Mu Qiu buried herself in his embrace, letting out a muffled "mm".

"I just feel a bit conflicted."

"No worries, I’m here." He patted her gently, and kissed the top of her head.

She claimed to be rational, yet when it comes to certain things, she only wanted to avoid them and didn’t want to say much.

As for marriage...

She didn’t seem too resistant, just felt the time wasn’t right.

He stroked her hair, looking thoughtful.

They didn’t stay upstairs for long, as Cheng Zhirang thought it was impolite, so after a while, he went downstairs to help.

Even though Yuan Chun was adamantly refusing, she ultimately couldn’t stop him. He even persuaded Yuan Chun to teach him how to make a dish that Mu Qiu liked.

Rolling up his sleeves while holding the plate, he truly looked quite the part.

Mu Qiu propped her chin, watching him come out of the kitchen. Just as she was about to compliment him with "A gentleman in the kitchen looks cool too," Mu Zhi, standing beside her, slapped her head lightly, scattering her thoughts.

"Stand properly. What are you doing standing here not helping?"

"... Oh."

She immediately went over to Cheng Zhirang to take the plate from his hands, "Come, come, I’ll take it. You’re a guest; you shouldn’t be doing this."

Cheng Zhirang ignored her teasing, holding the plate beyond her reach, "It’s hot. Go get the bowls and chopsticks."

She was momentarily dumbfounded and then responded, "Oh," again.

As she headed to the kitchen, she thought: Why does it feel like she’s the guest?

The meal was served, and the four of them sat on each side of the table.

Whatever happened in the kitchen, Yuan Chun, who previously wanted to know everything about Cheng Zhirang’s family history, now treated him extremely well.

She served him soup, let him try the first bite of dishes, and said things like "your job must make it hard to eat regularly" and "have some soup first, taste Auntie’s specialty soup" in the friendliest tone.

Mu Qiu was very surprised.

She didn’t even notice the food he put in her bowl, directly asking, "What happened?"

Cheng Zhirang calmly gave her the first portion of each dish Yuan Chun talked about, then served her soup.

"What happened? Have a sip of soup first."

Watching him, Yuan Chun jokingly complained, "I told you to try it first. Why are you giving it to her again?"

"She likes the first taste," he smiled warmly, "and she hasn’t had Auntie’s cooking in a long time. She’s always talking about it, so it’s good to let her have a familiar taste."

These words softened Yuan Chun’s gaze towards Mu Qiu, and she also put food in her bowl.

"If you wanted something, why not say so? We’re not far from home. Just tell me, and I’ll come over and make it for you."

Mu Qiu: "..." When did she ever talk about it?

She took a sip of soup to calm her nerves, looking at Cheng Zhirang with admiration and a sense of resignation.

Even someone as upright as him could be so good at dealing with a mother-in-law.

Indeed, mothers-in-law grow fonder of their sons-in-law... wait, what son-in-law? More like a future son-in-law, barely.

She grumbled inwardly, then couldn’t help but take a few more sips of soup, making a satisfied sound of delight, then moved the food in her bowl to another empty bowl.

When Mu Zhi saw her actions, he couldn’t help but reprimand her, "What’s with these bad habits? Using three bowls for a meal. Look at you..."

Mu Qiu furrowed her brow, just about to speak, when Cheng Zhirang pressed her hand and gently said to Mu Zhi, "It’s okay, Uncle, she likes eating this way, so let her. There’s no one else today. As long as she’s happy eating."

Who’s no one else? Isn’t there an outsider right here?

Mu Zhi was about to continue, but Mu Qiu was already pursing her lips, feeling no appetite.

Every time it’s like this, as if the ones eating with her aren’t her parents, but etiquette tutors, making it impossible to eat well in such an atmosphere.

"This dish was made by me. Auntie said you liked it since childhood, want to try?"

Cheng Zhirang whispered as he put food into her bowl, the one with only food in it.

She took a few bites, not commenting on the taste.

"Uncle, her stomach isn’t great, eating slowly is better, plus there’s no need for her to wash dishes." He explained to Mu Zhi.

This time it was Mu Zhi’s turn to be stunned.

"Not good stomach?"

Cheng Zhirang frowned slightly. Didn’t they know about her health? She’s even fainted at home before; this issue must have been around for a while. How could they be unaware?

But seeing Mu Zhi and Yuan Chun genuinely surprised, it was clear they didn’t know.

Communication within the family had serious issues.

He nodded and answered for Mu Qiu, "Yes, she fainted once before."

Yuan Chun and Mu Zhi’s faces changed dramatically.

"What happened? How come neither your father nor I knew? What’s this about fainting?"

Mu Qiu took a couple of bites, drank some soup, then nonchalantly said, "It’s no big deal. Zhao Yu ordered a health pot for me, and I didn’t finish it. Ate it the next meal after reheating, caused some stomach cramps. Oh right, he took me to the hospital then."

Mu Zhi kept silent with a stern face, Yuan Chun was both anxious and angry, putting down her chopsticks without knowing what to say. And after Mu Qiu said this, she shut up like a tight-lipped squash.

Cheng Zhirang pushed a bowl of rice towards her, "Have some rice."

Then he calmly reassured the two elders, "It’s not a big issue; it’s just essential to pay more attention to eating habits. She’s much better now, hasn’t complained about her stomach in a while, seems to be doing alright."

Mu Zhi sighed heavily, "Thanks to you, Xiao Cheng. We’re not with her, and she gets too absorbed in writing her works disregarding everything else. Luckily, you were there to look after her during this time."

"She does indeed need someone to take care of her," Cheng Zhirang wasn’t modest, "Pursuing her dreams is good, and we shouldn’t stop her. Having someone to remind her about meals and rest helps, giving her life more structure."

Stopping her outright and discouraging her isn’t the best solution.

Their conflicts mainly stem from the parents’ worry about her all-consuming writing habits, thinking the job isn’t secure, always aiming to steer her onto another path.

But with Mu Qiu being headstrong, they end up clashing, both sides as stubborn as each other.

Overall, it’s a lack of communication.

The Mu Family parents, though not fond of her line of work, haven’t really stopped her. Mu Qiu rarely talks about home but always remembers them with good things. They’re slowly closing the gap, but it’s taking too long.

An intermediary is ideal.

Conveniently enough, Cheng Zhirang fits that role perfectly.

"Chew slowly," he tapped Mu Qiu’s hand with his chopsticks, and although she said nothing, her movements slowed.

Yuan Chun and Mu Zhi watched their interaction, momentarily speechless, suddenly with nothing to say.

This was the first time they saw how the two interacted at the dining table, somewhat exceeding their expectations.

Mu Qiu never took to coercion, often seeming "rebellious", but was unexpectedly obedient with Cheng Zhirang.

Perhaps having someone like him by her side is indeed a good thing.