Chapter 878: Sisters

Dinner was cooked by Xu Rongsheng, with Ying Zhicheng helping him in the kitchen; with Old Chef Li Guohong watching over them, there was no need to worry too much.

But Li Luo still went in to take a peek, and even showed off a bit.

In the end, Xu Rongsheng prepared a fish dish with three different preparations, Ying Zhicheng made one dish himself, and the remaining dishes were handled by Li Luo and Li Guohong.

The four men worked up a sweat in the kitchen and finally brought the food out to the living room by six in the evening, calling everyone to sit down and eat.

After everyone took their seats at the table, once Li Luo's grandfather picked up his chopsticks, everyone began eating.

At the table, people chatted noisily, each with their own topics, lively and bustling.

When the Spring Festival Gala came up, Yuan Wanqing shared many behind-the-scenes anecdotes and gossip among the stars.

Who didn't get along with whom, who had personality issues behind closed doors—since they were all family, Yuan Wanqing spoke freely.

When they were halfway through eating, Lin Xiuhong suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Li Luo: "Did you know your uncle brought a girlfriend home this year?"

"Of course I know," Li Luo nodded matter-of-factly. "What about it?"

"I heard your grandmother tell me your uncle's girlfriend is still..."

"Yeah," Li Luo smiled. "My advisor. And she graduated with a master's from Qianjiang University."

"By the way, she also has a fairly close relationship with Uncle Xu."

"When your aunt was doing her graduate studies at Qianjiang University, she was one of Uncle Xu's students."

Hearing this, Xu Rongsheng raised his eyebrows and realized who Li Luo meant: "Jian Chun, right?"

"Exactly," Li Luo chuckled. "Teacher Jian and my uncle have a bit of fate—back when she was still a grad student, she worked part-time at my uncle's milk tea shop, and they eventually hit it off."

"Hmm, that's not bad," Xu Rongsheng nodded slightly. "Jian Chun's family background isn't great—her parents are from the countryside. Just getting into Qianjiang University already proves she's exceptionally talented."

"If Old Xu says so, then this girl must be good," Lin Xiuhong nodded in relief. "And now she's an advisor at Qianjiang University—stable job. I just wonder about her parents..."

"Are there any concerns?" Xu Rongsheng still cared deeply about his student; seeing Lin Xiuhong hesitate, he assumed she looked down on Jian Chun's rural origins.

But Lin Xiuhong only asked: "Do you know where her hometown is?"

"It's in Yunnan-Guizhou," Xu Rongsheng said. "It's indeed far away."

"That's not a big issue," Lin Xiuhong shook her head. "It's just that if she marries into our family from so far, traveling back and forth to her hometown will be inconvenient. If we could bring her parents over, it'd be much better—whole family together."

"I don't know about that—you'd have to ask her and her family directly," Xu Rongsheng shook his head, but his gaze toward Lin Xiuhong softened.

This family of Li Luo's all fit Xu Rongsheng's ideals perfectly; getting along with them was truly comfortable and harmonious.

He'd just been overthinking earlier.

"I feel the same way," Lin Xiuhong nodded. "So I was thinking—tomorrow morning, I'll go to my mother's place and have lunch with them, talk about the engagement."

Lin Xiuhong had worried herself sick over her younger brother.

Back then, Lin Xiufeng refused to find a partner or get married, even running off to work in another province and refusing to come home.

After much persuasion, he finally returned, but the family dared not pressure him anymore—and before they knew it, he was already over thirty.

In the end, it was their own son who had the ability to trick Lin Xiufeng into coming to the milk tea shop, so he could interact more with female university students from Qianjiang University.

And lo and behold—it actually worked.

Aside from the nine-year age gap, their other conditions seemed fairly matched.

Although Lin Xiufeng's education wasn't impressive, Li Luo's maternal grandfather had once been a respected figure in the village; back when property prices were low, he bought two houses in Yinjiang District.

One house went to Lin Xiufeng, the smaller one-bedroom was rented out for rent income.

Back then, Lin Xiufeng worked as a delivery driver for a relative's company, earning a few thousand yuan a month, plus rent—his monthly income was decent.

He owned his own home and lived quite comfortably as a single man.

As for Jian Chun, though her family background wasn't good, she earned her way into Qianjiang University through her own merit and completed her master's degree.

Now she's an advisor at Qianjiang University, and her household registration has already been transferred to Yuhang City—on her own merits, she's a good match for Lin Xiufeng.

The key is they genuinely like each other; in this regard, Li Luo thought his uncle's looks played a crucial role.

Though he's over thirty, he's nothing like those middle-aged, bald, pot-bellied office drones.

Because Lin Xiufeng lives a comfortable life with little stress and maintains a regular exercise routine, his physique is well-kept, and his slightly older age gives him a touch of mature, weathered charm.

Jian Chun probably finds that charm and looks very appealing.

"Then I'll go with you tomorrow," Li Luo said to Lin Xiuhong.

"Sure," Lin Xiuhong nodded, then apologized to Cui Suling: "I won't be able to join you for lunch tomorrow—don't be shy here, if you need anything, just ask Old Li."

"It's just a morning," Cui Suling waved dismissively with a smile. "Your brother's wedding matters more. Jian Chun will surely send Old Xu a wedding invitation—we're both looking forward to the banquet."

"Exactly, exactly," Lin Xiuhong laughed along. "Now that you mention it, we'll definitely see each other at the wedding."

At that moment, Li Luo felt his leg brushed—he turned to his right and saw Ying Chanxi signaling to him with her eyes.

Li Luo suddenly remembered something and immediately turned to his mother: "Mom, let Xi Xi and the other two come with us tomorrow morning."

"Yu and Zhusheng have never been to my grandmother's place—this is a good chance to take them around."

"They're already very familiar with our side—going to my grandmother's will feel fresh."

Hearing this, Lin Xiuhong paused slightly, then nodded: "If they can wake up on time, it's fine—they all know your uncle and aunt. I'll just tell my mother."

"Then it's settled—we leave at nine tomorrow morning."

"No problem."

After setting the time, Li Luo continued eating.

The others didn't think much of it—after all, the four of them always moved together; neither side's elders saw anything odd about it.

As dinner neared its end, Yuan Wanqing suddenly remembered something and asked Ying Zhicheng: "Isn't the affiliation contract between my studio and Huayue Film and Television set to expire in about half a year?"

"Yeah," Ying Zhicheng nodded. "It expires in August—less than half a year left."

"Then we'll have to move to Li Luo's place," Yuan Wanqing smiled at Li Luo, then turned to Ying Chanxi. "Xi Xi, remember to prepare the contract early."

"Mm-hmm," Ying Chanxi nodded. "Don't worry—I've already started transferring everything, not just the contract but also the studio staff."

"There are a few details you should pay attention to during the handover," Ying Zhicheng said. "Although the affiliation contract is expiring, the studio will directly join Chongran Culture."

"But there are still some other contracts or agency agreements that remain with Huayue Film and Television."

"For example, permanent contracts for some variety shows, agency contracts for concerts, and certain brand endorsements."

"When handing these over, make sure to reconfirm all the timing to avoid future disputes."

"As the company's CEO, I obviously can't bring these up openly myself, so you'll have to ask first, and then I can cooperate."

After listening, Ying Chanxi nodded in understanding: "I get it, I'll pay attention to everything when the time comes."

After dinner, everyone gathered again on the second-floor living room—some played mahjong, others watched TV, while others sat on the sofa chatting and playing cards.

They occasionally touched on serious matters, but quickly drifted back to stock market trends, international affairs—anything and everything.

Li Luo didn't understand stock trading, but he still knew which stocks were hot.

So over the past two years, he'd made a lot of money just from the stock market—enough that if he told others, they'd be stunned.

But Li Luo had no big plans for this money; it was always meant as one of his safety nets.

Now he didn't need it at all, so he'd used part of it to fund scholarships and financial aid for Xu Rongsheng.

If those people who'd been fleeced in the stock market knew their lost money was ultimately going toward the nation's future generations, they'd probably feel somewhat comforted.

Around nine o'clock at night.

Li Luo took the three girls downstairs to play fireworks, finishing off what they hadn't used on New Year's Eve.

Cui Suling hadn't touched fireworks in years since moving to the city, but she came down too to join the fun.

At ten o'clock, Xu Youyu said he needed to return to his room to write, then got up and went back to the adjacent room.

The others also said it was late and headed upstairs to wash up and sleep.

After returning to his room, Li Luo waited because the corridor bathroom was still being used by Xu Rongsheng and Cui Suling, so he started writing in his bedroom first.

But while the bathroom across the hall still had running water from someone showering, his bedroom door was quietly pushed open.

Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng slipped in stealthily, quickly shut the door, and locked it.

Li Luo turned to look at them and laughed: "Aren't you afraid someone will find out?"

"It's all because of Sister," Yan Zhusheng said. "She insisted Uncle Xu and Aunt Cui sleep over here. If they'd stayed in the next room, and we'd left this bedroom for Senior, it'd be much safer."

"It's not that safe either," Ying Chanxi rolled her eyes. "Lin Yi and Uncle Li are also right here."

"But seeing them wouldn't matter," Yan Zhusheng said. "Lin Yi and the others probably already know anyway."

"But still—it's not okay!" Ying Chanxi blushed. "Just don't say anything. You're already in—what's there to argue about? Tonight's my turn to sleep on the floor."

"No wonder Sister insisted on coming so early—even risking being caught by Uncle Xu and Aunt Cui," Yan Zhusheng climbed onto the bed, too lazy to argue further. "Tomorrow's my turn. Sister, enjoy tonight while you can."

"Enjoy what…?" Ying Chanxi's face flushed crimson, fidgeting—but she still slipped without hesitation into the sleeping bag on the floor, then asked Li Luo, "How much longer until you're done writing?"

"I have to wait until Uncle Xu finishes showering," Li Luo said. "I haven't washed yet."

"Then why didn't you just come wash with us earlier?" Yan Zhusheng said from the bed. "Sister kept muttering about you while she showered, and she even pushed me to hurry up. If you'd been there, she wouldn't have dragged it out so long."

Ying Chanxi's cheeks flushed even redder. She turned around, annoyed, reached one hand up onto the bed, and swung to punch her annoying sister.

But Yan Zhusheng rolled to the wall, out of reach.

Yan Zhusheng then lifted one leg, using her long limbs to strike back while Ying Chanxi wasn't ready, rolled back to the bed's edge, and lightly kicked Ying Chanxi right in the small of her back.

After the kick, she immediately rolled back again, preventing any counterattack.

Ying Chanxi snapped, scrambled out of her sleeping bag in a fury, and lunged onto the bed, wrestling with Yan Zhusheng.

But neither of them hit hard—just pinching and tapping each other. Li Luo watched, eyes filled with sweet sights, utterly enchanted, nearly forgetting to write.

"Calm down a bit," Li Luo said helplessly. "The old house has bad soundproofing—yell too loud and Uncle Xu next door will hear you."

This warning worked instantly. Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng on the bed immediately fell silent.

Then Ying Chanxi returned to her sleeping bag, lay down, and pouted: "It's all because of Zhusheng."

"You started it," Yan Zhusheng reminded her seriously.

"I only started because you provoked me first."

"Was that provocation? I was just stating facts."

"You never say anything true."

"At least I don't say one thing and mean another like you do."

The two sisters stopped fighting and slipped back into bickering.

Li Luo found it amusing and kept writing.

Only when Xu Rongsheng finished showering and knocked to remind him did Li Luo respond: "Got it, Uncle Xu, go ahead and sleep. I'll wash right away."

"Alright, I'm heading back to my room," Xu Rongsheng replied from outside the door, then turned and returned to the adjacent bedroom.

Now the room was quiet—Ying Chanxi and Yan Zhusheng had both fallen silent, afraid Xu Rongsheng might hear.

Li Luo had already shut his laptop, grabbed his change of clothes, and headed to the bathroom across the hall.

Not long after, Li Luo returned to his room, and, amid Ying Chanxi's eager anticipation, slipped into the sleeping bag beside her, pulling her small, soft body into his arms.

"Weren't you just thinking about me coming to keep you company?" Li Luo teased, hugging her.

"No, I wasn't," Ying Chanxi mumbled into his chest, but her body was honest—she clung tightly to him, refusing to let go.

At that moment, Yan Zhusheng leaned down from the bed and said to Ying Chanxi: "Sister, if you want to kiss, don't be like Senior—when you kiss, you make way too much noise."

Ying Chanxi: "…?"

(End of Chapter)