Chapter 415: Little Girl, Give Grandpa a Smile

They barely chatted in the car. Fang Hong seemed quiet, and Xu Liyun didn't speak either; the whole way they just listened to Liu Tianxian and her dad making small talk.

The group left their luggage at a five-star hotel in Jianghan District. Since it was already afternoon, they went to the nearby famous Kanglong Taizi Jiuxuan for dinner.

This was a very famous local restaurant, and of course it had its own distinctive character.

The restaurant's exterior was imposing, the interior decor lavish and elegant — it didn't have any classical flair, just pure opulence.

A server led the way in front while the group walked and chatted behind. An Shaokang said, "The lobster and braised Wuchang fish here are very good — you should try them."

"It's already winter — there's still lobster?" Liu Tianxian was curious; wasn't lobster only a summer thing?

"There's special farming, and some is shipped in from abroad," An Shaokang explained. He spoke gently, with a very scholarly air.

He then said to Xu Liyun, "I'm not sure if you're used to the food here. If there's anything you don't eat, just say so and we'll switch to another place."

"It's fine — I'm from around here too, I can eat anything," Xu Liyun said politely.

"Oh, so you and Xiao Fang are both from Hubei?" An Shaokang looked a little surprised.

He hadn't asked in detail before — he hadn't gotten that far in talking with his daughter, and he didn't know if it would last, so he hadn't asked.

Now that things had reached the stage of discussing marriage, he had to learn a bit.

"Yes, Fang Hong is too," Liu Tianxian said.

"That's wonderful — what a roundabout way to come back. You'll have to visit more often from now on," An Shaokang said with a smile.

"As long as we're free in the future, we'll come visit you," Fang Hong said, very nicely.

An Shaokang nodded and said nothing.

"I was born here, and now I'm marrying back here — fate really is strange," Liu Tianxian said, making her stance clear.

An Shaokang smiled; he had a sense of it already.

The group entered the private room. The room wasn't large and felt a bit cramped, but the decor was still luxurious, and there was a coat rack.

It was cold outside, but the temperature inside was just right. Liu Tianxian took off her trench coat, revealing a fitted sweater underneath; she was also wearing tight leggings on her lower half, showing off her figure.

Slim waist, long legs, perky bottom.

Once they took off their outerwear, everyone felt much more relaxed. Seating was casual — the round table wasn't big, the kind meant for eight.

An Shaokang handed a menu to Xu Liyun: "See what you'd like to eat, just order."

"Let Xixi do it — whenever we go out to eat, she's the one who orders," Xu Liyun didn't take it, looking a bit stiff.

"I'll do it. Auntie Xu, just tell me what you like — no need to be polite, we're all family now." Liu Tianxian took the menu, looking very lively.

She could also tell Xu Liyun was a bit ill at ease — mainly because her dad looked too much like an official. When she'd first met him a few years ago, she'd been the same way; once she got familiar, it got much better.

"Just order whatever you like — I'm fine with anything," Xu Liyun gestured for her to order freely.

Liu Tianxian gave an "mm," tilted her body, and asked Fang Hong beside her, "What do you like to eat?"

"Hot Dry Noodles — it's been years since I came back to eat them, I've even forgotten what they taste like." Fang Hong pointed at the picture of Hot Dry Noodles on the menu.

"Then a big bowl it is — I'll try some too."

While Liu Tianxian was ordering, the atmosphere fell silent — for a moment, no one spoke.

Xu Liyun wanted to say something but didn't know how to bring it up. She hesitated for a long time and still couldn't get the words out. She just wanted to discuss the children's marriage, but the other party's bearing made her not dare to be rash.

Fang Hong was the younger generation — it wasn't appropriate for him to say too much. He couldn't exactly say, "I'm here to marry your daughter — what do you think?"

That kind of talk could only come from the elders; it wasn't his place.

After Liu Tianxian finished ordering, she glanced at the others and casually said, "Dad, we're planning to get married."

"Your mom has no objections, and neither do I." An Shaokang wasn't surprised — he'd been mentally prepared for a while.

His attitude had always been this way: as long as Liu Xiaoli agreed, he agreed. Even if he disagreed, it wouldn't matter — on this matter, they had to listen to Liu Xiaoli.

Liu Xiaoli having her daughter come was just a sign of respect for him, not a request for his opinion.

Hearing this, Xu Liyun felt relieved — she hadn't expected it to be this simple; she'd thought it would take some persuading.

"Our family's situation isn't great either. If there's anything, we'll have to ask for your forbearance," Xu Liyun said gently.

"There's nothing to it. As long as the two of them feel it's right and live well together, background and conditions are all empty talk — we don't look at those things. To put it bluntly, we elders are only giving suggestions; the days are theirs to live." An Shaokang was very open-minded.

He'd also heard a little — that the background wasn't great, that they were from the countryside. None of that mattered; that was the past. The son himself was no slouch.

He'd stirred up so much commotion — he usually kept an eye on Fang Hong's deeds.

"That's true," Xu Liyun nodded lightly.

"Forgive me for asking — please don't take offense — but where is Xiao Fang's father?" An Shaokang asked quite carefully; he probably already had some idea something was up.

"He's no longer with us," Xu Liyun said.

"I'm sorry."

An Shaokang expressed his apologies, then said, "Then Xixi, you should go pay your respects — let him know in the afterlife."

"Coming back this time, that's exactly what we planned to do," Liu Tianxian said.

"That's good — as long as it's arranged." An Shaokang nodded; he knew his ex-wife must have arranged it all — his ex-wife cared deeply about her daughter.

As they chatted, they quickly settled the matter of Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian. There wasn't much to discuss really — just informing them was enough.

After that they chatted about everyday things, and once the food came, they started eating.

"Your Hot Dry Noodles."

Liu Tianxian carried a big plate and used chopsticks to put some into Fang Hong's bowl, then said, "Dad, Auntie, are you two having any?"

"I won't — you two eat," Xu Liyun gestured.

An Shaokang also waved his hand, gesturing for them to eat. Liu Tianxian didn't stand on ceremony — she put some in her own bowl too. There was still a lot left, and she said, "Do you want any more?"

"No more — it's all yours." Fang Hong lifted some noodles and took a bite.

"How come you're not eating anymore," Liu Tianxian said.

"It just feels like nothing special — doesn't seem that great." Fang Hong went on to eat other things.

"You're so fickle — you ordered it, and now you won't eat it." Liu Tianxian was speechless.

"I just forgot what it tastes like, I don't actually like eating it. If you like it, it's all yours." Fang Hong argued.

"I can't be bothered with you." Liu Tianxian shot the man a look — how could she possibly finish it all.

Even so, as always, she would still pick dishes for Fang Hong, ladle soup for Xu Liyun, see to her father's every need, take care of everyone, never slighting anyone.

An Shaokang had been watching their interactions the whole time. He understood well enough that, in daily life, it was basically his daughter calling the shots and running things.

Their way of getting along was the man handling things outside, the woman handling things inside. And this "mother-in-law" wasn't forceful either — she, too, was led by her daughter.

Pretty good. As long as they have tacit understanding, that's fine. Better than ending up like her mother — that wouldn't be good.

Actually, life is just about mutual compromise, mutual accommodation.

The meal was quickly finished. Outside, neon lights were just coming on, and fine snow was drifting through the air — as if it was going to snow again.

An Shaokang said: "Just come over around noon tomorrow. Your grandpa and grandma will both be there."

"That works. We'll drop off Auntie Xu and head right over." Liu Tianxian nodded.

"I'll be off then. Call me if anything comes up."

After saying this, An Shaokang politely said to Xu Liyun: "I'll have to trouble you to put in a lot of effort and care regarding their marriage. Thank you for your hard work."

"It's only right. Xiao Fang, walk Uncle An out." Xu Liyun gestured.

Fang Hong nodded and followed An Shaokang toward where the car was parked. Liu Tianxian and Xu Liyun stayed where they were, waiting.

An Shaokang, both hands tucked into his coat pockets, chatted casually: "Xiao Fang, we haven't met many times, and I don't know you all that well. But I have heard some things about you. You're about to start a family now, so in the future, you need to know where to draw the line in everything — don't act blindly."

He had seen the news about this man — either fighting with this one or battling that one, and most recently being called a Nazi.

"I know. It's just that sometimes I can't help myself. When I'm strong, people say I'm bullying others, but when I'm weak, everyone comes to bully me." Fang Hong explained.

"Mm, I understand. As long as you have a sense of it in your heart, that's enough."

An Shaokang nodded, skipped past that topic, and went on: "Xixi grew up following her mother since she was little. Her temperament takes after her mother to some degree. If you two ever have conflicts in daily life, just give in to her more."

His daughter could be especially stubborn at times — exactly like her mother.

"I will." Fang Hong pulled open the car door for An Shaokang.

"You head back. We'll see each other tomorrow at noon."

An Shaokang gestured for him to go back — staying outside too long in this weather would be cold.

Fang Hong didn't leave. He waited until the car disappeared into the night before heading back.

"You're here." Liu Tianxian saw him walking over and stepped forward to ask: "Did my dad say anything to you?"

Fang Hong whispered in her ear: "Your dad said I'm too outstanding, he's never seen such an outstanding man. He told you to hurry up and get the marriage certificate with me, afraid you'd regret it."

"You're lying." Liu Tianxian laughed.

The three figures grew farther and farther away, disappearing into the snowy night sky. The hotel wasn't far — it was nearby.

The next day, Fang Hong drove. The car was rented — driving was warm, outside was freezing to death.

He and Liu Tianxian saw Xu Liyun off at the bus station.

The bus station was crowded. Even in the crowd, Liu Tianxian still kept most of her face covered, wearing sunglasses, holding Xu Liyun's hand: "Auntie, you don't need to bring too much luggage. Today we'll go see my grandpa and grandma first, we'll be there tomorrow."

"Then you two be careful." Xu Liyun urged.

Liu Tianxian took out a wad of cash and stuffed it into Xu Liyun's pocket: "Keep this money. Buy whatever the family needs."

"I have money on me." Xu Liyun felt the thick wad of bills in her pocket and tried to push it back to her.

"What are you being so polite with me for?" Liu Tianxian stopped her.

"Alright then." Xu Liyun didn't keep up the pretense any longer.

After boarding the bus, Xu Liyun waved goodbye to them from beside the window, gesturing for them to go back.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian waved back, then left the bus station together.

Outside the bus station, just as Liu Tianxian was about to get in the car, a man beside her asked: "You look like Liu Tianxian. Are you Liu Tianxian?"

"Guess!"

Liu Tianxian finished speaking, pulled open the car door, and got in.

The car drove away from there, leaving that man alone, disheveled in the wind, unable to make heads or tails of it — was she or wasn't she?

But on second thought, it couldn't be. How would Liu Tianxian possibly show up here?

"Almost got recognized." Liu Tianxian took off her sunglasses and unwound her scarf — there was heating in here.

"Proves your charm is huge. Even looking like this, people still recognize you. How are other female actresses supposed to survive?" Fang Hong drove, his tone teasing.

"Of course. This charm can't be stopped no matter what. Sigh, nothing I can do about it." Liu Tianxian flipped her long hair, looking quite pleased with herself — she was in a good mood.

Fang Hong laughed, reached out and brushed her pretty cheek with the back of his hand: "Little lady, give me a smile."

Liu Tianxian bared her teeth at him, eyes wide, making a goofy face.

(End of chapter)