Chapter 546: Jiang Yixia Takes the Initiative to Cook for Lu Fan, Their Relationship Greatly Improves!

“Eat more, Xiaolu. Look how thin you are.” Pan Lanfang placed a piece of braised pork into his bowl.

“Thank you, Auntie,” Lu Fan said with a smile.

Jiang Guoqiang picked up some fish with his chopsticks, eating and chewing slowly. He glanced at Lu Fan and asked, “Do you drink?”

“I’ll have a glass with you, Uncle,” Lu Fan said cheerfully.

Pan Lanfang fetched a bottle of liquor. It was Jiang Guoqiang’s homemade medicinal wine, infused with goji berries and ginseng, turning the liquid a rich amber. She poured a glass for each of them.

Jiang Guoqiang raised his glass, and Lu Fan followed suit. The two clinked their glasses together and took a sip. The liquor was strong—spicy on the tongue, leaving a warm burn down the throat as they swallowed.

“Xiaolu, what exactly does that company of yours do?” Pan Lanfang asked, setting down her cup.

“Investment, as well as some physical industries,” Lu Fan replied. “We’re involved in real estate, hospitality, and technology.”

Jiang Guoqiang nodded. He picked up a bite of food, chewed, swallowed, and said slowly, “I’ve lived to this age without seeing much of the world. I don’t understand those things you do, but there’s one thing I still have a problem with regarding you.”

Lu Fan put down his chopsticks and looked at Jiang Guoqiang.

“I can’t forget what happened back then.” Jiang Guoqiang’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word was clear. “You caused Yixia to suffer so much. It’s not something you can just wipe away by doing a few good deeds now.”

Lu Fan didn’t speak. He just nodded.

“However.” Jiang Guoqiang paused, picking up his glass to take a sip. “I’ve seen everything you’ve done these past few months. You’ve been good to Yixia, good to the kids, and filial enough to us. I’m not blind. I can see it.”

“Uncle, thank you,” Lu Fan said.

“Don’t thank me,” Jiang Guoqiang waved his hand dismissively. “I’m not saying this to forgive you. I just want to say that you’re not entirely a bad person.”

Listening from the side, Pan Lanfang’s eyes reddened, but she said nothing, keeping her head down as she continued to eat.

Looking at Jiang Guoqiang, Lu Fan said earnestly, “Uncle, I know I made a mistake back then. I don’t expect you to forgive me right now, but I will keep trying. Only when you finally forgive me will I consider myself to have passed the test.”

Jiang Guoqiang gave him a look but didn’t reply, simply raising his glass for another sip.

After dinner, Lu Fan helped Pan Lanfang clear the table. Jiang Guoqiang sat in the main room with a cup of tea, looking out at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard.

In the kitchen, Pan Lanfang washed the dishes while Lu Fan stood beside her to dry them.

“Xiaolu, your uncle is a man with a sharp tongue but a soft heart,” Pan Lanfang kept her voice low. “It wasn’t easy for him to say those things to you today. When you’re not around, he sometimes mutters about you, wondering why Xiaolu hasn’t visited in so long.”

Lu Fan smiled. “I know, Auntie.”

“Give him a little more time.” Pan Lanfang patted his hand. “He’ll come around.”

“I’m not in a rush, Auntie,” Lu Fan said with a smile.

That afternoon, Lu Fan helped Jiang Guoqiang chop firewood. Jiang Guoqiang stood a log on the chopping block and brought the axe down, splitting the wood cleanly in half. Lu Fan bent down, picked up the split pieces, and stacked them in the corner.

One chopped, the other gathered. Neither of them spoke a word. The sound of the falling axe was crisp yet heavy, sending wood chips flying to land at their feet.

After more than half an hour of chopping, Jiang Guoqiang stopped to catch his breath, resting the axe against the block. He glanced at the neatly stacked firewood, then at Lu Fan, his lips twitching slightly.

“That’s enough. We’re done chopping,” Jiang Guoqiang said.

“All right.” Lu Fan brushed the wood chips off his hands.

The two men walked over to the osmanthus tree in the courtyard. Jiang Guoqiang fished a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, pulled one out, and lit it. He handed the pack to Lu Fan, who also took one and lit up.

They stood smoking beneath the tree in silence.

“When are you heading back to Yangcheng?” Jiang Guoqiang asked.

“This evening,” Lu Fan replied.

Jiang Guoqiang nodded. He took a drag and exhaled slowly. The smoke billowed between them before the wind blew it away.

“Staying for dinner?” Jiang Guoqiang asked.

“No, Uncle. I have things to take care of tonight,” Lu Fan said, shaking his head.

Jiang Guoqiang said nothing more.

After finishing his cigarette, Lu Fan went inside to bid Pan Lanfang farewell. Pan Lanfang held onto his hand, reluctant to let him leave.

“Xiaolu, when are you coming back next time?” Pan Lanfang asked.

“In a few days,” Lu Fan said with a smile. “Just send me a message if you miss me, Auntie.”

“Okay, okay,” Pan Lanfang nodded, her eyes rimmed with red.

Lu Fan walked back to the main room and looked at Jiang Guoqiang.

“Uncle, I’m taking off,” Lu Fan said.

Jiang Guoqiang nodded silently.

Lu Fan turned and walked out. Just as he reached the courtyard gate, Jiang Guoqiang suddenly spoke up. “Xiaolu.”

Lu Fan stopped and looked back at him.

“Drive safe,” Jiang Guoqiang said. His voice was soft, but crystal clear.

Lu Fan paused in surprise, then broke into a smile. “I will, Uncle.”

He turned and left the courtyard, following the dirt path toward the village entrance. Upon reaching the old locust tree at the village entrance, he stopped and looked back.

Jiang Guoqiang was standing at the courtyard gate, holding his tobacco pipe, watching him.

Lu Fan waved his hand, then turned and got into his car. Chen He started the engine, and the car drove out of the village.

Lu Fan glanced in the rearview mirror. Jiang Guoqiang was still standing there, growing smaller and smaller until he became a mere speck and finally disappeared at the end of the road. Leaning back against his seat, Lu Fan smiled and closed his eyes.

Meanwhile, at a flower shop in Yangcheng, Jiang Yixia was wrapping flowers when her phone buzzed.

She picked it up and saw a message from Pan Lanfang.

Pan Lanfang: [Yixia, Xiaolu came over today. Your dad talked to him for quite a while and even asked him to stay for dinner.]