Chapter Sixty-Six: Aunt Wang, Lin Ze Won't Let Me Eat...

What’s going on here? Is there some secret that can’t be spoken aloud?

Then Su Zitan saw Lin Ze reach into the inner pocket of his jacket and pull something out, handing it to Su Zhengguo.

Su Zhengguo took the item, sneaked a look at it twice, then chuckled slyly and stuffed it into his pocket.

“Excellent! Wonderful son-in-law! I approve of this marriage!”

“Huh?” Su Zitan slammed the car door, a question mark appearing above her pretty little head.

“Wait, what’s happening? What are you two whispering about behind my back?”

Su Zhengguo grinned and took the bag of milk from Lin Ze, dashing towards the door.

“Wife, in-laws! The kids are back!”

“Oh my!” Su Zitan’s mother, Li Qingping, heard his shout and hurried to the door, thrusting a spatula into Su Zhengguo’s hand.

She moved even faster than Lin Yuanchuan and Wang Ru.

“Oh my! My dear son-in-law, I missed you so much!” Li Qingping rushed out, squeezed Lin Ze’s shoulder, and dusted off his clothes.

“Very good, very good...” Li Qingping nodded, then whispered, “Did you get it? Did you manage?”

“Yes, yes, I got it.” Lin Ze also took something from his jacket and handed it to Li Qingping.

Li Qingping glanced at it, then, satisfied, tucked it away.

“Excellent! Wonderful son-in-law! I approve of this marriage!”

Li Qingping was also delighted as she took the fruit from Lin Ze and hurried inside.

“What was that? Did you bring hypnotic drugs?” Su Zitan shot Lin Ze a threatening look.

“We’ll talk about it tonight.” Lin Ze winked, saying everything without words.

Lin Yuanchuan and Wang Ru approached as well.

“Zitan!” Wang Ru took Su Zitan’s hand, looking her up and down. “You’re looking great, more beautiful every year.”

“Indeed.” Lin Yuanchuan, in a playful mood, tapped Lin Ze on the head. “This rascal got lucky.”

Lin Ze chuckled as he rummaged through the suitcase, searching under the clothes until he found two toy boxes, each with an image of a pistol.

He handed the boxes to Lin Yuanchuan.

Those plastic pellet guns aren’t sold anymore. An old toy shop that stays open all night happened to have them, and Lin Ze discovered them by chance.

When Lin Ze was little, Lin Yuanchuan had bought him one, but ended up playing with it himself every day.

“Oh ho?”

Lin Yuanchuan immediately tore open one of the boxes. “Is it metal?”

“Yeah, you and my godfather can play together.” Lin Ze said cheerfully.

Lin Yuanchuan, who had been happily fondling the toy gun, suddenly put on a stern face. “These are children’s toys! What do you mean, me and your godfather? Show some respect!”

He said this, but still tucked both gun boxes under his arm.

“How was Zitan’s first time on the show? Was she nervous?” Wang Ru fussed over Su Zitan, gently patting her arm. “Oh dear, you’re so thin. You need to eat more.”

Su Zitan blinked, suddenly feeling a bit aggrieved. “Lin Ze says he likes skinny girls, so I never get to eat enough.”

Lin Ze, unexpectedly called out, stiffened at the words. “Huh? When did I ever...”

He didn’t finish, as he was met with the fierce gazes of his own parents.

“Hey, I never said that!”

Sensing trouble, Lin Ze tried to escape but was caught by Lin Yuanchuan, who grabbed him by the collar.

“Look at you! Not letting her eat properly, huh?”

“I’ll teach you a lesson today!”

Su Zhengguo, hearing the commotion at the door, glanced over.

“Hey, hey, don’t start fighting! What’s going on?”

Wang Ru, hands on hips, pointed at Lin Ze. “He never lets Zitan eat enough!”

“What?” Su Zhengguo looked at Su Zitan. “She’s been gone a week and looks plumper. How could she not be eating?”

Su Zitan paused, touching her belly.

It did feel like she’d gained a bit...

After a while of fussing outside, Wang Ru pulled the two inside.

Lin Yuanchuan and Su Zhengguo, each clutching a toy gun, were completely enthralled.

Su Zhengguo even brought out some disposable cups, setting them up in the yard for a shooting contest with Lin Yuanchuan.

Lin Ze went to the kitchen and took the spatula from Li Qingping.

Li Qingping washed her hands and left the kitchen.

“Mom, Lin Ze brought you a gift.” Su Zitan handed her a delicate box.

She opened it to find a beautiful bracelet, with a lifelike panda woven in gold thread at one end.

“How adorable.” Li Qingping tried it on, nodding with satisfaction.

Wang Ru showed off hers as well.

One panda was sitting, the other lying down.

“Sister, yours is adorable too!”

Li Qingping looked at Wang Ru’s bracelet, but based on the color of the gemstone in the panda’s eye, she preferred her own.

“Pandas are so cute.” Wang Ru was equally enamored.

“Speaking of pandas...” Su Zitan turned to her mother. “So, that year you said you had work—was the job actually adopting pandas?”

Li Qingping cleared her throat. “Well... what pandas? That was your brother...”

“Mom!”

The vegetables in the kitchen were all chopped, and Lin Ze could tell what dishes to make just by looking at the plates.

He handled the wok with practiced skill, adding meat and vegetables in perfect order.

Outside, the two old men were still engrossed in their shooting contest.

The three women in the living room were chatting and snacking on sunflower seeds.

This must be what happiness feels like...

Oh dear, I forgot the salt!

Soon, Lin Ze finished cooking and brought the dishes to the table.

“Dinner’s ready!” Lin Ze called out.

“Coming, coming!” Li Qingping tossed her unfinished sunflower seeds back into the bowl, then clapped her hands and called out at the door,

“Stop playing! Time to eat!”

Su Zhengguo didn’t even look back. “Hold on, I’m about to win!”

“If you beat me today, I’ll call you Squad Leader!” Lin Yuanchuan confidently waved his hand and headed inside.

Li Qingping saw Su Zhengguo still aiming seriously and shook her head with a smile.

“How old are you, acting like a child.”

Lin Ze was spooning rice in the kitchen, filling Su Zitan’s bowl to the brim and pressing it down with the spatula to pack it tight.

He carried the bowl to the table, and Su Zitan gave him a triumphant smile.

“Here you go, big sister.”

Lin Ze set Su Zitan’s rice in front of her, and even the sound of the bowl tapping the table was different.

Su Zitan stared, hefted the bowl in her hand, and her smile froze.

“Isn’t this rice a bit... too much?”

“Nonsense!” Wang Ru glanced at the bowl. “That’s not much at all. Didn’t you say you weren’t getting enough to eat? Well, with me here today, let’s see if Lin Ze dares to stop you!”