CHAPTER 360: CHAPTER 361: A BIT TOO IMPATIENT

At Shangjing Railway Station, a jeep was waiting at the exit. When the driver saw Lu Zhenping, he waved him over. As the two approached, the driver nodded at Shen Meng.

"Hello, I’m Bai Yan, Zhenping’s cousin."

"Hello, Shen Meng."

Bai Yan smiled briefly, opened the car door, and waited for the two to get in before he turned to the passenger seat. The driver asked for confirmation and then started the vehicle.

"I know you’re reluctant to stay at home, so I’ve arranged for you to stay at a guesthouse near the hospital. Grandma is currently in the hospital; you can visit her after resting for the night."

"Okay!"

Bai Yan, seeing the expressionless face of Lu Zhenping, couldn’t help but click his tongue.

"It’s been so many years, and she is your mother after all. You don’t have to be so heartless. Try to be a little nicer when you see her, if only for my father’s sake."

"Stop talking. Look away."

Bai Yan rolled his eyes but still turned his head away. The whole family was waiting for Lu Zhenping to visit Bai Shuyu at the hospital. If he dared to show any displeasure to Lu Zhenping and upset him enough to walk away, the entire family would clobber him.

"Tired, aren’t you? Rest up a little later, and we’ll go out to eat something good. I heard that Shangjing’s roast duck and hot pot are pretty good. We should give them a try. Of course, no matter how tasty the food is, it can’t beat what you make."

Shen Meng gave him a glance, feeling a bit embarrassed to be praised in front of others.

"From what you say, it seems the sister-in-law is a good cook, hehehe. Since Grandma is in the hospital, would it be possible to trouble the sister-in-law to..."

"I don’t find Shangjing to be that special, Zhenping. Let’s head back tomorrow. The kids have exams coming up, and it’s quite hectic."

Bai Yan: "....."

She seems so gentle and soft-spoken, I didn’t expect her to be so fiery!!!

"What the wife says goes."

"No, no, no, I misspoke, hehehe. I just thought, after all, Grandma is the sister-in-law’s mother-in-law, and I heard that back in our hometown, she was very respectful towards that fake... that foster mother. I thought it would be nice for you to deepen your relationship with Grandma!"

Shen Meng glanced at him, then leaned her head on Lu Zhenping’s shoulder and pretended to sleep. Lu Zhenping stroked her hair and also closed his eyes.

Bai Yan’s expression turned a bit ugly, but he didn’t dare say anything.

When they arrived at the guesthouse, Lu Zhenping and Shen Meng went through the check-in process and directly retired to their room to rest. Bai Yan tried his best to smile, but it was to no avail.

"Really, I just misspoke once and look at those stern faces. Don’t they have any regard for family bonds?"

Driver: "Young Master, if I may say so, Director Lu and Mr. Shen have depended on themselves over these years. From the information we’ve compiled, the couple has built their reputation and prestige with their own abilities. Our family and Grandma’s family haven’t been much help to them. Now that they’ve only just arrived in Shangjing, asking them to cook is a bit hasty."

Bai Yan listened in silence, knowing full well he had been too impatient. But Grandma’s health is in bad shape, all because she missed Lu Zhenping so much. If only he had married Nian Nian when he joined the army, then Grandma wouldn’t have had to be separated from him for so many years.

"Let’s go, back home."

Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping freshened up in their room and then lay down to rest. The train journey had been quite strenuous. Fortunately, the seats they had purchased were decent; otherwise, she had no idea how she would have managed the trip.

At dusk, Lu Zhenping woke up and saw Shen Meng was still asleep. He got up, walked to the balcony, and started smoking. He was supposed to stay in Shangjing for three days, but judging by Bai Yan’s attitude today, he probably figured that he wouldn’t be able to leave in just three days.

"You awake? Want to sleep some more?"

"Did I wake you?"

"No, I’m awake too. Let’s go out and grab something to eat; I’m a bit hungry."

Lu Zhenping nodded, helped Shen Meng get her clothes and shoes, and the two of them got ready and left the guesthouse.

Shangjing was lively at night too. Lu Zhenping and Shen Meng walked around and came across a potsticker shop at a corner. The place was bustling, so Lu Zhenping ordered two servings of chicken soup potstickers and two servings of hot soup.

"Is that enough? If not, we can order something else."

"This is fine. I heard there’s a place that sells marinated foods near our guesthouse. Let’s try some tomorrow morning!"

"Hmm? I’ve heard that Shangjing’s fermented bean drink is really good, and I wanted to take you to try it. We had originally planned for three days, but now I guess we likely won’t be able to leave in three days. Let’s take this opportunity to really enjoy the local cuisine of Shangjing. You’ve worked so hard all these years; it’s a good chance for you to relax."

Shen Meng: "......"

I’m all for relaxing, but I’ll pass on the fermented bean drink, thanks! I’ve tried it before, very much appreciate the offer!!!

The next morning, Bai Yan personally drove to the guesthouse. In about five minutes, he saw Lu Zhenping and Shen Meng walking out of the guesthouse.

"Good morning, have you had breakfast? How about I take you guys out to get something to eat?"

"We’ve eaten already. Let’s go buy some stuff first. It’s not nice to visit someone in the hospital empty-handed."

"Okay."

Although Bai Yan simply said one word, he was actually very pleased inside. They had both looked so somber yesterday; he thought they would just go and take a quick look and be done. He didn’t expect they would actually buy gifts.

But thinking about it, it made sense. One was a Director from the Provincial City, and the other was a former Secretary General in charge of a county’s economy. They were really on point with social norms.

Shen Meng and Lu Zhenping considered that they were visiting an elder, so they bought some common health supplements. Nothing was excessively expensive, but Bai Yan was very happy to see the gifts.

"You bought so much, let me carry them. My aunt’s ward is in a private room on the third floor. Nian Nian is looking after her. Oh, Nian Nian is my aunt’s adopted daughter. You haven’t met her before, but soon our family, including my uncle and cousin, will all go there."

"With so many people there, is it really appropriate for Zhenping and me to go?"

"No, no, not at all. We’re all family. What’s appropriate or inappropriate? Anyway, let’s get in the car. My aunt was so happy to hear you’re coming, she’s been in much better spirits."

Shen Meng gave him a smile. Lu Zhenping pursed his lips and didn’t say a word. In the end, this was his own mother, whom he hadn’t seen for many years; surely, there were some emotions stirring inside him, but they were expressions an outsider couldn’t grasp, only Shen Meng noticed. She tightened her grip on his hand.

They exchanged a glance and silently got into the car.

Bai Yan drove fast, as if he was afraid they would change their minds. In less than ten minutes, they arrived at the hospital. After parking the car, he led the way without carrying anything.

Shen Meng was holding fruit in one hand and high-calcium milk powder in the other. It was as if he hadn’t noticed.

Lu Zhenping was also carrying things in big and small bags, and he looked somewhat annoyed at Bai Yan’s retreating figure. They were already at the hospital entrance—did he think they would run away? He rushed like a scared rabbit, showing none of the composure one might expect from someone with a military background.