PTGWD Chapter 22: Family Dinner

On Sunday, Fang Xingzhou swapped shifts with a colleague, clearing his schedule for the entire day.

From early morning, Lu Jianchuan was excited. As dawn barely broke, Fang Xingzhou felt the emptiness beside him, opened his eyes in a daze, and saw Lu Jianchuan already up, walking back and forth in front of the wardrobe with dozens of ties draped over his arm, looking like a tentacle monster in the dim room.

Fang Xingzhou yawned and asked drowsily, “Why are you up so early?”

Lu Jianchuan, waving his tentacle-like ties, walked over, kissed his forehead, and said, “Of course, I’m choosing our outfits for today, darling. You go back to sleep; I’ll take care of everything.”

Fang Xingzhou glanced at the clock; it was not even five, and their family dinner was at six in the evening.

He couldn’t help but pull the quilt over his head and closed his eyes again.

When he got up at nine, Lu Jianchuan had not only picked out the clothes, made breakfast, but also cleaned the entire house, as if preparing for a major holiday.

Dressed in matching casual clothes, Fang Xingzhou looked at the nearly reflective glass and commented mildly, “I thought today was New Year’s.”

Lu Jianchuan, with a bright smile, said, “Today is more important than New Year’s, Zhouzhou. You will have a very memorable day.”

Fang Xingzhou also smiled, “Because you have a surprise for me?”

“Yes, a surprise,” Lu Jianchuan took his hand, kissed the back of it, and said, “I promise, a hundred years from now, we’ll happily reminisce about today and even make it an anniversary.”

Fang Xingzhou’s eyes gleamed with amusement, “Really…”

Is he planning to propose?

Judging by his excitement, it seems quite likely. But Fang Xingzhou decided not to ruin his little secret and pretended to look forward to the surprise. After breakfast, they went out to pick out gifts together.

The Lu family had five members in the last two generations. On the way, Lu Jianchuan eagerly introduced his rarely mentioned family members to Fang Xingzhou.

“Dad retired last year, leaving the company to my eldest brother. Most of the year, he travels around the world with mom. They just got back from a vacation in the Southern Hemisphere last month.”

“Eldest brother, Lu Hejing, is very easygoing. He used to get into fights at school, often chased around the garden by our dad with a stick. He calmed down in high school, graduated with excellent grades, and now manages the family business. He’s busy but approachable.”

“My younger sister, Lu Heyin, just finished her master’s degree abroad. I haven’t seen her in a while. I heard she’s getting more beautiful, changing boyfriends one after another. She used to cling to me a lot when she was little. I wonder how she is now.”

Fang Xingzhou listened quietly.

Hearing Lu Jianchuan talk about his family was quite intriguing.

When they first started college, Fang Xingzhou thought for a long time that Lu Jianchuan was an orphan with no parents or siblings, living alone in the world like an elf who accidentally strayed into human society—pure, beautiful, lonely, and out of place.

Later, he learned that not only did Lu Jianchuan have parents, but he also had a distinguished background and a happy family. However, during their ten years together, Lu Jianchuan seldom went home and rarely mentioned his family, as if he didn’t get along well with them.

Now it seemed like there were no serious conflicts after all.

Fang Xingzhou asked, “Did you tell your parents that I was coming?”

“Of course,” Lu Jianchuan smiled with squinted eyes, “Neither my brother nor sister is married yet. I’m the first to bring a partner home, and they’re all very excited.”

“Well,” Fang Xingzhou hesitated, “about your previous engagement party with the police…”

“Don’t worry,” Lu Jianchuan said, “they won’t mention anything.”

Fang Xingzhou looked at him, nodded, and held his hand.

…

It took a lot of time to buy gifts. They prepared something for every member of the Lu family, including the live-in housekeeper, filling the entire trunk. They arrived at the Lu family home at six in the evening, right on time.

The Lu family residence was in the city center, a quiet villa with four floors, a garden, and a swimming pool. Lu Jianchuan drove into the garage, and the housekeeper lady was already waiting at the door, smiling warmly.

When they got out of the car, Fang Xingzhou noticed that the middle-aged housekeeper looked somewhat nervous, bowing stiffly and avoiding eye contact with Lu Jianchuan and Fang Xingzhou, only saying politely, “It’s been a long time, young Mr. Lu. We’ve missed you.”

Fang Xingzhou’s gaze fell on her tightly clasped hands, his eyebrows slightly furrowing.

Lu Jianchuan had mentioned that this housekeeper had been with the family for over thirty years and should feel as comfortable here as in her own home.

—Why is she afraid? What is she afraid of?

He turned to look at Lu Jianchuan, who seemed relaxed and smiled, “Long time no see, Aunt Tian. Are my brother and sister back?”

“They’re all here, just waiting for you to start dinner,” the housekeeper said. “Does Mr. Fang have any dietary restrictions?”

Fang Xingzhou replied, “No restrictions, I can eat anything. Thank you.”

The housekeeper smiled at Fang Xingzhou, discreetly sized him up, and then carefully took their gifts, leading the way.

From the garage to the living room, there was a long hallway with thick carpets that muffled their footsteps.

Fang Xingzhou watched the housekeeper’s tense back, feeling something was off. However, this strange atmosphere didn’t last long. Soon, the slightly oppressive silence was broken by cheerful, familiar conversation from the end of the hallway.

“…Another new boyfriend?” A young male voice laughed. “What about the last one, the blue-eyed foreigner? You should settle down; you’ll be twenty-five next year.”

A middle-aged woman’s voice replied, “You have no right to criticize your sister. You’re in your thirties and still single. When will I get to hold a grandchild?”

The young female voice laughed gloatingly, and the man sighed, quickly changing the subject, “Second brother hasn’t found anyone either. He suddenly said he was getting engaged recently. I was so happy I sent invitations to all my friends, but then he said it was canceled. I can’t figure out what he’s up to.”

The woman said, “He’s different from you. Don’t use your siblings as shields. This is your last ultimatum this year…”

“Alright,” someone tried to mediate, “Heyin, call your second brother and see where he is.”

Soon, Lu Jianchuan’s phone started buzzing.

He didn’t answer, instead holding Fang Xingzhou’s hand, intertwining their fingers, and smiled at his lover.

Fang Xingzhou also smiled.

They walked into the living room, where the light became bright and warm. The four Lu family members were sitting around the sofa, drinking tea and chatting. Lu’s father’s hair was mostly white, but he looked energetic, wearing a loose black silk robe, with sharp and handsome features of traditional beauty.

Lu’s mother looked much younger than Lu’s father, well-maintained with bright eyes and white teeth, her hair jet-black and shiny, showing no signs of being a mother of three.

Lu Hejing and Lu Heyin sat on the same sofa. Lu Hejing was almost a younger version of his father, with similar facial features, while Lu Heyin inherited the best of both parents, looking radiant and beautiful with a hint of bravery.

Anyone seeing this scene could easily confirm they were a genuine family.

…But none of them resembled Lu Jianchuan.

Lu Heyin, casually lounging on the sofa with no airs, hung up the unanswered phone and complained, “Second brother isn’t answering again—”

Lu Jianchuan laughed, “Is that so?”

The four turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes landing on Lu Jianchuan and Fang Xingzhou.

The family atmosphere subtly changed but remained largely warm. Lu Heyin, recently returned from abroad and unaware of Fang Xingzhou’s existence, jumped up from the sofa, looking at their clasped hands, “Who is this…”

In front of all his family, Lu Jianchuan naturally kissed Fang Xingzhou’s cheek.

“Dad, Mom, big brother, Heyin,” he smiled with his eyes, “this is my fiancé, Fang Xingzhou.”

Fang Xingzhou squeezed Lu Jianchuan’s hand, smiled, and said, “Nice to meet you all. Sorry for the intrusion.”

The living room fell silent.

The siblings, clearly uninformed, stared in shock at the man Lu Jianchuan brought home.

Lu’s father and mother, prepared for this, stood up. Lu’s father walked directly to Fang Xingzhou, surprisingly courteous, even respectful, shaking his hand and patting his shoulder without any harsh words, “We’re all family. No need for formalities. Come, sit down. We were waiting for you to start dinner. I hope you like the food.”

Lu’s mother also stood up, smiling and nodding at Fang Xingzhou, gesturing for him to sit.

Such a gesture from the matriarch seemed overly formal, as if Fang Xingzhou was not a son’s boyfriend but an important business guest.

In contrast, the siblings were more natural. Lu Heyin exaggeratedly said, “Oh my God, your fiancé is a man and a handsome one at that! Why didn’t you invite me? I could have been your emcee!”

Lu Hejing also looked puzzled: “Didn’t your engagement party get canceled the night before? All the guests received the cancellation notice…”

Lu Jianchuan was not good at lying.

Fang Xingzhou was about to help him out, but Lu’s father spoke first, deliberately changing the topic: “You two stop asking about that. Come, sit down. You must be hungry. Aunt Tian, ask the kitchen to serve the dishes.”

Everyone took their seats. Soon, dishes began to flow out from the kitchen one after another. It took almost ten minutes just to serve all the dishes, filling the three-meter-long dining table completely, dazzling everyone with its grandeur.

This display left Fang Xingzhou slightly stunned.

Not only Fang Xingzhou, but even the Lu siblings were equally surprised, unsure where to start with the overly sumptuous table. They looked at the overly abundant feast, then at their parents across the table, wondering what tonight was all about.

Lu’s father said: “It’s Fang Xingzhou’s first visit. We didn’t know what you like, so we had the kitchen prepare a variety of dishes. Don’t be shy, pick what you like.”

Fang Xingzhou felt a bit uncomfortable with such enthusiasm.

No matter how open-minded a family is, seeing their son bring home a same-sex partner would feel somewhat strange, right? Moreover, he had read interviews with Lu’s father in magazines, and it was clear he was a typical traditional parent.

He had prepared himself for questioning, scrutiny, or even being kicked out, but everything exceeded his expectations. The Lu family treated him with the highest respect, without mentioning his profession, income, background, or fertility—questions that seemed more reasonable.

Fang Xingzhou moved his lips, suppressing his doubts, and showed a polite smile to Lu’s father, saying: “Thank you, you are too kind.”

Lu’s mother gave him a piece of pig’s trotter and another piece of chicken thigh to Lu Jianchuan, her eyes curving with affection as if to explain something: “Don’t worry, our family isn’t old-fashioned. We never push for marriage or children. As long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter if you have kids or not.”

Lu Hejing and Lu Heyin immediately showed subtle expressions, looking at their mother, who had been pushing for marriage just ten minutes ago, with indescribable feelings.

At this moment, Lu Jianchuan suddenly laughed: “Mom, I think you’re wrong.”

Lu’s mother was taken aback: “What’s wrong?”

Lu Jianchuan: “Having children is very important. Zhouzhou and I will definitely have our own child, making you a grandmother for the first time.”

The dining table fell silent.

Lu’s mother: “…Hmm?”

Lu Heyin: “Ah?”

Fang Xingzhou frowned, gently nudging Lu Jianchuan under the table, signaling him to mind the occasion and not bring their private matters to the surface.

Lu Jianchuan, however, held his hand tightly.

Only then did Fang Xingzhou realize Lu Jianchuan’s hand was hot and sweaty, his fingertips slightly trembling, as if he was in a state of extreme excitement.

He froze for a moment, turned to look at Lu Jianchuan, and saw a deep smile on his face. Lu Jianchuan took a bottle of red wine from the lavish table, poured half a glass for everyone, then lightly cleared his throat. His gaze first fell on Fang Xingzhou’s face, nodded to him, then swept over each of his family members. He sat up straight and said seriously:

“Before we start eating, I have some good news to announce to you all.” He smiled, “It’s absolutely reasonable, legal, and appropriate good news.”

Everyone’s eyes focused on him. Fang Xingzhou saw his reflection in Lu Jianchuan’s eyes, his heartbeat inexplicably speeding up, vaguely sensing that this might be the surprise that had made Lu Jianchuan so restless all day.

…Is he going to propose?

Or…

Lu’s mother said: “What’s with the serious good news? You’re scaring us.”

Under the table, Lu Jianchuan intertwined his fingers with his lover’s once again, feeling Fang Xingzhou’s hand also starting to sweat. He couldn’t help but smile more deeply.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he began to speak, calm and solemn:

“I’m carrying Fang Xingzhou’s child. The Lu family is about to welcome a new member.”

…

As soon as the words fell, there was a “ding” sound as Lu’s mother’s chopsticks fell to the ground, but no one bent down to pick them up.

The room fell into a dead silence.