The meal concluded on a cheerful note, dispersing amidst laughter.
Everyone packed their luggage and embarked on their journey back.
On the plane, Lu Mingzhe and Xiang Wan sat together.
Xiang Wan, wearing an eye mask, slept with her head on his shoulder.
Lu Mingzhe held her soft hand, thought for a long time, and finally decided to tell her what was on his mind.
"I've already negotiated with her. Divorce is fine anytime, so you don't need to worry."
"I won't string you along, leaving you without status or a proper name. When we get back, I'll tell her we need to find a time to finalize the divorce."
"Since I said in front of everyone that I would marry you, I will definitely marry you."
A tempest raged within Xiang Wan.
She hadn't expected that Lu Mingzhe, who appeared so carefree and lacking in seriousness, actually had such plans.
In that moment, emotions of gratitude and surprise surged through her.
She longed to lift her head and see what he looked like now.
But ultimately, she restrained herself.
Feigning calmness, she nodded: "Whatever you think is best."
By the time the plane landed, it was already evening. Lu Mingzhe decided to go home with Xiang Wan.
Her brother cooked, and they helped out in the kitchen.
Suddenly, their grandmother called.
Xiang Wan took her phone to the living room to answer, but her grandmother's booming voice still carried into the kitchen.
"You went out to play? Did you have fun these past few days?"
"I'm doing well, don't worry about me. It's just that you never find a boyfriend, and you're getting older. I'm always worried."
"Grandma, can you please not bring this up every time you call?"
"I don't want to say it either, and I know you get annoyed when I talk too much. But you're about to turn thirty, and other people's children are already running around. I'm anxious for you."
Her brother peeked out, then went back and quietly told Lu Mingzhe.
"Why doesn't my sister ever mention you to Grandma? Does she not plan to marry you?"
"Aren't you afraid she might be snatched away by someone else? Shouldn't you seize this opportunity to make your presence known to my grandma?"
In the past, Lu Mingzhe was never around when Grandma called, so he never had a chance to make an impression.
But today...
As Xiang Wan was trying to placate her grandmother, he walked over.
He snatched the phone.
"Hello Grandma, my name is Lu Mingzhe."
Upon hearing a young man's voice, Grandma paused.
"Oh, who are you?"
Xiang Wan felt a bit embarrassed, unsure of what he was doing, and instinctively tried to grab the phone back.
Lu Mingzhe dodged slightly, pulled her into his arms, and held her.
"I'm Xiang Wan's boyfriend, my name is Lu Mingzhe. Hello, Grandma."
"You're Xiang Wan's boyfriend? She, she has a boyfriend?"
"Yes, isn't that outrageous? We've been dating for a long time, and she never mentioned me to you."
"Oh, that silly girl."
Grandma was instantly overjoyed.
"I always thought there was something wrong with her, not wanting to find a boyfriend at her age. Turns out, she's been deceiving me all along!"
Lu Mingzhe chatted with Grandma animatedly, back and forth.
Finally, he even made a promise to Grandma.
"We'll come back to see you tomorrow, are you welcome?"
"Of course, very welcome!"
"It just so happens that Grandma grew a lot of vegetables this year, and they're all ripe. She can't eat them all by herself. Come back soon, I'll pick a lot for you to take back."
After hanging up, Xiang Wan looked bashful.
"Why did you suddenly tell her that? Old people tend to overthink things."
"Suddenly? She's overthinking? I'm already planning to marry you, shouldn't she know?"
Xiang Wan rolled her eyes at him.
"The divorce isn't finalized yet, and we're still in an improper relationship. Don't forget that."
Lu Mingzhe pinched her cheek.
"Can you not spoil the mood? What's the difference between my marriage and not being married? You're taking it too seriously."
"Alright, it's settled then. Might as well take another day off work tomorrow, and we'll go visit."
Though Xiang Wan feigned annoyance, she was secretly overjoyed.
After dinner, they began packing their luggage, then pulled her brother and Lu Mingzhe along to the mall to buy gifts for Grandma.
That night, she was too excited to sleep, sharing many childhood memories with Lu Mingzhe.
Lu Mingzhe saw Xiang Wan in a rare, endearing, and lively light, her demeanor like a little bird.
His heart softened immensely.
Such a good girl, and he had been blind.
For the past few years, he had treated her as if they were in that kind of relationship.
Fortunately, he hadn't missed out on her.
The next morning, the two embarked on their journey back to their hometown.
Lu Mingzhe drove, with Xiang Wan in the passenger seat.
Looking at his young, handsome face, and then at the scenery rapidly receding outside the window,
It felt as if everything had suddenly fallen into place, and she felt incredibly content.
They drove the car all the way to Grandma's small courtyard.
Along the base of the courtyard wall, many loofahs and bitter gourds were planted, their lush green leaves climbing the entire wall.
Even before entering, they could sense the vibrant atmosphere inside the house.
As they got out of the car, they saw the main gate was locked, and Grandma was not home.
Xiang Wan's brow furrowed instantly.
"I told her not to plant so much, not to go to the market to sell it. This old lady never listens."
"Let's go find her at the market."
They drove the car to the town market.
They searched stall by stall along the street.
Soon, Xiang Wan spotted Grandma among a group of middle-aged people.
In front of her was a white woven bag, on which were placed washed tomatoes, water spinach, beans, bitter gourds, cucumbers, and a scale.
Grandma was thin, her hair white.
She wore a simple printed short-sleeved elder's outfit, sitting quietly, waiting for customers.
Seeing her, at her age, still working so hard to make a living,
Xiang Wan couldn't help but recall her own difficult life in previous years, her nose stinging, tears almost falling.
She pointed her out to Lu Mingzhe.
"The oldest one there is my Grandma."
"Our family is this poor. Ever since my father passed away, she's relied on selling grains and vegetables to raise me and my brother."
"Are you sure you won't be embarrassed by associating with someone like me?"
What was she saying?
When you love someone, you want them to be happy.
Seeing her, or her family, not doing well, only stirs pity, never disdain.
Lu Mingzhe pinched her cheek, first lectured her a bit, then comforted her.
"Alright, don't be sad. If Grandma sees you like this, she'll think I've been bullying you."
"Adjust your emotions first. I'll go take a look."
Lu Mingzhe walked directly towards Grandma and squatted in front of her.
He wore a white t-shirt and black casual pants.
A pair of white sneakers, spotlessly clean.
Sunglasses perched on his forehead, his features so young and handsome, as if he had stepped out of a television screen.
Grandma sized him up, her eyes kind.
"Young man, are you here to buy vegetables?"
"Yes. How much are all these vegetables? I'll buy them all."
"Buy them all? How many people are in your family? Can you finish them?"
"We can finish them. Please calculate the total for me, and pack them all up."