Volume One, Chapter 20: She Must Be Joking, Right?
“Dad, do you even speak like a normal person?” Fang Mo’s eyes widened. He had expected his parents to need a long time to digest the news, but to his surprise, his father’s immediate reaction was such a remark.
This really infuriated Fang Mo.
What did he mean by saying Sister Yue Lan had “ruined” him?
Was their son really that worthless?
Fang’s father cast a disdainful glance at his son.
“Shut up. You sneakily got married and registered without even telling your own father. You’ve got some nerve. We’ll settle this later.”
After saying that, Fang’s father looked over at Ning Yue Lan.
“Xiao Lan, tell me how Fang Mo forced you into this. Uncle will help you deal with him. I know no matter how unsavory you might seem, you wouldn’t choose Fang Mo unless there’s something you’re hiding.”
A vein of exasperation flashed across Fang Mo’s forehead.
Truly, this was his biological father.
Ning Yue Lan covered her red lips and chuckled softly twice. Meeting the worried gaze of Fang’s mother, she quickly reached out and held the aunt’s hand.
“Uncle, Auntie, please don’t misunderstand. It’s really not as complicated as you think.”
“I’ve actually liked Fang Mo for many years. Even though our families haven’t been in close contact recently, I’ve never been able to forget his figure.”
“By chance, we confessed our feelings to each other, and then...”
She paused for a moment.
Fang’s father’s eyes widened. “And then you two rushed into marriage?”
Ning Yue Lan shyly nodded.
Wasn’t this a bit too hasty?
Usually, the groom’s parents consider much more, after all. When their son gets married, they are expected to prepare a car, a house, betrothal gifts, gold jewelry, and a whole lot of miscellaneous things.
But the Ning and Fang families had been close for three generations.
Ning Yue Lan had been raised under the watchful eyes of Fang Mo’s parents, so naturally, her character was impeccable.
“Isn’t this too sudden?” Fang’s mother was stunned for a while before glancing at her husband and son.
It seemed like a lot of information to take in!
Age difference might have been a generation gap to others, but as long as the feelings were mutual, Fang’s father didn’t mind at all.
At least being with a mature and sensible girl like Ning Yue Lan, who was also like a sister, he could tolerate his own son’s immaturity.
---
“Xiao Lan, marrying our Fang Mo, you’re really marrying down. Aren’t you feeling wronged?” Fang’s father cleared his throat and gave his son a hard look, who repeatedly wanted to say something but held back.
Ning Yue Lan laughed softly.
“Uncle, I am who I am, and the Ning family is the Ning family. I’m just Fang Mo’s wife, your daughter-in-law. What’s this talk about marrying up or down?”
“That’s true.”
“Uncle, Auntie, please put the luggage in the car first. Let’s get going and chat in the car.”
Ning Yue Lan chuckled twice and glanced at Fang Mo, who was sweating profusely while carrying the luggage. It seemed that Uncle Fang had brought back quite a few local specialties. Although it wasn’t visible on the surface, the suitcase was surely stuffed full.
On the way, Ning Yue Lan was the one talking to Fang’s father; Fang Mo and his mother couldn’t get a word in.
Actually, the elders had no objections to Ning Yue Lan. Once in the car, Fang’s father even joked:
“If I had known you two were so in love, I should have arranged a childhood engagement for you both when Fang Mo was little. As the saying goes, 'A daughter’s marriage at twenty-three is worth gold bricks.' Yue Lan is like three gold bricks that this brat Fang Mo got for free.”
Ning Yue Lan held the steering wheel lightly, her lips pursed in a smile.
She had been a bit anxious before coming here.
After all, the age gap between her and Fang Mo was quite large. She worried that the sudden change in status might make Uncle Fang and Aunt Ran uncomfortable. Fortunately, the two elders didn’t care about the age difference.
However, having a new daughter-in-law suddenly meant Fang Mo’s parents needed some time to adjust.
Even though Fang’s father and Ning Yue Lan tried their best to maintain the mood, there were still occasional awkward silences.
Things that elders normally could say now seemed difficult to express with a daughter-in-law present.
Ding—
At that moment, Fang Mo’s phone received a message.
It was from Li Haowen: “Have you met your uncle and aunt yet?”
Before leaving, Fang Mo had informed his close friend. Li Haowen was curious to see how Fang’s parents would react.
Fang Mo replied, “Yes, we’re in the car.”
Li Haowen: “Your parents won’t oppose the marriage, right?”
Fang Mo: “No, they actually seem quite pleased with Sister Yue Lan.”
Li Haowen: “Tsk tsk, Uncle Fang has a pretty strong capacity for acceptance. I told you not to worry. But now I’m worried about something else...”
Fang Mo: “???”
Li Haowen: “They say women in their thirties are like wolves and tigers. May I ask, Fang Mo, how’s your waist holding up?”
Fang Mo: “……”
---
Li Haowen: “Conquering a cold, strong-willed older woman is a long road. Share your feelings with me when you have time.”
Fang Mo snorted coldly and didn’t reply.
Share feelings?
He was about to block Li Haowen on WeChat and throw him into the blacklist, if only the guy knew.
“But since the two kids have already registered, as the groom’s parents, we still have to follow some procedures. If we have time this afternoon, take me and Mom to visit the grandfather, okay?”
Fang’s father suddenly said.
Ning Yue Lan nodded.
“Grandpa heard you were coming back and has already asked someone to prepare dishes at home. I’m actually heading there now.”
“Xiao Lan thinks things through carefully, unlike our brat who’s over twenty and still immature. He graduated ages ago and still doesn’t have a proper job,” praised Fang’s father. Having such a thoughtful and steady daughter-in-law like Ning Yue Lan was indeed a blessing.
Fang Mo muttered unhappily.
He knew Sister Yue Lan was outstanding, but couldn’t his father praise her without putting him down?
After all, he was his own son.
Couldn’t he show a little respect?
Fang Mo quietly grumbled, “I have a job.”
Fang’s father sneered, “What job? All you do is sit in front of a computer writing web novels. Do you really think you’re the main character in your stories?”
“It’s okay. Uncle, Fang Mo is fine like this. I’ve read his novels—they’re quite brilliant,” Ning Yue Lan said softly, clutching the steering wheel.
Seeing his daughter-in-law speak up, Fang’s father gave his son a little face. But Fang Mo, sitting in the passenger seat, was stunned.
Sister Yue Lan had read his novels?
That couldn’t be right. They weren’t even published yet. Where could she have seen them?
Thinking of the content he wrote, Fang Mo’s face flushed red with embarrassment.
He never told anyone he was a novelist because he was afraid of being asked about the titles and breaking down from shame.
“She’s probably just joking to placate Dad,” he muttered.