Chapter 52 (1/2)

Xiaotu’s father smiled, and he reached out to pat Cheng Zhiyan on the shoulder. Then he said in a low voice, “I heard Xiaotu say that she planned to marry you when she grows up. You must treat her well when the time comes.”

“…”

Cheng Zhiyan felt stunned as he gazed at Xiaotu’s father, and, once again, he had no idea what to say in response.

“Come, come, come, it’s time to eat…time to eat.” Upon seeing that everyone was gathered in the living room, Xiaotu’s mother walked into the kitchen to get the dishes and started placing them on the dining room table. She ushered Cheng Zhiyan’s family to their seats.

During the meal, Xiaotu’s father kept putting food on Cheng Zhiyan’s plate, and, from the enthusiasm he displayed, it appeared as if he already regarded Cheng Zhiyan as his son-in-law.

Cheng Zhiyan watched as the excessive amount of food in his bowl piled up like a little mountain, and he had no choice but to keep saying, “Thank you, Uncle, thank you, Uncle, no thank you, really, no thank you, thank you, Uncle…”

Zhou Yue and her husband exchanged glances, then gleefully poked at Cheng Zhiyan, saying, “What do you mean by thanking Uncle, thank your father-in-law.”

“…”

Cheng Zhiyan instantly felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

“Ha, ha, ha, no worries, no worries…now it’s fine if you call me Uncle. After the marriage, you’ll have to call me father-in-law.” Xiaotu’s father started laughing merrily.

During this entire meal, everyone at the table bubbled over with cordial laughter, except for the speechless Cheng Zhiyan.

…

Xiaotu’s father was only able to stay home a few days more after that dinner. He was scheduled to go back to the military on the third day of the new year.

Before he left, Xiaotu, with her eyes red from crying, clung to her father’s shirt for dear life and wouldn’t let go.

Xiaotu’s father gazed at her with a helpless expression, then stooped down and said to her in a gentle tone, “Behave yourself, dear Xiaotu. Daddy will be finished with the military this summer, and, when Daddy comes back, he will play with you every day, all right?”