Lin Yan returned home to find her parents not yet back from work. She put her luggage in the bedroom and discovered that despite her four-year absence, the room was still spotlessly clean and tidy. It was evident it had been regularly cleaned.
Looking at the neat room, Lin Yan felt deeply touched. Her parents were like this. Even though she wasn't the original host, the selfless love her parents had shown her over the years had made her truly cherish them.
She changed into loungewear and lay on the bed. Smelling the fragrance of the quilt, she suddenly felt exhausted and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, after a loving breakfast prepared by her parents, Ye Hao arrived with bags and parcels. Lin Yan had already informed her parents the previous night that Ye Hao would pick her up for a meal today, so they hadn't left for work too early.
"Uncle, Aunt, hello!" Ye Hao placed the items he was carrying on the ground and greeted Lin Yan's parents with a wide, slightly goofy smile.
"You must be Ye Hao, come in, come in. Why have you brought so much with you!" Lin's father quickly invited Ye Hao inside.
Lin's mother also smiled at Ye Hao. She knew that this young man had also gone abroad after Lin Yan left and had taken care of Lin Yan there. Therefore, she was very pleased with Ye Hao.
"It's not much, it's just my first time meeting you! It wouldn't be right to come empty-handed." Ye Hao picked up the items again, not letting Lin Yan's parents help. After placing them in the living room, he saw Lin Yan smiling at him from the side.
"You chat with my parents for a bit, I'll go change. I'm still in my pajamas," Lin Yan said to Ye Hao. Since he was here, she needed to change her clothes.
"Okay. Then I'll chat with Uncle and Aunt. Don't rush, take your time," Ye Hao instructed.
"Then Yan Yan, go change. Ye Hao, have you had breakfast?" Lin's mother asked.
"Auntie, I've eaten." He had woken up early that morning, rented a car, and brought the gifts he had bought for Lin Yan's parents from abroad, along with some other items he'd picked up from the mall.
"Yes, it's almost ten o'clock. And you, you just got back and didn't say you needed to rest more," Lin's mother said with a hint of reproach. "And why bring things when you're here, really!"
"Auntie, this is just my token of appreciation!" Ye Hao felt a little embarrassed. He didn't have much experience interacting with elders, but these were the parents of the woman he loved, and he was willing to make an effort to win them over.
"Then I won't say anything more. Old Lin, I'll go clear the dishes. You pour Ye Hao a cup of tea." With that, Lin's mother prepared to roll up her sleeves and take the dishes from the dining table to the kitchen.
"Auntie, I'll do it!" Ye Hao quickly offered to help.
"Ye Hao, don't interfere. Let your aunt clean up. You're dressed so neatly, don't get your clothes dirty. Go sit on the sofa for a while." Lin's father stopped Ye Hao from moving forward and led him towards the sofa.
"Uncle, it's alright. Besides, I often did chores abroad, so I won't stain my clothes."
"Well, you're a guest today. Aren't you taking Yan Yan out later? So, don't get involved. Your aunt can handle it," Lin's father refused. "What would you like to drink?"
"Plain water is fine, Uncle, I can get it myself." Ye Hao tried to get up again.
"You just sit there and don't move, I'll pour it for you. You child, why are you so polite? You can only enjoy being a guest now. When you come in the future, you'll have to do it yourself!" Lin's father brought the water and placed it on the coffee table in front of Ye Hao.
"Yes, Uncle, you're right!" Ye Hao's smile returned. The uncle's words meant he was accepted, and that they agreed to his relationship with their daughter.
"Yan Yan will probably need some time to put on makeup. Women are quite particular when they go out, you'll have to be patient!"
"I understand, that's why I came half an hour early, just in case Yan Yan ran out of time. Besides, Yan Yan putting on makeup is also for my sake, as I'm introducing her to my friends." Ye Hao said humbly.
"That makes sense. But Ye Hao, I heard from Yan Yan that you're studying computer science?" Lin's father asked casually.
"Yes, Uncle." He answered seriously. "I made a small website with friends before, but I sold it before returning to China. However, I plan to continue working in this field after returning to China."
"Oh, computer science is a rather popular field now. You have good foresight," Lin's father was pleased with Ye Hao's attitude. "So, which city do you plan to develop in?"
"That depends on Yan Yan. My work isn't very location-dependent. I'll follow her wherever she decides to stay."
Lin's father was even more satisfied upon hearing this. Ye Hao's attitude showed that he truly cared about his daughter.
At this moment, Lin's mother emerged from the kitchen. After drying her hands, she sat down beside the sofa. "Ye Hao, thank you for taking care of Yan Yan abroad. She always reported the good news but hid the bad when she called. Her father and I were far away and couldn't look after her. It was much better having you there. I heard from Yan Yan that you can cook, and that you're quite good at it."
"Yes, I lived alone for a long time, so I learned to cook some dishes, but they're definitely not as good as yours, Auntie. Yan Yan always said she wanted to eat your sweet and sour pork ribs. I tried making it several times, but Yan Yan always said yours was better." Ye Hao flattered Lin's mother subtly. Seeing the smile on Lin's mother's face, he knew he had succeeded. "You'll have to tell me your secret recipe later, so I can learn it properly and make it for Yan Yan."
"This child, he can't cook but he can eat. You must have had a tough time!" Lin's mother said as if she was being considerate, but secretly, she felt it was better for him to have a tough time than for her own daughter. "I'll make it for you a few times later, it's very easy to learn."
"It's nothing, Yan Yan is easy to take care of." Ye Hao said with a happy smile. "But thank you, Auntie. I do have some talent for cooking, I'm sure I'll learn!"
"You're just seeing your own daughter through rose-tinted glasses. I know exactly what my daughter is like," Lin's father chimed in with a pout. Their daughter had always been pampered by them, practically never lifting a finger for chores. Later, when she earned some money, they hired domestic help. She had even told Ye Hao that she couldn't do housework. Besides, his daughter's fair and tender hands weren't meant for chores!
Ye Hao didn't interrupt. After all, the uncle could say it, but it was better for him not to express an opinion. More importantly, he didn't think Lin Yan was difficult to take care of. And being able to take care of Lin Yan was something he had always dreamed of, so why would he find her demanding!
As they were talking, the door to Lin Yan's bedroom opened. Lin Yan, dressed and made up, stood radiantly at the doorway and said with a smile, "What bad things were you saying about me?!"