Chapter 303: Rumors and Gossip

When Lu Cheng wanted her to stay here, Lin Qingyan's face showed some confusion, even a hint of grievance.

Lu Cheng said so out of necessity; during this period, he had thought it over seriously.

Although Lin Qingyan had bravely expressed her feelings last time, Lu Cheng thought it was not romantic love but merely a sense of dependence.

Setting aside the matter that Lu Cheng was repaying a debt from his previous life, after all Lin Qingyan knows nothing of that past life.

Under this premise, Lu Cheng's various actions gave the girl sufficient sense of security.

So Lin Qingyan developing a fondness for him is nothing more than perfectly normal.

To prevent her from being forced to the countryside, Lu Cheng was willing to offend the Street Office; to learn about her family, he risked everything, asking someone to arrange a meeting with them; to enable her family reunion, he busily leveraged connections.

Any girl would develop a sense of dependence on a man who makes such sacrifices.

But dependence does not equal love.

Therefore, before Lin Zhenfeng returns, Lu Cheng let Lin Qingyan stay here temporarily so she could calm down and honestly ask herself whether she truly likes Lu Cheng or merely feels dependent.

Only after understanding this will Lin Qingyan have a clear stance on whether to divorce.

"Don't overthink it," Lu Cheng said, "this house is afraid of being empty; things break easily, it lacks liveliness, and when your parents come back it will be so desolate, which would be terrible."

Hearing Lu Cheng say that, Lin Qingyan's grievance vanished from her face.

"Well, then you can also live here."

"Me?" Lu Cheng quickly shook his head: "I'll pass; otherwise my father will think I'm going to Reverse Marriage and will come to snatch me away."

Lin Qingyan couldn't help but laugh softly: "You could be the Reverse Marriage; after all, I'm the only one in my family, and in the future they'll all be yours."

Hearing that, it would be false to say Lu Cheng wasn't stirred; even plain rice has its own fragrance.

But being a "soft‑rice man" is not Lu Cheng's goal; he wants to make the entire Lu family a prestigious clan.

"You shouldn't say that; you have no idea how people gossip behind my back, claiming I married a lady stranded in the world, that I got a stroke of terrible luck, and have turned from a wild chicken into a phoenix."

This time Lin Qingyan didn't smile: "Is it because you feel pressure that you doubt our marriage?"

Lu Cheng inhaled: "I don't really feel pressure; I'm just afraid you can't bear it."

Lin Qingyan didn't grasp the meaning, and Lu Cheng gave no further explanation; after Lin Zhenfeng returns, she will understand, he believed.

It was late; riding his bicycle, Lu Cheng returned home alone. As soon as he entered, Big Aunt Wang of the Daozuo House said, "Lu San'er, just close the door; everyone in our courtyard has returned."

"Alright, Big Aunt Wang." Lu Cheng first parked his bicycle in the Car Shed, then turned to insert the courtyard gate latch.

After closing the courtyard gate, Big Aunt Wang whispered, "Lu San'er, you're going to your father‑in‑law's courtyard, aren't you?"

Lu Cheng glanced and said, "Sure, Big Aunt Wang, your divine insight is impressive; you saw that already."

Big Aunt Wang smiled, then mysteriously said, "I heard your father‑in‑law is coming back."

Lu Cheng was startled; how could news about Lin Zhenfeng travel so quickly? It's one thing within the circle, but it even spread in the Da Za Yuan.

"Tell me, Big Aunt Wang, who told you that?"

Big Aunt Wang laughed, waving her hand: "Oh, what's there to hide? It's a good thing. At first I thought you were short‑sighted, marrying Qingyan just because she was pretty. Now I have to look at you differently; you're this."

While speaking, Big Aunt Wang raised her thumb.

Seeing that, Lu Cheng almost laughed out loud: "What do you mean?"

"What else to say? Now Qingyan can no longer be called the Pro‑Capitalist Faction's daughter. When your father‑in‑law regains his Restoration to Former Post, you as a son‑in‑law and the Lu family will thrive, and everyone in our courtyard will bask in your glory."

What else could Lu Cheng say but chuckle? His status had changed from Lu San'er to Lin Zhenfeng's son‑in‑law; from now on he'll enjoy the good life.

Upon returning to the inner courtyard, Lu Beitang and Chen Xianglan were also discussing the matter.

"Hey Old Lu, you say our San'er has good judgment, but once Lin Zhenfeng returns, why should our San'er keep doing Train Police work, with half‑month car patrols every day, working himself to death? Then the Lin family can assign him a lighter job."

Lu Beitang, holding a Newspaper, hummed: "What do you mean by our son having good eye? When we married Qingyan, it wasn't to climb the Lin family."

Chen Xianglan, while wiping the table, muttered: "Regardless of why we married Qingyan, now that Lin Zhenfeng is back, that's good. I've been pondering these past two days; San'er and Qingyan never held a wedding. Since Lin Zhenfeng is back, the wedding should be scheduled."

When the matter turned serious, Lu Beitang finally set down the Newspaper: "I've been thinking about this these past two days; so, you think we should take the initiative, or the Lin family should?"

Chen Xianglan dropped the rag: "Since you're asking, as the groom's side, we should definitely take the initiative."

Lu Beitang thought and said: "We taking the initiative is fine, but I'm worried that if the Lin family still looks down on our in‑law, it will seem like we're chasing them."

"Can't we?" Chen Xianglan hadn't considered this; after her husband mentioned it, she had to take it seriously.

"Ah, yes, when Lin Zhenfeng returns he'll definitely get Restoration to Former Post; that doesn't mean we're overreaching. Look at how this turned out; when we married Qingyan, we never imagined Lin Zhenfeng would ever be rehabilitated."

Lu Beitang nodded: "So regarding this, we must stay calm; we can't appear to be scrambling to climb the Lin family, nor lose the dignity of the groom's side."

"Our goal is for the two children's sake, not to wrong Lu Cheng or Qingyan; as long as the two children can live, we as parents have done our part."

Hearing her husband say that, Chen Xianglan immediately worried: "But what you say is impossible; how can there be a solution that satisfies both?"

Lu Beitang also knew it was hard to achieve; because now rumors outside claim the old Lu family will prosper with the Lin family.

What kind of talk is this? Think of Lu Beitang, he's just a diligent worker who never thought of clinging to others.

But with many people gossiping, his attempts to explain are useless.

Everyone already believes it that way.

And Lu Cheng, standing in the courtyard, listening to his parents, felt uneasy; he hadn't expected his parents to protect his dignity so much.

When outside rumors speak of the old Lu family climbing the Lin family, Lu Beitang first considers protecting his son.

His son, Lu Beitang's son, may be Lin Zhenfeng's son‑in‑law, but not because he seeks to cling to the powerful; they are equals.

At this moment Chen Xianglan saw Lu Cheng in the courtyard, hurriedly called: "San'er, perfect timing, my father and I were just talking about you; come quickly, I want to hear your opinion."