My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 75 Mother’s Family

Two days before his departure, Lu Yuan planned to send Erbaiwu to his grandparents' house.

The elderly couple had just finished lunch. Lu Jianguo, wearing his reading glasses, was tending to his plants on the balcony, while Sun Yumei, who was off duty today, was playing mahjong with several of her friends in the living room, the tiles clattering loudly.

As soon as Erbaiwu entered the room, he rushed over like a cannonball and barked twice at the mahjong table.

"Oh my god, Erbing!"

An elderly woman with curly hair was startled and shuddered.

Sun Yumei looked up and shouted angrily, "Bang! You brat, you scared your Grandma Wang!"

Lu Yuan smiled ingratiatingly, then raised his hand and slapped the idiot's head across the face.

Once he was shoved in the face, the idiot immediately knew better than to lie down and stick out his tongue, pretending to be obedient.

After tying up the dog, Lu Yuan stepped forward and explained his purpose: "Xiao Miao and I are going on a long trip, and we're worried about leaving the dog at home. Could you two please take care of it for a few days?"

"Travelling?"

Sun Yumei shifted her attention away from the mahjong table: "I'm not playing today, I have something to do at home."

The old ladies, being tactful, all got up to say goodbye.

As soon as they left, Sun Yumei immediately pulled Lu Yuan down to sit and asked, "Where are you going? How many days will you be gone?"

"Accompany Xiao Miao back to her hometown, Yuzhou." Lu Yuan replied, "It will take three or four days if things go quickly, but if it takes longer... it's hard to say."

"go back home?"

Sun Yumei and Lu Jianguo exchanged a glance, their expressions subtle.

This matter could be a big deal or a small deal.

For ordinary couples, going back to their hometown to meet relatives is basically a signal that their relationship is confirmed.

But given Chen Xiaomiao's situation... does she still have relatives in her hometown?
Sun Yumei asked seriously, "Last time you told me that Xiao Miao was an unregistered resident, so I asked around to find out."

For people like Xiao Miao who don't have identification, as long as they go to the police station to explain their situation, register, and have their information collected, their household registration can be reissued. It's no big deal.

"Grandma, this matter is complicated, there's no rush..."

Lu Yuan tried to brush it off, but Sun Yumei's attitude was exceptionally firm.

"No matter how complicated it is, there has to be an explanation. You two will eventually get married and live a life together, right? How can you get a marriage certificate without a household registration? How will your child go to school? Have you thought about these things?"

Lu Yuan gave a bitter smile and sighed.

He had thought about it too.

But would he dare to go to the police station?
He had rehearsed it countless times in his mind and dared not expect Chen Xiaomiao to fool the police.

The police officer asked with a serious expression, "Name?"

"Chen Xiaomiao".

"age?"

"eighteen."

"Where are you from?"

Huangya Village, Tangyin County, Yuzhou.

"Who else is at home?"

"...They're all gone, they've all...starved to death."

"In which year did you starve to death?"

"The 31st year of the Republic of China..."

Lu Yuanguang felt a chill run down his spine just thinking about it.

The best outcome would be for the police to treat Chen Xiaomiao as a pitiful person with mental problems.

But what if someone actually believes that the "wife" they finally managed to trick was taken away by the state for research? Who can they complain to?
"Grandma, don't worry about this. I know what I'm doing."

"Do you know what's good for you?"

Sun Yumei stared at her grandson, sighing with worry: "You child, you've always been strong-willed, always shouldering everything on your own."

"Tell Grandma the truth, has Xiao Miao... done something wrong?"

"puff……"

Lu Yuan almost lost his composure: "Grandma, what are you thinking? She's an innocent girl, cleaner than anyone else."

"Then why are you hiding it?"

"In short, it's not what you think."

Lu Yuan had no way to explain, so he could only bite the bullet and make a promise.

"Alright, alright, you know what you're doing."

Sun Yumei didn't say anything more, but instead instructed, "I think Xiaomiao is a good girl, you must treat her well."

As Lu Yuan left his grandparents' house, Sun Yumei's repeated admonitions still echoed in his mind.

Household registration, marriage certificate, childbirth...

These are all issues that must be addressed in the future.

The old lady wasn't pressuring him; it was simply an elder's most basic concern.

Just as Lu Yuan got back into his car, his childhood friend Zhao Qiang suddenly called out from upstairs.

"Yuanzi, don't go, wait!"

A moment later, Lu Yuan rolled down the car window and watched Zhao Qiang run out of the building entrance, panting heavily, steam rising from his forehead.

"What, were you chased by a dog?"

"Screw you."

Zhao Qiang, catching his breath while leaning against the car door, put on a fawning smile: "Do me a favor, it's an emergency."

"explain."

“Lily’s family is here, a whole bunch of relatives. My old car can’t fit them all. Can you come with me to the high-speed rail station to pick them up?”

Qi Lili is pregnant, and the couple's wedding is on the agenda. Her family members will have to come and visit.

"Okay, let's go."

Lu Yuan nodded in agreement, and the two of them each drove a car to the high-speed rail station, where Qi Lili and Zhao Qiang got out and waited.

Before long, six people emerged from the station and surrounded Qi Lili, showering her with concern and asking after her well-being.

After a noisy exchange of greetings and introductions, the crowd began to be divided up.

Qi Lili's parents naturally got into Zhao Qiang's car, while the remaining uncles and aunts were coaxed and pushed by Zhao Qiang into Lu Yuan's old A8.

There were three people in total: Qi Lili's uncle Qi Wangde and aunt Qi Xiaomei, plus her cousin who had just started high school. As soon as they got on the bus, they put on headphones and shut themselves out from the world.

"Young man, this is troublesome!"

Qi Wangde spoke first; he was about fifty years old and his manners were very polite.

Lu Yuan smiled politely: "Zhao Qiang and I are childhood friends, it's only right that I help him out."

The car smoothly merged into the traffic. The carriage was quiet for only a moment before Qi Wangde and Qi Xiaomei began taking turns asking questions.

"How many years did Zhao Qiang serve in the army before he came back?"

"Five years." "Oh... why didn't you stay in the army?"

"Being a military wife is too difficult for Lily, and Zhao Qiang is also worried about her."

Lu Yuan answered the questions perfectly, leaving no room for error.

Qi Wangde nodded, then changed the subject: "I heard from Lily that he's driving for a big boss?"

"Correct!"

Qi Xiaomei, who was standing next to her, took over the conversation and asked more detailed questions.

"What kind of person is the boss? Is he good-tempered? Is it hard for Zhao Qiang to work for him? How much does he earn in a month?"

Lu Yuan responded politely, "The boss is a good person and basically treats Zhao Qiang like a brother... I don't know the specific salary, but I heard from Zhao Qiang that the boss has given him nearly ten thousand yuan in miscellaneous subsidies over the past few months."

After saying this, he indirectly told the two that Zhao Qiang was now a "confidant" of a big boss.

Even small subsidies can amount to five figures, let alone wages.

In short, he both praised Zhao Qiang and didn't reveal any specific information.

Qi Wangde continued to probe indirectly: "Young man, your car is nice, it must have cost a lot of money?"

"The old car that's left at home isn't worth much."

Lu Yuan casually changed the subject.

The subtext is—my family has a better car.

Although it might seem like he was putting on airs, as a childhood friend, Lu Yuan was also a standard by which relatives measured Zhao Qiang's social circle, so he naturally couldn't show any weakness.

Qi Xiaomei then asked, "Qiangzi seems like a very honest kid, but I wonder if he's caring. Our Lili has never suffered much hardship growing up. Do they... argue?"

“Young people in love always bicker,” Lu Yuan laughed. “But Zhao Qiang has a good temper, and he’s always the one to apologize first.”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two people in the back row softened slightly.

Problems kept arising along the way.

From whether Zhao Qiang's house was rented or bought, to his parents' jobs, and the family's financial situation...

Lu Yuan patiently responded with a mix of truth and falsehood.

After dropping the person off at the booked restaurant, Lu Yuan declined the invitation to dine together and made an excuse to drive away.

When I got home, the living room lights were on.

Chen Xiaomiao sat cross-legged on the floor, putting the neatly folded clothes into her suitcase one by one.

"You're back."

The girl looked up and smiled at him.

"Ah."

Lu Yuan changed his shoes and sat down next to her, helping her tidy up.

The soft light bathed the two of them, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

"Little seedling".

Lu Yuan suddenly teased, "Does this count as me accompanying you back to your parents' home?"

Chen Xiaomiao's cheeks flushed slightly. She picked up the sweater in her hand and gently patted Lu Yuan, saying coquettishly, "Be serious!"

"I'm quite serious."

Lu Yuan grinned and casually brought up what had just happened.

Chen Xiaomiao asked curiously, "What did they ask?"

"Ask Zhao Qiang how many years he served in the army, what kind of work he does now, and how much he earns a month... Judging from the tone, he's probably not very satisfied."

Why?

Chen Xiaomiao asked, puzzled: "Isn't Zhao Qiang treating his sister-in-law quite well?"

"Most families don't find their daughters to marry into their ideal families."

Lu Yuan put the neatly folded sweater into his suitcase and slowly explained, "Marrying someone whose conditions are not as good as your own is called 'marrying down.' People feel that their daughter has suffered a huge loss and will have to suffer in her husband's family for the next few decades."

Finding someone with much better conditions is considered "marrying up," and one always feels that the in-laws are arrogant and look down on others, making one feel inferior when visiting their own family.

Even if it's a match made in equals, they'll still scrutinize every detail, finding fault with everything, always feeling that their own daughter is perfect and deserves someone better.

Chen Xiaomiao was stunned, and her hands stopped moving.

"Lu Yuan, why are you telling me all this?"

Lu Yuan turned his head, his gaze falling on the girl's delicate face, his eyes more serious than ever before.

"Xiao Miao, I'm wondering... if your family is still alive, would they feel comfortable entrusting you to me?"

Chen Xiaomiao was stunned, her brain racing as familiar faces flashed before her eyes.

Master...

The old man had a clear understanding of life; he could always see through people and things at a glance.

He would probably stroke his beard, squint at Lu Yuan for a long time, and finally shake his head, thinking that this young man was too clever for his own good and full of worldly greed. He was afraid that his foolish apprentice would be sold out and still help count the money.

Sister Xiaozhi...

Sister Xiaozhi used to always say that if Chen Xiaomiao were to become someone's concubine in the future, she should find a man who was easily swayed, honest, and simple-minded, so that he wouldn't be easily bullied.

But Lu Yuan was not "honest and stupid" at all; on the contrary, Lu Yuan had Lu Yuan completely under Lu Yuan's control.

If Sister Xiaozhi saw this, she would probably pull her aside and spend the whole day patiently persuading her.

Little Google...

He has a fiery temper and is very generous; he probably wouldn't get along with Lu Yuan.

As for Chen Xiaoshu...

Chen Xiaomiao's heart skipped a beat.

What would Chen Xiaoshu think?
Chen Xiaomiao dared not think about it!

"I...I don't know."

She shook her head, her voice very soft.

Lu Yuan chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Looks like I'm the same way, probably not liked by your family either..."

"Lu Yuan."

Chen Xiaomiao took a deep breath: "Sister Xiaozhi once said that no matter how much a woman's parents and relatives nag, it can't compare to the three words 'I'm happy' when she gets married."

She raised her head, meeting Lu Yuan's gaze without flinching.

The living room was extremely quiet, with only the sound of each other breathing.

After a long while, a smile returned to Lu Yuan's face.

"Sure! Whatever you're happy with!"

　My updates involve refining the drafts I've already written, which takes about 1-2 hours each time.

　　In the past, I would write at night and revise it in the morning.

　　I've been having to leave home at 7 a.m. lately, and my return time is uncertain, so my update times are random. Sorry!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)