Chapter 108: A Down-to-Earth Rascal
The next day, Chen Hansheng woke up to find it was already 11 a.m. Both Chen Zhaojun and Liang Meijuan were out, leaving the house eerily quiet.
With a sliver of hope, he went to check the kitchen, only to find the pots cleaner than a face. "Mom's as straightforward as ever," he thought.
He picked up his phone and messaged Xiao Rongyu: *"How about I come over and drop off the bracelet?"*
Xiao Rongyu quickly replied: *"Sure, but since you'll arrive around 11, stay for lunch. My dad will be home too."*
Chen Hansheng chuckled. "She's making it obvious I'm here for the meal," he mused.
The two families didn't live far apart—a brisk 20-minute walk. Chen Hansheng didn't bother bringing a gift; their status as classmates sufficed for a casual visit.
The streets were lively with the Chinese New Year approaching. Stalls selling Spring Festival couplets and "Fu" characters lined the roads, and cars crept slowly through the bustling crowd. Occasionally, someone would honk, drawing immediate dissatisfaction from passersby.
In such a small town like Gangcheng, even older folks carrying groceries could recognize the drivers, muttering how they'd lodge a complaint at their homes. The drivers had no choice but to relent meekly.
The winter sun was bright but not warm, yet the way it shone was comforting. Chen Hansheng, smiling, strolled leisurely, savoring the vivid scenes of life around him.
---
Xiao Rongyu's home was in one of the best neighborhoods in Gangcheng, with a park and artificial lake across the street and amenities like a supermarket and kindergarten within the complex.
When the doorbell rang, Xiao Rongyu's father, Xiao Hongwei, answered. "Oh, Hansheng is here!"
"Uncle Xiao, Happy New Year! Aunt Lu, Happy New Year!" Chen Hansheng greeted warmly.
Lu Yuqing, Xiao Rongyu's mother, nodded politely. "Hansheng, long time no see. We recently had dinner with your parents."
Lu Yuqing, having worked in government for years and enjoyed a privileged lifestyle, exuded an air of reserved elegance. Although she was polite, her demeanor carried a sense of aloofness, a common trait among female officials—distant and a bit out of touch with everyday life. Only her daughter, Xiao Rongyu, could bring out her more domestic side.
Looking for slippers at the door, Chen Hansheng came up empty-handed. Xiao Rongyu, laughing from the living room, teased, "The guest slippers are all taken. What are you fussing about, Chen Hansheng? The hardwood floors aren't rough."
Her home had walnut-colored waxed wooden floors, polished to a gleaming shine. Chen Hansheng chuckled. "Good thing I didn't wear sports socks today," he thought. His sports socks always had holes at the big toe, no matter how many pairs his mom bought.
---
"Thump, thump, thump," Chen Hansheng walked into the living room. Xiao Rongyu was smiling warmly at him. The air conditioner was on, so she'd taken off her down jacket, revealing a snug white cashmere sweater underneath.
The high-quality fabric hugged her tall, slender figure, and her sleek black ponytail highlighted her delicate, oval-shaped face. Her dimples were as intoxicating as fine wine.
In the living room sat another middle-aged couple whom Chen Hansheng hadn't met before. He nodded politely in greeting.
Lu Yuqing introduced him: "This is Chen Zhaojun's son. His mother and I are good friends."
"Oh, so this is Old Chen's boy. No wonder he looked familiar," the man said with a smile.
Chen Hansheng thought to himself, *"My dad didn't hold a high position, but his connections sure seem widespread."*
The couple had brought along their son, a junior high student with a buzz cut. The boy didn't bother to greet Chen Hansheng and was focused on his winter homework at the coffee table.
Xiao Rongyu sat next to the boy, guiding him while curling her slender legs on the wooden floor. Her toes, wrapped in thick black tights, looked dainty and petite.
Chen Hansheng also sat cross-legged nearby. Xiao Rongyu kicked him playfully. "Pour yourself some water. No one here is waiting on you."
Lu Yuqing and the visiting couple merely saw Chen Hansheng as a junior, so no one found the interaction unusual—except Xiao Hongwei, who knew a bit more about the real situation.
Noticing their identical down jackets and Xiao Rongyu's casual attitude, Xiao Hongwei sighed inwardly.
---
Finding the atmosphere a bit dull, Chen Hansheng grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. This upset the buzz-cut kid.
"Turning on the TV distracts me from studying," the boy grumbled.
"Oh, a little rascal, huh? Clearly, you've never met someone like me," Chen Hansheng thought, recalling how a chubby girl named Guo Jiahui had once thanked him tearfully while clutching a box of study materials.
He nudged Xiao Rongyu. "This place is too noisy. Take this little brother to the study so he can focus better."
"That makes sense. Want to study in the study room?" Xiao Rongyu asked.
The buzz-cut boy immediately changed his tune. "No need, thank you, sister. I've finished my tasks for the morning."
Chen Hansheng smirked, turned on the TV, and started watching the NBA.
The buzz-cut kid joined in, occasionally explaining the game to Xiao Rongyu: "Sister, that's a traveling violation. Sister, that's a foul."
---
Meanwhile, someone emerged from the kitchen with a dish.
"Who's that?" Chen Hansheng asked.
"That's my grandma. You've met her before, but her hearing isn't great now," Xiao Rongyu explained.
"I should go say hi," Chen Hansheng said, walking into the kitchen.
"Grandma, Happy New Year!"
The elderly woman scrutinized him for a moment. "Zhaojun? Still working at the same place? Why didn't you bring your wife?"
"That's my dad. I'm his son," Chen Hansheng clarified. "I'm still single. No wife yet."
The grandma looked behind him and asked, "You brought a dog, didn't you? Where is it?"
"No dog, Grandma. Just me. So, when's lunch? I'm starving."
Hearing this, Xiao Rongyu couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Chen Hansheng pointed at her and joked, "Grandma, my future wife is right here."
Xiao Rongyu raised her snow-white fist in mock protest.
Surprisingly, Grandma heard this and replied earnestly, "Not good enough. You're not handsome enough. Work harder."
---
At lunch, Chen Hansheng sat beside Xiao Rongyu. Somehow, the conversation shifted to appearances, and the visiting couple began praising Xiao Rongyu.
"She's prettier than any celebrity!"
"And she's brilliant. You're lucky to have such a gem in your family."
"She must have many admirers at college."
Lu Yuqing, proud of her daughter, said, "Our daughter has made it clear she won't date in college. After graduating, we'll see which lucky boy earns the chance to court her."
Xiao Hongwei kept his head down, eating quietly.
Chen Hansheng thought to himself, *"'No dating in college' only applies to others. If I wanted to make things official, she'd have a boyfriend this very second."*
With that, he lightly stepped on Xiao Rongyu's foot.
Mistaking it for playful teasing, Xiao Rongyu stepped back at him.
But Chen Hansheng wasn't satisfied. He subtly brushed his foot against her calf.
"Clink!"
Startled, Xiao Rongyu dropped her chopsticks onto the table.
"What's wrong?" Lu Yuqing asked.
Everyone turned to look at Xiao Rongyu, who gently set down her bowl. "I'm full," she said softly, then walked quietly to her room.
Realizing he'd gone too far, Chen Hansheng quickly finished eating and followed her.
---
"What's wrong? I was just joking," Chen Hansheng said when he saw Xiao Rongyu lying on her desk, her shoulders shaking as if she were crying.
"Who wants to joke like that with you!" she snapped, lifting her tear-streaked face.
Feeling guilty, Chen Hansheng pulled out the bracelet and helped her put it on. "Here, take this as my apology."
In the living room, Lu Yuqing grew concerned. "Xiao Rongyu, are you okay?" she called out.
She stood to check, but Xiao Hongwei stopped her. "Hansheng is already with her. Don't interfere."
Lu Yuqing hesitated, thinking, *I'm her mother. How could I be 'interfering'?* But she sat back down, considering the guests.
Xiao Rongyu wiped her tears and called back in a normal tone, "I'm fine. Keep eating."
Chen Hansheng added, "You'd better head back. It's not appropriate for us to be alone in a room."
Seeing his now feigned propriety, Xiao Rongyu's temper flared. "Stretch out your hand."
Knowing she wanted to bite him, Chen Hansheng hesitated. "It's winter