PDLP Chapter 23: Converging Hometown
Chapter 23: Converging Hometown
Lu Ran then understood why Cheng Ning had walked so steadily; it turned out she had been walking this path for many years.
"Oh, poor Ning'er! She went blind from an injury when she was little, her father passed away early, and her mother is always nagging her. Young man, you must treat Ning'er well, you understand!"
Lu Ran nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Auntie, I will."
The old woman smiled happily and said, "Great, he's a good young man."
After finishing their tofu pudding, Cheng Ning took Lu Ran to the elementary school where she had attended. Instead of going inside, they stood at the school gate reminiscing about their childhood.
"After I lost my sight, my father would take me from home every day, take the bus, get off at the stop, walk through the food street, and take a shortcut from the backyard of the old lady selling tofu pudding to the school gate."
"But my dad only took care of me for six months. He said that I had to learn to take care of myself, and even if I fell, I had to try to get up and keep going."
"I was very scared when my dad first let me go to school alone."
"The whole world was dark and lonely. I didn't know if the next step was a pothole or a step. I was scared and resentful. I resented my dad for making me come to school alone."
"It wasn't until later that I found out that every time I went out, I wasn't alone; my dad was always secretly following behind me."
Cheng Ning spoke calmly, as if she were telling someone else's story.
The sound just kept getting softer and softer.
Lu Ran reached out and grasped her wrist: "Everything will get better slowly. No matter who it is, if they have hope in their hearts, things will gradually get better."
"Just like me, my life has changed dramatically since I met you."
Cheng Ning smiled and said, "You don't need to exaggerate when you're trying to comfort me."
"No, not at all, it's not an exaggeration."
Lu Ran was telling the truth. He only got the system and his current wealth after meeting Cheng Ning.
And an even better life awaits him in the future.
"let's go."
Cheng Ning just wanted to walk the same path her father had once taken her. Now that the path was complete, that was enough.
Upon hearing this, Lu Ran helped Cheng Ning back to the parking spot, got into the car, started the engine, and continued on their way.
Cheng Ning's home was not far from the county town. About half an hour later, Lu Ran found the Wenshan Village that Cheng Ning had mentioned.
"Lu Ran, the house with a bamboo grove and a crooked jujube tree in front of it is my house."
Lu Ran drove forward for a while and soon saw the features Cheng Ning had mentioned: a bamboo grove and a crooked jujube tree.
The house is a newly built two-story brick house, the kind that's common in new rural areas.
There was a large open space in front of the house, which was enclosed by a small earthen wall half a meter high, forming a front yard. It looked very spacious, and the living conditions were quite good.
The front entrance is a ramp connecting to the road. Lu Ran drove the car up the ramp and parked it next to the small yard.
After parking the car, Cheng Ning suddenly became nervous and didn't dare to move for a long time.
"Lu Ran, is anyone home?"
Lu Ran looked around and said, "There's an auntie weaving bamboo baskets in the yard."
"She has a kind face, and her eyebrows resemble yours somewhat. This must be your mother!"
Cheng Ning nodded.
She tugged at Lu Ran's sleeve and asked, "Lu Ran, how does my mother look? Is she tired? Are her clothes clean? Is she moving normally? Is she smiling?"
Lu Ran found it somewhat amusing.
Although I don't understand what the rift is between Cheng Ning and her family, the way she wants to go home but is afraid is exactly like when I was a child and I made a mistake and stood at the door of my house, too scared to go in.
"How can I possibly answer all these questions? Why don't we just go and ask Auntie in person?"
This is your first time visiting Cheng Ning's home. The elders' first impression is very important, so you should make the most of it.
[Task: Gain favor with Cheng Ning's mother.]
[Reward: 200 Treasure Chest Experience Points.]
Without further hesitation, Lu Ran grabbed Cheng Ning and started walking forward.
"Let's go, let's go over there."
"Wait, Lu Ran, I..."
With the gifts in his hands, Lu Ran could only hold Cheng Ning's hand under his armpit and lead her away.
"Woof~ woof~"
The dog was braver than its owner. When it saw its owner's mother, it barked twice and wagged its tail happily.
Wu Meimei paused in her movements.
Looking back, she found her daughter, whom she hadn't seen for more than half a year, with a boy by her side.
Her eyes first reddened, then she carefully examined the people around her daughter.
Lu Ran stepped forward with the gift and smiled, "Hello, Auntie, my name is Lu Ran, and I'm Cheng Ning's friend."
Wu Meimei smiled politely and said, "Xiao Lu, come in and have a seat."
"Okay, Auntie."
Wu Meimei was about to tidy up the bamboo baskets that hadn't been woven yet when Lu Ran put down what he was doing and went to help.
"Xiao Lu, you go inside first, I'll take care of it."
"It's alright, Auntie."
After helping the aunt clean up, Lu Ran immediately went back to help Cheng Ning into the house.
"Watch out for the steps."
Once inside, Lu Ran helped Cheng Ning sit down, took Duo Duo from her arms, and put a mat on the ground from his backpack. Duo Duo obediently climbed up and lay down, sticking out his tongue and staring straight at the family.
"Come on, Xiao Lu, have some tea."
Wu Meimei had seen everything Lu Ran did, and the meticulous care he gave his daughter finally put her mind at ease.
I poured two cups of hot tea and placed them on the table.
It was obvious that the other cup was for Cheng Ning, but Wu Meimei didn't say a word to her daughter the whole time.
Lu Ran picked up the tea in front of Cheng Ning and handed it to her.
"Auntie poured this for you."
Cheng Ning smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Mom."
Wu Meimei didn't answer, but instead asked Lu Ran, "Little Lu, where are you from?"
Lu Ran smiled and said, "It's in Guzi Village, Sanshui County. It's not too far from here; it only takes a little over an hour to drive there."
Wu Meimei exclaimed in surprise, "Sanshui? That's quite close. I often go to Sanshui to do odd jobs. It's a nice place, and the people there are all very nice."
"My dad also often does odd jobs in the county town, and occasionally sells fruit or something."
Wu Meimei asked, "What's your father's name?"
Lu Ran replied, "Lu Changshu."
Wu Meimei thought about it carefully, then shook her head: "I haven't encountered it before."
"So, Xiao Lu, how many siblings do you have?"
"Just me."
"Being an only child... isn't so bad."
"By the way, look at me, Xiao Lu, do you smoke? I'll go to the store and buy you some!"
Lu Ran waved his hand: "No need, Auntie, I don't smoke."
Wu Meimei then asked, "Would you like some wine? I'm the only woman in the house, and I don't usually keep any alcohol or cigarettes on hand. I'll go to the store later to buy a bottle of wine and cook you a few dishes."
"Auntie, I don't drink, so there's no need to trouble yourself."
"You don't smoke or drink?" Wu Meimei looked Lu Ran over carefully. People usually don't lie about this kind of thing, because it's normal for men to smoke and drink.
It's what makes someone unique that they don't have these hobbies.
Wu Meimei nodded to herself, quite satisfied with Lu Ran.
【ding~】
[You've gained Cheng Ning's mother's initial approval, which is excellent.]
[Gained 200 treasure chest experience points.]
[Congratulations, host! You have triggered a 10x experience point critical hit effect.]
[Gained 2000 treasure chest experience points.]