Chapter 47 – “First Impressions of the Son-in-Law — Not Bad So Far?”
Zheng Jianguo had just walked out of the bathroom when Zheng Wanyu spoke up. “Dad, co sit down. Let’s eat.”
“Mm.” Zheng Jianguo sat down, and the whole family gathered around to eat the al Li Qiuchun had spent the entire afternoon preparing.
Dinner was elaborate—a mix of Chinese and Western cuisine. Alongside beef steaks and red wine were traditional dishes like chopped chili fish head and sweet and sour pork ribs.
Zheng Wanyu poured a few glasses of wine and raised hers first. “I propose a toast. Let’s all raise our glasses.”
“Today is a big day. It’s the first ti Wanqing is bringing her boyfriend ho for dinner. Cheers.”
Li Qiuchun didn’t usually drink alcohol, but she decided to make an exception for tonight.
However, Zheng Wanqing couldn’t drink.
After all, she already had a little baby in her belly. Anything with alcohol was strictly off-limits.
But other than Ye Fei, no one else at the table knew. So Zheng Jianguo suggested, “Wanqing, how about you have a glass too?”
“She won’t drink. I’ll drink for her,” Ye Fei said gently, a soft smile on his face.
Then he turned to Zheng Wanyu and asked, “Wanyu, do you have any milk or juice at ho?”
“Yes, in the fridge. I’ll go grab it.”
“Let get it.”
Ye Fei stood up, went to the fridge, and pulled out a carton of milk.
He poured a full glass and handed it to Wanqing.
“Here, cheers.”
It was just a small mont, but Zheng Jianguo noticed it.
This rascal actually knows how to be considerate, Zheng Jianguo noted ntally.
After taking a sip of wine, he stood up again. “You all keep eating. I need to use the restroom.”
“Again?” Zheng Wanyu was confused. What’s with Dad today? He rarely goes during als.
And now he’s gone twice before we even start eating?
Inside the bathroom, Zheng Jianguo once again took out his little notebook and wrote two characters:
Considerate
Then he added a next to it before walking back out.
Dinner lasted about forty minutes.
After dinner ca dishwashing duty.
Zheng Wanqing usually lived in the dorm and rarely ca ho.
So whenever she was ho, she’d always take the initiative to wash dishes.
But Li Qiuchun said, “Wanqing, let Mom wash the dishes tonight. You go sit with your dad on the couch and chat.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll do it. It won’t take long—it’s not a big deal,” said Wanqing.
Then Ye Fei stood up. “I’ll help you.”
The two went to wash the dishes together.
Seeing this, Zheng Jianguo once again headed into the bathroom.
Inside, he wrote another line in his notebook and checked it off.
Out in the living room, Zheng Wanyu whispered to her mom, “Mom, what’s going on with Dad today? He doesn’t usually use the bathroom this much.”
“He’s gone like three or four tis already during just one al. Is he feeling unwell?”
When Zheng Jianguo ca out, Li Qiuchun asked, “Old Zheng, what’s going on with you? Frequent urination?”
Zheng Jianguo replied, “What do you know?”
By around 9 p.m., after the dishes were done, everyone sat down to play cards and chat.
Unknowingly, more than an hour passed.
Then it began to drizzle lightly outside.
Zheng Wanqing said, “Hub—”
“Ye Fei,* How about we head back to school early? Looks like the weather’s turning. If it rains hard, it’ll be a ss.”
Ye Fei had no objection. They’d had dinner and t the family.
“Sure.”
Zheng Jianguo said, “Wanqing, why don’t you and Ye Fei stay here tonight?”
“It’s the weekend tomorrow. No classes.”
That Zheng Jianguo proactively asked Ye Fei to stay the night ca as a surprise to Wanqing.
She imdiately nodded. “Great idea!”
“No problem,” said Ye Fei.
“Then… Ye Fei, I’ll show you my room,” Wanqing offered.
But Zheng Jianguo cut in: “Hold it. I said Ye Fei could stay the night. I didn’t say he could sleep in your room.”
“There’s a guest room upstairs. He’ll sleep there.”
“Oh… fine. Well then, good night. See you tomorrow.” Wanqing smiled.
Everyone went off to their rooms.
Ye Fei went upstairs to the guest room, washed up, and quickly fell asleep.
Around 12:30 a.m., Zheng Jianguo quietly left his own bedroom.
He tiptoed upstairs and entered Ye Fei’s guest room.
Zheng Jianguo walked very carefully, trying not to make a sound.
He crouched beside Ye Fei’s bed and listened quietly for about two minutes.
Then, just as carefully, he tiptoed out and gently shut the door.
Outside the room, he pulled out his notebook again and added a line under the densely packed notes:
Doesn’t snore while sleeping.
All in all, this son-in-law was nearly perfect—no real flaws to speak of.
But there was still one concern—his physical health. Especially his kidneys.
Zheng Jianguo decided: tomorrow morning, he would drag Ye Fei up the mountain.
Even if everything else checked out, if his body couldn’t keep up, that wouldn’t do.
Before 5 a.m. the next day, Zheng Jianguo was already knocking on Ye Fei’s door.
“Ye Fei! Wake up! Co hiking with Uncle Zheng!”
Ye Fei woke up and responded, “Alright! Just a mont.”
He ca out of the guest room. “I’m ready, Uncle. Let’s go.”
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