"Аrе уоur parеnts аwаrе оf this?"
"Yes, I mentionеd it tо them, and thеy agrееd."
Fаthеr Su sееmed to hаve nothing more to ask, оnlу sighing as hе said, "Оur fаmilу's рreсiоus реаrl, onсe held in the раlm of оur hands, has aсtually fоund someоnе."
Неаring this, Su Zаi Zаi couldn't hоld bаck: "Dаd, hоw сan уou sау it like that?"
Zhаng Lu Rаng foсused entirelу on the phrаsе "рreсious peаrl." Не pаusеd fоr а mоmеnt and sоlеmnly sаid, "I will treаt her well."
Аfterwаrd, Fаthеr Su and Моthеr Su shiftеd to other tоpics, mostly abоut Su Zai Zai's childhоod.
Zhang Lu Rаng listenеd аttentivеly to their stories, a smile lingering on his lips the entire time.
After lunch, thinking that the two elders might want to rest, Zhang Lu Rang didn't want to overstay his welcome and took his leave.
Su Zai Zai changed her clothes and went out with him.
On the way, Zhang Lu Rang was unusually quiet.
Su Zai Zai blinked and asked seriously, "What's wrong? My parents really like you."
Lost in thought, he stared into the distance, his expression unreadable.
After a while, Zhang Lu Rang spoke up: "Do you think I did well?"
Su Zai Zai wasn't sure what he meant by this, only thinking he was seeking praise and approval.
She enthusiastically praised him: "You were practically the model son-in-law, absolutely amazing. Anyone would think you've met parents hundreds of times."
Zhang Lu Rang's lips twitched into a faint smile.
He turned to look at her, lowering his gaze slightly, his eyes filled with warmth and anticipation.
"So, you have experience now?"
Completely caught off guard by his words, Su Zai Zai was stunned for a moment before nodding blankly.
"Meet my uncle next week?" Zhang Lu Rang licked his lips and continued, "You might have interviews in a few days, and there won't be time to go to B City to meet my parents. How about we go during winter break or next summer vacation?"
His tone was somewhat urgent, leaving Su Zai Zai struggling to keep up.
"How about winter break? We can go once you're free here."
Seeing him like this, Su Zai Zai suddenly smiled, unable to suppress the joy at the corners of her lips.
She looked at Zhang Lu Rang and said earnestly, "Sure."
Both were desperately trying to integrate the other into their lives.
And what could be wrong with that?
The following winter break, Su Zai Zai went to B City with Zhang Lu Rang before the New Year.
Zhang Lu Li had also just returned from abroad a few days earlier.
The spacious house suddenly felt livelier with a few more people around.
Because of this, Father Zhang and Mother Zhang seemed to be in high spirits.
After dinner, everyone gathered on the sofa to chat.
Mother Zhang smiled warmly, holding Su Zai Zai's hand as she asked, "You and A Rang are both in your third year of university, right? I heard he plans to start working directly after graduation. What about you? Are you going for further studies or starting work?"
Su Zai Zai thought for a moment before replying, "I also plan to start working directly."
Zhang Lu Rang picked up the teapot on the table, slowly pouring tea as he reiterated, "Both of our jobs will be in Z City, and we plan to settle there in the future."
Father Zhang didn't raise any objections, simply saying, "Remember to come home when you have time."
Hearing this, Zhang Lu Rang paused briefly before softly responding, "Mm."
Beside them, Zhang Lu Li picked up a cup of tea and took a small sip. "I'll be back in a couple of years too. Brother, when are you planning the wedding? Do you want me as your best man? I'm afraid I might steal your spotlight."
Zhang Lu Rang thought seriously for a moment before replying, "Then forget it."A burst of laughter suddenly erupted in the living room.
After a moment, Mother Zhang tugged Su Zai Zai toward the room, saying, "Zai Zai, come, let me show you some photos of A Rang from when he was little."
Zhang Lu Rang instinctively stood up, wanting to follow them.
Father Zhang suddenly called out to him, his tone stiff. "The tea is gone."
"Bro, you're sticking way too close," Zhang Lu Li said with a look of disdain.
Zhang Lu Rang's brow twitched slightly, but he said nothing and sat back down.
He murmured softly, his expression somewhat puzzled.
"Is that so?"
"Based on my experience, girls don't like guys who are too clingy."
Father Zhang also chimed in, which was rare for him. "That's true."
Zhang Lu Rang licked his lips and said quietly, "She probably likes it quite a bit."
In the room, Mother Zhang led Su Zai Zai to sit on the edge of the bed and pulled out two thick photo albums from the bookshelf.
Her spirits were high, and as she flipped to one particular photo, she pointed and laughed, "A Rang and A Li are only a year and a half apart in age, so back then, many people asked me if they were twins."
Su Zai Zai took a look.
In the photo, Zhang Lu Rang appeared to be around seven or eight years old, his grin stretching almost from ear to ear. Zhang Lu Li stood beside him, wearing an identical expression. At a glance, they truly looked like twins.
Su Zai Zai had never seen Zhang Lu Rang with such an exaggerated expression before.
As if infected by the mood, she inexplicably curved her lips into a smile.
"A Rang used to really dislike studying," Mother Zhang reminisced. "He would go out to play with his classmates every day and wouldn't come back until seven or eight in the evening. Even when his younger brother wanted to join him, he wouldn't let him."
"Later, when his brother started skipping grades in fourth grade, both his father and I probably began to change our mindset. A Rang's personality slowly started to change too."
"His brother got into B University at just fifteen years old, and it even made the news back then."
Su Zai Zai listened quietly and attentively.
"Many relatives called to praise him. I don't know what I was thinking at the time. His uncle told me many times, but I never felt I had done anything wrong."
"After A Rang started university, he never came home once." Mother Zhang's voice gradually grew choked, her gaze fixed on the photos in the album. "A Li too. I thought he was close to me, but he never calls me."
Tears fell from her eyes, and she finally couldn't help but cover her face with one hand.
"It turns out I've been doing everything wrong all along."
Su Zai Zai placed her hand over Mother Zhang's, unsure of what to say. "Auntie..."
"Both of my children have been unhappy because of me and their father."
"I thought I was giving them a good life, but it turns out that wasn't the case at all..."
"It turns out only their father and I thought it was good..."
Su Zai Zai's nose tingled with emotion, and she reached out to gently pat Mother Zhang's back.
"Auntie, Zhang Lu Rang has become a very good person now."
"You don't need to be unhappy. Everything will be fine."
Everything.
As it was getting late, Su Zai Zai bid farewell to Father and Mother Zhang, preparing to return to her hotel.
Zhang Lu Rang took Father Zhang's car keys and went out with her.
Once they were in the car, Zhang Lu Rang didn't start the engine immediately.
After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "What did my mom say to you?""She didn't say much, she just showed me your childhood photos." Mentioning this, Su Zaizai widened her eyes. "Lùràng, your mouth was super big when you were little."
Zhang Lurang: "..."
He glanced at her and started the car.
Su Zaizai leaned her elbow against the car window, watching the scenery flashing by outside.
The sky had already darkened, carrying a hint of oppression.
In the heavy silence, Su Zaizai suddenly spoke up, asking softly, "Do you still blame your parents?"
Hearing this, Zhang Lurang was clearly taken aback, but quickly replied, "Not really."
Not exactly blame, but not forgiveness either.
But probably, they could never be close again.
Su Zaizai didn't offer any opinion, shifting to another topic instead.
"Let's not have children in the future," she said half-jokingly.
Zhang Lurang didn't speak, seemingly waiting for her to continue.
"Because I'd definitely only favor you."
Hearing this, Zhang Lurang's lips curved into a smile as he added, "Then he (or she) would really have no parents who care."
Chapter 60
She's seriously ill, but she likes me.
Then I'll just assume she's not sick.
—Zhang Lurang
Hearing this, Su Zaizai was momentarily stunned.
Her gaze returned to the car window, and though her lips curved slightly, she still said seriously, "Then let's split it half and half."
Zhang Lurang didn't object, his voice carrying a hint of laughter. "Okay."
The car fell quiet again.
A moment later, Su Zaizai saw a school flash by outside.
In bold, thick regular script, the name read: B City Middle School.
Su Zaizai's attention was caught by it. She couldn't help but turn her head and say, "Shall we go see your high school? You've been to my high school, but I've never been to yours."
Zhang Lurang turned the steering wheel, instinctively saying, "It's so late, we can't get in."
Su Zaizai didn't mind too much. After thinking for a moment, she said seriously, "The biggest regret of my life is because of you."
"..."
"It's all your fault for going back to B City to study, making us go long-distance right during our honeymoon phase."
Zhang Lurang opened his mouth, somewhat baffled. "But..."
"But you're good-looking," Su Zaizai licked her lips, a bit envious. "Being good-looking is different—you won't be neglected by your partner."
At the same time, Zhang Lurang happened to park the car in a parking lot near the beach.
Su Zaizai looked around and asked, "Where are we going?"
"Can't go to the school, so I'll take you for a walk around here," he said.
After speaking, Zhang Lurang took Su Zaizai's hand and walked toward the beach.
The wind was strong, refreshing, carrying a faint scent of the sea.
Su Zaizai glanced sideways. On the beach below, several couples were walking hand in hand.
The distant seawater shimmered under the moonlight, the boundary with the sky particularly distinct.
Zhang Lurang was still thinking about what Su Zaizai had just said, remaining silent all along.
After walking for a while, they finally found an entrance with stairs leading down to the beach from above.
Su Zaizai grew excited and couldn't help pulling Zhang Lurang to change direction.
Zhang Lurang also happened to speak up at that moment, seeming somewhat puzzled. "Zaizai."
"Huh?" Su Zaizai lowered her eyes, stepping on the sand as she responded.
He averted his gaze, his expression somewhat unnatural. "Why do you like me?"
Hearing this, Su Zaizai looked up at him and, without much thought, spoke honestly.
"You're good-looking."Zhang Lurang pursed his lips, seeming unsatisfied with this answer. "Just that?"
She thought for a moment before continuing, "And because you're Lurang."
The stiffness in Zhang Lurang's expression softened slightly as he asked bluntly, "Who else do you think is good-looking?"
"With your face in front of me all day, who else could I possibly think is good-looking?" Su Zaizai felt a bit aggrieved just thinking about it. "I don't even dare look in the mirror anymore, okay?"
The sea wind blew wildly, sweeping all her hair back.
Zhang Lurang reached out to smooth it for her, his mood visibly brightening.
He lowered his gaze, bent slightly, and studied her face for a while.
Soon, Zhang Lurang reached a conclusion: "You're good-looking."
Hearing his praise, Su Zaizai giggled happily, wrapping her arms around his arm with curiosity. "Did you think I was good-looking the first time you saw me?"
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