Civil Engineering in the Mortal World: Ten Years Without Knowing Today's Events

Chapter 14 The Zhang Family

Time flies! Today I'm taking Xiaohui home to meet my parents. I got up early this morning and started getting ready in front of the mirror in my dorm room.

Xiao Liu peeked out from the top bunk, glanced at me, and then shrank back inside.

"Brother Chen, are you nervous today?"

"I'm not nervous."

"You're lying. You tossed and turned all night, and I didn't get any sleep."

I didn't reply. I didn't sleep well last night, but it wasn't nervousness; it was that indescribable feeling. It was like waiting to enter an exam hall, and before the papers were even handed out, my heart was already pounding.

My phone rang. It was my mom calling.

"Little one, what time will you arrive?"

Around ten o'clock.

"Mom bought pork ribs and fish. Your dad has been pacing around the door since early this morning, asking several times."

"understood."

"Ride slowly on the road, don't rush."

"Um."

After hanging up the phone, I grabbed my keys and wallet and left the dorm. My electric scooter was parked downstairs, dusty on the seat. I wiped it with my sleeve, got on, and started it.

I'll go pick up Xiaohui first.

When I arrived at her building, she was already standing at the door. She was wearing a pink dress, the same one in the photo, with a small lace trim around the neckline. She wore white sandals, and her hair was styled in two braids, one on each side, like a primary school student.

When she saw me, she lowered her head and walked over, only raising her head when she got close.

"Brother Chen."

"Get in the car."

She sat down, her hands gripping the sides of my shirt. Today she gripped it tighter than usual, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Nervous?" I asked.

"Um."

"Don't be nervous. My parents are very nice people."

She didn't speak. A breeze blew in from the front, carrying the scent of her hair to my nose. It wasn't perfume, but the faint smell of shampoo, like some kind of flower.

It takes forty minutes to ride my electric bike from the county town to my home. When I leave the county town, there are many cars on the road, so I ride slowly. Xiao Hui sits quietly behind me, only occasionally swaying slightly from the bumps, at which point she tightens her grip a little.

"Xiaohui."

"Um."

"If my parents ask you questions, you don't have to answer them. I'll answer them for you."

"it is good."

"If they offer you food, eat it. If you don't want to eat, just say so."

"it is good."

"Don't be afraid."

"With Brother Chen here, there's nothing to fear."

I was taken aback. She didn't say "I'm not afraid," she said "With Brother Chen here, I'm not afraid."

I didn't reply and kept riding forward.

My house is at the east end of the village, with red brick walls, an iron gate, and a locust tree in front of it. I parked the car in front of the gate, and Xiao Hui got out of the car, stood next to me, and clasped her hands together.

Mom came out of the house, her apron still tied around her waist, wiping her hands on it.

"Here he comes!" She walked up to Xiao Hui, looked him up and down, and couldn't stop smiling. "This must be Xiao Hui. He's really handsome."

Xiao Hui kept her head down and didn't say anything.

"Mom, let's go inside and talk."

"Yes, yes, let's go in, let's go in." Mom pulled Xiao Hui's hand and led her inside. Xiao Hui, being pulled by her, glanced back at me. I nodded to her.

Dad was sitting on the sofa in the living room. He was wearing a white shirt, the collar slightly yellowed, but neatly ironed. His hair was combed and styled with hair gel. Seeing Xiaohui come in, he slowly stood up, supporting himself on the sofa armrest.

"They're here."

"Dad, this is a short meeting."

"Hello, Uncle." Xiao Hui's voice was softer than a mosquito's buzz.

"Okay, okay." Dad sat down again; his legs couldn't support him for long. He sat there, looking at Xiao Hui, his eyes a little red.

Mom chimed in, "Sit down, sit down, don't stand. What would you like to drink later, Xiao Yi? Tea or water?"

Xiao Hui glanced at me.

"Plain water is fine," I said.

"Okay, okay, plain water." Mom went to pour the water.

I pulled Xiaohui to sit on the sofa. She sat very properly, her back straight, her hands on her knees. Dad sat opposite her, looking at her, then at me.

"Xiao Mu, you're not a child anymore," Dad said, his voice soft and weak.

"dad--"

"Let me finish." He coughed. "I'm happy you brought a girl home. I just wanted to see you get married before I close my eyes."

"Dad, what are you saying?"

"To be honest," he said, looking at Xiao Hui. "Xiao Hui, my son isn't good with words or social skills, but he's a good man. If you marry him, he won't treat you badly."

Xiao Hui looked up at him, then lowered her head again.

"Uncle, hello Brother Chen."

Dad paused for a moment, then smiled. It was a faint smile, but it was genuine.

Mom brought over a glass of water and placed it in front of Xiaohui. "Xiaohui, drink some water."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Mom turned and went to the kitchen again. I heard her talking to someone on the phone in the kitchen. Her voice was very low, but I could tell she was telling Aunt Wang that the person had arrived, that she looked fine, and that she was clean and well-dressed.

Lunch was plentiful. There were ribs, fish, chicken, and several other dishes. Mom had been busy all morning, and her apron was covered in grease. She kept putting food on Xiao Hui's plate, even when it was overflowing.

"Auntie, that's enough," Xiao Hui said.

"Eat more, you're too thin."

Xiao Hui ate her food slowly, head down, one grain at a time. Her mother watched her with a smile on her face. Her father also watched her, eating very little, his chopsticks in hand, occasionally taking a bite.

After dinner, Mom took Xiaohui to the inner room to look at photo albums. Dad and I sat in the living room, neither of us speaking. The clock ticked along the wall.

"Dad, how are you feeling?"

"The same as always." He paused for a moment. "This girl is quite nice."

"Um."

"Don't bully them."

"I won't."

He glanced at me, then said nothing more.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, it was time for Xiaohui to take a nap. Mom made up her bed in the inner room and let her lie down. I sat in the living room watching TV with Dad. The TV was showing traditional opera, which Dad liked to listen to, but I couldn't understand it.

My mother came out from the inner room, sat down next to me, and lowered her voice.

"Young lady, this girl is obedient. Treat her well."

"understood."

"Have you told her? When are you going to get things done?"

"Mom, we've only seen each other a few times."

"That's enough. Your dad's like this, what are you waiting for?" Mom's tone became urgent.

"Mom, I didn't wait. I just want to see how things go a bit more."

"Go ahead and go ahead and go ahead, when will you stop?" Mom's voice rose, then she quickly lowered it again. "Your dad is happy today, did you see? How long has it been since he smiled? If you get things done, he'll be happy for a year."

I didn't say anything.

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore." Mom stood up. "Think it through yourself."

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Xiao Hui woke up. When she came out of the inner room, her hair was a little messy, and there were pillow marks on her face. She walked to my side and rubbed her eyes.

"Brother Chen, are we going home?"

"Return."

I said goodbye to my parents and took Xiaohui out the door. My mother saw me to the door and held Xiaohui's hand tightly.

"I'll come again next time."

"it is good."

"Auntie will make you something delicious."

"it is good."

My mother glanced at me, her eyes a little red. I didn't say anything, got on my electric scooter, and Xiao Hui got on.

On the way back, the sun was already setting in the west.

"Brother Chen."

"Um."

Hello to your parents.

"Um."

"The aunt showed me a photo. It's of Brother Chen when he was little."

What was I like when I was a child?

"Fat," she said.

I smiled. "I'm not fat anymore."

"You've lost weight now. Thanks for your hard work, Brother Chen."

It was "Thank you for your hard work, Brother Chen" again. She'd said those four words many times, but this time it sounded different. Maybe it was because she met my parents today, or maybe it was because she saw a picture of me as a child in her album.

I do not know.

I continued riding forward.

When I dropped her off at her building, she got out of the car, stood at the bottom of the stairs, and looked at me.

"Brother Chen, have a great day!"

"Me too."

Goodbye, Brother Chen.

"goodbye."

She turned and went upstairs. After a few steps, she turned back.

"Brother Chen, please tell Uncle that I will eat well."

"it is good."

She went upstairs. Her footsteps grew fainter and fainter in the hallway until they disappeared from sight.

I stood downstairs and looked up at the third-floor window. The curtains moved slightly; I wondered if she was looking at me.

My phone vibrated. It was a WeChat message from my mom.

"Little one, has the little one gotten home yet?"

"arrive."

"This girl is really nice. You should treat her well."

"understood."

I put my phone in my pocket, got on my electric bike, and rode towards the construction site.

A gust of wind blew in from the front, making my eyes sting. I squinted, my mind replaying my father's words—"Don't bully others."

Bullying. That's not the right word. I wouldn't bully her. But can I make her life better? I don't know. I can't even take care of myself, how can I make someone else's life better?

By the time I returned to the construction site, it was almost dark. The site was quiet; the workers had all gone home. The tower crane's lights weren't on yet, and the boom hung suspended in mid-air, like a silent figure.

I walked into the office and sat down. The construction schedule for next week was spread out on the desk, but it hadn't been arranged yet. I picked up a pen, then put it down again.

My phone lit up. It was a voice message from Xiaohui.

I clicked on it.

"Brother Chen, do your parents like your new clothes today?"

I pressed the voice button and said, "I like it."

Send it out.

Then I put my phone on the table and leaned back in my chair.

After a short break, I picked up my pen and began to plan the construction schedule for next week.

Monday: West Zone roof slab reinforcement binding. Tuesday: Inspection. Wednesday: Pouring.

Write it line by line.

After I finished writing it, I posted the schedule on the wall.

Stand up and put on your helmet.

Step out of the office.