Chapter 551

Lin Zhengcheng took the tea gift box out of the bag he was carrying and handed it to Zhang Xiaoran: "My mom specially asked me to bring this for you; she said you might like tea, so have me pass it to you."

Zhang Xiaoran received the gift box, her fingertips touching the wrapping, feeling that delicate thoughtfulness, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"Thank you, Auntie, and thank you for chatting with me today; I'm really happy."

"I'm happy too." Lin Zhengcheng looked at her cheeks slightly reddened by the sunset, gathered courage, and spoke sincerely: "Xiaoran, I feel we get along well; … can I ask you out again in the future?"

Zhang Xiaoran's cheeks reddened further; she lowered her gaze slightly, then quickly lifted it, nodding at Lin Zhengcheng, her voice barely audible like a mosquito yet clear: "Sure."

Lin Zhengcheng felt a surge of joy, as if a warm current flowed through him.

He walked Zhang Xiaoran to the entrance of her building's hallway, watched her go in until her silhouette disappeared, then turned and headed home.

All the way, he couldn't help but lift the corners of his mouth, and his steps became much lighter.

A autumn breeze blew over, and from the osmanthus trees by the road came waves of sweet fragrance, refreshing the heart and spleen, the air itself filled with the taste of joy.

When he returned to the Lin Family Courtyard, the lights in the yard were already on.

Warm yellow light streamed through the windows into the yard, lengthening the shadows of the locust leaves.

Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo were helping Qin Jingru tidy the yard, sweeping up the scattered colored paper and fallen leaves from when Tiantian played earlier; Tiantian had already been picked up by her mother, and the yard returned to tranquility.

"Second brother, you're back? How was it?" Lin Qinhua was the first to see him, put down her broom and went up to him, her eyes full of curiosity.

Chen Mo also stopped what he was doing, smiling as he looked at Lin Zhengcheng, his eyes full of anticipation.

Lin Zhengcheng smiled, his tone betraying undisguised happiness: "Pretty good; we agreed to meet again next time."

"Great!" Qin Jingru came out of the kitchen still holding a spatula; hearing this, she was so happy she couldn't stop smiling: "Just come back, hurry wash up and eat! Your mom Zheng Juan specially made you braised spare ribs, still hot."

Lin Shengli sat on the rocking chair under the eaves, holding a teacup, seeing his son's uncontainable smile, he also laughed.

He stood up, walked over, patted Lin Zhengcheng's shoulder, and said with relief: "Good job, keep it up."

At dinner, the family sat around the table. The table held braised spare ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, tomato egg soup, and Qin Jingru's cold cucumber salad—homely flavors brimming with warmth.

Lin Zhengcheng told everyone about his afternoon chat with Zhang Xiaoran, from work to hobbies, speaking enthusiastically.

Lin Qinhua and Chen Mo occasionally interjected a few words, happy for him.

Zheng Juan listened while constantly planning—what gift Zheng Cheng should bring next time they meet, when to arrange for both sets of parents to meet—while Qin Jingru sat aside, quietly listening, occasionally slipping a piece of spare rib onto Lin Zhengcheng's plate, her eyes full of maternal affection.

Lin Shengli didn't say much, only occasionally sipping tea, watching the lively family before him, his face full of peaceful smiles.

In the yard, the locust leaves swayed gently in the autumn breeze; under the lights, the family's shadows were drawn close, and a warm atmosphere slowly permeated the air, lingering for a long time.

Lin Zhengcheng looked at the family beside him, feeling especially warm inside.

He knew that no matter how many difficulties arose at work, his family would always be there supporting him, wishing him well.

This warmth was like a strong force, supporting him on the path of developing the stealth bomber, step by step, overcoming one obstacle after another.

The next day.

On a pleasant autumn afternoon, the Lin Family Courtyard was quiet.

The locust leaves were made translucent by the sunlight; when the wind blew, light and shadow swayed gently on the blue‑brick ground.

Zheng Juan stood at the kitchen door picking vegetables; the bamboo basket held fresh spinach and carrots, specially prepared for Su Qing—early pregnancy requires extra vitamins, so she had someone bring the freshest from the market that morning.

At the east wing's door, Su Qing sat on a rocking chair basking in the sun, holding a well‑worn essay collection; sunlight fell on her loose maternity wear, giving it a soft halo.

Qin Jingru came over with a bowl of freshly simmered red‑date millet porridge and gently set it on the small table beside her.

"Su Qing, just made, warm and perfect to drink, it nourishes qi and blood."

Su Qing set down the book, smiling as she thanked her:

"Thank you, Aunt Qin; you've gone to too much trouble."

She picked up a spoon and gently stirred the porridge; the sweet fragrance of red dates mixed with the soft, glutinous aroma of millet wafted up, warming her so much her heart fluttered.

Since she became pregnant, the family has looked after her with meticulous care; Zheng Juan varies the nutritious meals daily, and Qin Jingru often prepares tonics, so even though her husband Lin Zhengpeng is not beside her, she feels no loneliness at all.

"Don't be polite with Auntie." Qin Jingru sat beside her, reached out and gently touched the back of her hand: "Pengpeng isn't home; treat this place as your own—if you want anything to eat or drink, just tell us. Now that you're pregnant, you shouldn't wrong yourself."

Su Qing nodded, her eye sockets slightly warm. She sipped the porridge in small mouthfuls and said softly:

"I know; you and Aunt Zheng Juan have been especially good to me. Yesterday Pengpeng called back and specifically urged me to listen to you more."

As they were talking, footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard gate; Lin Zhengcheng pushed in a 28‑inch bicycle, a cloth bag hanging from the handlebars holding two jin of fresh apples.

He had just returned from the workshop, his face showing some fatigue, yet the brightness in his eyes could not be hidden.

"Dad, Aunt Qin, sister‑in‑law." Lin Zhengcheng greeted them, parked the bike under the eaves, picked up the apples and went inside: "I bought some apples, crisp and sweet; sister‑in‑law, eat more for vitamins."

Su Qing laughed and thanked him: "Thanks, younger brother."

Lin Shengli walked out of the main hall holding a research brief; seeing his son return, he raised his chin:

"Just back from the workshop? Nothing going on this afternoon?"

"Yeah, I finished checking the final set of data for the engine compatibility this morning; in the afternoon I just need to have a colleague keep an eye on it."

Lin Zhengcheng put the apples on the table, picked up the water cup and took a sip, hesitated a moment, then said: "Dad, Aunt Qin, I… I want to ask Xiaoran out this afternoon for a walk and chat some more."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingru immediately burst into a smile:

"Great! That's more like it—young people should get out more. Where are you planning to take her?"

"I was thinking of going to Qiu Xia Park in the southern part of the city; it's chrysanthemum‑viewing season now, the scenery is nice and it's quiet."