldest sister's family one by one with graceful courtesy.

Everyone took their seats around the table and raised a collective toast to welcome Song Jinfeng, wishing her and He Yuzhu a wonderful life together built on a solid future.

The midday meal concluded amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.

Just as He Yuzhu was preparing to escort Song Jinfeng back home, the master's wife called out to her, "Jinfeng, wait a moment."

The master's wife pulled out a jade bracelet with a delicate, translucent luster and slid it onto Song Jinfeng's wrist. "Wear this. Your master and I managed to acquire this a while back; I hope you won't look down on it."

Song Jinfeng looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. Though not top-tier imperial green jade, it was nonetheless a pure, flawless glass-ice variety of exceptional quality.

"This is far too precious," Song Jinfeng stammered, attempting to slide it off, but the master's wife gently pressed her hand down to stop her.

"I prepared this specifically for Zhuzi's future wife. If you won't take it, does that mean you've decided not to marry Zhuzi after all?"

"This..." Flustered, Song Jinfeng glanced over at He Yuzhu, seeking his help.

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "This is Master's Wife's heartfelt gesture, you should just accept it."

"Alright then, I accept it with gratitude. Thank you, Master's Wife."

"That's more like it. Off you go now, let Zhuzi ride you home."

Standing together on the threshold, the master's wife and the others watched as He Yuzhu and Song Jinfeng pedaled away on their bicycles until they vanished into the distance, before turning and heading back inside their home.