Chapter Fifty-Five: The Open-Minded Elderly Couple

Chu Feng was forcibly dragged into the house by Han Xuefang’s mother, and Han Xuefang had no choice but to follow behind.

Han Xuefang’s family lived in an old apartment, allocated years ago by her father’s workplace: two bedrooms and a living room, not particularly spacious.

“Old Han, look, I’ve brought our daughter’s boyfriend home!” As soon as Han Xuefang’s mother entered, she called out for Han Ping, her husband. Han Ping was Han Xuefang’s father, and her mother’s name was Ye Meng.

“Hello, Uncle, my name is Chu Feng,” Chu Feng greeted Han Ping, then pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered him one.

“Come, sit down first. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Let your aunt cook a few dishes for you, and we can have a couple of drinks together,” Han Ping said, and Ye Meng went into the kitchen to get busy.

“Uncle, there’s no need for Aunt to trouble herself. I’ve already eaten—just now, Xuefang and I had dinner outside,” Chu Feng hurried to stop Ye Meng. He had already eaten and couldn’t manage another meal.

“It’s alright, let her make a couple of simple dishes. We’ll have a drink together. Your aunt and I just ate, too,” Han Ping replied warmly. After entering, Han Xuefang went to change into more comfortable clothes.

“Xiaofeng, I heard from Xuefang that you work at the same hospital as her. Are you a male nurse or a doctor?” Han Ping, like most fathers, wanted to know about Chu Feng’s job first.

“I’m temporarily working as a doctor at her hospital. Soon, I’ll be returning to Shanghai, where I’m a physician. I came here to treat a patient,” Chu Feng said honestly—there was nothing to hide.

Once Old Chen’s illness improved, Chu Feng would return to his original hospital. His younger sister was still in Shanghai.

“Why don’t you work at the Air Force Hospital? The conditions there are much better than your previous hospital, and the benefits are much improved, too. I’d recommend you stay at the Air Force Hospital,” Han Ping said, not realizing Chu Feng’s family background. His advice was well-meaning.

“My sister is there, and she can’t come here, so I have to stay to take care of her,” Chu Feng replied gently, not mentioning his sister’s strange illness.

Han Ping, who had lived for decades, understood the implication in Chu Feng’s words, but he didn’t push further—after all, it was about Chu Feng’s sister.

“Here, there’s not much food in the house, so I’ve just made a couple of simple dishes for you to pair with some drinks,” Ye Meng brought out the dishes and a bottle of Erguotou.

“Mom, Chu Feng still needs to drive later, he can’t drink. You and Dad, stop causing trouble,” Han Xuefang, now in pajamas, quickly took the bottle away when she saw her mother bring it out.

“If he drinks too much, just let him sleep here. We have beds, don’t we? Let him sleep with you,” her mother replied openly. She had no idea how long Xuefang and Chu Feng had been dating; if she knew they’d only started today, perhaps she wouldn’t have said so.

“Girl, bring the bottle back. Your mother’s right—if he drinks too much, let him sleep with you. If not, pick a good day soon, get your marriage license, and hold a wedding when you have time,” Han Ping chimed in. The couple didn’t want their daughter to marry someone rich, only someone she liked, and their first impression of Chu Feng was quite good.

“Give me the bottle, Uncle. I’ll have a couple of drinks with you tonight, but I can’t stay here—I have to do patient checkups later,” Chu Feng took the bottle from Han Xuefang. His tolerance wasn’t great, but half a bottle wouldn’t trouble him.

“Girl, sit here and pour us drinks. No running off,” Han Ping called his daughter back as she tried to leave.

Chu Feng and Han Ping sat together on one couch; Han Xuefang and her mother on another. The elderly couple mainly wanted to observe Chu Feng’s character.

“Come, let’s have a toast,” Han Ping poured two disposable cups full of Erguotou, one for Chu Feng and one for himself, and half the bottle disappeared in an instant.

Han Ping drained his cup in one gulp, and Chu Feng, not to be outdone, did likewise. Then, Chu Feng picked up the bottle, poured Han Ping another generous cup, filled his own, and finished the rest in a single swallow.

“Xiaofeng, seems your drinking is pretty good. Girl, bring another bottle,” Han Ping said, satisfied by Chu Feng’s straightforwardness—he believed Chu Feng was a real man, without any pretense.

Fuming, Han Xuefang fetched another bottle of Erguotou from inside, opened it, and handed it to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng drank and chatted with Han Ping, who didn’t probe about cars, houses, or savings. In his view, a young doctor like Chu Feng surely had savings, and matters like cars and houses could be dealt with in the future—they were still young.

In about half an hour, the two polished off two bottles of white liquor. Han Ping was visibly tipsy, his speech slurring.

“Let me tell you, just in the past while, I’ve had dozens of matchmaking offers for my daughter—every kind of person imaginable, but none caught my eye. Too hypocritical, some like sissies—I can’t stand that.”

“You, kid, suit my temper. Tonight, don’t leave—sleep in my daughter’s room. Try to get things done, then pick a time to get your marriage license.”

Han Ping’s words weren’t loud, but Han Xuefang and her mother, sitting nearby, heard him clearly.

“Mom, look at how much Dad’s had—he’s talking nonsense. Hurry, get him to bed,” Han Xuefang blushed at her father’s words.

“I think your dad’s right. It’s hard to find someone as genuine as Chu Feng nowadays. Seize the opportunity—miss this, and there won’t be another,” Ye Meng said, looking at Chu Feng with satisfaction. In her heart, Chu Feng was already her son-in-law.

Chu Feng was surprised by the openness of Han Xuefang’s parents, who were practically offering him their daughter.

“Uncle, Aunt, I still have patients to check, so I must leave now. I’ll visit again when I have time,” Chu Feng decided he couldn’t stay any longer—if he did, the couple would surely send him straight to their daughter’s bed.

Without waiting for their reply, Chu Feng hurried out, drove downstairs, and sped back to the hospital.