Love in the Fast Lane - Chapter 57 - Dad Said It Was Really Up His Alley

Tang Ning had been rolling around in the village since he was a child. Before going to college, he also worked at construction sites to earn his tuition fees. To him, repairing a house was not a difficult task, especially when it was only a matter of fixing the roof.

The old house wasn’t that old. It was just that a few days ago, some mischievous kids from the town set off firecrackers and accidentally set the roof grass on fire. Since there was no one at home, the fire grew and even burned the purlins. If it weren’t for Mo Zihan’s parents coming back that day, the small wooden house might have been beyond saving.

Mo Zihan rubbed her eyes, aware of the incident. Her mom had complained to her over the phone, claiming that if her dad hadn’t held her back, she would have grabbed a butcher knife and gone to confront the parents of those brats, not stopping until she had beaten them black and blue.

Aren’t you supposed to be a college professor? How could you have such a bad temper? Mo Zihan couldn’t understand.

Her grandparents were knowledgeable and respected intellectuals, famous in the county. How did they end up with a daughter like this? As for Mo Zihan herself, she considered herself to have a good temperament. Could it be that she had completely inherited her dad’s personality and had nothing to do with her mom?

Bah! Mo Zihan quickly dismissed this rebellious thought, put on her coat, and went downstairs. She saw her dad in the yard, passing mud slurry up to the roof, where Tang Ning was busy with a trowel. Her mom was actually standing in the yard, cracking sunflower seeds and chatting with her grandma in their hometown dialect.

Tang Ning couldn’t understand what they were talking about, but Mo Zihan could.

Her grandma was implying that Xiao Tang was really a good kid-honest and with a modest background, just right for their family. Her mom, however, played it cool and said they still needed to observe him more.

Wait, are they negotiating to sell me off? Mo Zihan was furious but helpless. Now, the whole family, including Tang Ning’s parents, approved of this match. Despite Mo Zihan not seeing what was so great about this so-called match, they all thought it was good. Could it be that Tang Ning was really that likable?

Mo Zihan leaned against the door, squinting at Tang Ning for a good while. He was squatting up there, looking very focused, talking to her dad while carefully applying mud on the roof. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a speck of mud on him, clearly indicating he was quite skilled at this work. Hmm, this guy is honest? This guy has good sense?

Mo Zihan shook her head. This was just an old fox, often taciturn, couldn’t even say a proper confession, and you’re telling me he has good sense?

“What are we having for dinner?” Suddenly remembering something, Mo Zihan quickly asked her mom.

According to the custom here, when a new son-in-law comes to visit, he has to make the first meal. Tang Ning’s culinary skills were decent, but he seemed to excel only at a few noodle dishes. When it came to cooking other dishes, he used seasoning like there was no tomorrow.

Her mom gave her a glare. Grandpa, coming out of the side room, looked at Tang Ning with a smile and went out with a stick in hand.

Tang Ning’s dad grinned and said, “Xiao Tang said he’s going to show off his skills today. All the ingredients are ready, so we’ll taste Xiao Tang’s cooking tonight. Xiaohan, do you usually eat out?”

Mo Zihan scoffed, “His mom says the outside food isn’t clean, so she doesn’t let him buy it. He usually cooks at home, just a few common dishes. What’s there to show off? If it’s noodles, I might as well warn you all in advance to prepare some snacks now, so you won’t go hungry tonight.”

Her mom raised an eyebrow, “Oh? So, you’re saying you’ve gotten used to eating noodles too?”

Mo Zihan retorted, “Come on, I’ve lived in the Northern Region for years; how could I not get used to it? It’s convenient to make and filling. Do you think we’re living it up outside?”

Grandma chuckled, “What’s this ‘his mom’ talk? You should change the way you address her, or people will think you weren’t brought up well. Xiao Tang, don’t you agree?”

Tang Ning laughed awkwardly, “Grandma, no rush. Everything takes time to adjust, right? Just like when I first came here; after a night’s sleep, I’m only now starting to feel comfortable.”

Grandma beamed with joy, “Look at this honest kid, honest is good, honest is good.”

Mo Zihan glared at Tang Ning, busy on the roof. Seriously? Would it kill you not to pretend? Who would believe you’re that honest?

But it seemed that this guy had really won the whole family over. Look at how happy grandma is. Am I your granddaughter, or is he your grandson?

Tang Ning was especially diligent and efficient. In less than two hours, he had replaced the purlins under the roof without anyone else’s help. He made a triangular support structure and skillfully got everything onto the roof, moving around like a monkey, and quickly laid everything down. After cementing it, he covered it with a layer of grass. To prevent another fire incident, he added another layer of cement on top. When he jumped down, Mo Zihan’s dad personally went up and tested it, finding it very solid.

“This kid works really well,” her dad commented as he came down. Grandpa returned from outside, squinting around with satisfaction and nodding his approval.

Mo Zihan was fuming internally. If you’re going to praise someone, just praise the house; why do you have to throw in this guy? Are you afraid I won’t get married? She felt as if her whole family was worried she’d never find a husband. Now that a decent guy had shown up, they seemed eager to marry her off at the first chance.

Am I really that undesirable?

While Mo Zihan was still brooding, her mom called out from inside the house, “Xiaohan, why are you just standing there? Get some water for Xiao Tang to wash his face. You must be really spoiled.” Then she shouted at Tang Ning, who was tidying up in the yard, “Xiao Tang, there’s a long road ahead. You can’t spoil her like this. Women, if you spoil them too much, they’ll become overbearing. She should do what’s hers to do; you have to make her do it. Otherwise, over time, it’ll cause conflicts. It’s best to solve these things as they come up to avoid future problems.”

Alright, this is clearly you setting up a test for Tang Ning, not me.

Mo Zihan knew that Tang Ning was as sly as a fox. Did they really think he was showing his true self now? This obvious ploy of hers definitely wouldn’t succeed.

Thinking it over, Mo Zihan suddenly felt curious about Tang Ning’s true thoughts. Was he genuinely willing to do all this, or was he just pretending to complete a task? She wanted to ask him, but now wasn’t the right time.

Even if she thought Tang Ning might just make up a bunch of pleasant lies to pacify her, she still wanted to hear them. Even if they were false, if they could make her happy for a little while, that wouldn’t be too bad.

Almost everyone in the yard pricked up their ears, waiting to hear Tang Ning’s response.

Tang Ning smiled calmly and said earnestly, “It’s not about spoiling each other. In a relationship, it’s about complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses to make it last. Both Xiaohan and I have jobs, and hers is much busier than mine, with a nine-to-five schedule. I’m often at home, and there’s not much to do, so I handle it all easily. When she comes home to a tidy house, she’s in a good mood. We cook and eat together, chat, and we’re both happy. Even if she’s in a bad mood, Xiaohan is very diligent and cleans the house once a week. It makes her happy, and it makes me happy too. Any feelings of discontent just disappear. These might be small things, but over time, they add up to create a wonderful life.”

Mo Zihan blushed. Alright, considering you spoke up for me, I won’t expose you.

Unexpectedly, her blushing only made her mom feel more delighted. To her mom, this was the sign of a sweet couple, a bit proud and a bit shy after being noticed.

Hmm, this major test seems to be passed now. Overall, her mom was quite satisfied with Tang Ning. The slight discomfort she felt from her daughter being quietly whisked away had now completely dissipated thanks to his words.

Mo Zihan didn’t dare look Tang Ning in the eyes. She felt like he had spoken from the heart, and it resonated with her. However, she would need to confirm it with him personally. After all, could she be tricked just by some possibly insincere statements? No way, nothing comes that easily in this world!

“Xiao Tang, what you said is very true. Life is about supporting each other through the little things, without big fights or upheavals. That’s what life really is,” Mo Zihan’s dad said, walking over appreciatively. He helped Tang Ning gather the things on the ground, expressing his satisfaction.