So An Xiuwen spent the rest of the time peppering Chu Mingcheng with questions. When Chu Yongxin got home, the first thing she did was share the good news with him.

For so many years, they'd worried themselves sick over their son's marriage prospects. They'd even arranged a few blind dates for him before, and it had been a real shame when two of the girls hadn't been interested.

But now that his girlfriend was Jiang Luoluo, any lingering disappointment they'd felt had been completely forgotten.

Of all the young women they'd been introduced to over the years, not a single one could compare to Jiang Luoluo.

Especially after Chu Mingcheng told them about all the help Jiang Luoluo had given his career, even putting up several million yuan to buy a boat with him.

If their son were to ever let a girl like that down, it would be truly unconscionable. He'd deserve to be struck by lightning.

That evening, Chu Yongxin was in particularly high spirits. Not only did he cook a table full of delicious dishes, but he and An Xiuwen also started drinking.

The two got a little too carried away and ended up drinking themselves senseless. Chu Mingcheng had to help them into their bedrooms one by one so they could rest properly.

When he came out and saw the messy table, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The first thing he had to do upon returning home was wash dishes. What kind of homecoming was this?

After tidying up and taking a shower, he lay down on his bed, and the exhaustion from pulling an all-nighter finally hit him.

A single Life Conversion wasn't enough to fully restore his energy, and now, the moment he hit the pillow, he felt like he could fall asleep immediately.

But Jiang Luoluo had already sent him a list of her parents' preferences, along with some suggestions on the most suitable gifts to bring when he visited.

Li Ying loved beauty products, so a set of the cosmetics she usually used would be a good choice.

Jiang Bo loved tea, especially black tea—both easy enough to find.

Chu Mingcheng suddenly realized his own parents had similar tastes. An Xiuwen had been just as stunning as Li Ying in her youth.

It was just that Old Chu's cooking was too good, which had made her look a bit more... prosperous.

And since Old Chu didn't earn as much, An Xiuwen was reluctant to splurge on high-end cosmetics.

Chu Mingcheng sent this information to Jiang Luoluo, suggesting that she and his mother would have plenty to talk about when it came to cosmetics and clothes.

As for his father, Old Chu had developed a tea-drinking habit from his chef days when he used to carry a teacup everywhere. A gift of tea leaves would be perfect for him too—he wasn't picky about the type.

Just as he sent the message, a video call from Jiang Luoluo came through.

When he answered, it looked like she'd just washed her face. In the video, she appeared even more pure and innocent than when she wore makeup.

"Cheng, are you home?"

"Yeah, got in around five this afternoon."

"I saw your message. I can't believe our parents have such similar hobbies."

"Pretty common interests, I guess. It's a shame I'm not making serious money yet. Otherwise, I'd ask my grand-uncle for some antique paintings or calligraphy. I bet your dad would like that!"

Chu Mingcheng figured that since her family used to be well-off, his future father-in-law would be interested in such things.

But in the video, Jiang Luoluo immediately shook her head. "Don't go thinking my dad's some high-class connoisseur. He doesn't have that kind of artistic appreciation. I've never seen him collect any paintings or antiques."

Just as she finished speaking, Chu Mingcheng heard a loud sneeze from her end. It was clearly a man's sneeze.

The two stared at each other with strange expressions. Jiang Luoluo looked particularly embarrassed.

Even if it was a coincidence, she'd just been badmouthing her own father.

Chu Mingcheng desperately wanted to laugh, but he knew he had to hold it in, or a certain someone would get angry out of embarrassment.

"Ahem... pfft... I'm not laughing... pfft..."

Unfortunately, he couldn't hold it in.

"Oh, shut up!" Jiang Luoluo huffed, but after a moment, she started laughing too.

It took them a while before they could continue their conversation.

"By the way, did you tell your father and mom about us?"

"I did. They were so happy they drank themselves into a stupor. I had to carry them both to bed."

"Hehe, they were that happy?"

Although Jiang Luoluo had met An Xiuwen before, visiting their home as a future daughter-in-law would still make her nervous.

But hearing what Chu Mingcheng said, all her nervousness and anxiety vanished completely.

"Of course they're happy. Who wouldn't be with such a beautiful and wonderful daughter-in-law?"

When you're in a relationship, nothing makes you happier than having both sets of parents' support. Although Jiang Luoluo's parents hadn't officially given their approval yet, from her relaxed demeanor, it was clear there wouldn't be any issues.

The next day, when he woke up, Chu Mingcheng stretched lazily and reached for his phone to check the time, only to be surprised to find that the video call was still connected.

He could hear soft breathing from the other end. Clearly, Jiang Luoluo was still asleep.

He couldn't see her, but he imagined she must look adorable.

It seemed they'd fallen asleep while chatting last night. Good thing he had Wi-Fi at home, or he would've used up all his data.

He hung up and saw it was only six in the morning. No wonder Jiang Luoluo was still sleeping so soundly.

Unfortunately, his own biological clock was already set. It made him want to sleep in sometimes, but he just couldn't.

After lying in bed for a while, feeling restless, Chu Mingcheng decided to get up.

His parents' bedroom door was still closed. He went out for a run to warm up, then brought back breakfast.

It was past seven when he returned. Chu Yongxin was already awake.

He wasn't surprised to see his son coming back from outside—he'd known his son was up when he came out of his own room.

He naturally took the breakfast and started eating, casually asking, "By the way, son, what did Luoluo say? When are you planning to visit?"

"Once you two have visited each other's families, your mother and I can meet with Luoluo's parents to discuss you two."

Chu Mingcheng sat down and started on his breakfast as well. "I'll wait a few more days before visiting. I brought the boat back and want to catch a five-jin large yellow croaker first. But if I can't get one in the next few days, I won't force it."

"You came back by boat?" Chu Yongxin was a little surprised. He'd thought his son had taken the high-speed rail or a plane.

"Of course. Don't you know how expensive large yellow croaker is around New Year? I have to take this chance to make some serious money!"

"That's true! Anyway, you'll have plenty of time to rest during next year's fishing moratorium."

Chu Yongxin nodded, showing his approval of his son's plan.

Since his son already had everything arranged, he didn't say more. After finishing breakfast, he left for work.

After eating, Chu Mingcheng didn't stay home either. How could a fishing addict like him stay idle?

He told An Xiuwen, who'd just gotten up, that he wouldn't be home for lunch or dinner because he was going out to sea to fish. Then he left and headed for Zhang Wei's house.

When he got there, he ran into Zhang Wei's father. Even in the middle of winter, he was wearing a tank top, showing off a body full of muscle as he practiced boxing in the small courtyard.

Zhang Wei's father had studied martial arts in the past and had worked as a bodyguard for a long time. When he got older and couldn't find work, he started catching green crabs and digging for sea worms on the mudflats.

Despite their old-fashioned, three-story house, Zhang Wei's father actually had quite a bit of savings, all set aside for his son to buy a house and car and get married.

Chu Mingcheng had heard from Zhang Wei just how much he'd saved—enough for a down payment on a house in the city center plus a three-hundred-thousand-yuan car, paid in full, no problem.

It was just a shame that his son was such a disappointment and had yet to bring a girlfriend home.

"Uncle Zhang, good morning! Is Wei still sleeping?"

Zhang Bing wasn't surprised to see Chu Mingcheng. Zhang Wei had told him about the fishing plan last night, and he thought it was a great idea, so he had readily agreed.

"Wei's still asleep. Go on up and get him!"

"Alright, I'll head up then." Chu Mingcheng walked with practiced ease to Zhang Wei's room.

Seeing the lump under the covers on the bed, he decided not to play any pranks this time.

After all, Zhang Wei's father was downstairs, and his grandparents lived next door. If his friend's screams were too loud and brought everyone over, it would be awkward.

It wasn't like with Chen Yang, who lived alone. He could mess with him however he wanted.

So Chu Mingcheng took out his phone, turned the volume all the way up, and...

"BWWAAAAAAAHHHH!!"

"HOLY MOLY!"

Seeing Zhang Wei shoot straight up in bed, Chu Mingcheng was very pleased. The sound of a ship's horn really did work wonders, almost as well as a suona.

Downstairs, Zhang Bing heard the commotion and shook his head with a smile.

These kids had been playing together since they were little. He was already used to all their antics.

Chu Mingcheng calmly turned the volume on his phone back down and put it in his pocket, ignoring Zhang Wei's resentful glare.

He hadn't played a prank on him—he'd just chosen an effective way to wake him up.

"Let's go, time to fish for large yellow croaker!"

"Next time, can't you wake a guy up a little more gently?" Zhang Wei grumbled as he started getting dressed.

"Sure, sure, next time!"

Once they were ready, they went and bought a few foam boxes, some crushed ice, and sandworms. Then they picked up some groceries before heading to Yanmen Island.

Chu Mingcheng didn't have a car, so he was bumming a ride from Zhang Wei, which was another reason he'd called him. Not having a car was just too inconvenient.

They stopped by his old house first to feed Mimi and the others, leaving a large bowl of cat food next to them.

He was heading out to sea today and would probably be spending the night on the water. He wouldn't be back until he'd used up all the bait and crushed ice on the boat.

He opened one of the windows in the old house's storage room. This type of old-fashioned window could be opened just a crack. It had security bars, so only Mimi could get through.

He'd even moved a stool under the window outside to make it easier for Mimi to get in and out.

After showing it to her a few times, Mimi knew how to get home when the door was locked. As for the kittens, they'd just have to stay inside where it was safe.

Afterward, the two went to the pier, moved all their things onto the boat, and set off.

Chu Mingcheng first drove the boat to the passenger ferry terminal to get water and fuel.

But when it was time to pay, Zhang Wei immediately stepped forward. "Don't you dare fight me on this. You're taking me to fish for large yellow croaker and even paying me a high price for my catch. The least I can do is show some appreciation!"

Since he'd put it that way, Chu Mingcheng naturally didn't argue.

Because they were childhood friends, he felt embarrassed to pay a low price for the fish.

And because they were childhood friends, Chen Yang and Zhang Wei felt embarrassed to take such a big advantage.

The two had discussed it after they went home last night. One would cover the fuel cost, and the other had his own plan.

If you started calculating every little gain and loss between brothers, the friendship would naturally grow weaker over time, until you were just ordinary friends with a business relationship, or even strangers.

A sense of mutual give-and-take—that was the way to lasting friendship.

The reason Chu Mingcheng and his two friends got along so well was that they had this unspoken understanding. None of them would ever do anything to break that balance.

The fuel for today wasn't cheap. It cost Zhang Wei a full fifty-six hundred yuan, which also made him realize just how difficult it was to maintain a boat.

"Damn! If you're not making at least ten thousand a day, you can't even afford to keep a boat!"

"And which day have I ever made less than that?"

"Heh, I'll give you full marks for that one. Don't want to see you get too proud!"