Chapter 51: Side Story 1: Meeting In-laws
Translator: Flying Lines
Lu Yanzhou took Fang Qiao back to Lu’s Mansion on Lulu’s birthday. It was a formal meeting with his parents.
The whole family had a pleasant and harmonious dinner together. Everyone was friendly to Fang Qiao, especially Old Mrs. Lu, his ‘mother-in-law’ and Elder Mrs. Lu, his ‘sister-in-law’. During the dinner, they kept urging Lu Yanzhou to fetch food for Fang. Lu Yanzhou was so busy that he almost stuffed the food directly into Fang Qiao’s mouth.
It was the first time that Fang Qiao attended such a family party. Naturally, he felt quite restrained. Facing the mountain-high dishes piled in his bowl, he only dared to eat them with small bites.
Just then Lu Jianguo sitting opposite said, serious looking, “Fang Qiao.”
Suddenly being called, Fang Qiao was quite taken aback and the stewed pig’s trotter he was working hard with dropped back to his bowl. Old Mr. Lu had not spoken anything to him ever since he stepped in the house, now, so serious-looking and in such a serious tone of voice, what tricky questions would he ask to ‘educate’ his future ‘daughter-in-law? Fang Qiao was flustered and worried that Old Mr. Lu might ask him something like, ‘When are you going to have kids?’
“You were a singer?” Old Mr. Lu asked.
Fang heaved a long sigh of relief and nodded obediently.
“Then sing a song for us.”
Others were like: …lol…
Lu Yanzhou, speechless, was the first one to act in the killing embarrassment. He coughed violently while winking fervently at his father to change a topic. Unfortunately, all his efforts were ignored.
Fang Qiao didn’t mind a bit about that. He even patted gently on Lu’s back to help him breathe and stood up in quite a casual and graceful manner before saying loud, “Then I’ll sing the theme song of Founding of a Republic.” (A 2009 Chinese historical film)
Lu Yanzhou: Speechless*2.
As they were dragged to chat for a while after dinner, it was very late when they came out of Lu’s Mansion. The whole family warmly saw them off to the car. Before leaving, Old Mr. Lu stood in front of the car with a smile and told Lu Yanzhou, “Come back home often with Fang.”
Lu Yanzhou: “…OK.” Speechless*3
On the way back, Lu Yanzhou held the steering wheel and kept silent the whole time. Fang Qiao thought of Lu Yanzhou’s ugly face on the table just now, and suddenly had a bold guess. “Were you also once requested to perform during meals?”
Lu Yanzhou’s face darkened upon the question and his lips were even tighter, a clear refusal to talk.
Then that was a yes!!! Fang was overjoyed and nearly laughed his head off just by imagining Lu preforming with a long face by the table.
Fang, in excellent mood, began to push his luck, “Mr. Lu, what did you perform then? Say it and let me enjoy the fun.”
Lu Yanzhou curved his lips after a while of silence, “I’ll show you when we get home.”
Fang nodded repeatedly, not smelling any rat in Lu’s smile.
That night, Fang Qiao was brought to Lu’s house and pinned on bed, forced to ‘work’ overtime.
Fang Qiao, too tired for tears, asked indignantly, “So what the hell did you perform?”
“Cartwheel.”