MTY chapter 40

Lu Ziqing successfully intercepted Lin Yu at a café near the high-speed rail station entrance.

The moment Lin Yu saw him, he turned to run, but Lu Ziqing reached out and pressed him back into place.

Lu Ziqing’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Director Lin, where are you headed?”

Lin Yu struggled but couldn’t break free. “Mi Lan said there was a contract I needed to sign… Why are you here instead?”

Lu Ziqing: “She was busy, so I came in her place.”

“Oh.” Lin Yu forced himself to stay calm, taking the contract and flipping through a few pages. “…The deadline isn’t today, though.”

“Oh, maybe I read it wrong.” Lu Ziqing took the contract back and slipped it into his bag. Then, glancing at his watch, he said, “It’s about time. Let’s go. You need to get in line for ticket check-in.”

As he spoke, he grabbed Lin Yu and started walking toward the boarding gate.

“…Wait a minute.” Lin Yu stared at him. “I’m going back on leave. Why are you coming with me?”

Lu Ziqing: “Oh? Isn’t it normal for a married couple to accompany each other back home for the holidays?”

Lin Yu: “…”

Lin Yu: “That wasn’t in the contract.”

“That’s true,” Lu Ziqing nodded. “But to make our married act more seamless, I think it’s necessary for me to learn about your family. That way, I won’t slip up in front of others.”

Lin Yu: “…What kind of slip-ups?”

Lu Ziqing: “For example, if my relatives ask about your siblings, and I say you’re an only child, but you tell them you have a younger brother, our lie falls apart immediately.”

Lin Yu: “We could just agree on a story beforehand!”

“I have a bad memory. I might forget,” Lu Ziqing said. “But if I see it all with my own eyes, it’ll leave a stronger impression. Less chance of a mistake.”

Lin Yu: “…”

“…Xiao Lu.” Lin Yu tried to sound like a responsible elder. “You know I’ll be transferring back to headquarters soon…”

“Take things one step at a time, Director Lin. You know that principle, don’t you?” Lu Ziqing said. “As long as our contract is still valid, you have an obligation to cooperate with me.”

“Besides, I already told my father before I left. He fully supports me visiting your hometown. He even said the company might build a factory there in the future, so I should take this opportunity to scout the area.”

Lin Yu: “…”

…..

Lin Yu tried multiple times to get rid of him but failed. With the ticket check-in closing soon, Lu Ziqing remained unfazed, saying that since he had already taken leave, if Lin Yu didn’t bring him along, he would make sure their contract reflected his grievance.

In the end, Lin Yu had no choice but to bring Lu Ziqing onto the high-speed train.

They arrived at the Lin family home before nightfall.

Along the way, they passed vast plains. Most houses were self-built two-story homes surrounded by farmland, appearing from a distance like little white squares scattered across the landscape.

Lin Yu’s hometown, L County, was a small southern town known for its silk production and picturesque scenery.

His family lived in a modest residential building in the county town.

As they walked toward the house, Lin Yu hurriedly gave Lu Ziqing some last-minute instructions.

“When we get there, I’ll say you’re a close friend from work who came to visit my hometown.”

“My parents only know I changed job locations this year. They don’t know about the fake marriage, so don’t let anything slip.”

“My parents run a small convenience store. I also have a younger sister, Lin Rui, who studies dance. She’s taking her art entrance exams next year.”

At this point, Lin Yu had no choice but to try and control Lu Ziqing to prevent him from saying anything reckless.

Surprisingly, Lu Ziqing nodded obediently the whole way.

Lin Yu relaxed slightly and casually shared more about his family.

Talking about his sister, Lin Rui, his tone carried a hint of pride. “She’s really talented. Her teachers all praise her long arms and legs, saying she has the perfect build for a dancer.”

Streetlights cast a soft yellow glow on both sides of the road.

Lu Ziqing turned his head to look at him.

Whenever Lin Yu talked about his family, he became much more talkative than usual, his eyes even curving slightly in warmth.

Lu Ziqing: “Art exams must be expensive.”

At the mention of money, Lin Yu’s expression showed a bit of worry. “Before, my parents were paying for everything, but it was a bit of a strain. Now that online shopping is so popular, fewer people shop at convenience stores… But after I started working, things got better. Rui Rui is also very sensible—when she’s not in class, she helps out at the store.”

As they chatted, they unknowingly arrived downstairs.

This was an old apartment complex without elevators, just a stairwell leading up floor by floor.

Lin Yu led Lu Ziqing upstairs.

At the door, just as Lin Yu knocked twice, it swung open.

“Come in, come in! I was just setting the table.”

Lin Yu’s mother was a short and plump woman with permed ginger-colored curls. She wore an oversized school uniform jacket. When she smiled, the wrinkles around her eyes crinkled together.

“You must be Xiao Lu! It’s cold outside—why aren’t you wearing an extra layer?”

Lu Ziqing handed her a fruit gift box he had prepared in advance. “Hello, Auntie. I was in a rush and didn’t bring much…”

“Oh, no need for that, no need!” Mrs Lin beamed. “You’re such a polite child. Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner. Your uncle took care of all the cooking. He knew you were coming, so he went to the market early this morning to buy fresh chicken and beef—just butchered today, super fresh!”

A loud voice came from the kitchen: “The dishes are ready! I’ll just serve the tomato and egg soup!”

A thin, middle-aged man walked out of the kitchen, carrying a soup bowl as large as a washbasin.

Lu Ziqing immediately stepped forward to take the bowl. “Uncle, let me do it.”

“Don’t move, don’t move!” Mr. Lin firmly took the bowl back. “Sit down, sit down. You’re a guest—how could I let you do the work?”

Lin Yu tugged at Lu Ziqing and said helplessly, “Just don’t cause trouble.”

Lu Ziqing whispered, “I just got here, so I wanted to make a good impression.”

Lin Yu: “What impression? Just eat.”

Lu Ziqing: “Isn’t it natural for a son-in-law to try to impress his parents-in-law?”

Lin Yu’s face turned red at lightning speed. “You… what are you talking about…”

Lu Ziqing chuckled but didn’t tease him further, sitting down at the table.

Lin Yu glanced at the empty seat. “Where’s Rui Rui?”

“She went out to buy yogurt earlier; she should be back soon.”

Before Mrs Lin finished speaking, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from outside.

Mrs Lin smiled. “Speak of the devil.”

With a creak, the door opened.

A girl who looked about seventeen or eighteen walked in, carrying a plastic bag. She had shoulder-length black hair, a slender figure, and a delicate, pretty face.

Compared to her parents’ warm enthusiasm, Lin Rui seemed much more reserved.

She placed the yogurt on the table and called out, “Ge.”

Lin Yu introduced Lu Ziqing. “This is my colleague, Xiao Lu. He’s here to visit my hometown with me for a couple of days.”

Lin Rui glanced at Lu Ziqing and gave a lukewarm nod.

…

Even though Lin Yu had mentally prepared himself, he still found it hard to handle.

It had been too long since he last came home, and his parents’ questions just kept coming.

“Are you getting used to the new workplace? How’s the food? Does your company have a cafeteria?”

“Did your salary drop? The branch office’s benefits probably aren’t as good as headquarters, right?”

“Did you even try to fight for it? How could they just transfer you so easily? You worked so hard to get into headquarters, and now they just sent you away like that?”

“Dad, this isn’t a demotion. I was sent to be a leader. Why are you making it sound like I was exiled to Ningguta?” Lin Yu quickly explained. “This is the company’s way of training me. Other people would love to have this opportunity.”

More importantly… the boss’s son was sitting right next to him!

Lu Ziqing chuckled softly.

“Alright, you know better than us. As long as you’ve got it under control,” Mrs Lin said, then suddenly changed the subject. “Speaking of which, have you thought about what I told you last time? That girl is also from Lixian No. 1 High School, works at the provincial tax bureau, a proper civil servant—very impressive…”

Lin Yu quickly picked up a chicken drumstick for his mother. “Mom, let’s talk about this later. Here, have some chicken.”

“You always brush me off like this,” Mrs Lin complained. “You’re almost thirty…”

Lin Rui looked up. “Ge can make his own decisions. Why do you care so much?”

Mrs Lin glared at her. “If I don’t care, should I wait for the government to assign him a wife?”

Lu Ziqing glanced at Mrs Lin, then at Lin Yu. “What’s this about?”

Mrs Lin finally found someone to vent to and immediately grabbed Lu Ziqing for a rant. “Xiao Lu, tell me if I’m wrong. He’s almost thirty! I went through so much trouble to find him a great match—a graduate from a top university, a master’s degree, a stable job at the provincial tax bureau, great prospects. She even saw his picture and was interested. I set up several meetings, but every time, he says he’s too busy with work. I don’t believe he can’t even spare one afternoon!”

Lin Yu’s face was practically buried in his rice bowl.

Lu Ziqing smiled and said to Mrs Lin, “These things can’t be rushed. When the right time comes, it will happen naturally. Lin Yu is such a great catch; he won’t have trouble finding someone.”

“You don’t understand because you’re still young. He’s not in his early twenties anymore,” Mrs Lin sighed. “As long as he’s unmarried, I just can’t relax…”

“You really don’t have to worry,” Lu Ziqing said casually. “Lin Yu already has a boyfriend. Didn’t he tell you?”

 

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Author’s Note

Xiao Lu is up to no good again.

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