Sweet slice-of-life love story: Wife, Let's love again
Chapter 206 - 203: Overnight Stay

Chapter 206: Chapter 203: Overnight Stay

The dinner was sumptuous, with fish split into two pots, plus a few stir-fried dishes and some smashed cucumber, filling up the table.

He Fang and Zhao Qing washed the bowls and chopsticks and served rice for everyone, then called everyone to take their seats.

"My brother is especially good at cooking fish. Eat up."

"I can tell."

Qin Guanglin was no longer as reserved as he was at lunch and had relaxed quite a bit. He took the chopsticks from He Fang, glanced at the dishes on the table, and couldn’t help but take another look at He Fang.

The bowl of boiled fish was covered with a layer of finely chopped red chili peppers, densely packed, with red oil floating on the surface, clearly a Sichuan-Chongqing style dish.

"Eat up," He Fang said with a smile, meeting Qin Guanglin’s gentle gaze, and helped him pick up a piece of the dish with her chopsticks.

The three men, each with their own thoughts, ate in silence.

Qin Guanglin was afraid he wouldn’t be liked and that there would be problems when the two met each other’s parents, which would make things difficult for He Fang; Teacher He and his son didn’t understand Qin Guanglin, and they were also worried that He Fang might be mistreated, so they quietly scrutinized him while hiding their own thoughts.

All three men cautiously tested each other, not realizing that their thoughts were almost identical.

Zhao Qing, the semi-outsider, had the clearest view of the situation, giving Qin Guanglin and He Fang a knowing smile, then lowered her head to serve food to He Cheng.

If it weren’t for the precedent of her marrying He Shan too early, He’s Daddy would have probably lost his temper by now.

After dinner, Zhao Qing and He Fang cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks and took them to the kitchen to wash. He’s Daddy didn’t continue to hold his large teacup, instead grabbed a half bottle of liquor to sip on, while He Shan greeted them and went to his room to handle work on his computer.

"Qin, do you want to have a drink or two?" He’s Daddy invited Qin Guanglin, noticing him sitting idly on the couch.

"Uh... I don’t drink." Qin Guanglin hesitated for a moment, waved his hand to refuse; he had said earlier in the afternoon that he generally doesn’t drink. Although he was invited by his future father-in-law, he couldn’t readily agree.

Moreover, he truly wasn’t accustomed to liquor, though he could manage a few sips of beer.

He’s Daddy didn’t insist and sipped his drink himself, then picked up a fried bean from the table, tossed it into his mouth, closed his eyes to enjoy it for a while, then opened his eyes to look at him, "Full, aren’t you?"

"Yeah, quite full."

"Her brother has liked to be in the kitchen since he was little, and his cooking skills are outstanding; it’s just that Fang has been spoiled by her brother and never touched these pots and pans, she only knows how to wash dishes... I’ve seen you post a few photos of you cooking. Over there, it’s all you taking care of her, must be tiring, eh?"

"Ah?"

Qin Guanglin was momentarily stunned, then said with confusion, "Her cooking is quite tasty, I always..."

"Ha, cooking instant noodles is quite tasty." He’s Daddy chewed the beans and waved his hand dismissively, "I know what my daughter is like, no need to save her face... You guys—cough... I was originally worried about her being so far from home and not taking good care of herself, I heard she said she found a job as a teacher at a school?"

"Yeah, as an elementary school teacher." Qin Guanglin suppressed the confusion in his heart and nodded slightly.

Although the food made by He Shan was indeed delicious, He Fang’s cooking was not much worse compared to his; it didn’t seem like what He’s Daddy was describing.

"She never tells us how things are going outside, always says everything is fine, fine. Luo City may be a big city, but it’s not easy to live well..."

"What are you talking about now, drinking again, you should drink less." He Fang came out wiping her hands, seeing him with a drink in one hand and beans in the other, she frowned and took hold of the liquor bottle to cap it, "Just finish the rest of the half cup you have."

"Tsk... okay, okay." He’s Daddy let his eyebrows droop and hesitated before finishing the half glass of wine, sipping just a little bit and tossing another bean into his mouth, "I was talking with Qin, what are you meddling for?"

"Huh, I can’t listen when you guys talk?" He Fang sat down next to Qin Guanglin, refusing to budge, "What are you talking about, living well or not? Me? I’m living so wonderfully it’s indescribable."

"Don’t just leave it indescribable, tell us, I want to hear how wonderfully you’re living." He’s Daddy said discontentedly.

"Beautiful as a flower."

"Pfft."

"Um... it’s getting dark, I should head back now." Qin Guanglin felt uncomfortable sitting between the two of them and stood up to take his leave, planning to grab his bag and find a hotel outside.

"What’s the rush, it’s not even late yet, watch some TV." He’s Daddy insisted on him staying.

"No, it’s fine..."

"Yeah, you’ve got nothing to do if you go back this early. Stay a while longer." He Fang didn’t want him to be lying alone in the hotel room so early on, so she pulled him back to sit on the sofa.

"Uh... then I’ll stay a little longer."

Teacher He’s half glass of wine was quickly finished, and he tied up the bag of beans and put it away. Then he went into the kitchen to rinse his glass and settled back down to watch TV, with his eyes casting frequent glances their way.

He Fang, however, didn’t cling to him any further. She maintained some distance from Qin Guanglin, leaning on the sofa and eating grapes one by one, while Qin Guanglin stared at the television without looking sideways, pondering the best time to bid farewell.

Zhao Qing stayed in the bedroom for a while, with nothing to do, and finally came out and beckoned to He Fang, "Fang, come here for a second."

"..."

"What’s up?" Qin Guanglin asked in a low voice, noting He Fang’s unusual expression.

"It’s nothing." He Fang sighed, got up slowly, and went into her room with Zhao Qing.

Sister-in-law and Qin’s Mom were different. The former wouldn’t just talk in riddles and throw out a book to end the conversation like Qin’s Mom did. It was a young woman and a girl... well, strictly speaking, two young women together, and no one knew what they were whispering about.

After a long while, the two came out of the room looking normal. Qin Guanglin took the opportunity to stand up, preparing to pick up his bag and say goodbye again.

"Where are you staying tonight?" He Shan, who had also finished dealing with something, came out and asked Qin Guanglin as he saw him getting ready to leave.

"Uh... I haven’t decided yet, I’m going to go out and look around. Are there any hotels or inns nearby?" Seeing that he had been asked, Qin Guanglin answered and also asked for directions, since he hadn’t seen any places to stay when he arrived at noon.

The He family house wasn’t small, but it wasn’t big either. He Shan and his wife had one room, He’s Daddy had another, He Fang had one, and He Cheng had his own little house. There was no guest room left.

Even if there were a guest room, it wouldn’t have been proper to stay the night on a first visit. He needed to find a place to stay outside.

"You haven’t booked yet..." He Shan frowned thoughtfully, "It’s the holiday season now, and I don’t know if you can book something so late... Wait for me to make a call and ask."

"Oh, I forgot about that. Usually, there are always rooms available," He Fang slapped her leg in annoyance, looking at He Shan, hoping he could manage to book a room via phone.

"Um... give me the number, I’ll go out to have a look. If I can’t find anything, I’ll call and book something myself." Qin Guanglin felt it was too much trouble to bother He Shan, so he pulled out his phone, ready to take down the number.

Teacher He looked at them thoughtfully for a moment, then stood up, took Qin Guanglin’s bag into his hands, "No need for all that trouble. Stay here."

"Ah?"

"Uh?"

Qin Guanglin and He Fang froze, and He Shan paused where he stood, holding his phone, and turned to look at Teacher He.

"It’s already so late, and if you can’t find accommodations, you would have to come back here. It’s simpler to stay here for the night and look for a hotel tomorrow during the day."

Teacher He turned his head to Qin Guanglin, "How many days are you staying in He City?"

"Uh..." Qin Guanglin was momentarily confused and slow to respond.

Staying here... is my future father-in-law really so open-minded?

He turned to look at He Fang, hesitantly saying, "Probably... several days, I guess?"

"Dad..." He Fang spoke up.

"Tsk, making someone go out in the middle of the night on their first visit to look for a room, there’s no such custom." Teacher He waved his hand dismissively, "It’s settled then."

Qin Guanglin opened his mouth, wanting to insist a bit further. Staying here on a first visit and squeezing into Teacher He’s daughter’s bedroom... it didn’t feel quite right no matter how he thought about it.

But then he saw Teacher He carrying his bag to his own room, opened the door, and looked back, "Tonight, you and I will sleep together."

"..."

"..."