Chapter 273: Li Lao's Approval

Just after leaving the airport, Li Mingzhou saw his father's official car and felt a pang of jealousy; the old man had never sent a car to pick him up!

When getting in, Li Mingzhou habitually opened the rear door, but his daughter mercilessly shooed him away!

Li Zimeng, sitting in the back seat, ordered, "You sit up front; the back is cramped!"

Li Mingzhou helplessly shook his head and took the passenger seat, while Lu Fan boarded through the rear door with an embarrassed expression!

Having not seen each other for many days, Li Zimeng affectionately tugged Lu Fan's arm, her eyes full of love for him.

Li Mingzhou wore a monk‑like meditative expression, closed his eyes to rest his spirit, and thought "out of sight, out of mind"!

After a while, Li Zimeng remembered her father, smiled and said, "Dad, Grandpa wants us to go home for dinner; let Lu Fan come too!"

"Oh, got it!"

"Dad, stay at Grandpa's house tonight; our place is a bit cramped, Lu Yao is also here, so it's inconvenient for you to go back!"

"Oh, got it!" Li Mingzhou has a home he cannot return to, a hardship he cannot voice!

Arriving at the northern headquarters' narrow alley courtyard, Li Lao was strolling in the yard; upon seeing everyone return, he smiled at Lu Fan and asked, "Are you tired?"

Lu Fan quickly replied, "Li Lao, not tired; it'll be two hours and we're there!"

Li Lao added, "Just like Zimeng, call me Grandpa! Lu Fan, if you're not tired, I'll put you to work—go help in the kitchen; I'm craving the lamb you made!"

Lu Fan smiled, "Alright, Grandpa, I'll be right there, and I guarantee you'll have fragrant lamb this afternoon!"

Li Zimeng hurriedly said, "Grandpa, I'll help too!"

Li Lao called Li Mingzhou into the living room and asked, "When do the two kids plan to get married?"

Li Mingzhou thought for a moment and said, "Dad, it's up to you; I have no objection."

Li Lao pondered and said, "If they marry, you and Lu Fan will need to leave Yingjiang. There's no suitable position for you now, so let's wait a year or two."

"Okay, I'll talk to Lu Fan about it."

"Mingzhou, what do you think of Lu Fan?" Li Lao asked while sipping tea and looking at Li Mingzhou.

"Dad, I think Lu Fan is a pretty good kid—naturally simple and honest, kind and upright, quick‑witted, with strong comprehension and fast learning. Moreover, he's deeply emotional, knows gratitude, which is rare. However, perhaps because he's gone through some major upheavals, he has a lingering knot, making his thoughts deeper than those of his peers."

Li Lao said calmly, "Having a knot in the heart is fine; just resolve the matter. In life, the most important thing is to value affection and righteousness—that's the grandson‑in‑law I approve of!"

Li Mingzhou laughed, "I can't not accept him; after all, Zimeng likes him!"

Li Lao pointed at his son and said, "Don't think I don't know; it's you, the father, who arranged this!"

"Alas, the hearts of parents everywhere are pitiful; I want to find Zimeng a good home so she's happy, and Lu Fan has no problem in that regard!"

Soon after, second brother Li Zijun arrived with his wife and children.

Song Xiaotong sniffed the aroma, smiled and said, "Dad, big brother, Lu Fan is here, right? After eating his lamb last time, everything else tastes bland; today we finally have a feast!"

The woman was shrewd; realizing the old man had tacitly approved Lu Fan and Li Zimeng's marriage, she immediately changed her attitude, refusing to be the villain lest she be resented later!

Li Zijun also said, "Dad, big brother, Zimeng will need a marital home, right? Let Siwei handle the house."

Li Siwei quickly replied, "Grandpa, big uncle, I have several apartments in Jingcheng, none of which have ever been lived in!"

Li Lao said, "You don't need to worry about that; Lu Fan and Zimeng are civil servants, a house to live in is enough."

Then Li Lao began instructing his grandson: "Siwei, why do you need so many houses? The situation has changed; anti‑corruption efforts are unprecedented. As a businessperson, you must remember to stay low‑key—those who stick out often become the 'loudmouth' that attracts disaster."

Li Siwei said earnestly, "Grandpa, rest assured, I will be honest, run my business legally, and not cause trouble for you or the family!" After speaking, he hurried to the kitchen to "help" Lu Fan.

Li Zihan, seeing that the living room was full of adults and assuming she would soon become the target of instruction, stood up and said, "I'll go learn a craft from Lu Fan!" and then fled.

The spacious kitchen now felt a bit crowded, and a few idle onlookers watched Lu Fan's activity with interest.

Li Siwei leaned over to Lu Fan and said, "Tonight I'll take you out for some fun!"

Li Zimeng rolled her eyes and warned, "Xiao Weizi, don't take Lu Fan to any shady places; he's a civil servant!"

Li Siwei laughed and explained, "Sis, don't worry; I'm just taking my brother‑in‑law to see some fun stuff, definitely not any romantic or frivolous spots!"

Li Zihan suddenly said, "Brother‑in‑law, do you chase stars? I can take you to crash a filming set!"

Li Zimeng quickly said, "Lu Fan doesn't have a favorite actress; he likes listening to music, especially old‑school singers like Xiao Gang, Hua Zi, and Hua Jian. We can take him to a concert later!"

Li Siwei let out a heavy sigh, shook his head helplessly and said, "Brother‑in‑law, you're finished; that's a classic case of a henpecked husband!"

Lu Fan gave a faint smile and said, "I truly have no particular hobbies; I'm a bit dull, but your sister doesn't mind and stays with me. My greatest wish is to share life with the one I love, growing old together." He then looked at Li Zimeng with affectionate eyes, full of tenderness and love. Li Zimeng returned his gaze, her face radiant with a happy smile.

Li Siwei slapped his forehead and said, "Brother‑in‑law, you're totally doomed! Instead of eating your 'dog food', you'd better leave!"

Lu Fan hurriedly called Li Siwei back, saying, "Siwei, are you interested in investing in a baijiu distillery?"

Li Siwei turned his head and asked, "How much money?"

"An initial ten to twenty million yuan will suffice; once the market develops, we may need to increase investment."

Li Siwei said nonchalantly, "Within a hundred million, just tell me whenever you need it; just don't make me lose money, or at least lose less—so long as I can help you!"

Lu Fan said seriously, "Don't worry, I'll plan carefully and won't let you lose money."

A little after six, fragrant lamb came out of the pot; Li Zimeng helped serve the meat, while Lu Fan continued to bake flatbreads.

When he carried out a large tray of flatbreads, he saw everyone eating with gusto; Lu Fan smiled, noting that this was the greatest compliment to a chef.

Li Zimeng called Lu Fan to the empty seat beside her, personally ladled rice for him, her face bearing a trace of anger, chiding everyone for eating before he could start—a protective‑husband stance!

Li Lao, of course aware of his granddaughter's thoughts, smiled and said, "Lu Fan, the lamb is so fragrant we couldn't resist and started eating right away; we're family, so don't mind!"

Lu Fan quickly replied, "Grandpa, the chef is satisfied just by the scent; as long as you all like it, that's the greatest compliment to me!"

Now Li Zimeng's expression brightened, bringing laughter to the whole family!

Li Zimeng didn't care about any of that; as long as her man wasn't wronged, she wouldn't be polite to anyone!

After the meal, Li Lao said to Lu Fan, "Come with me for a short walk!"

Lu Fan hurriedly followed, supporting Li Lao's arm.

As they walked, Li Lao said, "I basically understand your situation; I approve of your marriage to Zimeng!"

Lu Fangu exclaimed, "Grandpa, rest assured, I will never let Zimeng be wronged!"

Li Lao nodded and said, "I'm confident about that. Lu Fan, what I want to tell you is about Le Xue Ren—your father's death is somehow linked to the Le family; that's a lingering heartache for you, right?"

Lu Fan said earnestly: "Grandfather, I cannot let go of this hatred; otherwise I would be unworthy as a son!"

Li Lao said solemnly: "Now we live in a society ruled by law; illegal acts cannot be done. Remember, to achieve your wishes you must also pursue them openly and uprightly, using wisdom and strategy, and not leave yourself blemishes and hidden dangers, otherwise it will be detrimental to your future development!"

"Thank you for your teachings, Grandfather! I will surely keep your instructions in mind and will never commit any illegal or disciplinary violations."

Li Lao smiled and said: "We're just chatting casually; originally this little matter Grandfather could help you fulfill your wish, but some things you still have to do yourself—consider it a kind of tempering for you!"

However, after you have fulfilled your wish, remember to devote more energy to your work. Since ancient times, those who have accomplished great undertakings have all possessed a childlike heart devoted to serving the people. They hold the world in their hearts, care for the people's sufferings, and take the people's interests as paramount. It is precisely because of this lofty spiritual pursuit that they can achieve great deeds and leave a lasting fame. I hope you can establish a correct outlook on life and values, and strive to become someone useful to the country and society.

Lu Fan listened, nodded solemnly, and indicated that he understood his grandfather's painstaking efforts.

"Xiao Fan, remember that wealth is an external object; do not let it cloud your mind, and do not pursue crooked ways. Grandfather has an apartment in Jingcheng for you and Mengmeng as your wedding home."

Lu Fan hurriedly said: "Grandfather, that's out of the question!"

Li Lao said without allowing argument: "That's settled; from now on don't worry about these trivial matters, just focus on your work!"

At around eight o'clock, Li Zimeng brought Lu Fan home; Li Mingzhou was forced to stay at his father's house, wearing a look of helplessness, sighing: "Daughters marry out; when a girl grows up, she cannot be kept!"

Back at home, Lu Yao was "gnawing" at her textbook; seeing her brother, she happily said: "Brother, how come you're here?"

Lu Fan laughed: "Can't I come see you? Work and rest should be balanced—have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Brother, I'm dieting; I need to keep my figure!"

"What nonsense about a figure—look how skinny you've become!" Lu Fan, without a word, opened the fridge, rummaged for a while, and went to cook for his sister.

Soon after, he came out with persimmon egg, shredded potatoes, and rice, saying: "Eat something warm; that's all there is in the fridge, and you didn't say to store any supplies."

While eating the meal her brother made, Lu Yao felt extremely warm and reassured, tears almost welling up, and her determination to pass the Discipline Inspection Committee exam grew stronger.

Familial love is selfless, the warmest sunshine in life, the sweetest spring in living, nourishing people's spirits.

Familial love is eternal, the firmest backing in life; it does not fade with the passage of time, but grows ever deeper.