Chapter 536: Visiting the Door, Warmth Abounds

On Sunday, the Lin Family Courtyard was bustling with activity from early morning.

Qin Jingru rose before dawn, pulling Aunt Zhang into the kitchen to hustle back and forth; the chopping board was laid with freshly bought ingredients—chicken, duck, fish, meat, all varieties—everything she had specially inquired about, knowing Chen Mo liked to eat.

"Aunt Zhang, this fish must be steamed until flavorful, don't use too high a heat, otherwise the meat will turn tough." Qin Jingru tied on her apron, bustling back and forth in the kitchen; one moment she instructed Aunt Zhang on cooking, the next she ran to the main hall to check the arrangements, wiping the table over and over, even demanding the tea cups be placed neatly.

He Yushui walked into the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly brewed tea leaves, seeing her busy figure, she couldn't help but laugh:

"Jingru, you're too nervous. Chen Mo isn't an outsider; he's Qinhua's colleague, someone you see every day—there's no need to go through all this trouble."

"What do you know?" Qin Jingru wiped her hands, her tone full of solemnity, "This is Chen Mo's first visit; it concerns Qinhua's lifelong happiness, so we can't be careless. I must let him see that our Lin family is reasonable and values righteousness, and let him know how much Qinhua is cherished at home."

Zheng Juan also walked over, holding a freshly ironed tablecloth: "Jingru is right; the first visit should be solemn. But don't be too nervous, lest we scare the child. We should just treat it normally; the main thing is to see what kind of person Chen Mo is, whether he truly treats Qinhua well."

Qin Jingru nodded, taking the tablecloth from Zheng Juan's hands: "Elder sister is right. I just can't help being nervous, afraid I'll neglect hospitality somewhere. Oh, and Qiunan? Let her come over to lend a hand—more people, livelier."

"I'm here." Ding Qiunan walked in from outside, holding a medicine box: "I just went to the pharmacy and bought some common medicines, to keep at home for emergencies."

As they were talking, a voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Mom, Aunt Zheng, we're back!"

Qin Jingru's eyes lit up; she quickly pulled Zheng Juan and He Yushui out to greet them.

Only see Lin Qinhua wearing a light blue dress, with Chen Mo standing beside her in a clean light gray Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, holding two bulging paper bags, a slightly restrained smile on his face.

"Chen Mo is here? Come in, come in!" Qin Jingru enthusiastically stepped forward, taking the paper bags from Chen Mo's hands, "You came, why bring so much stuff? You're being too formal."

Chen Mo scratched his head a little embarrassedly, his voice tinged with nervousness: "Aunt, this is a little token of my heart. I heard you uncle and aunt like tea, so I bought some high-quality Dragon Well; also this is pickled vegetables my mother made herself, the taste is not bad—let you try."

"Your mother is too polite, even specially making pickles for us." Zheng Juan greeted with a smile, "Come inside and sit, it's windy outside. Qinhua, quickly pour Chen Mo a cup of water."

Everyone walked into the main hall; Chen Mo sat down carefully, hands on his knees, his gaze somewhat uneasy as he surveyed the hall's furnishings.

The main hall was spacious and bright, the redwood furniture polished to a shine, a few landscape paintings hung on the walls, exuding an antiquated scholarly aroma.

"Chen Mo, are you the only child in your family?" Qin Jingru sat opposite him, smiling as she asked, her tone gentle, trying to let him relax.

"No, Aunt. I still have a sister in college." Chen Mo quickly replied, "My parents are ordinary factory workers; they're usually busy, but they treat me and my sister very well."

"Worker families are good—down-to-earth and dutiful." Qin Jingru nodded, then asked, "How long have you worked at the research institute? Is your work busy? Do you have time to look after Qinhua?"

"I've worked at the research institute for five years, mainly responsible for the development of aerospace materials." Chen Mo answered earnestly, "Work is usually a bit busy, but I'll try to set aside time to be with Qinhua. Besides, we're in the same department, so we can look after each other at work."

Lin Qinhua walked over with a water cup, handed it to Chen Mo; seeing his nervous look, she couldn't help but laugh: "Mom, don't ask so many questions—let Chen Mo first take a sip of water and relax."

Qin Jingru gave her a glare, then smiled: "I'm not just worrying about you, am I? Asking how things are." Though she said that, her tone softened considerably.

Ding Qiunan walked over, laughing as she smoothed things over: "Jingru, stop constantly questioning Chen Mo. Let him rest a bit; the dishes will be ready soon—we can eat and chat."

Chen Mo took the cup, drank a sip of water, and felt a little more relaxed.

He looked at Lin Qinhua, his eyes carrying a hint of gratitude.

Lin Qinhua winked at him, signaling him not to be nervous.

Soon, Aunt Zhang brought out the dishes one by one: braised spare ribs, steamed fish, chicken soup, stir-fried seasonal vegetables—a full table of food, steaming hot, the aroma filling the air.

Qin Jingru pulled Chen Mo to sit beside the head seat, placing a piece of spare rib on his plate: "Chen Mo, try this spare rib—Aunt Zhang cooks it wonderfully. Don't be polite, just treat it like your own home."

"Thank you, Aunt." Chen Mo took the spare rib, eating it in small bites; the taste was indeed excellent.

He lifted his head, seeing everyone at the table smiling at him, his reserve gradually fading away.

While eating, everyone again brought up work-related matters.

Chen Mo spoke of his experience discussing experimental data and overcoming technical difficulties together with Lin Qinhua, his eyes full of brightness.

Lin Qinhua also occasionally added a few sentences; the two cooperated seamlessly, showing they indeed worked well together.

"Chen Mo, you and Qinhua help each other at work—that's good." Zheng Juan said with a smile, "But no matter how busy work gets, you must also look after your health. Feelings need to be cultivated gradually; go out more often to deepen your understanding."

"I understand, Aunt Zheng." Chen Mo nodded, "I plan to take Qinhua to the park this weekend for a stroll, then go to the red bean cake shop she likes."

"That's a great idea!" Qin Jingru said happily, "Girls just like these things. Chen Mo, you're thoughtful."

After the meal, Chen Mo voluntarily helped clear the bowls and chopsticks.

Qin Jingru wanted to stop him, but he blocked her: "Aunt, don't be polite—I often do these chores at home."

Watching Chen Mo's busy figure, Qin Jingru nodded satisfactorily, pulling Zheng Juan and He Yushui aside to whisper:

"This kid is not bad—down-to-earth, willing to work, thoughtful toward Qinhua; I think he'll do."

Zheng Juan nodded with a smile: "Indeed he's a promising seedling. With Qinhua with him, we can rest easy."

He Yushui also said: "I think they have quite a fate—able to support each other at work and understand each other emotionally; that's the best."

In the afternoon, Chen Mo chatted with everyone for a while, from work to life, getting along very well.

As he was leaving, Qin Jingru saw him to the courtyard gate, pressing a bag of her homemade snacks into his hands: "Chen Mo, these are the snacks I made; take them home to try. Come visit often—Qinhua gets lonely alone at home, so keep her company."

"Thank you, Aunt, I will." Chen Mo took the snacks, speaking earnestly: "I will definitely take good care of Qinhua—you can rest assured."

Lin Qinhua saw Chen Mo to the lane's entrance, watching his retreating back with a sweet smile on her face.

Chen Mo walked a few steps, then turned back and waved at her: "Qinhua, I'll come see you again next week."

"Good." Lin Qinhua nodded, watching him turn and leave until his figure disappeared at the lane's entrance.

Back in the courtyard, Qin Jingru took Lin Qinhua's hand, smiling: "Qinhua, Chen Mo is a good kid; I'm very pleased. Get along well—I'll be waiting to drink your wedding wine."

Lin Qinhua's cheeks flushed slightly, she nodded: "Mom, I know."

The setting sun poured into the courtyard, stretching everyone's shadows long.

In the Lin Family Courtyard, the warm atmosphere lingered, not dispersing.

Lin Qinhua looked at the red lanterns in the courtyard, her heart full of peace and happiness.

She knew she had found the person who could walk beside her, and she had found her own happiness.