novelraw Chapter 329 : Meeting the In-Laws
Chapter 329 : Meeting the In-Laws
Chapter 329: Meeting the In-Laws
The car pulled up to the village entrance and stopped in front of the small grocery store.
Chen Fan got out of the car and went into the store to buy a case of liquor and a case of milk.
Su Ruochu seemed a bit ill at ease, "Is that all we're getting? Is that going to be enough? I told you we should have bought gifts before coming."
Chen Fan smiled, "No need to make it so complicated. My parents won't care about that. They'll be thrilled enough that you're coming today."
The grocery store owner noticed Su Ruochu and immediately became a bit gossipy as he came out.
"Xiao Fan, who's this? Your classmate?"
"Uncle Zhang, this is my girlfriend."
"Oh ho, Xiao Fan has brought his girlfriend back with him. Impressive."
"Your girlfriend is really beautiful."
"Thank you Uncle Zhang for the compliment. We should get going."
"Haha, hurry on home. You should have a good drink with your dad today."
As they got back in the car, Chen Fan teased with a smile, "Do you believe me? It won't be half a day before the news that the Chen family son brought his girlfriend back to the village spreads through the whole place."
Su Ruochu blushed and pretended not to hear.
The village roads were narrow, winding and difficult to drive on. Although Su Ruochu had gotten her driver's license long ago, she still had to drive cautiously.
In the end, Chen Fan had her park the car by the big willow tree in front of his family's courtyard, and the two got out carrying their purchases.
At the entrance, someone was standing there looking around.
Seeing Chen Fan and Su Ruochu approach, that figure quickly came over to meet them.
"Hey, my mom came out to greet you."
"Ah?"
Su Ruochu glanced at the woman walking over and immediately became nervous. She subconsciously straightened her clothes and hair.
"I'm...a little nervous..."
Chen Fan smiled, "Don't be nervous. You'll see when you meet them that my parents are both very easygoing people."
As he spoke, Li Jinqiu had already walked over.
"Mom!" Chen Fan dramatically called out. "Look, I've brought your daughter-in-law home to you."
That one line made Su Ruochu's face flush red, wishing she could find a place to hide.
Li Jinqiu just smiled and walked over.
"Look at you, such a silly child. Why are you making the lady carry things?"
Chen Fan smiled, "She insisted on carrying it herself."
"You still shouldn't let a girl carry things."
Li Jinqiu appraised Su Ruochu with an approving smile and extended her hand.
"Let me take that."
"Hello auntie."
Su Ruochu hurriedly greeted her, red-faced, and shook her head vigorously.
"No need auntie, I can carry it myself."
Seeing she couldn't persuade Su Ruochu otherwise, Li Jinqiu didn't insist.
"Come inside and rest for a bit."
Li Jinqiu led the way, still muttering to herself.
"This child really...why didn't you tell us beforehand so we could prepare something at home?"
Chen Fan smiled, "Ruochu only decided to come visit at the last minute. Besides, what's there to prepare? No need for any preparations."
As they spoke, the three entered the small courtyard filled with various vegetable plants.
In the living room, Chen Jianye was hurriedly wiping down the table. Hearing them enter, he quickly hid the rag.
After coming in, Chen Fan noticed that not just the table but even the floor looked damp, clearly just mopped.
He exchanged a glance with Su Ruochu, who naturally understood what he meant.
Just because of her last-minute suggestion, it seemed they had given the two elders quite a fright.
"Ruochu, this is my dad."
"Dad, this is my girlfriend Su Ruochu."
Su Ruochu obediently stepped forward, "Hello uncle."
"Ah, hello..." Chen Jianye nervously wrung his hands, unable to think of what to say.
"Well...don't just stand there, quickly have the kids sit down."
"Right, right, I'll go cut the watermelon we bought to help them cool off."
"Oh right, I'll go do that now."
Watching the two elders scurry off in a fluster, Chen Fan couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
"I've never seen them so nervous before."
Su Ruochu felt a bit awkward, "Did I cause trouble by coming unannounced?"
"No, no. They're just thrilled you came to visit."
Before long, Li Jinqiu came in carrying a plate of sliced watermelon.
"Dear daughter-in-law, try some. This watermelon is really sweet."
"Thank you auntie."
Seeing how poised this girl was, Li Jinqiu appreciated her even more.
"Our conditions aren't great, it must seem laughable to you."
Su Ruochu had just taken a bite of watermelon when she heard this and quickly shook her head.
"No, not at all. I actually really like the countryside, especially when we came in earlier, I really loved the little courtyard outside."
"Really?" Li Jinqiu immediately became interested. "That little courtyard has all the vegetables I planted myself. I don't use any pesticides, mainly to save money, but it's also safer to eat."
Su Ruochu smiled, "One look and you can tell auntie is a diligent and frugal homemaker."
Li Jinqiu beamed, "It's strange, the first time meeting this girl and I already feel so warm toward her, just like my own daughter."
Chen Fan teased from the side, "That must mean she's destined to be part of our Chen family as the daughter-in-law."
"Look at you bragging." Li Jinqiu glared at her son. "With such a great girlfriend, you better cherish her. Don't you dare mistreat her in the future."
"Dear daughter-in-law, if he dares mistreat you, just tell me and I'll take care of it for you."
"Thank you auntie."
Su Ruochu smiled sweetly, then looked at Chen Fan and blinked mischievously.
Chen Fan said, "Mom, no need to be so biased. How could I dare mistreat her? Usually it's her bullying me."
Li Jinqiu laughed as she looked Su Ruochu over.
"You're just talking nonsense. As long as you don't mistreat her, that's good enough. Her bullying you? I don't believe it."
From outside, Chen Jianye came in and pulled up a chair to sit by the doorway.
He took out a cigarette, subconsciously about to light it, but then seemed to realize something and quickly put it back in his pocket.
Listening to his wife chat with Su Ruochu, Chen Jianye nodded slightly to himself.
This girl really isn't bad.
She's poised and well-mannered in her speech.
As for her appearance, she's a rare beauty, nothing more to say.
For their son to find a girlfriend like this is a blessing for the Chen family.
After chatting for a bit, Li Jinqiu tentatively asked Chen Fan how the visit went getting approval from Su Ruochu's parents.
Chen Fan smiled, "Why don't you ask your future daughter-in-law yourself?"
Su Ruochu blushed, a bit shy.
"My parents...approved of us dating."
"Really?"
Li Jinqiu exchanged a look with her husband, their eyes filled with excitement and joy.
"That's wonderful news."
"Ever since this child left today, my heart has been in suspense, beating rapidly."
"Ah, now I can finally relax."
Chen Fan smiled teasingly, "Mom, didn't I tell you? Your son is quite outstanding too, how could they possibly refuse after meeting me?"
"Look at you bragging again. Taking advantage shamelessly."
Li Jinqiu scolded her son jokingly, then pulled Su Ruochu into casual conversation.
As Su Ruochu chatted with her, she also secretly observed Chen Fan's parents.
To be honest, she had felt quite anxious coming in earlier.
But she never expected Chen Fan's parents to be so approachable and easy to talk to.
From start to finish, neither of them said a single deliberately harsh or strict word, nor asked her any difficult questions.
It seemed from the moment she walked in, the two elders had already accepted her as their daughter-in-law.
Su Ruochu liked this feeling, and her inner nervousness and anxiety quickly dissipated.
The two sat together, chatting about daily life, then gardening, then how Su Ruochu met Chen Fan, followed by things happening at university. Finally, Li Jinqiu began telling Su Ruochu stories about Chen Fan's childhood.
She said this child was like a little monkey when young, extremely mischievous. He would wave around a stick carelessly and ended up poking his grandmother's old hen to death from behind. Chen Fan was afraid of being scolded so he secretly threw the dead hen into the firewood pile.
Su Ruochu covered her mouth, giggling in amusement. Chen Fan looked wryly amused.
"Mom, that was ages ago. How come I don't even remember that happening?"