Chapter 20: To Become a Son-in-Law or Not

Chapter 20: Should I Become the Son-in-Law?

Zhang Suxin glanced helplessly at Lu Anzhi, her eyes seeming to say something unspoken.

Lu Anzhi roughly understood the meaning behind that look—it was probably, "You figure something out too."

He said, "Qianqian, if you don’t get up soon, Dad is leaving."

Qianqian remained in her dejected, curled-up posture, but shouted loudly, "No! I don’t want to!"

Lu Anzhi asked, "Then should I go?"

Still lying on the floor, Qianqian continued shouting, "No! Don’t want!"

Lu Anzhi sighed helplessly. "Well, that girl seems convinced I won’t actually leave."

"Ah..."

Zhang Suxin shook her head and sighed.

"Ah..." Lu Anzhi sighed along. "How is she so clever?"

Zhang Suxin rolled her eyes. "What kind of clever is that? Just little tricks."

That casual, everyday posture had its own unique charm.

Lu Anzhi observed this quietly, inwardly admiring Zhang Suxin—once a little queen of the music scene—who could write songs, sing beautifully, and was not only pretty but also carried herself with such grace.

Surely Qianqian would grow up just as outstanding?

Thinking that, Lu Anzhi smiled. "She’s only a two-year-old little girl. How much cleverness can you expect?"

Zhang Suxin said, "You’re right. Let’s not bother with her anymore. Let her lie there; come in and sit."

Since the mother had spoken, Lu Anzhi naturally had no grounds to argue. He stepped around little Qianqian and sat down on the sofa.

Zhang Suxin said, "You sit for a bit. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet."

Lu Anzhi replied, "Okay."

Zhang Suxin placed Qianqian’s breakfast on the dining table and went into the kitchen to get her own, then sat down at the table to eat.

Qianqian still lay on the floor, maintaining her dejected curled-up pose, clearly determined to resist to the end.

Zhang Suxin didn’t indulge her; she ate breakfast while chatting casually with Lu Anzhi.

The former little queen of the music world didn’t seem to mind talking while eating, yet her manner was elegant and pleasant to watch.

Lu Anzhi asked, "I saw Qianqian was pretty obedient when she was outside earlier. Why is she suddenly acting up today?"

Zhang Suxin scolded, "She’s obedient in front of outsiders. Whenever someone mentions her, it’s always ‘Qianqian is so obedient,’ ‘Qianqian is so sensible.’ She only acts up at home, around people she knows well—like me and Aunt Gu, and now you too. She’s a little tyrant at home!"

Unexpectedly, even while lying on the floor in her dejected pose, Qianqian overheard this and called out, "Qianqian doesn’t act up! Mommy acts up!"

Zhang Suxin smiled helplessly and put down her chopsticks. "Look at her! Lying there on the floor, playing tricks on us, secretly listening to our conversation."

Qianqian zipped her lips.

Zhang Suxin rubbed her temples. "I wasn’t like this when I was a kid..."

Lu Anzhi said, "Neither was I..."

After all, in his previous life, he was a fairly obedient boy, and in this life, having grown up as an orphan accustomed to reading others’ expressions, he was even more sensible and well-behaved.

He had never seen little tricks like Qianqian’s before; this was an eye-opener.

Zhang Suxin sighed, "So, who do you think she takes after?"

Lu Anzhi laughed, "It can’t be that she was switched at birth, right?"

Zhang Suxin rolled her eyes. "If my daughter had been switched, do you think I wouldn’t know?"

Both were quite certain about Qianqian’s situation. With her small features resembling Lu Anzhi’s to a remarkable degree, no one would believe she wasn’t his daughter.

So there was nothing strange about the topic; they were just casually chatting.

As they talked, Lu Anzhi suddenly realized that their conversation, filled with ordinary family matters, was no longer as formal or reserved as their previous meetings.

Without barriers, it genuinely felt like normal chit-chat between a child’s father and mother.

He wondered if Zhang Suxin felt the same.

Whether she did or not, this was best.

Only then could Qianqian experience something like a normal family.

Qianqian stubbornly refused to get up from the floor as Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin continued their casual talk.

Suddenly, Lu Anzhi recalled something. "When I took the elevator upstairs just now, I met an old lady on the seventh floor. Do you know her?"

Zhang Suxin said, "Seventh floor? That must be Aunt Li. What about her?"

Lu Anzhi replied, "She kept looking at me while in the elevator, and even glanced at me right before the doors closed. It gave me the creeps."

Zhang Suxin laughed. "She’s probably hoping you’ll become her son-in-law."

"Uh..."

Lu Anzhi was momentarily speechless.

Zhang Suxin chuckled, "Aunt Li has an only daughter, who’s not young anymore but has been busy with work and refuses to settle down. Aunt Li worries a lot and can’t help but glance at any handsome young man she sees. Maybe she’s interested in you."

Lu Anzhi nodded. "Alright. I’m not bad-looking; it’s normal if someone likes me."

"Such vanity!"

Zhang Suxin smiled warmly and rolled her eyes. Yet she had to admit, Lu Anzhi was indeed quite good-looking.

After the events three years ago, Zhang Suxin had panicked and left in a hurry, paying little attention.

But three years later, when she firmly chose Lu Anzhi, seeing his appearance gave her a sense of relief.

Who wouldn’t want the person connected to them to be more attractive?

Even if she never imagined their relationship would advance beyond just being co-parents.

"If you’re interested, I can talk to Aunt Li for you," Zhang Suxin said with a smile. "By the way, Aunt Li’s family is quite well-off. Both parents have stable jobs and own a house locally. Their only daughter is fair-skinned, plump, not unattractive, and very ambitious, making a good income.

"If they get married, have a son and a daughter, the parents will soon retire and can help look after the kids."

Lu Anzhi shook his head. "Better not." He already had a daughter; why bring this up?

For some reason, hearing Lu Anzhi say that, Zhang Suxin felt a secret relief and an unspoken joy.

Clearly, she hadn’t thought about taking things further with Lu Anzhi...

It must be because of Qianqian—she didn’t want her daughter’s father marrying someone else and neglecting Qianqian!

It had to be that!

That’s what Zhang Suxin thought.

Suddenly, neither noticed that while they were discussing this topic, Qianqian quietly got up from the floor and crept over to the dining table.

The little one clumsily climbed onto a chair, then sat down and dragged her small bowl in front of her. With her tiny hand gripping a spoon, she started feeding herself.

Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin exchanged a glance, both slightly surprised.

Zhang Suxin quickly realized something and laughed, "That little rascal probably feared you’d leave and go up to the seventh floor."

Thanks to Xia Zhixuan for the generous rewards; your daily support truly humbles me.

Also, thanks to everyone for reading, recommending, and voting.

The new writer bows in gratitude!

(End of chapter)