Chapter 138: Quick Transmigration: Film & Television Multiverse Chapter 18: New Year's Eve Dinner

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

As soon as Lin Hao stepped through the door, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou spotted him, and delighted smiles instantly appeared on their faces.

During this period, they had already learned from Cai Xiaoguang and Zhou Rong that Lin Hao, at Cai Xiaoguang's request, had accompanied Zhou Rong to the countryside in Guizhou.

Moreover, Cai Xiaoguang and Zhou Rong had finally made their relationship official and were now formally dating — for the Zhou family, this was truly a great joy.

Lin Hao greeted Father Zhou and Mother Zhou with a smile, but his mind was still on Zhou Bingkun and Zheng Juan's matter, so he did not linger on these pleasantries; he walked straight up to them, found a seat, and cut directly to the chase.

"Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, I came today to talk to you about something — it concerns Bingkun," Lin Hao said with a serious face.

Hearing this, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou perked up immediately; Mother Zhou hurriedly said with a smile, "Oh, it's about Bingkun? What's up with this kid? Tell us quick — is it good news?"

Lin Hao nodded and said, "Mm, it really is good news. Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, you also know Bingkun has reached the age to look for a partner. Well, recently he's taken a liking to a girl named Zheng Juan."

"Zheng Juan?" Father Zhou and Mother Zhou exchanged a glance, curiosity showing on their faces.

Lin Hao continued, "Right, Zheng Juan. This girl is quite good, pretty too. As for her family, the situation is like this."

As he spoke, Lin Hao laid out Zheng Juan's family circumstances in full detail.

He started with their financial situation, explaining that no one in her family had a proper job; they relied on Zheng Juan and her mother selling popsicles and candied haws to get by, and he also mentioned Zheng Juan had a blind younger brother — the whole family's life was quite hard.

At first, hearing Lin Hao say their youngest son had a girl he liked, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou were quite happy, thinking the kid had finally wised up and found someone to his heart.

But after hearing the full picture of Zheng Juan's family, the smiles on their faces gradually faded, and both fell into silence.

Father Zhou frowned, and after a long while said slowly, "Lin Hao ah, this… this situation isn't too optimistic. Our family may not be wealthy, but we get by alright. If Bingkun marries a girl from such a family, I'm afraid their life will be hard going forward."

Mother Zhou chimed in with a nod, "Exactly, Lin Hao, it's not that we look down on the girl for being poor, but marriage isn't a matter of a day or two — you have to think long-term. Bingkun will have to support a family later; if the burden is too heavy, what then?"

Lin Hao understood their concerns and quickly said, "Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, I know your worries, but this Zheng Juan is really good — hardworking and kind, and Bingkun truly likes her. Even if her family's situation isn't good right now, we can't just look at the present, can we? Maybe things will gradually get better later."

Father Zhou and Mother Zhou still wore tight frowns after hearing Lin Hao's words, saying nothing, clearly still weighing the pros and cons of this match in their hearts.

At this moment, Zhou Bingkun's elder brother Zhou Bingyi spoke up: "Dad, Mom, I think Lin Hao's right — you can't judge marriage by the current situation alone. Even if the Zheng family's conditions are poor now, that doesn't mean they'll stay that way forever. Life has its ups and downs; who can say for sure?"

He paused, seeing the doubt still on his parents' faces, and continued, "How about this, Dad, Mom — you find someone to inquire about the girl's specific circumstances first. After all, Lin Hao only knows from the side; if we can gather more detailed information, we'll have a better bottom line. If the girl really is good, and Bingkun likes her, shouldn't we as family think more for them and support them more?"

Father Zhou listened to Zhou Bingyi's words but did not respond immediately, merely narrowing his eyes slightly, as if pondering something.

Mother Zhou let out a soft sigh and said somewhat helplessly, "Bingyi ah, Mom understands the reasoning you speak, but this concerns Bingkun's whole life. If he suddenly takes a wife with such a heavy family burden, Mom's heart really feels a bit uneasy."

Zhou Bingyi walked to his mother's side, lightly patted her shoulder, and comforted her: "Mom, I know you're doing this for Bingkun's good, worried he'll have a hard life later. Let's go investigate properly first; if the girl truly has good character and can support each other with Bingkun through life, maybe they'll still manage to live a prosperous, bustling life."

Father Zhou then spoke slowly: "Bingyi ah, your words have some merit. Alright, let's do as you say — first find someone to inquire about the girl's situation, see what kind of person she really is, then decide."

Hearing Father's words, Mother Zhou still had worries but nodded, saying, "Then alright, let's leave it at that for now — hope the girl is really as good as Lin Hao says."

Lin Hao listened to their discussion from the side and secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that as long as the Zhou family was willing to look deeper into Zheng Juan, there was still hope — maybe Zhou Bingkun and Zheng Juan would truly end up together smoothly after all.

On Lunar New Year's Eve, the entire Jichun City was immersed in a thick New Year atmosphere.

Streets and alleys were decked with lanterns and colorful banners; children laughed and played, and the occasional crackle of firecrackers made the festive atmosphere even more intense.

Father Zhou got up early and came with eldest son Zhou Bingyi to invite Lin Hao and his brother to eat the New Year's Eve dinner together.

After all, during this time Lin Hao had helped their family with quite a few major things. Just take accompanying Zhou Rong to the Guizhou countryside — he took meticulous care of her all along the way; later he also helped Zhou Bingkun make connections and introduce a partner — every single matter he put his heart into.

Lin Hao did not stand on ceremony; he and his brother Lin Kun brought some of the New Year's goods prepared at home and went together to the Zhou family.

Upon entering the Zhou family's door, they saw Mother Zhou and Zhou Bingkun busy setting the table inside; seeing the Lin brothers arrive, they both warmly greeted them.

Before long, Cai Xiaoguang also returned carrying large and small packages with Zhou Rong.

Cai Xiaoguang's father was still under organizational investigation, so he was the only one at home now; Zhou Rong thought she might as well bring him to the Zhou family to celebrate the New Year, to liven things up.

By noon, steaming hot dishes filled the entire table.

There was fragrant red-braised pork, its color red and glossy, making one's mouth water at a glance; there was also steaming chicken stewed with mushrooms, the mushrooms soaked full of chicken broth, tender and juicy; plus various fresh vegetables, meat and vegetables paired — couldn't be more sumptuous.

Everyone sat around the table, faces beaming with happy smiles. Father Zhou raised his wine cup, stood up, and said, "Today is Lunar New Year's Eve; it's not easy for everyone to gather together. Come, let's drink a cup together first — wishing everyone a Happy New Year, all the best!"

Everyone responded in unison, also standing, raising their cups, and chorusing, "Happy New Year, all the best!"

After that, everyone picked up their chopsticks, eating and chatting, laughter and joy unceasing, spending this reunion Lunar New Year's Eve together in this warm, lively atmosphere.