Chapter 34: Delivering Dumplings to the Mother-in-Law

Lu Chengfeng was overjoyed at the news. He hadn't expected to meet his future mother-in-law so soon; had he known earlier, he would have prepared more. Now, he would just have to pick something up on the way.

Shu Yan retrieved a thermal container from the cupboard, washed it, and sterilized it with boiling water. After Lu Chengfeng finished boiling the dumplings for the two of them, he asked about her mother’s preferred flavors and set a fresh batch to cook. Once the dumplings were ready, they sat down to eat lunch.

Taking a bite, Shu Yan felt hot tears well up in her eyes—they were simply too delicious. She had never eaten such incredible dumplings! Why were his so much better?

Seeing Shu Yan eating with such gusto, Lu Chengfeng guessed she was pleased with his cooking. If she was happy, he was happy. Usually, Shu Yan could only manage seven or eight dumplings, but today, she finished an entire plate by herself. The two side dishes Lu Chengfeng had prepared were also delicious. When she stood up, she felt as though her stomach was quite round.

Lu Chengfeng told her to go change and get ready to leave while he cleaned up the kitchen. By the time he finished, Shu Yan was prepared. Carrying the thermal container, they headed downstairs and drove toward the nursing home. On the way, Lu Chengfeng stopped to buy a large amount of fruit, a crate of milk, and some pastries.

Shu Yan regretted taking him along; she hadn't intended for him to spend his money. When Lu Chengfeng returned to the car and started the engine, she took out her phone and said, "How much did all that cost? I’ll transfer it to you. I can’t just take your things for free."

Lu Chengfeng glanced at her sideways and countered, "Are you worried I don't have any money to spend?"

Shu Yan choked; she had, in fact, suspected his family might be struggling financially. Seeing her thoughts, Lu Chengfeng shook his head with a smile. "Director Shu, don't worry. My family’s financial situation is quite good, and I’ve saved up quite a bit over the years of working, as I don't really have many places to spend it. So, since I rarely get the chance to spend it, please let me—it makes me very happy."

Shu Yan frowned. "But this money isn't being spent on you."

Lu Chengfeng looked at her again. "Spending it on you and your family makes me happier than spending it on myself."

"Lu Chengfeng," Shu Yan called out, "could you please not do this?"

Lu Chengfeng suppressed the curve of his lips. "How rare, to hear you call me by my full name for the first time. Don't call me Captain Lu anymore; just use my name. I like hearing it."

Shu Yan fumed, turning her head away to ignore him. Inside, she screamed that this was a disaster—the situation was completely out of her control, and she should have kept her distance. Yet here he was, having come to her home to make dumplings and now accompanying her to deliver them to the nursing home.

Afraid he had truly upset her, Lu Chengfeng compromised. "Fine, it won't happen again. But this is the first time I'm meeting your mother; I couldn't possibly show up empty-handed. It wouldn't be polite."

Shu Yan pouted. "You weren't empty-handed; you brought the dumplings."

Lu Chengfeng replied, "Dumplings are one thing, and fruit is another. They are different matters, and besides, these things didn't cost that much."

Shu Yan thought about it and gave up on arguing, deciding to find an opportunity to treat him to a meal another time.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at the nursing home. Lu Chengfeng parked and let Shu Yan carry the thermal container while he grabbed the fruit, milk, and pastries from the trunk. They went to the reception desk to sign in. It was nap time at the nursing home, and strictly speaking, visitors were not allowed. However, the staff knew who Shu Yan was, and seeing her with a tall, handsome man, they assumed he was her boyfriend coming to pay respects to her mother, so they cleared the way.

Zhou Yu was sitting in her room watching a television drama. For some reason, she had refused to nap today, and the staff had no choice but to let her watch TV for a while. When Shu Yan entered with the thermal container, Zhou Yu was quite surprised, but when she saw the man following her daughter, she jumped up immediately.

In a few quick strides, she reached Lu Chengfeng, tilted her head to look him over carefully, and even reached out to pinch his sturdy arm. "Real muscle," she murmured to herself. "Good, being tall is good. Your children will surely be tall, too."

Shu Yan felt a headache coming on and hurriedly pulled at her. "Mom, you've misunderstood. This is the new captain from our bureau; he’s my colleague."

Zhou Yu brushed her daughter's hand aside and asked Lu Chengfeng with a smile, "Handsome, how old are you?"

From the moment he saw Zhou Yu, Lu Chengfeng understood why Shu Yan was so beautiful. Despite her white hair, Zhou Yu looked to be in her early forties, with skin as fair and delicate as her daughter's. He gave a slight nod. "Hello, ma'am. My name is Lu Chengfeng. I'm thirty-two. I'm originally from Hongcheng and just transferred to Licheng; I'm currently the captain of the Criminal Investigation Division."

Zhou Yu nodded in satisfaction. "Two years older than Yan'er—that's perfect. From Hongcheng? You're a northerner, then. Can you get used to the south?"

Lu Chengfeng replied, "I can. I'm not picky about food, clothes, or housing; I can adapt to anything."

Shu Yan’s brow furrowed deeper. What were these two doing? Was this a mother-in-law vetting a son-in-law? She quickly pressed Zhou Yu back into her chair. "Mom, I made you dumplings—pork and chive. Eat them while they're hot."

Zhou Yu took the opened container and looked at the dumplings inside, then turned to ask Lu Chengfeng, "Did you make these?"

Shu Yan was torn between laughter and tears. "Mom, why don't you ask me? I wrapped them."

Zhou Yu curled her lip. "As if. You can't even boil rice; how could you make such beautiful dumplings? He's a northerner, and northerners love flour-based foods. It must be his work."

Shu Yan thrust the chopsticks into Zhou Yu's hand. "Yes, he made them, all right? Just eat them while they're hot."

Knowing the dumplings were made by her "son-in-law," Zhou Yu was delighted and began to eat. Only then did Shu Yan notice Lu Chengfeng was still holding the bags. She hurried to tell him, "Put those down—aren't they heavy? Just leave them on the table; someone will tidy up later."

Lu Chengfeng set the things down and sat nearby. The environment here and Zhou Yu's condition were different from what he had imagined. Looking at her now, she seemed no different from anyone else.

After eating a few dumplings, Zhou Yu suddenly asked, "When do you two plan on getting your marriage license?"

Shu Yan’s face flushed red. "Mom, we really are just colleagues. You..."

Ignoring her daughter, Zhou Yu continued, "Since he just transferred here, he probably doesn't have a house, right? Then you'll have to live in the one you bought. It’s a two-bedroom apartment, which is a bit small, but it will do for now."

"You two need to save more money. We’ll subsidize you a bit so you can trade up for a larger place. When you have children in the future, I can come live with you and help take care of them." She turned to him. "By the way, Little Lu, are your parents both still alive? What do they do? Will they come to live with you here?"

Lu Chengfeng looked at Shu Yan, whose eyes had grown red at some point. He answered Zhou Yu's questions very earnestly. "Ma'am, my father is also a police officer, and my mother is a teacher. They haven't retired yet, and they have my grandmother to look after, so they won't be moving to Licheng."

Zhou Yu nodded. "That's a pity. Well, I'm still able to get around, so I can help you for a few years until the children start school, then things will be easier. We'll all just have to work together and overcome the challenges."