Being caught by his future father-in-law in the act—though Zhou Cheng hadn’t done anything yet, he was certainly on the edge of losing control.

While Xia Xiaolan’s face was flushed, Zhou Cheng was equally embarrassed.

Tang Hongen walked ahead with his hands behind his back. Xia Xiaolan winked at Zhou Cheng as they followed behind carrying gifts, entering one after another.

“Why did you arrive together? Zhou Cheng, come in quickly! Just coming would have been enough—why buy things?”

Liu Fen came to the prospective son-in-law’s rescue.

Before Liu Fen, Old Tang was particularly docile. He might show his displeasure to Zhou Cheng, but never to Liu Fen.

“Aunt Liu, I only bought these for the New Year. Since the Lantern Festival hasn’t passed, the New Year isn’t over yet. I feel embarrassed giving such late New Year greetings to you and Uncle Tang.”

Liu Fen took the items from Zhou Cheng’s hands. Though she complained about him bringing gifts, she had prepared something herself, pulling a red envelope from her apron pocket and giving it to Zhou Cheng: “Then Auntie wishes you a happy New Year too!”

This wasn’t Liu Fen’s first time giving money to Zhou Cheng. Previously, she would secretly slip pocket money into his pockets, as a future mother-in-law worried about her son-in-law’s harsh living conditions at work. Despite Xia Xiaolan saying many times that Zhou Cheng didn’t lack money, Liu Fen hadn’t changed her ways.

Before she would secretly slip pocket money into his pockets, afraid he’d feel embarrassed, but this year was different.

Zhou Cheng had proposed to Xiaolan!

The young couple’s relationship had progressed, and as the saying goes, a son-in-law is half a son. Rounding up, Liu Fen could now consider Zhou Cheng family.

As a family, wasn’t it proper for elders to give New Year red envelopes to the younger generation?

Liu Fen gave the red envelope confidently, and Zhou Cheng accepted it naturally:

“You’re so good to me!”

With his future mother-in-law on his side, it would be foolish not to be sweet-tongued at this moment.

Tang Hongen heard this and became even more displeased.

Ah Fen was just too soft-hearted and easily swayed, and this brat was too smooth-talking.

The placated Liu Fen lowered her voice, “Hongen, go check the fire in the kitchen for me, I’m still not very good at brewing soup.”

Not good at brewing soup?

My goodness, are you sure you’re not good at “brewing soup”?

The stern-faced Comrade Tang’s expression immediately softened, and he quickly headed to the kitchen!

Liu Fen then pulled aside Xia Xiaolan, who hadn’t had a chance to speak, and whispered: “What happened this time?”

Xia Xiaolan stammered, “We just happened to stay in the car a bit longer when he caught us.”

That shouldn’t be it.

Liu Fen consoled Zhou Cheng, “Don’t mind it, Zhou Cheng. Your Uncle Tang is just being difficult. Just go along with him for a while.”

How could Zhou Cheng mind?

Honestly, he completely understood why Tang Hongen looked at him unfavorably.

If he and Xiaolan had a daughter in the future, just thinking about some unknown rascal stealing her away—even though this “daughter” was still just imaginary—made Zhou Cheng’s hands itch to break that rascal’s legs.

Mayor Tang treated Xiaolan like his own daughter, which explained his reaction.

“Aunt Liu, let me help in the kitchen, I can be Uncle Tang’s assistant.”

Oh dear, what was this child thinking? They had finally found an excuse to separate them temporarily, and now he wanted to go near Old Tang again. Liu Fen was quite anxious.

“Will you be alright?”

“It’s fine, I can handle it. This is something I must do.”

Since Zhou Cheng insisted, Xia Xiaolan let him go. The two men, one middle-aged and one young, both had their calculations. Between men, there were men’s ways of resolving issues!

“Mom, it’s fine, let Zhou Cheng go.”

Zhou Cheng put on an apron and entered the kitchen with a very proper attitude.

Truthfully, neither Tang Hongen nor Zhou Cheng had much culinary talent—their special work nature meant neither had many chances to cook. But both men shared the same thought on this matter: if household chores needed doing, and men naturally had more strength than women, why shouldn’t they do it?

Caring for women wasn’t just about words.

Doing housework wasn’t about losing face.

Being able to cook a meal for the woman you love was itself a happy thing.

Liu Fen had made soup, stewed lamb, and prepared flour.

Zhou Cheng washed his hands after entering the kitchen, “Uncle Tang, are we making dumplings or noodles? Let me knead the dough.”

Hmph, did he think showing enthusiasm would make him forget what happened downstairs?

Tang Hongen moved aside, “Go ahead and knead, we’re probably making hand-pulled noodles.”

A New Year visit delayed until almost the Lantern Festival—Old Tang’s future father-in-law’s temper had grown… He had been holding in his anger about the unauthorized proposal, and now besides anger, there were other complicated feelings.

With the Mayor’s face clearly showing “I’m not happy,” Zhou Cheng knew when to be submissive, letting Old Tang boss him around in the kitchen, saying his dough-kneading lacked strength.

He was grumbling about everything being unsatisfactory.

Xia Xiaolan eavesdropped attentively, exchanging glances with her mother, asking silently: How can your husband be so childish? Is this a mayor? He’s just like a middle-aged man going through menopause!

Liu Fen’s gaze went blank.

How could she know why he was so childish?

When they first met, he had such an imposing leadership presence that she barely dared look him in the eye.

After marriage, Old Tang’s image at home had increasingly deviated.

Imposing without anger?

No, no, no, not at all!

Just like now, deliberately showing anger—Liu Fen thought he was like a child throwing a tantrum.

Childish with a touch of cuteness, making her want to indulge him… With Old Tang, one had to stroke his fur the right way.

Xia Xiaolan left the kitchen matters alone and helped Liu Fen with other things. As mealtime approached, Liu Yong arrived with his wife and child. Upon entering, he immediately smelled the aroma: “Xiaolan, did your mom stew lamb today? Smells amazing! People in Pengcheng don’t usually like lamb much, but I’ve been craving it.”

Food culture is related to regional climate. The Lingnan region preferred brewing soups to clear heat and reduce internal fire, with light cuisine, while the lamb was a warming ingredient that Lingnan people dared not eat much of.

Liu Yong’s Yunan Province stomach didn’t love seafood deeply—he wanted hot and spicy soup and lamb noodles!

“Yes, there’s lamb. Uncle, you can eat more later. Zhou Cheng is helping in the kitchen.”

Hmph.

The lamb’s fragrance suddenly seemed fainter.

At the mention of Zhou Cheng, Liu Yong immediately performed a face change—he was Tang Hongen’s brother-in-law, Zhou Cheng’s second father-in-law!

No, the ranking wasn’t in any particular order, but they all looked at Zhou Cheng quite unfavorably.

Zhou Cheng also had a “little brother-in-law” who used to be very servile but was now extremely wary of him. While Liu Yong still maintained some facade, Liu Zitao had already rushed into the kitchen. He wanted to discuss with Zhou Cheng whether Sister Xiaolan could marry later… He was still willing to call Zhou Cheng’s Brother-in-law Zhou, but would Brother-in-law Zhou bully his sister in the future?

Looking to “negotiate” with Zhou Cheng, Liu Zitao felt nervous—he was a bit afraid of Brother-in-law Zhou.

No, he couldn’t be afraid, he was a man, and he had to protect Sister Xiaolan!

Liu Zitao puffed out his little chest as he entered the kitchen.

Li Fengmei secretly rolled her eyes, “Xiaolan, your aunt supports you, let these old and young ones act out their drama themselves!”